This chronology of events has been compiled from published
sources and includes images and links to audio-visual and documentary records. Appendix
1 presents a list of key legislation passed by the Commonwealth Parliament in
2017.
| Milestones |
Details |
Source
Documents |
|
12 January
|
Storm uproots trees at Parliament House
A windstorm
uproots trees across Canberra, including some on the lawns of Parliament
House.[1]
|
|
|
13 January
|
Sussan Ley resigns from the ministry
Sussan
Ley (Lib., Farrer, NSW) resigns
as Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, following controversy about her
use of parliamentary travel entitlements.[2]
Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull (Lib., Wentworth) announces
changes to the management of parliamentarians’ work expenses, including the
establishment of an independent parliamentary expenses authority.[3]
|
Sussan Ley
Image source: Auspic
|
|
18 January
|
Ministerial changes; first Indigenous federal
minister
Changes
to the ministry are announced by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. [4]
They include the elevation of Ken
Wyatt (Lib., Hasluck, WA) to the role of Minister for Aged Care and
Indigenous Health, making him Australia’s first Indigenous federal minister.[5]
|
Ken Wyatt
Image source: Auspic
|
|
3 February
|
Rodney
Culleton ruled ineligible by the High Court
The High Court rules
that Senator Rodney Culleton
(Ind., WA) was incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator by reason
of section 44 (ii) of the Constitution.
The resulting vacancy is to be filled by a special count of the ballot
papers.
|
Rodney Culleton
Image source: Auspic
|
|
7 February
|
Cory
Bernardi resigns from the Liberal Party
Senator Cory
Bernardi (Lib., SA) resigns
from the Liberal Party and announces the launch of a new party, the
Australian Conservatives.[6]
He tells the
Senate that the new party:
... will be united by the desire to create stronger families,
to foster free enterprise and to limit the size, scope and reach of
government whilst seeking to rebuild confidence in civil society.[7]
The new party
is officially
registered on 11 April 2017.[8]
|
Cory
Bernardi
Image
source: Auspic
|
|
7 February
|
50th anniversary of Black Tuesday
bushfires
The House
and the Senate
(on 8 February) commemorate the 50th anniversary of the 1967 Black Tuesday
bushfires in Tasmania, in which 64 people died. [9]
The fires were the deadliest in Tasmania’s history.[10]
|
Watch:
Andrew
Wilkie’s statement
Senator
Lisa Singh’s motion
Source:
ParlView
|
|
8 February
|
Bill to ban full face coverings introduced
A private
senator’s bill to ban full face coverings is introduced by Senator Jacqui
Lambie (JLN, Tas.). The Criminal Code Amendment (Prohibition of Full Face
Coverings in Public Places) Bill 2017 seeks to make it an offence to wear
full face coverings in a public place under Commonwealth jurisdiction.
Senator Lambie argues that:
There is a clear national security need to bring in a
nationwide ban on all identity concealing garments.[11]
At
the date of publication, the Bill is still before the Senate.
|
Jacqui Lambie
Image source: Auspic
|
|
14 February
|
Closing the Gap statement
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull delivers
the ninth annual Closing the Gap statement. He says:
This report demonstrates that all Australian governments
have much more work to do ...
If we look at the long-term intergenerational trends, we
see that Indigenous life expectancy is increasing, babies are being born
healthier, more people are studying and gaining post-school qualifications
and those adults are participating in work. There are achievements that
families, elders and communities can be proud of.
But incarceration rates and rates of child protection are
too high.[12]
In his response, the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten (ALP,
Maribyrnong, Vic.), says:
We must forget the insulting fiction that the First
Australians are a problem to be solved and, instead, have a new approach to
listen to people who stand on the other side of the gap; a new approach that,
from now on, the First Australians must have first say in the decisions that
shape their lives; a new approach that means a stronger voice for the
National Congress of Australia's First People and the resources to make it
happen; a new approach to extend ourselves beyond handpicked sources of
advice; a new approach to be in the places where our First Australians live
and work and play, from Mount Druitt to Logan, in the APY Lands and East
Arnhem.[13]
|
Watch:
Prime
Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s 2017 Closing the Gap statement
Opposition
Leader Bill Shorten’s response
Source:
ParlView
|
|
14 February
|
Visit by Prime Minister of Sri Lanka
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
visits Australia from 13–17 February to mark the 70th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between the two countries. At a reception at Parliament
House, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says:
We are delighted that we are hosting
you as we celebrate the strong bond between our two nations. A bond that has
endured and grown stronger over 70 years ...
Today, we are working together to
ensure the prosperity and security of our region, on issues from trade to law
enforcement, from science to combatting the scourge of people smuggling.[14]
|
Sri Lankan Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe
signs the visitors’ book at Parliament House
Image source: Michael Masters, Auspic
|
|
16 February
|
Changes to parliamentary entitlements
The Parliamentary
Entitlements Legislation Amendment Bill 2017 passes both Houses.[15]
The Bill ends access to the Life Gold Pass scheme from its commencement (with
the exception of former Prime Ministers and their spouses or partners), while
reducing the entitlement for current and former members.[16]
The Bill also introduces penalty loadings when a claim is made in excess of
entitlement.[17]
The following day, the Independent
Parliamentary Expenses Authority Bill 2017 is passed.[18]
The Bill establishes:
... the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority as an
independent statutory body with responsibilities relating to the work
expenses of parliamentarians and their staff, ensuring that taxpayers’ funds
are spent appropriately and in compliance with the rules.[19]
On 11 May, the passage of the Parliamentary
Business Resources Bill 2017 establishes ‘a new framework for the
remuneration, business resources and travel resources for current and former
members of the federal Parliament.’[20]
|
|
|
2 March
|
Official Observer exhibition opens
The Official Observer exhibition showcases
images by David Foote—the official photographer for the Australian Government
Photographic Service, Auspic—taken over the past 25 years. David Foote has
been photographing Australian prime ministers from Bob Hawke onwards,
including their overseas travels and interactions with world leaders.
|
Image source: Auspic
|
|
21 March
|
Parliamentarians’ private numbers published
online
Media reports reveal that the private
mobile phone numbers of federal politicians, former prime ministers and
senior political staffers were inadvertently published online.[21]
The phone numbers had not been properly deleted from a report on parliamentarians’
phone bills provided by a private contractor, TELCO Management, and published
on the Parliament House website by the Department of Parliamentary Services
(DPS).[22]
A DPS spokesperson said ‘... DPS will work with parliamentarians to address privacy
concerns and change mobile numbers if required.’[23]
|
|
|
23 March
|
Terrorist attack at Westminster
Parliament offers condolences to the British
parliament and people following the previous day’s terrorist attack at
Westminster. The British High Commissioner to Australia, Her Excellency Menna
Rawlings, is in the House at the time.[24]
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says:
It was an attack on parliaments, freedom and democracy
everywhere in the world ...
We send our heartfelt condolences, especially to the families
of the victims, including the police officer murdered by the terrorist as he
attempted to enter the Houses of Parliament, and we wish all those injured a
full recovery.
We stand, all of us, with the United Kingdom ... We will
never give in to terror.[25]
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill
Shorten, says:
Today Australia offers our oldest friend our deepest
sympathies. The hearts of this nation go out to the people of Britain ... Our
parliament stands united with all parliaments in condemning this attack on arguably
the world’s oldest democratic institution.[26]
|
Image source: Mike Gimelfarb, Wikimedia Commons |
|
23–24 March
|
Visit by China’s Premier
China’s Premier Li Keqiang visits Parliament
House. The visit marks the 45th year of diplomatic relations between the two
countries.[27]
During this visit the two governments sign, inter alia, an MOU on vocational
education and training and an agreement enabling better access to the Chinese
market for Australian meat producers and exporters.[28]
|
Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull
Image source: ParlView
Watch: Joint Signing and Media Conference
Source:
ParlView
|
|
25 March
|
Beehives at Parliament House
Three beehives are installed in bushland
on the grounds of Parliament House.[29]
The hives are part of an effort to arrest the decline of bee populations–bees
are crucial to Australia’s food security, agriculture and environmental
sustainability.[30]
Parliament House’s honey will win second prize at the 2018
Royal Canberra Show.[31]
It is not the first time there have been
beehives at Australia’s Parliament. In 1976, William Yates, a Victorian
member of parliament, installed two hives in the House of Representatives
garden at what is now Old Parliament House.[32]
|
Image source: Eric Isselee/Shutterstock.com |
|
27 March
|
New senator for Western
Australia
Peter
Georgiou (PHON, WA) is sworn in as a Senator. He replaces Rodney Culleton
whose election was declared void by the High Court under sections 44 and 45
of the Australian
Constitution.
