Hello from Canberra
5 March, 2020
We have just about finished another busy fortnight in Parliament House that has been dominated by Sports Rorts Grants, Coronavirus and Senate Estimates where Senators can question government ministers and senior bureaucrats on their spending and the decisions they make.
Below is an update on the work we have been doing, drawing on our core values of innovation, integrity and inclusion.
CORONAVIRUS
The Coronavirus outbreak has been an unsettling time for many. I would urge you all to be as informed as possible and to not panic.
NSW Health is regularly updating their website which you can find HERE. If you or any of your family members have health concerns such as a fever, a cough, sore throat or shortness of breath within 14 days of travel to an affected area, please seek medical attention:
- Call your GP
- Emergency department
- Or call Health Direct on 1800 022 222
CLIMATE CHANGE BILL
My team and I have been busy meeting with both sides of politics and stakeholders about our Climate Change Bill.
We have more than 67,000 people who have signed up to support the Bill on our website climateactnow.com.au. We have also received support from Atlassian, The Australian Business Council, WWF, Celeste Barber and her husband Api Robin and journalist Sarah Wilson. For the full list of supporters head HERE.
When we return to Parliament I will be introducing the Bill as a Private Member’s Bill.
IN PARLIAMENT:
- Clean Energy Summit
We had a fantastic Clean Energy Summit where we heard from exceptional speakers talking about energy transition. Speakers included Simon Holmes a Court and Michele O’Neil from the Australian Council of Trade Unions. This was the second meeting of the Parliamentary Friends of Climate Action.
- Domestic Violence in Australia
Rebekah Sharkie MP and I spoke about what we can do in Federal Parliament to address Domestic Violence. There should be better funding and support services available. To watch our interview with Channel Nine head HERE
- Speeches in Parliament
I supported the Greens Leader Adam Bandt’s legislation that calls for the Australian government to acknowledge that we are in a Climate Emergency.
I also spoke about the following:
- Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Legislation)
- Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Legislation)
- Closing the Gap Report
- Matter of Public Importance – Government’s Disregard for the Rule of Law, Sovereignty and a Healthy Democracy
- Sydney Harbour Federation Trust
-
Appropriations Bill (Funding for Sports)
QUESTIONS TO THE PRIME MINISTER:
- Costs of inaction on Climate Change
-
Asking what the Federal Government has done to prepare for a 3C warmer world
To view every speech and question from this sitting fortnight please click HERE
CURRENT INQUIRIES:
The Environment and Energy Committee which I sit on has been asked to inquire into a recent Bill proposed by my crossbench colleague Andrew Wilkie. The Bill - National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment (Transparency in Carbon Emissions Accounting) Bill 2020 – is been open for submissions, with a closing date of 20 March 2020. The inquiry website is: www.aph.gov.au/greenhousereportingbill
COMING UP
- There are also nine joint committee inquires closing their public submissions in the next two weeks including Paid Parental Leave Amendment and the inquiry into the Tax Treatment of Employee Share Scheme. The full list can be found here: https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Submissions_Closing
My team and I are available to meet and discuss any issues. Please get in touch by emailing [email protected] or call the office on 9977 6411. Please forward this on to your network of family and friends in Warringah.
Have a great afternoon,
Zali
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