Whenever I think the Senate can’t get any more full on - sure enough it does.
We have just wrapped up an absolutely mammoth sitting fortnight to finish the parliamentary sitting year - capped off by a marathon day last Thursday with more than 30 bills going through the Senate. More on that below.
And in case the last fortnight wasn’t big enough as it was, Emma and I welcomed the birth of our little boy. A huge thank you to all the people who have sent well wishes. Running very low on sleep but we couldn’t be happier.
We’re now pivoting into campaign mode, continuing to serve constituents while also gearing up for the next federal election to be held some time between February and May next year. If you haven’t already got plans, please consider coming along to our Volunteer Celebration at 4pm on Sunday 8 December at Red Shed. More info and RSVPs here. It’s going to be a great event and I’d love to see you. If you can’t make it, but still want to volunteer, you can sign up here. I've also launched our merch store here which we'll be adding to in coming weeks.
Monster legislation list
The final 7am parliamentary soccer match of the year was abruptly interrupted as I had to run off the field and into a meeting with the PM to negotiate over the long list of bills the Government wanted to pass before the parliament rose for the year. Although it was a lot to get through, rest assured that my team and I trawled through each and every one of those bills and every single proposed amendment.
I would have been happy to see parliament sit longer so we had more time to consider some of the legislation but it won’t shock you to hear that this idea was not taken up.
Instead, I negotiated a deal with the Prime Minister to see the government prioritise and bring forward legislation on key cost-of-living issues, like a mandatory food and grocery code.
I also got the government to accept key changes on proposed build to rent legislation that will see 80,000 new rental homes with better conditions for tenants including 5-year leases and a ban on no-cause evictions. This will also mean that all 10% of all built to rent projects will have 10% truly affordable rentals where the rent won’t exceed 30% of income.
There’s another big cost-of-living measure I negotiated as part of this deal that will be announced next week so keep your eye out for that one - it delivers on a key election commitment from my campaign (spoiler alert, it’s not a stadium in the city).
And to finish I secured an additional $10 million investment in gene drive technology research and development that could help revolutionise how we manage invasive species.
Social Media & Migration
Disappointingly, the government added extra bills to the list of legislation outside of what I agreed to, including a bill to ban social media for under 16s and some truly heinous migration legislation.
On the migration legislation, I did what I could to mitigate the harm they would cause by circulating 14 amendments to narrow the impact to serious criminals only, which was the government’s stated aim. Unfortunately, none of those were supported. I voted against the bills because they were so rushed and poorly drafted, and they will give the Government broad, unchecked powers that have the potential to harm migrant communities in unprecedented ways.
While I absolutely agree with the intent of the social media ban and share deep concerns about the harm social media is doing to young people, this was a poorly drafted and extremely rushed bill that leaves key questions unanswered. Almost every expert I spoke to raised serious concerns. The ban isn’t going to come into force for another 12 months and I think we should have taken the time to get it right. This is why I decided to vote against the Bill, but it had the support of the two major parties so passed Parliament late Thursday night. You can view more about my position on this here, and read my contribution to the senate committee inquiry here.
Environmental Protection Agency
Disappointingly, what was missing from the monster legislation list were the Nature Positive Bills. I worked hard to try and have these bills passed, but the Prime Minister is reported to have taken the deal I reached with the Environment Minister off the table. It was a deal for real change that included a pathway to better protection for critically endangered parts of the ACT. You can read more about this here.
Withdrawing the bills in response to pressure from the mining industry and the West Australian underlines the oversized influence of powerful vested interests on environmental law reform. Polling I commissioned shows that 78% of West Australians want stronger environmental laws through law reform. You can read more about the polling here.
As the ACF CEO Kelly O’Shanassy remarked, “Nature has been the biggest loser of this year’s federal parliament.”
The bulk of environmental reform has now been punted to after the next election. We desperately need reforms that protect our beautiful continent from further environmental decline, including through a truly independent Environmental Protection Agency that has the powers it needs to do this with integrity and independence.
Electoral reform
While reforms to our electoral system are well overdue and desperately needed, I was deeply concerned with both the process and the content of the electoral reform bill that the major parties nearly rushed through the parliament.
The transparency measures in the bill should not be controversial, and I encouraged the Government to pass those changes and look more closely at complex issues around spending and donation caps.
I firmly believe that any changes must be fair and subject to proper parliamentary process and scrutiny. Disappointingly, the major parties continue to refuse to send the complex legislation, which is more than 400 pages long, to a senate inquiry.
These reforms must preserve a level playing field that doesn’t lock out community independents. You can read a media release I put out about the reforms here, and more about my position on the issue here.
