| Parliament resumes under shadow of defence tragedy Just like MPs and Senators from across the country, we were back in Canberra this week for the first sitting week of the spring session, following a long winter recess. With the upcoming referendum losing public support and their legislative agenda in doubt, the Albanese Government has a busy Parliamentary session ahead. The week began in the most sombre of all ways, with Parliament pausing to reflect on the death of four Australian Defence Force personnel during exercise Talisman Sabre. The Defence Minister and Chief of Defence Force confirmed on Monday that, despite being still missing, there was no hope the four men had survived the MRH-90 helicopter crash. In a mark of bipartisan respect, opposition leader Peter Dutton used his first question to the Prime Minister in Question Time on Monday to ask for an update on the tragedy. Before the political theatrics of Parliament resumed, and they did shortly thereafter, it was a stark reminder that the men and women of our ADF put their lives on the line every day in order to keep the nation safe and secure. If you missed the week’s political headlines or wondering what they’re all about, catch up on everything below. |
| Albanese sets up double dissolution trigger Before the winter break, the Greens and Coalition voted together in the Senate to delay consideration of the government’s Housing Australia Future Fund bill, which the government took as the first of two triggers for a double dissolution election. On Wednesday, the government reintroduced the legislation in the lower House, where it will be easily passed with their majority. But if the Greens fail to strike a deal with the government and it is defeated again in the Senate, the Prime Minister will be able to call an early double dissolution election – using that threat to encourage the minor party to negotiate in good faith to reach agreement. The last double dissolution election was called in 2016 by then-Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. A DD means all elected positions are up for re-elections – all MPs and Senators. The lower quota of votes required to be elected to the Senate, owing to a greater number of vacancies (DD elections are whole-Senate rather than half-Senate elections), increases the likelihood of independent and minor party senators being elected. A DD election would be appealing to the government as an option to reduce the number of Greens senators on the crossbench, but may result in an even more unruly and unpredictable crossbench. Currently, a deal on the housing bill between the government and the Greens looks unlikely. The two are currently miles apart on their demands, with the Greens demanding $2.5 billion a year to be spent on social and affordable housing (down from their initial $5 billion/year ask), and the government committing to $500 million a year. The Greens also want the PM to force the states and territories to enforce a nationwide rent freeze, and throw in an extra $1 billion as an incentive. It prompted the Prime Minister this week to claim the Greens ‘talk about figures and money like it’s monopoly’. Other Senate crossbenchers, such as ACT independent senator David Pocock are urging the Greens and the government to reach a deal and pass the bill, saying that the minor party should get the housing policy passed and work with the government later on further housing affordability support. Coalition takes a stand (sort of) on welfare payments The government’s bill to increase welfare payments by $40 a fortnight was due for debate in the Senate this week, and the Coalition on Monday declared they didn’t support the increase and would seek to amend the legislation. In his budget in reply speech in May, opposition leader Peter Dutton announced their policy to allow welfare recipients to earn more income before it affected their government payment, proposing an increase in the income threshold from $150 to $300 a fortnight. Shadow minister for social services, Michael Sukkar, issued a press release on Monday saying it was the Coalition’s policy to “reverse the $40 per fortnight increase” but was forced to confirm that morning they would, in fact, not repeal a legislated increase to the base rate when next in government. The Coalition also conceded they did not have the numbers in the Senate to force amendments to the government’s bill, and they wouldn’t stand in the way of the bill’s passage through Parliament. If you’re confused, you’re not alone – we encountered a Coalition senator’s staff member this week who admitted even they had no idea what the opposition’s position on the bill was. The legislation passed on Wednesday, waived through by Coalition senators. Burney and PM face questions over treaty plans Debate continued this week over the government’s referendum on the Voice to Parliament, with Indigenous Australians minister Linda Burney facing continued scrutiny in Question Time. The Coalition pressed both Burney and the Prime Minister for details about the government’s plans to pursue a treaty with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people if the referendum is successful and the Voice is established. The PM and prominent Voice campaigners have attempted to avoid discussion about a treaty, with the government claiming the referendum and the Voice have nothing to do with treaty. But this claim is clearly misleading, given the government has committed to implementing the full Uluru Statement from the Heart, which calls for ‘voice, treaty and truth’. It’s a damaging conversation for the ‘yes’ campaign and for the PM, who needs to win support from both sides of the ‘no’ campaign, that is; constitutional conservatives and those who oppose the Voice because of it’s potential influence on government policy, and those on the left who oppose the Voice precisely because it is being proposed before negotiation of a treaty. Burney’s defence of the Voice was weak and unconvincing in Parliament this week, ignoring basic questions on detail and further damaging the chances of the referendum succeeding. Rates reprieve but cost of living pressures remain There were a lot of people breathing a sigh of relief when the RBA announced on Tuesday afternoon that rates would be left on hold, including the federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers in the House of Representatives chamber. While the referendum debate rages in Canberra, the government is acutely aware many struggling Australians think there is only one issue they should be pursuing at the moment and that is helping to rein in the spiralling cost of living. The economy’s reaction to more than 12 months of interest rate hikes will largely determine whether the government chances an early election next year, with the next six months critical as large numbers of mortgage holders come off fixed rates and over the so-called ‘mortgage cliff’. Passage of the government’s social security bill this week will be a relief for some on welfare, but for large parts of ‘middle Australia’, working families with mortgages, there’s little to no relief in sight. Queensland LNP senator James McGrath told the Coalition party room this week that the Fadden by-election result proved mortgage-belt voters deserted Labor at the poll, and put the government on notice over its response to the housing and cost of living crises. And in news from outside the bubble… Outside the Canberra Bubble we saw the mighty Matilda’s defeat Canada 4-0 and securing a spot in the top 16 at the FIFE Women’s World Cup. They will now face Denmark – a win over them would see the Matilda’s through to the quarter-finals. With all of Australia behind them, the Matilda’s have a great chance to make history. Donald Trump made headlines again this week after being indicted for a third time. Trump was indicted on four federal felony charges that relate to his alleged efforts to discount the results of the 2020 Presidential Election and the 6 January 2021 Capitol Building riots. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges and the trial is expected to begin in May 2024. Despite the unprecedented criminal charges, he remains the leading Republican candidate for the 2024 Presidential Election. Interestingly, even if Trump was found guilty and serving prison time, he could still run for President of the United States at the next election – wow! As of Tuesday, Australian’s are paying a lot more for their favourite cocktails. In fact, the latest increase in the spirits excise tax means Australian distillers are now required to pay $100 in tax for every litre of alcohol. In comparison, US distillers pay $10 per ltire. With the emergence of independent distillers, especially in regional areas, this is a huge impost and will significantly impact their business. No doubt this increase will have to be passed onto consumers so we should expect to see our favourite margherita increase to $30. This week Australia lost the final Ashes test in England but managed to retain the Ashes after the series was drawn at 2-2. The wash-out of game four at Old Trafford saved the Aussies as England were on a path to victory until play had to be called off due to rain. The series was once again clouded in controversary after a controversial dismissal in game two. |