Australia PM unveils draft Indigenous recognition referendum question
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on Saturday unveiled the wording of a draft referendum question as part of moves to enshrine an Indigenous voice in parliament. The government is seeking a referendum, which is necessary to make changes to the constitution, on recognising indigenous minorities in the constitution and requiring governments to consult […]
Sexual harassment rife inside Australian parliament, report finds
Canberra, AustraliaReuters One in three people working in Australia’s parliament have experienced sexual harassment, a report published on Tuesday said, following an independent inquiry into parliamentary workplace culture. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who ordered the review in February after his party came under pressure over its handling of an alleged rape inside the building, said […]
Thousands to rally outside Australian parliament as pressure grows on PM
Canberra, AustraliaReuters Thousands of protesters are expected to descend on Australia’s capital on Monday when the country’s parliament resumes as part of nationwide demonstrations, intensifying pressure on Prime Minister Scott Morrison. Spurred by rape allegations against Attorney-General Christian Porter and a former employee of Morrison’s Liberal party, 43 protests are planned across the country on […]
“Black summer” – Australian PM leads tribute to bushfire victims
Sydney, AustraliaReuters Australia suspended parliament on Tuesday to honour the victims of a national bushfire crisis that has killed 33 people, as more than 100 fires remained ablaze across the country’s east coast. Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who has received public criticism for his handling of the crisis, led a tribute as legislators returned to […]
ESSAY: WHEN CHRISTIAN WOMEN SPEAK UP
LIBBY SANDERS, mercy and justice program manager, at Anglican Deaconess Ministries in Sydney was among a delegation of more than 40 Australian Christian women leaders, organised by Micah Australia, who went to Canberra on Wednesday to “amplify the voices of people in the Pacific”. Here, Sanders talks about why…
Australian Christian Lobby renews calls for motion declaring Islamic State’s persecution of Christians and other religious minorities ‘genocide’
The Australian Christian Lobby has renewed calls for the Australian Government to prioritise a parliamentary vote recognising the persecution of Christians and other religious minorities by followers of the so-called Islamic State as ‘genocide’. A bi-partisan motion was moved in Federal Parliament in late November but has not yet been brought to a vote. ACL […]
SIGHT-SEEING: DOING JUSTICE TO POLITICAL DEBATE?
With Australia’s debate over same-sex marriage in mind, BRUCE C WEARNE reflects on the way forward for respectful discussion even in the midst of “profound” disagreement…
KNOW IT ALL: THE SPEAKER
DAVID ADAMS looks at the role of the Speaker in the Australian Parliament…