14 December 2017
PDF version [2MB]
Anna Hough
Politics and Public
Administration Section
with Dr Dianne Heriot, Parliamentary Librarian
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. Australia’s
Parliament House in 2014 and 2015: a Chronology of Events highlighted
significant milestones associated with Australia’s Parliament House and the
Parliament itself between January 2014 and December 2015. This chronology
continues the story, commencing in January 2016 and finishing in December 2016.
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
2016.
Abbreviations
AG |
Australian Greens |
ALP |
Australian Labor Party |
DHJP |
Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party |
FFP |
Family First Party |
Hon. |
Honourable |
Ind. |
Independent |
JLN |
Jacqui Lambie Network |
Lib. |
Liberal Party of Australia |
NP |
The Nationals |
NXT |
Nick Xenophon Team |
PHON |
Pauline Hanson’s One Nation |
Retd |
Retired |
Milestones
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Details
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2 February
|
Infants in the House
The Leader of the House of Representatives, Christopher
Pyne (Lib., Sturt, SA) introduces the necessary changes to amend Standing
Order 257 to allow infants to be brought into the House of
Representatives Chamber and the Federation Chamber by members. In a media
release Mr Pyne states that ‘No Member of Parliament, male or female, will
ever again be prevented from participating fully in the law making processes
of Parliament because they are also caring for their child.’[1] Previously, a member caring for a child during a division was able to cast a
proxy vote, but not to bring the child into the chamber.
The amendment, which is passed,[2] implements a recommendation of the December 2015 report of the House of
Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure, Provisions
for a more family-friendly Chamber.[3]
A similar change is made to the Senate’s
standing orders in November 2016.
|
Larissa Waters moves a motion in the
Senate while breastfeeding her baby (22 June 2017)
Image
source: ParlView
|
2 February
|
First Member of the House to have an
office on the Senate side of Parliament House
Trent
Zimmerman (Lib., North Sydney, NSW), who is sworn in on this date having
won his seat in a December 2015 by-election (following the resignation of Joe
Hockey), becomes the first Member of the House of Representatives to have
an office located on the Senate side of the building.[4] This is, however, a temporary measure pending space becoming available in the
House of Representatives wing.[5]
This unusual arrangement is the subject of
questions from the Opposition during Senate Estimates hearings on 8 February.
Correspondence from the Speaker of the House of Representatives to the
President of the Senate on the matter is tabled during the hearings.
Subsequently, other members are also given
temporary offices on the Senate side.
|
Trent Zimmerman
Image
source: Auspic
|
3 February
|
Work of Committees 2015
The Work
of Committees report released on this date notes that, in the 2015 calendar
year, Senate committees held 1,024 meetings, had 186 references, met for 2,391.57
hours, tabled over 170 reports, received 13,657 submissions and heard
evidence from 8,808 witnesses.[6]
The workload of Senate committees is the
subject of a statement by the Clerk of the Senate, Dr Rosemary Laing, at Senate estimates hearings
on 8 February.
In the 2015–16 financial year (to 10 May
2016) committees supported by the House of Representatives Committee Office
tabled 72 reports and held 55 meetings (public and private).[7]
|
|
8 February
|
‘Father of the House’ announces his
retirement
Philip
Ruddock (Lib., Berowra, NSW) announces his retirement from Parliament
after a 42-year parliamentary career,[8] which included service as a Minister and a Shadow Minister. Mr Ruddock had
been the ‘Father of the House’[9]—that
is, the Member of the House of Representatives with the longest continuous
service. William
(Billy) Hughes (1862-1952) retains the record for the longest service—51
years, including serving as Prime Minister from 1915 to 1923.
Following Mr Ruddock’s retirement from
Parliament, Kevin
Andrews (Lib., Menzies, Vic.) becomes the new Father of the House.
Minister for Foreign Affairs, Julie
Bishop (Lib., Curtin, WA), announces Mr Ruddock’s appointment as Special
Envoy for Human Rights.[10]
|
Philip Ruddock
Image
source: Auspic
|
10 February
|
Closing the Gap statement
Delivering the 2016 Closing the Gap
statement, Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull (Lib., Wentworth, NSW) states:
In 2008, the national apology to the stolen generations was
a great milestone in the healing of the nation ... And our generation seeks to
make a further amends, a further setting right, through formal recognition of
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in our Constitution ...
In the eight years since the Closing the Gap targets were
set, there has been mixed progress towards meeting them, and today again we
are seeing mixed results ... We have to stay the course on the key policy
priorities: the transformative power of education, the fulfilment that comes
from employment, and the right of all people to be safe and free from family
and domestic violence, especially women and children.[11]
The Prime Minister also announces $20 million in
additional funding over two years for the Australian Institute of Aboriginal
and Torres Strait Islander Studies, to ‘enable the collection of critical
cultural knowledge and promote an understanding of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander cultures, traditions, languages and stories, past and
present.’[12]
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill
Shorten (ALP, Maribyrnong, Vic.), says:
Including the first members of our Australian family on our
national birth certificate should be the shared goal of all Australians. It
is well past the hour for our Constitution to speak the truth about our past
and point the way forward to a more equal future ...
The gap stands as an affront to our national sense of
fairness. Closing the gap demands the best of us, the best of our collective
energies and intellect, but that is what we should aim for—the best.[13]
|
|
11 February
|
Retirement of Warren Truss; new
Nationals leadership team
Barnaby
Joyce (NP, New England, NSW) becomes the new Deputy Prime Minister and
Leader of the Nationals,[14] following the announcement by Warren
Truss (NP, Wide Bay, Qld), of his forthcoming retirement.[15] Senator Fiona
Nash (NP, NSW) becomes Deputy Leader of the party, and is the first woman
to hold the position.
|
Barnaby Joyce
Image
source: Auspic
|
12 February
|
Ministerial resignation
Stuart
Robert (Lib., Fadden, Qld) resigns from the ministry following an
investigation by the Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and
Cabinet into his August 2014 visit to China.[16] During the visit, which Mr Robert said was in a private capacity, he attended
a signing ceremony involving Nimrod Resources, the company of his friend and
travelling companion Paul Marks.[17] Mr Robert told the House ‘I am confident I have not acted inappropriately’.[18] However, the investigation found that Mr Robert held shares in a company
associated with Nimrod Resources and concluded that he had acted
inconsistently with ministerial standards.[19] The Prime Minister stated that Mr Robert had ‘asked me not to consider him in the pending reshuffle of
the ministry’.[20]
|
Stuart Robert
Image source: Auspic
|
14 February
|
50th anniversary of decimal currency in
Australia
To mark the 50th anniversary of
Australia’s switch from pounds, shillings and pence to dollars and cents, an
exhibition by the Royal Australian Mint called The Changeover is held at
Parliament House during February and March.[21]
|
Decimal currency
Image source: Auspic
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18 February
|
New ministry sworn in; number of women
in Cabinet increases
The new
ministry, announced by Prime Minister Malcolm
Turnbull on 13 February, is sworn in. The reshuffle follows announcements
by Warren Truss and Andrew
Robb (Lib., Goldstein, Vic.) of their forthcoming retirements.[22]
The number of women in Cabinet increases from
five to six with Fiona Nash’s elevation to Minister for Rural Health,
Regional Communications and Regional Development. The total number of women in
the ministry rises from nine to ten with Jane
Prentice (Lib., Ryan, Qld) becoming Assistant Minister for Disability
Services.
|
Fiona Nash
Image
source: Auspic
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22 February
|
Condolence motion for former Speaker
Bob Halverson
The House pauses to acknowledge former
Speaker Bob Halverson who died on 9 February 2016. He served as Speaker from 1996 to 1998.
In his condolence motion, Prime Minister
Malcolm Turnbull says:
Bob believed that the position of the Speaker had become
too partisan and he sought to restore independence during his tenure ... As
Speaker, Bob Halverson was the first to introduce legislation from the chair.
The bill provided an arrangement we all benefit from—the establishment and
administration of the Department of Parliamentary Services.[23]
|
Bob Halverson
Image source: Auspic
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25 February
|
Defence White Paper released
The 2016 Defence White Paper is
launched by Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and the Minister for Defence, Senator Marise
Payne (Lib., NSW). Work on the White Paper commenced in early 2014, with
its preparation having taken place under two prime ministers and three
defence ministers.[24]
The funding plan outlined in the White
Paper raises Defence funding to two per cent of Gross Domestic Product by
2020–21.[25] For the first time, all elements of the Government’s defence investment are
outlined in an Integrated Investment Program, published with the White Paper.[26] The White Paper also states that the Government will invest in 12 new
submarines, ‘with a commitment to maximise Australian industry involvement in
acquisition and sustainment’.[27]
On 18 April the ‘build locations of 12 Offshore
Patrol Vessels and up to 21 Pacific Patrol Boats, in addition to nine Future
Frigates previously announced’ was revealed.[28] Major warships will be built in Adelaide and minor vessels in Henderson,
Western Australia – an investment of ‘close to $40 billion’ which will
‘secure more than 2,500 jobs for decades to come’.[29]
On 26 April, the Government announces that
the submarines will be built in Adelaide, and that French company DCNS has
been selected as the international partner for the design of the submarines.[30] The ‘$50 billion investment’ is expected to ‘directly sustain around 1,100
Australian jobs and a further 1,700 jobs through the supply chain.’[31]
Opposition defence spokesperson Stephen
Conroy says the ALP is broadly supportive of the White Paper, but intends to
closely scrutinise the funding commitment.[32]
|
Malcolm Turnbull, Marise Payne and Chief of the Navy Vice Admiral
Tim Barrett on 18 April 2016, announcing the location of ship
building facilities for patrol vessels and frigates.
Image source: ParlView
|
29 February
|
Ministerial statement on the 25th
anniversary of the First Gulf War
The Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, Dan
Tehan (Lib., Wannon, Vic.) delivers a ministerial statement to:
... remind the House of the debt of gratitude our nation owes
to the brave men and women who served in the Persian Gulf in 1990 and 1991 ...
He continues:
Over 1,800 Australian Defence personnel were deployed to
the Gulf from August 1990 to September 1991 ... It was the first time that Australia’s
Defence Forces went to war under arrangements where it was commanded by a
Chief of Defence Force ... The tanker HMAS Westralia also made naval
history by carrying into the war seven women—two of them officers—for the
first time.[33]
The Shadow Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, David Feeney
(ALP, Batman, Vic.) also speaks in acknowledgement of the anniversary. The ministerial statement is tabled in
the Senate on 1 May, with Senators Stephen
Conroy (ALP, Vic., Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate) and Jacqui
Lambie (JLN, Tas.) speaking in response.[34]
|
Dan Tehan delivers a ministerial statement on the 25th anniversary
of the First Gulf War
Image source: ParlView
|
29 February
|
Statement by President of the Senate on
parliamentary language
The President of the Senate, Stephen Parry
(Lib., Tas.), makes a statement concerning ‘Parliamentary Language’. His
statement follows concerns about senators quoting inappropriate language in
the chamber. He states:
It is a longstanding practice, dating back to at least 1908
in the Senate and observed in other parliaments, that quoting another source
does not allow a senator to bypass the normal rules in relation to
unparliamentary language ...