He makes his first
speech on 16 August 2017.
|
Peter Georgiou
Image
source: Auspic
|
|
28 March
|
China extradition treaty
ratification repealed
Following a decision
of the Opposition not to support ratification of an extradition treaty with
China,[33]
the Government announces
that it will repeal the ratification regulation rather than have it defeated
in the Senate.[34]
|
|
|
5 April
|
Bob Day ruled ineligible by the High
Court
The High Court rules
that former Senator Bob
Day, who resigned in November 2016, was incapable of being chosen or of
sitting as a senator by reason on section 44(v) of the Constitution.
The resulting vacancy is to be filled by a special recount of ballot papers.
|
Bob Day
Image source: Auspic
|
|
9 May
|
2017–18 Budget
The Treasurer, Scott
Morrison (Lib., Cook, NSW) delivers the 2017-18 Budget, his second.
He says:
Mr Speaker, tonight I announce a fair and responsible path
back to a balanced budget. Having exhausted every opportunity to secure
savings from our 2014-15 and 2015-16 Budgets, we have decided to reset the
Budget by reversing these measures at a cost of $13 billion. Despite this, I
can confirm tonight that the Budget is projected to return to balance in
2020-21 and remain in surplus over the medium term.[35]
In his budget reply speech on 11 May,
Opposition Bill Shorten says:
This is a budget and a government that wants to bury its
past and rewrite its history. The Liberals want Australians to forget four
wasted years in which wages growth has hit record lows, unemployment is up,
underemployment and casualization are at record highs, living standards have
stagnated, inequality has widened. This budget is an admission of guilt, a
signed confession.[36]
|
Scott Morrison delivers the 2017-18 Budget
Image source: ParlView
Watch: Scott Morrison’s budget speech
Source:
ParlView
|
|
9 May
|
New Senator for South Australia
Lucy
Gichuhi (SA) is sworn in. She replaces Bob Day, who resigned in November
2017 and whose election was subsequently declared void by the High Court
under section 44(v) of the Australian
Constitution.[37]
She is the first person of black African descent to be a member of
Australia’s parliament.[38]
After her swearing in Senator Gichuhi
states she will sit as an Independent senator.[39]
She gives her first
speech on 21 June.
|
Lucy Gichuhi
Image source: Auspic
|
|
9 May
|
First baby breastfed in Australia’s parliament
Larissa
Waters (AG, Qld) breastfeeds her daughter in the Senate chamber. It is
the first time a baby has been breastfed in the Australian parliament.[40]
Senator Waters later posts on Twitter:
So proud that my daughter Alia is the first baby to be
breastfed in the federal Parliament! We need more women and parents in
Parli[ament].[41]
|
Larissa Waters moves a motion in the Senate
while breastfeeding her baby (22 June 2017)
Image source: ParlView
|
|
9 May
|
Despatch box 90th anniversary
The 9th of May marks the 90th anniversary
of the opening of the provisional parliament building, now referred to as Old
Parliament House, in Canberra in 1927. On that day the Duke of York (later
King George VI) presented two rosewood despatch boxes as gifts to the new
parliament.[42]
The despatch boxes sit on each side of the table between the government and
opposition benches in the House of Representatives chamber, and have been in
continuous use since 1927.[43]
|
Despatch box |
|
23 May
|
Manchester Arena attack
Parliament offers sympathy to the people
of the United Kingdom following the explosion at Manchester Arena on 22 May.
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says:
Australia's heartfelt sympathy and resolute solidarity is
with the people of the United Kingdom. We stand with them today, as we always
have and always will, steadfast allies in freedom's cause. So far we know
that at least 19 people have been killed and about 60 injured as a result of
an explosion at the Manchester Arena shortly after the conclusion of an Ariana
Grande concert last night.[44]
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, says:
The people of Britain should know that we feel their pain
and we share their shock and anger ... What I think we also need to say to
people is that the world should not get used to this. We should not accept
this as the normal state of affairs.[45]
|
|
|
24 May
|
Indigenous Youth Parliament
Ahead of National Reconciliation Week,
Parliament welcomes the fifty participants in the Indigenous Youth Parliament
to the building. Speaking at the Indigenous Youth Parliamentarians’
Reception, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull tells the participants:
you young Australians, young Indigenous Australians can do
anything. There is nothing beyond your reach. Nothing that you can dream of
that you cannot achieve. You have the great foundations of 50,000 years of
culture and history. You have the great example of the leadership of the ‘67
campaigners ...[46]
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, says at the
reception:
Can we who are gathered here, we who have power in this
country, the privileged position of leadership: is our imagination now up to
what it was of the campaigners we celebrate 50 and 25 years ago? ...Can we
imagine an equal and reconciled Australia? ... I think the young people we
have been privileged to meet - they can imagine it.[47]
|
|
|
24–26 May
|
Visit of Sri
Lanka’s President, H.E. Hon. Maithripala Sirisena
The President of Sri Lanka, Maithripala Sirisena,
visits Parliament House for discussions on security and defence—the first
bilateral visit by a Sri Lankan head of state.
To mark the visit, Foreign
Minister Julie Bishop and Sri Lankan Deputy Foreign Minister Harsha de Silva
sign a Joint Declaration on Enhanced Cooperation. The two governments
also sign an MoU on Chronic Kidney Disease research and a Letter of Intent on
geoscience.[48]
|
President Sirisena greets Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull at Parliament House
Image source: Auspic
|
|
25 May
|
Attempt to evict senator from Estimates
hearing
During a Senate Estimates appearance by the Australian
Human Rights Commission, committee Chair Senator Ian Macdonald (Lib., Qld) attempts to evict
Senator Nick McKim (AG, Tas.) from the hearing and
to silence Senators Murray Watt (ALP, Qld) and Penny Wong (ALP, SA).[49]
Following a short suspension of the committee, Senator Macdonald notes that
he is not empowered to evict committee members.[50]
|
Ian
Macdonald
Image
source: Auspic
|
|
27 May–3 June
|
National Reconciliation Week
National Reconciliation Week 2017 marks the 25th
anniversary of the Mabo Decision and the 50th anniversary of the 1967
Referendum.
As part of National Reconciliation Week,
the exhibition Prevailing
Voices–Indigenous Australian Parliamentarians opens at Parliament
House. The exhibition aims to recognise and celebrate the contribution of
Indigenous parliamentarians to the Australian Parliament.[51]
A portrait of Ken Wyatt (Lib., Hasluck, WA), the first Indigenous member of
the House of Representatives and the first Indigenous federal minister, is
unveiled at the opening.[52]
|
Opening of the Prevailing Voices
exhibition
Image source: Auspic
|
|
13 June
|
Ministerial Statement on National Security
In his ministerial statement on national
security, the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, says:
The global threat we face from Islamist terrorism has been
cruelly brought home to us in the past two weeks with young, innocent
Australians murdered in Baghdad, London and Melbourne ... We have mourned the
loss of four Australians killed in terrorist attacks in the last few weeks ... My
No. 1 priority, my government's No. 1 priority, is to keep Australians safe ...
