51/2009
4 December 2009
This has been an extraordinary year for the Rudd Labor Government in the Senate.
As Manager of Government Business in the Senate I was pleased to be able to guide and timetable major reforms through the Upper House.
About 200 Government bills were introduced in the Senate in 2009. Of the more than 150 bills finalised, 80% were passed by the Senate.
We took time to consider important legislation, with almost half the bills introduced in the Senate referred to a committee for detailed consideration.
The longest sitting day was the last day of the spring session which was the culmination of almost 50 hours deliberation on the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
Nation Building and Jobs Plan
In February, the Senate passed a package of six bills to give effect to the Nation Building and Jobs Plan, to support jobs and economic activity in the face of the worst global recession in 75 years.
It’s now clear the Government’s economic stimulus kept Australia out of recession and put us in a stronger economic position than any other major advanced economy.
The passage of this legislation provided continued support for Australian families through investment in community and school infrastructure, a rebate for housing insulation and solar hot water, a boost to the First Home Owners grant and a one off cash bonus to eligible people.
Fair Work Australia
2009 was also a historic year for workplace relations, as the Rudd Government delivered on its promise to the Australian people to get rid of Work Choices. Following the passage of legislation through the Senate this year, the new Fair Work system will be fully operational from 1 January 2010.
Despite the Liberal Party’s opposition, last week the Senate passed legislation which allows for the creation of a national workplace relations system for the private sector.
This is a major micro-economic reform which will end the overlap and duplication of State and Federal workplace relations systems that have caused inefficiency and uncertainty throughout the Australian economy for decades.
In September, following a Liberal Party back down, legislation establishing Safe Work Australia was passed by the Senate. Safe Work Australia will play a crucial role in harmonising occupational health and safety laws, delivering greater certainty and protection for all Australian employers and employees.
The harmonisation of occupational health and safety laws is a reform that has eluded successive Australian governments for more than three decades.
Support for victims of the Victorian bushfires
This year Victoria was left devastated by horrendous bushfires which claimed lives and left many injured and homeless. The Senate passed legislative changes which, among other things, made the wider use of donations possible to support communities devastated by the Victorian bushfires.
Recognising the extraordinary circumstances surrounding these bushfires, the changes allowed the Victorian Bushfire Appeal Fund to use their donations for a broader range of purposes, to support bushfire-affected communities as they recover and rebuild.
Pension Reform
In June, legislation was passed in the Senate handing age pensioners, disability support pensioners, carers, wife and widow pensioners and veteran income support recipients an increase in their pension payments. This is the most significant reform to the pension since it was introduced 100 years ago, and is a vital investment in preparing Australia for the future.
Justice
The Government continued its agenda to improve access to justice in 2009, with the passage through the Senate of reforms to ensure the effective operation of the federal courts. It’s imperative we have a well-functioning justice system, and these important changes will aim to reduce unnecessary delay and time spent in court.
Consumer Credit
This year we welcomed the passage of credit and financial services reforms through the Senate. These reforms will see the creation of a single, national law for the regulation of consumer credit, commencing 1 July 2010. They will also see for the first time consumer protections and regulations put in place for margin loans, strengthening the range of protections that are in place for vulnerable consumers.
Other achievements
Other achievements in 2009 include the passage of the alcopops legislation, delivering a $50 million package of measures to tackle binge drinking, legislation giving effect to an interim military justice system after a determination the establishment of the Australian Military Court was invalid, and the abolition of conclusive certificates from the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Archives Act 1983.
Climate Change
Unfortunately the Opposition was not prepared to deliver on its deal to pass the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme. This legislation is essential to our future. It is required to deliver long-term, lasting action to tackle climate change.
We have put up a policy that is in the national interest. We will introduce the CPRS legislation into the parliament on the first sitting day next year to give the Liberal Party another chance to support our plan to tackle climate change.
Health
This year the Rudd Government has also been working towards important changes to make our health system fairer and more sustainable for the future. However the Opposition remained firm in its resolve to neglect areas in urgent need of improvement, bringing vital changes to a standstill.
Health bills that have been blocked or delayed by Coalition senators include a $1.9 billion measure to make private health insurance fairer and more sustainable for the future. This bill was an important part of maintaining the financial viability of the health system.
The Government’s attempts to establish Australia’s first independent national preventative health body and amend the fees paid for now commonplace cataract procedures have also been frustrated by the politicking of the Liberals.
Without these measures there is less funding available for other measures that help us improve and extend lives and we cannot take much needed action in the fight against obesity, chronic disease and alcohol and tobacco addiction.
The Opposition also stalled the passage of historic legislation to provide access to the MBS and PBS for Midwives and Nurse Practitioners for the first time.
Support for students
Thousands of students starting university next year have been left in limbo after the Coalition failed to support a bill that would deliver assistance to students in low income families. This has left 150,000 students uncertain of their future.
Senate Committees
This year there was controversy surrounding allegations of provision of fabricated information to a Senate committee inquiry. The issue was dealt with through the privileges committee, which remains the most effective way of ensuring a robust Senate committee system.
Almost 100 bills were referred to committees for detailed examination in 2009, including the CPRS legislation, with a joint committee reporting on the conduct of the 2007 Federal Election and related electoral issues.
Senate Clerk
2009 saw the departure of the Senate’s longest serving Clerk, Harry Evans. On behalf of my colleagues in the Rudd Labor Government I extend my sincere thanks to Mr Evans for his important work. His professionalism and dedication are highly regarded, and I wish him well for the future. I also congratulate Rosemary Laing on her succession as Clerk and look forward to working with her in 2010.
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