OTHER POLITICAL NEWS
Analysis of latest poll results
This month’s Fairfax/Ipsos poll found the Government improving on its performance last month but remaining behind the Opposition. In the two-party preferred vote, the Opposition’s lead dropped to 52 per cent, from its strong lead of 55 per cent in October. This would constitute a two per cent swing in favour of the Opposition from the last Federal Election. 12 Government seats are currently held by less than two per cent so if an election were held now and the swing was uniform, the Opposition would claim 81 seats, four more than the 77 seats which will be required to hold an absolute majority after the next election.
Opposition announces energy policy
Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten has outlined his party’s energy policy agenda, which involves subsidising renewable power, improving energy efficiency and creating a transition plan for coal workers. Among other measures, the Opposition plans to provide a rebate to households for solar storage batteries and double the funding for the Clean Energy Finance Corporation which invests in renewable, efficient and low-carbon emission solutions. Mr Shorten also signalled support for the Turnbull Government’s National Energy Guarantee (NEG) with a higher carbon reduction target. The Government abandoned the NEG in August as it shifted away from carbon emissions to focussing on reducing energy prices. Mr Shorten’s focus on renewable energy over combatting climate change indicates the Opposition’s intention to distance itself from the carbon price initiatives of previous Labor governments. Energy policy is a consistently divisive issue in Australian politics and will be a significant feature in the federal election campaign, but Mr Shorten’s decision to adopt an energy focus and embrace the NEG provides an approach which may have greater bipartisan appeal.
Government signals further legislative changes focused on national security
Prime Minister Morrison and Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton have indicated the Government’s intention to pursue a series of national security measures in the final weeks that Parliament will sit in 2018. The Government will attempt to broaden laws removing Australian citizenship from any dual-citizens convicted on terrorism charges, rather than only those with sentences over six-years. It will also attempt to extend the ban preventing foreign fighters from entering Australia to two years. Mr Morrison and Mr Dutton have also urged the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security to finalise its inquiry into proposed anti-encryption measures early so the laws can be passed before the end of the year.
Indian President visits Australia
Indian President Ram Nath Kovind made his first visit to Australia this week, focusing on bilateral cooperation in the mining and education sectors. The visit was largely symbolic, noting the President is a predominately ceremonial head of state, but attempted to expand the economic relationship which is generally considered to be under-performing. In the next 12 months, Australia and India are expected to sign a Memorandum of Understanding to encourage greater bilateral trade. While these agreements may have some success, conflicts like the WTO action Australia is pursuing against India for sugar subsidies will continue to restrain cooperation. Regular attempts to invigorate the bilateral relationship over past decades have failed to achieve a significant expansion of engagement between India and Australia.
Government to improve economic security for survivors of domestic abuse
Minister for Women Kelly O’Dwyer has announced a series of initiatives to improve the financial situation of women fleeing domestic and family abuse. The measures include early access to superannuation, no-interest loans and family law court changes to expedite property cases. These proposals constitute the Government’s first Women’s Economic Security Statement, designed to improve female workforce participation, earning potential and financial independence. The Government is actively looking to engage female voters through this and other policies that address issues disproportionately impacting Australian women. It hopes this approach will overcome negative perceptions resulting from the significant gender imbalance within the federal Liberal and National parties. The Opposition has an advantage in this area with relatively high female representation in Parliament and provided a Women’s Budget Statement following the 2018/19 Federal Budget.
