Parliament wrap-up: 25-28 October 2021
This week the House of Representatives was sitting. Throughout the week there were a range of noteworthy bills, discussions and outlined are some key highlights from Question Time.
This week in Parliament
On Monday there were nine private Member’s bills introduced in the House of Representatives, which set the record for the highest number of private Member’s bills introduced in one sitting. The previous record had been eight which occurred on the 18thof February 2019.
The Prime Minister also announced that National Party MP Keith Pitt will be rejoining cabinet after a deal was struck with the Nationals Party for their in-principle support of a 2050 net-zero target.
On Thursday, Speaker of the House of Representatives the Hon. Tony Smith MP announced that this will be his last sitting as Speaker. Smith has been a speaker for more than six years and is set to step down from this role on November 23rd. Having already announced that he will be retiring from politics at the next election, he will spend the rest of his time in Parliament as a Liberal Party backbencher. This enables time to elect a new speaker for the November sitting weeks.
What is the role of the Speaker in the House of Representatives?
The Speaker is a member of the House of Representatives who is chosen to run the House. The Speaker is elected from 151 Members of the House of Representatives and usually has extensive parliamentary experience. Their role is to ensure the Members obey the rules of the House (these rules are known as standing orders) and ensures procedures are followed.
Bills introduced this week
Electoral Legislation Amendment (Voter Integrity) Bill 2021
This Bill makes amendments to the Electoral Act and Referendum Act. The amendments will require voters to present acceptable identification documentation prior to receiving a ballot paper at polling places, pre-poll locations, and mobile polling locations. These amendments seek to reduce electoral fraud which may be caused by voter impersonation. However, the independent body that conducts elections, the Australian Electoral Commission, has reported that no one was charged with voting multiple times at the last election.
Coal Prohibition (Quit Coal) Bill 2021
This Private Members Bill proposes to phase out the burning of coal in Australia and the export of coal overseas by 2030. Australia is one of the world’s largest exporters of coal with ‘approximately 85% of the coal mined in Australia exported and burned overseas.’ The Bill highlights the proposed changes as significant for action on climate change. It was introduced by Adam Bandt MP from the Australian Greens and read for the first time on the 25thof October.
Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021
The Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill would amend the Biosecurity Act 2015 to increase the ability to manage the risks of pests and diseases entering and spreading in Australia whilst preventing harm to animals, plants, humans, the environment and the economy. Australia’s biosecurity system remains a ‘central pillar’ in defence of current threats such as COVID-19. The Bill ultimately seeks to ‘enhance the biosecurity framework.’
Matters of Public Importance
Matters of Public Importance enable Members to initiate immediate discussion on a topic. A notable topic this week was prompted by Member of Parliament Chris Bowen, who submitted a matter of public importance for discussion. The topic addressed was: ‘The Government’s climate announcement not being the Australian way.’
Highlights from Question Time
This week sparked a range of issues being addressed during Question Time. Climate change continues to be the pressing topic as Prime Minister Scott Morrison prepares to leave for the COP26 summit at the end of this week.
The Prime Minister continued emphasizing a need to take action on climate change. Questions that were raised included how to balance climate change with job growth. In response to this question the Prime Minister described the 2050 net zero emission target and the proposed plans as a ‘uniquely Australian solution’ which would protect jobs and livelihoods.
A question was directed to the Prime Minister asking him to outline to the House if there are plans to secure Australia’s economic future which includes opening the nation through increased COVID Vaccination rates.
In addressing the question, The Prime Minister discussed points such as the national response plan to open up the country. He also emphasized the 80% double vaccination rates which would be beneficial for both the economy and reopening the nation. The Prime Minister also mentioned the vaccination booster program which was announced on the 28thof October.
Further, the Prime Minister outlined how this week Australia had become the first country to achieve a comprehensive strategic partner with ASEAN. This partnership will enable further economic growth for Australia whilst strengthening regional relationships and working with other countries to reduce emissions.
This article was written by Ruth Navidi in collaboration with the Australian Catholic University’s Politics and International Relations Society.
About Ruth
My name is Ruth, I am a first year Law and Global Studies student and I love learning about international politics. Outside of university, I enjoy spending my time watching too much Netflix, visiting Art Galleries and hanging out with my two rabbits!
