Albanese secures rushed legislative agenda ahead of election
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The news: The Albanese government pushed through much of its legislative agenda in a single day with agreements reached with the Greens, independents and the Coalition to advance major legislative priorities ahead of the next federal election.
The context: With a federal election due by May 17 next year, the legislative win offers Anthony Albanese and his government an opportunity to improve its standing in the polls.
The Prime Minister has the option of holding the election before March, but on Thursday Albanese told the ABC 7.30 his government “fully expects” to reconvene parliament in February.
The over 30 bills that had reportedly secured Senate passage Thursday night included the world’s first social media ban for under-16s, reforms to the RBA, stricter migration laws and housing policies designed to increase construction and affordability.
The feat was achieved with a key deal with the Greens backing the government’s push to expedite votes on 27 bills under a so-called guillotine motion to limit debate.
In exchange, the Greens reportedly secured $500 million for social housing energy upgrades and commitments to exclude fossil fuel subsidies under the Future Made in Australia program that encourages local manufacturing.
The government secured the passage of Reserve Bank reforms - which include the creation of a second RBA monetary policy board to operate alongside a governance board, and which the Coalition opposed - by gaining Greens support through amendments preserving the Treasurer’s veto power over interest rate decisions and the RBA’s authority to direct bank lending.
Separate agreements with the Coalition enabled the passage of strict migration measures and the social media ban, which will cost non-compliant tech giants up to $50 million in fines if they don’t stop minors logging in.
Controversial reforms on electoral donations and a super tax increase were reportedly shelved. The Senate, however, did pass a law defining the objective of superannuation.
Other bills expedited under the guillotine motion supported by the Greens included reforms to family law, measures to strengthen protections for sexual assault survivors in trials, the establishment of a student ombudsman under the Universities Accord, and steps to address slot hoarding at Sydney Airport to boost aviation competition.
Parliament will return briefly from 7am on Friday to use the guillotine and formally pass any remaining bills.
What they said: Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrated the legislative push as progress. “We have been determined to get things done to make a difference,” Albanese said.
“This is what it looks like to have a government that is prepared to work across the parliament to turn promises into progress. What those opposite have done consistently is just seek to oppose.”
But critics, including Senator Jacqui Lambie, slammed the process as rushed and lacking scrutiny. “To say that I am disappointed in this government is an understatement,” Lambie told the Senate.
“When it comes to transparency and integrity, this government has been an epic failure.”
In a joint media release, Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the Future Made in Australia legislation that passed Parliament will position Australia as a key player in the global shift to net zero emissions.
“We are providing investors with the clarity, certainty and the cooperation they need to build and grow new industries in Australia, and making sure those benefits flow to communities all over the country,” the statement says.
The sources: The Australian Senate, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Guardian, The Australian Financial Review, Reuters, Capital Brief
