Labor Seeks to Move on From Voice Referendum

Australians voted a resounding No.
Labor Seeks to Move on From Voice Referendum
Australia's Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reacts as he speaks during a media conference at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia, on Oct. 14, 2023. (David Gray/AFP via Getty Images)
AAP
By AAP
10/14/2023
Updated:
10/14/2023
0:00

The fallout from the Indigenous voice referendum is expected to dominate parliament when it returns from a four-week break.

The Senate and lower house will sit on Monday in the wake of the first referendum since 1999.

The vote was a 2022 election commitment by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who travelled the country campaigning for the ‘yes’ case.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton and Nationals leader David Littleproud campaigned for a ‘no’ vote.

Mr. Dutton supports legislating local and regional voices rather than enshrining a national voice in the constitution but Mr. Littleproud does not.

Before the referendum, Mr. Albanese ruled out bringing in legislation, as the Uluru Statement from the Heart called for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

That way the advisory body could be a permanent improvement to the way policies and programs are developed.

Debate in the Senate is expected to focus on family law reforms, which the government hopes to get through the upper house this week.

The House of Representatives will continue to debate changes to workplace laws aimed at closing labour-hire loopholes.

A number of peak industry bodies have called for the bill to be withdrawn to enable further consultation, but unions say it it necessary to ensure pay and conditions are not undermined.

On Monday, the lower house will debate a Greens push for a Brisbane Airport curfew, expanding the water trigger in federal environmental laws and setting up a parliamentary committee to oversee the rollout of robodebt royal commission recommendations.

Senate inquiry reports are due on supporting people with ADHD, climate-related marine invasive species, statutory declarations changes, a Greens bill on banning the export and import of greyhounds, and a Liberal bill on setting up a new Defence Capability Assurance Agency.

Cabinet minister Madeleine King will present a report on Tuesday into northern Australia.