Blog Entrieshttps://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/Blog_entriesThe latest blog entriesen{E24272C6-E53D-4DD8-AC14-68DE858BE1DD}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/March/Counting_her_in_IWD_2024Counting her in – International Women’s Day 2024The United Nation’s theme for International Women’s Day is ‘<a href="https://www.iwd.net.au/">Count her in: Invest in women. Accelerate progress</a>’. This theme focuses on strengthening women’s economic inclusion through providing the tools and opportunities to participate in economic decision-making. Women’s <a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/what-we-do/economic-empowerment/facts-and-figures">economic empowerment</a> assists to close gaps in pay, industry employment, occupation choices and transitional pathways, while their higher workforce participation generally leads to better health, education, and political outcomes. This article summarises key employment and business statistics for women (15 to 64 years unless otherwise noted), their involvement in agriculture, health status, civic and community participation. This article does not attempt to compare women to men, rather it focuses on different outcomes for selected groups of women.Fri, 08 Mar 2024 13:23:00 +1100{36B82C69-E75D-4B95-8C33-76A7854E4ED6}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/March/Women_in_CabinetWomen in Cabinet<p>On 6 March 2024 Senator <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/00AOU">Penny Wong</a> <a>becomes </a>the longest serving female Cabinet Minister. Her cumulative 2,769 days in Cabinet (over 7 and a half years from 2007–13 and 2022 onwards) sees her overtake fellow South Australian <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/7E4">Amanda Vanstone</a> (who served from 1996–7 and 2001–7). Upon such a notable achievement, this Flagpost article reflects on the broader history of women in Cabinet and highlights their important and varied contributions. <span></span></p> <div> <div> <div id="_com_1" language="JavaScript"> </div> </div> </div>Tue, 05 Mar 2024 10:09:40 +1100{23644773-0C3B-469F-9AED-281E9BCDD6D5}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/February/Australian_women_at_the_CSWAustralian women at the UN Commission on the Status of Women in the early years<p style="background: white;"><span style="color: black;">From 11 to 22 March, the United Nations (UN) </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://www.unwomen.org/en/csw"><span>Commission on the Status of Women (CSW)</span></a></span><span> is scheduled to hold</span><span style="color: black;"> its 68th annual meeting, as the ‘principal global intergovernmental body exclusively dedicated to promoting gender equality and the empowerment of women’. Australia played a formative role in establishing the CSW in 1946, and recently concluded a membership term </span><span style="color: black;"><a href="https://ministers.pmc.gov.au/mccarthy/2023/australian-delegation-united-nations-commission-status-women"><span>from 2020 to 2023</span></a></span><span style="color: black;">. This Flagpost gives an overview of some of the key Australian women who helped establish the CSW and direct its functions and efforts in the early years.</span></p> <p style="background: white;"> </p>Mon, 04 Mar 2024 08:53:42 +1100{B001378E-2451-4C4A-8C67-BBCAF996BCBD}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/February/Whats_new_in_MarchWhat's New in Statistics . . . March 2024Wed, 28 Feb 2024 15:06:10 +1100{E4176A82-AF0F-4855-9118-597FBDD1281C}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/February/Federation-ChamberThe Federation Chamber: 30 years of concurrent debateWed, 07 Feb 2024 14:28:38 +1100{7E30AFFD-0012-48D3-9B85-AD910350E16E}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/January/whats_new_in_FebWhat's New in Statistics . . . February 2024Wed, 31 Jan 2024 12:25:20 +1100{328CA70A-80DC-46E4-B291-A0197D625202}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/January/Defence-exportsDefence export strategy and regulation<span>The <a href="https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/statements/2023-12-02/aukus-defense-ministers-meeting-joint-statement">Australia, UK and US enhanced defence and security partnership</a> (AUKUS Partnership) can be expected to bring significant change to Australia’s defence trade control framework. Ahead of Parliament debating the <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr7121%22">Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill</a></span><span>, this </span><span>article provides background by briefly explaining Australia’s current defence export regulatory framework.