We must be faster, smarter and more agile than those who seek to do us harm.[53]
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, says in
response:
I thank the Prime Minister for his words. There is no
greater responsibility for every member of this place than keeping
Australians safe. As I have said, and Labor has demonstrated for four years
now, when it comes to fighting terrorism and Islamist terrorism we are all in
this together.[54]
|
Malcolm Turnbull
delivers his Ministerial Statement on
National Security
Image
source: ParlView
|
|
9 June
|
Finkel review of electricity market
security released
The final
report of the Independent Review into the Future Security of the National
Electricity Market, chaired by the Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel,
is released. The Minister for the Environment and Energy, Josh
Frydenberg (Lib., Kooyong, Vic.) says:
The final report contains 50 recommendations and is
intended to provide a blueprint for the once-in-a-century transformation
currently taking placing in Australia’s energy system. The report is focussed
on four key outcomes: increased security, future reliability, making sure
consumers are better off and meeting our international targets.
The Turnbull Government will now carefully consider the
recommendations of Dr Finkel’s final report.[55]
|
Alan Finkel
Image source: Danimations, Wikimedia Commons
|
|
13 June
|
Senator Chris Back announces his
retirement
Senator Chris
Back (Lib., WA) announces his retirement, creating a casual vacancy in
the Senate.[56]
Senator Back first entered the Senate in 2009.
|
Chris Back
Image source: Auspic
|
|
13 June
|
2023 Women’s World Cup bid
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull,
speaks at a Matildas Women’s Football event at Parliament House to announce
support for the Football Federation of Australia’s bid to host the 2023 FIFA
Women’s World Cup in Australia. He says:
A Women’s World Cup hosted in our backyard would inspire a
new generation of women and girls right across Australia. It continues our
Government’s commitment to promote female participation in sport from the
grassroots level, from the little ones, right up to the elite level, the
Matildas.[57]
|
|
|
20 June
|
New Human Rights Commission President
appointed
The Attorney-General, George
Brandis (Lib., Qld), announces the appointment of Rosalind Croucher as
the next President of the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC).[58]
Professor Croucher is the head of the Australian Law Reform Commission.[59]
She replaces outgoing AHRC President Gillian
Triggs.
|
Rosalind Croucher
Image source: Australian Human Rights Commission, Flickr
|
|
20 June
|
George Christensen crosses the floor
George
Christensen (NP, Dawson, Qld) crosses the floor, voting with the ALP to
protect penalty rates for workers.[60]
Mr Christensen says the amendments
gave effect to his own private member’s bill.[61]
The amendments were defeated by 73 votes to 72.[62]
|
George Christensen
Image source: Auspic
|
|
12 July
|
Parliament House protesters
appear in court
On 30 November 2016, Speaker Tony
Smith (Lib., Casey, Vic.) suspended Question Time in response to
disruptions caused by people in the public gallery noisily protesting the
Government’s treatment of asylum seekers.[63]
On 12 July 2017, seven people are charged
with intentionally damaging Commonwealth property ‘after they allegedly
superglued their hands’ to railings in the House of Representatives gallery,
and are committed for trial.[64]
The matter is heard in the ACT Supreme
Court in 2018, with the protesters found not guilty.[65]
|
|
|
14 and 18 July
|
Senators Ludlam and Waters resign
from Parliament due to dual citizenship
On 14 July, Scott
Ludlam (AG, WA) resigns from the Senate, having discovered that he holds
dual Australian and New Zealand citizenship.[66]
His colleague Senator Larissa Waters (AG, Qld) resigns
on 18 July, having discovered she holds dual Australian and Canadian
citizenship.[67]
Section 44 of the Australian Constitution
disqualifies people from being ‘chosen’ or sitting in the Parliament on a
number of grounds, including being ‘a subject or a citizen or
entitled to the rights or privileges of a subject or a citizen of a foreign
power’ (s. 44i). ‘Its purpose is to ensure that people elected to Parliament
are beholden to no-one but the electors as a whole and may therefore perform
their duties free from undue external influence’,[68] avoiding both actual
and perceived conflicts of interest.
Green’s leader Senator Richard Di Natale (AG, Vic.) commits
the party to ‘an urgent root-and-branch review’ of its processes ‘to prevent
this from happening again’.[69]
|
|
|
22 July
|
Retirement of inaugural
Parliamentary Budget Officer
Phil Bowen retires as Parliamentary Budget Officer on 22
July 2017, having held office since 2012.
On 19 June 2017, the President and the Speaker advise
their respective Houses that Jenny Wilkinson has been appointed as the next
Parliamentary Budget Officer.[70]
Ms Wilkinson commences in the role on 24 July.
|
Jenny Wilkinson, Parliamentary Budget Officer
Image source: Auspic
|
|
25 July
|
Senator Canavan resigns from the
ministry
Senator Matt
Canavan (NP, Qld) steps down from the ministry due to possible Italian
citizenship.[71]
Unlike former Senators Ludlam and Waters, who acquired
dual citizenship by birth, Senator Canavan’s circumstances involve
citizenship by descent, a matter on which the High Court has not previously
ruled.[72]
Attorney General George Brandis states that it ‘is the
Government’s preliminary view’ that, because Senator Canavan’s mother
registered him as an Italian resident abroad ‘without his knowledge or
consent, that he is not in breach of s 44 of the Constitution’.[73]
|
Matt Canavan
Image source: Auspic
|
|
8 and 9 August
|
Four senators referred to the
Court of Disputed Returns
On 8 August, President
Stephen Parry tables the resignation letters
of Greens Senators Ludlam and Waters.[74]
The Senate refers the
matters of Ludlam, Waters and Canavan to the High Court to determine ‘whether by reason of s 44(i) of the Constitution there is a
vacancy in the representation’ of Western Australia and Queensland in the
Senate, and if so, ‘by what means and in what manner that vacancy should be
filled’.[75]
(Should a person returned as a senator or member be later found to be ineligible,
then there is not a casual vacancy but rather an invalid election which must
be completed.)[76]
Also on 8 August, Senator Richard Di Natale gives notice of a motion
to refer Senator Malcolm Roberts to the Court of Disputed
Returns[77]
following controversy regarding his possible British citizenship.[78] The following day, the
Senate refers Senator Roberts to the High Court on the motion of his party
leader, Senator Pauline Hanson.[79]
|
|
|
8 August
|
Parliament marks the Deaths of Dr
G. Yunupingu and Kunmanara Lester
Before Question
time the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition rise, on indulgence, to
acknowledge the deaths of musician Dr G Yunupingu and anti-nuclear
and Indigenous rights advocate Kunmanara Lester.[80]
The Senate records its condolences to the deaths of both
men on 17 August.[81]
|
Watch the condolence
statements on the deaths of Dr G. Yunupingu and Kunmanara Lester in the House of Representatives and the Senate
|
|
8 August
|
A novel excuse?
The Sydney Morning Herald reports
that a ‘man caught driving more than 50km/h over the speed limit at Yass
allegedly told police he was in a hurry to catch a Parliament House tour’. It
is also reported that the driver was fined and his driving privileges were
revoked.[82]
|
|
|
8 August
|
‘The House’ television series
The
House, a six part light entertainment series exploring operations of
Australian Parliament House, debuts on ABC TV. The series is inspired by the
BBC program Inside the
Commons. A highlight of the show is drone footage shot in, over and
around the building.
|
A drone flying past artwork in the Members
Hall
Image source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation Library
|
|
9 August
|
Statements on the deaths of Betty
Cuthbert and Les Murray
Prior to Question Time, the Prime Minister and Leader of
the Opposition make statements, by indulgence, acknowledging the deaths of
former Olympian Betty Cuthbert and sports journalist Les Murray.[83]
|
|
|
9 August
|
Same-sex marriage plebiscite
becomes a postal survey
Following the defeat of the Government’s motion to restore
the Plebiscite (Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 to the Senate Notice Paper,[84]
the Government announces its intention to press ‘ahead with a voluntary
postal plebiscite for all Australians’.[85]
Treasurer Scott
Morrison issues a direction to the Australian Statistician asking the Australian
Bureau of Statistics (ABS) to conduct the survey.[86]
Funding of $122 million is made available.[87]
The collection period for the postal survey
opens on 12 September and continues until 7 November.
|
|
|
10 August
|
Inquiry into fake Indigenous art
The House
of Representatives Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs adopts an
inquiry into ‘the growing presence of inauthentic Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander ‘style’ art and craft products and merchandise for
sale across Australia.’[88]
|
|
|
10 August -7 September
|
High Court Challenge to the
same-sex marriage postal survey
Andrew
Wilkie (Ind., Denison, Tas.) announces a High Court application to stop
the voluntary postal survey on the grounds that the Government has no power
to order the ABS to conduct it or to appropriate funds to pay for it.[89]
Australian Marriage Equality co-chair, Alex
Greenwich, also seeks a High Court injunction to stop the postal survey, with
Senator Janet Rice (AG, Vic.) a joint plaintiff. [90]
On 7 September, the High Court unanimously
dismisses both challenges as being ‘demonstrably without substance’,
publishing its reasons on 28 September.[91]
Such is the interest in the outcome that the High Court’s website crashes
minutes before the announcement.[92]
|
Andrew Wilkie
Image source: Auspic
|
|
14 August
|
State visit by the Solomon
Islands Prime Minister
The Honourable Mr Manasseh
Damukana Sogavare MP, Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands, visits the
Parliament on 14 August as part of a guest of government visit to Australia.
