2020-09-02
Time to step down, but plenty to do during this critical time and before I leave the Senate
By Senator Rachel Siewert
Many of you will have heard that after much thinking I have decided not to nominate for pre-selection for the Senate for the next federal election.
I have had the incredible privilege to represent the Greens as a Senator for WA for over 15 years. I have been humbled by the trust that you have put in me and so grateful for the opportunity to be a voice for people and the planet.
The work is never over. It is clear that the Greens are needed more than ever in Parliament and in the community, but it is time for someone else to continue our vital work in this role.
In the meantime I look forward to continuing to work to ensure a permanent raise to the JobSeeker payment, end the Cashless Debit Card and ensure urgent reforms are made in Aged Care, and so much more.
While the Senate hasn’t been sitting much, our work has not paused! I have been flat out with issues like the COVID committee, Juukan Gorge hearings, Community Affairs hearings, holding the Government to account on aged care and of course Jobseeker and the Cashless Debit Card
The first sitting weeks of August was cancelled so we had extra hearings of the Senate COVID Committee. I used some of our time to question the aged care Minister and Department about what is going on with the aged care sector, particularly in Victoria and how we can prevent these failures occurring in other states.
We have all been watching with heavy hearts and disbelief on what has been going on in the aged care sector. The failure of the Government to take responsibility for a sector that it both funds and regulates is unacceptable.
This outbreak is highlighting years of various Governments failures to adequately fund and support the aged care system, particularly when it comes to the workforce. I think it has also highlighted the issues about for-profit care and this needs to be looked into in the future.
The Commonwealth Government needs to step up and take responsibility.
Families must have confidence that their parents and loved ones will be safe, well cared for and that their wellbeing will be assured. It’s not too much to ask.
The makeup of the National COVID Commission Advisory Board continues to be an issue of concern which we are following closely through the Senate Select Committee. The COVID-19 Commission is clearly addicted to the gas industry and the Commission is stacked with the big business and the oil and gas lobby.
Just last week the Government introduced legislation to try and reclassify gas as a low emission fuel which I spoke out strongly against in the Senate.
It is outrageous that there is nobody on the COVID Commission who has expertise in social services, aged care, poverty, homelessness, housing, charities, young people or the not-for-profit sector.
As the Whip for the Australian Greens, I’m supporting our Green team to participate in the Senate Chamber. This certainly comes with a few extra challenges during the COVID crisis with part of our team and many other Senators participating in parliament remotely through video link. Those appearing via video link can make speeches but are not able to vote, call for quorum or move motions.
Many people have asked why we can’t just hold a 'virtual Parliament' during this crisis. This proposal sounds simple enough, but Section 20 of the Constitution means that it isn’t that simple. There's no doubt it's been a steep learning curve for everyone to interact with the remote Parliament system but we have done our best to make it work with another week to go!
It’s more important than ever that we hold this Government to account and scrutinize the choices that they make during and after this crisis. Last, we debated Adam’s bill to ensure 14 days paid pandemic leave to all workers, unfortunately we still do not have the numbers to get it passed.
The Government has introduced legislation on the future of the JobSeeker and JobKeeper programs. We oppose the cuts to Jobseeker and Jobkeeper. As we did last time, we will be scrutinizing this legislation very carefully and moving amendments to make it fairer. Earlier this year we were successful in ensuring that people on Youth Allowance received the COVID supplement.
The Treasury predicts effective unemployment will hit 13% by the end of the year. It is unacceptable for the Government to allow the rate of JobSeeker to go back below the poverty line to $40 a day which at this stage could happen after December. It is also unacceptable that they intend to cut $300 per fortnight from the Jobseeker payment at the end of September.
There are social distancing measures in place in Parliament House and we are wearing masks when in public areas of Parliament House and also in Canberra.
Sadly, Richard was not able to mark the special occasion of his valedictory speech physically in Canberra. He was the first Parliamentarian to deliver a valedictory speech via video link.
I am incredibly proud to have worked alongside Richard for the past 10 years. He has led our Parliamentary Greens team with the utmost integrity and commitment to Greens values.
I have no doubt that if this country had more leaders like Richard, our parliament and democracy would be in a much better place.
I have also been part of the committee inquiring into Rio Tinto’s destruction of Juukan Gorge in the Pilbara. We have had a number of hearings and will be going up North to look at the destroyed site if travel restrictions allow. We cannot let anything like this happen again and the need for reform has been clear for decades. Governments should not be using outdated laws to assist the mining industry to destroy irreplaceable First Nations peoples heritage under the cover of laws and agreements that mean the Traditional Owners cannot even appeal or speak out against.
It’s going to be another busy week in the Senate and will keep you all updated on my Facebook and social media channels.