</span>Thu, 25 Jan 2024 15:50:17 +1100{B7FCD9F1-43EA-470B-A1CE-211E64C7A1EE}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2024/January/Dunkley-byelection2024 Dunkley by-election<p>A by-election for the federal electoral division of <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/House_of_Representatives/About_the_House_News/Media_Releases/By-election_for_Dunkley">will occur</a> on Saturday 2 March 2024. The seat has been vacant since 4 December, following the death of <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/133646">Peta Murphy MP</a>. This Flagpost article provides details of the by-election process, and context regarding previous by-elections. </p>Wed, 24 Jan 2024 17:09:00 +1100{BF5B2912-E72E-455A-8F17-0DCE2F364D48}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/December/Whats_new_in_JanuaryWhat's New in Statistics . . . January 2024Wed, 03 Jan 2024 11:00:00 +1100{5CE46D4E-62FD-4106-85A6-FAFE4A681124}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/December/Employment_by_industry_2023Snapshot of employment by industry, 2023The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) releases quarterly estimates of employed people by industry (in their main job, if a person holds more than one job) in the publication <a href="https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/labour/employment-and-unemployment/labour-force-australia-detailed/"><em>Labour Force, Australia, Detailed</em></a>. Quarterly data is available since November 1984, with the most recent data being August 2023.Tue, 19 Dec 2023 11:05:00 +1100{F7CBDA87-D4E7-48D3-AC80-B2B18E1B77BB}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/December/MP_and_Senator_parliamentariansSame building - different chamber: Parliamentarians who have been an MP and Senator<p>On 30 November 2023 <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/274506">Dave Sharma</a> became the Australian parliament’s 644th Senator, filling the <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Senate/Powers_practice_n_procedures/Constitution/chapter1/Part_II_-_The_Senate#chapter-01_part-02_15">casual vacancy</a> created when <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/M56">Senator Marise Payne</a> resigned on 30 September 2023. In doing so Senator Sharma becomes the 53rd person to sit in both chambers of Australia’s federal parliament, following his service in the House of Representatives as Member for Wentworth from 2019 to 2022. This Flagpost article reviews the history of those who have followed a similar path and the reasons it can occur.</p>Fri, 01 Dec 2023 11:57:46 +1100{A82D72D8-F83D-4337-8DB5-DE703D0A4F5E}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/November/Whats_new_in_DecemberWhat's New in Statistics . . . DecemberThu, 30 Nov 2023 09:27:00 +1100{4EFC0715-3504-413D-A291-D57E41E61916}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/November/Bills_propose_expansion_of_the_water_trigger_to_unconventional_gas_projectsBills propose expansion of the water trigger to unconventional gas projects<p>During October 2023, <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr7086%22">Dr Sophie Scamps MP</a> (Independent) and <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fs1396%22">Senator Sarah Hanson-Young</a> (Australian Greens) introduced identical bills to expand the existing ‘water trigger’ in the <a href="https://www.legislation.gov.au/Series/C2004A00485"><em>Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999</em></a> (<em>EPBC Act</em>) ‘<a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F27134%2F0200%22">to ensure all proposed unconventional gas projects</a> are assessed for their impacts on critical water resources’.</p>Wed, 29 Nov 2023 10:24:37 +1100{7B23B8DB-A10D-45D2-AD0D-4F60F0CC44D7}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/November/Big_week_for_the_High_CourtA big week for the High Court: 5 significant decisions and a new Chief Justice<p style="margin-top: 6pt; text-align: justify;">The first week of November saw Australia’s High Court deliver 5 important decisions - and a new Chief Justice take the reins. </p>Fri, 17 Nov 2023 12:13:39 +1100{9262BB61-9C1C-4ECC-9C07-9429441F8776}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/November/Ethical_AI_and_the_Australian_public_sectorEthical AI and the Australian public sector: plotting an unknown course<p>Australia’s <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9449180%22"><em>AI Month</em></a> commences on 15 November amidst ongoing debate about a national AI <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9449197%22">strategy</a>, <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9449199%22">regulatory framework</a>, and a <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2F9253349%22">AI Commission</a>, mirroring similar <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fjrnart%2F9460430%22">US</a> and <a href="https://artificialintelligenceact.eu/the-act/">EU</a> initiatives. Australia is committing to implementing <em>Responsible AI </em>in <a href="https://libils3.parl.net/uhtbin/cgisirsi.exe/x/0/0/57/5/0?searchdata1=1344686%7BCKEY%7D&searchfield1=GENERAL%5ESUBJECT%5EGENERAL%5E%5E&user_id=WEBSERVER">industry</a>, the <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9450841%22">military</a> and the <a href="https://the-hatchery.co/event/responsible-ai-conference-act-nov-2023/">public sector</a> and signed <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9450844%22">the 2023 Bletchley Declaration on AI Safety</a>. In September 2023 the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) and the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR) established the <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9449202%22">Artificial Intelligence in Government Taskforce</a> (AIGT). It aims to develop an integrated regulatory framework for <em>safe, ethical,</em> and <em>responsible</em> AI use across the Australian Public Service (APS). This Flagpost discusses <span class="ui-provider">the principles informing ethical AI and current related Australian government initiatives</span>.</p>Tue, 14 Nov 2023 10:38:33 +1100{77C3FD41-BF29-45E0-A182-AD19028BC854}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/November/esportsEsports and the Olympics … what’s esports?<p>On 15 October 2023, International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Thomas Bach <a href="https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-president-announces-plans-to-create-olympic-esports-games-at-opening-of-141st-ioc-session-in-mumbai">announced</a> the IOC’s intention to establish the Olympic Esports Games. Bach has directed the newly established IOC <a href="https://olympics.com/ioc/esports-commission">Esports Commission</a> to ‘study the creation of Olympic Esports Games’. This new format would add to the current IOC program of the Summer (since 1896), Winter (since 1924) and Youth (since 2007) Olympic Games. The Paralympics are organised by the <a href="https://www.paralympic.org/">International Paralympic Committee</a>.</p> <p>But what is esports?</p> <p> </p>Tue, 07 Nov 2023 10:44:46 +1100{CE3B2B17-3BDE-48CA-B58F-C88942028464}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/October/Whats_new_in_NovemberWhat's New in Statistics . . . NovemberTue, 31 Oct 2023 12:21:00 +1100{2EF24CFC-ECD0-4AB3-B40D-9F15C3456AE8}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/October/media-literacyMedia literacy and misinformation<p>This week – 24–31 October 2023 – is UNESCO’s <a href="https://www.unesco.org/en/weeks/media-information-literacy?hub=66833">Global Media and Information Literacy Week</a>. The theme this year is ‘Media and Information Literacy in Digital Spaces: A Collective Global Agenda’. </p> <p>The prevalence of misinformation and disinformation in the media is a cause for concern around the world. The sharing of false information presented as truth raises many potential harms, including <a href="https://www.who.int/europe/news/item/01-09-2022-infodemics-and-misinformation-negatively-affect-people-s-health-behaviours--new-who-review-finds">health and safety concerns</a>, the <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Joint/Electoral_Matters/AECAnnualReport2017-18/Status_report/section?id=committees%2freportjnt%2f024259%2f27101">undermining of democratic processes</a>, and the <a href="https://aph.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=164454647&site=eds-live&scope=site&profile=eds-copcus">spread of hate speech</a>. Research also suggests that the distortion of the truth online <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s44159-021-00006-y">impacts peoples’ reasoning skills even after information has been corrected.</a></p>Mon, 30 Oct 2023 15:30:00 +1100{7C8A630C-DD46-4578-B509-CB70795DF12A}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/October/National_firearms_registerStatus of the National Firearms Register <p>On 9 June 2023, the <a href="https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/police-ministers-council-advances-national-firearms-register-09-06-2023">Attorney-General announced</a> that the Police Ministers Council ‘had taken an important step towards a National Firearms Register by reaching unanimous agreement on options to be put to National Cabinet’. The register will replace the <a href="https://www.acic.gov.au/firearm-services">Australian Firearms Information Network</a> currently operated by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. Options for implementing a national firearms register were <a href="https://ministers.ag.gov.au/media-centre/police-ministers-council-advances-national-firearms-register-09-06-2023">requested</a> by <a href="https://federation.gov.au/national-cabinet">National Cabinet</a> in the aftermath of the <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-16/wieambilla-police-shooting-religious-terrorist-attack/101983612">Wieambilla terrorist shooting in December 2022</a>. The attack resulted in the deaths of 2 police officers and a local member of the community, and <a