11 February

New senator for Queensland

Senator Barry O’Sullivan (NP, Qld) is chosen by the Parliament of Queensland under Section 15 of the Constitution to represent that state in the Senate. He fills the casual vacancy created by the resignation of Barnaby Joyce MP (NP, New England, NSW) to stand for election to the House of Representatives in 2013. Senator O’Sullivan is sworn in on 13 February 2014 and makes his first speech on 19 March 2014.

Senator Barry O’Sullivan

Image source: Parliament of Australia

12 February

Ministerial statements: Closing the Gap

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP (Lib, Warringah, NSW), makes the Closing the Gap statement to the House of Representatives. This annual statement provides an update on progress towards the Closing the Gap targets, which seek to improve outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people across a range of areas. In his statement, he says:

I can report that our country is on track to achieve some of the Closing the Gap targets. The target to halve the gap in child mortality within a decade is on track to be met. We are already close to meeting the target to have 95 per cent of remote children enrolled for preschool ... The target to halve the gap in year 12 attainment by 2020 is also on track to be met. That is the good news.

The bad news is that there has been almost no progress in closing the life expectancy gap between Aboriginal and other Australians, which is still about a decade. There has been very little improvement towards halving the gap in reading, writing and numeracy. And Indigenous employment, I deeply regret to say, has, if anything, slipped backwards over the past few years.[1]

13 February

100th Victoria Cross for Australia awarded

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP (Lib, Warringah, NSW), informs the House of Representatives that the 100th Victoria Cross for Australia has been awarded posthumously to the late Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG. Corporal Baird was killed during an engagement with insurgents in southern Afghanistan in 2013, and was the 40th Australian soldier to be killed in Afghanistan. His Victoria Cross citation reads:

For most conspicuous acts of valour, extreme devotion to duty and ultimate self-sacrifice at Ghawchak village, Uruzgan Province, Afghanistan as a Commando Team Commander in Special Operations Task Group on Operation SLIPPER.[2]

Victoria Cross MoD/MOD

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Watch: VC announcement—Corporal Cameron Baird VC MG

18 February

High Court declares void the WA half-Senate election

On 15 November 2013, following the loss of 1,370 ballots, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) lodges a petition with the Court of Disputed Returns seeking an order that the election of six senators in Western Australia be declared void. An inquiry commissioned by the AEC and led by former Australian Federal Police Commissioner Mick Keelty AO identifies significant and systemic shortfalls and failings in Senate ballot paper security, storage and handling in Western Australia.[3]

On 18 February 2014, the High Court, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, declares void the 2013 half-Senate election in Western Australia, the first time that this has occurred. It finds that:

the conclusion that the loss probably affected the result of the election was inevitable. The number of ballot papers lost far exceeded the margin between the candidates at the determinative point in the count.[4]

On 21 February, the Special Minister for State, Senator Michael Ronaldson (Lib, Vic.), announces the resignations of the Electoral Commissioner, Ed Killesteyn, and the Australian Electoral Officer for Western Australia, Peter Kramer. Tom Rogers is appointed as Electoral Commissioner on 15 December 2014, having acted in that position since Killesteyn’s resignation.

27 February

House of Representatives ‘admonishes’ a senator

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop MP (Lib, Curtin, WA) expresses concern about remarks made by the Shadow Minister for Defence, Senator Stephen Conroy (ALP, Vic.) about Lieutenant General Angus Campbell during a Senate Estimates hearing.[5] The action has no effect as, while each House is able to discipline its own members, it has no such powers over members of the other House.[6] The Senate has determined by resolution that it ‘would not be proper for the Senate to seek to censure a private member of the other House.’[7]

5 March

Censure motion against Assistant Minister for Health

The Senate votes in favour of a motion to censure the Assistant Minister for Health, Senator Fiona Nash (NP, NSW), for misleading the Senate over a conflict of interest within her office, failing to comply with an order for production of documents, or to account to the Senate for her actions. The censure motion is passed 37 votes to 31. Censure motions are relatively rare in the Senate. They express the view of a majority of the Senate and, although they can have no direct constitutional or legal consequences, they may have a political impact.[8]

19 March

Ministerial accountability: Assistant Treasurer stands aside

Assistant Treasurer Senator Arthur Sinodinos (Lib, NSW) stands aside[9] after the Opposition suspends standing orders to move a motion requiring him to provide a full explanation to the Senate about his interest in Australian Water Holdings after allegations about the company were raised in the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).[10] He will formally resign as Assistant Treasurer in December 2014 pending the outcome of the ICAC inquiry.

28 March

New Governor-General sworn in

Peter Cosgrove is sworn-in as the 26th Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia and is appointed Knight of the Order of Australia.[11] He replaces the 25th Governor-General, Quentin Bryce. She is the first woman to hold the vice-regal position, and she is appointed Dame of the Order of Australia (AD) on 25 March 2014.[12]

Governor-General Peter Cosgrove

Image source: ParlView, 28 March 2014

Watch: Governor-General swearing-in ceremony, 28 March 2014

Read: Address to the Joint Sitting of Parliament on the occasion of the swearing in of the Governor-General

28 March

Motion of no confidence in the Speaker

The Manager of Opposition Business, Tony Burke MP (ALP, Watson, NSW), moves a motion of no confidence against the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Bronwyn Bishop MP (Lib, Mackellar, NSW), accusing her of partiality in favour of Government members rather than acting as ‘the custodian of the rights and privileges of elected Members of the Parliament’.[13] The motion is unsuccessful, 83 votes to 51.

According to House of Representatives Practice, the Speaker’s actions can only be criticised by a substantive motion, including dissent from a Speaker’s ruling or a censure or want of confidence motion. Whilst they are rare, there have been several substantive motions criticising the actions of a Speaker in the history of the Parliament.[14]

Motion of no confidence in the Speaker

Image source: ParlView, 28 March 2014

5 April

Western Australian Senate election

Western Australians go to the polls to elect six senators in the 2014 WA Senate election. This new election is conducted following the discovery of missing ballots during the 2013 WA Senate election and the decision of the High Court, sitting as the Court of Disputed Returns, to declare the 2013 Western Australian Senate election void. Two days before the election, the AEC admits failing to properly secure 75 ballot papers at a mobile pre-polling booth at an aged care facility.

The results are announced by the AEC on 29 April 2014.[15] The composition of the new Senate sets a record, with 18 senators on the crossbench including 10 senators representing the Australian Greens.

As a result of the 2013 Senate election issue, questions are raised about the need for electoral reform. The AEC commences an overhaul of its policies and processes in December 2013, focusing on improving ballot paper security.[16] In May 2014 the Australian National Audit Office undertakes an independent performance audit in the AEC, while the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters (JSCEM) undertakes an inquiry into the election (the final report is released in April 2015).[17]

Senate chamber, Parliament House

24 April

Royal reception

His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, attend a Reception in the Great Hall at Parliament House during their Australian tour. His Royal Highness gives a speech reflecting on Australia’s qualities and role in the Asia-Pacific region.[18]

Reception for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Parliament House

Image source:  ParlView, 24 April 2014

Watch: Parliamentary reception in the presence of their Royal Highnesses the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge

Watch: Speech to the Parliament by His Royal Highness the Duke of Cambridge, 24 April 2014

13 May

Treasurer’s 2014 Budget speech

The Treasurer, Joe Hockey MP (Lib, North Sydney, NSW) introduces the 2014 Budget into Parliament. It is the first Budget of the Coalition Government.[19] Budget Day is the busiest day of the year for Parliament House, with almost 11,000 people visiting the building.[20] The Budget proves to be controversial, particularly in regard to unlegislated savings measures.[21]

Joe Hockey

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Read: The Treasurer’s Budget speech and Budget papers

26 May

‘Pipe bomb’ produced at Senate Estimates hearing

Senator Bill Heffernan (Lib, NSW) produces a fake ‘pipe bomb’ at a Senate Estimates hearing of the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee in order to support his argument that ‘[t]his building is no longer secure’ because of new security arrangements introduced by the Department of Parliamentary Services.[22] The new arrangements, introduced on 19 May 2014, were initially to be trialled over a twelve-month period. However, full screening is reinstated on 2 July 2014, in preparation for the visit by Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and remains in place thereafter.[23]

Bill Heffernan with fake ‘pipe bomb’

Image source: ParlView, 26 May 2014

27 May

Pacific nations call on Parliament to act on climate change

A delegation from the Pacific Island nations of Kiribati, Tuvalu and Papua New Guinea perform a song on the lawns of Parliament House, urging Australia's parliamentarians to take urgent action on climate change. The delegation seeks cuts in carbon emissions and assistance to mitigate the impact of climate change on their countries.

