2018-08-17
By Senator Jordon Steele-John
What a huge couple of months it has been – my office has barely had time to breathe. I know I say this almost every time, but it has been an incredible period of firsts for all of us!
In May was budget week, followed by budget estimates. During budget week Parliament house was absolutely buzzing with activity (almost as much as during the marriage equality debate!). Then Treasurer Scott Morrison laid out his plan to deliver $144 billion worth of tax cuts which will ultimately rip decade’s worth of funding away from services like healthcare, education and the NDIS while mostly benefitting those on the highest incomes. For example, a Senator on $200,000 will benefit more than $7000 per year from these income tax cuts, whilst someone on minimum wage will get a few extra dollars per week. Australia has one of the most progressive income taxation systems and the Coalition is determined to destroy it. When Richard delivered his budget reply speech on behalf of the Australian Greens it was my first opportunity to watch it from inside the chamber!
On the last day of budget week I moved a motion that on the next sitting day – Monday 18th June – I would introduce my bill to lower the voting age to 16. I am extremely passionate about this important democratic reform and it was a moment that I and my team had been working towards from the very beginning. The following day, all the Greens Federal staff from across the country flew in to Canberra to take part in a Joint Office Meeting held at Old Parliament House – it was a great opportunity for me to meet people who I knew by name, and some new faces, who do all the hard work for my colleagues behind the scenes.
Budget week was followed by budget estimates, which is an opportunity for us to scrutinise the government’s budget proposal and ask questions directly of the heads of departments who are responsible for delivering. I spent most of my time pushing the National Disability Insurance Agency on rumours they had changed eligibility requirements for the NDIS, particularly for people with autism, and quizzing NBN Co on the disastrous rollout of the NBN.
In the final two sitting weeks I had the incredible opportunity to introduce and debate the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Lowering Voting Age and Increasing Voter Participation) Bill 2018. This was the first time I had introduced a bill to the Australian Senate, and the first time anyone had ever introduced legislation to lower the voting age in Australian history. Although we were able to debate the bill at length on Thursday, 21st June, the Labor party ultimately referred it to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on Monday 25th. Over the coming weeks and months I’ll have the opportunity to work with all sides of government and hopefully put forward a version of my bill that has a chance of passing!
Look forward to updating you all with what I’ve been up to over the winter break, until next time.
Header photo: Jordon and friends taking part in a climate change rally outside parliament house – well, at least Adam Bandt is a friend. Photo credit:Tim Oliver