The 14 year Regional Assistance Mission to
Solomon Islands (RAMSI) to restore stability and economic growth ended on
30 June 2017. Speaking in the Chamber, Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull pays tribute to all those involved in the Mission.[93]
During
the visit, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop (Lib., Curtin, WA) and
Solomon Islands Foreign Minister Tozaka sign a new security treaty to enable rapid
deployment of Australian police, armed forces and civilian personnel to the
Solomon Islands, should need arise and where both countries consent. The
Department of Foreign Affairs notes that ‘this will be Australia’s first
bilateral security treaty in the Pacific’.[94]
|
The Honourable Mr Manasseh Damukana Sogavare
at Parliament House
Image: Auspic
Watch the arrival of the Solomon Islands Prime
Minister at Parliament House
Image source: J Bishop, twitter
|
|
14 August
|
Barnaby Joyce citizenship issue
Deputy Prime Minister and Nationals Leader Barnaby
Joyce (NP, New England, NSW) informs the House that the New Zealand High
Commission has contacted him to advise he may be a ‘citizen by descent of New
Zealand’. He goes on to state that, on the basis of legal advice from the
Solicitor-General,
the Prime Minister has asked that I remain
Deputy Prime Minister and continue my ministerial duties.[95]
The House refers Mr Joyce to the Court of Disputed Returns
later that day.[96]
The issue of his eligibility is of particular significance given the Turnbull
Government holds a one seat majority in the House.[97]
The Opposition is critical that Mr Joyce has not stepped
down from the ministry while the issue is resolved.[98]
During a doorstop interview at Parliament
House, Foreign Minister Julie Bishop accuses the Labor party of ‘seeking to
use the New Zealand Parliament to undermine the Australian Government’ and
states:
New Zealand is facing an election. Should there be a change
of Government, I would find it very hard to build trust with those involved
in allegations designed to undermine the Government of Australia.[99]
|
Barnaby Joyce
Image source: Auspic
|
|
14 August
|
No role for parliament in
approving overseas military activity
Greens leader Senator Richard Di Natale again
fails to win Senate support for a motion to call on debate of the Defence Legislation Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas
Service) Bill 2015. The bill, which has ‘been on
the Notice Paper since the mid-1980s’,[100] amends the
Defence Act 1903 to insert
a new section into the Defence Act 1903 requiring decisions to deploy
members of the Australian Defence Force overseas to be debated and voted on
by the Parliament.
‘Under the Australian Constitution, the
power to declare war is the prerogative of the executive arm of government’.[101]
However, minor parties have several times introduced Bills to remove the
exclusive power of the executive to commit Australia to war: the Australian
Democrats in 1985, and the Greens in 2003, 2008, 2014, 2015 and 2017.[102]
|
Richard Di Natale
Image source: Auspic
|
|
16 August
|
New Senator for WA
Slade
Brockman (Lib.) is sworn in as senator for Western Australia.
Senator Brockman has been chosen by the Western Australian
Parliament (under section
15 of the Constitution) to fill the vacancy caused by the July retirement
of Senator Chris
Back (Lib., WA). Senator Brockman had
previously worked as chief of staff for Senator Mathias Cormann (Lib., WA) and
in his first
speech in October 2017, remarks:
As you can see, this building holds
special memories for me. As hinted at earlier, it was in this building that I
met my wife, a senior researcher at the Parliamentary Library. I think I can
safely say that no politician or staffer has gained more intelligence or
wisdom from the Parliamentary Library than I have! And, luckily, she was born
in WA![103]
|
Slade Brockman is escorted into the Senate chamber to take the oath of office
by fellow Western Australian Liberal senators Mathias
Cormann and Michaelia
Cash.
Image source: Auspic
Watch Senator Brockman’s swearing
in and first
speech
|
|
16 August
|
Visit by the President of the
Republic of Croatia
Croatian President Kolinda
Grabar-Kitarovic visits Parliament House during her trip to Australia, the
first by a Croatian head of State since 1995.[104]
2017 marks the 25th anniversary of
diplomatic relations between the two countries.
|
(l-r) Speaker Smith, Her Excellency, Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic
and President Parry at Parliament House
Image source: Auspic
|
|
17 August
|
Senator Pauline Hanson wears a
burqa to Question Time
Senator Pauline Hanson (PHON, Qld) causes
consternation by wearing a burqa to Question Time,[105]
removing it as she rises to ask the Attorney-General whether he would work to
ban such garb in Australia.[106]
|
Senator Pauline Hanson wears
a burqa into Question Time
Image source: Auspic
|
|
17 August
|
NSW Senator Fiona Nash declares
possible dual citizenship
Senator Fiona
Nash (NP, NSW) announces that she may be a British citizen by descent,
but will not be standing aside from her ministerial or party
responsibilities.[107]
Senator Nash is referred to the Court of
Disputed Returns when Parliament resumes on 4 September,[108] with the
Attorney-General informing the Senate that ‘the government is of the view
that Senator Nash is not ineligible to sit and was not incapable of being
chosen’.[109]
The Opposition expresses ‘grave
concerns that the minister is refusing to follow the lead of her colleague,
Senator Canavan, and standing aside as a minister’.[110]
|
Fiona Nash addresses the Senate
Image source: Auspic
|
|
17 August
|
Meeting Place: Michael Nelson
Jagamara and Imants Tillers exhibition at Parliament House
Speaker Tony Smith unveils ‘The Messenger’, a new
acquisition for the Parliament House Art Collection, which features in a new
exhibition of works by artists Nelson Jagamara and Imants
Tillers.
The Speaker observes that ‘both of the
artists...have links with this building going back to the very beginning’.[111]
|
Michael Nelson Jagamara
Image source: Auspic
|
|
31 August
|
Possible constitutional breach
for Senator Hinch
Senator Derryn Hinch (DHJP, Vic.) indicates he may be in
breach of section 44(i)
of the Constitution as he holds a social security number, and has until
recently received a pension, from the United States of America, having worked
there for some years. He is reportedly seeking advice from the Solicitor-General.[112]
On 4 September, Senator Hinch informs the Chamber that he
has legal advice that his eligibility for a ‘superannuation style pension’ in
the United States does not represent a breach of section 44, and so he will
not be seeking referral to the High Court. The Government and Opposition
concur.[113]
|
Derryn Hinch
Image source: Auspic
|
|
4 September
|
Bruce Billson referred to the
House Privileges Committee
The House of Representatives refers to its Standing Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests the issue of whether
‘the former member for Dunkley, Mr Bruce
Billson, by accepting an appointment as, and acting as, a paid director
of the Franchise Council of Australia whilst still a member of the House
gives rise either to any issues that may constitute a contempt of the House
or to any issues concerning the appropriate conduct of a member having regard
to their responsibilities to their constituents and to the public interest.’[114]
The referral follows media reports that Mr Billson, the
former Minister for Small Business, had failed to disclose to the House that
he was receiving a salary from the lobby group while still in parliament.[115]
|
Bruce Billson
Image source: Auspic
|
|
4 September
|
SA Senator Nick Xenophon referred
to the Court of Disputed Returns
The Senate refers Senator Nick
Xenophon (NXT, SA) to the Court of Disputed Returns to determine ‘whether by reason of s 44(i) of the Constitution there is a
vacancy in the representation of South Australia in the Senate for the place
for which [he] was returned’.[116]
While Senator Xenophon renounced his Greek
citizenship (by descent) before entering Parliament, he becomes aware in
August that he may have inherited British citizenship from his Cyprus born
father. (Cyprus remained British colony until 1960).[117]
Xenophon becomes the sixth senator and the
seventh member of Parliament to be referred to the High Court.
|
Nick Xenophon (standing)
Image source: Auspic
|
|
6 September
|
Clinton Pryor arrives at Parliament House,
ending his year long, 5,800 kilometre trek from Heirisson Island (Perth) to
the Federal Parliament.
