Key events
The family law act amendments also aim to give:
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Clearer definitions of ‘family’ and ‘relative’ as it relates to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander concepts of family;
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Removing the restriction of Independent Children’s Lawyers in 1980 Hague Convention on Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction, ensuring children’s views are heard;
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Protecting victims of family violence from systems abuse by restraining a party’s ability to file repeated and unmeritorious applications without first obtaining court approval;
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Clarifying the law which prohibits the public communication of family law information so critical information can be shared and privacy protected; and
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Regulating family report writers.
Mark Dreyfus is introducing his changes to the family law act a little later this morning.
What will it do? Well, it’s going to address some of the changes from the Howard era and aims to make things a little less complicated and a bit more fairer:
Specifically, the Bill introduces a safer and simpler framework for making parenting orders by:
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Repealing the commonly misunderstood presumption of equal shared parental responsibility, making it clear the best interest of the child is paramount;
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Simplifying the list of factors that are considered in determining the best interests of children in parenting arrangements;
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Introducing a requirement for Independent Children’s Lawyers (ICLs), when they are appointed, to meet directly with children;
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Ensuring the court considers the right of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander children to maintain their connection to their family, community, culture, country and language; and
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Simplifying the enforcement of parenting orders to make the consequences of non-compliance clear.
Good morning
A very big thank you to Martin for starting us off this morning, the second last day of the parliament sitting week.
With the safeguard mechanism and national reconstruction fund in the bag, the government is turning its negotiating attention to the housing fund. But that’s not shifting, at least not this week.
Tomorrow, the wording of the voice referendum will be introduced to the parliament. That will kick things off in earnest with a parliamentary committee to review the legislation and suggest any changes. It will bring the Liberal party closer to having to make a decision, but if the last few days have proved anything, it’s that the Liberals aren’t moving from “no” territory. Under the guise of “just asking questions” the opposition is sowing doubt. Albanese and supporters have their work cut out for them.
We’ll cover all the day’s events and more as it unfolds. You’ve got Amy Remeikis with you for most of the day. I’m about to hit coffee number three with no end in sight.
Ready?
Industry welcomes $15bn manufacturing fund
Australian industry leaders are heralding the passing of a $15bn manufacturing fund as an economy booster, reports Australian Associated Press.
The government managed to pass its signature investment vehicle in the Senate after securing the support of key crossbenchers.
The chief executive of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Andrew McKellar, said the fund’s investment would help businesses diversify and boost the domestic economy.
“With Australia now having the lowest manufacturing self-sufficiency in the OECD, it’s critical we redouble our efforts to encourage and stimulate new manufacturing and industrial investment in this country,” he said.
The industry minister, Ed Husic, said the fund would shore up Australian businesses by ensuring more of the manufacturing process happened domestically.
“We want Australia to be a country that makes things, a nation that has faith in its knowhow and ability to get the job done,” Husic said.
The fund aims to drive investment in seven priority areas: resources, agriculture, transport, medical sciences, renewables and low-emissions technology and defence.
The Coalition opposed the fund, saying it would have an inflationary effect and that it was poorly designed.
But the Greens backed the legislation after securing amendments to ensure the money wouldn’t be invested in coal and gas projects.
Crossbench senators secured changes to how the fund’s board would operate and commitments to boost the ability for start-ups to access investment.
Welcome
Good morning and welcome to Guardian Australia’s rolling coverage of the day in politics and all that is newsy. I’m Martin Farrer bringing you the best overnight stories before Amy Remeikis comes along to take over.
With so much focus on climate and emissions in this sitting fortnight, we have a very timely exclusive today on how our love affair with SUVs is costing a fortune in extra expense at the pumps but also driving up transport emissions when other countries are seeing their head lower. Our transport writer, Elias Visontay, has the details about the consequences of Australia’s soaring use of “big, dumb cars”.
We have another exclusive this morning that 1 million people – including one in seven children – are living below the poverty line in New South Wales, according to a new report highlighting the deepening inequality across Sydney. Research from the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling and based on 2021 census data also found at least 100,000 more people had slipped into poverty since 2016. We may also find out more about NSW Labor’s hopes of majority today as the Liberals face a decision whether to go right or left.
The monthly gauge of inflation is due out today, which should give the Reserve Bank an up-to-date picture of where price are headed and therefore whether interest rates need to go up again next week. The central bank will be looking at the volatile index for further signs inflation has peaked and is tracking down. It is forecast to come in at 7.1% – down from 7.45% last month – but markets are still undecided about whether or not the RBA will go for what will be its 11th consecutive hike.
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