href="https://www.news.com.au/national/queensland/crime/police-ministers-begin-work-on-national-firearms-register-after-wieambilla-shooting/news-story/2f8626d7daf767cadc692308ed796624">brought the shortcomings of the current system into focus</a>. </p> <p>This FlagPost outlines developments in plans to replace AFIN with a register and ongoing efforts to develop a system that includes all states and territories. </p>Tue, 24 Oct 2023 11:07:00 +1100{95463A69-9042-409C-B4DC-CD4EB68E5966}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/October/New_Zealand_China_relationsNew Zealand and China: changing relations<p>In December 2022, the Chinese state-owned newspaper <em>China Daily</em> carried an op-ed entitled ‘<a href="https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202212/29/WS63accc4ba31057c47eba6afe.html">Hail the pioneering spirit of relations between China and NZ</a>’ which lauded New Zealand’s relationship with China. Six months later, during a visit to China by NZ Prime Minister Chris Hipkins, <a href="http://us.china-embassy.gov.cn/eng/zgyw/202307/t20230705_11108684.htm#:~:text=China%20will%20continue%20to%20vigorously,China's%20relations%20with%20developed%20countries.">Xi Jinping was reported</a> to have told him that ‘China-New Zealand relations have long been a “pacesetter” in China’s relations with developed countries’. This repeated a maxim Xi had used with former Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern during <a href="https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201904/10/WS5cad4721a3104842260b5548.html">her visit to Beijing</a> in April 2019.</p>Thu, 12 Oct 2023 11:49:43 +1100{1F18D891-D640-4A4F-8BAE-D3F73C6EDC34}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/September/Whats_new_in_OctoberWhat's New in Statistics . . . OctoberFri, 29 Sep 2023 11:36:00 +1000{CC74B244-996D-40E0-B9C1-50E73715A1D9}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/September/Digital_ID_ConsultationDigital Identity (Digital ID) consultation process<p>On 19 September 2023 the government <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9379185%22">released</a> an exposure draft of a <a href="https://identity.govcms.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/Exposure%20draft%20of%20the%20Digital%20ID%20Bill%202023_0.pdf">Digital ID Bill</a> alongside draft <a href="https://identity.govcms.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/draft%20Digital%20ID%20Rules%20September%202023_0.pdf">Digital ID Rules</a> and <a href="https://identity.govcms.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/draft%20Digital%20ID%20Accreditation%20Rules%20September%202023.pdf">Digital ID Accreditation Rules</a>, and a range of <a href="https://www.digitalidentity.gov.au/have-your-say/2023-digital-id-bill-and-rules-submissions">fact sheets, explanatory documents and consultation questions</a>. This material was released onto the <a href="http://digitalidentity.gov.au/">digitalidentity.gov.au</a> website via a <a href="https://www.digitalidentity.gov.au/have-your-say">consultation webpage</a>, which is accepting input in 3 separate ways.</p>Tue, 26 Sep 2023 15:54:21 +1000{5D0C8123-653E-4DFC-AEA6-3614ACE3C144}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/September/Parliamentary_LibrarianThe Parliamentary Librarian: Then and Now<p>On 17 September 2023, Dr Dianne Heriot’s term as <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/OfficeHolders">Parliamentary Librarian</a> ended after more than 11 years in office. The role of Parliamentary Librarian has existed since 1901, with Mr Steven Fox newly <a href="https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8347890/parliament-house-has-a-new-parliamentary-librarian/">appointed</a> as the 11th person to hold this title. Most <a href="https://www.naa.gov.au/about-us/our-organisation/senior-executives/steven-fox">recently</a> Assistant Director-General for Collection Management at the National Archives of Australia, Mr Fox brings with him more than 30 years of experience working in a variety of cultural heritage institutions. In acknowledging this transition, this Flagpost reflects on the origins of the Parliamentary Librarian and the making of the modern Parliamentary Library.</p> <p style="margin: 0cm;"><strong><span style="color: black;"> </span></strong></p> <p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0cm;"><span style="color: black;"> </span></p> <p style="margin: 0cm;"><span> </span></p>Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:00:05 +1000{C7FBF284-A415-4AE5-9643-0D592411B92D}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/September/Referring_to_Palestinian_TerritoriesHow Australia refers to the Palestinian Territories<p>On 8 August 2023, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, noted in Parliament that ‘Australia is proposing to adopt or will be adopting or returning to the term <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F27121%2F0134%22">“Occupied Palestinian Territories</a><span>”</span>’. This represents the latest move in the adoption of specific language to refer to the Palestinian Territories that has fluctuated in tune with the policy position of successive Australian governments. It is therefore timely to review what the Territories are, briefly outline the evolution of terminology used by Australia, and compare Australia’s approach to that of its peers.