8 June

The Federation Chamber turns 20

The Federation Chamber of the House of Representatives celebrates its twentieth anniversary.[24] The Federation Chamber (known as the Main Committee prior to 2012) is a debating committee established as an alternative venue to the Chamber of the House. It operates in parallel with the Chamber in order to allow two streams of business to be debated concurrently.[25]

The number of bills before the House had increased steadily since Federation, resulting in less time for detailed consideration of each bill. In the first decade of Federation, for example, the House had sat for 25 hours for each Act passed. This had been reduced to just two hours per Act by 1992. In addition, in 1986 the Senate had introduced deadlines for the receipt of bills from the House. In response, the House increased the number of bills declared urgent by using the procedure known as the ‘guillotine’ in order to speed up the process, resulting in fewer opportunities for members to contribute to debate on a bill.[26] In 1986 the Procedure Committee (34th Parliament) recommended the use of legislation committees but, in 1993, the Procedure Committee (37th Parliament) rejected this recommendation on the basis that legislation committees did not appear to save the House time. As a result the ‘committee of the whole’ stage of bill consideration was abolished and the House agreed to several reforms including the Main Committee to act as a second chamber. The Main Committee met for the first time on 8 June 1994.[27] On 22 June 2015, the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure report ‘Role of the Federation Chamber: Celebrating 20 years of operation’ becomes the first report to be tabled in the Federation Chamber.[28]

Federation Chamber, Parliament House

18 June

A matter of privilege: the use of CCTV footage

On joint motion of Senators Cory Bernardi (Lib, SA) and John Faulkner (ALP, NSW), the Senate refers to the Committee of Privileges the Department of Parliamentary Service’s use of CCTV footage in an internal disciplinary matter. The Committee’s Terms of Reference are to inquire as to: whether there was any improper (actual or attempted) interference with a senator in the free performance of his duties; and whether disciplinary action was taken against any person in connection with the provision of information to a senator.[29]

The Privileges Committee tables its report on 5 December 2015.

26 June

Inquiry into Department of Parliamentary Services

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration receives a reference to conduct an inquiry into the performance of the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS). The Terms of Reference include progress in implementing the Committee’s 2012 reports into the performance of DPS with regard to workplace culture and employment issues, heritage, building and asset management issues, and contract management. The inquiry is completed in September 2015.[30]

1 July

New senators commence

Twelve new senators commence their terms on 1 July 2014 following the 2013 federal election and the 2014 WA Senate election.[31]

In May 2014, the Electoral Matters Committee had tabled an interim report on the conduct of the 2013 election recommending that the Senate electoral system be changed to remove Group Voting Tickets and introduce optional preferential voting above and below the line.[32]

Senate chamber, Parliament House

2 July

Senate meets to fill vacancy

The Senate meets on 2 July in order to appoint Senator Deborah O’Neill (ALP, NSW) to fill a vacancy left by the resignation of former senator Bob Carr in October 2013. Senator Carr had submitted a double resignation — that is, from both his current term and from the term to which he had been elected (to commence from 1 July 2014). A full explanation of the process is outlined in the Senate’s Procedural Information Bulletin No 284.[33]

7 July

New President of the Senate

Senator Stephen Parry (Lib, Tas.) becomes the 24th President of the Senate. In his address to the chamber Senator Parry says:

I truly appreciate the honour that each of you has bestowed upon me. It is something that I do not take lightly ... I intend to defend the parliament as being truly independent, especially independent from the executive government. I think that is an important aspect about every Presiding Officer. The executive government has a right to govern, and we must respect that, but, equally, the parliament itself should be independent from the executive.[34]

Senator Stephen Parry, President of the Senate

Image source: Parliament of Australia

7 July

New Senate sworn in

The new Senate is sworn in by the Governor-General, Peter Cosgrove). The new Senate includes 14 new senators[35] and comprises:

• 33 Coalition senators
• 25 Australian Labor Party senators
• 10 Greens senators
• 8 senators from smaller parties.[36]

Image source: ParlView, 7 July 2014

Watch: Swearing-in of new senators and Morning Tea in Members’ Hall

8 July

Address by the Prime Minister of Japan

During his visit to Australia the Prime Minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe, gives an address to members and senators in the House of Representatives.[37]

Prime Minister of Japan Shinzo Abe addressing the Parliament

Image source: Auspic

Watch: Address to the Parliament by Shinzo Abe, 8 July 2014

Read: Address to the Parliament by Shinzo Abe, 8 July 2014

16 July

Visitor celebrates 100th birthday at APH

During Question Time the Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP, acknowledges Beryl James from Cairns, stating that ‘(i)t was her wish that she celebrate her 100th birthday in the Australian Parliament’.[38]

19-22 July

Malaysian Airlines MH17 tragedy

Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP announces that the Australian National Flag will be flown at half-mast on all Australian Government establishments in Australia and overseas, including Parliament House, as a mark of respect to the Australians who lost their lives on Malaysia Airlines Flight 17.[39] The scheduled international passenger flight from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed on 17 July 2014 after being shot down, killing all 283 passengers and 15 crew on board, including 38 Australians.

On 22 July 2014 a ceremony takes place in the Marble Hall of Parliament House for the official signing of the Condolence Book in support and sympathy for those tragically killed on Flight MH17.[40] A National Day of Mourning and National Memorial Service for the victims are planned for 7 August 2014.

Watch: Signing of the official Condolence Book in support and sympathy for those tragically killed on Flight MH17

26 August

Condolence motion for Ukraine air disaster

Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP moves a condolence motion expressing the House of Representative’s ‘outrage and condemnation at the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 over Eastern Ukraine on 18 July’, and extending the House’s sympathy to the families, friends and loved ones of those who perished in the disaster.[41]

The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP (ALP, Maribyrnong, Vic.), makes a statement in support of the condolence motion, describing the events as ‘a global tragedy which has struck at Australian hearts.’[42]

Condolence motion in the House of Representatives for the Ukraine air disaster

Image source: ParlView, 26 August 2014

1 September

Parliamentary approval for troop deployments

Senator Christine Milne (AG, Tas.), Leader of the Australian Greens, moves a motion relating to parliamentary approval for the deployment of Australian troops in Iraq. When leave is not granted, Senator Milne seeks unsuccessfully to suspend standing orders to enable such a motion to be moved and debated. In Australia, the power to declare war and deploy troops remains the prerogative of the Executive.[43] The Senate later that day debates a ministerial statement on Iraq.[44]

3 September

Australian National Flag Day

A flag raising ceremony takes place in the Forecourt of Parliament House to mark the occasion of Australian National Flag Day. The day celebrates the first time the flag was flown, on 3 September 1901.

Image source: ParlView, 3 September 2014

Watch: Flag raising ceremony

4 September

Parliament’s role in overseas military activity

The Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne, asks the Senate to pass a private senator’s bill—Defence Legislation Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2014—to insert a new section into the Defence Act 1903 requiring decisions to deploy members of the Australian Defence Force overseas to be debated and voted on by the Parliament. The attempt is defeated 54 votes to 12.[45] The bill is introduced in the context of Australia’s involvement in the Middle East conflict, and follows previous attempts since 1985 by the Australian Democrats, and more recently by the Australian Greens, to remove the exclusive power of the government to commit Australia to war.

Since 1901 successive Australian governments have adopted the convention that the government of the day, rather than the Parliament, has the ultimate responsibility for making decisions involving Australia’s overseas military activity. The Constitution does not expressly say who is responsible for declaring war or deploying troops.[46] Whilst the Parliament could legislate (under the defence power in section 51(vi) of the Constitution) to ensure that all major decisions regarding Australia’s commitment to war are first approved by the Parliament, this has not been done in the history of the Parliament.[47]

Image source: Ssolbergj/Wikimedia Commons

4 September

Senator resigns from Democratic Labour Party

Senator John Madigan (Ind, Vic.) informs the Senate that he has resigned from the Democratic Labour Party and will continue his term as an independent senator. His decision changes the composition of the Senate, with the number of independents rising to two.[48]

7 September

Death of Harry Evans

Harry Evans, the longest serving Clerk of the Australian Senate, dies. Evans served as Clerk from 1988 to 2009,[49] and was editor of the 7th to 12th editions of Odgers’ Australian Senate Practice.

On 9 September, the Clerk of the Senate, Dr Rosemary Laing, releases a statement paying tribute to Mr Evans. She says:

Harry was known – notorious even in some circles – as a defender of the Senate and the rights of individual senators as he worked tirelessly to assist them to perform their constitutional duties. He was fearless in emphasising the necessary distinction between the parliament and the executive, even though that made him unpopular with various governments over the years.[50]

Former Clerk of the Senate, Harry Evans

Image source: Brian Jenkins/Wikimedia Commons

21 September

Increased security at Parliament House

Following an urgent review of the safety of Parliament House, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) assumes responsibility for internal and external security for Australian Parliament House amid heightened security concerns. According to the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP:

In this building, there will be more armed police, fewer points of access, and more scrutiny of parliamentary passes.[51]

The move to increase security measures follows the raising of the National Terrorism Public Alert from medium to high on 12 September, the first time the threat has been raised since the system was introduced in 2003.[52]

Parliament House

Image source: Phillip Minnis/Shutterstock.com

22 September

National security

Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP updates the House of Representatives on challenges to Australia’s national security. He acknowledges the Opposition’s bipartisan support for ensuring the safety of all Australians and outlines three key messages:

• that the Government will do whatever is possible to keep people safe
• that Australia’s security measures at home and abroad are directed against terrorism, not religion, and
• Australians should live normally because the terrorists’ goal is ‘to scare us out of being ourselves’.[53]

The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP, makes a statement in reply.[54]

24 September

Counter-terrorism Bill introduced

The Attorney-General Senator George Brandis (Lib, Qld) introduces the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014 to the Senate.[55] The Bill seeks to respond to the threat posed by Australians engaging in, and returning from, conflicts in foreign states, including by implementing recommendations made in a recent review of Australia’s counter-terrorism laws. The Bill, incorporating amendments recommended by the bipartisan Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS), is passed by the Senate on 29 October and the House on 30 October.[56]

Image source: Ken Hodge/Wikimedia Commons

24 September

Recommendations on use of electronic devices

The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure finalises its report on the Use of electronic devices in the Chamber and Federation Chamber. This inquiry was generated by a concern from members regarding the appropriate use of electronic devices in the Chamber and Federation Chamber—what rules apply and what guidance might assist members to be aware of and understand their responsibilities. The report recommends that:

• the current ‘Guidelines for members on the status and handling of their records and correspondence’ be updated to include communications by members via electronic devices, and
• the House consider and adopt a resolution that clarifies how electronic devices are to be used in the Chamber.[57]

A motion on electronic devices in the Chamber is passed by the House of Representatives on 26 March 2015, allowing their use subject to certain conditions.[58]

Image source: maradonna 8888/Shutterstock.com

30 September

Guest lecture by Speaker of the House of Commons

The Speaker of the House of Commons, John Bercow MP, addresses some of the challenges faced by modern parliaments and representatives across the Commonwealth, in the era of the digital revolution and ‘disruptive’ technology.[59]

John Bercow MP, Speaker of the House of Commons

Image source: ParlView, 30 September 2014

Watch: The Speaker of the House of Commons presenting a Guest of Parliament lecture

30 September

Select Committee on Queensland Government

The Senate resolves to establish a Select Committee on Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration related to Commonwealth Government Affairs to be chaired by Senator Glenn Lazarus (PUP, Qld). It commences hearings on 13 November 2014. The Terms of Reference include the Queensland Government’s administration of Commonwealth funds allocated to Queensland since 2012, judicial independence and separation of powers in the Queensland courts and judicial system, the approval process for development of projects for export of resources and services and the Commonwealth Government’s oversight of approvals for coal seam gas projects in Queensland.[60] The Committee tables its report in March 2015.

2 October

Presiding Officers’ decision on covered visitors to Parliament House

In the context of heightened national security concerns the President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry and the Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP introduce interim security measures to ban face-coverings from being worn in the building.

Under the interim measures, people who enter the building ‘covering themselves in such a way they cannot be clearly identified’,[61] will be asked to be identified and to produce identification. They will then be free to move around the building but will be required to sit in the glassed enclosures in order to view parliamentary proceedings. On 20 October the Presiding Officers issue a further ruling that people with face coverings be visually identified upon entry to Parliament House, ‘thereby enabling persons with facial coverings to move from that point freely into the public portions of the building, including the chamber galleries’.[62]

21 October

Former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam dies

Former Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam (ALP, Werriwa, NSW) dies aged 98 years. Mr Whitlam served as Australia’s 21st Prime Minister before being dismissed from office by Governor-General Sir John Kerr on 11 November 1975. His contribution to Australia is marked in condolence motions led by the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP and Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP. The Prime Minister states that:

In every sense, Gough Whitlam was a giant figure in this parliament and in our public life. He was only Prime Minister for three years—three tumultuous years—but those years changed our nation and, in one way or another, set the tone for so much that has followed. Whether you were for him or against him, it was his vision that drove our politics then and which still echoes through our public life four decades on.[63]

A NSW state memorial service is held at the Sydney Town Hall on 5 November.

Gough Whitlam (1955)

Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Watch: Condolence motions from the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP and the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP

22 October

National Week of Deaf People

Julie Owens MP (ALP, Parramatta, NSW) gives a speech to the House of Representatives acknowledging the 2014 National Week of Deaf People. She simultaneously delivers her speech in Auslan (sign language).[64]

Note: The Department of Parliamentary Services noted in response to a Question on Notice at a Senate Estimates hearing in July 2014 that it was assessing whether live broadcasts of parliamentary proceedings could be captioned.

Live captioning of parliamentary proceedings begins with the commencement of the 45th Parliament, initially for five hours per day for each chamber, with the goal of having all parliamentary video recordings live-captioned by mid-2018.[65]

Julie Owens MP delivering her speech in Auslan

Image source: ParlView, 22 October 2014

Watch: Julie Owens MP making a speech to Parliament in Auslan

23 October

Terrorist attack on Canadian Parliament

Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP, and Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten MP express their condolences at the loss of life and injury sustained during a terrorist attack on the Canadian Parliament and the Canadian National War Memorial on the previous day. The Prime Minister states that:

So an attack on their parliament is an affront to this parliament too. So today we stand shoulder to shoulder with our Canadian comrades in defiance and resolution.[66]

The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP asks the Canadian High Commissioner, Michael Smith, who is present in the House of Representatives chamber, to convey the Australian Parliament’s sentiments and support to the Canadian Parliament.

Canadian Parliament Buildings, Ottawa

Image source: Steven W Dengler/Creative Commons

23 October

Statement by Speaker regarding Parliament House security

The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP makes a statement to the House of Representatives concerning security arrangements around Parliament House in view of the terrorist attack on the Canadian Parliament on 22 October. She notes that the design of the Australian Parliament is very different to that of the Canadian Parliament, and that there are ‘layers of security measures’ in place that would prevent such an attack from succeeding here.[67]

Parliament House forecourt

14 November

Address by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, gives an address to members and senators in the House of Representatives chamber.[68]

Prime Minister of the United Kingdom David Cameron addressing the Parliament

Image source: ParlView, 14 November 2014

Watch: Address by David Cameron, MP, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom

17 November

Address by the President of the People’s Republic of China

Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China, gives a speech at a dinner held in the Great Hall of Parliament House.[69]

Address by President of the People’s Republic of China Xi Jinping

Image source: ParlView, 17 November 2014

Watch: Speech by Xi Jinping, President of the People’s Republic of China

18 November

Address by the Prime Minister of the Republic of India

Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India, gives an address to members and senators in the House of Representatives chamber.[70]

Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi addressing the Parliament

Image source: ParlView, 18 November 2014

Watch: Address by Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of the Republic of India

19 November

State visit by the President of the French Republic

François Hollande, President of the French Republic, visits Parliament House during his State Visit to Australia, which coincides with the meeting of world leaders attending the G20 Summit in Canberra.[71]

President of France François Hollande at joint media conference

Image source: ParlView, 19 November 2014

Watch: State visit to Australia by François Hollande, President of the French Republic, joint media conference with the Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP

24 November

Senator resigns from Palmer United Party

Senator Jacqui Lambie (Ind, Tas.) informs the Senate that she has resigned from the Palmer United Party and that she will to continue her term as an independent senator.[72] Her decision again changes the composition of the Senate, with the number of independents rising to three.[73]

Senator Jacqui Lambie

Image source: Parliament of Australia

26 November

Censure motion against Minister for Defence

The Senate votes in favour of a motion to censure the Minister for Defence, Senator David Johnston (Lib, WA) over his comment on 25 November that he would not trust the Government’s shipbuilder, the Australian Submarine Corporation, to ‘build a canoe’. The censure motion is passed by 37 votes to 31.[74]

26 November

Security Management Board for Parliament House

The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop, MP introduces the Parliamentary Service Amendment Bill 2014 into the House. The Bill amends the composition of the Security Management Board include the Australian Federal Police. In introducing the Bill, the Speaker states that:

... the security arrangements in the parliamentary precincts are under continual and careful assessment, and I am working closely with a range of departments including security and intelligence agencies, in carrying out the necessary security works within the parliamentary precinct.[75]

During the Bill’s second reading in the Senate, the President notes that the authority to make decisions regarding security for Parliament House remains vested in the Presiding Officers.[76] The Bill passes both Houses on 26 March 2015.

Parliament House flagpole

4 December

Labor MP ejected from House of Representatives

The Speaker ejects Nick Champion MP (ALP, Wakefield, SA) from the House of Representatives for disorderly behaviour after taking a bunch of bananas into Question Time to illustrate his point that by closing car manufacturing in Australia ‘[t]his government has gone completely bananas.’ The Speaker Bronwyn Bishop MP says: ‘The Member for Wakefield and his bananas will leave under 94(a).’[77]

Nick Champion MP

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Read: R Lundie, ‘That’s it, you’re out’: disorderly conduct in the House of Representatives from 1901 to 2013, Research Paper Series, 2013 ̶ 14, Parliamentary Library, 11 December 2013

6 February

Resignation of Senator John Faulkner

Senator John Faulkner resigns, creating a casual vacancy in the Senate.[78] Senator Faulkner served as a senator for 25 years, including as a Minister.[79] The President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, informs the Senate of the vacancy on 9 February.[80]

John Faulkner

Image source: Parliament of Australia

9 February

Martin Place siege remembered

The House of Representatives passes a motion, moved by the Prime Minister, acknowledging the courage of those held during the siege of the Lindt Café in Martin Place, Sydney, in December 2014, and extending the sympathies of the House to the family and friends of Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson, who were killed in the siege.[81] The families of Ms Dawson and Mr Johnson, along with survivors of the siege, are present to hear the speeches. The Senate also expresses its sympathy to the victims and their families.[82]

10 February

Enhanced security arrangements at Parliament House

The Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP, announces that, as part of the continuing upgrade to security at Parliament House, she has agreed to an armed Australian Federal Police (AFP) presence in the attendants’ booth adjacent to the chamber.[83]

11 February

Ministerial statements—Closing the Gap

The Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP, advises the house of progress toward the Closing the Gap targets since his 2014 Closing the Gap statement. The Prime Minister notes that:

Last year ... I said that our challenge was to turn good intentions into better outcomes ... There are some improvements in education and health outcomes ... However, the other targets—to close the gap in life expectancy within a generation; to ensure access to early childhood education for all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students; and to halve the gaps in employment outcomes—have either not been met or are not on track to be met. [84]

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten MP says:

A great nation includes everyone, and a good society leaves no-one behind, but this report confronts us with two nations—two Australias.[85]

12 February

Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran: the Parliament calls for sentence commutation

The House of Representatives and the Senate pass cross-party motions calling on the Indonesian government to ‘give consideration to the circumstances of Mr Chan and Mr Sukumaran and their rehabilitation in prison, their suffering and that of their families, and commute their sentences to an appropriate term of imprisonment.’[86] Speaking to the motion in the House, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie Bishop MP states:

this motion goes to the heart of what we believe will be a grave injustice against two Australian citizens facing execution in Indonesia. Whatever one's views of the rights and wrongs of this situation, after speaking to the mothers of Australian citizens Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran I ask others to place themselves just for a moment in the shoes of these young men and their families—sons, brothers—facing death by firing squad for shocking actions, for shocking mistakes made over a decade ago.

