1
April 2022
PDF version [2.6MB]
Dr Dianne Heriot, Parliamentary Librarian
with Anna Hough, Stephanie Gill and Pauline Downing
Politics and Public Administration, and Law and Bills Digest
Introduction
Parliament House, which was officially opened
in 1988, is the home of the Parliament of Australia. It is located on a
32-hectare site on Capital Hill in Canberra.
In 2013 the Parliamentary Library published a
chronology of events, Australia’s Parliament House—More Than 25 Years in the
Making!, in recognition of the
building’s 25th anniversary. In May 2018, to mark the 30th anniversary of
Parliament House, that chronology was updated and reissued as The 30th anniversary of Australia’s Parliament House.
The Library has also published chronologies to cover
non-anniversary years, commencing in 2014.[1] This
chronology continues the story; however, like its predecessor, Australia’s Parliament House in 2020: a Chronology of
Events, it situates events at the
Australian Parliament in the context of the ongoing pandemic response.
This chronology has been compiled from published
sources and includes images and links to audio-visual and documentary records.
Appendix 1 lists notable legislation passed by the Commonwealth Parliament in
2021.
Abbreviations
AG |
Australian Greens |
MOU |
Memorandum of Understanding |
ALP |
Australian Labor Party |
NP |
The Nationals |
CLP |
Country Liberal Party |
PHON |
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation |
DPS |
Department of Parliamentary Services |
PM&C |
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet |
Hon. |
Honourable |
PWSS |
Parliamentary Workplace Support Service |
Ind. |
Independent |
TGA |
Therapeutic Goods Administration |
Lib. |
Liberal Party of Australia |
|
|
Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people should be aware that this publication contains
images and names of people who are deceased.
Readers
should be aware that this publication includes references to sexual assault and
suicide.
|
Date |
Details |
|
1 January
|
A sober
start to the New Year
Traditional
New Year celebrations are curtailed in many parts of Australia due to
COVID-19 restrictions.[2]
As the days pass, mask requirements, limits on occupation density, restrictions
on visits to facilities such as hospitals and aged care centres, snap
lockdowns and interstate travel restrictions are introduced progressively as
case numbers grow. A new COVID-19 variant is identified.[3]
As at 3pm
on 1 January ‘28,427 cases of COVID-19 have been reported in Australia,
including 909 deaths, and approximately 237 active cases’.[4]
|
Image source: Shutterstock
|
1 January
|
Change
to the National Anthem
On 30 December 2020 Governor-General David Hurley issues a Proclamation changing the second line of the
Australian National Anthem ‘For we are young and free’ to ‘For we are one and
free’.[5]
The Proclamation takes effect on 1 January 2021.
|
|
8 January
|
Changes
to international travel and new domestic border restrictions
National
Cabinet agrees to changed arrangements for international air travel, including
reductions in the international arrivals cap and mandating travellers return
a negative COVID-19 test before travel.[6]
On 16 January the federal Government announces increased repatriation flights to return Australians
stranded abroad.[7]
Brisbane enters
a three-day lockdown after a quarantine-hotel cleaner tests positive for the
UK COVID-19 variant. Other states and territories respond by implementing
restrictions for travellers from greater Brisbane.[8]
|
|
25 January
|
Pfizer
vaccine
The Therapeutic
Goods Administration (TGA) provisionally approves the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID‑19
vaccine for use in Australia.[9]
The first Pfizer doses arrive in mid-February.[10]
|
|
28 January
|
Shadow
Ministry reshuffle
The
Leader of the Opposition, Anthony Albanese (ALP, Grayndler, NSW), announces a reshuffle of the shadow ministry.[11] Among other changes, the Deputy
Leader of the Opposition, Richard Marles (ALP, Corio, Vic.), becomes Shadow
Minister of a new portfolio, National Reconstruction, Employment, Skills and
Small Business and Shadow Minister for Science, while Chris Bowen (ALP, McMahon, NSW) becomes Shadow Minister for Climate
Change and Energy and Mark Butler (ALP, Hindmarsh, SA) becomes Shadow
Minister for Health and Ageing.
|
Richard Marles
Image source: Auspic
|
29 January
|
Presiding
Officers' statement: Parliament House access and operations
The
Presiding Officers announce changed access arrangements for Parliament House in
accordance with the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government’s COVID-19 Easing of Restrictions Roadmap. Parliament House remains open to the
public, though bookings are required. There are also restrictions on numbers
able to attend committee hearings or chamber galleries.[12]
|
|
1 February
|
Lockdown
and travel restrictions for parts of Western Australia; Queensland border
re-opens
Following
the announcement on 31 January of a five-day lockdown for parts of Western Australia (WA) due
to a hotel quarantine security guard having contracted COVID-19,[13]
other states and territories bring in travel restrictions for people from the
affected areas.[14]
WA
senators and members are able to attend the Parliament ‘in accordance with
arrangements agreed between the Parliament and territory health officers,
including a COVID-19 test regime’.[15]
Queensland
opens its border to all states except WA.[16]
|
|
2 February
|
Changed
procedures in the Senate
The
Senate begins recording divisions on tablet devices and reporting the results
online in real time. The Senate also resumes its practice of locking the Chamber
doors for divisions, which had been suspended ‘from the onset of the COVID-19
pandemic as part of a suite of hygiene and social distancing measures’.[17]
|
The Senate in session
Image source: Auspic
|
2 February
|
Condolence
motions for Michael Jeffery
Condolence
motions in the House of Representatives[18] and the Senate[19] pay tribute to former Governor‑General
Michael Jeffery, who died on 18 December 2020. He served as
Governor-General from 2003 to 2008.
|
Michael Jeffery
Image source: Auspic
Watch the
condolence motions in the House and the Senate
|
3 February
|
Condolence
motions for Doug Anthony
Following
his death on 20 December 2020, condolence motions in the House of Representatives[20] and the Senate[21] pay tribute to former Country Party
(later National Party) leader John Douglas ‘Doug’ Anthony (ACP/NCP/NPA, Richmond, NSW).
Doug
Anthony was first elected in 1957, winning in a by-election following the
sudden death of his father Hubert Anthony, the sitting member. In 1996 his son Larry Anthony became the third generation of the family to represent Richmond
in the federal Parliament.
When
elected party leader in 1971 at age 41, Anthony was the youngest ever leader
of the party. He retired in 1984, after serving in the Menzies, Holt, McEwen,
Gorton, McMahon and Fraser ministries.
|
Doug Anthony
Image source: Auspic
Watch the
condolence motions in the House and the Senate
|
3 February
|
Statements
on Indulgence: COVID-19
The Prime
Minister and the Leader of the Opposition make statements on Indulgence regarding Craig Kelly’s (Lib., Hughes, NSW) comments about
COVID-19.[22]
|
Watch the Statements on Indulgence
|
3 February
|
First
Speech: Senator Small
WA Senator Ben Small (Lib.,
WA) makes his First Speech in Parliament.[23]
Senator
Small was chosen by the Parliament of WA to fill the casual vacancy caused
by Senator Mathias Cormann’s resignation on 6 November 2020.
|
Senator Ben Small
Image source: Auspic
Watch Senator Small’s First Speech
|
3 February
|
Glenn
Richards walks from Melbourne to Canberra to raise awareness of veterans’
rights
Having
walked 624 kilometres from Melbourne to Canberra, Glenn Richards arrives at Parliament House. The aim of his walk is to raise
awareness of issues affecting veterans, and he calls for a Royal Commission
into veterans’ welfare.[24]
|
|
5 February
|
Increased
international arrivals
National Cabinet
agrees to an increase in international arrivals in most states from 15 February.[25]
|
|
11 February
|
South
Australia closes border to greater Melbourne
After
a COVID-19 outbreak at a Melbourne quarantine hotel, South Australia (SA)
closes its border to residents of greater Melbourne.[26]
|
|
11 February
|
Presiding
Officers’ statement: Parliament House access and operations
The
Presiding Officers announce that, following consultation with parliamentary
departments and health officials, access arrangements to Parliament House for
the upcoming sitting fortnight will remain unchanged.[27]
|
|
12 February
|
Lockdown
in Victoria
Victorian
Premier Daniel Andrews announces that the state will enter a five-day lockdown following
cases of a ‘hyper-infectious variant’ in Melbourne.[28] The lockdown
lifts on 17 February, but the state remains shut to international flights. Subsequently,
neighbouring states close their borders to Victorians.[29]
|
|
12 February
|
Senator
McKenzie appears before Sports Grants Committee
Following
a Senate motion on 8 December 2020 directing her to attend,[30] Senator Bridget McKenzie (NP, Vic.) appears as a witness at a
public hearing of the Senate Select Committee into the Administration of
Sports Grants.
|
Senator Bridget McKenzie
Image source: Auspic
|
15 February
|
Agreement
for Members to contribute remotely
In
response to the COVID-19 restrictions in Victoria, the House of
Representatives agrees to enable Members to contribute remotely during the sitting
period.[31]
Three members participate in remote proceedings, including the first
contribution in the Federation Chamber made via video link.[32] Similar arrangements are agreed to in the Senate.[33]
However,
arrangements agreed between the Federal Parliament and ACT health officers
enable parliamentarians from Victoria to attend parliament in person.[34]
|
|
15 February
|
13th anniversary
of the Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples
The Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, (Lib., Cook, NSW) makes a ministerial statement to mark the 13th anniversary of the
Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples. In his statement, he advises that
while in previous years the annual Closing the Gap report has been
delivered on this anniversary date, following the new National Agreement on
Closing the Gap signed in July 2020, future reports will take place in the
middle of the year.[35]
The Leader of the Opposition speaks in response.
The
sitting of the Senate is suspended to enable senators to attend.
|
Gemma Black (born 1956) Apology to Australia’s
Indigenous Peoples, 2008, Gift commissioned by the Department of
Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Parliament
House Art Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services, Canberra ACT.
Watch
the ministerial statement
|
15 February
|
First
Speech: Member for Groom
Garth Hamilton (Lib., Groom, Qld.) makes his first Speech in the House of Representatives.[36]
He
was elected at a 2020 by-election following the resignation of the sitting
member, the Hon Dr John McVeigh (Lib.).
|
Garth Hamilton
Image source: Auspic
Watch Mr Hamilton’s first speech (17:31)
|
16 February
|
Allegations
of sexual assault at Parliament House
In response
to allegations that a staffer was sexually assaulted by a colleague at Parliament House in
2019, [37]
the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, announces the establishment of two inquiries. The first, led by Celia Hammond (Lib., Curtin, WA) will examine
workplace culture at Parliament House, while the second, led by Stephanie
Foster (Deputy Secretary, PM&C) will provide advice on improving complaints
processes and support for staffers reporting sexual assault.[38]
The
first review is subsequently incorporated into broader independent review of Parliament House’s workplace
culture.[39]
Charges
are laid in the matter in August 2021.[40]
|
|
16 February
|
AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine approved
The TGA
provisionally approves the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia.[41] The first doses arrive at the
month’s end.[42]
|
|
17 February
|
Remote
participation: referral to Senate Procedure Committee
Senate
President Scott Ryan (Lib., Vic.) refers to the Procedure Committee a request
to ‘review the use of remote participation, including the process for
approving its use.’[43]
The rules were first adopted in August 2020, and re-adopted for subsequent
sitting periods.
The
Committee Chair, Senate Deputy President Sue Lines (ALP, WA), tables its report on 13 May 2021.
|
Scott Ryan
Image source: Auspic
|
18 February
|
Passage of Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill
2019
The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2019 passes both Houses of Parliament
after vigorous debate. The Bill, which had originally been introduced in 2018
but lapsed with the prorogation of Parliament, merges the Family Court of
Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia into a new Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
The Bill
receives Royal Assent on 1 March and enters into effect on 1 September 2021.
|
|
17 and 18 February
|
Resolutions and statements on family violence
The Senate and the House of Representatives pass resolutions
marking the anniversary of the murder of Hannah Clarke and her children.[44] The Prime Minster and the Leader
of the Opposition also make statements in remembrance.[45]
|
|
18 February
|
Statement
regarding allegations of a sexual assault
Leader
of the Opposition in the Senate Penny Wong (ALP, SA) introduces a motion to require the
Defence Minister Linda Reynolds (Lib., WA) to make a statement regarding allegations of a sexual
assault in her office.[46]
The motion is not passed. However, Defence Minister makes a statement by leave later that day.[47]
The Senate considers the Minister’s statement on the next sitting day.[48]
|
Senator Linda Reynolds
Image source: Auspic
|
21 February
|
Vaccine
rollout begins
Australia’s
National COVID-19 Vaccination Programme begins in Sydney. Prime Minister
Scott Morrison is among the first group of Australians to receive the vaccine.[49]
|
Prime Minister Morrison and Jane Malysiak, the first
recipient of the coronavirus vaccine in Australia.
