Parliament readies for hectic two weeks before the budget. Here’s what to expect

It’s going to be an action-packed fortnight as the government has one final sitting period before it drops its first budget on October 25. 

It follows a jam-packed two days last week as employment and the economy were canvassed in the jobs and skills summit, after which the government vowed to implement changes to help Australia’s workforce shortage. 

Climate and cost of living are the main themes for this week. Here’s what’s on the agenda.

Media diversity 

Independent MP Zoe Daniel confirmed to Crikey she’ll be pushing for an inquiry into media diversity in Parliament next week after Lachlan Murdoch’s decision to sue Crikey for defamation. The former journalist said she would instigate a motion for a judicial inquiry, looking at all media organisations and defamation law reform. 

Jobs and skills summit outcomes 

The government announced 36 outcomes from the summit and plans to get the ball rolling on a few. The outcomes range from a one-off income credit allowing those on the aged care pension to earn an additional $4000 over this financial year without losing any of their pension, migration law reform, and making $575 million available from the National Housing Infrastructure Facility to invest in social and affordable housing.

Tomorrow the Jobs and Skills Australia Bill will be reintroduced, establishing a statutory body to improve data collection on current and emerging labour markets. 

Climate change

The Climate Change Bill 2022 will be introduced to the Senate today to legislate an emissions reduction target of 43% from 2005 levels by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. It’s got support from the Greens and independent David Pocock and will pass — but not without debate and attempts to strengthen it. Greens Leader Adam Bandt will also introduce a climate trigger bill to halt the development of new coalmines. The bill will ban environmental approval of developments that emit more than 100,000 tonnes of carbon. 

The electric car discount will be voted on in the House tomorrow. The bill would make cars cheaper for more people by removing an import tariff and changing fringe benefit laws. 

More social support

This morning the government announced the largest increase in welfare payments in 30 years, with increases to the age and disability support pensions, carer payment, JobSeeker, parenting and rental assistance payments to keep up with changes in the consumer price index.

It’s not the only change to social services expected this week: veterans and their families going through crises will receive more support under a bill to be debated before the House to enable them to access more diverse support. Under the proposed legislation, which addresses recommendations from the Senate inquiry into suicide by veterans and ex-service personnel, families can access everything from gardening to child support to help them better support veterans under stress. 

Debate is also set to resume on the aged care amendment bill, which is expected to pass the House. The bill strengthens requirements around the delivery of care, forcing providers to have at least one registered nurse on-site at all times. 

A bill repealing the cashless debit card will be introduced to the Senate on Thursday.

The Voice under the microscope

Minister for Indigenous Australians Linda Burney will deliver a major speech this week to announce the next steps in enshrining a Voice to Parliament in the constitution. The Voice has proved to be controversial, gaining criticism from Greens Senator Lidia Thorpe and Coalition Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price — with critics saying it lacked a clear public strategy. Burney is expected to announce a working group of experts.