Australia's strong opposition to the death penalty at home and abroad is reflected in the government's determination to do all possible to seek a stay of execution and clemency for Andrew and Myuran. At the same time ..., we acknowledge the very serious drug‑smuggling crimes for which Andrew and Myuran were convicted.[87]

In the Federation Chamber Sarah Henderson MP (Lib, Corangamite, Vic), speaking, in Bahasa Indonesia, appeals to President Joko Widodo to ‘please give mercy’.[88]

Some 100 senators and members also sign a letter to the Indonesian Ambassador requesting that the sentences be commuted.[89] On 5 March, around 40 parliamentarians join a candlelight vigil in the Parliament House forecourt, organised by the Australian Parliamentarians against the Death Penalty (convened by Philip Ruddock MP (Lib, Berowra, NSW) and Chris Hayes MP (ALP, Fowler, NSW).

Despite concerted diplomatic representations, a public campaign, and the pleas of friends and family, the two men are executed with six other prisoners on 29 April 2015. 

In Australia, the death penalty for crimes under federal and territory laws was abolished in 1973 by the Death Penalty Abolition Act; this was extended to state laws in 2010 with the Commonwealth Crimes Legislation Amendment (Torture Prohibition and Death Penalty Abolition) Act 2010.[90] The last person to be judicially executed for a crime in Australia was Ronald Ryan, in 1967.[91]

In June 2015, the Member for Fairfax (Qld), Clive Palmer MP (PUP), introduces into the House the Foreign Death Penalty Offences (Preventing Information Disclosure) Bill 2015. The purpose of this private member’s bill is to prevent the disclosure of information by public officials in circumstances that may lead to the imposition of the death penalty in foreign countries. The Bill is removed from the Notice Paper on 20 October.[92]

18 February

New guidelines for official witnesses appearing at parliamentary committees

Revised Government guidelines for official witnesses before Parliamentary Committees and related matters are tabled out of sitting. The Guidelines, developed by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, are ‘designed to assist departmental and agency officials, statutory office holders and the staff of statutory authorities in their dealings with the parliament’.[93] The revised Guidelines are long-awaited, having not been updated since 1989.

23 February

State visit by the King and Queen of Norway

Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway attend an official dinner at Parliament House as part of their official visit to Australia (22 to 27 February 2015). They are accompanied by a delegation of senior government and business leaders.

Their Majesties King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway with Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP at Parliament House

Image source: Auspic

23 February

Parliament celebrates the release of journalist Peter Greste

On 2 February, Australian journalist Peter Greste was freed from an Egyptian prison where he had been held for over 400 days. Mr Greste had been sentenced to seven years in jail on charges that included aiding a terrorist group in a case that sparked international condemnation.[94] A motion in the House of Representatives, moved by Jane Prentice MP (Lib, Petrie, Qld):

... commends the Greste family on its courage, resilience and grace for more than 400 days; and ...

notes that ‘Telling the truth is not terrorism and journalism is not a crime’.[95]

23 February

Hansard controversy

During Senate Estimates, the Department of Agriculture is questioned over a Freedom of Information request relating to possible interference with the Hansard record. The Hansard in question relates to a response by the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce MP to a question on notice.[96] The issue is also canvassed at a further Estimates hearing on 5 March.[97]

The head of the Department of Agriculture, Dr Paul Grimes PSM, steps down in March 2015, amid reports that his relationship with the Minister has broken down over the issue.[98] In October 2016, a letter from Dr Grimes to Mr Joyce dated 2 March 2015 is released, following a lengthy legal battle to prevent its release.[99]

2 March 2016

Report into the use of CCTV material in Parliament House

The President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, tables a report by the Senate Standing Committee on Privileges concerning the use of closed circuit television (CCTV) material within Parliament House.[100] The report examines (among other things) the use of CCTV footage by the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) for internal investigations involving DPS staff and ‘whether there was any improper interference, or attempted improper interference, with the free performance by Senator Faulkner or any other senator of their duties as a senator’.[101]

3 March

Censure of the Attorney-General

Having suspended standing orders, the Senate debates an Opposition motion to censure the Attorney-General, Senator George Brandis, for his conduct towards the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Gillian Triggs, including failing to defend her from ‘malicious attack’ and seeking to obtain her resignation.[102]

These issues were also canvassed at length during the Australian Human Rights Commission’s appearance before the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee in the February estimates hearings.[103]

The motion is carried 35 votes to 32.[104]A similar censure motion in the House of Representatives on 25 February 2015 was unsuccessful.[105]

3 March

Parliament’s role in overseas military activity

The Leader of the Australian Greens, Senator Christine Milne, unsuccessfully seeks to suspend standing orders to enable the Senate to debate a motion about the deployment of Australian forces to Iraq.[106] On 4 March, Senator Scott Ludlam (AG, WA) reintroduces a bill seeking to give the Parliament authority for approving troop deployments, the Defence Legislation Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2015, noting that ‘this is the 30th year that this bill has been on the Notice Paper in one form or another.’[107] These moves follow a Ministerial Statement on the Middle East by the Minister for Defence, Kevin Andrews MP (Lib, Menzies, Vic) on 26 February 2015.[108]

In September, the Australian Greens also unsuccessfully seek to suspend standing orders for a debate on a motion related to parliamentary approval of the involvement of Australian forces in Syria.[109] While the issue is debated in the Senate the following day, time for the debate expires without a vote.[110]

Christine Milne

Image source: Parliament of Australia

5 March

Senator Muir’s first speech

Senator Ricky Muir (Australian Motoring Enthusiast Party, Vic.) delivers his ‘first speech’, the last of the cohort of senators elected in 2013 to do so. He tells the Senate: ‘it may have taken eight months and four days, but finally I am standing here in the great chamber presenting my first speech’.[111] Senator Muir has, however, already spoken in debates and Question Time.

Ricky Muir

Image source: Parliament of Australia

5 March

Intergenerational Report

The Treasurer, Joe Hockey MP, makes a ministerial statement on the 2015 Intergenerational Report, describing it as ‘an incredibly important document to start a serious conversation about the challenges and opportunities ahead for Australia’.[112] Speaking in response, the Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen MP (ALP, McMahon, NSW) is sharply critical of the report, describing it as ‘fundamentally flawed’.[113] The Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 (Cth) requires the Australian Government to produce an Intergenerational Report at least every five years which is to ‘assess the long term sustainability of current Government policies over the 40 years following the release of the report, including by taking account of the financial implications of demographic change.’[114]

Read: the Intergenerational Report speeches by Mr Hockey and Mr Bowen

5 March

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 extended

The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition (Sunset Extension) Bill passes both houses. The Bill amends the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples Recognition Act 2013 (Cwth) (Act of Recognition) to ensure that it continues to operate until a referendum to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution can be held.[115]

13 March

Another senator resigns from the Palmer United Party

Senator Glenn Lazarus (Ind, Qld) announces his resignation from the Palmer United Party and his decision to continue his term as an independent senator. He confirms this decision in a short statement in the Senate a few days later.[116] His resignation changes the composition of the Senate again, with the number of independents rising to four (of 18 crossbench senators).[117]

Glenn Lazarus

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Watch: Senator Lazarus’ statement to the Senate

18 March

Visit by the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam

Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, visits Parliament House during his State Visit to Australia (16-18 March). During his visit, the two Prime Ministers sign the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Partnership and the two countries establish a Memorandum of Understanding establishing a youth exchange program.

Prime Minister of Vietnam Nguyen Tan Dung with Prime Minister Tony Abbott MP

Image source: Auspic

Watch:  His Excellency Mr Nguyen Tan Dung, PM of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam arrive at Parliament House; and

The signing of the Australia-Vietnam Enhanced Comprehensive Partnership

Read: the Prime Ministers’ Joint Statement on the Comprehensive Partnership

The Declaration on Enhancing the Australia-Vietnam Comprehensive Partnership

19 March

Crown succession law changes

The Succession to the Crown Bill 2015 is passed by both Houses. The legislation follows the Succession to the Crown Act 2013 (UK), which was enacted on 25 April 2013, and like that Act, ends the system of male primogeniture so that the order of succession is determined by the order of birth. The legislation also removes provisions under which members of the royal family who marry a person of the Roman Catholic faith lose their place in the succession.[118]

Before the legislation could be passed, all Australian states were required to pass legislation requesting the Commonwealth to enact legislation for the whole of Australia.[119] Australia was the last of the 16 realms that have Queen Elizabeth II as their head of state to complete its legislation. On 26 March 2015, the changes to succession to the Crown across all the realms came into effect simultaneously.[120]

19 March

Private senator’s Bill passes the Senate

The Senate passes a private Senator’s bill put forward by Senator Jacqui Lambie.[121] The Defence Amendment (Fair Pay for Members of the ADF) Bill 2014 seeks to amend the Defence Act 1903 to link annual wage increase for members of the Australian Defence Force to whichever is the higher of increases in parliamentary allowance or the consumer price index.[122]

The bill lapses at the prorogation of the Parliament on 15 April 2016,[123] without having been debated in the House of Representatives.