Image source: Scott Morrison (Prime
Minister), Twitter
|
23 February
|
Craig
Kelly resigns from the Liberal Party
Craig
Kelly advises the House of Representatives that he has resigned from the Liberal
Party to sit as an Independent.[50]
In August he announces his appointment
as leader of the United Australia Party.[51]
His
departure from the Liberal Party reduces the Government’s majority, to holding
76 seats in the 151-seat chamber.
|
Craig Kelly
Image source: Auspic
|
1 March
|
Royal
Commission into Aged Care final report tabled
The
Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care
Quality and Safety
is tabled in Parliament.[52]
It includes 148 recommendations and calls for ‘fundamental reform of the
aged care system’, with the Royal Commissioners arguing that ‘[p]eople
receiving aged care deserved better.’[53]
|
Image source: Royal
Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
|
2 March
|
International
borders stay closed
The
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt (Lib., Flinders, Vic.), announces the extension of existing emergency determinations
including restrictions on outbound international travel for a further three
months.[54]
|
|
3 March
|
Christian
Porter press conference
Speaking
at a media conference in Perth, Attorney‑General and
Minister for Industrial Relations Christian Porter (Lib., Pearce, WA) reveals that he is
the Minister at the centre of sexual assault allegations dating from 1988. He
denies the allegations, saying they ‘simply did not happen’. He does not
stand down from his ministerial positions but takes a period of leave.[55]
|
Christian Porter
Image source: Auspic
|
5 March
|
Sex
Discrimination Commissioner to lead review into Parliament’s workplace
culture
The
Minister for Finance, Simon Birmingham (Lib., SA) announces an independent review into Commonwealth
Parliamentary workplaces, to be led by Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins.[56]
The review will aim to ‘ensure all Commonwealth Parliamentary workplaces are
safe and respectful and that our national Parliament reflects best practice
in the prevention and handling of bullying, sexual harassment and sexual
assault.’[57]
|
Kate Jenkins
Image source: VEOHRC,
Wikimedia Commons
Read: the Independent
review into Commonwealth Parliamentary workplaces - Terms of Reference
|
15 March
|
All
state borders open
For
the first time since COVID-19 border closures were implemented, all state borders are open, after WA opens its border to Victoria.[58]
|
|
15 March
|
March 4
Justice
Thousands
of people attend March
4 Justice
rallies around Australia, calling for an end to gendered violence. Speakers
at the rally outside Parliament House include Brittany Higgins, the former
staffer whose allegations of sexual assault in the building were ‘the
catalyst for much of the anger leading up to the protests’.[59]
Both
the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition make statements in the House regarding the rallies.[60]
|
Women’s March 4 Justice Canberra
Image source: AAP Mick Tsikas
|
15 March
|
Condolence
motions for Sir Michael Somare
Before
Question Time, the Prime Minister moves that the House:
… acknowledge the passing, on 26
February 2021, of Papua New Guinea Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas
Somare, and place on record its gratitude of his long-standing and respected
relationship with Australia and tender its profound sympathy to his family in
their bereavement.[61]
Debate on the
motion continues in the Federation Chamber on 16 March.[62]
The
Senate passes a similar motion, with all senators present later joining in a
moment of silence.[63]
|
Watch debate on
the condolence motions in the House of Representatives and the Senate
|
16 March
|
Disallowance
and Delegated legislation
The Senate Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee tables the final report of its inquiry into the exemption of
delegated legislation from parliamentary oversight.[64] The report notes that in 2020 ‘17.4%
of delegated legislation was exempted from disallowance’, removing the
opportunity for Parliament to examine and potentially veto it.[65] It makes 11 recommendations to
better ensure delegated legislation is effectively scrutinised and ‘exempted
from parliamentary oversight in only exceptional circumstances’.[66]
On 16 June,
the Senate considers the report, adopting three recommendations.[67]
|
|
17 and 18 March
|
Condolence
Motions for Chris Hurford
Condolence
motions are moved in the House of Representatives and the Senate to mark the
death in November 2020 of Chris Hurford. (The condolence motions were delayed
to enable Mr Hurford’s family to attend.)
First
elected as Member for Adelaide in 1969, he held the seat until resigning in
1987. He was a member of the Hawke ministry from 1983 to 1987, holding the
portfolios for Housing and Construction (1983–84); Immigration and Ethnic
Affairs (1984–87); and Community Services (1987). He also served as Minister
Assisting the Treasurer (1983–87).[68]
After retiring from the Parliament, he represented Australia as Consul-General
in New York.
|
Christopher Hurford
Image source: Auspic
|
18 March
|
Sports
Grants report tabled
The Senate Select Committee on Administration of Sports
Grants tables
its final report.[69] The majority report concludes that:
This
inquiry has exposed an overt and organised practice by the government of
inappropriately using Commonwealth grants for partisan political purposes …[70]
The
report also states that the committee ‘faced significant obstruction in its
attempts to gather evidence’.[71]
|
|
18 March
|
Portrait
of Stephen Parry unveiled
The
official portrait of former Senate President Stephen
Parry, by artist
Paul Newton, is unveiled. Mr Parry served as a Senator for Tasmania (2004–17) and as
President of the Senate (2014–17).
|
Portrait of Stephen Parry by Paul Newton
Image source: Historic Memorials
Collection, Department of Parliamentary Services
|
22 March
|
Statements
on Indulgence on floods
Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, and Opposition Leader, Anthony Albanese, make statements on the devastating floods in New South Wales (NSW) and
Queensland.[72]
|
Watch the Statements on Indulgence
|
22 March
|
Multiple
Birth Awareness Week
During
members’ statements, Anika Wells (ALP, Lilley, Qld) raises awareness for Multiple Birth
Awareness Week (21–28 March 2021) while holding her two fraternal twin sons.
This year’s theme is testing for zygosity. Ms Wells notes:
It's important because … the
health risks for multiple births increase tenfold for both mothers and
babies. [73]
Standing
orders in both the Senate and the House enable parliamentarians to bring an
infant in their care into their respective Chamber. The House also permits
female members to vote by proxy for most divisions if they are nursing an
infant at the time of the Division.[74]
|
Anika Wells and her infant twins
Image source: DPS Broadcasting
Watch
twins in the House (from 13:36)
|
28 March
|
JobKeeper
ends
The JobKeeper
Payment program ends. The scheme, which commenced 30 March 2020, provided a financial
subsidy for businesses significantly affected by COVID-19.[75]
|
|
29 March
|
Ministry
reshuffle
The Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, announces a reshuffle of his ministry. The new ministry sees the return to a then-record number
of women (seven) in Cabinet, and the creation of a women’s Cabinet Taskforce.[76]
Among
other changes, Michaelia Cash (Lib., WA) replaces Christian Porter as
Attorney‑General, while Peter Dutton (Lib., Dickson, Qld) replaces Linda Reynolds as Minister for Defence.
|
Michaelia Cash
Image source: Auspic
|
29 March
|
Brisbane
lockdown
Queensland
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces a 3-day lockdown in Brisbane following four new locally-acquired
cases of COVID-19. In response, other jurisdictions announce restrictions for
travellers from either the Brisbane region or the entire state.[77]
|
|
10 April
|
Gun
salute in honour of the Duke of Edinburgh
Following
the death of the Duke of Edinburgh,[78] Prince Philip, on 9 April 2021, a 41-gun salute is performed at Parliament House in his honour.[79]
|
|
19 April
|
Royal
Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide announced
Prime
Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Defence Personnel
Darren Chester (NP, Gippsland, Vic.), and Attorney-General
Michaelia Cash announce the establishment of a Royal Commission into Defence and
Veteran Suicide.
The Royal Commission is intended to complement the existing initiative to
establish a permanent National Commission ‘to proactively deal with
future issues’.[80]
The
Royal Commission is formally established on 8 July 2021, and will
be led by Nick Kaldas, former Deputy Commissioner of the NSW Police Force. It
is due to provide its final report by 15 June 2023.[81]
|
Darren Chester
Image source: Auspic
|
23 April
|
Perth
lockdown
WA
Premier Mark McGowan, announces a three-day lockdown for Perth and the Peel region, after
the emergence of two COVID-19 cases.[82] Other jurisdictions subsequently impose restrictions for travellers from the affected regions.[83]
|
|
27 April
|
Passenger
flights from India paused
Following
the ‘very significant’ outbreak of a new strain of COVID-19 (Delta) in India,
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announces that direct passenger flights from
India to Australia will be paused until 15 May 2021. Outgoing travel is also
limited. He also announces an initial assistance package to support India’s
management of the outbreak.[84]
Government-chartered repatriation flights from India resume in May.[85]
|
Qantas aircraft Sydney airport
Image source: DS28, Wikimedia Commons
|
3 May
|
National
COVID-19 Commission Advisory Board
Prime
Minister Scott Morrison announces that the National COVID-19 Advisory Board,
established in March 2020, has concluded its work. The Board provided ‘a real-time
business perspective on critical aspects of our COVID-19 response’ during
‘the emergency phase’ of the pandemic.[86]
|
|
9 May
|
120th
anniversary of first sitting of the Commonwealth Parliament
The
day marks the 120th anniversary of the first sitting of the
Commonwealth Parliament in
Melbourne’s Exhibition Building—the city’s only building able to accommodate
the 12,000 invited guests.[87]
With senators and members assembled under the great dome, the Duke of
Cornwall and York (later King
George V)
declared the Parliament open, his voice ringing ‘clear through the building’.[88] The Argus declared the
opening ‘A Magnificent Demonstration’ and ‘A Masterpiece of
Organisation’:
[T]he legislative machinery of
the Commonwealth was yesterday set in motion … The worthiest of Australia
were there … and every heart beat high with pride and with hope.[89]
The
Parliament reconvened at the Victorian Parliament House later in the day and
elected two South Australians, Richard Baker and Frederick Holder were elected as the inaugural
President of the Senate and Speaker of the House of Representatives. Regular
parliamentary sessions commenced the following day.
It
was not until 1927 that the Parliament met in Canberra.[90]
|
Photograph of the ‘Opening of the First Parliament of the
Commonwealth’, exhibition Building, Melbourne 9 May 1901
Image source: Museums
Victoria
|
10 May
|
Presiding
Officers’ statement: Parliament House access and operations
The
Presiding Officers announce a
further easing of COVID-19 safety measures at Parliament House with the
opening of outdoor sporting facilities and self-service catering permitted
for events.[91]
Visits by the public continue to be managed through booked tours.
|
|
10 May
|
Commemoration
of the London Blitz
The
Presiding Officers unveil an exhibition commemorating the 80th anniversary of
the final bombing of London during the London Blitz. At the heart of the
exhibition are relics salvaged from the bomb-damaged Houses of Parliament,
Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey which were a gift in 1942 from the
British Government.
|
British High Commissioner, Vicki Treadwell, with Speaker
Tony Smith, Senate President Scott Ryan and exhibition curator Tania Zora at
the opening of the Blitz exhibition.
Image source:
Auspic
About the exhibition
|
11 May
|
Parliamentary
Operations: House of Representatives
The Speaker
of the House of Representatives Tony Smith (Lib., Casey, Vic.) makes a statement informing members
of COVID-19 arrangements in the Chamber and Federation Chamber for the Budget
sittings. He observes that for ‘the first time since 5 March 2020, the full
membership of the House can once again be accommodated within the chamber at
one time’.[92]
|
Tony Smith
Image Source: Auspic
|
11 May
|
Condolence
motions for the Duke of Edinburgh
In the House of Representatives and the Senate, condolence motions pay tribute to Prince Philip, the Duke of
Edinburgh. Each chamber passed motions addressing Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth
the Second, expressing sympathy and giving thanks for ‘a remarkable life’.[93]
The
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, describes ’the Prince’s lifelong support of
the Queen as an exemplar of a life of service’.[94]
|
The Duke of Edinburgh
Image source: NASA/Paul E Alers, Wikimedia
Commons
Watch the condolence motions in the
House
and the Senate
|
11-12 May
|
Condolence
motions for Andrew Peacock
Condolence
motions in the House of Representatives and the Senate pay tribute to Andrew Peacock, who died on 16 April 2021.[95]
He served as the Member for Kooyong (Vic.) from 1966 to 1994, as a Minister,
Leader of the Opposition and, after leaving Parliament, as an ambassador to
the United States of America.[96]
|
Andrew Peacock
Image source: Auspic
|
11 May
|
Two
senators cross the floor
Senators Matt Canavan (NP, Qld) and Gerard Rennick (Lib., Qld) cross the floor to vote in
favour of a motion proposed by Senator Malarndirri McCarthy (ALP, NT) in relation to assistance for
Australians in India. The question was agreed to.[97]
On
13 May 2021 Senators Canavan and Rennick again crossed the floor to support a
motion on the same subject moved by Senator Murray Watt (ALP, Qld).
