2022-11-02
Keep calm and carry on
By Senator Dorinda Cox
As always it’s been a busy few months, here’s what’s been happening:
Federal Parliament
We hosted a delegation from the Tiwi Islands and Darwin who are working to stop the Barossa Gas project in their backyard. Our office assisted them to get meetings with the Prime Minister's office, the Resource Minister's office, and meetings with 7 other government backbenchers and crossbench Parliamentarians, plus a press conference and a photo-op with Greens Senators.
I also hosted an important science based event for the Firesticks Alliance which was well attended in particular by Labor MPs from WA and NSW with good feedback about caring for Country using traditional burning for land management.
I attended the Mid-Winter Ball alongside Adam Bandt and Sarah Hanson-Young to voice our concerns about the event’s mining sector sponsorship. I also attended other Resources and Science related stakeholder events including several events on Clean Energy and ACF work on indigenous led science capability.
I was fortunate to speak at a Hazara Genocide protest on Parliament lawn to show support and solidarity and receive a letter regarding the breach of human rights of women and peoples in Iran.
I’ve continued my Temporary Chair training (filling in for the President of the Senate) and was lucky enough to be controlling the Chamber as the Climate Bill was in its final stages of negotiating before being passed.
The death of Queen Elizabeth II and the subsequent suspension of Parliament resulted in a lot of rescheduling. I gave a condolence speech on her passing which had very good media coverage.
Work continues on my two committees: Treaties, and Trade Investment and Growth. Trade is currently negotiating free trade agreements with: the UK, India and EU, the US CLOUD act, and the Japan Defence agreement. It will also commence its first Inquiry into green energy investment opportunities. I met with the EU Parliament via zoom to discuss the key issues across the negotiations, as well as a separate meeting with Minister Sarah Matheus from the Belgian Greens.
I have been subbed on to two more committees: Economics, and Legal and Constitutional Affairs. The Economics committee is looking into mine rehabilitation and the current legislation relating to Ranger Uranium Mine in the Northern Territory. The Legal and Constitutional committee is related to the Murdered and Missing First Nations Women and Children Inquiry which has now commenced committee hearings. Our first hearing involved the government and the Australian Federal Police.
Policy review work is underway with the Blak Greens on the intersection of mining and resources with Native title.
I also attended Senate Estimates training for new MPs and staff in Melbourne in preparation for Estimates.
Labor handed down its first budget in nine years. It was disappointing to see they’re still in the pockets of fossil fuel companies and are sticking to their stage three tax cuts.
Electoral Office Work
As a team we have spent time strategically planning our policy and campaign priorities and undertaken some cultural awareness training. As well as strategy work with Leader’s Office in preparation for the next Federal election.
We have introduced Voter.ID to manage our constituent data and case files. We hope this can help us effectively and efficiently engage with community. There has been much advocacy undertaken relating to First Nations access to healthcare and support services, as well as domestic violence and homelessness issues. We have also been collaborating with WA Ministerial offices and across our Federal offices regarding housing, family and domestic violence, justice, health, First Nations and refugee issues.
Campaign work includes cultural heritage legal reform and the implementation of the Juukan Gorge report recommendations. Identifying the major gas projects we want to target out of all those currently in the pipeline for approval or expansion: Narrabri, Barossa, Middle Arm, Beetaloo, Scarborough and Otway. Looking at including Indigenous chapters, climate targets and the pivot into critical minerals in trade. Tourism around world heritage listing of songlines and other First Nations cultural heritage sites. As well as Indigenous science practices including cultural fire and caring for Country.
If you have any questions or would like more information, please reach out to me or my Chief-of-Staff, Cade Smith ‒ cade.smith@aph.gov.au
In solidarity,
Dorinda
Header photo: The Tiwi delegation with some Greens Senators in front of Australian Parliament House. The banner displayed has First Nations art work with sea life found in the Tiwi Islands, signifying the importance of their Sea Country. From left to right: Senator Dorinda Cox, Senator Janet Rice, Senator David Shoebridge, Senator Penny Allman-Payne, Senator Lidia Thorpe, Pirrawayingi Puruntatameri, Jason Fowler and Antonia Burke.