20 March

Former Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser dies

Former Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser (Lib, Wannon, Vic.) dies aged 84 years. Mr Fraser served as Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister from 1975 to 1983, taking office after the dismissal of the Whitlam Government by Governor-General John Kerr in November 1975.

His contribution to Australia is marked in condolence motions led by the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP, and Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP. The Prime Minister states that:

Fraser was not an avid social reformer like Whitlam, nor a mould-breaking economic reformer like Hawke, but he gave the country what we needed at that time. He restored economic responsibility while recognising social change. His government passed the Northern Territory land rights act and he was the first Prime Minister to visit the Torres Strait. He established the Special Broadcasting Service and began large-scale Asian immigration to Australia by accepting 50,000 Vietnamese refugees fleeing communism. In 1983 Malcolm Fraser left parliament, proud of his government and its achievements. As he said at the time, 'Australia is handed over in as good or better condition than any other western country in the world.'[124]

A state memorial service is held at the Melbourne’s Scots’ Church on 27 March.

Malcolm Fraser

Image courtesy of Polixeni Papapetrou and State Library of Victoria.

Watch: Condolence motions in the House of Representatives

24 March

Member for Bowman is suspended from the House

Mr Andrew Laming MP (Lib, Bowman, Qld) is suspended from the House for disorderly conduct. To give emphasis to his speech on a motion relating to cruise liner emissions (in the Federation Chamber the previous evening), Mr Laming pours crude oil over his hands, spilling it onto the desk and chamber carpet. In suspending the Member for Bowman, the Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP, says:

Setting aside the member's offence in making use of props, it is highly disorderly to bring dangerous and flammable substances into either of the chambers. I consider the member's actions to be totally disorderly, disrespectful of the House and the Federation Chamber, and potentially dangerous to the health and safety of members and staff of the Federation Chamber. I understand that there has been damage to the Federation Chamber which we are endeavouring to repair.[125]

Mr Laming subsequently pays $256 for the costs of the repairs.[126]

Watch: Mr Laming’s speech in the Federation Chamber

26 March

Parliament House security upgrade

Both the House of Representatives and the Senate approve a proposal to upgrade the security of Parliament House. The new security measures to be taken include a perimeter fence, a gatehouse facility at the Ministerial Wing entrance, and additional vehicle bollards.[127] The proposed works are referred to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 13 May 2015.[128]

21 April

Secretary leaves Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS)

Carol Mills’ appointment as Secretary of DPS is terminated.

Ms Mills has been the subject of criticism in a Privileges Committee report on the Department of Parliamentary Services’ use of CCTV footage in an internal disciplinary matter tabled in December 2014—criticism which she has rebutted.[129] (The Senate adopts the recommendations of the Privileges Committee report on 12 February).[130] In February 2015 an ANAO report highlighted weaknesses in the management of assets and contracts at Parliament House. The performance of the Department of Parliamentary Services (DPS) is also the subject of an inquiry before the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Public Administration. (The inquiry is completed in September 2015.)

The new Secretary, Mr Robert Stefanic, takes up his position on 14 December 2015, the Parliamentary Librarian having acted in that position in the interim.

6 May

New leader for the Australian Greens

Victorian Senator Richard Di Natale is elected as leader of the Australian Greens following the resignation of Senator Christine Milne from that position.[131] Senator Milne has served as party leader since April 2012.

Senators Larissa Waters (Qld) and Scott Ludlam (WA) are elected as co-deputy leaders of the party.

Senator Richard Di Natale

Image source: Parliament of Australia

6 May

New senator for New South Wales

Jennifer McAllister (ALP) is appointed by joint sitting of the two Houses of the NSW Parliament to the casual vacancy created by the resignation of Senator John Faulkner on 6 February.[132] Senator McAllister is sworn in on 11 May.

The delay in the senator’s appointment is due to the NSW Parliament’s being in recess ahead of the state election in March 2015. While the Constitution (section 15) provides that:

the Governor of the State, with the advice of the Executive Council thereof, may appoint a person to hold the place until the expiration of fourteen days after the beginning of the next session of the Parliament of the State, or until the election of a successor, whichever first happens

NSW does not avail itself of that provision, ‘thus denying itself full representation in the Senate for the autumn sittings’.[133]

On 26 March the Senate agrees to an Opposition motion reaffirming the view that ‘casual vacancies in the Senate should be filled as expeditiously as possible’ and calling on the NSW Government and Parliament to ‘ensure that the people of that state are not denied full representation in the Senate for any time longer than is strictly necessary’.[134]

Senator Jennifer McAllister

Image source: Parliament of Australia

12 May

Budget 2015

The Treasurer, Joe Hockey MP, hands down the 2015 Budget. It is Mr Hockey’s second Budget, and he tells the House:

This budget is responsible, measured and fair. We are creating opportunities for job seekers, young and old. We are caring for our most vulnerable. And we are keeping the country safe and secure. ... This is a budget as much for the miners of the Pilbara as it is for the farmers in the Mallee. It is as much for a family in Brisbane as it is for a start-up business in Adelaide.This is a budget that helps build a stronger, safer and more prosperous Australia. [135]

In his speech in reply on 14 May, Opposition Leader Bill Shorten MP says:

The test for this budget was to plan for the future, to lift productivity, to create jobs, to boost investment, to turbocharge confidence for the years and decades ahead, to restore hope, but this budget fails every test. It is a hoax, a mirage, a smokescreen.[136]

Joe Hockey

Image source: Parliament of Australia

12 May

Centenary of Gallipoli – Motion by the Prime Minister

In a motion marking the centenary, on 25 April 2015, of Australian and New Zealand troops landing at Gallipoli, the Prime Minister says:

On Anzac Day, the Leader of the Opposition and I stood together with thousands of Australians and New Zealanders on the distant shores of Gallipoli ... (W)e paid our respects to the Anzacs whose spirit has moved our people for a century. We went to honour the generation of young men who rallied to serve our country when our country called and who were faithful even unto death.

At dawn at Anzac Cove and later at Lone Pine, these places of peace that were once battlefields, we remembered the original Anzacs. This parliament was only 13 years old when the Great War broke out. This parliament still sat in Melbourne. Nine sitting MPs served in the Great War. In all, some 120 members of the Commonwealth parliament served in World War I. On behalf of all members, I pay my respects to them ...

On every Anzac Day, the phrase echoes around our services: 'Lest we forget'. But we have not forgotten and we will not forget.[137]

21 May

New senator for Queensland

Senator Joanna Lindgren (Lib) is appointed by the Queensland Parliament to the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Brett Mason;[138] she is sworn in on 15 June.

In her first speech, Senator Lindgren pays tribute to her great uncle, Neville Bonner, long-serving senator for Queensland (Lib, Ind, Qld, 1971-83) and the first Indigenous Australian to sit in the Australian Parliament.[139]

Senator Joanna Lindgren

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Watch: Senator Lindgren’s first speech

27 May

Remonstrance from the Norfolk Legislative Assembly

The Speaker of the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly, David Buffett, delivers both Houses of Parliament a Remonstrance, setting out the Assembly’s grievances regarding the removal of self-government ‘without genuine consultation and negotiation’.[140] (A remonstrance is a formal document setting out grievances or complaints and seeking their redress.)

Norfolk Island, an Australian external territory, has enjoyed partial self-government since 1979, with its government responsible for the delivery of local, state and some commonwealth services. However, a series of Commonwealth government and parliamentary reports have indicated the need for major reforms in administration, social services, finance and governance. The Norfolk Island Legislative Amendment Act 2015, which receives Royal Assent on 26 May, abolishes the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly and replaces it with an Advisory Council, which will transition to an elected Regional Council with local and municipal responsibilities from July 2016.[141]

1 June 2015

Motion of dissent moved

The Opposition moves a motion of dissent from a ruling made by the Speaker, Bronwyn Bishop MP, that a question directed at the Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce MP is out of order.[142] The motion is defeated.[143] Motions of this type are rarely moved.

11 June 2015

New Commonwealth Auditor-General

Grant Hehir is appointed to a ten-year term as Auditor-General for Australia.[144] Mr Hehir had previously served as the Auditor-General of New South Wales.[145]

The Auditor-General is an independent officer of the Parliament, appointed by the Governor-General on the recommendation of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit (JCPAA)[146] and the Prime Minister.[147] The role involves assisting the parliament by scrutinising and reporting on the performance and actions of the Executive.[148]

15 June

Magna Carta birthday celebrations

2015 sees a worldwide program of events to mark the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta. Parliament House, home to one of only four known surviving manuscripts of the 1297 issue of the Magna Carta, hosts a busy program of events.

On the morning of 15 April, the Presiding Officers, the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten MP, celebrate the anniversary at a reception in the Great Hall of Parliament House—which has the distinction of being the first Magna Carta anniversary celebration in the world. Speaking at the event, the Prime Minister describes the Magna Carta as ‘perhaps the most important constitutional document of all time, that has shaped our history and that of so much of the modern world’.[149] That evening, 600 people gather in the Great Hall for a special ‘Magna Carta’ edition of the ABC’s Q&A program.

In May the President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, launches the second edition of ‘Australia’s Magna Carta’.

