Summary
Unsurprisingly Parliamentarians, journalists, staffers and lobbyists alike were somewhat slow out of the blocks this morning, seeking the refuge of a toasted egg and bacon roll at Aussies, following another successful Midwinter Ball. Despite the (over) indulgence of alcohol, music and networking, the Ball is always an excellent community effort that raises much-needed funds for charities, which in 2017 included Lifeline, the Stroke Foundation and the Alannah & Madeline Foundation.
Given the national prominence that proposed changes to Australian citizenship have generated in the previous weeks, the Government used the final sitting day of the week to hammer their perceived electoral strength: secure borders and stronger immigration policies.
1.Changes to citizenship laws, specifically around Australian values, as introduced into the Parliament by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Peter Dutton MP, this morning was sensible fodder for the Government in Question Time, led by the Prime Minister, who trumpeted the benefits of the proposed changes. Answering a Dorothy Dixer from the Member for Bonner, Mr Ross Vasta MP, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP said “we have a migration program that has the people’s confidence. We make no apologies for ensuring that those who seek to join our Australian family are committed to the values that define us, and which unite us”.
2.The Question Time trilateral battle between the Minister for Foreign Affairs, the Hon Julie Bishop MP, the Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP and Member for Burt, Mr Matt Keogh MP, was again on display. Answering a Dorothy Dixer from the Member for Gilmore, Ms Ann Sudmalis MP, the Minister for Foreign Affairs questioned the House “what role did the Member for Hunter play, as a member of the National Security Committee and the Minister for Defence, in that extraordinary about-face (Australia pulling out of a planned quadrilateral meeting with US/India/Japan) and back-flip on part of the Labor Government with no explanation”. On replying to a near repeat of yesterday’s question from the Member for Burt about the Julie Bishop Glorious Foundation, the Foreign Minister received a rousing applause from her party when she said “well Mr Speaker, if one thing is for certain, the word glorious will never be in the same sentence as the Member from Perth”.
3.Following a question from the Member for Blaxland and Shadow Minister for Trade and Investment, the Hon Jason Clare MP, regarding the employment of the former Minister for Trade, the Hon Andrew Robb AO, immediately following his parliamentary career, the Prime Minister was forced to confirm to the House he had discussed the these issues with his Departmental Secretary, Dr Martin Parkinson. Addressing the question, the Prime Minister said “I have discussed these matters with the Secretary of my department, and he confirmed that… (he has) twice discussed with Mr Andrew Robb the obligations placed on former Ministers by the Statement of Ministerial Standards. On both occasions… Mr Robb assured me he’s complied with the statement… in terms of his post-Cabinet and post-Parliament activities and has reiterated that commitment in writing”.
4.The Prime Minister, perhaps tired of answering similar questions from the Opposition on the Finkel Review and the future of coal-fired power stations, was captured by the dispatch box microphone ordering the Minister for the Environment and Energy, the Hon Josh Frydenberg MP to “keep it short though” before attempting to answer a question from the Shadow Minister for Climate Change and Energy, the Hon Mark Butler MP.
1.At least six people are confirmed dead from the Grenfell Tower fire in London. The London Ambulance Service says a total of 78 people have been taken to hospital, with twenty of those people in critical care. The local council, Kensington and Chelsea Borough, has admitted it received complaints about the refurbishment of the block, which is 24 storeys high with 120 four-bedroom homes.
2.Three Victorian federal ministers, the Hon Greg Hunt MP, the Hon Alan Tudge MP and the Hon Michael Sukkar MP, have been asked to explain why they should not face contempt of court proceedings after they criticised two of Victoria’s most senior judges, Chief Justice Marilyn Warren and Judge Mark Weinberg, about apparent differences between the sentences for terrorism offences that are imposed in NSW and Victoria. The three Ministers were today informed that the Victorian Court of Appeal “requires you or your legal representatives to appear before the Court of Appeal on Friday 16 June 2017 at 11.30am to make submissions as to why you should not be referred for prosecution for contempt”.
3.Australia’s unemployment figure was better than expected in May with a seasonally-adjusted rate of 5.5 per cent, down from 5.7 per cent in April. The number of people employed rose by 42,000. The number of people in full-time work increased by 52,100 in May, while those in part-time work fell by 10,100. The Australia Bureau of Statistics said its workforce participation rate rose to 64.9 per cent in May, up from 64.8 per cent in April.
4.The Senate today has voted to set up a commission of inquiry into Australia’s big four banks. A commission of inquiry has similar powers to a Royal Commission?—?which the Government has so far resisted?—?but reports to Parliament, rather than to the government.
5.Official data released today in Victoria confirm crime is on the rise, with police recording a near 20 per cent rise in the number robberies. The state’s overall crime rate rose by 4 per cent in the year to April, with police recording 543,391 offences, including more than 43,765 incidents of assault and related offences.
Today’s legislation focus included:
1.Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Bill 2017.
2.Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Broadcasting Reform) Bill 2017.
3.Australian Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening The Requirements For Australian Citizenship And Other Measures) Bill 2017.
4.Treasury Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy And Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2017.
5.Major Bank Levy Bill 2017.