That question was also agreed to.[98]
|
|
11 May
|
2021
Budget
The
Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg (Lib., Kooyong, Vic.), delivers the 2021 budget, his third.
He states:
… we have come so far since the
height of the pandemic. … But it has come at a significant and unavoidable
cost. The COVID‑19 recession will see our deficit reach $161 billion
this year …
But Australia is now well on the
road to recovery. … jobs are coming back. The economy is coming back.
Australia is coming back.[99]
In his budget reply speech on 13 May, the Leader of the
Opposition, Anthony Albanese, states:
… we can do so much better … than
merely coming back, rather than building back stronger. …
This budget offers a low-growth,
low‑productivity and low-wage future, and a trillion dollars of debt.
Is this really the best we can aspire to?[100]
|
Josh Frydenberg
Image source: Auspic
Watch the
Treasurer’s budget speech (from 19:30)
|
11 May
|
Assisted
dying: Resolution from the ACT Legislative Assembly
The Speaker
of the House of Representatives presents a copy of an ACT Legislative Assembly resolution on the
restoration of territory rights regarding voluntary assisted dying.[101]
|
|
12 May
|
Protesters
block roads to Parliament House
Ten protesters are taken into custody after an attempt to block road access
to Parliament House. The climate change activists linked to the Extinction
Rebellion movement parked trucks across several roads leading to the
building. The protesters aimed to draw attention to the lack of environmental
focus in the 2021 budget.
Extinction
Rebellion members return to Parliament House in August, with protesters
charged with property damage and trespass.[102]
|
|
13 May
|
Moderna
vaccine deal
The
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, announces that Australia has finalised a contract
with Moderna for
the purchase of 25 million vaccines. These vaccines are to form the
‘foundation of a booster and variant strategy’ for Australia.[103]
|
|
13 May
|
Parliamentary
Operations: The Senate
The Senate
adopts the Standing Committee on Procedure’s report recommendations[104] to remain in effect until 2 September
2021. Use of remote participation remains:
… strictly limited to enable
senators to participate in Senate proceedings while they are prevented from
physically attending the Senate because of COVID-19 related travel
restrictions, quarantine requirements or personal health advice.[105]
The revised
rules include a new process for approving the use of remote participation,
and principles for remote participation at estimates hearings.
|
|
13 May
|
Report
on Question Time
The
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure tables its report A window on the House: practices and procedures
relating to Question Time.[106]
The report’s 11 recommendations include: banning questions about
‘alternative approaches’; requiring the Prime Minister to address a question
before deferring to another minister; extra disciplinary powers for the
Speaker; and new time limits for questions and answers.[107]
|
House of Representatives
Image source: Australian House of Representatives, Twitter
|
24 May
|
Cyber-attack
on Parliament revealed
The
President of the Senate, Scott
Ryan reveals during a Senate Estimates hearing that the Parliament was ‘the subject of
malicious cyber activity’ on 26 March 2021. The cyber-attack, while
unsuccessful, caused ‘significant inconvenience’.[108]
|
|
26 May
|
Presiding
Officers’ statement: new COVID-19 precautions
The
Presiding Officers release a statement regarding travel to Victoria due to changing
border entry arrangements in NSW and the ACT. Parliamentarians and staff are
advised to remain in Canberra if they are able to.[109]
|
|
27 May
|
Victorian
lockdown
Victoria’s Acting
Premier James Merlino announces a state-wide seven-day lockdown.[110] This follows reports of 11 new
COVID-19 cases, taking the Victorian cluster to 26.[111]
The outbreak originated from a hotel quarantine leak in SA.[112]
In response, SA closes its border with Victoria, while other jurisdictions
impose restrictions on travellers arriving from Victoria.[113]
On
2 June the lockdown is extended for a further week in Melbourne, while
restrictions are eased in regional Victoria.[114]
|
|
27 May
|
House of
Representatives: Agreement for parliamentarians to contribute remotely
The
Leader of the House Peter Dutton presents an Agreement for members to contribute remotely to parliamentary
proceedings. [115]
Five members will participate via video link during the following week’s
sittings.[116]
|
|
27 May
|
Infant
in the Chamber
During
members’ statements on 27 May, Patrick Gorman (ALP, Perth, WA) rises to speak on the
issue of women in parliament while holding his infant daughter – whom the
Deputy Speaker jocularly dubs ‘the junior member for Perth’.[117]
|
Patrick Gorman with his daughter Ruby
Image source: DPS
Broadcasting
|
28 May
|
New acquisitions
exhibition: contemporary identity and land
From May to
November 2021, Parliament House hosts an exhibition of recently acquired artworks.
Spanning paintings, objects and digital media, this selection
draws on the various ways artists respond to and reflect on how identity and
a sense of connection are forged in landscape and place.
|
Image
source: The hunt of the Thylacine (detail), 2020, Nicole O’Loughlin
About
the exhibition
|
3 June
|
National
lockdown framework introduced
Prime
Minister Scott Morrison, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, and Minister for
Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud (NP, Maranoa, Qld) announce the creation of a national lockdown
framework. Under
the framework, the Commonwealth will provide a temporary COVID-19 disaster
payment to those who have lost income during a lockdown of more than seven
days.[118]
Payments
under the scheme cease as each state and territory reaches 80% of its
population aged 16 and over fully vaccinated.[119]
|
|
4 June
|
Foster
Report released
Following
its completion on 25 May 2021,[120]
the Minister for Finance, Simon Birmingham, announces the public release of the Foster Report.[121] The report by Stephanie Foster,
Deputy Secretary of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C), reviews the
arrangements in place for responding to serious incidents in parliamentary
workplaces.
The
report’s ten recommendations include the creation of an independent
complaints mechanism for serious incidents, and the logging of after‑hours
access to parliamentarians’ offices.[122]
On
26 July the Prime Minister and the Minister for Finance announce that the
government will accept all of the report’s recommendations. Accordingly, an
independent complaints mechanism will be established ‘within six weeks’ and
training for parliamentarians and their staff will be rolled out from
September. A public register will be created to record which parliamentarians
have completed the training.[123]
|
Image source: PM&C
|
11 June
|
50th
anniversary of Neville Bonner’s appointment to the Senate
Today marks the 50th anniversary of Neville Bonner’s appointment to the Senate, the first
Indigenous member of an Australian parliament.[124]
Bonner was
chosen by the Queensland Parliament in June 1971 to fill a casual vacancy
caused by the resignation of Senator Annabelle Rankin. Bonner won the seat in his own
right in the general election held the following year and continued to
represent Queensland as a Senator until 1983.
After
politics, he held a series of prominent positions including as an ABC
director and a patron of World Vision and Amnesty International. Deeply proud
of his role as a trailblazer, he continued to be a strong advocate for
Indigenous rights. He was named Australian of the Year in 1979 and appointed an AO in
1984.
To
mark the anniversary an exhibition is held at Parliament House and Professor Megan Davis delivers a Senate Occasional Lecture.
|
Neville
Bonner AO
Image source: National Archives of Australia
|
18 June
|
Condolence
motions for John Raymond Martyr
The
Speaker informs the House of Representatives of the death of former parliamentarian
John Raymond Martyr.
He
was the Member for Swan (WA) from 1975 to 1978 and Senator for WA from 1981
to 1983.[125]
|
John Raymond Martyr
Image source: Auspic
|
21 June
|
Nationals
leadership spill
Following
a leadership spill, Barnaby Joyce (NP, New England, NSW)
returns as Leader of The Nationals, replacing Michael McCormack (NP, Riverina, NSW).[126]
He is sworn in as Deputy Prime Minister the following day.[127]
|
Barnaby Joyce
Image source: Auspic
|
21 June
|
Operations of the Parliament
An
agreement is adopted for remote participation for the sittings of
the House of Representatives from Monday, 21 June 2021 to Thursday, 24 June
2021.[128]
This enables Prime Minister Scott Morrison to participate in proceedings from
the Lodge while quarantining after official travel overseas.[129]
|
|
21 June
|
Man
arrested with weapon at parliament
Additional
security measures are put in place at Parliament House after the arrest of an
armed man making threats outside the building.[130]
On
28 July 2021 the man’s lawyer entered pleas of not guilty by reason of mental
impairment to charges of possessing an offensive weapon with intent and
threatening to kill.[131]
On 26 August 2021 the man is granted bail and is to live under house arrest.[132]
|
|
23 June
|
Border
closures following Sydney COVID-19 outbreak
In
response to a COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney other jurisdictions close their
borders to NSW or impose travel restrictions.[133]
|
|
24 June
|
Changes
to procedure in the Senate
The Senate
passes a motion limiting the types of motions that may be
dealt with as formal. The motion also creates a daily 30-minute opportunity for
senators to make two-minute statements. The new temporary orders have effect
until the last sitting day of 2021.[134]
The
Greens, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, Jacqui Lambie Network and Independent
Senator Rex Patrick (Ind., SA), oppose the changes, which Senator Rachel Siewert (AG, WA) describes as ‘an act of
bastardry by the two major parties.’[135]
|
|
25 June
|
Sydney
lockdown
NSW Premier
Gladys Berejiklian announces stay-at-home orders of at least one week for
people who live or work in four Sydney local council areas.[136]
The
following day she announces a two-week lockdown for all of Greater Sydney.[137]
The duration and coverage of the lockdown is progressively extended over days
and weeks following.[138]
On 11 July Victoria
closes its borders to all of NSW and the ACT.[139]
On 27
September the NSW Premier announces the path out of the lockdown, with easing
of restrictions at the 80% double dose vaccination target.[140]
|
|
27 June
|
New
ministry announced
The Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, announces changes to the ministry prompted by the recent change in the
leadership of The Nationals. Among other changes, Andrew Gee (NP, Calare, NSW) joins and Bridget McKenzie re-joins the
Cabinet. The new Cabinet includes eight women, the highest number to date.
Susan McDonald (NP, Qld) is appointed Envoy for
Northern Australia.
The
new ministry is sworn in on 2 July 2021.[141]
|
Andrew Gee
Image source: Auspic
|
27 June
|
Darwin
lockdown
The
Northern Territory (NT) government announces a two-day lockdown for the
Darwin area.[142]
The lockdown comes after COVID-19 cases in the Territory are identified, linked
to a mine worker believed to have contracted the virus at a Brisbane
quarantine hotel.[143]
|
|
28 June
|
Perth
lockdown
WA
Premier Mark McGowan announces a four-day lockdown for Perth and the Peel
region. The lockdown follows cases linked to the Sydney outbreak.[144]
|
|
29 June
|
Queensland
lockdown
Queensland
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announces a three-day lockdown for South-East
Queensland, Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island after cases of
COVID-19 community transmission in the state.[145]
|
|
30 June
|
Alice
Springs lockdown
The
NT government announces a three-day lockdown for Alice Springs after a mine
worker in SA and his family tested positive for COVID-19.[146]
|
|
2 July
|
International
passenger arrivals cut
National
Cabinet agrees to reduce international passenger arrival caps by 50 percent
to manage pressure on quarantine facilities caused by the Delta variant.
Since the
beginning of the pandemic there have been globally 182 million cases and
nearly four million deaths; Australia has recorded 30,685 confirmed cases and
910 deaths.[147]
|
|
7 July
|
Man
charged after refusing to wear mask at Parliament House
A
Sydney man is arrested and charged with breaching ACT public health orders
after refusing to wear a mask while visiting Parliament House.[148]
|
|
13 July
|
Federal
government COVID-19 support package announced
The
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announce an upgraded national response to COVID-19
outbreaks that
result in extended lockdowns. The new package includes increased weekly
payments for affected households and support for businesses. It will apply
nationally to any state or territory experiencing a lockdown lasting longer
than three weeks.[149]
|
|
13 July
|
Speaker
Tony Smith to retire at the next election
Speaker of
the House of Representatives Tony Smith
announces he will
not be contesting the next federal election.[150]
Smith
was first elected to the House of Representatives for Casey in 2001 and
became Speaker in August 2015.
|
Tony Smith
Image source: Auspic
|
15 July
|
Lockdown
in Victoria
The
Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, announces a five-day lockdown for the
state.[151]
The lockdown comes after the emergence of two COVID-19 clusters in Melbourne
linked to the Sydney outbreak.[152]
On
20 July 2021 the lockdown is extended by one week.[153]
|
|
19 July
|
Politicians
quarantining in Canberra ahead of August sitting period
Federal
parliamentarians from hotspots begin quarantining in Canberra, two weeks out
from the sitting period. The Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, is quarantining
at the Lodge and is permitted to hold his press conferences outside with
attendees to be fully vaccinated, wearing masks and physical distancing.
