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Scams Consultation Paper Issued by Treasury

December 1, 2023

The Treasury has issued a consultation paper as part of the government’s process of developing a policy on tackling internet scams.

In the paper, the Treasury and the Department of Communications say:

“The government has committed to introduce new mandatory industry codes to outline the responsibilities of the private sector in relation to scam activity, with a focus on banks, digital communications platforms and telecommunications providers.

“Treasury and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (DITRDCA) are seeking feedback on the proposed features of the Scams Code Framework outlined in the discussion paper, which would introduce obligations for these key sectors to combat scams.”

State Funeral for Gerry Hand

November 29, 2023

A state funeral was held today for Gerry Hand, a former minister in the Hawke and Keating governments.

The former ALP member Melbourne (1983-93), Hand died on November 15, 2023, aged 81.

Condolences for Bill Hayden in House of Representatives

November 28, 2023

Australia’s most senior politicians paid tribute to the late Bill Hayden in a condolence debate in the House of Representatives today.

Hayden died on October 21, 2023, at the age of 90.

In the presence of Hayden’s widow, Dallas, and other family members, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese spoke of the former Whitlam and Hawke government minister’s legislative achievements, including Medibank and the single mother’s pension, as well as his time as Foreign Minister and as Governor-General.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, Treasurer Jim Chalmers, National Party leader David Littleproud, and Speaker Milton Dick also spoke. Further condolences will be delivered in the Federation Chamber over coming days.

Hayden won the seat of Oxley (now held by Speaker Milton Dick) in 1961, holding it until 1988. He served as Minister for Social Security in the Whitlam government between 1972 and 1975, establising Medibank, the precursor to Medicare. In the last five months of the Whitlam government, he was Treasurer.

Detainees Decision Released by High Court

November 28, 2023

The High Court of Australia has released the full text of its decision in the NZYQ case which invalidated sections of the Migration Act relating to the ongoing detention of a stateless Rohingya Muslim born in Myanmar.

The decision, announced on November 8, led to the release of 141 detainees. Media reports say another 45 people have also been released.

Yesterday, the Minister for Home Affairs, Clare O’Neil, and the Minister for Immigration, Andrew Giles, announced a $255m package which responds to the releases. New legislation passed on November 16 criminalised breaches of conditions by the released detainees. These conditions included working with children, contacting victims and wearing ankle bracelets

The decision released today in the names of Justices Gageler CJ, Gordon, Edelman, Steward, Gleeson, Jagot and Beech-Jones is unanimous. Whilst it argues that sections of the Migration Act are in breach of Chapter 3 of the Constitution, it leaves open the possibility that an alternative regime of detention would be lawful.

A summary of the decision by the full bench of the High Court and the full text of the reasons are shown below.

Chalmers Finds New RBA Deputy Governor at the Bank of England

November 27, 2023

The Treasurer, Jim Chalmers, has announced the appointment of the Bank of England’s Andrew Hauser as Deputy Govenor of the Reserve Bank of Australia.

Hauser is currently the Executive Director of Markets at the Bank of England. He has been with the UK’s central bank for over thirty years.

Hauser will take up his appointment early in 2024.

A media release from the Reserve Bank of Australia is shown below: