Key Takeaways
- Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministerial portrait was unveiled, marking his return to Parliament House after seven years.
- The portrait captures Turnbull in a pose that suggests his time as prime minister was cut short, and he delivered a speech that emphasized the need for common sense in energy policy.
- The Albanese government has reached a deal with the Greens on environment reforms, which has been criticized by the Coalition.
- Barnaby Joyce has confirmed his exit from the Nationals, citing a desire to leave the "ejection chair" of the Coalition backbench and put himself in a better position.
- The government has several tough decisions ahead, including whether to extend the $75 per quarter energy bill rebate and how to address the issue of gambling advertising.
Introduction to the Update
Welcome back to your weekly federal politics update, where Courtney Gould gets you up to speed on the happenings from Parliament House. As parliament wound up for the year, Labor joked that two ghosts of Christmas past stalked the hallways: Malcolm Turnbull and Barnaby Joyce. The first, Malcolm Turnbull, was back for the unveiling of his prime ministerial portrait, while the second, Barnaby Joyce, confirmed his exit from the Nationals.
The Unveiling of Malcolm Turnbull’s Portrait
The unveiling of Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministerial portrait was a moment of pause in what has been a somewhat chaotic final week in parliament. The likeness, described by Anthony Albanese as being "an artwork of tremendous stored energy", captures Turnbull almost in mid-sentence, as if his time as prime minister was cut short. The portrait also features Turnbull wearing a tie similar to the one he wore on his final day as prime minister. A number of Turnbull’s backers, such as Julie Bishop, Christopher Pyne, and George Brandis, attended the event, while only a few current politicians, including Michael McCormack, Ted O’Brien, and moderates Maria Kovacic and Andrew Bragg, arrived for the beginning of the event.
The Environment Reforms Deal
The Albanese government has reached a deal with the Greens on environment reforms, which has been criticized by the Coalition. The deal is seen as a significant achievement for the government, which has been working to pass the reforms for several months. The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, was happy to tick the environment reforms off his parliamentary to-do list, but his opponent, Sussan Ley, accused him of doing a "dirty deal" with the Greens. Malcolm Turnbull also offered his assessment, stating that the Coalition could have played an active role in the negotiations but chose not to.
Barnaby Joyce’s Exit from the Nationals
Barnaby Joyce has confirmed his exit from the Nationals, citing a desire to leave the "ejection chair" of the Coalition backbench and put himself in a better position. The decision has been met with criticism from some of his former colleagues, including Matt Canavan, who warned that he would not pull his punches if Joyce defected to One Nation. Joyce has not yet confirmed whether he will join One Nation, but he has hinted that he is considering it. The move has significant implications for the balance of power in parliament and could potentially impact the government’s ability to pass legislation.
The Government’s Reform Appetite
The level of the prime minister’s reform appetite has been discussed and debated since roughly 9 pm on election night in May. The government has made significant progress on several reforms, including the environment reforms and electoral reforms. However, it has also watered down its plans to introduce a $3 million cap on superannuation tax exemptions. The government has several tough decisions ahead, including whether to extend the $75 per quarter energy bill rebate and how to address the issue of gambling advertising. The government’s ability to pass these reforms will depend on its ability to negotiate with the crossbench and the opposition.
The Future of the Coalition
The future of the Coalition is uncertain, with several MPs facing challenges in their seats. Sussan Ley, the Liberal leader, is facing pressure to hold onto her position, while the Nationals are struggling to come to terms with the loss of Barnaby Joyce. The Coalition’s ability to effectively oppose the government will depend on its ability to unite and present a clear alternative. However, with several MPs facing challenges and the party struggling to come to terms with its losses, it is unclear whether the Coalition will be able to effectively oppose the government in the new year.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the final week of parliament has been marked by significant developments, including the unveiling of Malcolm Turnbull’s portrait, the deal on environment reforms, and Barnaby Joyce’s exit from the Nationals. The government has several tough decisions ahead, including whether to extend the energy bill rebate and how to address the issue of gambling advertising. The future of the Coalition is uncertain, and it is unclear whether the party will be able to effectively oppose the government in the new year. As parliament breaks for the year, it is clear that the next year will be marked by significant challenges and opportunities for the government and the opposition.