Conditions apply for persons required to attend Parliament House during their
14-day quarantine period. [154]
|
|
Mid July onwards
|
COVID-19
border restrictions
States and
territories progressively implement internal travel restrictions and border
closures in response to growing clusters of COVID-19 outbreaks. Tasmania is
the only state without quarantine restrictions.[155]
|
|
20 July
|
Lockdown
in SA
The SA Premier,
Steven Marshall, announces a one-week lockdown for the state, after a fifth
COVID-19 case is detected.[156]
|
|
21 July
|
Lockdown
in regional NSW
The Deputy NSW
Premier, John Barilaro, announces a one-week lockdown for the Orange, Blayney
and Cabonne shires, after a local case linked to a delivery driver from
Sydney.[157]
|
|
22 July
|
Netting
and fake cats used to deter birds from nesting on APH forecourt
Department
of Parliamentary Services (DPS) places netting and cut-outs of cats on the
foliage on the Parliament House forecourt in an attempt to deter birds from
nesting there.[158]
|
|
23 July
|
Pfizer
vaccine approved for 12- to 15-year-olds
The
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, announces that the TGA has approved the
Pfizer vaccine for use in children aged 12 to 15. It is the first vaccine to
be approved for use in Australians under the age of 16.[159]
|
|
26 July
|
Presiding
Officers’ statement: arrangements for parliamentary sitting weeks in August
and September
The Presiding
Officers outline the arrangements for the operation of Parliament House from 2 August to 3 September
2021. The arrangements aim to minimise non-essential activity at Parliament
House while allowing the scheduled sittings to proceed. Among other measures,
the building will be closed to the public and many parliamentarians will
participate remotely.[160]
|
|
28 July
|
Increase
to COVID-19 support payment
The Government
announces a new, higher, level of payment for workers whose income is
affected by COVID-19 lockdowns, including those receiving an income support
payment through the social security system.[161]
|
|
30 July
|
Four-phase
plan outlined
The Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, announces a four-phase plan, agreed by National
Cabinet, for reopening Australia. Moving from the current ‘suppression’ phase
to the next phase, ‘transition’, which involves ‘low level restrictions’,
will require 70% of the eligible population to be fully vaccinated. Moving to
the following ‘consolidation’ phase, when domestic and outbound international
travel restrictions are eased for those who are vaccinated, will require 80%
of the eligible population to be vaccinated. The final phase, for which a
vaccine target has not been set, includes fully opening international
borders.[162]
|
|
31 July
|
Lockdown
for southeast Queensland
The Queensland
Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, announces a three-day lockdown for southeast
Queensland after seven cases of COVID‑19 are detected.[163] On
2 August 2021 the lockdown is extended for a further five days.[164]
|
|
31 July
|
Arrangements
for southeast Queensland MPs
Federal
parliamentarians from southeast Queensland fly to Canberra ahead of the
parliamentary sitting period and before the lockdown commences. While in
Canberra they will be required to abide by strict COVID-19 health protocols.[165]
|
|
1 August
|
Further
overseas travel restrictions
The
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, amends the legislative instrument restricting
Australians’ travel overseas, removing an exemption for Australians who
ordinarily reside in another country. After returning to Australia to visit,
they will now be required to apply for an exemption to leave the country. The
change aims to reduce the pressure on Australia’s quarantine system. [166]
|
|
3 August
|
Agreement
for members to contribute remotely
Minister Keith Pitt (NP, Hinkler, Qld) presents to the House an Agreement for Members to contribute remotely to
Parliamentary proceedings.[167]
Forty one members participate remotely over the sitting.[168] The Senate similarly implements
its revised rules for remote participation; and some 25 senators participated in
proceedings via video link.[169]
|
|
4 August
|
Federation
Chamber hiatus
The Speaker
informs the House of Representatives that the Federation Chamber will not
meet until 18 October 2021 as COVID-19 restrictions prevented a number
of members of the Speaker’s Panel attending sittings.[170]
|
|
5 August
|
Closing
the Gap ministerial statement
The Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, gives the annual ‘Closing the Gap’ ministerial
statement, which is the first since the 2020 National Agreement on Closing the Gap. He says:
On life expectancy, we're doing
better but we're not where we want to be. On getting kids into preschool,
we're tracking well. On incarceration rates, we're not achieving what we need
to. On youth detention, we are making progress, but the data tells us we still
have a long way to go. … We have many years of hard work ahead of us, as
we have behind us. [171]
On the same
day, the Prime Minister and the Minister for Indigenous Australians, Ken Wyatt (Lib., Hasluck, WA) announce a $378.6 million
redress scheme for living members of the Stolen Generations who were removed
from their families as children in the NT, the ACT, and the Jervis Bay
Territory.[172]
|
|
5 August
|
Lockdown
for Victoria
The Victorian
Premier, Daniel Andrews, announces a one-week lockdown for the state.[173] The announcement follows the emergence
of two new COVID‑19 clusters in Victoria.[174]
The
lockdown is lifted for regional Victoria on 10 August 2021.[175]
On 11
August 2021 the lockdown in Melbourne is extended for one week.[176]
On 16 August
2021 the lockdown in Melbourne is extended for another two weeks.[177]
|
|
5 August
|
Lockdown
for Hunter and Upper Hunter regions
The Hunter
and Upper Hunter regions of NSW enter a one-week lockdown after COVID-19
cases are detected in the area.[178]
On 12 August
the lockdown is extended for one week. [179]
|
|
5 August
|
National
Cabinet FOI judgment
The Administrative Appeals Tribunal rules that National Cabinet documents should
be made public, after finding that National Cabinet is not a committee of the
federal Cabinet. The appeal was brought by Senator Rex Patrick, who sought
National Cabinet documents under freedom of information legislation.[180]
|
|
7 August
|
Lockdown
for Armidale area
The
Armidale area enters a one-week lockdown after COVID-19 is detected there.[181]
|
|
8 August
|
Lockdown
for Cairns and Yarrabah
The
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, announces a three-day lockdown for
the Cairns and Yarrabah local government areas after a taxi driver in Cairns
tested positive for COVID-19.[182]
|
|
9 August
|
Moderna
vaccine approved by the TGA
The Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, and the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, announce
that the TGA has approved the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine for use in Australia.
The first doses of the vaccine are expected to arrive in September.[183]
|
|
9 August
|
Lockdowns
in NSW North Coast and Tamworth areas
The NSW
North Coast and the Tamworth area enter a one-week lockdown after cases are
detected there.[184]
|
|
10 August
|
Protesters
vandalise Parliament House
Eight Extinction
Rebellion protesters are arrested after a protest at Parliament House.
Protesters used red spray paint to graffiti ‘Duty of Care’ onto the marble
pillars at the front of the building.[185]
|
|
10 August
|
House
condemns comments by George Christensen
Following comments by George Christensen (NP, Dawson, Qld) in the House of
Representatives, the House passes a motion which:
condemns the comments of the Member
for Dawson prior to Question Time designed to use our national Parliament to
spread misinformation and undermine the actions of Australians to defeat
COVID-19 …[186]
|
George Christensen
Image source:
Auspic
|
11 August
|
Lockdown
for Dubbo, NSW
The NSW Government
announces stay-at-home orders for parts of Western NSW for one week,
increasing the number of parts of the state affected by restrictions.[187]
|
|
12 August
|
ACT
enters lockdown
Chief
Minister Andrew Barr announces a seven day lockdown for the ACT as a positive COVID-19
case in the Territory who has been infectious whilst in the community, and
positive wastewater detections’.[188] The
lockdown is subsequently extended. Restrictions begin to be lifted from 15 October.[189]
|
|
12 August
|
Presiding
Officer’s statement on building operations at Parliament House
The
Presiding Officers announce that the building will be closed for the duration of the
ACT lockdown to all but staff ‘necessary to maintain critical building
functions’. This includes ‘parliamentarians and their essential staff being
permitted to travel to Parliament House from their accommodation and back
again to continue their work’.[190]
|
|
14 August
|
Lockdown
for regional NSW
Regional
NSW enters a seven-day lockdown,[191]
with the lockdown extended in iterations.
On 11
September the lockdown ends for regional communities that have recorded zero
COVID-19 cases for at least 14 days.[192]
|
|
15 August
|
One
million Pfizer vaccine doses from Poland
Australia
purchases vaccines from the Polish government. The Prime Minister announces
that these will be targeted at Australians aged 20 to 39 years of age,
with ‘a million doses of hope on their way’.[193]
|
|
16 August
|
Lockdown
in the NT
Parts of
the NT including Darwin, Palmerston and Katherine enter a three-day lockdown.[194]
On 19 August
the lockdown in Katherine is extended by 24 hours.[195]
|
|
20 August
|
Presiding
Officer’s statement on building operations at Parliament House
The
Presiding Offers announce further measures to mitigate the risk of COVID-19
transmission that will be in place from the commencement of the
23 August 2021 sitting fortnight, notably nurses undertaking temperature
checks at all entrances of Parliament House.[196]
These
measures remained in place for the October[197] and November[198]
sitting fortnights.
|
|
21 August
|
Lockdown
in regional Victoria
Victorian Premier
Daniel Andrews initially announces an eleven-day lockdown in regional
Victoria following a spike in cases.[199]
The
regional Victoria lockdown ends on 10 September, apart from Shepparton.[200]
|
|
23 August
|
Motions
on Afghanistan
Motions
in the Senate and House of Representatives noting the ‘urgent and dangerous’
situation in Afghanistan and acknowledging the role of Australian service
personnel and officials are debated.[201]
|
|
24 August
|
Statues
of Lyons, Tangney and Bonner for Parliamentary Triangle
The
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, and Assistant Minster for Regional
Development and Territories, Nola Marino (Lib., Forrest, WA) announce $1.25 million for two
new sculptures of the first women elected to the House of Representatives and
the Senate, Enid Lyons and Dorothy Tangney respectively and the first
Indigenous Australian elected to Parliament, Neville Bonner. The statues will
be placed near Old Parliament House, with the Prime Minister stating ‘[i]t’s
important we never forget those who shaped our history so that ours and
future generations are always reminded of the sacrifices they made and the
courage they showed’.[202]
|
|
25 August
|
Fast
passage of Bill
The
Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 (the Bill) passed both
houses in two days and one sitting. The Bill was introduced and read a first
and second time, referred to and reported on by the Joint Committee on
Intelligence and Security and read a third time in the House on this day. On
26 August the Bill went through all three readings in the Senate and thereby
passed both chambers.[203]
|
|
29 August
|
Death of
Senator Alex Gallacher
On 30
August Senate President Scott Ryan announces the death of Senator Alex Gallacher (ALP, SA) on the day before and the
Senate adjourns early.[204]
On 1
September and 29 November 2021, condolence motions in the House of Representatives[205] and Senate[206] respectively, pay tribute to Alex
Gallacher. (The condolence motion in the Senate was ‘deferred until more
senators could attend, given recent public health restrictions’.)[207]
Senator Gallacher
served as a senator for SA from 2010 and was Chair of the Senate Foreign Affairs
Defence and Trade References and Economics References committees.[208]
|
Alex Gallacher
Image source:
Auspic
Watch the
condolence motions in the Senate (15:55) and the House (18:02)
|
30 August
|
Greens
war powers motion
Senator
Jordon Steele-John (AG, WA) explains that his private senators Bill—Defence
Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020—would
require a vote of both houses of Parliament before Australian personnel can
be deployed overseas.[209]
|
|
31 August
|
PM
announces vaccine dose swap with Singapore
Australia
and Singapore agree to a Pfizer vaccine swap, with Australia to receive
500,000 Singaporean doses now and Singapore to receive 500,000 Australian
doses in December.[210]
On
7 September 2021 Greg Hunt announces the securing of an additional 1.7
million doses from Singapore and the United Kingdom.[211]
|
|
31 August
|
Anti-lockdown
protesters arrested at Parliament House
An
anti-lockdown protest was held at Parliament House, attended by
approximately twenty people. Three people were arrested across two protests
held on the same day, the second one being at Government House.[212]
|
|
1 September
|
70th
Anniversary of the ANZUS alliance
On the 70th
anniversary of the signing of the Australia, New Zealand, United States
Security Treaty the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, moves a motion which is
debated by major party leaders and the Minister and Shadow Minister for
Defence. The Prime Minister reiterated a reflection on the alliance by former
Prime Minister Robert Menzies:
There is a contract between
Australia and America. It is a contract based on the utmost goodwill, the
utmost good faith and unqualified friendship. Each of us will stand by it. [213]
|
ANZUS logo
Image source: Archives New Zealand, Wikimedia Commons
|
3 September
|
Vaccine
deal with UK
Australia
and the United Kingdom agree to a Pfizer dose sharing partnership, with
Australia to receive four million Pfizer doses from UK supplies in September
and Australia sending four million Pfizer doses to the UK in late 2021. The
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, said ‘[m]illions of Australians will now
be able to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated sooner…’. [214]
|
|
4 September
|
Moderna
vaccine approved for 12- to 17-year-olds
The
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, announces that the TGA has approved the
Moderna vaccine for use in children aged 12 to 17.[215]
|
|
5 September
|
Prime
Minister’s Father’s Day exemption
The
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, spends Fathers’ Day weekend in Sydney with
his family before returning to Canberra on the Monday under an exemption
granted by ACT Health due to his essential worker status. Under the level
three stay-at-home order, Mr Morrison is subject to conditions including
having frequent COVID-19 tests and restricting his movements.[216]
|
|
5 September
|
Parliament
kitchen provides COVID-19 relief
Since early
in the pandemic DPS has been preparing 125 additional meals for in-need
people in the Ainslie community via the Vinnies Blue Door drop-in
centre. Mr Barnie van Wyk, the Chief Executive of St Vincent de
Paul Society Canberra-Goulburn, was thankful for the more than 45,000 meals
produced:
We are so grateful to the team at
Parliament House led by David Learmonth for reaching out to provide a
lifeline for the many vulnerable Canberrans that depend on our service. [217]
|
|
6 September
|
Senator
Rachel Siewert resigns
Senator Rachel Siewert resigns from the Senate, having
delivered her valedictory speech on 25 August 2021.[218]
Senator
Siewert was first elected to the Senate as a Senator for Western Australia in
2004 and re‑elected in 2010 and 2016. She served as a member of the
Community Affairs committees since 2008 and became the References Committee Chair
in 2009.[219]
|
Rachel Siewert
Image source:
Auspic
Watch Senator Siewert’s valedictory speech (from 17:04)
|
14 September onwards
|
Lockdowns
for regional NSW and regional Victoria
Regional
centres in both NSW and Victoria go in and out of lockdown as COVID-19 cases
arise.