In June, the British High Commissioner to Australia, Menna Rawlings CMG, presents a Senate Occasional Lecture on the Magna Carta. Later that month, the Prime Minister delivers the British High Commission’s annual Magna Carta Lecture

On 9 July, the Great Hall is the venue for the National Archives’ Constitution Day Speakers’ Forum on the Magna Carta broadcast by Radio National’s Big Ideas program. And in October the Department of the Senate and the Rule of Law Institute of Australia jointly host a two day Magna Carta Symposium.

DPS staff install the Magna Carta in the Great Hall of Parliament House for the 800th anniversary event

Image source: Auspic

Watch:

The Magna Carta 800^th Anniversary Celebration

The Senate Occassional Lecture by Her Excellency Mrs Menna Rawlings CMG

Big Ideas Constitution Day Speakers’ Forum: Magna Carta

Magna Carta Symposium part one and part two

Read: The Prime Minister’s Magna Carta Lecture

17 June

First time former opposing state/territory leaders in the same chamber

Former ACT Chief Minister, now senator for the ACT, Katy Gallagher (ALP), gives her first speech in the Senate.

Senator Gallagher is chosen by the ACT Legislative Assembly on 25 March 2015 to represent the Territory in the Senate after the resignation of Senator Kate Lundy (ALP).[150] She is sworn in on 26 March 2015.[151]

Senator Gallagher’s appointment to the casual vacancy marks the first time that a Premier or Chief Minister has faced their former opposition counterpart in the same chamber in the same Parliament. Senator Zed Seselja (Lib, ACT) was Leader of the ACT Opposition (December 2007­—June 2013) before resigning to stand for the Senate at the 2013 election.

Senator Katy Gallagher

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Watch: Senator Gallagher’s first speech

Read: Simon Speldewinde, ‘First time opposing state/territory leaders in the same chamber’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library 17 June 2015

25 June

Report on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples

The Joint Select Committee on Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples publishes its final report. A key recommendation of the report is that ‘a referendum be held on the matter of recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in the Australian Constitution’.[152]

1 July

Australian Border Forces commences operations

The Australian Border Force (ABF) begins operating within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, which merges with the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service on the same date. The creation of the ABF was announced in the 2014-15 Budget. Its establishment marks a shift in the focus of the Department of Immigration – from nation building and migrant settlement towards a stronger emphasis on border security – the biggest transformation in the Department’s 70-year history.[153]

17 July

National memorial service marking the anniversary of the downing of flight MH17

On 17 July a national memorial service is held in the Great Hall of Parliament House to commemorate the lives lost in the downing of MH17 over the Ukraine.

A memorial plaque is unveiled in the House of Representatives Eastern Formal Gardens the same day.

The Governor-General addresses the National Memorial Service honoring the victims of Flight MH17

Image source. Parlview video

Watch: the National Memorial Service

Read: the addresses to the MH17 National Memorial Service by His Excellency Sir Peter Cosgrove and the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP

21 July

Death of the Member for Canning

Liberal MP Don Randall dies in Boddington, WA. Mr Randall has represented the electorate of Canning (WA) since 2001, having previously served as the Member for Swan (1996-1998).

Mr Randall’s death is marked by a minute’s silence and several speeches in Adjournment in the Senate, and by a condolence motion in the House of Representatives.[154] A white rose is placed on Mr Randall’s desk.

On 17 August, the Speaker informs the House of Representatives that the by-election to fill the vacancy in the division of Canning will be held on 19 September. It is won by the Liberal candidate, former SAS officer Andrew Hastie, with 55.26% of votes (two party preferred), a 6.5% swing against the government. He is sworn in on 12 October and gives his first speech on 13 October.

Don Randall

Image source: Auspic

Watch: the condolence motion in the House of Representatives

Andrew Hastie MP

Image source: Auspic

2 August 2015

Resignation of the Speaker

Bronwyn Bishop MP resigns as Speaker of the House of Representatives,[155] the third resignation of a Speaker since 2011, and the ninth since 1901.[156] Mrs Bishop’s resignation follows sustained criticism of her use of travel entitlements, in particular the use of a chartered helicopter to attend a Liberal Party function.

That same day the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott MP, announces the establishment of a committee to review the parliamentary entitlements system, co-chaired by the former Secretary of the Department of Finance, Mr David Tune AO PSM, and the Chair of the Remuneration Tribunal, Mr John Conde AO. The committee releases its report in March 2016.[157]

Former Speaker Bronwyn Bishop

Image source: Auspic

10 August

A new Speaker of the House of Representatives

Tony Smith MP (Lib, Casey, Vic.) is elected unopposed to the position of Speaker of the House of Representatives, the 32nd person to hold this office. In his address to the chamber Mr Smith says:

I thank the House for the confidence you have placed in me. There is no greater honour within the parliament than to be elected by one's peers. I am a servant of this House and all of its members. There is, however, a mutual obligation between presiding officers and individual members. I want to say at the outset that I will give a fair go to all on the floor of this chamber. But in return I do expect a level of discourse that reflects that.

Parliament is a robust place. It should be a robust place. It is where we battle our view of a better Australia. It is the arena for the battle of ideas and ideals. I make that point because often people say parliament should not be robust. It should, but it need not be rude and it need not be loud.[158]

In the same address, Mr Smith also indicates that he will not be attending weekly party meetings while he is Speaker.[159]

Tony Smith MP, Speaker of the House of Representatives

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Speaker Tony Smith being conducted to the Speaker’s Chair

Image source: Auspic

Watch: The election of the Speaker

13 August

Family Court fee increases

The Federal Court rejects a legal challenge that would have forced the federal government to refund an estimated $1 million in extra court fees for divorce applications. The application, brought by Graham Perrett MP (ALP, Moreton, Qld), Senator Claire Moore (ALP, Qld) and three divorce applicants, sought to strike out Commonwealth regulations raising Family Court fees. The fees had been raised for less than a month before they were disallowed by the Senate on 11 August. The Attorney-General, Senator George Brandis, had reintroduced the increases by regulation after the Senate blocked a previous attempt in June.[160]

17 August

Cross-party bill on same-sex marriage

A bill introduced into the House of Representatives by Warren Entsch MP (Lib, Leichhardt, Qld) and co-sponsored by MPs Teresa Gambaro (Lib, Brisbane, Qld), Terri Butler (ALP, Griffith, Qld), Laurie Ferguson (ALP, Werriwa, NSW), Adam Bandt (AG, Melbourne, Vic.), Cathy McGowan (Ind, Indi, Vic.) and Andrew Wilkie (Ind, Denison, Tas.) is the first cross-party bill on same-sex marriage to be introduced into the parliament. It follows a bill introduced into the House by Opposition leader Bill Shorten on 1 June 2015, which was the first time a leader of a political party had introduced a same-sex marriage bill.[161]

On 19 August 2015, the Marriage Equality Plebiscite Bill 2015 is introduced into the Senate. The bill lapses at the prorogation of the 44^th Parliament. A subsequent bill, the Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 is defeated in November 2016.[162]

The parliaments of New South Wales,[163] Western Australia,[164] and Tasmania[165] have each passed motions opposing the proposed plebiscite.[166]

17 August

Australia Post issues new Parliament House stamp

The President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, launches an Australia, New Zealand and Singapore joint stamp issue marking 50 years of bilateral relations between the three countries.

Designed by Sonia Young of Australia Post, the stamps feature the parliament houses of the three countries.[167]

Senator Stephen Parry, President of the Senate

Image Source: Auspic

19 August

New Tasmanian senator

Nick McKim (Australian Greens) is appointed by the Parliament of Tasmania to the casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Christine Milne on 10 August.[168]

Senator McKim is sworn in 20 August 2015 and delivers his first speech on 9 September.

Senator Nick McKim

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Watch: Senator McKim’s first speech

20 August

Women athletes

In 2015, Australian women excel on the sporting field, and the issue of equal pay for women athletes receives increased attention.

A reception is held at Parliament House for the Australian Diamonds netball team, following the team’s victory in the Netball World Cup on 16 August. Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a self-described ‘netball dad’, describes the win as an ‘extraordinary victory’.[169] Opposition leader Bill Shorten says ‘(t)here is no doubt that elite women professional athletes have not received the equal treatment they deserve in Australian sport.’[170]

The Australian Women’s Cricket Team, the Southern Stars, are recognised in September for their victory over England in the Ashes series.[171] In November 2015, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten both congratulate jockey Michelle Payne for her historic Melbourne Cup victory.[172]

Meanwhile, the Australian women’s soccer team, the Matildas, are engaged in a pay dispute with the Football Federation Australia.[173] The Senate passes a motion supporting ‘fair working conditions for all female Australian athletes.’[174]

Watch: Reception for the Diamonds netball team

21 August

Anniversary of parliamentary broadcasting

The Senate celebrated 25 years since the proceedings of the chamber were first televised in 1991. Daily sessions of the House of Representatives began to be televised in 1991. Prior to 1991, television broadcasts of Parliament had taken place on 17 February 1959 (for the opening of the 23rd Parliament) and in 1974 (for the joint sitting of Parliament).[175]

8  September

Motion concerning John Dyson Heydon AC QC

Senator Penny Wong (ALP, SA) moves a motion requesting that the Governor-General revoke the Letters Patent issued to John Dyson Heydon AC QC, on the grounds that Mr Heydon, who is conducting the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, ‘by his conduct in accepting an invitation to speak at a function raising campaign funds for the Liberal Party of Australia ... has failed to uphold the standards of impartiality expected of a holder of the office of Royal Commissioner’.[176] In her statement regarding the motion, Senator Wong states that ‘it is untenable for a royal commissioner who is conducting a politically charged inquiry to be politically compromised.’ The motion is unsuccessful.[177]

Such a motion has not been moved since 1931.[178]

15 September

A new Prime Minister and a new ministry

Malcolm Turnbull MP (Lib, Wentworth, NSW) is sworn in as Australia’s 29th Prime Minister. This follows his resignation from the ministry on 14 September, citing the failure of Prime Minister Tony Abbott to provide economic leadership. Mr Turnbull wins the resultant leadership ballot 54 votes to 44, becoming Australia’s fourth prime minister since the 2007 election.

It is the fourth leadership spill in the Liberal Party since the 2007 election, and follows a failed leadership spill motion on 9 February.[179] Mr Abbott has been Prime Minister for only 726 days; he leaves office declaring that ‘there will be no wrecking, no undermining and no sniping’.[180]

Julie Bishop MP (Lib, Curtin, WA) defeats Kevin Andrews MP (70 votes to 30) for the position of Deputy Leader—a position which she has held since 2007, serving with three opposition leaders and two prime ministers.[181]

Mr Turnbull announces his new Ministry on 20 September,[182] increasing to five the number of women in Cabinet and the number of women in the Ministry overall to nine.

The Member for Hasluck (WA), Ken Wyatt MP, is appointed as Assistant Minister for Health, and is the first Indigenous Australian to be appointed to the Executive Council.

Wyatt Roy MP (Lib, Longman, Qld) becomes the youngest ever Commonwealth minister (25) when he is commissioned Assistant Minister for Immigration—a record previously held by Kate Ellis MP (ALP, Adelaide, SA) who in 2007 became a minister at the age of 30.

Senator Marise Payne (NSW) is appointed Minister for Defence, and is, the Prime Minister says, ‘the first woman to be Minister for Defence in our nation’s history’.[183] Other female parliamentarians have previously held Defence-related ministries/assistant ministries.

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull MP

Image source: Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet webpage

Turnbull Cabinet

Image source: Auspic

Watch: Malcolm Turnbull announcing his new ministry

16 September

National Disability Insurance Scheme agreement

In one of his first official duties as Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull announces agreements between the Commonwealth and the governments of New South Wales and Victoria to roll out the National Disabilities Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in those states (with negotiations with other states and territories to continue).[184] The Prime Minister states that ‘(t)his marks a huge milestone towards the delivery of one of the largest social policy reforms in our nation’s history.’[185]

22 September

New senator for South Australia

Robert Simms (Australian Greens) is appointed[186] to the Senate by the Parliament of South Australia to fill a casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Senator Penny Wright on 10 September 2015;[187] he is sworn in as a senator on 12 October and makes his first speech the next day.

He is the fifth senator to be appointed to a casual vacancy in 2015.

Senator Robert Simms

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Watch: Senator Simms’ first speech

15 October

‘Anthea’s law’

The Attorney-General, Senator George Brandis, and Senator Nick Xenophon (Ind, SA) co-sponsor the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Harming Australians) Bill 2015. The bill extends the retrospective application of the offences of murder and manslaughter of Australians overseas.[188] (The existing offences were originally introduced in 2002 with only very limited retrospectivity to capture the Bali Bombings in October that year.) The provisions enable prosecution of these offences in Australia under Australian law should the foreign country not properly investigate the crime.[189] Senator Xenophon had introduced an earlier version of the Bill in 2013 in response to the murder of Anthea Bradshaw-Hall in Brunei in 1994.[190]

The Bill passes both Houses of Parliament and receives Royal Assent on 30 November.

21 October

Former Treasurer Joe Hockey leaves parliament

Joe Hockey MP gives his valedictory speech, after announcing his resignation on 21 September following a reshuffle which saw him replaced as Treasurer by Scott Morrison MP (Lib, Cook, NSW).[191] Mr Hockey is later appointed Australia’s ambassador to the United States of America.[192]

22 October

Electronic petitions

The Speaker, Tony Smith MP, informs members that the Departments of the House of Representatives and of Parliamentary Services are working to develop an electronic petitions website and system for the House, foreshadowing the need for the House to consider changes to its Standing Orders.[193] Senate standing orders already enable the presentation of electronic petitions in that chamber (SO 70).

The Standing Orders of the House are amended in 2016 to provide for an electronic petitions system.

9 November

House of Representatives trials new arrangements for Question Time

The House begins a trial of new arrangements for Question Time under which time is set aside each day for private government members to ask ministers constituency questions. Announcing the change, the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull MP, says ‘local issues are absolutely the bread and butter of every member's job’.[194] The changes will be trialled until the end of the year.[195]

15 November

Parliament House illuminated for France

Parliament House is illuminated with the French Tricolore as a mark of solidarity with the people of France in the wake of a series of terrorist attacks in Paris on 13 November. Parliament House continues to be illuminated until 22 November.

When Parliament resumes on 23 November, the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, MP, [196] and the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, MP,[197] express their condolences.

<img alt="Parliament House illuminated with the French Tricolore " src="%7E/media/05%20About%20Parliament/54%20Parliamentary%20Depts/544%20Parliamentary%20Library/Research%20Papers/2016-17/Chronology/APH2014-15-55" />

Parliament House illuminated with the French Tricolore

Image source: Auspic

Read:

Mr Turnbull’s statement

Mr Shorten’s statement

Watch: the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition’s statements on the Paris terrorist attacks

18 November

The ‘Big Picture’ on the move

The Tom Roberts painting The Opening of the first Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by HRH Duke of Cornwall and York (later King George V) on May 9, 1901 is removed from its home in the foyer of the Main Committee Room and loaned to the National Gallery of Australia.

There it is the centrepiece of a major Tom Roberts exhibition (December 2015 to March 2016). It will be returned to Parliament House during the 2016 autumn recess.

This is the first time the painting—which weighs over 400kg and stands almost 4m high—has left Parliament House since its installation in 1988.

Tom Roberts, Opening of the First Parliament of the Commonwealth of Australia by H.R.H. The Duke of Cornwall and York (Later King George V), May 9, 1901, 1903, oil on canvas

Image source: Parliament of Australia

The team involved in the move

Image source: Auspic

24 November

Prime Minister’s statement on national security

In the wake of recent terrorist attacks, the Prime Minister makes a statement to inform the House about ‘Australia’s global, regional and domestic policies to respond to terrorist attacks’.[198] He states that the ‘threat from ISIL is a global problem that must be addressed at its source, in the Middle East’. However, ‘governments cannot win this battle alone. Community leaders and groups have great responsibility both in denouncing violent extremism and teaching unity in diversity’.

Watch: the Prime Minister’s National Security Statement

25 November

White Ribbon Day—cross-party motions and new research on domestic and family violence

On the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women/White Ribbon Day, the Senate agrees a cross party motion noting that ‘across the world, violence against women and girls remains one of the most serious and the most tolerated human rights violations’.[199] Senator Claire Moore introduces the motion on behalf of Senators Michaelia Cash (Lib, WA), Sue Lines (ALP, WA) and Larissa Waters (AG, Qld).

On 11 November the Senate passed a related motion sponsored by the four senators, marking the release of a new report on family violence and ‘acknowledging the need for a cross party approach to enforcing a long-term strategy for ending the scourge of family and domestic violence.’[200]

Also on 25 November, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the Ministers for Women (Senator Michaelia Cash) and Human Services (Christian Porter MP), jointly release a report entitled ‘Reducing violence against women and their children’.[201] The research will inform the development of a jointly funded national campaign to begin in early 2016.

25 November

Tjuringa gifted to the Parliament and the Australian people by the Warlpiri people

On behalf of the Parliament, the President of the Senate, Senator Stephen Parry, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tony Smith MP, accept the gift of a tjuringa (a traditional Indigenous ceremonial object).

The tjuringa had originally been given by the Warlpiri people to the then Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Ian Viner AO QC in 1978, in exchange for the title deed to their traditional lands at Yuendumu (Northern Territory).[202]

Warlpiri community representatives Harry Tjakamarra Nelson, Otto Jungarryi Sims and Robin Granites Japanangka with the President and the Speaker

Image source: Auspic

2 December

Nursing mothers in the House

On 2 December the House of Representatives Procedure Committee tables the report of its inquiry into the adequacy of provisions for nursing mothers in the Chamber.[203] This follows the Committee’s roundtable discussions with members of the House on 12 November.

Current Standing Orders include ‘special provisions for nursing mothers’, enabling them to vote by proxy ‘for any division except that on the third reading of a bill which proposes an alteration of the Constitution’ if they are nursing an infant at the time of the division.[204]

The Committee recommends that standing orders be amended to allow members to bring their infants into the Chamber and Federation Chamber when needed so that members are able to participate fully in the work of the House. The Government response, tabled in February 2016, accepts the Committee’s recommendation.[205]

Since 2003, Senate standing orders (175.3) have permitted a senator to bring an infant into the chamber while breast‑feeding but not at other times.[206]

5 December

North Sydney by-election

On 5 December the by-election for North Sydney is held following the resignation of the Treasurer, Joe Hockey, on 23 October. Liberal candidate Trent Zimmerman is elected as the Member for North Sydney. He wins the seat (by a margin of 15,575 votes two-party preferred).[207]

Mr Zimmerman is subsequently sworn-in when Parliament meets in February 2016.

