I'm speaking from my home in lockdown, as greater Sydney has entered its sixth week of lockdown. Millions of people are under stay-at-home orders as the virus circulates in our community Tragically, people are dying because vaccinations haven't been provided even to essential workers who have to leave home and are expected to stoically put their health and that of their families at risk. It was heartbreaking to hear today of the death of 27-year-old Aude Alaskar, who collapsed in his Warwick Farm unit.

I rise to speak on the COVID-19 Disaster Payment (Funding Arrangements) Bill 2021 and I want to associate myself with the comments made by my colleague Senator Siewert on this bill. Of course we should be providing support to people who need this, in these devastating circumstances, but, as Senator Siewert said, we should be providing it to every single person who is living here and who is facing economic and social impacts. This government has locked them out of support payments and they're living on the poverty line, and we will be moving amendments to that effect.

A Parliamentary Library Brief, provided to the Greens, reveals that a minority parliament is only 828 votes away, and looms as one of the most likely outcomes after the next election.

The brief showed that anything between a 0.57% and 3.88% swing to Labor would result in a balance of power scenario. The average swing in the last 20 years of Australian elections is 2.8%.

“Assuming all six 2019-elected crossbenchers (excluding Craig Kelly) and only these six get returned, a 0.57% uniform two party preferred swing to Labor will knock the Libs into minority.

Leader of the Australian Greens Adam Bandt MP has strengthened calls for an independent inquiry into allegations against Christian Porter, saying a cloud will remain over the Attorney General and government until they are tested.

Mr Bandt said that while only the courts could ascertain guilt, the Prime Minister was responsible for the selection of his Cabinet.

Lines from Leader of the Australian Greens, Adam Bandt MP:

Statement from Adam Bandt MP, Leader of the Australian Greens:

There is now a dark cloud over the Cabinet and the government.

We need to make Parliament a safe place for women. Parliamentary staff shouldn’t be going to work wondering if they’re working alongside someone who has been accused of such a heinous crime.

The position of the accused means this is a matter of national significance. These are extremely serious and shocking allegations that should be investigated to the fullest possible extent.

Every member of the Lower House Crossbench has come together to demand an urgent review of workplace procedures at Australian Parliament House, following the latest harrowing allegations of serious sexual assault. 

The letter, co-signed this morning by Adam Bandt, Dr Helen Haines, Bob Katter, Rebekha Sharkie, Zali Steggall, and Andrew Wilkie, commends women for coming forward with their allegations of abuse, noting the culture of secrecy and cover up that pervades the building.

The Greens have called upon the Prime Minister to boot Craig Kelly from his role chairing a parliamentary committee, following weeks of disinformation intended to undermine the medical response to coronavirus.

Senator Mehreen Faruqi has responded to the publication of the report of Aotearoa New Zealand’s Royal Commission of Inquiry into the terrorist attack on Christchurch masjidain on 15 March 2019.

Senator Faruqi is Australia’s first Muslim woman Senator, and the Australian Greens spokesperson for Anti-racism.

Senator Faruqi said:

“The Royal Commission report makes for disturbing reading. While there is still much to digest, a few things are clear at this point.