News from our Parliament
Keep up-to-date with the latest news from our Parliament. Read straightforward explanations of bills, committee inquiries, and events in the Senate and House of Representatives, and around Parliament House.
7
August
2019
Mother and daughter bow to tradition
The new Member for Lilley, Ms Anika Wells MP, took her daughter into the House of Representatives and was photographed bowing to the Speaker, with her daughter following her example.
7
August
2019
Examining national identity
The Senate has referred an inquiry relating to nationhood, national identity and democracy to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for investigation.
7
August
2019
Drought assistance approved by Parliament
Future funding for drought-resilience projects has been put in place, under bills passed by the Parliament.
7
August
2019
Social security bill returns for debate
The Social Services Legislation Amendment (Ending the Poverty Trap) Bill 2018 has been restored to the Notice Paper for debate in the Senate. The bill was originally introduced in September 2018.
7
August
2019
Counterterrorism bills pass Parliament
The Parliament has passed bills to allow law enforcement agencies to manage the way Australians who may have links to terrorist groups re-enter Australia, with the introduction of a temporary exclusion order (TEO) scheme to delay their return.