Trent Zimmerman MP

Image source: Parliament of Australia

29 December

Ministerial responsibility: one resigns, another stands aside

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces the resignation of the Minister for Cities and the Built Environment, Jamie Briggs MP (Lib, Mayo, SA), for failing to ‘uphold high standards of behaviour as set out in the Ministerial Standards’.[208] Mr Briggs issues a media release attaching his letter to the Prime Minister regarding the matter.[209]

Mr Turnbull’s media release also announces that Mal Brough MP (Lib, Fisher, Qld) has stood aside as Special Minister of State and as Minister for Defence Materiel and Science, pending the completion of an AFP investigation into the unauthorised disclosure of the diary of the former Speaker Peter Slipper MP.

In January Mr Brough is reported as asking to return to a back bencher’s salary and office pending the conclusion of the investigation.[210]

Jamie Briggs

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Mal Brough

Image source: Parliament of Australia

Administrative law

Omnibus Repeal Day (Autumn 2014) Act 2014

D Spooner, J Chowns, Omnibus Repeal Day (Autumn 2014) Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 67, 2013‑14, 9 May 2014.

This Act is part of a package of repeal Acts which remove duplication between different levels of government and between different agencies of government. Many of the amendments repeal provisions have long ceased to have effect.

Amending Acts 1901‑1969 Repeal Act 2014

J Murphy, Amending Acts 1901‑1969 Repeal Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 59, 2013‑14, 8 April 2014.

To repeal over 1,000 amending and repeal Acts identified by the Government as being redundant.

Amending Acts 1970 to 1979 Repeal Act 2014

K Magarey, Amending Acts 1970 to 1979 Repeal Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 57, 2014‑15, 27 November 2014.

To repeal 656 amending and repeal Acts identified as redundant.

Energy law

Minerals Resource Rent Tax Repeal and Other Measures Act 2014

An Act to remove the minerals resource rent tax, or mining tax, among other things.

Carbon Farming Initiative Amendment Act 2014

K Swoboda, A St John, J Tomaras, Carbon Farming Initiative Amendment Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 23, 2014‑15, 3 September 2014.

Amends the Carbon Credits (Carbon Farming Initiative) Act 2011 to implement the main part of the Coalition Government’s ‘direct action’ emissions reduction policy—the establishment of arrangements to support the purchase of domestic emissions abatement through the ‘emissions reduction fund’.

Clean Energy Legislation (Carbon Tax Repeal) Act 2014

Part of a package of 8 bills to remove the carbon pricing mechanism.

Family law

Australian Citizenship Amendment (Intercountry Adoption) Act 2014

M Neilsen, Australian Citizenship Amendment (Intercountry Adoption) Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 8, 2014‑15, 14 July 2014.

To create an entitlement to citizenship for children adopted under bilateral arrangements equivalent to the entitlement currently provided for children adopted under Hague Convention arrangements.

Immigration and Refugee law

Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Act 2014

E Karlsen, J Phillips, H Spinks, Migration and Maritime Powers Legislation Amendment (Resolving the Asylum Legacy Caseload) Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 40, 2014‑15, 23 October 2014.

The measures broaden the maritime enforcement powers used to intercept and return vessels carrying asylum seekers.

Tax law

Tax Laws Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Act 2014

B Pulle, K Swoboda, T Dale, Tax Laws Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 89, 2013‑14, 16 June 2014.

One of a package of 15 Bills which is a temporary tax for 3 financial years to improve the fiscal balance.  

Terrorism and National Security law

National Security Legislation Amendment Act (No. 1) 2014

M Biddington, C Barker, National Security Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014, Bills digest, no. 19, 2014‑15, 28 August 2014.

The main purpose of the Bill is to implement recommendations made in Chapter 4 of the PJCIS’s Report of the Inquiry into Potential Reforms of Australia’s National Security Legislation.

Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Act 2014

C Barker, M Biddington, M Coombs, M Klapdor, Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Foreign Fighters) Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 34, 2014‑15, 17 October 2014.

To make amendments to several existing Commonwealth Acts, to address the Government’s response to the increased threat of terrorism posed by Australians engaging in, and returning from, conflicts in foreign States.

Administrative law

Treasury Legislation Amendment (Repeal Day) Act 2015

L Nielson and K Swoboda, Treasury Legislation Amendment (Repeal Day) Bill 2014, Bills digest, no. 67, 2014‑15, 4 February 2015.

To repeal redundant provisions and to rewrite existing provisions into more accessible and easily used forms and location.

Amending Acts 1980 to 1989 Repeal Act 2015

K Magarey, Amending Acts 1980 to 1989 Repeal Bill 2015, Bills digest, no 103, 2014–15, 12 May 2015.

To remove a significant number of ‘spent Acts’ – amending or repealing Acts which are no longer required as the legal changes they were designed to make have occurred. Schedule 1 repeals 870 obsolete or redundant amending or repeal Acts.

Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015

C Madden, Norfolk Island Legislation Amendment Act 2015, Bills digest, no. 102, 2014–15, 12 May 2015.

Introduced to radically overhaul the governance arrangements that currently operate on NI and starts the transition of NI from a self-governing territory to a modern local government type authority.

Family law

Enhancing Online Safety for Children Act 2015

G Butler, Enhancing Online Safety for Children Bill 2014, Bills digest, no 78, 2014–15, 2 March 2015.

The Bill creates a new statutory office, the Children’s e-Safety Commissioner, and provides for the Commissioner to administer a complaints scheme regarding harmful cyber-bullying material targeted at an Australian child.

Terrorism and National Security law

Australian Border Force Act 2015

C Barker, Australian Border Force Bill 2015 [and] Customs and Other Legislation Amendment (Australian Border Force) Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. 94, 2014–15, 7 May 2015.

To establish the Australian Border Force and ABF Commissioner within the Department of Immigration and Border Protection. The Commissioner will be responsible for enforcement of customs laws and border-related revenue collection.

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Act 2015

J Murphy and M Biddington, Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Data Retention) Bill 2014, Bills digest, 89, 2014–15, 26 March 2015.

Creates new obligations on telecommunications and internet service providers to retain prescribed information or documents (metadata) for a period of two years for the purposes of access by national security authorities, criminal law-enforcement agencies and enforcement agencies. The Bill also requires service providers to encrypt the retained metadata (subject to certain exemptions).

Biosecurity

Biosecurity Act 2015

The Bill represents a major rewrite of the Quarantine Act 1908 and is based not just on the quarantine power, but also on a number of other Constitutional powers which provide the foundation for broader coverage to address changing patterns of overseas trade and Australia’s international obligations.

Courts

Tribunals Amalgamation Act 2015

M Coombs, C Petrie and D Spooner, Tribunals Amalgamation Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. 83, 2014–15, 19 March 2015.

To amend a number of Acts to amalgamate the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and the Migration Review Tribunal—Refugee Review Tribunal with the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

Judiciary Amendment Act 2015

M Coombs, Judiciary Amendment Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. 105, 2014–15, 13 May 2015.

To consolidate the Australian Government Solicitor into the Attorney-General’s Department. The Bill implements a decision announced part of the Government’s Smaller Government Reform Agenda.

Citizenship law

Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Act 2015

M Harrison-Smith and C Barker, Australian Citizenship Amendment (Allegiance to Australia) Bill 2015, Bills digest, 15, 2015–16, 2 September 2015.

The Bill will amend the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to provide for ‘automatic’ cessation of the Australian citizenship (including that obtained at birth) of a dual national where that person:

– renounces their Australian citizenship by engaging in certain conduct relating to terrorism and ‘foreign incursions’

– fights for, or is in the service of, a ‘declared terrorist organisation’ outside Australia (expanding an existing provision concerning serving in the armed forces of a country at war with Australia) or

– is convicted of a specified offence.

Immigration and Refugee law

Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Act 2015

MA Neilsen, Migration Amendment (Strengthening Biometrics Integrity) Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. 111, 2014–15, 4 June 2015.

To consolidate and strengthen the legislative framework for the collection of personal identifiers under the Migration Act 1958.

Migration Amendment (Regional Processing Arrangements) Act 2015

To provide statutory authority which applies where the Commonwealth has entered into an arrangement with another country with respect to the regional processing functions of that country.

Health law

Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015

A Grove, Australian Immunisation Register Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. 25, 2015–16, 1 October 2015.

To create a consolidated legislative framework to govern the operation of Australian immunisation registers and

to expand the age range covered by the Australian Childhood Immunisation Register from children under seven to ‘young individuals’ under 20 years of age.

Social Services law

Social Services Legislation Amendment (No Jab, No Pay) Act 2015

M Klapdor, Social Services Legislation Amendment (No Jab, No Pay) Bill 2015, Bills digest, no. 36, 2015–16, 22 October 2015.

Amends the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 (the FA Act) to tighten the immunisation requirements for the FTB-A supplement, CCB and CCR. It will remove the exemption from the immunisation requirements for those who submit a conscientious objection to immunisation and will remove the Minister for Social Services’ power to exempt a class of persons from the requirements by legislative instrument.

Criminal law

Crimes Legislation Amendment (Harming Australians) Act 2015

J Mills, Crimes Legislation Amendment (Harming Australians) Bill 2015, Bills digest, 48, 2015–16, 12 November 2015.

To amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 to extend the existing retrospective application of the offences of murder and manslaughter of Australians overseas to apply to offences occurring prior to 1 October 2002.

Property law

Register of Foreign Ownership of Agricultural Land Act 2015

Establishes a register, operated by the Australian Taxation Office, of foreign ownership of agricultural land.

Intellectual Property law

Copyright Amendment (Online Infringement) Act 2015

To introduce a key reform to reduce online copyright infringement.