In exercising their judgement on whether to quote in full
from sources containing offensive material, I would encourage senators to be
mindful of the wider audience that views or listens to proceedings, including
the frequent presence of young students in the public galleries.[35]
The President also states that he intends to refer his
statement and the associated submissions to the Procedure Committee for
consideration.[36]
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Stephen Parry
Image source: Auspic
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2 March
|
Motion to bring forward vote on
marriage equality Bill
In the House of Representatives, Terri
Butler (ALP, Griffith, Qld) seeks to move a motion that the Marriage
Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 be ‘called on immediately and ... given
priority over all other business for passage through all stages’ that day.[37] The Bill seeks to amend the Marriage Act 1961 to define marriage as a
union of two people (rather than of a man and a woman).[38]
The Government does not support the motion
and it is voted down.[39]
|
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3 March
|
Ministerial statement marking second
anniversary of flight MH370 disappearance
The Minister for Infrastructure and
Transport, Darren
Chester (Nat., Gippsland, Vic.), notes:
Tuesday, 8 March 2016 marks two years since the
disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 ... [which] disappeared with
239 people on board, including seven people who called Australia home, six of
them Australian citizens. It is fitting today that we take time to remember
the people on board and those who grieve for them ...
The Australian government is working systematically and
intensively to locate the aircraft, together with our search partners,
Malaysia and China ... Around 90,000 square kilometres of the seafloor have
been searched so far—of a total search area of 120,000 square kilometres ... As
we search the remaining area, I remain hopeful the aircraft will be found.[40]
On 17 January 2017 the Malaysian, Australian and Chinese
transport ministers jointly announce that the aircraft has not been located
and the search has been suspended.[41]
In October 2017 the Malaysian Government subsequently
enters into an agreement with US company Ocean Infinity to commence a new
search, for which Australia, at Malaysia’s request, will provide technical
assistance.[42]
|
Darren Chester delivers a
ministerial statement marking the second anniversary of the disappearance of
flight MH370
Image
source: ParlView
|
15 March
|
New Senator for Victoria
Senator
James Paterson (Lib., Vic.) is sworn in, having been chosen by the
Parliament of Victoria under section 15 of the Australian
Constitution. He fills the casual vacancy created by the resignation
of Senator
Michael Ronaldson (Lib., Vic.) on 28 February 2016.[43] Senator Paterson makes his first
speech on 16 March 2016.
|
James Paterson
Image
source: Auspic
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17 March
|
Phil Bowen reappointed as Parliamentary
Budget Officer
The Chair of the Joint Committee of Public
Accounts and Audit, Ian
Macfarlane (Lib., Groom, Qld) informs the House that the Committee has
approved the Presiding Officers’ proposal that Phil Bowen be reappointed as
Parliamentary Budget Officer for a further 12 months, commencing on 23 July 2016.[44]
The Parliamentary Budget Officer has a
four-year term, but not for a total of more than eight years. The Parliamentary
Service Act 1999 requires the Presiding Officers to not appoint a
Parliamentary Budget Officer without the Committee’s approval. Mr Bowen has
served as Parliamentary Budget Officer since the position was established in
2012.
|
Phil Bowen
Image
source: Auspic
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18 March
|
Passage of the Commonwealth Electoral
Amendment Bill
The Commonwealth
Electoral Amendment Bill 2016 passes both Houses. The Bill responds to parts of the interim and final reports of the Joint Standing
Committee on Electoral Matters Inquiry
into the 2013 federal election, abolishing group voting tickets in the
Senate and allowing optional preferential voting above the line. When the
Bill was introduced in the House, standing orders were suspended to allow it
to be introduced and passed despite the Bill having been referred to a
committee for inquiry and no advisory report having been presented.[45]
After a total of 39 hours of debate in the
Senate (at multiple sittings),[46] the Bill passes with the support of the Australian Greens.[47]
The sitting of the Senate on 17–18 March
to finalise the Bill lasts for 28 hours and 56 minutes and ‘appears to be
unique in the Senate’s history in being a continuous sitting without breaks
of any kind’ (although not the longest debate on a single Bill).[48] Senator
Nick Xenophon (NXT, SA) marks the duration by appearing in the chamber
wearing pyjamas and carrying a pillow.[49]
A subsequent High Court challenge to the
validity of the legislation brought by Senator
Bob Day (FFP, SA) and others, is dismissed by the Court on 13 May 2016.[50] Senator Day and the other plaintiffs had argued that the legislation
contravened constitutional provisions that senators be ‘directly chosen by
the people’.[51]
|
Victorian senate ballot paper 2016
Image source: Hshook, Wikimedia
Commons
|
18 March
|
Passage of the Territories Legislation
Amendment Bill
The Territories
Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 passes both Houses. The Bill
(among other provisions) amends other legislation to extend all Commonwealth
laws to Norfolk Island, unless expressly provided otherwise; and requires
eligible Norfolk Island residents to enrol and vote in federal elections.[52] In his second reading speech, the Minister for Territories, Paul
Fletcher (Lib., Bradfield, NSW), says the Bill:
... is another step towards the Turnbull government meeting
its commitment to provide reform in relation to Norfolk Island ... in addition
to applying Commonwealth laws, the territories bill will ensure the Norfolk
Island community is properly represented in the Commonwealth parliament ...[53]
The changes follow reforms to Norfolk Island’s
governance in 2015 which abolished the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly,
replacing it with an Advisory Council, to transition to an elected Regional
Council from July 2016.[54]
In April, former Norfolk Island Chief Minister Lisle
Snell called for a royal commission into what he referred to as the
‘Australian takeover’ of Norfolk Island, and human rights lawyer Geoffrey
Robertson delivered a petition against the perceived takeover signed by Norfolk Islanders to the United
Nations in New York.[55]
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Norfolk Island
Image source: Steve Daggar, Wikimedia
Commons
|
21 March
|
Request to prorogue Parliament
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull writes to
the Governor‑General, Peter Cosgrove, requesting that Parliament be
prorogued on Friday 15 April and summoned to sit again on Monday 18 April.[56] The request,
made under section 5 of the Constitution (which enables the Governor‑General to prorogue the Parliament) is
agreed to and proclaimed by the Governor-General.[57]
The Prime Minister states that Parliament
is being prorogued and then recalled in order to consider two sets of
legislation:
Building
and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013 and Building
and Construction Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill
2013 (ABCC Bills); and Fair
Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014.[58]
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, responds:
... Labor will not get distracted by Mr Turnbull’s games. If
he wants Parliament to sit on April 18th, we will turn up, of course we will,
but we won’t be distracted on behalf of the interests of the Australian
people by Mr Turnbull’s games.[59]
|
The Prime Minister’s letter to the
Governor-General
Image
source: Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia
|
15 April
|
Parliament is prorogued
Proroguing a Parliament, in effect,
terminates the current session of Parliament without dissolving either House,
and therefore without requiring an election.[60] As a result of prorogation, all business on the Senate and House notice
papers lapses.[61]
Although in recent times it has been
unusual to prorogue the Parliament, it was more common in the 1960s and
earlier.[62] Until 1925 ‘Parliament was prorogued before a dissolution of the House of
Representatives and once or twice each Parliament, but, after 1925, for
reasons unknown, the practice of proroguing before a dissolution was
discontinued and not restored until 1993’.[63] Parliament was last prorogued and then recalled before an election in 1977 to
allow the Queen to open Parliament.[64]
Proroguing the Parliament with the express
aim of recalling the Senate to consider legislation is unusual.[65] Had the Parliament not been prorogued, there was a risk that the Senate may not
have agreed to return early from its scheduled recess. On 17 March, the
Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Penny
Wong, had stated:
I want to make it very clear, from the Labor Party’s
perspective, that we will not be agreeing to a sitting of the Senate that is
not currently scheduled simply to assist this government in an election
timetable.[66]
The successful prorogation sets the stage
for the possibility of a double dissolution election.
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18 April
|
Parliament resumes after prorogation
Following the prorogation of Parliament on
15 April Parliament is opened by the Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove, for
a new session. In his speech opening the new session of parliament, he says:
The cause for which I have recalled the Parliament is to
enable it and, in particular, the Senate to give full and timely
consideration to two important parcels of industrial legislation—the Bills to
provide for the re-establishment of the Australian Building and Construction
Commission, and the Bill to improve the governance and transparency of
registered organisations. These Bills are critical to my Government’s reform
agenda.[67]
The Senate receives a message from the
House of Representatives requesting that the Senate resume consideration of
the Building and Construction Industry Bills.[68] The Senate complies and the legislation is defeated a second time.[69] This action sets in motion the process for a double dissolution election by
providing a double dissolution ‘trigger’.[70]
|
Image: Governor-General Sir Peter
Cosgrove opens the 2nd Session of the 44th Parliament
Image
source: ParlView
Watch: Opening
of the 2nd Session of the 44th Parliament (ParlView)
|
19 April
|
Prime Minister announces likely date of
double dissolution election
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull states that he intends to advise the Governor-General to dissolve both houses of
parliament under powers provided by section 57 of the Constitution.[71] Mr Turnbull says he expects a federal election will be held on 2 July.[72]
|
Malcolm Turnbull
Image
source: Auspic
|
2 May
|
Supply Bills introduced
Peter
Hendy (Lib., Eden-Monaro, NSW), the Assistant Cabinet Secretary and
Assistant Minister for Finance, introduces supply Bills into the House.[73] Supply Bills seek appropriations to facilitate the continuation of normal
government business. They were common between Federation and 1993 but, since
then, governments have ‘generally delivered the Budget and tabled the annual
Appropriation Bills in May, prior to the commencement of the next financial
year’, thereby negating the need for supply Bills.[74]
The passage of the supply Bills on
3 May allows the government to fund ordinary services during the
(anticipated) election period, before the 2016–17 Budget Bills are considered
and passed by the new Parliament.[75] The appropriation Bills are passed by both Houses on 7 November.[76]
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2 May
|
New Senator for Western Australia
Patrick
Dodson (ALP, WA) is sworn in, having been chosen by the Parliament of
Western Australia under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that state in the Senate.[77] He fills the casual vacancy created by the resignation of Joe Bullock (ALP,
WA). In his valedictory speech on 1 March, Senator Bullock stated that he was
resigning due to his disagreement with his party’s policy on same-sex
marriage, adopted at its 2015 national conference.[78] Senator Dodson makes his first
speech on 1 September, saying:
I will be working in this place to: make sure that fewer
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians are locked up in our
prisons; help develop northern Australia, in partnership with regional
communities, industries and Aboriginal people; build consensus on changing
our constitutional framework, recognising the need for meaningful discussions
with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on a treaty or treaties;
and ensure Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians and their
organisations are key decision makers and empowered partners in programs to
transform the current levels of injustice and bureaucratic domination.[79]
As at the date of publication, Senator
Dodson is one of five Indigenous
senators and members in the Parliament, the others being: Senators Lambie (JLN, Tas.)
and McCarthy (ALP, NT), Assistant Minister Ken Wyatt (Lib.,
Hasluck, WA) and Ms Linda Burney (ALP, Barton,
NSW).