Help to Buy & Build-to-rent
After major delays due to blocking from the Coalition and the Greens, two important housing bills passed the parliament last week: the Help to Buy shared equity scheme, and then the Build to Rent scheme as part of my guillotine deal with the government and following agreement on some big amendments.
I pushed for more ambition on both bills and I would like to thank Minister Clare O’Neil and her office for their constructive engagement as well as advocacy from fellow independents Kylea Tink MP, Kate Chaney MP and Allegra Spender MP.
While the government wouldn't accept my amendments to expand the scheme and alter the income and property price caps, Help to Buy will still assist 40,000 Australians who can’t access the bank of mum and dad to buy a home.
Build-to-rent, while not a silver bullet, will inject some 80,000 new homes in the midst of a dire housing crisis. They will all have 5 year leases and a ban on no-cause evictions thanks to my amendments championed on behalf of the Community Housing Industry Association, National Shelter and the Property Council. It will also ensure 10% of those homes are truly affordable and managed by a community housing organisation.
Whistleblower Protection Authority
On Tuesday, I joined crossbench colleagues Andrew Wilkie MP, Senator Lambie and Helen Haines MP, to formally announce that we will be introducing a Bill to establish a Whistleblower Protection Authority.
Whistleblowers should be protected, not prosecuted in our democracy. The Authority would offer crucial support to whistleblowers when they come forward with accounts of wrongdoing, while also investigating retaliation, and ensuring that disclosures are properly handled. You can read more on this here.
AI Inquiry Additional Comments
It’s becoming increasingly clear that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will likely be the defining technology of our generation. Despite this, I didn’t think parliament was keeping up with the development of AI or the uptake we’re seeing in society. So I moved a motion to establish a Select Committee to look at and report on the opportunities and impacts for Australia arising out of the uptake of AI technologies.
The committee inquiry held six public hearings and attracted a wide range of deeply considered submissions, from a selection of stakeholders notable for their diversity, offering important insights on the fast emerging application of AI.
The Chair handed down the Final Report on 26 November 2024. You can view it here. While I supported all of the Chair’s recommendations, I believe some need to go further, faster. My four additional recommendations are outlined below.
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The Government prioritises the introduction of legislation for mandatory guardrails for the safe and responsible use of AI in the next sitting period.
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The Government prioritise consideration of the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Communications) Bill 2024 with amendments that would see the use of artificial intelligence banned in electoral matter with effect prior to the next federal election.
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The Government fund a national AI safety centre in the next federal budget - this was one of the most consistently raised recommendations from witnesses during the inquiry and I was disappointed to not see it in the committees report
- The Government should urgently bring forward a bill to amend the Copyright Act to strengthen prohibitions on copyright infringement, clarify how copyright law applies to generative AI, and separately to fund the establishment of a copyright register and greater enforcement and compliance activities.
Fair Territory Representation in the Senate
On Tuesday last week, I introduced a Private Senators Bill that would increase the number of Senators that represent ACT and the NT to half the number of senators that represent the States.
The Senate is meant to be the place where smaller jurisdictions have an equal say. Given the territories weren’t in the constitution but are part of our democratic system now, they should have fairer representation than they currently do.
Delays in the territories being able to legislate for voluntary assisted dying laws and other encroachments on territory rights reveal a real need for fairer territory representation in the Senate.
Attempts to violate our territory rights continue, with the coalition introducing bills to override ACT laws as recently as last year.
I wrote to Minister Gallagher, Minister Andrew Leigh MP, Alicia Payne MP, David Smith MP, and NT representatives requesting that they co-sponsor the bill. Unfortunately none were willing to give their support, despite the fact that the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has recommended additional senators for the territories.
I will continue to advocate for fairer representation for the ACT, including through any electoral reform bill.
Population Inquiry
Last Wednesday, I moved a motion in the senate that would have established an inquiry into setting up a population strategy for Australia.
The major parties and the Greens are unwilling to have a sensible, sober conversation about immigration and population growth. Although the issue has significant sensitivities, I believe it is far better to tackle difficult problems head-on, rather than ignoring them and allowing division and mistrust to develop.
Had the inquiry been supported by the major parties, it would have investigated, among other issues, the relationship between population growth and housing availability and affordability, as well as the impact on the environment. The terms of reference would have also included the role of migration in population growth and its impact on diversity, multiculturalism and social cohesion - including whether support provided for new migrants is sufficient to support positive settlement outcomes. You can watch more about this here, and read the terms of reference of the inquiry here.
Overseas Students Bill
As I said above, I think we need to have a sensible conversation about migration and population. What we don’t need is more political dog whistling, scapegoating or knee-jerk responses that don’t deal with the real issues - which is what the government’s proposed bill to cap international student numbers would have been.
While the bill contained legitimately good measures around quality and integrity - and all stakeholders support a managed growth system - the proposed international student caps were poorly put together, unfair and would have caused huge damage to our economy, especially here in the ACT where international education is the biggest services export industry.
I pushed back hard against this bill and championed big amendments that would make it significantly better. You can see a summary of that in my dissenting report.
Ultimately the bill was taken off the table for now and I hope the government will use the summer to go back to the drawing board and improve this policy.
HECS Debt
Alongside a lack of climate action and declining housing affordability, crippling student debt is adding to a widening intergenerational inequality. One of the bills that passed last week will change how student debt is indexed. While welcome because of the money it will save students, this reform falls short of what’s needed and what I’ve been pushing for.
We also need to see the government change the timing of HECS indexation so students aren’t effectively paying interest on money already repaid.
The other big change that is needed is reforming the former government’s failed Job Ready Graduates program, which is the main driver of increased debt as highlighted by the Universities Accord. It’s disappointing to see the government kick this further down the road.
National Student Ombudsman
One of the best examples I’ve been part of this parliament of driving positive change was the creation of a national student ombudsman to keep students safer on campus. The bill establishing the ombudsman was a key ask in return for my support of the guillotine.
Advocates with lived experience who've been pushing better student safety on campus for YEARS came to me frustrated at a lack of progress on this issue. I invited them to come to parliament with their message and Independents Zoe Daniel MP, Dr Monique Ryan MP, Allegra Spender MP and Greens Senator Larissa Waters came, cared and stood with these young women calling for better. Straight after that press conference we had an already-scheduled meeting with Education Minister Jason Clare about something else. I couldn't be there but other independents were and put the students' concerns to the Minister. To Minister Jason Clare great credit, he met with them that very same day and by the end of the week had committed to taking action.
Aged Care
I supported the Government’s changes to aged care laws after consultation with the Canberra community.
The overwhelming feedback I heard from Canberrans was that they are happy to pay a bit more for aged care services, but only if services actually improve. Unfortunately, the services are just not there for people seeking support and wait lists are far too long - particularly in the ACT.
These changes should start to turn that ship around, and also introduce some important new protections for seniors who wish to make complaints about the services they are receiving.
As part of negotiations with the Government and the Opposition, I secured two important amendments to these new laws. The first was a new protection that will ensure the Government can’t just raise peoples’ fees unilaterally if the aged care sector starts to cry poor. Now, if any future Government would like to change fees, they will need to bring legislation to Parliament so that it can be properly debated.
My second amendment introduces some structural transparency into the system that will ensure the Parliament - and the public - can monitor wait times across the country.
With the legislation passed, I’m eager for services to improve. If this is not the experience of senior Canberrans in the years ahead, I would like to know about it so that I can raise it in the Parliament. So please do not hesitate to reach out anytime if there’s anything you would like to share about the quality of aged care services here in the Capital.
Gambling reform
Despite lots of promises, the Government has failed to bring forward legislation this year to deal with gambling advertising.
The situation is so ridiculous that ministers can’t even seem to get their story straight on why the Government has squibbed on its commitment to tackle gambling ads in the interests of young Australians.
Unfortunately, we are seeing the PM bow to pressure from the NRL, the free TV lobby and multinational gambling companies who all profit immensely from gambling. There’s no doubt that these are powerful industries, but I would argue the PM needs to find the courage to do what is right and to honour the work of his late colleague Peta Murphy, who produced a multipartisan-backed report calling for a phased-in ban of all gambling ads.
Just this morning, we saw a complaint from a father that his children were hearing gambling ads in between Moana and Frozen songs on Spotify. This is what the PM is allowing to happen each day that he continues to kick this can down the road.
I will continue to push for a strong response to Peta Murphy’s recommendations, including a phased-in ban on all forms of gambling ads.
Scams protection
Australians lose a whopping $2.74bn to scams annually. Disappointingly the government has been slow to act bringing in new protections. Legislation was finally introduced into the parliament but has been sent to a senate committee inquiry and won’t be dealt with until next year. The proposed scams protection framework also fails to include a reimbursement model to ensure that big banks, telcos and social media companies are kept on the hook for reimbursing victims.
Gaza
I have been pushing hard all year for a humanitarian visa pathway for people fleeing Gaza, and in October I finally had a pretty solid win. The Government quietly opened a portal allowing those who fled and are now in Australia to apply for a three-year temporary humanitarian visa, similar to what was offered to Ukrainians.
This visa includes access to work and study rights, Medicare, and settlement support.
I’ll keep pressing for a broader and more consistent humanitarian response to conflicts around the world. I’ll also continue advocating for the Government to pull every lever they have available, such as placing targeted sanctions against senior officials in the Israeli Government and Defence Force.
Behaviour in the chamber
As one of my team remarked, we saw the best and the worst of the parliament last week.
Moments where we worked together to do good for the people who sent us here - like on Build-to-Rent or for Senator Birmingham’s valedictory speech, then moments where anger and division dominated.
Senator Hanson’s offensive motion against Senator Payman, someone I was proud to support in one of her most challenging moments earlier the year, sparked a chain of events that ended with Senator Thorpe being suspended from the parliament for a day. Voting to suspend her was not a decision I took lightly, or without compassion for the circumstances leading up to her actions. I voted against the previous censure motion against Senator Thorpe as I believe we must protect the right to nonviolent protest, even when we don’t agree with the way it is done. But I supported the second censure motion because we have to ensure Parliament House is a safe workplace for everyone, parliamentarians and staff. Unfortunately, despite all the talk about the need to set the standard in Parliament, we have a long way to go at times. 
Events Wrap
Rising Tide - Canberra Wave
It was great to see the turnout for the Rising Tide rally last Wednesday in rainy conditions. People from all corners of Australia had travelled down to Canberra to urge the government to do more on climate and protect the people and places we love.
I spoke to the crowd on Parliament Lawns about the need to keep climate front-of-mind during the upcoming election and the importance of the right to protest in upholding our democracy, especially given the arrests we’ve seen in Newcastle at the start of last week. You can view my speech here.
NACC parliamentary briefing
I hosted a briefing for parliamentarians from the Centre for Public Integrity in relation to the NACC in light of recent revelations around the bungled Robodebt referral.
My office has been contacted by a large number of people who are concerned about the decision not to investigate the Robodebt tragedy and the process that led to that decision.
My view is that Commissioner Brereton, the current NACC Commissioner should step down from the role to facilitate a swift rebuilding of public trust in this key integrity institution. I will continue to push for the institution to be improved and trust restored.
Emergency Visa Framework for Humanitarian Emergencies
Together with Kylea Tink, MP, I hosted a briefing for members of the crossbench on the need for a new Australian Emergency Visa and framework, to ensure an equitable response when humanitarian crises emerge such as those in Palestine, Sudan, Afghanistan, Lebanon and Ukraine.
We have seen a very inconsistent approach between the conflict in Ukraine and our response to Gaza and Sudan, and I have had many constituents tell me that they are desperately worried about their family and have no pathway to get them to safety. I have been advocating hard on this, and have had a big win for people who fled Gaza (see below) but we need to keep pushing for a fairer system overall .
Better renting
Last Monday I hosted a briefing for all parliamentarians through the Parliamentary Friends of Housing for Better Renting together with a delegation of some 20 renters from around the country, to launch a new photobook detailing some of the appalling conditions being faced by renters in Australia as well as the findings from their Cost of Renting and Joule Thieves reports.
Youth homelessness
The Parliamentary Friends of Housing also hosted the 2024 State of Youth Homelessness briefing for parliamentarians.
Almost 40,000 unaccompanied young people aged 15-24, including almost 10,000 unaccompanied children aged 15-17, are seeking help from homelessness services across the country each year. Experts from Homelessness Australia, Community Housing Industry Association, Mission Australia and Melbourne City Mission presented the latest research.
Members of the Home Time Youth Housing Coalition shared deeply moving and quite distressing lived experience accounts of homelessness.
McKinnon Prize
I have so much admiration for Bridget Archer MP's courage and it was an honour to formally receive the Emerging Political Leader award alongside her as she received the Susan McKinnon 2024 Political Leader.
I really enjoyed our discussion together with Patricia Karvelas and Mike Baird about the challenges, ambitions and expectations people have of their political representatives.
I’m so grateful for this opportunity to represent a community I love.
Thank you to my family, my team, volunteers and most of all, the people of Canberra for your support.
Thank you
As the final sitting week drew to a close, I spoke in the Senate to thank all those who make this work possible - the Canberra community who I’m so fortunate to represent, and the staff and volunteers who work tirelessly to get the best possible outcomes for the ACT. You can view this speech here.
We don’t know when the election will be or if parliament will return. With Territory Senators still on three-year terms (unlike the states who get six) we need to start gearing up for another election.
If you would like to see me returned to Parliament to keep working for you at the next election, I would love to have you on my team. You can sign up to volunteer here, or donate here.
Best,
David