47th Parliament opens: what you need to know
Photo by Aditya Joshi on Unsplash
25 July 2022 at 4:41 pm
There’s plenty for the sector to keep an eye on as the new Parliament meets for the first time to thrash out legislation on key social issues.
Anthony Albanese’s new cabinet will meet for the first time on Tuesday and key areas of focus are expected to be climate policy, sustainable investment policy, foreign aid and more support for struggling Australians.
The Prime Minister has flagged reform will be a focus as his government tackles national debt, which is expected to reach $1 trillion for 2022/23.
On emissions targets, the government is expected to propose a reduction of 43 per cent by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Albanese said in a recent interview that aged care reforms will also feature heavily in the government’s agenda.
“Our legislation will introduce some 17 of the recommendations from the Aged Care Royal Commission. We have said that the Aged Care Royal Commission needs to be respected,” he said.
In another interview the Prime Minister foreshadowed legislation around family violence leave, the establishment of Jobs and Skills Australia and he reiterated he will introduce 18 pieces of legislation in his first week in Parliament because “we don’t want to waste a day.”
“Australia has had a decade of neglect and drift. We want to make sure we get on with the reforms that are necessary in order to advance Australia’s interests, in order to create a better future for Australia,” he said.
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said in June that “it will get harder before it gets easier”.
“’I’m confident with the spirit that I’ve detected in all the conversations I’ve had the last 18 days, which I see here as well today, that we can get through a difficult period and we can have a strong economy and a strong society after we do,” he said.
The government this week also appointed Senator Tony Sheldon to the newly created role of special envoy for disaster recovery.
Senator Sheldon will work alongside Minister for Emergency Management, Murray Watt, to ensure support is delivered to communities affected by natural disaster.
