‘Disgrace’: Albanese pressed on Makarrata Commission

Anthony Albanese has been avoided outlining his government’s commitment to Makarrata after he made comments described as “confusing” by key architects of the Uluru statement. Liberal MP Melissa Price asked the Prime Minister during question time on Monday why public money was still allotted for the creation of a Makarrata commission if he had ruled out one. Mr Albanese spoke at length about the need to forge a way forward to “close the gap” by addressing key challenges facing Indigenous Australians, including high suicide and incarceration rates. But even after the Speaker directed him to “return to the question”, the Prime Minister did not address the question of a Makarrata commission or funds to set one up. “Makarrata is the Yolngu word … for a coming together after struggle,” he said, adding that his government was “seeking” for ways “in which we can come together”. Mr Albanese gave his response to a chorus of interjections, including by Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, who said: “You are a disgrace.” Pressed again by Mr Dutton, the Prime Minister said his government will “continue to engage”. “We held a referendum last year, which wasn’t successful,” he said. “And what happens is, you accept that, you accept responsibility for it – something foreign to those opposite. We can accept our responsibility.” Newly appointed Minister for Indigenous Australia Malarndirri McCarthy also fought back tough questions in the Senate, saying the government was “firmly committed” to the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Greens senator Dorinda Cox accused the Albanese government of “gaslighting” and breaking an election promise to implement a Makarrata truth-telling Commission. Senator McCarthy firmly denied Senator Cox’s claims, and used her answer to attack Mr Dutton, who did not attend the Garma Festival, and said there needed to be bipartisan support for reconciliation. “He chose that time to say no, to say no to Makarrata. He said no the Voice, and we learned from that experience that unless there is bipartisan support, it is very difficult to pursue.” GREEN ANNOUNCE THEIR OWN BILL FOR TOTAL TV GAMBLING BAN The Greens will introduce a bill calling for a total ban on televised gambling ads, saying the government’s plan for a partial ban during sports games does not go far enough. Greens Senator Sarah Hanson Young called the gambling industry “parasites” and said they “feed on the misery of everyday people.” She said “they whisper in the ears of governments, to allow them to just keep going.” The government is expected to propose caps on televised ads in its own bill despite calls from all sides of politics for an all-out ban, according to reports over the weekend. The Albanese government has not commented. ‘CLOSE RELATIONSHIP’: NZ PM TO VISIT New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon will cross the Tasman for high-level business and political talks later this week. “My visit is an opportunity to build on our already close relationship and further strengthen our security and economic connections”, Mr Luxon said. After a infrastructure-focused stop in Sydney, he will head to Canberra for bilateral talks with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. “Australia is our closest partner and only formal ally,” Mr Luxon said. “Working hand-in-hand is vital as we face an increasingly challenging global environment. I look forward to sitting down with my friend, Prime Minister Albanese, to discuss areas of common interest.” HUGE MOVE AGAINST EMBATTLED CFMEU The Albanese government has introduced a bill that would force the CFMEU’s construction divisions to take on a government-appointed administrator. The bill comes after the union failed to agree to the appointment of an administrator to clean it up in the wake of reports alleging deep ties with criminal gangs. The CFMEU is currently fighting the process in the Federal Court. The government will need backing from the Coalition or support from the Greens and cross bench to get the proposed law over the line. “This bill provides an effective mechanism to enable the construction and general division of the CFMEU to be placed into administration if it is determined to be in the public interest,” Employment Minister Murray Watt. The proposed legislation has already been opposed by Liberal Senator Michaelia Cash “I’ve seen the legislation, and you can currently drive a truck through it,” she says. PATTERSON: VISAS SHOULD BE BANNED FOR PEOPLE WITH ‘RHETORICAL SUPPORT’ FOR HAMAS Opposition spokesperson for home affairs James Paterson also fronted media on Monday morning, declaring anyone seeking asylum from Gaza who has indicated support for Hamas should not be allowed into Australia. His view was in opposition to that of ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess, who said that “rhetorical support” should not be a barrier in the visa application process. Mr Paterson said it was up to the government to set a policy agenda based on Mr Burgess’ comments, after Australia’s national terror threat level from “possible” to probable” in part due to the unrest in Gaza and the Middle East. “The acceptable number of Hamas supporters to be brought into this country is zero,” Mr Paterson told Sky. “If the government disagrees with our commitment to having zero Hamas supporters brought into our country, they should specify how many Hamas supporters it is acceptable to bring into our country. “Or if they agree with us, then they should set out the steps they are now going to put in place to make sure that no Hamas supporters are brought to Australia.” Assistant Minister for Immigration Matt Thistlewaite said the current visa system was adequate, adding Australia had one of the “most rigorous” application processes globally. “Australia will continue to be a very safe place because we have some of the most rigorous checks of any nation in the world,” he said “It’s very difficult to get a visa to come to Australia because you have to go through those security and health checks, and they’re conducted independently by experts whose job it is to assess whether or not there is a risk. And if there is a risk, then someone doesn’t get a visa.” ‘LACKS THE COURAGE’: LAMBIE LASHES ALBO Prior to the start of the sitting week, Senator Lambie returned to parliament with all guns blazing, saying the Albanese government “lacks the courage” to tighten security following ASIO’s decision to raise Australia’s terror threat level. “We cannot afford to take any chances whatsoever in this country right now. Have you seen the instability around the rest of the world?” she told Sky News. “And quite frankly, if you gave us stuff about our national security, you’d be tightening things up right now as tight as what you possibly can.” ALBO’S BIG AGENDA The NDIS, non-consensual deepfake porn and keeping regional Australians tuned in will be first-up for debate in the Senate. The government’s NDIS Bill aims to help taper ballooning costs of the $44bn-a-year scheme, with goals to curb its growth by $14.4bn over four years and then limit its growth to $1.5bn a year. But the government’s case for new criminal penalties on people convicted of creating and sharing non-consensual deepfake porn will be top of mind. More to come