Highlights

• The Labor Party and the Coalition are equal 50-50 on a two-party preferred basis, according to the latest Newspoll. The Coalition leads Labor 39-32 on primary votes while Anthony Albanese remains preferred Prime Minister over Peter Dutton 46-39.
• Data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows the unemployment rate rose to 4.2 per cent in July.
• Prime Minister Anthony Albanese welcomed New Zealand’s Prime Minister Christopher Luxon to Canberra for the annual Australia-New Zealand Leader’s Meeting.
• In an address to the National Press Club, Minister for Government Services Bill Shorten unveiled a new digital identity and credential system entitled ‘Trust Exchange.’ The system is expected to be piloted in early 2025.
• Hon David Spiers MP resigned as the South Australian Opposition Leader, saying he did not “have the energy to fight for a leadership” in the current circumstances. The SA Liberal Party elected Hon Vincent Tarzia MP as his replacement.

Federal Parliament

Both houses of Parliament returned after the winter recess with the Government continuing to deliver on its legislative agenda heading into the latter half of the year. In the House, debate on the Future Made in Australia Bill 2024 continued, with the Opposition formally opposing the Bill over concerns about excessive government expenditure potentially exacerbating inflation. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the Opposition’s position on the Bill as contradictory given the expected cost of the Coalition’s nuclear energy policy.

The Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024, which among other things contains measures to set limits on international student enrolments at Australian tertiary institutions, passed the House despite resistance from numerous crossbench members. Also passing the House was the Telecommunications Amendment (SMS Sender ID Register) Bill 2024, which seeks to establish a register of SMS Sender identification in order to prevent scam text messages. On migration, Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused the Government of not undertaking appropriate security checks for refugees from Gaza, which was met with fierce backlash from Member for Warringah Zali Steggall.

In the Senate, the Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022 passed after nearly two years since it was first introduced to Parliament. The Bill enables accredited persons to act on behalf of consumers in relation to banking and financial matters. With discussion on gambling advertising also featuring heavily in the media, the Senate also debated potential bans during an urgency motion on the matter. 

Government acts on CFMEU administration

Newly appointed Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Murray Watt announced the Government would seek to pass legislation to authorise the appointment of an administrator for the Construction and General Division of the Construction, Forestry and Maritime Employees Union (CFMEU). The move comes after revelations[paywall] that the CFMEU allegedly engaged in systemic criminal activity across multiple jurisdictions.

Minister Watt introduced the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Administration) Bill 2024 into the Senate at the beginning of the parliamentary sitting week. He said, “there is place for criminality or corruption in the construction industry, and bullying, thuggery and intimidation are unacceptable in any workplace.”

However, the Bill sparked intense political debate with Shadow Employment and Workplace Relations Minister Michaelia Cash confirming the Opposition would not support the Bill unless “significant amendments” are made. Debate is set to continue into next week, with the Government needing the support of either the Coalition or the Greens and three crossbenchers for the Bill to pass the Senate.

Looking ahead

The Federal, QLD, WA (Legislative Council only) Parliaments will sit next week.

Finance

Federal Developments

The Senate Standing Committee on Economics tabled its final report on the Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) Imposition Bill 2024 [Provisions] and related bills, recommending the Bills be passed. The Bills will enact a 15 percent global minimum tax and domestic minimum tax for multinational enterprises operating in Australia with an annual global revenue of at least EUR750 million.

The Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022 passed both Houses. The Bill amends the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and will establish reforms that enable consumer data right (CDR) encompassed consumers to direct accredited persons to instruct on actions on their behalf. These actions may include updating personal details, switching providers, opening and closing an account, and making payments, during the CDR framework. Only Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) accredited providers can offer services using CDR.

The Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) imposed new licence conditions on United Super, trustee for the Construction and Building Unions Superannuation Fund (Cbus), and on BUSS Queensland (BUSSQ), to address fitness and propriety processes and fund expenditure management concerns. The CFMEU is a shareholder of United Super and has three directors on its board. APRA noted the recent public CFMEU allegations and highlighted its concerns about the impact of these allegations on trustees.

The Senate voted to establish an inquiry to examine how Australia’s financial regulation can increase home ownership. The inquiry will be conducted by the Senate Economics References Committee and will focus on improving accessibility for first home buyers and explore ways to decrease lending costs. Submissions close 26 September 2024.

 Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data revealed that the national gender pay gap is the lowest on record, falling from 11.5 per cent from 14.1 percent in May 2022. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese commented that that the statistics were “no coincidence” following actions the Government has taken to address gender equity.

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Federal Developments

Australia’s Ambassador to China and representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade met with their Chinese counterparts at the Eighth Australia-China High Level Dialogue in Adelaide. Discussions took place regarding the nations’ bilaterial trade, investment and cultural relationships, as well as security in the Indo-Pacific region. The event was hosted by the National Foundation for Australia-China Relations and the Chinese People’s Institute for Foreign Affairs.