Following the retirement of shadow
minister Gary
Gray, the Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, announces a reshuffle
of shadow cabinet on 4 May. Senator Dodson is appointed—on his third day in
parliament—Shadow Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader.[80]
|
Patrick Dodson
Image
source: Auspic
|
3 May
|
Constitutional questions raised by
Senate amendments to a Bill
The Speaker, Tony
Smith (Lib., Casey, Vic.) informs the House that Senate amendments to the Northern
Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016 ‘raise an important point of
constitutional principle’.[81] He explains:
The amendments propose to amend the definition of ‘Northern
Australia’ in the bill. Such change in the definition would change the
destination of the appropriation in clause 41 of the bill.
There is doubt that the Senate may proceed in such
circumstances by way of amendments because of the requirements of section 53
of the Constitution. Among other things, this section prohibits the Senate
from amending a bill so as to increase ‘any proposed charge or burden on the
people’.[82]
The House resolves the issue by disagreeing to the
Senate amendments, but making identical amendments in their place.[83] The Senate agrees to the amendments, but the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator
Gavin Marshall, notes:
Amending a bill to change the allocation of proposed
expenditure and the purposes for which money is to be appropriated has long
been considered to be within the power of the Senate, provided that the total
proposed, or available, expenditure is not increased. In these circumstances,
the Senate has taken the view that changing definitions to extend the
allocation of funding are appropriately made by amendments rather than
requests for amendments.[84]
|
Speaker Tony Smith addresses the
House
Image
source: ParlView
|
3 May
|
2016-17 Budget delivered
Treasurer Scott
Morrison (Lib., Cook, NSW) delivers the 2016–17 Budget, his first. The
Budget has been brought forward by a week to allow for a possible double
dissolution election.
In his Budget speech Mr Morrison says:
Australians know that our future depends on how well we
continue to grow and shape our economy as we transition from the
unprecedented mining investment boom to a stronger, more diverse, new economy
... This is a very sensitive time ... This economic plan is the foundation on
which we can build a brighter, more secure future, in a stronger new economy
with more jobs.[85]
In his speech in reply, on 5 May,
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten responds:
This budget was meant to be Malcolm Turnbull’s
justification for rolling Tony Abbott ... Australians are left to wonder why he
bothered ... From Tony’s tradies to Malcolm’s millionaires, this is a budget
for big business over the battlers.[86]
Due to the expected dissolution of both Houses prior to
an election, the Senate Estimates period is shortened to two days (5 and 6
May).[87]
|
Scott Morrison
Image
source: Auspic
|
4 May
|
Senator declines to appear before
Privileges Committee
Senator
Arthur Sinodinos (Lib., NSW) declines to appear before the Senate Finance
and Public Administration References Committee and the matter is referred to
the Privileges Committee.[88]
On 19 April the Senate had agreed to an
ALP motion for the Senate Finance and Public Administration References
Committee to inquire into associated entities of political parties, and
‘(that) Senator Sinodinos appear before the committee to answer questions’.[89]
The resulting Privileges Committee inquiry lapsed at upon the dissolution of Parliament on 9 May 2016.
|
Arthur Sinodinos
Image
source: Auspic
|
4 May
|
Former member found guilty of contempt
and reprimanded by the House
The House of Representatives passes a
motion finding Craig Thomson,
the former member for Dobell, guilty of contempt and reprimanding him.[90] The motion follows the report of the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests presented on 17 March
2016 which recommended that the House find Mr Thomson guilty of contempt in
relation to his statement on 21 May 2012 and the findings made against him by
the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on 18 February 2014.[91]
|
Craig Thomson
Image
source: Auspic
|
5 May
|
Philip Lowe appointed new Governor of
the Reserve Bank
The Treasurer, Scott Morrison, announces
to the House that Dr Philip Lowe has been appointed as the next Governor of
the Reserve Bank, with his term commencing in September when the term of the
current governor, Mr Glenn Stevens, ends.[92] Dr Lowe has served as the deputy governor of the Reserve Bank since 2012.[93]
|
Reserve Bank of Australia building, Sydney
Image source: Danausi, Wikimedia
Commons
|
8 May
|
Governor-General accepts request to
dissolve both Houses
The Prime Minister announces the Governor‑General
has accepted his request under section 57 of the Constitution to
dissolve both houses of Parliament effective 9 May 2016, and to call a double
dissolution election for both Houses for 2 July 2016.[94] The announcement follows the Senate’s rejection of the Building and
Construction Industry Bills on 18 April 2016.[95]
The 2016 federal election will be the
seventh time Australia has had a double dissolution election. Double
dissolution elections were also held in 1914, 1951, 1974, 1975, 1983 and 1987,[96] making the 2016 election the first in almost thirty years.
|
|
9 May
|
Dissolution of both Houses
Both houses of Parliament are dissolved by proclamation of
the Governor-General. The Official Secretary to the Governor-General, Mark Fraser, reads the
proclamation in front of Parliament House. The signed proclamation is then
displayed inside the building.
9 May is also the anniversary of the
opening of the first Federal Parliament in 1901, as well as the opening of
the provisional and new parliamentary buildings in 1927 and 1988.[97]
|
Watch: Simultaneous
Dissolution of the Senate and the House of Representatives
Source: ParlView
|
9 May
|
Retirements and departures
The dissolution of both Houses marks the departure
of 23 members and four senators who are not contesting the upcoming election.
Between them, the departing parliamentarians have over 450 years of
parliamentary experience,[98] with many having served as Ministers. They include the second longest-serving
MP in Australian parliamentary history, Philip
Ruddock (Lib., Berowra, NSW), and the longest-serving female
parliamentarian in Australian parliamentary history, Bronwyn
Bishop (Lib., Mackellar, NSW). Mr Ruddock retires with over 42 years of
parliamentary service (second only to Billy
Hughes’ record of 51 years), while Mrs Bishop has served for 28 years
(across both Houses).
|
Bronwyn Bishop
Image
source: Auspic
|
9 May to 2 July
|
Election campaign
The 2016 federal election campaign spans 55 days between
the Prime Minister’s announcement of the election and polling day. It is the
longest Australian federal election campaign since 1969 and almost twice the
average campaign length since then.[99]
While the election was called after the
Senate failed to pass industrial relations legislation, Medicare emerges as
the most prominent issue of the campaign.[100]
|
|
16 May
|
Death of Romaldo Giurgola
Romaldo (Aldo) Giurgola, the architect of
Australia’s Parliament House, dies at age 95. As senior partner of Mitchell/Giurgola
& Thorp Architects, Mr Giurgola was the principal design architect for the
building from its inception until 1999.
In a media release, the Presiding
Officers:
... acknowledge Mr Giurgola not only as an exceptional
architect of Parliament House but one who, along with a great team of
architects, helped to make the Australian Parliament House the iconic symbol
of democracy that it has become.[101]
Mr Giurgola’s career began in Italy,
continued in the United States of America, and culminated in Australia.[102] He also had a distinguished academic career, which included serving as head
of the Department of Architecture at Columbia University, New York.[103] Mr Giurgola received numerous awards throughout his career, including the
Officer of the Order of Australia, the Royal Australian Institute of
Architects Gold Medal, the Gold Medal of the American Institute of
Architects, the Australian Centenary Medal and the Sir Zelman Cowen Award for
Public Buildings.[104]
A celebration of Mr Giurgola’s life and
his contribution to architecture is held in the Great Hall of Parliament
House in August.[105] An exhibition in the Marble Foyer in November and December also celebrates Mr
Giurgola and his achievements.
|
|
2 July
|
Election
Day
The 2016 federal election is held. The
election is the first to be conducted under the new optional preferential
voting system for the Senate.[106]
The close result means that no party
claims victory until 10 July, when Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
declares ‘We have won the election’ and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten
concedes defeat.[107]
The Australian Electoral Commission
returns the writs for the election on 8 August. Ultimately, the Coalition is
returned with 76 seats, a slim majority of one in the House of
Representatives, and faces an enlarged crossbench in the Senate—with 20
members it is the largest since Federation.[108] The election also sees the return of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation, which gains
four Senate seats including a Queensland Senate seat for Pauline Hanson
herself.[109]
In the House, there are five
crossbenchers, including Rebekha Sharkie (Mayo, SA), the first member of the Nick Xenophon Team to be elected to the
lower house.[110] A majority of crossbenchers in the House agree to support the government on
matters of supply and confidence.[111] The 45th Parliament includes 39 new members of the House of Representatives
and 14 new senators.[112]
One of the new members, Linda Burney (ALP,
Barton, NSW), becomes the first Indigenous woman elected to the House of
Representatives.[113] Anne
Aly (ALP, Cowan, WA) becomes the first Muslim woman elected to the
federal parliament.[114]
|
Image source: Dude7248 (Own workown), Wikimedia Commons
|
12 July
|
Parliament House lawns vandalised
The lawns on the House of Representatives
side of Parliament House are damaged by vandals who used chemicals to write
political messages on the grass. The Department of Parliamentary Services
immediately commences restoration work on the lawns.[115] The messages appeared to include references to ‘hemp’.[116]
|
Parliament House lawns (undamaged)
Image
source: Wilson Afonso,
flickr
|
24 August
|
Police raid at Parliament House
The Australian Federal Police (AFP)
executes a search warrant at Parliament House as part of an investigation
into the alleged leak of NBN Co documents.[117] This follows AFP raids on Senator
Stephen Conroy’s (ALP, Vic.) Melbourne electorate office and the home of a
staff member for then opposition communications spokesperson Jason Clare
(Blaxland, NSW) in May 2016, during the federal election campaign.[118] Senator Conroy and Mr Clare claim parliamentary
privilege over the material seized by the AFP.[119]
Within Parliament House ‘the police are
subject to the authority of the Speaker and the President and their powers
are limited by the powers and privileges of the respective Houses’.[120]
In a statement to the House on 13
September the Speaker, Tony Smith, advises:
... this material is now being held securely in the office of
the Clerk of the House. The member for Blaxland is seeking a ruling from the
House in relation to his claim of parliamentary privilege, as is provided
under the guideline.