|
|
23 September
|
Parliamentary
Workplace Support Service (PWSS)
As recommended
in the Foster Review, ‘a
new independent workplace complaints mechanism … [for] staff and parliamentarians
who work in Commonwealth
Parliamentary workplaces’ is established:
The PWSS will be able to review
complaints made about serious Parliamentary workplace incidents which are
alleged to have occurred since the start of this Parliamentary term, and will
be overseen by Parliamentary Service Commissioner Mr Peter Woolcott AO,
to ensure its independence and confidentiality. [220]
|
|
1 October
|
Ministry
reshuffle
The Prime
Minister, Scott Morrison, announces a reshuffle of his ministry following
Christian Porter’s resignation from the front bench.[221]
Alex Hawke (Lib., Mitchell, NSW) is promoted to Cabinet, Angus Taylor (Lib., Hume, NSW) takes on the Industry
portfolio, Melissa Price (Lib., Durack, WA) adds science and
technology to her responsibilities, Ben Morton (Lib., Tangney, WA) becomes Special Minister of
State and Tim Wilson (Lib., Goldstein, Vic.) is promoted to Assistant Minister
for Industry, Energy and Emissions reduction.[222]
|
|
8 October
|
Vaccine
status determines quarantine requirements ahead of October sitting period
ACT Health revises
its guidelines so that only unvaccinated federal parliamentarians and staff are
required to isolate for 14 days. Those who are fully vaccinated will not be
required to isolate; however, their movements may be restricted based on
where they travelled in the 14 days prior to arriving in Canberra.[223]
|
|
11 October
|
Pop-up
Pfizer vaccination hub at Parliament House
ACT Health
administers Pfizer vaccines to building occupants via its vaccination hub in
Parliament House. A follow up vaccination hub is held on 1 November
2021.[224]
|
|
13 October
|
Senator Scott
Ryan resigns
Senator
Scott Ryan resigns from his position as President of the Senate and as a
senator for Victoria.
Senator
Ryan was first elected in 2007 and served continuously since. He was elected
as the President of the Senate on 13 November 2017.[225] As provided for in the Parliamentary
Presiding Officers Act 1965 (s. 3), he continues to exercise the President’s
powers and functions until a replacement is chosen by the Senate.
|
Scott Ryan
Image source:
Auspic
|
15 October
|
Tasmanian
lockdown
Tasmania’s
southern region, including its capital Hobart, go into a three-day lockdown
due to an escapee from hotel quarantine.[226]
|
|
18 October
|
Operations
of the Parliament: agreement to participate remotely
Luke Howarth (Lib., Petrie, Qld) presents to the House of Representatives an agreement for remote participation.[227] However, while some members are
absent due to COVID-19 restrictions, the sitting fortnight has, ‘at least 106
members attending each day’.[228]
|
|
18 October
|
Extinction
Rebellion stage climate protests
Climate
protests are held outside Parliament House every day of the sitting week.
Organised by Extinction Rebellion, protesters coordinate costumes (Pikachu,
koala and coal) and props (a pram) each day.[229]
|
|
18 October
|
Senator
Slade Brockman elected President
A ballot is
held in the Senate to fill the vacancy of Senate President. Slade Brockman (Lib., WA) is elected, receiving 45
votes to Mehreen Faruqi’s (AG, Vic.) 7 votes. [230]
The
Governor-General authorises Senator Brockman to administer the oath or
affirmation of allegiance to senators.[231]
In his
first speech, the President declared:
For as long as I hold this
position, I will act to defend the interests of senators and the Senate
itself. Whilst a diverse range of perspectives are represented in this
chamber, I will treat each of you as duly elected and equal representatives
of your states. I will take your arguments on their merits and seek to act
impartially at all times. [232]
|
Slade Brockman
Image source:
Auspic
Watch the President’s first speech
|
18 October
|
A new
senator for WA
Senator Dorinda Cox (AG, WA) takes her seat in the Senate.
Senator Cox
was chosen by the Parliament of WA to fill the casual vacancy created by the
resignation of Rachel Siewert.[233]
A
Yamatji-Noongar woman, Senator Cox becomes WA’s first female Aboriginal
Senator. On 19 October 2021, a smoking ceremony was held for Senator Cox
at the Aboriginal Tent Embassy in Canberra, and she made her first speech.[234]
|
Senator Dorinda Cox
Image source: Auspic
Watch Senator Cox’s first speech (from 17:00)
|
18 October
|
A new
senator for SA
Senator Karen Grogan (ALP, SA) takes her seat in the Senate.
Senator
Grogan was chosen by the Parliament of SAa to fill the casual vacancy created
by the passing of Alex Gallacher.[235]
Senator
Grogan makes her first speech on 20 October 2021.[236]
|
Senator Karen Grogan
Image source:
Auspic
Watch Senator Grogan’s first speech (from 17:06)
|
18 October
|
ACT
hotspot status ceases
The
Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, announces
that the Commonwealth hotspot declaration in the ACT will cease at 11.59 pm.[237]
|
|
18 October
|
Resolution
regarding Independent Parliamentary Workplace Complaints Mechanism
The House
of Representatives resolves that the Committee of Privileges and Members’
Interests consider any reports referred by the Parliamentary Services
Commissioner to the Speaker regarding a member not cooperating with a review
under the complaints mechanism.[238]
A
similar resolution is agreed to by the Senate on the following day.[239]
|
|
18 October
|
Tributes to Sir David Amess MP
The
House of Representatives pays tribute to long-serving British House of
Commons MP David Amess who was murdered at a constituency meeting.[240] The motion, moved by Leader of the House Peter Dutton, pays tribute to Sir
David’s life of service, condemns the murder and expresses sympathy to his
family and colleagues.[241]
Debate
on the motion is referred to the Federation Chamber and carried in the House
on 20 October.[242]
|
|
18-19 October
|
Parliamentary
departments’ Annual Reports 2020-21
DPS,
the Senate, the House of Representatives and the Parliamentary Budget Office
present annual reports.[243]
|
|
20 October
|
Australia
reaches 70% fully vaccinated milestone
The
Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, announces that Australia has passed the 70%
double dosed vaccination rate for the 16 plus population.[244]
|
|
20 October
|
Helen
Haines in the Senate for introduction of federal integrity Bill
Senator
Rex Patrick introduces the Australian Federal Integrity Commission Bill 2021 in the Senate whilst Helen Haines (Ind., Indi, Vic.) who led the drafting
and refinement of the Bill watches on.[245]
|
Watch
Senator Patrick’s second reading speech
|
21 October
|
Anniversary
of the national apology to victims of and survivors of institutional child
sexual abuse
Prime
Minister Scott Morrison moves a motion commemorating the third anniversary of
the national apology to the survivors and victims of institutional child
sexual abuse. Mr Morrison concludes his remarks by stating:
This parliament has heard you and
each year, and each day we will continue to remind you that you are heard,
that you are listened to and that you are not alone.[246]
The Leader
of the Opposition also speaks on the motion and concludes by stating:
Let’s get this right for the sake
of survivors and their loved ones, for the future of all of us, as a society
and a nation, and for the memories of those who never got to hear the words ‘We
believe you.[247]
|
Watch Statements by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader
(from 9:31)
|
22 October
|
Victoria
exits lockdown
Following
an earlier announcement by the Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, COVID-19
related restrictions ease across Victoria.[248]
|
|
25 October
|
New
House record: private members’ Bills presented
Nine
private members’ Bills are presented to the House of Representatives during
private members’ business—the highest number ever presented in a single
sitting.[249]
|
|
26 October
|
Net zero
emissions by 2050
Prime
Minister Scott Morrison and Minister for Industry, Energy and Emissions
Reduction, Angus Taylor, release Australia’s Long Term Emissions Reduction Plan. The Prime Minister states, ‘Australia
now has a target to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, and we have a clear
plan for achieving it’. [250]
|
Image source: Department
of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources
|
29 October
|
Presiding
Officers’ statement on building operations at Parliament House
The Presiding
Officers announce an easing of restrictions in place at Parliament House
including a gradual return to the building by staff and the opening of
sporting facilities. However, Parliament House will remain closed to the
public until the Parliament rises for the year on 3 December.[251]
|
|
1 November
|
ACT
eases interstate travel restrictions
Following
an earlier announcement by Chief Minister Andrew Barr, fully vaccinated
interstate residents in, and travellers from, NSW and Victoria can enter the
ACT without isolating.[252]
|
|
12 November
|
Presiding
Officers’ statement on building operations and the next sitting period
The
Presiding Officers announce changes
to COVID-19 measures at Parliament House following the ACT’s lifting of
certain restrictions. Masks remain mandatory for the final sitting fortnight.[253]
|
|
12 November
|
John
Alexander announces his retirement
John Alexander (Lib., Bennelong, NSW) announces his
intention to leave Parliament at the next election, saying:
Serving Bennelong has been an
incredible honour and I must thank the people of Bennelong who have put their
trust in me for the last 11 years.[254]
Alexander was
first elected to the Parliament in 2010, but resigned from Parliament in
November 2017, as one of several parliamentarians to lose their seats due to
the constitutional bar on dual citizenship.[255] Having renounced his British
citizenship, he was returned as the Member for Bennelong at the December 2017
by-election.[256]
|
John Alexander
Image source: Auspic
|
12 November
|
Hairdresser’s
last cut in the building
Capital
Hair hairdresser Martine Kendall finishes up at Parliament House after 14 years,
having taken over the salon in 2007. Martine says that she rarely talked
politics with clients noting that ‘[i]t was their chill time, their relaxed
time’ and that she ‘missed saying goodbye to a lot of my pollies, some of the
interstaters’. DPS states ‘[Martine] will be missed … [and] wishes her well
for the future’.[257]
|
|
15 November
|
Lockdowns
in parts of NT
The NT
Government announces a 72-hour lockdown for Katherine, Robinson River and
surrounding areas.[258]
The lockdown is extended in Katherine until 8 December and Robinson River
until 1 December.[259]
|
|
20 November
|
Death of
the Hon Donald Grimes AO
Former ALP Senator
and Minister in the Hawke ministry, Donald Grimes dies in Launceston, Tasmania.
