Straight from the Senate - Issue 32
9.50am | September 09, 2017
RECENTLY 1. Yesterday I heard from Indigenous Australians from the First Nations Workers' Alliance. We were told of the deprivation in remote communities caused by the Coalition government’s unfair work-for-the-dole program. We also heard how Community Development Program (CDP) participants are excluded from Commonwealth workplace compensation. This government must do better. |
2. On Thursday I moved a motion in the Senate calling on the government to support 1800 Respect. 1800 Respect is set to lose 75% of the public funding provided to it by Medibank Health Solutions. I call on the Prime Minister to ensure that victims of family and domestic violence continue to have access to specialist services. |
3. I spoke this week about the need for the government to show economic leadership. The treasurer is still filling out the practice exercises from a 1987 economics textbook, but the problems today are different. We need to reform negative gearing, introduce a fairer taxation system and empower workers to bargain for higher wages. |
4. This week I called on the government to take stronger action to protect our unique Australian wildlife and support the important work done by the Australian Platypus Conservancy and others. |
IN DEPTH On Thursday I chaired a senate inquiry into how the postal survey on marriage equality will be run. |
In Labor, Jenny McAllister |