</p>Fri, 08 Sep 2023 12:54:28 +1000{5F93C862-FB82-4F6A-9D5A-C71EBF00713A}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/August/Whats_new_in_SeptemberWhat's new in Statistics . . . SeptemberTue, 22 Aug 2023 08:19:03 +1000{6DAE6DA3-333A-4514-AD1E-9450EE623E03}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/August/Size_of_parliamentSizing up national parliaments: where does Australia sit?<p>In Australia, the 151 members of the House of Representatives equates to 1 MP for approximately every 134,000 people of voting age (or as a ratio 1:134,000)*. While there is no ‘optimal’ size of a parliament (given physical space and budgetary constraints), some commentators have highlighted the inherent representational implications involved. Accordingly, this Flagpost article considers the historical context, assesses the potential impacts of changing the size of the parliament, and statistically situates the Australian parliament among international comparisons.</p>Fri, 18 Aug 2023 12:46:50 +1000{40B6729F-CDCF-48BF-9CEA-35437FFA4311}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/August/DSR_vision_for_Aus_ArmyThe Defence strategic review’s vision for the Australian ArmyThe recent <a href="https://www.defence.gov.au/about/reviews-inquiries/defence-strategic-review"><em>Defence strategic review</em> (DSR)</a> highlights Australia’s deteriorating strategic circumstances and foreshadows the kind of Australian Defence Force (ADF) required to address future challenges. It recommends a shift from a balanced force – capable of responding to a variety of contingencies, but optimised for none – to a focused force designed to ‘address the nation’s most significant military risks’ (p. 54), which, as the DSR observes, is ‘the defence of Australia against potential threats arising from major power competition, including the prospect of conflict’ (p. 32).Mon, 14 Aug 2023 16:28:16 +1000{E272AABB-0078-4E91-8FD9-DB7CF4D342B8}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/August/Voluntary_Assisted_Dying_and_TelehealthDo Commonwealth carriage service offences apply to voluntary assisted dying?Thu, 03 Aug 2023 10:42:39 +1000{33E71E1F-FD17-4A05-BB0D-89CA4BE8F335}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/July/Whats_new_in_AugustWhat’s New in Statistics . . . AugustMon, 31 Jul 2023 08:11:00 +1000{FD5780C7-90AB-4104-B02D-A5CA15642B7D}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/July/Parliamentary_party_statusParliamentary party statusFri, 28 Jul 2023 11:19:04 +1000{B575663C-CBD1-4E8A-A453-3A55B0B0908B}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/July/Home_Affairs_Bill_2023The Home Affairs Bill 2023 and other Bills passed in one day<p>The rapid passage of the <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr7050%22">Home Affairs Bill 2023</a> on 15 June 2023 <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2F9220762%22">attracted public attention</a> both for its speed and national security motivations. The Bill’s passage demonstrated how quickly the Parliament can legislate in cases where parliamentarians agree that urgency is required.</p> <p>Readily searchable data on time taken for the passage of Bills is only available for the 44th Parliament onwards. Of all the bills captured by this data, the Home Affairs Bill 2023 appears to have progressed from introduction to commencement in the shortest time. This Flagpost describes the passage of the Home Affairs Bill 2023 and compares it with other recent Bills that have been introduced and passed on the same day.</p>Wed, 26 Jul 2023 11:25:15 +1000{735009E1-1FE5-4D00-B31A-2B76A2134CEA}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/July/Robodebt-RC-legislative-recommendationsRobodebt Royal Commission: Recommended legislative actions<p><a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Tabled_Documents/2743"><span>The report of the Robodebt Royal Commission</span></a><span> (the RC) was handed to the Governor-General on 7 July 2023. The report contains 57 recommendations, most of which can be implemented by the Executive branch of Government through administrative actions. Recommendations expected to require legislative changes are listed below under the relevant Commonwealth Act (where possible). </span></p>Thu, 20 Jul 2023 16:09:37 +1000{97C8FB6F-9F65-4841-8B76-A4AF0BE48AF0}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/July/Youth_representation_in_ParliamentWhen I grow up, I want to be … a politician<p>Around Australia