The Australian Senate has voted overwhelmingly to approve a referendum on changing the country’s Constitution. Having already passed the lower house, the bill passed the upper house on Jan. 19, 52 votes to 19, and means the country is set for a national vote sometime between October and December. The passing of the Constitution Alteration…

Australian businesses from various sectors have come together to protest the Labor government’s enterprise bargaining reform via a national media campaign. On June 5, eight major Australian business associations announced the launch of a national media campaign to raise awareness about the risks associated with the federal government’s “same job, same pay” legislation. The legislation,…

Liberal frontbencher Michaelia Cash has denied a health and hospital grant program from the former Morrison government was pork-barrelling despite a scathing auditor-general report into the scheme. The report into the administration of the Community Health and Hospitals Program found it was “ineffective and fell short of ethical requirements” and breached legal requirements. The Australian Government…

Australia and the Netherlands have launched a joint action against Russia over the 2014 downing of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17. The action will be filed in the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and names Russia as responsible for the incident under international law. Flight MH17 was shot down on July 17, 2014 while flying over…

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) that the government will step in to intervene in the port strikes at Patrick Terminals if necessary. “Our government is also keeping a close watch on the potential for industrial action to disrupt economic activity, noting that industrial action at Patrick Terminals…

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has warned the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) that the government will step in to intervene in the port strikes at Patrick Terminals if necessary. “Our government is also keeping a close watch on the potential for industrial action to disrupt economic activity, noting that industrial action at Patrick Terminals…

Commentary In the last sitting weeks of the Australian Parliament, the political landscape focuses on the Religious Discrimination Bill introduced by the Attorney-General, Senator Michaelia Cash. The adoption of a law to protect freedom of religion was an election pledge of Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the 2019 election. However, the proposed Bill, initially promoted…

Commentary In the last sitting weeks of the Australian Parliament, the political landscape focuses on the Religious Discrimination Bill introduced by the Attorney-General, Senator Michaelia Cash. The adoption of a law to protect freedom of religion was an election pledge of Prime Minister Scott Morrison at the 2019 election. However, the proposed Bill, initially promoted…