A medical
practitioner, Grimes successfully campaigned for the Senate as an ALP
candidate in the 1974 election. He was re-elected in 1975, 1977 and 1983,
retiring from Parliament in 1987.
Grimes
joined the Opposition front bench in 1976, becoming the shadow minister for
social security and veteran’s affairs. After the election of the Hawke
Government in 1983, Grimes served as Minister for Social Security (1983-84)
and Minister for Community Services (1984-87). His ‘crowning ministerial
achievement was the enactment of the Disability Services Act 1986’.[260]
After
leaving Parliament, Grimes served as Australian Ambassador to The Netherlands
and chaired the World Health Organisation committee on AIDS in
prisons. He later served on the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (1991-96) and
chaired the Australian National Council on AIDS (1992-96). Condolence Motions
paying tribute to Mr Grimes are debated in the Senate and the House of Representatives on 8 and 9 February 2022.
|
Donald Grimes
Image source:
Auspic
|
22 November
|
Remote
Participation
The House
of Representatives adopts a further
Agreement for remote participation. Eight members participate remotely
over this period.[261] The Senate
similarly adopts rules for remote participation for the 22 November to 2 December
sittings.[262]
|
|
22 November
|
Tony
Smith steps down as Speaker
On 28
October Tony Smith, announced that he planned to resign as Speaker of the
House of Representatives and end his parliamentary career focussing on the
constituents of Casey.[263]
Tony Smith
sits as Speaker for the last time and on his departure the Prime Minister,
Leader of the Opposition, and other senior parliamentarians commend him for
his service.[264]
On
23 November Mr Smith informs the Governor-General of his resignation as Speaker.[265]
|
Tony Smith sits
for the last time as Speaker
Image source: DPS Broadcasting
Watch
statements
|
22 November
|
Five Government senators cross the floor
Government
senators Matt Canavan, Sam McMahon (CLP, NT), Concetta Fierravanti-Wells (Lib., NSW), Gerard Rennick and Alex Antic (Lib., SA) cross the floor to support the COVID-19 Vaccination Status (Prevention of
Discrimination) Bill 2021 sponsored by Senator Pauline Hanson (PHON, Qld). The Bill seeks to prohibit
‘discrimination on the basis of whether a person has received a COVID-19
vaccination’.[266]
The Bill is
defeated 5 votes to 44 at the second reading.[267]
|
|
23 November
|
Andrew
Wallace elected Speaker
Andrew Wallace (Lib., Fisher, Qld) is elected as the 31st Speaker of
the House of Representatives, winning the ballot against Rob Mitchell (ALP, McEwen, Vic.) 70 votes to 59.[268]
He is the
sixth Speaker from Queensland, and the second Speaker to represent Fisher
(the first being Peter Slipper).
As
Speaker Wallace takes the Chair, the mace—the symbol of the authority of
the House and the Speaker—is laid upon the Table. The new Speaker pays
tribute to his predecessor Tony Smith for his ‘firmness, his fairness and his
excellence’. Noting the independence of the office, he announces he will not
sit in the party room, ‘in keeping with the practice of [his] predecessors’.[269]
|
Andrew Wallace
Image source:
Auspic
Watch the election of the new Speaker
|
23 November
|
MOU on
search warrants involving parliamentary privilege
The
President of the Senate tables a new Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed
by the Presiding Officers, the Attorney-General and the Minister for Home
Affairs regarding the execution of search warrants that involve parliament
privilege. On the following day, the Speaker presents these documents to the
House of Representatives.[270]The
Australian Federal Police accordingly updates its procedures dealing with material
that may be subject to parliamentary privilege.[271]
|
Image source: Speaker,
President, Attorney-General and Minister for Home Affairs
|
23 November
|
Motion
to suspend inquiry
The
Senate agrees to suspend an inquiry into ABC and SBS complaints handling,
currently before the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation
Committee, until the independent review of the ABC’s complaints system has
been completed.[272]
|
|
23 November
|
Public
Interest claims and National Cabinet
Senator Rex
Patrick moves a motion regarding the Senate’s position on Public Interest
Immunity claims relating to National Cabinet. The Senate resolved it:
will not countenance public
interest immunity claims made on the grounds that provision of a document or
information related to the National Cabinet ordered by the Senate, or sought
by a Senate committee or a senator, would reveal cabinet deliberations.[273]
On the next
day Senator Patrick moves another motion, and the Senate made a further
order:
by no later than 9 am on Tuesday,
30 November 2021, the documents required by any Senate order, committee
resolution or question on notice to which a claim of public interest immunity
was made on the unacceptable ground that material related to the National
Cabinet is subject to Cabinet confidentiality.[274]
|
Rex Patrick
Image source: Auspic
|
23 November
|
SA open
to interstate vaccinated travellers
SA
removes border restrictions for people who are fully vaccinated to enter the
state.[275]
|
|
24 November
|
George
Christensen crosses the floor
Government
member George Christensen crosses the floor to vote against the Government’s Corporations Amendment (Improving Outcomes for
Litigation Funding Participants) Bill 2021.[276] The Government narrowly wins the
vote.
|
George
Christensen
Image source:
Auspic
|
25 November
|
Bridget
Archer crosses the floor
Bridget Archer (Lib., Bass, Tas.) crosses the floor to
support a motion by Helen
Haines to allow debate on
her private members Bill, Australian Federal Integrity Commission Bill 2021 (No.
2).[277]
The motion is defeated, as it does not receive an absolute majority.[278]
|
Bridget Archer
Image source:
Auspic
|
25 November
|
Giving
Tree launch
The
Presiding Officers launch the building’s Giving Tree initiative.
With
Parliament House closed to the public due to the pandemic, the event was not
enlivened by its usual choral performance. However, it did include a musical interlude in the form
of the ringing of the Senate division bells—leaving Speaker of the House of
Representatives Andrew Wallace to illuminate the Parliament’s Christmas tree.
Donations
will support the Australian
Indigenous Leadership Centre and The Food
Centre based in
SA.[279]
|
Giving Tree
Image source: Australian
Parliament House, Twitter
Watch the lighting of the Giving Tree
|
27 November
|
COVID-19 Human Biosecurity Emergency
Declaration—Omicron Response Measures
The
Government announces new border security measures to manage the COVID-19 Omicron
variant (which had first been detected in South Africa on 9 November 2021).[280] The new measures restrict travel
to Australia from African countries where the variant has been detected.
|
|
29 November
|
Fifth annual statement on veterans and their families
The
Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Andrew Gee, delivers a statement on veterans and their families, referencing,
inter alia, the Afghanistan withdrawal, veteran well-being centres,
grant programs, and the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide.
Further
debate is referred to the Federation Chamber.
|
Andrew Gee
Image source: Auspic
|
30 November
|
Unauthorised
disclosure of report
The Chair
of the House of Representatives Committee on Privileges and Members’
Interests, Russell Broadbent (Lib., Monash, Vic.), presents the Committee's report Register of Members' Interests: complaint concerning
the member for Pearce. Mr Broadbent informs the House that the Guardian Australia had
the previous day published an article disclosing details of the report and
the Committee’s deliberations in an apparent breach of privilege. He then
indicates his intention to resign as Chair in the next sitting period.[281]
|
|
30 November
|
Release
of the Report on the Independent Review into Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces
(2021)
Sex
Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkins launches the Set the Standard report. The report makes 28
recommendations, with Commissioner Jenkins stating:
In designing the recommendations,
we have balanced the need for clear standards, and an independent complaints
body to enforce those standards, with the need to establish professional
systems and processes to support people and bring this workplace into line
with other Australian workplaces.[282]
The
report also sets out five key shifts required in the areas of [1] leadership,
[2] diversity, equality and inclusion, [3] systems to support performance,
[4] standards, reporting and accountability and [5] safety and wellbeing.
|
Image source: Australian Human Rights
Commission
|
30 November
|
Sharon
Bird delivers valedictory speech
Sharon Bird (Cunningham, ALP, NSW) delivers her valedictory speech.[283]
She
was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2004 and has served
continuously since. She has been a member of various parliamentary
committees, particularly those relating to education, employment, transport
and infrastructure.[284]
|
Sharon Bird
Image source:
Auspic
Watch Ms Bird’s valedictory speech (from 16:18)
|
29 November and 1 December
|
2022
sitting calendar adopted
The House
of Representatives and Senate agree to the Government’s proposed 2022 sitting
calendar,[285]
‘much of it speculative as the timing of the federal election is unknown’.[286]
The Senate
will meet for only three days (plus a week of additional estimates hearings)
before the earliest ever Federal Budget, on 29 March.[287]
The
Australian Greens propose two sitting weeks in early March, but this proposal
is not supported.[288]
|
Image source: PMC
|
30 November
|
Condolence
motions for David Dalaithngu
In the House of Representatives, condolence motions pay tribute to
David Dalaithngu, a Yolŋgu actor,
dancer and artist who passed away on 29 November.
The
Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, describes him as ‘a mirror to the soul of
Australia’.[289]
|
David Dalaithngu
Image source: AAP Terry Trewin
|
1 December
|
Free
vote on Mitochondrial Donation Bill
The House
of Representatives votes on the Mitochondrial Donation Law Reform (Maeve’s
Law) Bill 2021 by way of a free conscience vote, rather than along party
lines.[290]
The Bill is named in honour of Maeve Hood who ‘has a severe type of
mitochondrial disease’; [291]
and seeks to make mitochondrial donation legal in Australia.[292]
After the
third reading, the Prime Minister and the former Shadow Minister for Health Chris Bowen make statements commending the ‘compassionate, considered and
reasoned way in which this House has conducted this debate’.[293]
The Bill is
introduced in the Senate on 2 December.[294]
|
|
1 December
|
Government
members cross the floor
Government
members George Christensen and Llew O’Brien (NP, Wide Bay, Qld)
cross the floor to vote in favour of a motion proposed by Craig Kelly to end vaccine mandates. The
motion was defeated.[295]
|
Llew O’Brien
Image source:
Auspic
|
1 December
|
Four
Electoral Bills introduced and passed
Four
election-related Bills—Electoral Legislation Amendment (Annual Disclosure
Equality) Bill 2021, Electoral Legislation Amendment (Assurance of Senate
Counting) Bill 2021, Electoral Legislation Amendment (Contingency
Measures) Bill 2021 and Electoral Legislation Amendment (Political
Campaigners) Bill 2021—are introduced in the Senate during the sitting fortnight and
passed under a guillotine on this date. The last listed Bill passed without
debate.[296]
|
|
1 December
|
Christian
Porter not recontesting
Christian Porter announces that he will not contest the next federal election.[297]
Mr
Porter was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2013 and
re-elected in 2016 and 2019. He held several ministerial appointments,
including Attorney-General.[298]
|
Christian
Porter
Image Source:
Auspic
|
2 December
|
Greg
Mirabella fills Senate casual vacancy
Greg Mirabella (Lib., Vic.) is chosen by a joint
sitting of the Victorian Parliament to fill the casual vacancy following the
resignation of former Senate President Scott Ryan.