hundreds of young people spend their school holidays debating Bills in state <a href="https://ymca.org.au/what-we-do/empowering-young-people/youth-parliament/">youth parliaments</a>. This experience may spark ‘an interest in politics’, as former federal MP (and current state MP) <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/248969">Chris Chewther</a> <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansardr%2Fd961ab05-d592-46b4-8a71-e41c76b2d8ae%2F0170%22">attests</a>, and potentially a career in politics—former Government Minister <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Parliamentarian/DZU">Kate Ellis</a> is reportedly a program <a href="https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/youth-ready-to-have-their-say/news-story/bd71df1898b251d20a1db2549feb452a">alumni</a>. However, a young person’s path to becoming a parliamentarian is often challenging. This Flagpost article discusses life-cycle constraints young Australians face in entering politics and what federal parliament is doing to represent them. </p>Tue, 18 Jul 2023 16:24:57 +1000{5BB97E7B-9005-4DF1-9DE2-161F4AE5AD5E}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/July_2023_Child_Care_Subsidy_changesChild Care Subsidy changes commencing July 2023<p>July 2023 will see the commencement of significant changes to Child Care Subsidy (CCS) including payment rate increases and expanded eligibility. </p> <p>The CCS is an Australian Government payment which assists families with the costs of child care. The payment is complex, with rates based on the type of child care used, the number of children in care, whether fees exceed rate caps, an income test, and an activity test. This <em>FlagPost</em> explains the key changes and how they will affect families using child care.</p>Wed, 28 Jun 2023 09:50:57 +1000{3DAFC6C3-77A3-4803-9FA9-B7592101755D}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/Whats_new_in_JulyWhat's new in statistics . . . JulyTue, 27 Jun 2023 08:18:15 +1000{F52750C1-ECF7-4A90-8D68-8EE748DC26D7}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/Flags_in_the_ChamberFlags in the Chambers<p style="margin-top: 0px;">One of the noticeable changes that occurred with the new 47th Parliament is the flying of the Aboriginal and the Torres Strait Islander flags alongside the Australian National Flag in the Senate and House chambers. This reform has been some time in the making.</p> <p>Following a request by the new Labor Government, the Aboriginal Flag, the Torres Strait Islander Flag and the Australian National Flag were positioned next to each other on the floor of the House of Representatives Chamber for the first time at the commencement of the 47th Parliament (26 July 2022). On 27 July 2022 the Senate <a href="https://parlinfo.parl.net/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22chamber%2Fhansards%2F25929%2F0097%22">agreed to a motion</a> that the Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag be displayed alongside the Australian National Flag in the Chamber.</p>Thu, 22 Jun 2023 10:08:00 +1000{7336D410-C9E7-43EE-A2AB-2EABC642DB59}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/ADF-RetentionRetention in the Australian Defence Force<span class="ui-provider hb b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z ab ac ae af ag ah ai aj ak" dir="ltr">The Department of Defence’s (Defence) <a aria-label="Link plan to grow" title="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlinfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3did%3a%22media%2fpressrel%2f8460960%22" href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query%3DId%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F8460960%22" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" class="fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn">plan to grow</a> its military and civilian permanent workforce to <a aria-label="Link over 101,000 by 2040" title="https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/2023-24_defence_pbs_00_complete.pdf" href="https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/2023-24_defence_pbs_00_complete.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" class="fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn">over 101,000 by 2040</a> is an ambitious undertaking. <a aria-label="Link Defence’s March 2023 submission" title="https://www.aph.gov.au/documentstore.ashx?id=8f52f547-0a6e-411f-af5c-a8e622a11876&subid=740046" href="https://www.aph.gov.au/DocumentStore.ashx?id=8f52f547-0a6e-411f-af5c-a8e622a11876&subId=740046" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" class="fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn">Defence’s March 2023 submission</a> to the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade (JSCFADT) states that the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is operating at 3,300 below its Average Funded Strength. The current planned <a aria-label="Link ADF workforce in 2023–24 is 59,673" title="https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/2023-24_defence_pbs_00_complete.pdf" href="https://www.defence.