Pryor presents a list of demands for
justice and sovereignty to the Governor-General, and the Prime Minister. Pryor
is critical of both for not meeting with him and others at the Aboriginal
Tent Embassy,[118]
and turns his back on the Prime Minister when he perceives ‘Malcolm
Turnbull did not listen respectfully’.[119]
Senator Rachel
Siewert (AG, WA) tables Pryor’s list of demands in the Senate.[120]
|
Clinton Pryor at Australian Parliament House
Image source: AAP Image/Lukas Coch |
|
6 September
|
Visit of Pope Tawadros II
His Holiness Pope
Tawadros II, the 118th Pope of Alexandria and Patriarch of the See of St
Mark, visits
Parliament House[121]
during a 10 day pastoral visit to Australia.[122]
His Holiness is hosted by Mr Peter Khalil,
Member for Wills and ‘the first Copt to be elected to the federal
parliament’.[123]
According to the 2016 census, there are 28,641
Coptic Christians in Australia.[124]
|
Coptic Orthodox Pope Tawadros II at Parliament House.
Image source: Auspic
|
|
12 September
|
Parliament House’s new fence
The first prefabricated panels for the new 2.6 metre
security fence are lifted into place on the roof of Parliament House. This is
part of a package of works approved by the Parliament in December 2016,[125]
with temporary construction fences installed on the grass ramps since May
2017 to enable ground works to be completed.
Once complete, the package of security enhancements will
include: a new physical perimeter comprising fencing and
landscaping; replacement of framing and glazing at the northern, eastern and
western entrances; and additional CCTV security cameras.[126]
The increased security measures follow the raising of the National
Terrorism Threat Advisory System in September 2014, the first time the
threat level had been raised since the system was introduced in 2003.
The total cost of the security upgrades
is $126.7 million,[127]
with works due to be completed by the end of 2018.
|
Image source: Auspic |
|
14 September
|
Murphy Class A records tabled in
Parliament
The final set of documents from the 1986 Parliamentary
Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of Justice Lionel Murphy
is tabled in the Parliament. The papers, comprising material relating to the
conduct of Justice Murphy, are published
on the Parliament’s website with ‘a
small amount of personal information...redacted’.[128]
While the papers attract considerable media interest,[129]
Justice Murphy’s son, Cameron Murphy, is highly critical of the decision to
release them.[130]
|
Lionel Murphy, during his time as a Senator (1962-74)
Image source: National Archives of Australia 11259786
|
|
16 October
|
Visit by the Irish President
Irish President Michael Higgins visits
Parliament House as part of his official visit to Australia.[131]
‘President Higgins is the
first Irish President to visit Australia as a Guest of Government since Her
Excellency Mary McAleese in 1998.’[132]
|
Irish President Michael Higgins with Senate President Stephen Parry and
Speaker of the House of Representatives Tony Smith
Image source: Auspic
|
|
16 October
|
Condolences for Evelyn Scott
Parliament acknowledges the death of
Indigenous elder and advocate Dr Evelyn Scott AO.[133]
Dr Scott was the first
General-Secretary for the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aboriginals
and Torres Strait Islanders, Chair of the Cairns and District Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander Corporation for Women, and Chairperson of the Council
for Aboriginal Reconciliation between 1997 and 2000.[134]
|
|
|
16 October
|
Brendan Nottle’s Walk for the
Homeless
On 16 October, Salvation Army Major
Brendan Nottle arrives at Parliament House, completing his 40 day walk from
Melbourne to highlight the issue of homelessness. Opposition Leader Bill
Shorten is among the many supporters who join Nottle for the final leg.[135]
While in Canberra, Major Nottle also meets with the Prime Minister to discuss
a national plan on homelessness.[136]
|
|
|
18 October
|
Australian Citizenship Bill
discharged from the Notice Paper
The Australian
Citizenship Legislation Amendment (Strengthening the Requirements for
Australian Citizenship and Other Measures) Bill 2017 is removed from the
Senate Notice Paper.
The Bill implements the Government’s announcement in April
2017 of a series of changes to citizenship policy,[137]
including a longer permanent residency requirement and a heightened English
language requirement. The Bill also creates ‘new Ministerial powers to
exclude personal decisions from merits review and override decisions of the
Administrative Appeals Tribunal’ and ‘expanded powers to cancel citizenship
approvals and to revoke citizenship’.[138]
The Bill is the subject of an inquiry by the Legal
and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee.[139]
On 19 September, the Senate agrees (32 to 29) to a motion that the Bill be
discharged from the notice paper if not finally considered by 18 October.[140]
The Bill is not called on and is duly discharged at the close of business on
18 October.[141]
|
|
|
24 October
|
Suicide by veterans and
ex-service personnel
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan
Tehan (Lib., Wannon, Vic.), makes a statement in the House
presenting the Government’s response to the Senate
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report The
Constant Battle: Suicide by Veterans.[142]
The Government agrees to all the committee’s
recommendations and announces a package of $31 million and new programs to
‘deliver better support for veterans and their families’.[143]
As recommended by the Committee, the ANAO commences an
audit on the efficiency
of veterans' service delivery by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs. The
audit is tabled in June 2018.
|
Dan Tehan
Image source: Auspic
Watch
the Ministerial Statement
|
|
25 October
|
Marking National Week of Deaf
People
Julie
Owens (ALP, Parramatta, NSW) stands in the House of Representatives to
wish ‘the deaf community in Australia a happy National Week of Deaf People’,
simultaneously delivering her speech in Auslan (sign language). [144]
Two days earlier, Steve
Georganas (ALP, Hindmarsh, SA), marks the week
with a constituency statement in the Federation Chamber, highlighting the
lack of supported interpreter and translation services for the deaf.[145]
In September, the House of Representatives
Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport handed down its report Still
waiting to be heard ... Report on the Inquiry into the Hearing Health and
Wellbeing of Australia.
|
Julie Owens
Image source: Auspic
Watch Julie Owens
making her speech in Auslan
|
|
27 October
|
The High Court and the
‘Citizenship Seven’
The High Court hands down its judgment regarding the
qualification of the six senators and the member of the House of
Representatives referred to the Court of Disputed Returns.
The Court unanimously holds that Scott
Ludlam (AG, WA), Larissa Waters (AG, Qld), Malcolm Roberts (PHON, Qld),
Barnaby Joyce (NP, New England, NSW) and Fiona Nash (NP, NSW) were each ‘a
subject or a citizen ... of a foreign power’ at the time of their nomination
for the 2016 federal election, and that each was ‘therefore incapable of
being chosen or of sitting as a senator or member of the House of
Representatives (as applicable)’.[146]
It finds (again unanimously) that neither
Senator Canavan nor Senator Xenophon was disqualified by this provision.[147]
The Court orders the Australian Electoral Commission
undertake special counts of the ballot papers to fill the four vacant Senate
positions.
The Speaker of the House of
Representatives issues the writ for a by-election in New England to be held
on 2 December 2017.[148]
|
The High Court of Australia
Image source: ABC News
|
|
28 October
|
Ministerial reshuffle
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces changes to the
Ministry in the wake of the High Court Decision.
The Prime Minister takes portfolio responsibility for
Agriculture and Water. Senator Matt Canavan (NP, Qld) is sworn in again as
the Minister for Resources and Northern Australia.
