The 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 Labour Force, Australia, Detailed. Quarterly data is available since November 1984, with the most recent data being August 2022. Read more...
Now that the Treasurer’s Budget speech is over, the work of legislating the Budget begins. This includes parliamentarians sitting in the Federation Chamber for the Consideration in Detail (CiD) stage of Appropriation Bill No. 1 (the Bill), navigating House Estimates. If you’re not familiar with any of these terms, don’t worry – you’re definitely not alone. House Estimates gets significantly less attention than it’s Senate counterpart, so this Flagpost seeks to provide some clarity and context around this largely unknown aspect of House of Representatives procedure. Read more...
The Government's introduction of the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) legislation has led to discussion about the potential for political donations (particularly large donations) to have a corrupting influence. This is occurring in the context of a federal parliamentary committee inquiry into the 2022 election and two state anti-corruption agencies’ recent comments on links between political finance rules and corruption. Read more...
This month: How Australians use their time, renewable energy and National Diabetes Month. Forthcoming releases If you are interested in any of the forthcoming releases or datasets, please contact the Parliamentary Library to discuss in more detail. Statistical reports Release date ABS Building Approvals, September 2022 2 Nov ABS Selected Living Cost Indexes, September 2022 2 Nov ABS Lending Indicators, September 2022 2 Nov ABS ... Read more...
Observe Senate Estimates (Estimates) and you will quickly become familiar with the phrase ‘on notice’. Up to three times a year the Senate Legislation Committees hold Estimates hearings to examine the particulars of proposed or revised expenditure of departments and agencies. At these hearings senators can question the responsible Minister and senior officials from the departments and agencies. This Flagpost article examines the development of Estimates committees’ questions on notice (QoNs) and what lessons can be learnt as the Estimates hearings commence in the 47th parliament. Read more...
On this day 58 years ago, Prime Minister Robert Menzies formally inaugurated Canberra’s iconic Lake Burley Griffin. The lake’s development was both protracted and contentious, ostensibly as it involved submerging the Royal Canberra Golf Club (RCGC). This Flagpost article recounts the bureaucratic machinations involved in this story, including whether senior officials delayed the lake’s construction to maintain access to the golf course. Read more...
There are currently 270 House Standing Orders and 210 in the Senate. These Standing Orders are rules which govern the operation and conduct of House and Senate business, as provided for in The Constitution (section 50). House Practice and Senate Odgers set out that ‘Standing Orders are made and amended via a motion moved on notice in the usual way’ or ‘ordinary way’ respectively. It’s become the custom of incoming governments to review Standing Orders in the new parliament. This review started in the first sitting week of the 47th Parliament, as explained in the previous Flagpost article Sitting times and Standing Orders: recent changes in the House. The Ho... Read more...
This month: snapshot of the Australian economy, economic gains and losses during COVID-19, National Ocean Account, elder abuse and National Work Safety Month. Forthcoming releases If you are interested in any of the forthcoming releases or datasets, please contact the Parliamentary Library to discuss in more detail. 2021 Census of Population and Housing, 2nd release The second release of data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2021 Census of Population and Housing is due on 12 October and will include data on: Occupation Industry of employment Status of employment Public or private employer indicator Non-school qualifications Hours worked Method of ... Read more...
Most Australian parliamentarians are affiliated with a political party. From time to time, however, parliamentarians change their party affiliation or sit as an independent while retaining the seat to which they were elected. In the 46th Parliament three parliamentarians changed party. This was fewer than the 45th Parliament when six parliamentarians changed: four of whom did so more than once (see Tables below). Read more...
It has been almost 50 years since Senate committees first began reviewing government department and agency annual reports. The overarching purpose of annual reports is to ‘inform the Parliament and the public about the achievements, performance and financial position of Commonwealth entities and companies at the end of each reporting year’. This Flagpost reflects on committees’ role in scrutinising annual reports and their less visible but important impact on promoting oversight and transparency. Read more...
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