As
the summer recess is imminent, the new Senator will not be sworn in until the
2022 sittings. However, he is appointed to several committees.[299]
|
|
2 December
|
Alan
Tudge stands aside from portfolio
The
Minister for Education and Youth Alan Tudge (Lib., Aston, Vic.) stands aside from his portfolio,[300]
pending an investigation by the PM&C into allegations of emotional and
physical abuse made by former staffer Rachelle Miller.[301]
|
Alan Tudge
Image source: Auspic
|
2 December
|
Greg
Hunt not recontesting and delivers valedictory speech
Minister
for Health and Aged Care Greg Hunt announces that he will not recontest the
next federal election and delivers his valedictory speech.[302]
Mr
Hunt was first elected to the House of Representatives as the Member for
Flinders in 2001 and retained his seat in the six subsequent elections.
|
Greg Hunt
Image source: Auspic
Watch Mr Hunt’s valedictory speech (from 15:17)
|
2 December
|
Chris
Hayes valedictory
Chief
Opposition Whip Chris Hayes (ALP, Fowler, NSW) delivers his valedictory speech,
having announced his intention to retire at the next election.[303]
Mr
Hayes was first elected in 2005 at a by-election to the seat of Werriwa and
re-elected in 2007. From 2010 he was elected to the seat of Fowler.
|
Chris Hayes
Image source: Auspic
Watch Mr Haye’s valedictory speech (from 9:31)
|
4 December
|
Parliament
House reopens to the public
After
four months of being closed, Parliament House reopens to welcome back
visitors, with new tours on offer and access to the roof resuming.[304]
|
|
10 December
|
Beehives
return
Two hives
of native stingless bees return to Parliament House, after being at NSW
Government House in Sydney during winter. According to DPS:
These native bees are tropical
bees and can only live in Canberra in the warmer months. The bees present no
risk to people near the hives as they are stingless and harmless.[305]
|
Native stingless bees
Image source: Australian Parliament House, Twitter
|
13 December
|
Queensland
opens to interstate travel
Queensland
borders re-open to interstate travel without quarantining for people who are
double vaccinated. Around this date Queensland expects to reach 80% double
vaccination rates.[306]
|
|
13 December
|
Update
on WA’s reopening
WA Premier,
Mark McGowan, announces that the state will reopen to interstate travel from 5 February
2022, with new testing requirements depending on the length of travel. Near
this date WA expects to have a 90% double dose vaccination rate.[307]
In
January 2022 Premier McGowen announces that the border opening has been
delayed due to concern about the impact of the Omicron variant.[308]
|
|
20 December
|
NT opens
to interstate travel
People
who are double vaccinated can enter the NT without quarantining. However,
they will have to stay in a high vaccination zone for 14 days following their
arrival.[309]
|
|
31 December
|
COVID-19
Tally
As at 3pm
on 31 December 2021, ‘a total of 395,504 cases of COVID-19 have been reported
in Australia, including 2,239 deaths, and approximately 137,752 active cases’.[310]
As
of 26 December 2021, ‘over 278 million cases and just under 5.4 million
deaths have been reported globally’.[311]
|
|
Appendix 1: Notable Commonwealth
Acts passed in 2021
ACT NAME |
BILLS
DIGEST/FLAGPOST |
PURPOSE
OF ACT |
Aged care |
|
|
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Serious Incident
Response Scheme and Other Measures) Act 2021 |
A Grove, E King
and C Petrie, Bills Digest |
Amends the Aged Care Act
1997 and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 to
establish a Serious Incident Response Scheme to deal with incidents of abuse
and neglect in residential aged care, and expand the Aged Care Quality and
Safety Commission’s powers to enforce the responsibilities of aged care
providers |
Child
Abuse |
|
|
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child
Sexual Abuse Amendment (Funders of Last Resort and Other Measures) Act 2021 |
M Brennan, FlagPost |
To amend the National
Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 to expand
the funder of last resort provisions under the National Redress Scheme. |
Communication |
|
|
Online Safety Act 2021 |
None published |
There is to be an eSafety
Commissioner whose functions are, among other things, promoting online safety
for Australians, administering a complaints system for cyber‑bullying
material targeted at an Australian child, administering a complaints and
objections system for non‑consensual sharing of intimate images. |
COVID-19 |
|
|
National Health Amendment (COVID-19) Act 2021 |
R Storen, L
Ferris and M Conn, Bills Digest |
The Act amends the National
Health Act 1953 to allow the Minister for Health to enter into agreements
and authorise payments for the provision of COVID-19 vaccines (including
boosters), treatments for COVID-19 and necessary consumables. |
Paid Parental Leave Amendment (COVID‑19 Work
Test) Act 2021 |
D Arthur, FlagPost |
Amends the Paid Parental
Leave Act 2010 to provide that a person in receipt of a COVID‑19
Australian Government payment or the COVID-19 disaster payment will be
considered to be performing qualifying work for the purpose of the paid
parental leave work test. |
Courts |
|
|
Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Act 2021
[and] Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
(Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Act 2021 |
C Petrie, Bills Digest |
The Acts seek to merge the
Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia to
create the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFC) and provide
for the continuity of judicial officers and the handling of matters. |
Criminal
law |
|
|
Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and
Disrupt) Act 2021 |
C Petrie, Bills Digest |
The Act is aimed at
modernising Australia’s law enforcement and intelligence legal framework to
better equip the AFP and ACIC to deal with serious cyber-enabled crime,
including the challenges posed by increasing criminal use of the dark web and
anonymising technologies. |
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk
Terrorist Offenders) Act 2021 |
C Barker and
K Elphick, Bills Digest |
To amend the Criminal
Code Act 1995 to introduce extended supervision orders, which may be
imposed on terrorist offenders released into the community if a court is
satisfied that the individual poses an unacceptable risk of committing
certain serious terrorism offences. It also expands monitoring and
surveillance powers |
Employment |
|
|
Sex Discrimination and Fair Work (Respect at Work)
Amendment Act 2021 |
J Murphy and
H Maclean, Bills Digest |
The Act aims to enhance the
effectiveness of Australia's legal and regulatory frameworks in preventing
and responding to sexual harassment. |
Energy |
|
|
Fuel Security Act 2021 and the Fuel Security (Consequential and Transitional
Provisions) Act 2021 |
Tim Brennan and Kaushik Ramesh, Flagpost |
The Acts aim to support
Australia’s fuel security by creating a minimum stock holding obligation
whereby industry will be required to maintain a certain level of fuel stocks
and creating a fuel security services payment to subsidise industry to
continue refining activities until 30 June 2027. |
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Act 2021 [and] Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory
Levies) Act 2021 |
L Ferris and L Kenny, Bills Digest |
Acts to regulate offshore
renewable energy infrastructure and offshore electricity transmission
infrastructure, and to impose offshore electricity infrastructure levy. |
Exports |
|
|
Hazardous Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports)
Amendment Act 2021 |
R Bogaards and
J Tomaras, Bills Digest |
Amends the Hazardous
Waste (Regulation of Exports and Imports) Act 1989 to, among other
things, implement recent amendments to the Basel Convention that seek
to strengthen transboundary controls on unsorted plastic wastes and plastic
wastes containing hazardous substances and thereby ensure Australia’s
compliance with its international obligations. |
Health |
|
|
National Health Amendment (Enhancing the
Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Act 2021 |
R Storen, FlagPost |
The Act seeks to implement
a number of measures agreed to in Strategic Agreements between the Government
and the medicines industry of Australia and, among other things, provide
certainty to the medicines sector about PBS pricing policy for the next five
years. |
Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation
Authority Amendment (Governance and Other Measures) Act 2021 |
P Hamilton, FlagPost |
The Act establishes the
Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Authority and the
Australian Organ and Tissue Donation and Transplantation Advisory Board. It
also provides for the CEO of the Authority to establish expert advisory
committees and to make grants relating to organ or tissue donation and
transplantation matters. |
Medical and Midwife Indemnity Legislation Amendment
Act 2021 |
M Conn, FlagPost |
To ensure that claims made
against all private practising midwives are eligible under the Commonwealth’s
medical and midwife indemnity schemes. |
Australian Immunisation Register Amendment
(Reporting) Act 2021 |
None published |
To, among other things,
amend the Australian Immunisation Register Act 2015 to require
recognised vaccination providers to report to the Australian Immunisation
Register information relating to vaccinations they administer both within and
outside Australia; introduce civil penalties should recognised vaccination
providers not comply with the reporting requirements. |
Human
Rights |
|
|
Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Magnitsky-style and
Other Thematic Sanctions) Act 2021 |
L Ferris, FlagPost |
Amends the Autonomous
Sanctions Act 2011 to specify thematic categories of conduct to which
autonomous sanctions can be applied; clarify that autonomous sanctions
regimes established under the regulations can be either country-specific or
thematic; and specify decision-making processes for imposing targeted
financial sanctions and travel bans on person and entities under thematic
sanctions regimes. |
Migration |
|
|
Migration Amendment (Clarifying International
Obligations for Removal) Act 2021 |
C Petrie, Bills Digest |
Amends the Migration Act
1958 to clarify that the Act does not authorise the removal of a person
who is found to attract Australia’s protection obligations under
international law. |
National
Security |
Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Act 2021 |
K Elphick, FlagPost |
The purpose of the Act is
to amend the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and
the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979 to broaden
the capacity of intelligence agencies to collect intelligence from domestic
sources about foreign threats to Australia |
Independent National Security Legislation Monitor
Amendment Act 2021 |
K Elphick, Bills Digest |
Amends the Independent
National Security Legislation Monitor Act 2010 to, among other things,
enable the INSLM to report on own-motion inquiries in standalone reports;
provide that the INSLM's annual report may include information relating to
the performance of the INSLM's functions in relation to a referral from the
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security; specify reporting
arrangements for statutory reviews conducted by the INSLM. |
Privacy |
|
|
Royal Commissions Amendment (Protection of
Information) Act 2021 |
D Markham, Bills Digest |
The Act amends the Royal
Commissions Act 1902 to ensure the confidentiality of certain information
given to the Disability Royal Commission, and for related purposes. |
Redress |
|
|
Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
(Facilitation) Act 2021
[and] Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme
(Consequential Amendments) Act 2021 |
S McNicol, Bills Digest |
These Acts will make sure
redress payments do not affect access to, or eligibility for, any payment or
service provided by the Commonwealth. |
Social
Services |
|
|
Social Security (Administration) Amendment
(Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Act 2020 |
D Arthur and J Ayoub, Bills Digest. |
The Act will, among other
things, establish the Cashless Debit Card as an ongoing program rather than a
time-limited trial and to transition Income Management in the NT and the Cape
York region to the Cashless Debit Card. |
Sport |
|
|
Sport Integrity Australia Amendment (World
Anti-Doping Code Review) Act 2020 |
K Elphick, Bills Digest. |
Among other things the Act
amends the Sports Integrity Australia Act 2020 to implement
revisions to the World Anti-Doping Code by introducing a new category of
person (non-participant) who may be subject to the National Anti-Doping
Scheme, and amending the definition of athlete to include persons who
competed in sport within the last six months. |
Veterans’
Affairs |
|
|
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Supporting
the Wellbeing of Veterans and Their Families) Act 2020 |
N Brangwin and
M Klapdor, Bills Digest |
Among other things, to
create a new commissioner known as the Veteran Family Advocate who will be a
member of the Repatriation Commission and the Military Rehabilitation and
Compensation Commission to represent the perspectives of families of
veterans. |
[1].
Australia’s
Parliament House in 2014 and 2015: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s
Parliament House in 2016: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s
Parliament House in 2017: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s
Parliament House in 2018: a Chronology of Events; Australia’s
Parliament House in 2019: a Chronology of Events and Australia’s
Parliament House in 2020: a Chronology of Events.
[2]
‘New
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[3].
NSW Health, ‘COVID-19
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[4].
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[5].
‘Proclamation
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[6].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Statement –
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[7].
S Birmingham (Acting Minister for Foreign Affairs), Transcript
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2021.
[8].
T Ferrier, ‘Brisbane
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(Australia), website, 8 January 2021.
[9].
S Morrison (Prime Minister) and G Hunt (Minister for Health), Pfizer Vaccine
Approved, media release, 25 January 2021.
[10].
S Morrison (Prime Minister) and G Hunt (Minister for Health), First
Pfizer vaccine doses arrive in Australia, media release, 15 February
2021.
[11].
A Albanese (Leader of the Opposition) and R Marles (Deputy Leader of the
Opposition), Labor’s
Shadow Ministry reshuffle, transcript, 28 January 2021.
[12].
T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives) and S Ryan (President
of the Senate), COVID-19
Statement by the Presiding Officers regarding Australian Parliament House
access and operations, media release, 29 January 2021.
[13].
M McGowan (Premier of Western Australia) and R Cook (Deputy Premier of
Western Australia, Western
Australia enters five-day lockdown from 6pm tonight, media release, 31
January 2021.
[14].
M Boseley, ‘Perth
and Western Australia’s Covid restrictions and coronavirus lockdown rules
explained’, The Guardian (Australia), website, 1 February 2021.
[15]
Department of the Senate, ‘Procedural
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[16].
B Kleyn, ‘Queensland
drops restrictions to every state and territory except WA with holiday makers
encouraged to make plans for Easter’, ABC News [online], website, 1
February 2021.
[17].
Department of the Senate, ‘Procedural
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[18].
‘Condolences:
Jeffery, Major General Hon. Philip Michael, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd)’,
House of Representatives, Debates, 2 February 2021, pp. 34–7.
[19].
‘Condolences:
Jeffery, Major General Hon. Philip Michael, AC, AO (Mil.), CVO, MC (Retd)’,
Senate, Debates, 2 February 2021, pp. 64–70.
