John,
We had a busy fortnight in Canberra, with Senate Estimates hearings demonstrating once again that the Morrison Government
is all announcement, no delivery – and it’s always hardworking Australians who pay the price.
RORTS AND WASTE ON THE MORRISON GOVERNMENT’S WATCH
Evidence of rort after rort emerged – showing us why the Morrison Government needs to stop dragging its feet on an independent National Integrity Commission.
First up - the dodgy Western Sydney airport land deal. It’s been referred to the AFP for investigation of possible criminal conduct but the Deputy Prime Minister still considers spending $30 million on a piece of land worth $3 million a “bargain”. His department doesn’t agree.
Then there were the revelations which resulted in the Australia Post boss facing investigation. Under questioning from Senator Kitching, Christine Holgate admitted to giving executives Cartier watches worth $20,000.
Also standing aside was James Shipton, chairman of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, after the Audit Office found taxpayers were billed $118,557 for Shipton’s tax advice.
After the Auditor-General busted their Sports Rorts scheme, Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg said they would provide funding for community sport infrastructure projects that missed out in the politicised process. Questions from Senator Farrell revealed it was another annoucement the Morrison Government hasn’t delivered on.
Senator Ayres quizzed officials on what happened to Tony Abbott's Knight and Dame awards. The answer? More Government waste.
DELAYS AND MISMANAGEMENT IN DEFENCE
Defence officials admitted the $45 billion future frigate is facing delays because of issues over its design. Defence Minister Linda Reynolds won’t guarantee construction of the first ship will start on time in late 2022.
We also heard the $90 billion Future Submarines will not be fully operational until at least 2054 – although Minister Reynolds was a little fuzzy on the timeline for delivering what is biggest single purchase by the Australian Government in history.
Let’s hope both projects work out better than the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters. Defence has had three goes at fixing a design flaw which means the $3.77 billion choppers can’t do the job they were bought for – and of course it’s taxpayers picking up the bill for all these “redesigns”.
AUSTRALIANS LEFT BEHIND, AND THE COALITION OF PEAKS IGNORED
Despite calls from unions, the business sector and community groups there was confirmation at Senate Estimates that the rate of JobSeeker is set to snapback to $40 a day on December 31.
The Minister wouldn’t answer questions from Senator Gallagher about why Australians on JobSeeker are being treated differently to those on other government support payments.
Instead the 1.6 million Australians on the payment are being kept in the dark.
In July Scott Morrison announced to great fanfare a new National Agreement on Closing the Gap in July, heralding “a new chapter” in First Nations policy making “built on mutual trust, shared responsibility, dignity and respect,” – but once again he’s shown how he is all talk and no action.
Department of Social Services officials admitted they’ve ignored advice from the Coalition of Peaks on the Cashless Debit Card, instead introducing legislation to make the punitive card permanent.
SMALL BUSINESS BACKS CHEAPER CHILDCARE – AS A MARKETING CAMPAIGN GOES MISSING
Labor believes working families should be able to afford childcare for their kids - it’s as simple as that. Women are the key to kickstarting our economy during the worst recession in a hundred years – and Small Business Ombudsman Kate Carnell agrees, telling Senator Sheldon it’s a significant matter for her sector.
Senator Keneally asked officials for details about a Government marketing campaign “to promote the benefits of childcare”.
Despite how much the Prime Minister loves marketing, we found out the Education Department hasn’t been asked, or funded, to run any marketing campaigns about childcare- despite it being promoted in the media.
Thank you for taking the time to read Labor Senate Select(ions).
Please stay safe and stay healthy.
Senator Penny Wong
Labor Leader in the Senate
Australian Labor Party
Authorised by P. Erickson, ALP, Canberra.
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