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Valedictory Speeches – 2019

Mar 22, 2023

Five-a-Day

I’ve always been a fan of three types of parliamentary speeches: maiden (or first) speeches, condolence speeches, and valedictory speeches. Some of the most natural speeches and thoughtful comments can be heard in all of these.

Cathy McGowanCathy McGowan (Ind-Indi) delivers her valedictory speech

Not every member gets to deliver a valedictory speech. Those who announce their retirement, or those who lose preselection, are always given a chance to make a farewell speech.

Those who lose their seat depart without acknowledgement of their service. Some of these are unexpected defeats, others are marginal seats where the member knew they had a fight on their hands but wouldn’t dare make a valedictory speech. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Five-a-Day Tagged With: , , , ,

The Ages Of The Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry

Apr 11, 2016

This is a breakdown of the Shorten ALP Shadow Ministry based on age.

For comparative purposes, see the statistics on The Ages of The Turnbull Government Ministers.

Whereas Turnbull is currently the only member of the executive over the age of 60, the ALP has 8 such members, including 2 in the Shadow Cabinet: Jenny Macklin and Senator Kim Carr. In most respects, however, the age breakdown is fairly similar between the ALP and the Coalition.

The oldest member of the Shorten team is Warren Snowdon, 66, who first entered Parliament in 1987. The youngest is Senator Sam Dastyari, 32, who filled a casual vacancy in 2013.

The average age of the Shorten team is 50.2, compared to 48.7 for the government. Turnbull’s Cabinet has an average age of 49.4, compared to Shorten’s 50.0.

Shorten ALP Opposition – Ages of Shadow Ministers – Summary
Group 60-69 50-59 40-49 30-39 Total Average Age
CABINET
2
7
11
1
21
50.0
OUTER MINISTRY
2
2
3
2
9
48.4
PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARIES
4
6
4
2
16
51.4
TOTALS
8
15
18
5
46
50.2

[Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Ministries, Shadow Ministries Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

Growing Together: ALP Releases Policy Agenda For Tackling Inequality

Mar 20, 2016

The ALP has released a policy agenda for tackling inequality.

MacklinThe document, Growing Together, was launched by the Shadow Minister for Families and Payments, Jenny Macklin.

Macklin said inequality is at a 75-year high and 2.5 million Australians live below the poverty line, whilst hundreds of thousands are unemployed.

The Growing Together statement puts forward seven key pillars for tackling inequality: jobs, early childhood, life-long education, work-life balance, longevity, communities and modernising policy development and governance.

It argues that “the current social policy framework was built for, and belongs to, a different era”. The statement claims Growing Together “is an integral part of modern Labor’s policy renewal”. [Read more…]

Filed Under: 2016 Federal Election, A.L.P., Economy, Equality Tagged With: , , , , ,

ALP Will Oppose Budget Measures On Pensions, Youth Support, Family Tax Benefits And GP Co-Payment

May 15, 2014

Following Opposition Leader Bill Shorten’s Budget Reply speech tonight, the ALP has announced that it will oppose a series of Budget measures in the Parliament.

Statements from shadow ministers Jenny Macklin, Catherine King, Brendan O’Connor and Julie Collins say that the ALP will oppose:

  • Increasing the pension age to 70.
  • Changes to pension indexation arrangements.
  • Forcing young people under 30 to wait 6 months before receiving income support.
  • Moving people under 25 from Newstart to the lower-paying Youth Allowance.
  • Cutting families off Family Tax Benefit B when their youngest child turns 6.
  • The $7 co-payment for visits to a general practitioner.

The ALP and the Greens have a blocking majority in the Senate until June 30. Neither party will oppose the Appropriation Bills, but where separate legislation is required they will have the ability to block measures.

After July 1, the ALP, Greens and the Palmer United Party group will have the numbers to block legislation in the Senate. Alternatively, either the ALP or the Greens will be able to guarantee passage of government bills. If the ALP and Greens are opposed to legislation, the government will need the support of 6 of the 8 crossbenchers.

Statement from Jenny Macklin, Shadow Minister for Families and Payments, and Disability Reform.

LABOR TO OPPOSE ABBOTT’S PENSION ATTACK

Labor will oppose Tony Abbott’s savage attack on Australia’s pension system and the millions of Australian pensioners who rely on it.

Labor will oppose Tony Abbott’s decision to increase the pension age to 70. [Read more…]

Filed Under: A.L.P., Budget Tagged With: , , , , , ,
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