This is the first occasion on which a ruling has been
sought from the House under the guideline.[121]
The matter is referred to the House
Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests and the Committee
presents its report to the House on 28 November, upholding the claim of
parliamentary privilege over the material.[122]
The Senate Standing Committee of
Privileges conducts its own inquiry into Senator Conroy’s claim of
parliamentary privilege. The Committee’s preliminary report makes no
recommendation on the matter of parliamentary privilege, but a further report
tabled on 28 March 2017 recommends that the Senate adopt the Committee’s
finding that privilege should be upheld.[123] The Senate also establishes a separate inquiry
into parliamentary privilege and the use of intrusive powers.
|
Australian Federal Police patch
Image source: Dave Conner, flickr
|
30 August
|
Opening and composition of the 45th
Parliament
The opening of the 45th Parliament begins
with a Welcome to Country address by Ngunnawal elder Tina Brown and a smoking
ceremony. Such ceremonies have been held at the opening of each parliament
since 2008. Next, the 45th Parliament is officially opened by the
Governor‑General, Sir Peter Cosgrove. In his speech,
the Governor-General outlines the Government’s agenda for the 45th
Parliament.
At the commencement of the 45th
Parliament, the House of Representatives comprises: 76 Coalition members; 69
ALP members; two Independents; one Australian Greens member; one Katter’s
Australian Party member; and one member of the Nick Xenophon Team.[124] The Senate comprises: 30 Coalition senators, 26 ALP senators; nine Australian
Greens senators; and 11 minor party senators.[125]
The number of women in Parliament has
risen from 69 (31 per cent) in the 44th Parliament to 73 (32 per cent)
in the 45th Parliament.[126] For the first time at the commencement of a Parliament, all major parties
have a female leader or deputy leader.[127]
One of the first orders of business for
the new Parliament is the election of the Presiding Officers. The Speaker of
the House,[128] Tony Smith, and the President of the Senate, Stephen Parry, are both
re-elected unopposed.[129] In keeping with tradition, the Speaker is symbolically dragged to the chair
by colleagues.[130]
|
Tina Brown gives the Welcome to
Country address
Image
source: ParlView
Sir Peter
Cosgrove inspects the Guard
Image
source: Auspic
Watch: The opening of the 45th Parliament
Tony Smith
is dragged to the Speaker’s chair by colleagues Michael Sukkar and Lucy Wicks
Image
source: ParlView
|
30 August
|
Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull,
congratulates the Australian athletes who competed in the Olympic Games in
Rio de Janeiro, saying:
For a country of 24 million we have again punched above our
weight—an outstanding achievement and a credit to each of our athletes. The
team brought home eight gold medals, 11 silver and 10 bronze ... I speak on
behalf of all honourable members and indeed all Australians in saying
congratulations on a job well done.[131]
The Leader of the Opposition, Bill Shorten, says:
It is a pleasure to join the Prime Minister in
congratulating all 422 of our Australian Olympians on their efforts in Rio.
Before we go any further, we send the goodwill and best wishes of this House
and the Australian people to the 178 members of our Paralympic Team who are
preparing for their games which will begin on 7 September.[132]
|
Olympic rings
Image
source: Wikimedia Commons
|
31 August
|
Rotation of senators
Section 13 of the Constitution states that, following a double dissolution election, the Senate must
decide which senators will serve a full six-year term, and which will
serve a three-year term and face election at the next federal election. At
each federal election, other than a double dissolution election, half of the
State senators are elected on a rotating basis for a six-year term. Territory senators, however, must
face re-election at each federal election.
The Senate resolves the issue on its
second sitting day.[133] Senator
Mitch Fifield (Lib., Vic.) moves:
That, pursuant to section 13 of the Constitution, the
senators chosen for each state be divided into two classes, as follows:
Senators listed at positions 7 to 12 on the certificate of
election of senators for each state shall be allocated to the first class and
receive 3 year terms.
Senators listed at positions 1 to 6 on the certificate of
election of senators for each state shall be allocated to the second class
and receive 6 year terms.[134]
The motion is passed
by 50 votes to 15, with Coalition and ALP senators voting in favour and
those voting against including Senators Day, Hinch, Leyonhjelm and the Nick
Xenophon Team and Australian Greens senators.[135]
|
Senate chamber
Watch: Motion
on the rotation of Senators
Source: ParlView
|
31 August
|
First speech by the
first Indigenous woman to be elected to the House of Representatives
Linda
Burney (ALP, Barton, NSW), the first Indigenous woman to be elected to
the House of Representatives, is sung into the Parliament by her Wiradjuri
sister Lynette Riley, before making her first
speech.[136] In her speech, she speaks briefly in the Wiradjuri language.[137]
Ms Burney previously served in the New
South Wales (NSW) Parliament, becoming the first Indigenous member of that
Parliament upon her election in 2003.[138] In 2007 she became the first Indigenous person to serve as a minister in the
NSW Parliament.
|
Linda Burney
Image
source: Auspic
Watch: Linda Burney’s first speech
Source: ParlView
|
31 August
|
Building and Construction Bills and
Budget Bills reintroduced
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull re-introduces the Bills that
triggered the double dissolution election: the Building and Construction
Industry (Improving Productivity) Bill 2013, the Building and Construction
Industry (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 (ABCC Bills),
and the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014.[139] The Budget
Savings Omnibus Bill 2016 is introduced by the Treasurer on the same day.[140]
|
|
31 August
|
Largest number of sponsors for a Bill
The Racial
Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 is sponsored
by 20 senators on its introduction to the Senate, making it the Bill with
the largest number of sponsors in the history of the Parliament.[141] The Bill seeks to amend section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (which makes unlawful certain offensive acts that are done because of race,
colour or national or ethnic origin) to remove the words ‘offend’ and
‘insult’.[142]
|
|
1 September
|
Ministerial statement on national
security
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull,
provides an update to the House on national security. In his ministerial
statement, he says:
... Daesh [also known as ISIL or ISIS] is presently the most
immediate security challenge that directly affects us all ... and it is
therefore my focus today ... In order to defeat this despotic and barbaric
movement, we are working closely with our friends and allies to destroy it at
its core: its so-called caliphate in Syria and Iraq ... That is why a
400-member Australian Defence Force Air Task Group is conducting air strikes
over Daesh strongholds in Iraq and Syria and a similar number of ADF
personnel are training and assisting Iraqi ground forces ...Now the tide has
turned in the Middle Eastern fight against Daesh.[143]
The Prime Minister concludes:
We cannot be effective if we are creating division, whether
by fomenting distrust within the Muslim community or inciting fear of Muslims
in broader society ... The aim of extremists, including those committing
violence through a warped and nihilistic interpretation of religion, is to
divide us and to turn our citizens against each other. But we will not let
them win.[144]
|
Malcolm Turnbull delivers a ministerial statement on national
security
Image source: ParlView
|
1 September
|
Government loses votes on the floor of
the House of Representatives
The Coalition Government loses three votes
on the floor of the House of Representatives: a motion to adjourn; a motion
on the closure of debate; and an amendment requiring the House to consider a
message (concerning the establishment of a banking royal commission) from the
Senate immediately.[145] The votes were lost because a number of Coalition members were absent from
the House, some reportedly having left to fly home to their electorates.[146]
All of the lost votes were on procedural
matters. In the third vote, the Speaker, Tony Smith, uses his casting vote to
decide the matter, noting:
... the principles regarding a casting vote by the Speaker
are outlined in House of Representatives Practice—specifically on page
183—and they include that the Speaker should vote to allow further discussion
where this is possible.[147]
The last time a majority government lost a
division in the House was in 1962.[148]
The House of Representatives Practice notes that ‘[a]lthough it has been claimed that the loss of control of the
business of the House is a matter over which Governments should resign, the
loss of a vote on such an issue is not necessarily fatal for a Government’.[149]
|
Tony Smith
Image
source: Auspic
|
12 September
|
Ministerial statement on the economy
and national security
Following the G20, ASEAN-Australian
Summit, East Asia Summit and Pacific Islands Forums, the Prime Minister makes
a statement in the House on the economy and national security. On the
economy, the Prime Minister says:
... we must not respond to global and domestic volatility by
giving in to populists peddling the empty promises of isolationism and the
false hopes of protectionism ... At the G20, all leaders acknowledged that
subdued global economic growth and rapid change is playing into anxiety over
industries that are left behind. There is understandable fear about what this
means for economic circumstances, economic security in certain communities.[150]
On national security, the Prime Minister says:
North Korea’s ongoing provocative, dangerous and
destabilising behaviour aggravates tensions in the region and threatens peace
and security.[151]
|
Malcolm Turnbull makes a ministerial statement on the economy and
national security
Image source: ParlView
|
12 September
|
30 millionth visitor to Parliament
House
On or around this date, Parliament House
welcomes its 30 millionth visitor since its opening in 1988.[152]
In the 2015–16 financial year, 725,992
people visited Parliament House.[153]
|
Parliament House on its opening day in
1988
Image
courtesy of National Archives of Australia
|
13 September
|
Electronic petitions in the House
The Speaker informs the House that an
electronic petitions (e‑petitions) website and system have been
developed for the House.[154] The system will allow members of the public to enter and sign petitions
online and to track their progress. It becomes available later in September.[155] Later that day the House amends its standing
orders to enable e-petitions.
|
|
13 September
|
Unusual Question on Notice
Terri
Butler (ALP, Griffith, Qld) asks the Leader of the Opposition, Bill
Shorten, a Question without Notice (on the subject of Mr Shorten’s private
member’s Bill on marriage equality).[156] It is rare, but
not unprecedented, for a question on notice to be directed to a member
other than a Minister or Parliamentary Secretary.[157]
|
Terri Butler in Question Time
Image
source: ParlView
|
14 September
|
Introduction of Plebiscite (Same-Sex
Marriage) Bill 2016
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull,
introduces the Plebiscite
(Same-Sex Marriage) Bill 2016 into the House. In his second reading
speech he says:
I present to the House today the commitment that we made in
the election campaign to put the question of whether same-sex couples will be
allowed to marry under Australian law to the Australian people in a
plebiscite ... I ask the opposition today, I ask the Leader of the Opposition
today, to support this plebiscite.[158]
The Bill is rejected by the Senate on 7 November.[159]
|
|
15 September
|
Dr Rosemary Laing to retire as Clerk of
the Senate
Dr Rosemary Laing, the Clerk of the
Senate, annouces her forthcoming retirement. Dr Laing has worked for the
Senate for 26 years, serving as Clerk since 2009.[160]
|
Rosemary Laing
Image
source: Auspic
|
30 September
|
Resignation of Senator Stephen Conroy
Senator Stephen Conroy (ALP, Vic.) resigns,
creating a casual vacancy in the Senate.[161] Senator Conroy served as a senator for twenty years, including as a Minister.