[20].
‘Condolences:
Anthony, Rt Hon. John Douglas (Doug), Ac, CH’, House of Representatives, Debates,
3 February 2021, pp. 228–234.
[21].
‘Condolences:
Anthony, Rt Hon. John Douglas (Doug), AC, CH’, Senate, Debates, 2
February 2021, pp. 250–264.
[22].
‘Statements
on Indulgence: COVID-19’, House of Representatives, Debates 3
February 2021, pp. 249–250.
[23].
B Small, ‘First
Speech: Small, Sen Benjamin’, Senate, Debates, 3 February 2021, pp.
272–276.
[24].
P Brewer, ‘Stepping
out to support veterans’ welfare’, Canberra Times, 3 February 2021,
p. 10.
[25].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), National
Cabinet, media release, 5 February 2021.
[26].
A Hough, K Bond and P McDonald, ‘Border
closed to greater Melbourne’, Adelaide Advertiser, 11 February 2021,
p. 1.
[27].
T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives) and S Ryan (President of
the Senate), COVID-19
Statement by the Presiding Officers regarding Australian Parliament House
access and operations, media release, 11 February 2021.
[28].
D Andrews (Premier of Victoria), Statement
from the Premier, media release, 12 February 2021.
[29].
K Rooney, A Frost and M Difabrizio, ‘Border
walls back up: States shut door to Victoria’, Herald Sun,
13 February 2021.
[30].
A Urquhart, ‘Motions:
McKenzie, Senator the Hon. Bridget’, Senate, Debates, 9 December
2020, p. 7265.
[31].
C Porter (Attorney-General), ‘ Documents:
Agreement for Members to Contribute Remotely to Parliamentary Proceedings’,
House of Representatives, Debates, 15 February 2021, p. 481.
[32].
House of Representatives, ‘Procedural
Digest No. 18, 46th Parliament, 15-25 February 2021’, p. 4.
[33].
Department of the Senate, ‘Procedural
Information Bulletin No. 352 for the sitting period 15 to 25 February 2021’,
2 March 2021.
[34].
Ibid.
[35].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), ‘ Ministerial
Statements: Apology to Australia’s Indigenous Peoples: 13th Anniversary’,
House of Representatives, Debates, 15 February 2021, p.637.
[36].
G Hamilton, ‘Business:
Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders’, House of Representatives, Debates
15 February 2021, p. 728-734.
[37].
S Maiden, ‘Young
staffer Brittany Higgins says she was raped at Parliament House’, news.com.au,
website, 15 February 2021.
[38].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Doorstop
interview, transcript, 16 February 2021.
[39].
S Whyte, ‘Statement
to be made to police as inquiries take shape’, Canberra Times, 24
February 2021, p. 9.
[40].
M Grattan, ‘Man
to face court over alleged rape of Brittany Higgins’, The Conversation,
website, 6 August 2021.
[41].
S Morrison (Prime Minister) and G Hunt (Minister for
Health), TGA
approves Astrazeneca COVID-19 vaccine, media release, 16 February
2021.
[42].
S Morrison (Prime Minister) and G Hunt (Minister for Health), 300,000
Astrazeneca vaccine doses arrive in Australia, media release, 28
February 2021.
[43].
Senate Standing Committee on Procedure, ‘Remote
Participation in Senate proceedings’, first report of 2021, 13 May 2021, p. 1.
[44].
L Waters, ‘Motions:
Domestic and Family Violence’, Senate, Debates, 17 February 2021, p.
852; T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives), ‘Resolutions
of the Senate: Domestic and Family Violence: Consideration of Senate Message’,
House of Representatives, Debates, 18 February 2021, p. 1200.
[45]. ‘Statements
on Indulgence: Domestic and Family Violence’, House of Representatives, Debates,
18 February 2021, pp. 1277–1278.
[46].
P Wong (Leader of the Opposition in the Senate), ‘Motions:
Members of Parliament: Staff’, Senate, Debates 18 February 2021, p.
971.
[47].
L Reynolds (Minister for Defence), ‘Statements:
Members of Parliament Staff’, Senate, Debates 18 February 2021, p.
1000.
[48]. ‘Statements:
Members of Parliament: Staff’, Senate, Debates, 22 February 2021,
pp. 1061 ff.
[49].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Press
conference Castle Hill, NSW, transcript, 21 February 2021.
[50].
C Kelly, ‘Statements
on Indulgence: Member for Hughes’, House of Representatives, Debates,
23 February 2021, p. 1673.
[51]. C Kelly, Craig
Kelly appointed leader of the United Australia Party, media release, 23 August 2021.
[52].
Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, ‘Final
Report calls for fundamental and systemic aged care reform’, 1 March
2021.
[53].
Ibid.
[54].
G Hunt (Minister for Health), Extension
of human biosecurity emergency period, media release, 2 March 2021.
[55].
C Porter (Attorney-General), Opening
remarks at media conference, transcript, 3 March 2021.
[56].
S Birmingham (Minister for Finance), Independent
review into Commonwealth Parliamentary workplaces, media release, 5 March
2021.
[57].
Ibid.
[58].
M Ramsey, ‘Coronavirus
crisis: Australia’s interstate borders fully open for first time since COVID-19
arrived’, The West Australian, website, 15 March 2021.
[59]. S Lansdown, ‘Women’s
white hot fury draws thousands to Parliament House’, Canberra Times,
16 May 2021, p. 1.
[60]. ‘Statements
on Indulgence: March4Justice’, House of Representatives, Debates, 15
March 2021, pp. 2195 ff.
[61]. S Morrison, ‘Condolences:
Somare, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas’, House of Representatives, Debates,
15 March 2021, p. 2190.
[62]. ‘Condolences:
Somare, Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas’, House of Representatives
(Federation Chamber), Debates, 16 March 2021, pp. 2489 ff.
[63]. ‘Somare,
Grand Chief Sir Michael Thomas’, Senate, Debates 15 March 2021, pp.
1791 ff.
[64].
C Fierravanti-Wells, ‘Committees:
Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee: Report’, Senate, Debates,
16 March 2021, p. 1972; Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of
Delegated Legislation, ‘Inquiry
into the exemption of delegated legislation from parliamentary oversight: final
report’, 16 March 2021.
[65].
Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation, We
must get the house in order, before our ability to do so slips away,
media release, 16 March 2021.
[66].
Ibid.
[67].
C Fierravanti-Wells, ‘Committees:
Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation Committee: Report’, Senate, Debates,
16 June 2021, p. 3055.
[68]. ‘Condolences:
Hurford, Hon Christopher John, AO’, House of Representatives, Debates,
17 March 2021, pp. 2588 ff; ‘Condolences:
Hurford, Hon. Christopher John, AO’, Senate, Debates, 17 March 2021,
pp. 2125 ff.
[69].
‘Select
Committee on Administration of Sports Grants’, Senate, Debates, 18
March 2021, p. 2315 ff.
[70].
Senate Select Committee on Administration of Sports Grants, Final
Report, Commonwealth of Australia, 18 March 2021, p. 70.
[71].
Ibid., p. 65.
[72].
‘ Statements
on Indulgence: Australian Floods’, House of Representatives, Debates,
22 March 2021, pp. 2934–2937.
[73].
‘Statements
by Members: Multiple Birth Awareness Week’, House of Representatives, Debates,
22 March 2021, p. 2928.
[74].
House of Representatives, ‘Special
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[75].
Australian Taxation Office (ATO), ‘JobKeeper Payment’,
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[76].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Press
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2021. The record number of women in Cabinet is now 8, following Senator Bridget
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[77].
B Smee, ‘Queensland
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The Guardian (Australia), website, 29 March 2021.
[78].
B Shields, ‘Queen’s
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2021, p. 1.
[79].
A Crowe, ‘Duke
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pp. 1–3.
[80].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), D Chester (Minister for Veterans’
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[81].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), M Cash (Attorney-General), and A Gee (Minister
for Veterans’ Affairs), Defence
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[82].
M McGowan (Premier of WA), Perth
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[83].
J Branco, ‘Perth’s
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[84].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Transcript
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[85].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Resumption
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[86].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), The
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[87].
M Sloane, ‘120th
anniversary of the first sitting of the Commonwealth Parliament’, FlagPost,
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[88]. ‘Opening
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[89]. Ibid.
[90].
M Sloane, ‘120th anniversary…’, op. cit..
[91].
T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives) and S Ryan (President
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Statement by the Presiding Officers regarding Australian Parliament House
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[92]
T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives), ‘Statement
by the Speaker: COVID-19 House of Representatives
Procedure’, House of Representatives, Debates, 11 May 2021, p. 3653.
[93].
‘Condolences:
His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh’, House of Representatives, Debates,
11 May 2021, pp. 3655–3662 ‘Condolences:
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[94].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Condolences:
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11 May 2021, p. 3655.
[95].
‘Condolences:
Peacock, Hon. Andrew Sharp, AC’, House of Representatives, Debates,
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[96].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), ‘Condolences:
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[97].
‘Urgency
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[98].
‘Formal
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[99]. J Frydenberg (Treasurer), ‘Bills:
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House of Representatives, Debates, 13 May 2021, pp. 3704, 3714.
[100]. A
Albanese (Leader of the Opposition), ‘ Appropriation
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13 May 2021, p. 4170.
[101]. T
Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives), ‘Documents:
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[102]. A McKnight, ‘Climate
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[103]. G
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[104]. Senate
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[105]. S
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[106].
‘Committees:
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[107].
House of Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure, A
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[108].
S Ryan (President of the Senate), Evidence
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[109].
T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives) and S Ryan (President
of the Senate), Statement
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[110].
J Merlino (Acting Premier of Victoria), Statement
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[111].
M Davey and L Cox, ‘Victoria
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[112].
K Murphy and S Martin, ‘Morrison
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[113].
‘Which
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[114].
J Merlino (Acting Premier of Victoria),
Statement
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[115]. P. Dutton (Leader of the House), ‘Agreement
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p. 5012.
[116]. House of Representatives, ‘Procedural
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[117].
L O’Brien (Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives), ‘Statements
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[118].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Press
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[119].
M Klapdor and A Lotric, Australian
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[120].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Foster
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[121].
S Birmingham (Minister for Finance), Release
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[122].
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[123].
S Morrison (Prime Minister) and S Birmingham (Minister for Finance), Foster
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[124].
N Church, ‘Commemorating
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both the Federal (1969–72) and Victorian (1982–92) parliaments. However, his
Indigenous heritage was not known when he entered both parliaments nor did he
self-identify as Indigenous at that time. For
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[125].
T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives), ‘Condolences:
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[126].
M Grattan, ‘Barnaby
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[127].
T Wright, ‘Stopped
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[128].
M Price, ‘Agreement
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[129]. House of Representatives, ‘ Procedural
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[130].
A Workman, ‘Strewth:
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[131].
B Foden, ‘'Psychopath'
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[132].
T Vue, ‘'Psychopath'
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[133].
O Caisley and E Dudley, ‘Covid
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[134].
S Birmingham (Leader of Government Business in the Senate), ‘Business:
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[135].
R Siewert, ‘Business:
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[136].
NSW Government, Greater
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[137].
NSW Government, COVID-19
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[138].
NSW Government, NSW
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NSW Government, Lockdown
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for the community as restrictions adjusted and vaccines ramped up,
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[139].
Victorian Government, Coronavirus
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[140].
NSW Government, Roadmap
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September 2021.
[141].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), Ministry,
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[142].
NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, COVID-19
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[143].
NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, Positive
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[144].
M McGowan (Premier of WA), Perth
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June 2021.
[145].
A Palaszczuk (Premier of Queensland) and Y D’Ath (Queensland Minister
for Health and Ambulance Services), South
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media release, 29 June 2021.
[146].
NT Department of the Chief Minister and Cabinet, COVID-19
Update: Alice Springs to enter 72 hour lockdown, media release, 30 June
2021.
[147].
S Morrison (Prime Minister), National
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[148].
L Tindale, ‘Sydney
man charged after refusing to wear mask at Parliament House breaching Covid
rules’, Canberra Times, 7 July 2021.
[149].
S Morrison (Prime Minister) and J Frydenberg (Treasurer), NSW
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[150].
T Smith (Speaker of the House of Representatives), Statement,
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[151].
D Andrews (Premier of Victoria), Statement
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[152].
J Taylor and P Karp, ‘Victoria
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The Guardian (Australia), 15 July 2021.
[153].
D Andrews (Premier of Victoria), Extended
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2021.
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