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-05/2023-24_defence_pbs_00_complete.pdf" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank" class="fui-Link ___1idfs5o f3rmtva f1ewtqcl fyind8e f1k6fduh f1w7gpdv fk6fouc fjoy568 figsok6 f1hu3pq6 f11qmguv f19f4twv f1tyq0we f1g0x7ka fhxju0i f1qch9an f1cnd47f fqv5qza f1vmzxwi f1o700av f13mvf36 f1cmlufx f9n3di6 f1ids18y f1tx3yz7 f1deo86v f1eh06m1 f1iescvh ftqa4ok f2hkw1w fhgqx19 f1olyrje f1p93eir f1h8hb77 f1x7u7e9 f10aw75t fsle3fq f17ae5zn">ADF workforce in 2023–24 is 59,673</a>. Additionally, planned recruiting levels and entrants into the permanent ADF are failing to offset outflows, which last year reached around 6,600 separations. The shortfall is greatest across the ADF’s middle ranks. </span><br />Tue, 20 Jun 2023 10:57:02 +1000{545E0C13-8BDC-4FDE-B578-C86566363B83}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/PACER“Witnessing democracy in action”: the Parliament and Civics Education Rebate<p>Every year, more than 100,000 school students <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Visit_Parliament/Whats_On/School_tours">visit Parliament House</a>, with many accessing the <a href="https://www.pacer.org.au/">Parliament and Civics Education Rebate</a> (PACER). <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F1654705%22">First established</a> in 1989, PACER operates to financially incentivise onsite student learning about parliament and democratic processes. This Flagpost article provides an overview of PACER’s history and evolution, as an civics education tool for many of Australia's first-time referendum voters.</p>Thu, 15 Jun 2023 11:24:00 +1000{A2FFB06E-015A-4654-9022-D37AA32270C3}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/Civics_and_CitizenshipCivics education: is Australia making the grade?<p>For most eligible voters who started primary school after 1986, the proposed referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament will be their first time participating in such an event. This Flagpost article explores the state of civics knowledge for first-time referendum voters.</p>Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:49:46 +1000{E4BDCCC5-F54A-405A-9D80-953118D53A8B}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/Civics_education_and_awareness_programReferendums … I wasn’t born (or old enough to vote) then!<p>For eligible voters born since 7 November 1981, the proposed referendum on the First Nations Voice to Parliament is shaping up to be their first time participating in such an event. As at 31 March 2023, these first-time referendum voters (<a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/Enrolling_to_vote/Enrolment_stats/elector_count/index.htm">AEC age groups 18 to 39</a>) make up approximately 35% of the electoral roll. This Flagpost article focusses on the Government’s civics education and awareness program (the program), to be rolled out in the lead up to the proposed referendum and uses examples of similar previous initiatives that illustrate what we might expect.</p>Wed, 14 Jun 2023 15:48:37 +1000{11C1702F-06A6-43C4-ADC8-EEB5C788B01B}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/June/HELP-debtHELP debt – the evolution of higher education contributions<p>On 1 June 2023 some <a href="https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.gov.au%2Fdata%2Fdataset%2Fce4c58ec-c930-4a05-8a37-f244d960e5f8%2Fresource%2F0661912a-d114-4155-8b42-63ab1417adea%2Fdownload%2Fhelp-statistics-2021-2022.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK">3 million</a> Australians, owing over $74 billion, had their outstanding student loan debt <a href="https://www.ato.gov.au/Rates/Study-and-training-loan-indexation-rates/">increased</a> by 7.1%. It comes as average loan debts have increased over the decade to 2021–22 from $15,200 to $24,800 (derived from <a href="https://view.officeapps.live.com/op/view.aspx?src=https%3A%2F%2Fdata.gov.au%2Fdata%2Fdataset%2Fce4c58ec-c930-4a05-8a37-f244d960e5f8%2Fresource%2F0661912a-d114-4155-8b42-63ab1417adea%2Fdownload%2Fhelp-statistics-2021-2022.xlsx&wdOrigin=BROWSELINK">Table 6</a>).</p> <p>The high rate of indexation this year has led to calls for change by the <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=s1355">Greens</a> and the <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressrel%2F9196011%22">crossbench</a>, while the <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22media%2Fpressclp%2F9197058%22">Opposition</a> has called for ‘urgent action’ to address the issue. So how did we get here?</p>Fri, 09 Jun 2023 15:18:33 +1000{7A8E9949-1A3D-4CF5-B3EF-D6134691CB3E}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/May/Electorate_namesElectorate names: who is honoured?