Fiona Nash’s former portfolios are assigned to Darren
Chester (NP, Gippsland, Vic.) and Senator Mitch
Fifield (Vic.). Julie
Bishop is appointed Acting Prime Minister during Mr Turnbull’s trip to
Israel for commemorations of the Battle of Beersheba.[149]
|
|
|
1 November
|
Senate President announces
resignation due to dual citizenship
Senate President Stephen
Parry (Lib., Tas.) announces his intention to resign, having ‘received
advice from the British Home Office that [he is] a British citizen by virtue
of [his] father’s birthplace, thereby being a dual citizen under the
provisions of the Australian Constitution.’[150]
Senator Parry is the eighth parliamentarian to become enmeshed in the ‘dual
citizenship saga’.[151]
Senator Parry’s matter is referred to the Court of
Disputed Returns when the Senate next sits (13 November 2017).[152]
However, in accordance with section 3 of the Parliamentary
Presiding Officers Act 1965, he is deemed to continue to be the
Presiding Officer of the Senate until his successor is chosen by that House.
|
Stephen Parry
Image source: Auspic
|
|
10 November
|
John Alexander resigns due to
dual citizenship; by-election in Bennelong
John
Alexander (Lib., Bennelong, NSW) resigns from Parliament, conceding he
too is likely to be a dual British citizen by descent.[153]
With Mr Alexander’s resignation, the Government holds only
74 seats in the House of Representatives. However, having renounced his
British citizenship, he is returned as the member for Bennelong at the 16 December
by-election. Alexander wins the seat by a margin of 8,217 votes[154] over the
ALP’s surprise candidate, former NSW Premier Kristina Kenneally, with a swing
of -4.84 per cent.[155]
|
John Alexander
Image source: Auspic
|
|
13 November
|
New senators sworn in
Following its decision in Re Canavan [2017]
HCA 45, on 10 November the High Court declares
three new senators elected to the Senate for Queensland and Western
Australia. They are sworn in to Parliament by Governor General Sir Peter
Cosgrove on 13 November:
At age 23, Jordon Steele-John becomes the
youngest person to enter the Senate. The former Member for Longman Wyatt
Roy remains the youngest person to enter the Australian Parliament,
having been elected aged 20 years and three months.[157]
|
From top, Senators Anning, Bartlett and Steele-John
are escorted to the Senate table to take their oaths of office.
Image source: Auspic
|
|
13 November
|
New President of the Senate
Victorian Senator and Special Minister of State Scott
Ryan (Lib.) is elected as the 25th President of the Senate, following the
resignation of former Senator Stephen
Parry (Lib., Tas.).[158]
At age 44, he is the youngest person to become President
of the Senate. Senator Ryan resigns from the ministry to take up his
appointment as President, and Finance Minister Mathias Cormann (Lib., WA)
takes on the role of acting Special Minister of State.[159]
|
Scott Ryan
Image source: Auspic
Watch the election of the new President
|
|
13 November and 4 December
|
Citizenship registers for the
Parliament
On 13 November the Senate agrees to establish a
citizenship register, ‘requiring declarations and documentation from senators
in respect of their citizenship status, any previous foreign citizenships
held and actions taken to renounce them, birth places of parents and
grandparents, and associated details’.[160]
The online
register is overseen by the Standing
Committee on Senators’ Interests.
Senators’ declarations are to be lodged by 5pm on 1
December 2017.
On 4 December, the House of
Representatives also agrees to a resolution requiring each Member to provide
(by 9am on 5 December) a statement (and evidence) in relation to citizenship to the Registrar of Members' Interests.[161]
|
|
|
13 November and 4 December
|
Tributes to former
Governor-General Ninian Stephen
Condolence motions in the Senate (13
November) and in the House (4 December) pay tribute to Australia’s
twentieth Governor-General, Sir Ninian Stephen who died on 29 October,
aged 94.[162]
Following a distinguished legal career,
culminating in his appointment to the High Court, Sir Ninian was sworn in as
Governor General on 29 July 1982. He later served as a judge on the
International Tribunals for the former Yugoslavia and Rwanda (1993-97).[163]
Sir Ninian is farewelled at a State Funeral at St Paul’s
Cathedral (Melbourne) on 8 November.
|
Read the condolence speeches in the Senate and in the House of Representatives.
|
|
14 November
|
Senator Lambie resigns
Having previously rejected speculation that she too may be
a dual citizen,[164]
Senator Jacqui
Lambie (JLN, Tas.) resigns from the Senate having received confirmation
of UK citizenship by descent.[165]
Senator Lambie’s matter is referred to the Court of
Disputed Returns.[166]
On 8 December, the High Court orders the two Tasmanian vacancies (created by
the resignations of Senators Parry and Lambie) be filled by a special count
of votes.[167]
The count identifies Richard Colbeck and Steve Martin as the candidates who should
fill the vacancies. However, before the outcome can be declared, the High
Court must first determine whether Mr Martin is an eligible candidate or
whether, as Major of Devonport, he holds an office of profit under the Crown
and so is prevented from being chosen by reason of section 44(iv) of the Constitution.[168]
|
Jacqui Lambie is farewelled by colleagues
following her valedictory speech.
Image source: Auspic
Watch Senator Lambie’s valedictory
|
|
15 November
|
Results of the Australian
Marriage Postal Law Survey and the Marriage Amendment
(Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017
Australian Statistician David
Kalisch announces the results of the Marriage Law Postal Survey: 12,727,920
people have participated in the survey, 79.5 per cent of the eligible
population, with 61.6 per cent responding ‘YES’ and 38.4 per cent responding
‘NO’ to the question: ‘should the law be changed to allow same-sex couples to
marry?’
All states and territories record a majority YES response.[169]
Of the Federal Electoral Divisions, 133 record a majority YES response, and
17 a majority NO.[170]
|
Map showing results of the postal survey by electorate.
Image source: Parliamentary Library |
|
15 November
|
The Marriage
Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017
Senator Dean
Smith (Lib., WA) introduces his private Senator’s Bill, the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill 2017, co‑sponsored by Senators Reynolds, Wong, Pratt, Di Natale, Rice, Kakoschke-Moore, Hinch and Hume.[171]
Drawing upon an earlier Government exposure draft,[172] the Bill incorporates
the recommendations of a Senate Select Committee regarding religious
protections.[173]
Debate on the bill begins on the
following day.[174]
Coalition and ALP members and Senators are allowed a free vote.
The bill passes the Senate on 29 November with amendments,
43 votes to 12.[175]
It passes the House of Representatives on 7 December (without amendment),
with four members voting ‘no’.[176]
The Act enters into force on 9 December, with the first
same sex weddings conducted (with special exemption from the 30 day waiting
period) on 16 December.[177]
|
Senator Dean Smith (centre)
and five of the co-sponsors of his private bill (from left: Senators Louise
Pratt, Janet Rice, Skye
Kakoschke-Moore, Penny Wong and Derryn Hinch.
Image source: Auspic
Watch
the second reading speech
Watch the third reading of the Bill in the Senate
and the
House of Representatives
|
|
15 November
|
A new Senator for South Australia
Rex
Patrick (NXT) is sworn in as Senator for South Australia, having been
chosen by the Parliament of South Australia on to fill the casual vacancy
caused by the resignation of party leader Nick
Xenophon (NXT, SA) to contest the 2018 South Australian election.[178]
Although the party nominee for the position, Senator
Patrick’s appointment to the casual vacancy is less straightforward than
usual: Lawyers representing former Nick Xenophon Team candidate Tim Storer
write to the South Australian Premier asserting ‘rights in relation to the
filling of the casual vacancy’.[179]
The matter is resolved when Mr Storer subsequently withdraws his challenge.[180]
Senator Patrick makes his first speech on 4 December.[181]
|
Rex Patrick
Image source: Auspic
Watch
the swearing in of Senator Patrick
Watch
Senator Patrick’s first speech
|
|
19 November
|
House of Representatives sittings
postponed
The Leader of the House Christopher
Pyne (Lib., Sturt, SA) issues a statement stating that, given the Senate
is ‘unlikely to finish debating the marriage equality bill until 30 November,
the Prime Minister and I have consulted the Speaker and
asked that he set an alternative day for the next meeting of the House, in
accordance with the Standing Orders.
