HECS and childcare Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's first order of business as parliament returns
Veteran MPs and fresh-faced senators gathered in Canberra on Tuesday for the formal opening of parliament before official business could get under way.
The day began with an ecumenical service at a Wesley Uniting Church, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese promising to get down to business quickly.
'Every day is an opportunity to deliver for Australians and this week we will have legislation to do that,' he told reporters outside the church.
'We'll continue to work hard each and every day in the interest of Australians.'
Albanese will command a large majority in his second term as leader, with Labor holding 94 of the 150 seats in the House of Representatives.
The size of the majority was on display on the floor of parliament for the first time since the election, with Labor MPs now sitting on both sides of the aisle in the lower house.
Across the chamber, Opposition Leader Sussan Ley will preside over just 43 lower-house MPs after an election wipeout for the coalition.
'We got smashed at the last election and the number of seats that we now hold is a demonstration that we are at a low point,' Ley said.
'But we're here to work hard, we're here to put the interests of the Australian people that we come here to represent front and centre.
'And we know that aspiration connects every single threat of Australian society.'
After a ceremonial Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony on the forecourt of Parliament House, MPs and senators were one-by-one sworn in at their respective chambers.
Business soon turned to the election of a speaker for the House of Representatives.
Labor MP Milton Dick was re-elected to the role with bipartisan support before he was ceremonially dragged to the speaker's chair by MPs.
The prime minister said Dick would continue to conduct the role with 'fairness, with humour and with intellect'.
The returning speaker said it was a 'profound honour' to carry on in the position.
'My view is the role of speaker is not one of partisanship, but of stewardship, and it's my solemn responsibility to ensure that democracy is not only practiced here, but it's strengthened here,' Dick said.
In the Senate, Sue Lines was re-elected as president of the chamber, but not before One Nation leader Pauline Hanson's surprise nomination of political rival David Pocock for the position.
The independent ACT senator declined the nomination.
Later, Governor-General Sam Mostyn will deliver a speech in the Senate outlining the priorities of the term, followed by a ceremonial 19-gun salute.
Legislation due to be introduced in the first week of parliament includes a 20 per cent reduction in HECS debt for university students, penalty rate protections and increased safety measures at childcare centres.
The coalition is still reviewing many of the policies it took to the election, but the opposition has flagged it is likely to support the student debt reduction measures, along with childcare protection laws.
The Greens, who hold the balance of power in the upper house, are set to introduce a private senators bill to reform Australia's main environment laws.
Labor's main policies
The Albanese government will look to implement a long list of promises it made at the election when parliament resumes.
COST OF LIVING:
$1,000 tax deductions from 2026-27 for work-related expenses.
Cap prescription medication at $25 and $7.70 for concession cardholders.
HOUSING:
Five per cent deposits and 100,000 new homes for first-home buyers.
Electricity bill rebates of $75 per household for the final quarters of 2025.
HEALTH:
$8.5 billion over four years for Medicare to expand bulk-billing and create 50 extra urgent care clinics.
Free mental health services, new training facilities for professionals, upgrading mental health centres and improvements to mental health organisation Headspace.
GENDER:
$573 million in funding for women's health, including spending on long-term contraceptives and expanding endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics.
Men's mental health support measures, which will include training for primary health care workers and support programs.
CHILDCARE:
Three days of subsidised child care for every family.
A $1 billion fund to build new childcare centres.
EDUCATION:
20 per cent off HECS debt for university students and graduates.
100,000 fee-free TAFE placements.
DEFENCE:
Grow defence spending by $50.3 billion over the next decade, expanding spending from 2 per cent of GDP to 2.33 per cent by 2033/34.