<p><a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fprspub%2F8744488%22">Federal redistribution processes</a> provide an opportunity to introduce new electorate names, either by renaming existing electorates or naming new ones. Recent redistribution processes, including those in <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/Electorates/Redistributions/2021/vic/suggestions.htm">Victoria</a> and <a href="https://www.aec.gov.au/Electorates/Redistributions/2021/wa/suggestions.htm">Western Australia</a> in 2021, have included calls for more diverse electorate names to honour more women and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This Flagpost article examines the electorate naming processes, current levels of diversity, and commentary advocating for change.</p>Wed, 31 May 2023 16:33:00 +1000{39C59F2D-C2C8-4BDE-9CC9-1168C97CD693}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/May/Whats_new_in_statistics_JuneWhat's new in statistics . . . JuneWed, 31 May 2023 16:14:00 +1000{65614D50-D007-4312-AB36-E17782E7B6FD}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/May/Parliament_House_35th_anniversaryDesign and construction of Australia’s Parliament House—35 years on<p>On 9 May 1988, 35 years ago, <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gLEzTwqUJk&t=51m26s">Australia’s Parliament House was opened by Queen Elizabeth II</a>. The opening echoed the date of both <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/download/library/prspub/7945959/upload_binary/7945959.pdf;fileType=application%2Fpdf#search=%22Sloane,%20Michael%22">the inaugural opening of the Commonwealth Parliament</a> at the Exhibition Building in Melbourne and <a href="https://aso.gov.au/titles/newsreels/official-opening-canberra/">the opening of the Provisional Parliament House in Canberra</a>, on 9 May in 1901 and 1927 respectively. This Flagpost article revisits the construction of new Parliament House.</p>Mon, 08 May 2023 13:22:00 +1000{F9E53455-CF80-40F6-9C1B-726A7424E050}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/April/Whats_new_in_MayWhat's new in statistics . . . MayFri, 28 Apr 2023 12:02:00 +1000{66D319BE-2317-4BF1-9C89-235A31151349}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/April/Australia-Vietnam-relationsThe evolving Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic PartnershipAustralia and Vietnam have fostered a <a href="https://www.dfat.gov.au/geo/vietnam/vietnam-country-brief">strong relationship</a> over the past 50 years that has garnered benefits across areas of strategic and mutual interest, from trade and investment, defence and security, knowledge and innovation transfer, to development assistance. This solid base has led to the 2 nations discussing the upgrade of their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).Wed, 26 Apr 2023 16:04:55 +1000{85126E6D-BAD2-43D4-8ADD-5847806FFB18}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/March/Whats_new_in_AprilWhat's new in statistics . . . AprilFri, 31 Mar 2023 14:11:24 +1100{889F4B81-64CA-4A62-A6C3-E1C94E95837A}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/March/Voting_patterns_by_generationVoting patterns by generation at federal elections since 2001Tue, 28 Mar 2023 15:05:19 +1100{E6BB9E6C-2981-4BE5-9B6B-6A4CE9D5FD50}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/March/Government_responses_to_Senate_committee_reports50 years of government responses to Senate committee reports<p>In just over 6 months, the 47th Parliament has established close to 70 <a href="https://handbook.aph.gov.au/Committees?committeeTypes=All%20types&parliaments=47&pageSize=50">committees</a> and tabled more than 70 reports across the <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Recently_Tabled_Reports">Senate</a> and <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/House/Recently_Tabled_Reports">House of Representatives</a><span> committees</span>. However, once a committee tables a report with recommendations, what’s next? This question was raised 50 years ago and led to a resolution requiring the Government to respond to Senate committees’ recommendations, as will be discussed in this Flagpost article.</p>Tue, 14 Mar 2023 16:57:00 +1100{195D358C-901E-4E18-9F44-7E7FE6EE4260}https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2023/March/International_Womens_Day_2023Same same, but different: International Women’s Day 2023 focuses on a more equal futureInternational Women’s Day (IWD) is being acknowledged on 8 March 2023. The UN Women’s theme for this year is <a href="https://unwomen.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/IWD-Key-Messages-2023-v2.pdf"><em>#CrackingtheCode</em></a>, which aims to use innovation to increase women’s participation in the digital world through better access to technology, increased inclusivity and championing of women’s involvement in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics).Wed, 08 Mar 2023 12:03:51 +1100