As February draws to a close, here's an abridged version of some happenings over the last couple of weeks.
First up, in Parliament last week I spoke to a variety of issues. Here’s some of them
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Health Care |
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Australia’s universal health care system - which includes Medicare, our hospitals, and the PBS - is one of our greatest assets. I spoke in the Federation Chamber about the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the importance of ensuring affordable and accessible medicines. I described how local constituents had contacted me about the difficulties they’ve faced in obtaining medications and I emphasised that Australia needs a national strategy to ensure reliable supply of medicines: we need a review of our sovereign manufacturing capacity. You can see my speech here. |
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Integrity |
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“All it needs for evil to flourish is for people of good will to do nothing” [(Usually attributed to Edmund Burke. But it seems now that it may not be the case. In any event, the sentiment holds true).] As the recent case involving the drawn out and damaging prosecution of Bernard Collaery showed, our whistleblower laws are simply not working. In 2019 the Federal Court pronounced them “technical, obtuse and intractable.” The Australian Human Rights Commission recently reported that whistleblowers in this country feel unsupported, their concerns are not properly addressed, and they experience reprisals because they brought forward their concerns. In light of these issues, I spoke in Parliament about the importance of the Public Interest Disclosure Amendment (Review) Bill, its limitations, and its role in supporting the work of the National Anti-Corruption Commission. My speech can be viewed here. |
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Climate |
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I was a panellist, along with the Honourable Anthony Whealy KC and Kieran Pender, at the Australia Insititute’s Climate Integrity Summit. We discussed climate integrity as a function of democratic integrity; you can see coverage of the summit here. Other matters still pending in the House include the Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill… watch this space. |
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Indigenous Affairs and the Voice to Parliament |
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I attended a moving breakfast in the Mural Hall for the 15th anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generation. It was a reminder of the importance of the apology, and a call to all of us to support and enshrine a Voice to Parliament; something that was reiterated later in the week when I attended a meeting of the Referendum Working Group. |
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Fun Stuff! |
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One of the delights of my new workplace is seeing the incredible artwork on display throughout Parliament House. Magnificent paintings by the likes of Arthur Boyd, Ben Quilty and Ghostpatrol adorn the halls, and there is a stunning array of sculptures at every turn. Last week it was my pleasure to select some art works for my office! All Members and Senators are given the opportunity to choose and display some art in their offices, and I am looking forward to seeing my chosen works on display when I return for the next sitting week. (Spoiler alert: Melbourne ceramicist Fiona Hiscock may feature!)
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Out and about this week in Kooyong (and surrounds) |
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It's been wonderful to spend time in and around the electorate over the last week or so and here are just some of the highlights of where I've been and what I've done: |
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Learning for Life Autism Centre in Kew |
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Politics in the Pub, Nevermind Bar |
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Presenting an Australian Export Award |
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Louis Irvine & Behyad Jafari, Melbourne Climate Futures |
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Hartwell Primary School |
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Meeting Lighter Footprints |
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I look forward to seeing many of you at the events below next week. Stay cool this weekend. |
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What's on with Mon |
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