Having been narrowly thwarted in its attempt to force a vote on the priority bills earlier in the day with a so-called guillotine motion, Labor came to an agreement with the Greens that will see them, among other things, invest half a billion dollars in upgrades for social housing.
In return, the minor party said it would vote with the government on 27 bills before the Senate, including its Build to Rent housing package and Reserve Bank reforms that have been stuck in the upper house for months.
The government also got the support of the opposition to ensure four other pieces of legislation – the social media ban and three hardline migration bills – are passed today with bipartisan backing.
‘Unprecedented, extraordinary, shameful’
Coming into today, Labor had a swathe of legislation to get through parliament, although some policies, including limits on political donations and electoral spending, and increasing the tax rate on the largest superannuation balances, had been shelved.
To pass the priority bills, the government put forward a guillotine motion – a move to impose time limits on the debate and discussion around bills in order to get them through the upper house quickly – which was defeated 34 votes to 33.
Speaking against the move, independent Senator Jacqui Lambie accused the government of being “bloody hypocritical”.
“To say that I am disappointed in this government is an understatement,” she said.
“It doesn’t even cut it… how is it safe for the employees in my office to go through 41 bills in a matter of about 12 hours? How is that safe?
“It is dangerous to shove bills down our throats … without us properly going through and actually having a good look and putting it under the microscope.
“I was not voted into this place to give you a free pass to put through 40 bills in one day.”
The opposition also voted against the motion, with Senate leader Simon Birmingham – who later announced his retirement from politics – labelling the attempt to ram through so many pieces of legislation in one day “unprecedented”.
“It is extraordinary, and it is shameful, and the government should just withdraw this motion,” he said.
Deadline-day deal gives government, crossbench early Christmas gifts
The government, having publicly argued the bulk of the bills they wanted a vote on weren’t rushed, as they’d been stuck before the Senate for weeks or months, put forward an amended guillotine motion shortly after the first was defeated.
It was missing several pieces of legislation contained in the original motion, including the social media ban and migration bills, and passed with the Greens’ support, before the vote with the opposition to have those four matters also considered today.
In return for supporting the government’s bills, the minor party secured a range of concessions from Labor, including $500 million in energy-efficient upgrades for social homes that the Greens say will save 50,000 households $1800 a year in power bills.
The government also agreed to ensure the Future Made in Australia legislation will not be used to support fossil fuel projects, and that the minimum lease length offered under Build to Rent will be increased from three to five years.
“Everything’s impossible until it’s not,” Greens leader Adam Bandt said.
“These are good outcomes that will make a real difference to people and the climate.”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese lauded the progress made in the upper house.
“We’ve also got important legislation on social media to protect our young people,” he said during question time.
“We also have important migration legislation that will also pass the Senate later today.
“Indeed, the Senate is expecting to pass more than 30 pieces of legislation just today.”
Thorpe interrupts proceedings despite suspension
Thorpe entered the Senate via the gallery, where journalists and photographers view proceedings, and yelled out a number of pro-Palestine slogans.
The independent senator said she had no regrets about her actions, saying it was necessary to take a stand against racism.
“Senator Hanson gets away with so much … she has worn a burqa in the chamber.
“She baits me regularly with racial taunts and what she did to Senator (Fatima) Payman has questioned her legitimacy in this place.”
Later, she told a rally outside Parliament House that it was the “best day off I’ve ever had”.
“I’ve been suspended, I’ve been censured, and I wear those disciplinary, colonial actions like a badge of honour,” she said.