The House will resume on December 4 at 10am, not November
27, and will sit until marriage equality is law and all citizenship issues
have been dealt with by the House.[182] [emphasis in original]
House of Representatives Standing Order 309(c) provides
that when ‘the House is not sitting, the Speaker may set an alternative day
or hour for the next meeting’.
The announcement is strongly criticised by the Opposition
and minor parties.[183]
|
|
|
22 November
|
Philip Ruddock appointed to head
religious freedom review
Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull announces the appointment of Philip
Ruddock to examine whether Australian law adequately protects religious
freedom.[184]
Mr Ruddock is to report his findings by 31 March 2018.
|
|
|
22 November
|
Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore
resigns due to dual citizenship
Senator Skye Kakoschke-Moore
(NXT, SA) announces her resignation as a senator having ‘received advice from the UK Home Office ... that she had received British
citizenship from her mother, who was born in Singapore in 1957’.[185]
The Senate refers the matter to the Court
of Disputed Returns when it next meets (27 November).[186]
|
Skye Kakoschke-Moore
Image source: Auspic
|
|
23 November
|
Foreign Affairs White Paper
released
The Government releases its Foreign
Policy White Paper, the first such document since 2003, setting out ‘the Government’s strategy for engaging with the world, and in particular
the Indo-Pacific region, over the next decade’.[187]
|
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull, Trade, Tourism and Investment Minister Steven Ciobo and DFAT
Secretary Frances Adamson at the launch of the 2017 Foreign Policy White
Paper.
Image source: DFAT/Nathan
Fulton, Linda Roche
|
|
28 November
|
Committee inquiry into section 44
of the Constitution
On 28 November, the Prime Minister refers to the Joint
Standing Committee on Electoral Matters an inquiry into aspects of
section 44 of the Australian Constitution, including:
How
electoral laws and the administration thereof could be improved to minimise
the risk of candidates being found ineligible pursuant to section 44(i)
Whether the Parliament is able to legislate to make the operation of section
44(i) more certain and predictable, and
Whether the Parliament should seek to amend section 44(i).[188]
The Committee reports
on 17 May 2018.
|
|
|
29 November
|
Senator Steele-John crowdsources his first speech
Senator Jordon Steele-John (AG, WA) delivers
his first speech.[189]
Taking a fresh approach to a venerable tradition, the Senator had turned to
social media to crowdsource its contents, receiving 3,000 responses to his
question: ‘you could say anything* to the people in this place
what would you say?’
I'm rather thrilled to be able to say that the response was
quite overwhelming. Over 130,000 people saw our post. Almost 3,000 people
told me what is important to them and what they think we should be doing here
in this parliament, and that's not including the countless phone calls to my
office, the emails and the many letters I've received as well as the
conversations I've had with constituents.[190]
|
Jordon Steele-John
Image source: Auspic
Watch
Senator Steele-John’s first speech |
|
29 November
|
Preventing leaks at Parliament
House
Scaffolding is put in place on the roof of Parliament
House to enable repair of the main skylight.
Over time, glazing in the link ways and skylights has
deteriorated and de-laminated, resulting in leaks. ’A couple of years ago,
during a particularly vigorous thunderstorm, attendants had to use both [towels
and buckets] in the House of Representatives to mop up the drips that
fell from the roof during question time.’[191]
In 2016-17, the Government provided $18.3 million in
capital over two years to repair and strengthen the main and side skylights
within the APH.[192]
|
Scaffolding over the main skylight, Australian Parliament House
Image source: Auspic
|
|
30 November
|
Banking Royal Commission
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and
Treasurer Scott Morrison announce a royal commission into ‘the alleged
misconduct of Australia’s banks and other financial services entities’.[193]
On 18 December, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove issues the
Letters Patent appointing former High Court Justice Kenneth
Hayne as Royal Commissioner and setting out the terms
of reference for the Inquiry.
|
Prime
Minister Malcolm Turnbull
Image source: Auspic
|
|
2 December
|
New England by-election
Barnaby Joyce is elected to the House of Representatives
at the New England by-election on 2 December, defeating Labor candidate David
Ewings by 64,664 votes to 23,159, a margin of 41,505 votes. The result
represents a 7.21 per cent swing to Mr Joyce. Voter turnout is a little over
87 per cent.[194]
Although a party to the High Court case which saw Mr Joyce
disqualified, former independent member for New England Tony Windsor
decides not to contest the by-election.[195]
The poll is declared on 6 December, and
the writ returned to the Speaker of the House of Representatives the same
day.[196]
At 2pm, the Speaker informs the House that he has received a return to writ
certifying Mr Joyce’s election, and he is admitted and sworn in immediately
thereafter.[197]
|
Barnaby Joyce being sworn into Parliament
Image source: Auspic
Watch
Mr Joyce’s swearing in
|
|
4 December
|
A proposal from the floor!
At the conclusion of his second reading speech on the
Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Bill, Tim
Wilson (Lib., Goldstein, Vic.) proposes to his partner who is seated in
the gallery—the first time a marriage proposal has been made from the floor
of the Parliament.[198]
Mr Wilson’s partner says yes.[199]
|
Tim Wilson in the House of Representatives
Image source: Auspic
Watch
Tim Wilson’s second reading speech
|
|
4 December
|
Refugees and New Zealand:
Government loses vote in the House
On 29 November, the Senate agrees to a motion calling on
the Prime Minister to accept New Zealand’s offer to resettle 150 refugees
currently in off-shore detention.[200]
The Senate requests the concurrence of the House in the
resolution.
The Senate’s message is debated in the House on 4
December, with the Government losing the vote 73 votes to 72 when two of its
MPs (Warren
Entsch and Steve
Ciobo) are absent from the chamber.[201]
The Leader of the House (Christopher Pyne) moves that the vote be held again
in accordance with standing order 132 (new division in case or error,
confusion or misadventure). The Speaker agrees, but requires the two members
to first ‘explain to the House that they missed the vote through one of the
reasons in the standing orders, notably misadventure’.[202]
The Government wins the vote when the House divides again.[203]
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4 December
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Celebration of Parliament’s first
honey harvest
On 4 December, Senate President Scott Ryan
presides over the first harvest of honey from the new hives. Over two hundred
people, including politicians, diplomats and members of the public, gather in
the Great Hall for speeches, tastings, and information sessions.
|
Bee keepers on their way to the first harvest of Parliament House honey.
Image source: Auspic
Read: Safekeeping,
a report of a roundtable on the biosecurity of the Australian honey bee,
convened by the Standing
Committee on Agriculture and Water Resources.
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6 December
|
Citizenship referrals and debate
in the House
Publication of senators and members
information in the new citizenship registers generates another wave of
speculation and debate regarding parliamentarians’ eligibility.[204]
On 5 December David
Feeney (ALP, Batman, Vic.) announces that is unable to locate
documentation confirming renunciation of his British and Irish citizenship.[205]
Mr Feeney is referred to the High Court, on motion of the Manager of
Opposition Business (Tony
Burke), the following day.[206]
This referral follows an unsuccessful
Opposition motion to refer to the High Court, in addition to the Member for
Batman, a number of other members about whose eligibility concerns had been
expressed: Justine
Keay (ALP, Braddon, Tas.); Josh
Wilson (ALP, Freemantle, WA); Susan
Lamb (ALP, Longman, Qld.); Rebekha
Sharkie (NXT, Mayo, SA); Julia
Banks (Lib., Chisholm, Vic.); Alex
Hawke (Lib., Mitchell, NSW); Nola
Marino (Lib., Forrest, WA); and Jason
Falinski (Lib., Mackellar, NSW).
When the House divides on the motion, the
vote is tied. In keeping with established precedent, the Speaker exercises
his casting vote with the ‘noes’.[207]
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David Feeney
Image source: Auspic
Watch
Mr Feeney’s statement in the Federation Chamber
Watch
the debate in the House of Representatives
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6 December
|
A further citizenship referral in
the Senate
In the upper house, by motion of her
leader, Senator Katy
Gallagher (ALP, ACT) is referred to the Court of Disputed Returns.[208]
She is the first Labor senator to be referred.
