AUSTRALIA
should not have to remind government members how vitally important it is for Australia to be able to manufacture ships and weapons.” The censure motion was
carried with 37 votes to 31. The Senate Procedural Information Bulletin noted that “a censure motion expresses the view of the majority of the Senate but has no legal consequences.”
New Ministry announced On 21 December 2014 the Prime Minister, the Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, announced changes to the Ministry. Some of the notable changes include promotions for the Hon. Scott Morrison, MP, who becomes Minister for Social Security, and the Hon. Sussan Ley, MP, who was promoted into Cabinet as Minister for Health and Minister for Sport. The Hon. Peter Dutton, MP, moves from Health to Mr Morrison’s previous position as Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Mr Abbott commented that “Mr Morrison will devote all of his energy, policy skill and determination to this new portfolio which will have a renewed focus on families. In addition to responsibility for welfare, family support, seniors, aged care and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), childcare will also be added to his portfolio.” Mr Abbott noted that “importantly, Mr Morrison will have carriage of the families package the Government will release next year to help ease the cost of living for Australian families by improving the affordability and accessibility of childcare.” In relation to Ms Ley, Mr Abbott commented that ‘I have been impressed
with Minister Ley’s transition into government and her excellent policy work in the education portfolio. Based in regional NSW with a varied life before entering politics that included stints as an air- traffic controller, farmer and a career with the Australian Tax Office, Sussan is a strong addition to my Cabinet team.’ In another significant move, the Hon. Kevin Andrews, MP, becomes Minister for Defence replacing Senator the Hon. David Johnston. Mr Abbott stated that “I record my gratitude to Senator the Hon. David Johnston who will stand down as Minister for Defence. Senator Johnston has done a fine job in restoring investment in the Australian Defence Force after six years of neglect and has effectively managed the deployment of Australian Defence Force personnel to Europe and Iraq.” Other changes include
the Hon. Steven Ciobo, MP, promoted to the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, and the Hon. Bob Baldwin, MP, becomes Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment. Three new appointments to the Ministry include the Hon. Christian Porter, MP, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ms Kelley O’Dwyer, MP, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Treasurer and Mrs Karen Andrews, MP, as Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science.
New Year’s Honours – Prince Philip made a Knight in the Order of Australia On 25 March 2014 the Prime Minister the Hon. Tony Abbott, MP, announced a
new Honour for pre-eminent Australians. Knights and Dames in the Order of Australia will be approved by Her Majesty on the recommendation of the Prime Minister. There may be up to four Knights or Dames created in any year. Mr Abbott noted that “this special recognition may be extended to Australians of ‘extraordinary and pre- eminent achievement and merit’ in their service to Australia or to humanity at large.” In particular, the serving Governor-General will be the principal Knight or Dame in the Order of Australia.
On 26 January 2015, as part of the New Year’s Honours, the Prime Minister – in a decision which polarised the Australian community and his own party – made Prince Philip a Knight in the Order of Australia. The Prime Minister, stated that “the Monarchy has been an important part of Australia’s life since 1788. Prince Philip has been a great servant of Australia. Here in this country, he’s the patron of hundreds of organisations. He’s the inspiration and wellspring of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards which have provided leadership training for tens if not hundreds of thousands of Australians over the years and I’m just really pleased that in his 90s, towards the end of a life of service and duty, we in this country are able to properly acknowledge what he’s done for us.” The Prime Minister’s
decision was criticised within the community and also within his own party. The Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Bill Shorten, MP, focused his criticism on Mr Abbott
commenting that “my concern is that the Australian Government, the Abbott government, couldn’t find an Australian to give one of these awards to. Labor doesn’t believe we should have gone back to Dames and Knights, but if we’re going to have the system, let’s give it to Australians. And I believe that this country has many volunteers and many distinguished people, so it’s a question not of Prince Philip, it’s a question of the priorities of this government, and who they think makes a good Australian.”
Prime Minister Abbott faces leadership spill On 9 February 2015 certain members of the Liberal Party moved a spill motion in an effort to have all leadership positions vacated. Mr Abbott is trailing in opinion polls with most polls indicating that the government would be defeated by the Labor opposition if an election was held.
Mr Abbott’s electoral
standing together with an unpopular Budget has eroded his support within the party. The catalyst for the spill motion was the Prime Minister’s decision to Knight Prince Philip. Mr Abbott in arguing against the spill motion encouraged his party not to be like Labor and prematurely remove a recently elected Prime Minister. The spill motion was
lost 61 votes to 39 and Mr Abbott retained his position. Mr Abbott acknowledged that he needed to be more consultative and work harder at selling the government’s message in the next 18 months leading into the election.
The Parliamentarian | 2015: Issue One | 63
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