Instead of giving his resignation speech he tables it during debate on the
Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016, taking colleagues and the media by
surprise.[162]
|
Stephen Conroy
Image source: Auspic
|
10 October
|
Parliamentary Commission of
Inquiry—Lionel Murphy
The President of the Senate, Stephen
Parry, and the Speaker of the House, Tony Smith, make statements in their
respective Houses regarding the release of documents from the 1986
Parliamentary Commission of Inquiry into the conduct of Justice Lionel Murphy (a former senator). The Commission’s role was to determine whether
Justice Murphy’s conduct constituted misbehaviour under section 72 of
the Constitution.[163] The inquiry was discontinued in August 1986 when Justice Murphy became
terminally ill, and legislation was passed which gave the presiding officers
exclusive possession of the documents of the Commission for 30 years from its
commencement.[164]
Following the expiration of the 30-year
period on 26 September 2016, the presiding officers advise that
they:
... have determined that the Clerks of the Senate and the
House of Representatives and other nominees approved by us can access and
examine the records of the commission for the purposes of providing advice to
assist in our responses to requests for access ... We are awaiting advice on
the contents of the records before determining any arrangements for wider
access to them.[165]
The class B records are made available on the Australian
Parliament House website on 19 December 2016, while the class A
records will be tabled in both houses on 14 September 2017.[166]
|
Lionel Murphy in 1973
Image source: Rob Mieremet/Anefo, Wikimedia
Commons
|
10 October
|
Equal rights motion
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull moves a
motion in support of equal rights for all Australians. The motion states:
That this House:
(1) reaffirms its commitment to the right
of all Australians to enjoy equal rights and be treated with equal respect
regardless of race, colour, creed or origin;
(2) reaffirms its commitment to
maintaining an immigration policy wholly non-discriminatory on grounds of
race, colour, creed or origin;
(3) reaffirms its commitment to the
process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people,
in the context of redressing their profound social and economic disadvantage;
(4) reaffirms its commitment to
maintaining Australia as a culturally diverse, tolerant and open society,
united by an overriding commitment to our nation, and its democratic
institutions and values; and
(5) denounces racial intolerance in any
form as incompatible with the kind of society we are and want to be.[167]
The motion is referred to the
Federation Chamber for debate on 23 November 2016.[168] On the
same day, members from the Government and the Opposition speak in support of
the motion.[169]
|
Watch: Equal rights motion
Source: ParlView
|
12 October
|
Prime Minister of Singapore addresses
the Parliament
The Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee
Hsien Loong, addresses the Parliament—the first time a Singaporean Prime
Minister has done so. In his address, Prime Minister Lee says:
I am honoured to address you in this Parliament House
today. I am also very happy that with a comprehensive strategic partnership,
the CSP, Singapore's relationship with Australia has reached another
significant milestone.[170]
In a press conference the following day
with Prime Minister Lee, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull says that the CSP ‘is the most comprehensive upgrade and update to an Australian free
trade agreement to date’.[171]
|
Lee Hsien Loong
Image
source: ParlView
Watch: Address by the Prime Minister of Singapore, Mr Lee
Hsien Loong, to Senators and Members
Source: ParlView
|
12 October
|
Opposition second reading amendment
passes the House
The Coalition Government accidentally
votes in favour of a motion which calls on the Government to explain ‘why it has failed to close tax
loopholes and increase transparency in Australia’. [172] It is the first time a second reading amendment has passed the House of
Representatives.[173]
Later in the day, the Speaker makes the
following statement to the House:
Earlier today, the question on a second reading amendment
moved by the member for Fenner on the International Tax Agreements Amendment
Bill 2016 was put to the House and, as I understand it, called for the ayes ...
the amendment was validly passed and proceedings on the bill should have
ceased at that point. I understand that questions on the second and third
readings of the bill were then put. This should not have happened and those
proceedings were not valid.
... House of Representatives Practice discusses the
possibility of a second reading amendment being agreed to and states ...
‘procedural actions could be taken to restore the bill to the notice paper
and have the second reading moved on another occasion.’ ... I consider this a
reasonable course of action and I will permit that to occur.[174]
|
Watch: ParlView
|
13 October
|
Senate photography ban lifted
A motion to lift restrictions on
photography in the Senate chamber, moved by Senator Derryn
Hinch (DHCP, Vic.), is passed by the Senate,[175] bringing it into line with the media rules operating in the House of
Representatives chamber.[176]
The Senate photography restrictions have
been in place since 2002 and their removal follows an extended campaign by
photographers and media organisations. [177]
|
Derryn Hinch moves a motion to lift
restrictions on photography in the Senate chamber
Image
source: ParlView
|
18 October
|
Ministerial statement—Iraq
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull,
updates the House on the battle against Daesh (also known as ISIL or ISIS). He
says:
... Iraqi security forces have commenced operations to
liberate Mosul from the terrorist group Daesh, or ISIL. Australia is making a
vital contribution to this campaign, as our forces have done in the
successful recapture of other centres from Daesh, such as Ramadi ...
The defeat of Daesh is critical for Iraq, for the region
and for Australia. From Daesh controlled territory in Iraq and Syria, this
Islamic terrorist network has directed and inspired attacks in Australia and
around the world ...
As we continue the fight against Daesh on the battlefield
in the Middle East, our thoughts and prayers are with our service men and
women, along with their families at home.[178]
|
|
25 October
|
New senator for Victoria
Kimberley
Kitching is appointed by a joint sitting of the two houses of the Victorian Parliament to the
casual vacancy created by the resignation of Senator Stephen Conroy on 30 September.[179] Senator Kitching (ALP, Vic.) is sworn
in on 7 November and makes her first
speech on 9 November.[180]
|
Kimberley Kitching
Image source: Auspic
|
1 November
|
Senator Bob Day resigns
Senator
Bob Day (FFP, SA) resigns from the Senate, citing the withdrawal of a
potential investor in his housing companies, which have been placed in
liquidation.[181] He says ‘I will now devote my time and energy to assisting those who have
been affected by the company’s closure’.[182]
His resignation comes amidst controversy
about his eligibility under subsection 44(iii) of the Constitution,
which disqualifies undischarged bankrupts or insolvents, and/or subsection 44(v)
of the Constitution to sit in the Senate, a question subsequently resolved by the High Court in
2017.[183] On 5 April 2017 the High Court ruled unanimously that he was ‘incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator
by reason of s 44(v) of the Constitution’ and that ‘the resulting vacancy
should be filled by a special count of ballot papers’.
Section 44(v) states ‘Any person who:
... has any direct or indirect pecuniary interest in any
agreement with the Public Service of the Commonwealth otherwise than as a
member and in common with the other members of an incorporated company
consisting of more than twenty-five persons; shall be incapable of being
chosen or of sitting as a senator or a member of the House of
Representatives.
|
Bob Day
Image
source: Auspic
|
2 November
|
Visit by King Willem-Alexander and
Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
The King and Queen of the Netherlands
visit Parliament House as part of a state visit to Australia from 31 October
to 4 November. Their Majesties are accompanied by the Dutch Ministers
for Foreign Affairs, Trade and Economic Affairs, and a commercial delegation.[184] The state visit, their first to Australia, coincides with commemorative
activities marking the occasion of the 400th anniversary of the landing in
Western Australia of Dutch explorer Dirk Hartog.[185]
|
King Willem-Alexander
Image
source: Royal House of the Netherlands, Wikimedia Commons
|
7 November
|
Senate refers Day and Culleton matters
to the High Court
Under section 376 of the Commonwealth Electoral Act
1918, the Senate refers two matters to the High Court sitting as the
Court of Disputed Returns.[186] Both matters involve the qualification of senators under section 44 of
the Constitution.
The first involves a possible pecuniary conflict of interest relating to the
lease for an electoral office for former Senator Day (FFP, SA). The second matter relates to Senator
Culleton (PHON, WA) and his conviction for larceny which was
subsequently annulled, but had stood throughout the election period.
|
Read: Related
documents
|
7 November
|
Ceremony commemorating members of the
House of Representatives who died in office
A private rose planting ceremony is held
in the Parliament House gardens in memory of the three members of the House
of Representatives who died while serving in office since the building opened
in 1988—Greg Wilton (2000), Peter Nugent (2001) and Don Randall (2015).
|
|
8 November
|
Infants in the Senate
The Senate adopts a recommendation of the
Procedure Committee’s First
report of 2016,[187] amending the Standing Orders to allow in the chamber an infant being
breastfed or ‘briefly cared for’ by a senator, ‘provided the business of the
Senate is not disrupted’.[188] The amendment was proposed by Larissa
Waters (AG, Qld).
The amendment follows similar changes
implemented in the House on 2 February 2016 (see entry for that date).
Since 2003, Senate standing orders (175.3)
had permitted a senator to bring an infant into the chamber while
breastfeeding, but not at other times.[189]
|
|
21 November
|
Member for Hotham sworn in
The member for Hotham, Clare
O’Neil, is sworn
in, having been on parental leave since the commencement of the 45th
Parliament.
|
Clare O’Neil
Image
source: Auspic
|
21 November
|
Nationals senators cross the floor over
shotgun ban
Two Nationals senators, Bridget
McKenzie (Vic.) and John Williams (NSW) cross the floor to support a motion by crossbench senator David
Leyonhjelm aiming to lift a ban on the importation of the Adler shotgun.[190] Other Nationals senators abstain.[191] The motion is defeated, 45 votes to seven.[192]
|
Bridget McKenzie
Image
source: ParlView
Watch: ParlView
|
22 November
|
Visit by the King and Queen of Jordan
King Abdullah Il Ibn Al Hussein and Queen
Rania Al Abdullah of Jordan visit Parliament House as part of a state visit
to Australia. During the visit,
His Majesty and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull sign a Joint Declaration on
Enhanced Cooperation to elevate bilateral cooperation between Australia and
Jordan.[193]
|
King Abdullah of Jordan and Prime
Minister Malcolm Turnbull
Image
source: ParlView
Watch: Press conference – Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull
and King Abdullah of Jordan
|
23 November
|
Ministerial statements on investment
and national security
The Minister for Trade, Tourism and
Investment, Steven Ciobo (Lib., Moncrieff, Qld) presents the Annual Investment Statement, updating the
House on the government’s work promoting Australia as a place for foreign
investment. He advises the House that the major sources of foreign investment
in Australia, as of 2015, were the United States, the United Kingdom, the
remainder of the European Union, and Japan.[194] He notes that new foreign direct investment into Australia in 2015 was down
by roughly 24.7 per cent on the amount invested into Australia in 2014.[195]
Following his attendance at the
Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ summit in Peru, the Prime
Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, updates the House on international cooperation on
counterterrorism. He says:
... the rising influence in our region of terrorist
organisations, such as ISIL or Daesh, demands the attention of Australia and
its neighbours ... No one country can fight terrorism on its own ... over the
past decade we have built closer diplomatic and security relationships with
our neighbours, including Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Thailand and
Singapore.[196]
|
Steven Ciobo delivers the Annual
Investment Statement
Image
source: ParlView
|
23 November
|
Domestic and family violence
Ahead of White Ribbon Day on 25 November,
members of the House speak on ‘the need to address family violence as a
national priority’. Emma Husar (ALP, Lindsay, NSW) speaks about her personal
experiences:
In my first speech in this place, I said 29 out of my 36
years of life had been affected by domestic violence. I am a survivor of
family violence, and it has taken me a long time to overcome the trauma of
that and be where I am today. I know there are a lot of women out there, many
of whom suffer in silence, and today I stand in solidarity with survivors and
with those women who are afraid to speak.[197]
|
Emma Husar
Image
source: Auspic
Watch: ParlView
|
24 November
|
Ministerial statement on infrastructure
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, makes
a statement on infrastructure in the House. He says:
If Australia is to ride the wave of opportunity that the
21st century offers, we need better infrastructure ... this is why the
government has increased infrastructure investment to a record $80 billion to
get vital projects underway across the country ... with much more to come under
the guidance of the independent, long-term vision provided by Infrastructure
Australia’s long term plan.[198]
|
|
29 November
|
Susan Kiefel appointed Chief Justice of
the High Court
The Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull, and
the Attorney‑General, George Brandis, announce the appointment of Susan
Kiefel as the next Chief Justice to the High Court of Australia.[199] She will be the first woman to hold the position. Justice Kiefel has served
on the High Court Bench since 2007.[200]
The Chief Justice often acts in the
Governor-General’s place, particularly at ceremonies such as the opening of
Parliament.
|
Susan Kiefel in 2011
Image
source: Office of the Governor-General of Australia, Wikimedia Commons
|
30 November
|
House of Representatives Question Time
suspended due to protest
Around fifty people protesting against the
Government’s treatment of asylum seekers disrupt Question Time from the
public gallery of the House of Representatives. The Speaker, Tony Smith,
suspends Question Time while the protestors, some of whom superglued their
hands to railings, are removed by security staff.[201] The Speaker tells the House:
Obviously, the action I took in suspending the sitting was
a last resort ... I wondered whether we could plough on in the extraordinary
circumstances and made a judgement that we could not ... The dignity of the
House would have been severely compromised had we continued.[202]
Seven of the protesters face trial in July
2017, pleading not guilty to damaging Commonwealth property.[203]
The following day, some of the protesters
return to Parliament House, with two abseiling down the front of a building
and others dyeing the water feature in the building’s forecourt red.[204]
|
Protesters abseil down the front of
Parliament House on 1 December 2016
Image
source: A Hough
Watch: ParlView
|
1 December
|
Senate pays tribute to Dr Rosemary
Laing on her upcoming retirement
The Senate pays tribute to Dr Rosemary
Laing ‘for her distinguished work as Clerk of the Senate’ on her last sitting
day in the Senate.[205] The President of the Senate, Stephen Parry, thanks Dr Laing for ‘her
judgement, her trust, her confidentiality and, above all, the way she has
regarded the Senate’, noting that she ‘has never failed the Senate’.[206]
On 29 November the President of the
Senate, Stephen Parry, had announced that Richard Pye, the Deputy Clerk of
the Senate, would replace Dr Laing as Clerk of the Senate.[207]
Under the Parliamentary
Service Act 1999 (Cth) the term of appointment for the Clerk of the
Senate (and for the Clerk of the House of Representatives) is 10 years.
|
Richard Pye
Image
source: Auspic
Watch: Tributes to Rosemary Laing
Source: ParlView
|
1 December
|
Security changes at Parliament House
approved by both Houses
The House and the Senate approve proposed perimeter
security enhancements at Parliament House, which will include additional
fencing. The Speaker advises the House:
All enhancements, those already completed and those being
proposed today, are the result of advice from our security agencies and are
based on many months of consideration.[208]
In the Senate, the changes are opposed by
the Australian Greens and by Senator Derryn Hinch (DHJP, Vic.).
Senator Hinch states:
... I think what you are planning is like putting barbed
wire on the Opera House. This is an aesthetic building; it is the people's
building.[209]
The 2.6-metre high fence will form a new
external perimeter for the building’s southern and northern grassed ramps.[210]
|
|
18 December
|
Senator Rod Culleton quits Pauline
Hanson’s One Nation
Senator Rod Culleton resigns from Pauline
Hanson's One Nation Party to sit as an independent senator.[211] His resignation comes amidst controversy about his eligibility under section
44(ii) of the Constitution to sit in the Senate, a question resolved by the High Court in 2017.[212] On 3 February 2017 the High Court ruled that ‘By reason of s44(ii) of the Constitution,
there is a vacancy in the representation of Western Australia in the Senate
for the place for which Senator Rodney Norman Culleton was returned’ and that
‘The vacancy shall be filled by a special count of the ballot papers’.
|
Rod
Culleton
Image
source: Auspic
|
Appendix: Key Commonwealth Acts passed in 2016
ACT
|
BILLS DIGEST
|
PURPOSE OF ACT
|
Aged care
|
|
|
Aged
Care Legislation Amendment (Increasing Consumer Choice) Act 2016
|
Aged
Care Legislation Amendment (Increasing Consumer Choice) Bill 2016, Bills
Digest,
94, 2015–16, 1 March 2016.
|
Will allocate home care packages (HCPs) directly to consumers, rather
than to approved providers, create a national system for prioritising
consumer access to HCPs and reduce regulation of the approval process for all
aged care providers.
|
Budget
|
|
|
Budget Savings
(Omnibus) Act 2016
|
Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016, Bills
Digest,
7, 2016–17, 12 September 2016.
|
This Bill containing 24 measures and totalling more than
$6 billion in savings is part of the Turnbull government's $40 billion in
budget improvement measures that the government will be seeking to legislate
over the coming months, including some $25 billion in expenditure savings.
|
Courts
|
|
|
Courts
Administration Legislation Amendment Act 2016
|
Courts Administration Legislation Amendment Bill 2015, Bills
Digest,
76, 2015–16, 3 February 2016.
|
Will bring the Federal Court of Australia, the Family
Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia into a single
administrative entity and make legislative provision for the courts to share
corporate services. (Also includes the National Native Title Tribunal).
|
Crime
|
|
|
Criminal
Code Amendment (War Crimes) Act 2016
|
C
Raymond and J Tomaras, Criminal Code Amendment (War Crimes) Bill 2016, Bills
Digest,
43, 2016–17, 23 November 2016.
|
Proposes to amend the war crimes offences in the Criminal Code Act 1995 to address some
anomalies in the treatment of acts done in the course of a ‘non-international
armed conflict’ with the requirements of
international humanitarian law (IHL). These anomalies are said to limit the
capability of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) to undertake international
security operations, and may expose members of the ADF to domestic criminal
liability despite acting in compliance with the requirements of IHL.
|
Education
|
|
|
VET Student Loans Act 2016
|
J Griffiths, VET
Student Loans Bill 2016 [and] VET Student Loans (Charges) Bill 2016 [and] VET Student Loans (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill
2016, Bills Digest, 41, 2016–17, 22 November 2016.
|
Part of a package of three Bills to replace the VET
FEE-HELP loan scheme with a student loans program.
|
Employment
|
|
|
Fair
Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Act 2016
|
J
Murphy, Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014, Bills
Digest,
40, 2016–17, 21 November 2016.
|
The Bill is framed partly as a response to widely
publicised misconduct by officers of the Health Services Union and other
evidence of poor governance of some trade unions uncovered by the Royal
Commission into trade union governance and corruption. The stated aim of the
Bill is to improve the standard of governance of registered organisations and
deter wrongdoing by amending the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act
2009.
|
Privacy
|
|
|
Privacy Amendment (Notifiable Data
Breaches) Act 2016
|
MA Neilsen, Privacy
Amendment (Notifiable Data Breaches) Bill 2016, Bills Digest, 52, 2016–17, 8 December 2016.
|
Implements recommendations of the Parliamentary Joint
Committee on Intelligence and the Australian Law Reform Commission by
amending the Privacy Act 1988 to require agencies, organisations and
certain other entities to provide notice to the Australian Information
Commissioner and affected individuals of an eligible data breach.
|
Tax
|
|
|
Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment
(2016 Measures No. 1) Act 2016
|
K Sanyal, Tax
and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2016 Measures No. 1) Bill 2016, Bills Digest, 116, 2015–16, 4 May 2016.
|
Ensures that the goods and
services tax (GST) is applied consistently to all supplies of digital
products and other imported services to Australian consumers.
|
Income Tax Rates Amendment (Working Holiday Maker
Reform) Act 2016
|
K Swoboda and R
Dossor, Income Tax Rates Amendment (Working Holiday Maker Reform) Bill
2016 [and related Bills], Bills Digest, 30, 2016–17, 4 November 2016.
|
The four Bills in this
package implement the Government’s announcement on 27 September 2016 that
working holiday makers would be taxed at a rate of 19 per cent for income
from this work up to $37,000 (‘backpacker tax’).
|
Terrorism
|
|
|
Criminal Code
Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Act 2016
|
M Biddington, Criminal Code Amendment (High Risk
Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2016, Bills
Digest, 48, 2016–17, 29 November 2016.
|
Amends the Criminal Code Act 1995 to establish a scheme for the continuing detention of high risk terrorist
offenders who are considered by a judge in civil proceedings to present an
unacceptable risk to the community at the conclusion of their custodial
sentence.
|
Please note: All internet sources in this chronology have
been accessed between 27 November 2017 and 5 December 2017
unless otherwise stated
|
|
|
[1]. C Pyne
(Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science Leader of the House), Family
friendly changes to the House of Representatives, media release, 2
February 2016.
[2]. ‘Standing
and Sessional Orders’, House of Representatives, Debates, 2 February
2016, p. 11.
[3]. House of
Representatives Standing Committee on Procedure, Provisions
for a more family-friendly Chamber, Department of the House of Representatives,
Canberra, 2 December 2015.
[4]. R Lewis,
‘Why
new MP’s getting red-carpet treatment’, The Australian, 5 February
2016, p. 4.
[5]. Ibid.
[6]. Department
of the Senate, Work
of Committees, Canberra, 3 February 2016, p. 7.
[7]. Department
of the House of Representatives, Annual report 2015–16, p. 32.
[8]. P
Ruddock, Statement
by the Hon. Philip Ruddock MP, media release, 8 February 2016.
[9]. S Maher,
‘Father
leaves the House’, The Australian, 9 February 2016, p. 11.
[10]. J Bishop
(Minister for Foreign Affairs), Special
Envoy for Human Rights, media release, 8 February 2016.
[11]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), Ministerial
statements: Closing the gap, House of Representatives, Debates, 10
February 2016, p. 1171–1175.
[12]. Ibid., p.
1172.
[13]. B Shorten
(Leader of the Opposition), Ministerial
statements: Closing the gap, House of Representatives, Debates,
10 February 2016, p. 1175–1179.
[14]. D Hurst, ‘Barnaby
Joyce elected Nations leader and Fiona Nash deputy leader’, The Guardian
(Australia), 11 February 2016.
[15]. W Truss
(Deputy Prime Minister), Address
to the House, Canberra, media release, 11 February 2016.
[16]. J Wilson
and M Healy, That’s
it–I’m leaving: ministerial departures 1901-2017, Research paper
series, 2017–18, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 12 July 2017, p. 56.
[17]. M Grattan,
‘Stuart
Robert quits ministry amid new disclosures’, The Conversation, 12
February 2016.
[18]. S Robert, ‘Answer
to Question without notice: Minister's trip to China in August 2014’,
[Questioner: M Dreyfus], House of Representatives, Debates,
9 February 2016, p. 1043.
[19]. Wilson and
Healy, op. cit.
[20]. Ibid.
[21]. Department
of Parliamentary Services (DPS), Annual
report 2015–16, DPS, Canberra, p. 74.
[22]. A
Smethurst, ‘Turnbull
introduces new-look ministry’, Herald Sun, 19 February 2016, p. 8.
[23]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Condolences:
Halverson, Hon Robert George (Bob), OBE’, House of Representatives, Debates,
22 February 2016, p. 1593.
[24]. M Grattan,
‘Defence
white paper: an extra $29.9 billion spending over a decade’, The
Conversation, 25 February 2016.
[25]. Department
of Defence, ‘2016
Defence White Paper: capability overview’, Department of Defence website.
[26]. Department
of Defence, ‘2016 Defence White
Paper’, Department of Defence website.
[27]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister) and M Payne (Minister for Defence), 2016
Defence White Paper, joint media release, 25 February 2016.
[28]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister) and M Payne (Minister for Defence), Continuous
naval shipbuild, joint media release, 18 April 2016.
[29]. Ibid.
[30]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister) and M Payne (Minister for Defence), Future
Submarine program, joint media release, 26 April 2016.
[31]. Ibid.
[32]. M Grattan,
‘Strategic
environment the most challenging Australia has faced in peace time: Turnbull’, The Conversation, 25 February 2016.
[33]. D Tehan
(Minister for Veterans’ Affairs), ‘Ministerial
statements: 25th anniversary of the First Gulf War’, House of
Representatives, Debates, 29 February 2016, pp. 2380–2381.
[34]. S Conroy, ’Ministerial
statements: 25th anniversary of the first Gulf War’, Senate, Debates,
1 March 2016, p. 1473; J Lambie, ‘Ministerial
statements: 25th anniversary of the first Gulf War’, Senate, Debates,
1 March 2016, p. 1474–1475.
[35]. S Parry
(President), ‘Statement
by the President: Parliamentary language’, Senate, Debates, 29
February 2016, pp. 1234 ff.
[36]. Ibid.
[37]. T Butler, ‘Business:
Rearrangement’, House of Representatives, Debates, 2 March 2016, pp.
2838.
[38]. Parliament
of Australia, ‘Marriage
Legislation Amendment Bill 2015 homepage’, Australian Parliament website.
[39]. ‘Business:
Rearrangement’, House of Representatives, Debates, 2 March 2016, pp.
2838.
[40]. D Chester
(Minister for Infrastructure and Transport), ‘Ministerial
statements: Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370’, House of Representatives, Debates,
3 March 2016, p. 2985.
[41]. Liow Tiong
Lai (Malaysian Minister of Transport), D Chester (Minister for Infrastructure
and Transport) and Li Xiaopeng (Chinese Minister of Transport), ‘MH370
Tripartite Joint Communique’, 17 January 2017.
[42]. D Chester
(Minister for Infrastructure and Transport), ‘Statement:
[Malaysia Airlines flight MH370]’, 19
October 2017.
[43]. Australia,
Senate, ‘Parliamentary
Representation’, Senate, Debates, 15 March 2016, p. 1857.
[44]. I
Macfarlane, ‘Committees:
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit’, House of Representatives, Debates,
17 March 2016, pp. 3492–3.
[45]. House of
Representatives, Procedural
Digest, 136, 22 February–3 March 2016.
[46]. Department
of the Senate, ‘Bills
generating lengthy debates: 44th Parliament’, 12 November 2013–4 May 2016, StatsNet
website.
[47]. S Medhora,
‘Malcolm
Turnbull hails passage of Senate voting changes after marathon debate’, The
Guardian (Australia), 18 March 2016.
[48]. Department
of the Senate, Procedural Information Bulletin, 303, Occasional note, Long
sitting days, 23 March 2016.
[49]. J
Marszalek, ‘Mock
around the clock’, The Courier Mail, 19 March 2016, p. 34.
[50]. Day v
Australian Electoral Officer for the State of South Australia; Madden v Australian
Electoral Officer for the State of Tasmania, (2016) 331 ALR 386, [2016] HCA 20.
[51]. J Lee, ‘Day
loses his Senate voting reform dispute’, The Canberra Times, 14 May
2016, p. 5.
[52]. Parliament
of Australia, ‘Territories
Legislation Amendment Bill 2016 homepage’, Australian Parliament website.
[53]. P Fletcher,
‘Second
reading speech: Territories Legislation Amendment Bill 2016; Passenger Movement
Charge Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2016’, House of Representatives, Debates,
15 March 2016, pp. 3184–85.
[54]. C Madden, Norfolk
Island Legislative Amendment Bill 2015, Bills digest, 102, 2014–15,
Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 12 May 2015. See also: A Hough, J McCann and D
Heriot, Australia’s Parliament
House in 2014 and 2015: a chronology of events, Research paper series,
2016-17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 23 December 2016, pp. 7, 32.
[55]. M Davey, ‘Norfolk
Island leader calls for royal commission into “Australian takeover”’, The
Guardian (Australia), 27 April 2016.
[56]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), Prorogue
of Parliament, request for prorogation to the Governor-General, media
release, 21 March 2016.
[57]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), Press
conference, Parliament House, Canberra, 21 March 2016: return of both houses of
Parliament on April 18; federal budget on 3 May 2016; ABCC and Registered
Organisations Bills; possible double dissolution election, media release,
21 March 2016.
Further information about the power of the executive government to determine
sessions of parliament is set out in Chapter 7 of R Laing (ed), Odgers’
Australian Senate practice, 14th edn, Department of the Senate,
Canberra, 2016, p. 185.
[58]. D Muller, ‘So
you've been prorogued - common questions answered’, FlagPost, Parliamentary
Library blog, 23 March 2016.
[59]. B Shorten
(Leader of the Opposition), ‘Press
conference, Sydney’, transcript, 21 March 2016.
[60]. Muller, ‘So
you've been prorogued’, op. cit.
[61]. Ibid.
[62]. Ibid.
[63]. Department
of the Senate, Procedural Information Bulletin, 303, Occasional note, Prorogation
and a new session of Parliament, 23 March 2016.
[64]. Muller, ‘So
you've been prorogued’, op. cit.
[65]. Ibid.
[66]. P Wong
(Leader of the Opposition in the Senate), ‘Adjournment’,
Senate, Debates, 17 March 2016, p. 2731.
[67]. ‘Governor-General’s
speech’, House of Representatives, Debates, 18 April 2016, p. 3651.
[68]. Politics
and Public Administration Section, 44th
Parliament in review, Research paper series, 2016–17, Parliamentary
Library, Canberra, 24 November 2016, p. 8.
[69]. Australia,
Senate, Journals,
149, 2013–16, 18 April 2016, p. 4115.
[70]. Politics
and Public Administration Section, 44th Parliament in review, op. cit.
[71]. D Muller, ‘(Almost)
everything you need to know about double dissolution elections’, FlagPost,
Parliamentary Library blog, 29 April 2016.
[72]. Ibid.
[73]. P Hendy, ‘First
reading: Supply Bill (No. 1) 2016–17’, ‘First
reading: Supply Bill (No. 2) 2016–17’ and ‘First
reading: Supply (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2016–17‘, House of
Representatives, Debates, 2 May 2016, pp. 3945-47.
[74]. D Weight, ‘Supply
Bills—a reprise’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library Blog, 29 April 2016.
[75]. Malcolm
Turnbull (Prime Minister), ‘Documents
relating to the calling of the double dissolution election [Election 2016]’,
8 May 2016.
[76]. Parliament
of Australia, ‘Appropriation
Bill (No. 1) 2016–17 homepage’, ‘Appropriation
Bill (No. 2) 2016–17 homepage’ and ‘Appropriation
(Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2016–17 homepage’, Australian Parliament website.
[77]. Australia,
Senate, ‘Vacancy
in the Representation of Western Australia: choice of Patrick Lionel Dodson’, Journals, 151, 2013–16, 2 May 2016, p. 4164.
[78]. J Bullock,
‘Adjournment:
valedictory’, Senate, Debates, 1 March 2016, p. 1521.
[79]. P Dodson, ‘First
speech’, Senate, Debates, 1 September 2016, pp. 448.
[80]. B Shorten
(Leader of the Opposition), ‘Retirement
of Gary Gray from shadow cabinet and changes to the shadow executive’,
media release, 4 May 2016.
[81]. T Smith
(Speaker), ‘Northern
Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016: consideration of Senate message’,
House of Representatives, Debates, 3 May 2016, p. 4170.
[82]. Ibid.
[83]. Australia,
House of Representatives, ‘Northern
Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016: consideration of House of
Representatives message’, Senate, Debates, 3 May 2016, p. 3423.
[84]. G Marshall
(Deputy President), ‘Northern
Australia Infrastructure Facility Bill 2016: consideration of House of
Representatives message’, Senate, Debates, 3 May 2016, p. 3424.
[85]. S Morrison,
‘Second
reading speech: Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2016–17’, House of
Representatives, Debates, 3 May 2016, p. 4255.