This follows earlier speculation that the
Senator held citizenship by descent from Ecuador or Britain.[209]
Senator Gallagher states that she had taken ‘all reasonable steps’ to
renounce any citizenship entitlement but did not receive confirmation of this
from the UK until 16 August 2018—some 118 days later. She also
confirms that she ‘had indeed received British citizenship from [her]
father’.[210]
Senator Gallagher stands down from the shadow cabinet and
from the position of Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate until the
matter is resolved.[211]
The Constitution requires
that candidates not hold foreign citizenship at the time they nominate.[212] The Senate
notes, in a procedural bulletin, that ‘[t]he question engaged by Senator
Gallagher’s case is whether ... [the reasonable efforts] exception may also
apply where a person has taken all necessary steps to renounce, but foreign
law – or, possibly, foreign bureaucracy – has not operated to effect a change
in status prior to nomination.’[213]
On 30 November the ACT
Legislative Assembly establishes an inquiry to determine whether the Assembly
should adopt new practices in appointing senators.[214]
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Katy Gallagher
Image source: Auspic
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6 December
|
Committee inquiry into decisions
of the Court of Disputed returns
On 6 December, the Senate refers the implications
of recent decisions made to the Joint
Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for inquiry and report by Tuesday
6 February.
The Terms of Reference are:
The implications
of recent decisions by the Court of Disputed Returns concerning section 44 of
the Constitution on questions referred by the Parliament under section 376 of
the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, with particular reference to:
(a) the decisions
in connection with the disqualification of former Senators Bob Day and Rodney
Culleton;
(b) a regime for disclosing information relating to aspects other than
section 44(i), for which the Parliament has already provided;
(c) the form such a process might take and how it could be implemented; and
(d) any related matters.[215]
Committee Chair Senator Linda Reynolds (Lib., WA) says the
inquiry is ‘an opportunity to provide greater clarity to the electoral
process.’[216]
The committee reports
in February 2018.
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6 December
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Parliament marks the 50th
anniversary of the death of Harold Holt
17 December is the 50th anniversary of the disappearance
of Prime Minister Harold Holt
at Cheviot Beach near Portsea, Victoria.[217]
On 6 December the House of Representatives marks ‘one of
the confounding events’ in Australia’s history and the life and achievements
of the 17th Prime Minister of Australia.[218]
Speaking on indulgence, the Prime Minister states:
In his short time as Prime Minister,
Harold Holt led Australia into a new era. ... As Prime Minister, he ushered in
many of the reforms that we now consider so crucial, such watersheds, in our
evolution to the modern nation we are today. He oversaw the dismantling of
the White Australia policy, throwing open our doors to people from all
corners of the world ....
He drove the historic 1967 referendum
'yes' vote, winning the overwhelming approval of the nation to empower the
Commonwealth to make laws for Aboriginal people and ensuring that our first
peoples were included in the national census. It was in his time as Prime
Minister that Australians adopted the dollar over the pound and began
navigating the shifting sands of a world with new economic rules and allegiances.
In the context of massive global geopolitical realignment he reintroduced
Australia to our region and forged deeper ties in Asia.[219]
Members of Mr Holt’s family and friends of the Holt family
are seated on the floor of the Chamber to listen to the debate.[220]
|
Harold Holt
Image source:
Parliamentary Library
Watch the statements on the anniversary of the death of
Harold Holt in the House
of Representatives
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6 December
|
Joint Committee report on modern
slavery
The Joint
Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade tables Hidden
in Plain Sight, the final report into its inquiry into establishing a
modern slavery act. The Committee recommends a new Act that would draw
together existing slavery and associated offences and, inter alia:
-
provide for an Anti-Slavery Commissioner;
- provide for mandatory supply chain reporting;
- establish a national compensation scheme for victims of modern
slavery;
- address orphanage trafficking; and
- improve criminal justice responses.[221]
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7 December
|
Nationals elect new Deputy Leader
The Nationals elect Senator Bridget
McKenzie (Vic.) as its deputy leader, replacing Fiona Nash (NSW) whose
election was ruled void under section
44(i) of the Constitution.
Senator McKenzie was first elected to the
Senate at the 2010 general election, beginning her term on 1 July 2011.
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Bridget McKenzie
Image source: Auspic
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12 December
|
Labor Senator announces his
resignation
Senator Sam
Dastyari (ALP, NSW) announces his intention not to return to the Senate
in 2018.[222]
This follows the Senator’s 30
November resignation as Deputy Opposition Whip[223]
amidst growing public controversy regarding his alleged ties to a political
donor linked to the Chinese Communist Party.[224]
On 7 December, Attorney-General George Brandis gave notice of his intention
to seek to refer Senator Dastyari to the Senate Privileges Committee.[225]
Senator Dastyari first entered Parliament
in August 2013, filling a casual vacancy caused by the resignation of Matt
Thistlethwaite (ALP, NSW).
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Sam
Dastyari
Image source: Auspic
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15 December
|
Royal Commission into Institutional
Responses to Child Sexual Abuse concludes
The Royal Commission into
Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse presents its 17 volume
final report to Governor General Sir Peter
Cosgrove. The Royal Commission was announced in November 2012 by then
Prime Minister Julia
Gillard in
November 2012[226]
and formally established in January 2013.[227]
The Royal Commission makes over 400 recommendations.[228]
On 26 October 2017, the then Minister for
Social Services Christian
Porter (Lib., Pearce, WA) introduced a
bill to establish a Commonwealth redress scheme which would provide
compensation and access to counselling to eligible survivors of institutional
child sexual abuse.[229]
On 20 June 2017, a joint select committee
is established to oversee the Royal Commission’s redress related
recommendations.[230]
The Committee,
chaired by Senator Derryn Hinch (DHJP, Vic.), held hearings and accepted
submissions in 2018. Its final reporting
date, originally in November 2018, was extended to March 2019.
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19 December
|
Major Cabinet reshuffle
Prime
Minister Malcolm Turnbull announces a much anticipated reshuffle of his
ministry.[231]
As
foreshadowed,[232]
Peter
Dutton becomes Minister for a new portfolio of Home Affairs, which brings together ‘Australia’s immigration, border protection, law enforcement and
domestic security agencies in a single portfolio’.[233]
Christian Porter (Lib., Pearce, WA) moves
from Social Services to replace George Brandis (Lib.,
Qld) as Attorney-General—with Senator Brandis to take up the position of High Commissioner to the
United Kingdom in the new year. Before entering
federal parliament, Porter served as the Attorney-General of Western
Australia.[234]
Nationals Leader Barnaby Joyce (New England, NSW) becomes Minister for Infrastructure, replacing Darren
Chester (NP, Gippsland, Vic.) who returns to the back bench.[235]
The number of women in Cabinet remains unchanged at five.[236]
Tasmania is not represented.[237]
The new Cabinet is sworn in on 20 December.
|
Governor General Sir Peter Cosgrove with the new ministry
Image source: Auspic
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22 December
|
NSW Senate recount declared
On 22 December, the High Court declares retired Major-General
Andrew James (Jim) Molan (Lib.) elected as Senator for the State of NSW,
replacing Fiona Nash (NP, NSW) whose election was ruled void on 27 October.[238]
Filling the NSW Senate vacancy has proved complicated.
Liberal Hollie Hughes had been identified by a special
count of the ballots as the candidate to fill the vacant NSW seat.
However, the High Court subsequently found that Hughes was
‘incapable of being chosen’ by operation of s 44(iv) of the Constitution, as
she had been appointed a part-time member of the Administrative Appeals
Tribunal, with effect from 1 July 2017 to 27 October 2017—and thus held an office
of profit under the Crown.[239]
The Court’s reasons confirm ‘that a Senate election is not
concluded if it returns an invalid candidate, but continues until a senator
is validly elected. Any disqualification which arises in the meantime ...
renders the candidate incapable of being chosen.’[240]
Senator
Molan is sworn in on 5 February 2018,[241]
and gives his first speech
on 14 February.[242]
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Jim Molan AO
Image source: Auspic
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