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.

Fraser Snatches Liberal Leadership from Snedden

March 20, 2023

Five-a-Day

Australia’s 22nd prime minister, Malcolm Fraser, died on this day in 2015. He was 84.

On March 21, 1975, Fraser defeated Bill Snedden to become leader of the Liberal Party and Leader of the Opposition. In 7 months and 21 days he would be prime minister, following the coalition’s blocking of Supply in the Senate, which led to Whitlam’s dismissal by the Governor-General, Sir John Kerr.

A motion to spill the Liberal leadership was carried by 36 votes to 28. Fraser then defeated Snedden by 37 votes to 27.

The audio clips on this page are all from March 1975. It’s only the second day I’ve been posting Five-A-Day, but this one contains eight.

Five-a-Day – March 1975

March 21, 1975: ABC radio’s PM program reports on Fraser’s election (12m)

March 21, 1975: Melbourne radio 3AW broadcaster Ormsby Wilkins assesses Fraser’s election (3m)

March 21, 1975: “I generally believe…” – Fraser’s remarks about blocking Supply to the Whitlam government (1m)

March 22, 1975: The Prefect – Whitlam’s response to Fraser’s remarks (1m>

March 22, 1975: Whitlam on the Liberals – extended version of Whitlam’s speech on the Liberals (9m)

March 21, 1975: Malcolm and Tamie Fraser interviewed by Michael Schildberger on Channel 9’s A Current Affair (4m)

March 21, 1975: Defeated leader Bill Snedden interviewed by the Richard Carleton on the ABC’s TDT at Canberra Airport (8m)

March 25, 1975: Fraser on Liberalism and the Whitlam government (2m)

Morrison National Cabinet Meeting Briefing: Bringing Australians Home

September 18, 2020

Morrison National Cabinet Meeting Briefing: Bringing Australians Home

This is Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s press conference following today’s meeting of the National Cabinet.

As with previous National Cabinet meetings, the States and Territories have reserved the right to detemine their own timetables for allowing more overseas Australians to return home.

A statement issued by Morrison is obliquely critical of the Victorian government: “Seven of Australia’s eight states and territories are successfully suppressing COVID-19, enabling most Australians in those jurisdictions to live and work in a COVID-safe economy.”

Watch Morrison’s press conference (30m – transcript below):

Listen to Morrison (30m):

Statement issued by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on National Cabinet decisions.

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, recent progress following the Victorian outbreak, easing restrictions (including international border measures), helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment and getting the economy moving again.

National Cabinet continues to work together to address issues and find solutions to the health and economic consequences of COVID-19. Australia has done well on both the health and economic fronts compared to most countries around the world.

Statement on National Cabinet Discussions

September 4, 2020

The National Cabinet met today via videolink.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison released this statement on National Cabinet discussions and decisions.

Later, Morrison held a press conference to outline the National Cabinet discussions.

Transcript of statement released by Prime Minister Scott Morrison

The National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response, the Victorian outbreak, easing restrictions, helping Australians prepare to go back to work in a COVID-safe environment, border restrictions and getting the economy moving again.

The Acting Chief Medical Officer, Paul Kelly, provided an update on the measures underway, the latest data and medical advice in relation to COVID-19.

There have been more than 26,000 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 737 people have died.

Posts published in “Constitution”

Condolences for Bill Hayden in House of Representatives

Detainees Decision Released by High Court

Fraser Snatches Liberal Leadership from Snedden

Five-a-Day

Five-a-Day – March 1975

Morrison National Cabinet Meeting Briefing: Bringing Australians Home

Statement on National Cabinet Discussions