[86]. B Shorten
(Leader of the Opposition), ‘Second
reading speech: Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2016–17’, House of
Representatives, Debates, 5 May 2016, p. 4620.
[87]. S Parry
(President), ‘Adjournment’,
Senate, Debates, 4 May 2016, p. 3663.
[88]. J
McAllister, ’Privileges
Committee: reference’, Senate, Debates, 4 May 2016, p. 3563.
[89]. Australia,
Senate, Journals,
150, 2013–16, 19 April 2016, p. 4126.
[90]. House of
Representatives Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests, Report
into whether the former member for Dobell, Mr Craig Thomson, in a statement to
the House on 21 May 2012 deliberately mislead the House, Parl. Paper
84, March 2016.
[91]. Ibid.
[92]. S Morrison
(Treasurer), ‘Statements
on Indulgence: Reserve Bank of Australia’, House of Representatives, Debates,
5 May 2016, p. 4584.
[93]. Ibid.
[94]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), Press
conference: Election 2016: our economic plan, media release, 8 May 2016; Prime
Minister's advice regarding a double dissolution election, media
release, 8 May 2016.
[95]. Muller, ‘(Almost)
everything you need to know about double dissolution elections’, op. cit.
[96]. Muller, ‘(Almost)
everything you need to know about double dissolution elections’, op. cit.
[97]. Department
of the Senate, Procedural
Information Bulletin, 305, Simultaneous dissolution, 9
May 2016.
[98]. S Wright, ‘Election
signals mass exodus’, The West Australian, 28 March 2016, p. 6.
[99]. D Muller, Double,
double toil and trouble: the 2016 federal election, Research paper
series, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 30 June 2017, p. 4.
[100]. D Muller, ‘The
2016 federal election’, Briefing book: key issues for the 45th
Parliament, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 2016.
[101]. S Parry
(President) and T Smith (Speaker), ‘Death
of Romaldo Giurgola AO’, joint media release, 17 May 2016.
[102]. Ibid.
[103]. Ibid.
[104]. Ibid.
[105]. Ibid.
[106]. Muller, Double,
double toil and trouble, op. cit., p. 1.
[107]. M Knott, ‘Turnbull
claims election victory, Shorten concedes defeat’, The Canberra Times,
11 July 2016, p. 1.
[108]. Muller, Double,
double toil and trouble, op. cit.
[109]. Ibid., p. 15.
[110]. Ibid., p. 13.
[111]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Press
conference: [election],
media release, 10 July 2016.
[112]. H Gobbett, Composition
of the 45th Parliament: a quick guide, Research paper series, 2016–17,
Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 29 August 2016, p. 2.
[113]. Ibid.
[114]. G Parker, ‘Diversity
a key word as Aly claims win’, The West Australian, 12 September
2016, p. 7.
[115]. T McIlroy, ‘Political
protest blamed for chemical damage to Parliament House lawn’, The Canberra
Times, 12 July 2016, p. 4.
[116]. Ibid.
[117]. P Karp, ‘Federal
police raid Parliament House over alleged NBN leak’, The Guardian
(Australia), 24 August 2016.
[118]. D Crowe, ‘AFP
raids Conroy office, Labor adviser’s house’, The Australian, 20 May
2016, p. 1.
[119]. Karp, op.
cit.
[120]. BC Wright and
PE Fowler (eds.), House
of Representatives practice, 6th edn, Department of the House of
Representatives, Canberra, 2012, p. 129.
[121]. T Smith
(Speaker), ‘Statement
by the Speaker: Privilege, Petitions’, House of Representatives, Debates,
13 September 2016, p. 675.
[122]. R Broadbent,
‘Privileges
and Members’ Interests Committee: report’, House of Representatives, Debates,
28 November 2016, p. 4505.
[123]. Senate
Standing Committee of Privileges, Search
warrants and the Senate, 164th report, The Senate, Canberra, March
2017, p. 8.
[124]. H Gobbett, Composition
of the 45th Parliament: a quick guide, Research paper series, 2016–17,
Parliamentary Library, Canberra 29 August 2016.
[125]. Ibid.
[126]. Ibid.
[127]. Ibid.
[128]. M Sukkar, ‘Parliamentary
office holders: Speaker’, House of Representatives, Debates, 30
August 2016, p. 5.
[129]. G Brandis, ‘Parliamentary
office holders: President’, Senate, Debates, 30 August 2016, p. 2.
[130]. Australia,
House of Representatives, The
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Parliament of Australia
website, p. 3.
[131]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Statements
on Indulgence: Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games’, House of Representatives, Debates,
30 August 2016, p. 32.
[132]. B Shorten
(Leader of the Opposition), ‘Statements
on Indulgence: Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games’, House of Representatives, Debates,
30 August 2016, p. 32.
[133]. D Muller, ‘Rotation
of Senators – Parliament of Australia’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library
blog, 9 September 2016.
[134]. M Fifield
(Manager of Government Business in the Senate, Minister for Communications and
the Arts), ‘Parliamentary
Representation: Rotation of Senators’, House of Representatives, Debates,
31 August 2016, p. 157.
[135]. Muller, ‘Rotation
of Senators’, op. cit.
[136]. L Burney, ‘Governor-General’s
speech: Address-in-Reply’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31
August 2016, p. 163–168.
[137]. Ibid.
[138]. H Gobbett, Indigenous
parliamentarians, federal and state: a quick guide, Research paper
series, 2017–18, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, updated 11 July 2017, p. 2.
[139]. M Turnbull, ‘Second
reading speech: Building and Construction Industry (Improving Productivity)
Bill 2013’, House of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p.
81; M Turnbull, ‘Second
reading speech: Building and Construction Industry (Consequential and
Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013’, House of Representatives, Debates,
31 August 2016, p. 85; M Turnbull, ‘Second
reading speech: Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014’, House
of Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 85. S Morrison, ‘Second
reading speech: Budget Savings Omnibus Bill 2016’, House of
Representatives, Debates, 31 August 2016, p. 91.
[140]. Ibid.
[141]. H Gobbett, S
Speldewinde and R Lundie, First,
most and more: facts about the federal parliament, Research paper
series, 2016–17, Parliamentary Library, Canberra, 10 May 2017, p. 15.
[142]. Parliament of
Australia, ‘Racial
Discrimination Amendment Bill 2016 homepage’, Australian Parliament
website.
[143]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Ministerial
statements: national security’, House of Representatives, Debates, 1
September 2016, pp. 235–239.
[144]. Ibid.
[145]. S
Speldewinde, ‘Government
losing votes on the floor of the House’, FlagPost, Parliamentary Library
blog, 5 September 2016.
[146]. M Koziol, ‘Ambush
in the House’, The Canberra Times, 2 September 2016, p. 1.
[147]. T Smith
(Speaker), ‘Resolutions
of the Senate: Banking and Financial Services’, House of Representatives, Debates,
1 September 2016, p. 382.
[148]. Speldewinde,
op. cit.
[149]. Ibid.
[150]. M Turnbull
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[151]. Ibid.
[152]. Australian
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[153]. Department of
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[154]. T Smith
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[155]. R Vasta, ‘Petitions:
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[156]. B Shorten, ‘Answer
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[157]. Wright and
Fowler, House
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[158]. M Turnbull, ‘Second
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[159]. Australia,
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pp. 400–401.
[160]. L Tingle, ‘Turnbull
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[161]. S Conroy, ‘Second
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15 September 2016, pp. 1180–83.
[162]. M Grattan, ‘The
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[163]. S Parry
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[164]. Ibid.
[165]. Ibid.
[166]. T Smith
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[167]. M Turnbull
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equal rights, House of Representatives, Debates, 10 October 2016,
pp. 1251–1254.
[168]. N Marino MP
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23 November 2016, p. 4075.
[169]. ‘Motions:
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p. 4259–4302.
[170]. H L Lee
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[171]. M Turnbull
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[172]. T McIlroy, ‘Embarrassing
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[173]. Wright and
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[174]. T Smith
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[175]. Australia,
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[176]. D Hinch, ‘Motions:
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[177]. M Knott, ‘Senate
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[178]. M Turnbull
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[179]. S Parry
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[180]. K Kitching, ‘First
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[181]. P Karp, ‘Bob
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[182]. Ibid.
[183]. D Muller, ‘The
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[184]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Dutch
royal visit to Australia’, media release, 2 November 2016.
[185]. Ibid.
[186]. Australia,
Senate, ‘Qualification
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[187]. Senate
Procedure Committee, Photography
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[188]. Australia,
Senate, ’23
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13, 2016, 8 November 2016, p. 420.
[189]. Dr R Laing, Annotated
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[190]. D Meers, ‘Nats
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[191]. Ibid.
[192]. Australia,
Senate, ‘Customs
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disallowance’, Journals, 16, 2016, 21 November 2016, pp. 498–99.
[193]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Visit
to Australia by the King and Queen of Jordan’, 22 November 2016.
[194]. S Ciobo
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Statement: Annual Investment Statement’, House of Representatives, Debates,
23 November 2016, pp. 4075–80.
[195]. Ibid.
[196]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Ministerial
statement: national security’, House of Representatives, Debates, 23
November 2016, pp. 4091–95.
[197]. E Husar, ‘Matters
of Public Importance: Domestic and Family Violence’, House of
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[198]. M Turnbull
(Prime Minister), ‘Ministerial
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November 2016, p. 4343 ff.
[199]. M Turnbull
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to the High Court of Australia’, joint media release, 29 November
2016.
[200]. Ibid.
[201]. G Hutchens, ‘Pro-refugee
protesters disrupt parliament and shut down question time’, The Guardian
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[202]. T Smith, ‘Statement
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30 November 2016, p. 4945.
[203]. A Back, ‘Not
guilty plea to damaging Commonwealth property’, The Canberra Times,
13 July 2017, p. 10.
[204]. P Karp, ‘Refugee
protesters abseil down Parliament House and dye fountain red’, The
Guardian Australia, 1 December 2016.
[205]. ‘Clerk
of the Senate’, Senate, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 4116.
[206]. S Parry
(President of the Senate), ‘Clerk
of the Senate’, Senate, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 4116.
[207]. S Parry
(President of the Senate), ‘Clerk
of the Senate’, Senate, Debates, 29 November 2016, p. 3505.
[208]. T Smith
(Speaker), ‘Parliamentary
Zone’, House of Representatives, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 5089.
[209]. D Hinch, ‘Parliamentary
Zone: Approval of Works’, Senate, Debates, 1 December 2016, p. 3945.
[210]. T McIlroy and
M Koziol, ‘Public
in dark over new fence’, The Canberra Times, 8 December 2016, p. 8.
[211]. M Grattan, ‘Blame
game rages as Culleton quits Pauline Hanson’s One Nation’, The
Conversation, 19 December 2016.
[212]. Ibid.
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