Despite being a relatively quiet week for politics, a lot happened this week.
Palm Sunday saw rallies across the country over the treatment of refugees, with regular people, medical staff and Church leaders coming together. Several social workers, as well as mental health and medical professionals who have worked in detention centres risked arrest and jail time by speaking out about what they’ve seen. Meanwhile, the Australian Church leaders are becoming more critical of Immigration Minister Peter Dutton.
Malcolm Turnbull finally did what everyone thought he would and moved this year’s Budget to May 3, as a preventative measure in case he has to call a double dissolution by May 11. The Governor-General, on advice from the Prime Minister, has called both houses of Parliament back on April 18 in order to pass the construction industry watchdog legislation, with the idea being that if it doesn’t pass the Senate, Turnbull can call a double dissolution election. So cross bench Senators essentially have a choice: sell their souls to save their seats, or risk a double dissolution. Most have said they won’t support the legislation, in part because they don’t like blackmail, but also because they feel there should be a more wide-ranging watchdog, such as a Federal ICAC. Meanwhile, Labor still seems to have the upper hand at the moment, especially when Bill Shorten began a press conference by telling people it was day one of a 103-day long election campaign.
The terror attack in Brussels this week came as a shock to many, and lead to some criticism of Turnbull after he criticised the Belgians and Europe of having open borders which allowed Islamic State terrorists to come into Europe and do what they did in Brussels. Bill Shorten suggested that maybe it was a bad look to criticise the Belgian government less than 24 hours after the attack, and announced new anti-terror legislation that allows law enforcement to hold suspected terrorists without charge either before a suspected attack to protect people, or straight after in order to preserve important evidence.
Cabinet Secretary Arthur Sinodinos is in a bit of strife this week after the NSW Electoral Commission withheld money from the NSW Liberals due to concerns over the identity of donors that gave to the party for their 2011 election campaign through the Free Enterprise Foundation. It believed that these donors may be property developers, who were banned from donating to political parties a few years earlier. Back in 2011, Sinodinos was the Liberal Party State Treasurer, and so he’s been dragged into it, and Labor is asking he stand down.
Finally this week, the environment has come into focus this week, with the Great Barrier Reef warning level was increased as warmer water is leading to coral bleaching; two renewable energy bodies are being saved from the chopping block; and terror arrests this week lead to the capture of a 20 year old male, and a 16 year old girl who are alleged to have sent (or were planning to send) money to Islamic State.
Tweet of the Week
Things I’ve Been Looking at Online
The awkward moment when your campaign slogan is recognised from Veep – Buzzfeed
Safe Schools and how the conservatives are “bullies” – Saturday Paper
Jacqui Lambie wants 190 people arrested – Buzzfeed
Kara L 