Urgent childcare reform and delivering on key promises are top of the Albanese government’s agenda when parliament sits for the first time since his second term election in May.
Ahead of tomorrow’s return, MPs from across the political spectrum yesterday gathered at the governor-general’s residence, before the opening of the 48th parliament.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese congratulated new MPs and senators, including opposition politicians.
“Despite our differences, what unites us is a common set of values,” Deputy Opposition Leader Ted O’Brien said.
In Canberra, Palestine protesters rallied outside parliament but inside issues closer to home will be the focus.
First up will be the government delivering on an election promise, a one-off 20 per cent reduction in student HECS debt.
The opposition once opposed the move but is looking more likely to offer support.
“We’re not really in the business of standing in the way of cost of living relief,” opposition education spokesman Jonathon Duniam told the ABC’s Insiders.
Childcare reform is being bumped up the priorities list following horror stories of alleged abuse.
There are set to be new laws set to strip funding from centres not meeting quality standards.
“What is important here is that we have action,” Attorney-General Michelle Rowland said.
There’s more action to be taken when state and territory attorneys-general meet next month, including changes to the Working With Children Checks, mandating CCTV in centres and real-time reporting.
“When you’re putting your child into the care and trust of people you generally don’t know, and you’re away for the day, you want to know if there are issues with the centre you’ve put your kid into,” Duniam said.
The Coalition looks like it’s softening on several policy fronts, acknowledging what it took to the last election was resoundingly rejected by Australians, potentially setting up this parliament for a little more collaboration.
