This month focuses on the following topics: cybercrime in Australia, the Australian economy during the June quarter and the 2023 Intergenerational Report. Forthcoming releases If you are interested in any of the forthcoming releases or datasets, please contact the Parliamentary Library to discuss in more detail. Statistical reports Release date ABS Building Approvals, July 2023 3 Oct ABS Lending Indicators, July 2023 3 Oct ANZ ANZ Job Advertisement, September 20... Read more...
On 19 September 2023 the government released an exposure draft of a Digital ID Bill alongside draft Digital ID Rules and Digital ID Accreditation Rules, and a range of fact sheets, explanatory documents and consultation questions. This material was released onto the digitalidentity.gov.au website via a consultation webpage, which is accepting input in 3 separate ways. Read more...
On 17 September 2023, Dr Dianne Heriot’s term as Parliamentary Librarian ended after more than 11 years in office. The role of Parliamentary Librarian has existed since 1901, with Mr Steven Fox newly appointed as the 11th person to hold this title. Most recently Assistant Director-General for Collection Management at the National Archives of Australia, Mr Fox brings with him more than 30 years of experience working in a variety of cultural heritage institutions. In acknowledging this transition, this Flagpost reflects on the origins of the Parliamentary Librarian and the making of the modern Parliamentary Library. Read more...
On 8 August 2023, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Penny Wong, noted in Parliament that ‘Australia is proposing to adopt or will be adopting or returning to the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories”’. This represents the latest move in the adoption of specific language to refer to the Palestinian Territories that has fluctuated in tune with the policy position of successive Australian governments. It is therefore timely to review what the Territories are, briefly outline the evolution of terminology used by Australia, and compare Australia’s approach to that of its peers. Read more...
This month focuses on the following topics: social housing, affordable housing and recent overseas arrivals. Forthcoming releases If you are interested in any of the forthcoming releases or datasets, please contact the Parliamentary Library to discuss in more detail. Statistical reports Release date ABS Lending Indicators, July 2023 1 Sept ABS Retail Trade, July 2023 1 Sept ABS Mineral and Petroleum Exploration, June 2... Read more...
In Australia, the 151 members of the House of Representatives equates to 1 MP for approximately every 134,000 people of voting age (or as a ratio 1:134,000)*. While there is no ‘optimal’ size of a parliament (given physical space and budgetary constraints), some commentators have highlighted the inherent representational implications involved. Accordingly, this Flagpost article considers the historical context, assesses the potential impacts of changing the size of the parliament, and statistically situates the Australian parliament among international comparisons. Read more...
The recent Defence strategic review (DSR) highlights Australia’s deteriorating strategic circumstances and foreshadows the kind of Australian Defence Force (ADF) required to address future challenges. It recommends a shift from a balanced force – capable of responding to a variety of contingencies, but optimised for none – to a focused force designed to ‘address the nation’s most significant military risks’ (p. 54), which, as the DSR observes, is ‘the defence of Australia against potential threats arising from major power competition, including the prospect of conflict’ (p. 32). Read more...
Following the commencement of the Restoring Territory Rights Act 2022, all jurisdictions now have the power to enact voluntary assisted dying (VAD) schemes, with the majority having done so. However, it is currently unclear whether VAD, as authorised by a state/territory law, constitutes ‘suicide’ within the meaning of the carriage service offences contained in the Commonwealth Criminal Code. This has led to state governments advocating for the Criminal Code to be amended to clarify that the restrictions do not apply to VAD schemes, and legal action in the Federal Court of Australia seeking to clarify whether or not the carriage service offences apply to state VAD legislation. ... Read more...
This month focuses on the following topics: life expectancy, young people living with their parents and the latest statistics from Safe Work Australia. Forthcoming releases If you are interested in any of the forthcoming releases or datasets, please contact the Parliamentary Library to discuss in more detail. Statistical reports Release date ABS Building Approvals, June 2023 1 Aug ABS Lending indicators, June 2023 1 Aug JSA (a) Nowcast of ... Read more...
Within the 32 political parties currently registered with the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC), 9 are represented in the Federal Parliament. Alongside the governing Australian Labor Party (ALP) and Opposition Liberal/Nationals Coalition, the Australian Greens are the only other party to achieve parliamentary party status. This Flagpost outlines what parliamentary party status is, its legislative underpinnings, and selected history of when party status has been gained, lost and challenged. What is parliamentary party status? The federal Parliament doesn’t regulate parliamentary party status, nor does it flow from AEC party registration, however it is linked to the definition of a m... Read more...
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