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Perth Now
3 minutes ago
- Perth Now
Minister's brutal sledge to ‘virile' Nats
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Sydney Morning Herald
33 minutes ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
Let's lower the voting age and see some progress
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Richard Abram, Bexley Victims of tobacco war On the illegal tobacco debate, I agree with the obvious premise that cigarettes cause harm, and cheap cigarettes keep people using them. But if the plan is simply to close down the illegal tobacco market, I worry for many habitual smokers on low incomes (' Eviction, jail and fines for illegal tobacco sellers', July 23). As a psychologist, I work with a number of people on disability support pensions who live with severe mental illnesses. Cigarettes are a part of their way of life, and they're just not interested in quitting. If they are forced to go back to highly taxed/priced legal cigarettes, they will forego food and other necessities in order to keep smoking. I've seen this happen. Even though they're well aware of the terrible health prospects, cigarettes nevertheless help many people to keep going. Sadly, they're not keen on patches or gum. So, whatever is done about illegal cigarettes, allowances need to be made for many on low incomes who will continue smoking regardless. Otherwise their quality of life and mental health will crash. Jim Filshie, Kingsgrove I hardly think any landlord is going to evict a retailer for selling illegal tobacco. I recall reading that these same sellers are offering landlords above market rates to rent their premises and with today's vacancy rates in strip retail shops, I'd suggest it would be a rarity to see any landlord evict a tenant for anything apart from rent arrears. Barb La Ganza, North Narrabeen I think that tough legislation and penalties is the right approach rather than lowering the tax rate on tobacco products. However, it remains to be seen if the words will be put into action. It has been more than eleven years since smoking was banned in all cafes and restaurants, and I have seen little evidence of enforcement. Reports to Health NSW and local councils achieve nothing. Bob Edgar, Moss Vale HECS anomaly Ross Gittins quite rightly points out the stupidity of the Morrison government's Job Ready program, which resulted in arts degrees costing $50,000 (' Cutting HECS debt is the least Albanese could do for young Australians ', July 23). Why the new Labor government hasn't changed this policy is a mystery. Reducing students' HECS debts by 20 per cent is a good start, but surely preventing future extreme and unfair tertiary debt must be on the agenda. As they say, 'it's a no brainer'. Eric Sekula, Turramurra While the government tinkers with HECS debts in a rather ineffective attempt to reduce financial burdens on the young, it is quite amazing that university education in EU countries like France, Germany and Sweden is almost free. Furthermore, living allowances are provided which reduce the need to work part-time. 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Finally, the oil and gas industry 'exports 80 per cent of Australia's gas, gets most of the gas it exports for free, is a small employer and pays little tax'. It is hoped that Jim Chalmers' economic summit will not be dominated by the usual rent seekers. Alison Stewart, Riverview Super changes The story in the Herald (' Average pay of $240k to be hit by super tax', July 23) outlines a number of scenarios for people who will be hit by Labor's superannuation tax changes. But what the report fails to mention is that both a husband and a wife can have $3 million each in super. It also doesn't ask the question 'why do people running a farm have the farm included in superannuation?' Also, many farming families also have trust accounts, thus decreasing their taxable income. It's all legal but not an option for the average Australian. If everyone wants the Labor government to enact the policies it took to the recent election, then the money has to be found from somewhere, particularly as companies are not reinvesting to create growth in the economy. Peter Nelson, Moss Vale Welfare state It has become all too apparent that Australian society is fast becoming a welfare state following many years of government handouts (' Australia risks becoming a 'welfare state', study warns ', July 23). In many instances, this has been initiated to win elections. While government support is appreciated by those with urgent or specific needs, far too many now see it as an easy alternative to employment and making a contribution to society. With government spending approaching 40 per cent of gross domestic product and the emphasis currently on how to increase productivity, the answer clearly lies within government itself. 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Let's hope that the 48th parliament provides a safe, supportive workplace which embodies her values of service, fairness, kindness and perseverance. Viv Mackenzie, Port Hacking Ali France is a beacon of hope for the many Australians living with grief and/or disability. We now have a strong voice in federal parliament. Sending grateful thanks to the voters of Dickson. Margot Alaba, Balgowlah
Sky News AU
33 minutes ago
- Sky News AU
‘I am Australian': Pauline Hanson defends One Nation turning their backs to Welcome to Country
One Nation leader Pauline Hanson defends claims One Nation senators turning their backs to the Welcome to Country ceremony in parliament was disrespectful. 'It is not a custom of the Aboriginal people, that's rubbish,' Ms Hanson told Sky News host Chris Kenny. Ms Hanson and Mr Kenny clashed on the importance of the Welcome to Country ceremony in the Australian senate.