The Federal Government released details concerning Round 4 of the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) program, aimed at diversifying trade and supporting international exports from Australian businesses. The upcoming EMDG round will allow eligible businesses to receive grants of up to $80,000 to support their export goals. It is due to open in November 2024.

The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security (PJCIS) released its Review of the listing of Ansar Allah as a terrorist organisation under the Criminal Code. The PJCIS supported the listing, finding that Ansar Allah sufficiently met the definition of a terrorist organisation, and that the correct processes had taken place for it to be listed as such.

State Developments

Queensland Minister for Tourism Michael Healy confirmed that the first flight between Bali and Cairns  touched down, as part of a new series of connections from Cairns Airport to Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Introduced with funding from Queensland’s Attracting Aviation Investment Fund, the flights are designed to open new paths for tourists and international students, and to encourage trade between Far-North Queensland and South-East Asian markets.

Environment, Resources and Energy

Federal Developments 

The Federal Government committed $18.6 million to the Longreach Water Security for Growth Project. The project, which falls under the Water Infrastructure for Sustainable and Efficient Regions (WISER) initiative, will seek to reduce water loss by 245 megalitres a year and rebuild the town’s five weirs. The $211 million WISER initiative supports 23 similar projects across Australia.

The Federal Government released draft management plans for the Christmas Island Marine Park and Cocos (Keeling) Islands Marine Parks. The parks contain a total 744,070 km2 of marine environment and sustain over 68 fish species. The draft management plans are open for consultation and were delivered under scientific research and monitoring under the Federal Government’s $3 million Indian Ocean Territories (IOT) marine park grant program.

State Development

The Queensland Government announced CS Energy has acquired the Lotus Creek Wind Farm. The wind farm will be the first 100 per cent publicly owned wind farm to reach the construction phase under the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan. The 285 MW project will home 46 wind turbines.

The Queensland Government appointed former Judge of the Federal Court of Australia the Hon Dr Annabelle Bennett AC SC to Chair of the Reef 2050 Advisory Committee. The Committee advises the Federal and Queensland Governments on matters relating to the Great Barrier Reef and the 2050 Water Quality Improvement Plan.

Infrastructure, Transport and Communications

Federal Developments

Telstra and Optus delayed the switchover from 3G to 4G-only networks from late August to 28 October, providing consumers more time to prepare for the change. This delivers on a recommendation from the Senate Standing Committees on Rural ad Regional Affairs and Transport inquiry into the shutdown of the 3G mobile network.

The Joint Select Committee on Social Media and Australian Society appointed Sharon Claydon MP as the new Chair, succeeding Kate Thwaites MP, following her appointment to Ministry. As a result, Claydon announced that the interim report initially due on 15 August will be postponed by several weeks. The committee noted it will hold more public hearings to inform the final report due by 18 November.

Minister for Communications Michelle Rowland welcomed the announcement of former Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk to Australia Post’s Board of Directors for a three-year term. 

State Developments 

The City of Melbourne banned the use of hire e-scooters after a motion to cancel Lime and Neuron contracts launched by Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece won 6-4 at Tuesday’s council meeting. The decision came amid reports of multiple incidents involving e-scooter users and pedestrians. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan has urged the council to rethink their decision noting the benefits of e-scooters.

Health and Education

Federal Developments 

The Federal Government expanded the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to cover medicines for a number of rare genetic disorders and cancers. This includes treatments for neurofibromatosis type 1, hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis, lung and liver cancer, gene fusion cancers, and emergency epilepsy treatment. Under the new listings, eligible patients will pay a maximum of $31.60 per script or $7.70 with a concession card.

The Senate Standing Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairs tabled its report into Missing and murdered First Nations women and children, which found there has been “little, if any, justice” for many First Nations women and children who have been murdered or disappeared. The report made eight recommendations, including a review of existing police practices in each jurisdiction and empowering the Australian National Audit Office to assess whether the government is effectively delivering on closing the gap on violence against women and children.

Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care Ged Kearney announced an Australian Law Reform Commission inquiry into human tissue laws. Funded by Commonwealth, state, and territory Health Ministers, the inquiry aims to update regulations on blood, tissue, and organ donations for transplantation and medical research. The terms of reference for the inquiry will be released later this year and the process to appoint a Commissioner will commence shortly.

The Federal Government committed to investing $5.5 million into a newborn screening platform at the University of New South Wales, which aims to detect hundreds of life-threatening genetic conditions at birth. The 12-month trial will test for 24 conditions in 60,000 newborns in Queensland including spinal muscular atrophy, haemophilia, and cystic fibrosis. This project is part of the $600 million Medical Research Future Fund’s National Critical Research Infrastructure Initiative.