NEWLY elected members of the House of Representatives will come to Canberra next week to learn about their new roles as federal parliamentarians.
During the four-day seminar, to be held from June 23 to 26, Australia’s newest MPs will be introduced to both the procedural and administrative aspects of their work in the House of Representatives. They will hear from officials of the House of Representatives, other parliamentary and executive agencies and from seasoned MPs, before the opening of the 48th Parliament next month.
Learning to navigate the 75,000sqm building, understanding Chamber proceedings and the work of parliamentary committees, as well as what a newly elected MP can expect during their first week on the job will also be on the agenda.
AFTER VISITING more than 160 schools in the 47th Parliament, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Milton Dick MP has announced the Parliament in Schools program will be returning for the 48th Parliament.
"The Parliament in Schools program is a multi-partisan initiative to make civics education accessible to students regardless of their location," Mr Dick said.
"As Speaker of the House of Representatives, I recommit to uplifting civics education and knowledge across this country, and this starts with our youngest generation.
"Not all students will get the opportunity to travel all the way to Canberra. This is why we are taking this program on the road and bringing it to them."
These visits are backed by resources created by the Parliamentary Education Office where students will learn about federation, democracy and the parliament. It is also the opportunity for them to hear first-hand from the Speaker and their local member on what a typical day looks like in their electorate and when they are in Parliament House for sitting weeks.
SOME 165,000 Australian workers could lose vital protections such as overtime, penalty rates, and allowances if the Dutton Coalition wins government, according to a new report released today by the McKell Institute.
The report, titled Risking the Floor: The Impact of the Coalition’s IR Agenda, also warns that about 3.3 million workers who currently rely on award rates as a foundation for negotiating enterprise agreements and individual arrangements would see their bargaining position severely weakened.
The occupations hardest hit would include nurses, electricians, teachers, and skilled tradespeople. The McKell Institute estimates a typical nurse could lose approximately $9,286 per year under the proposed changes, while a teacher faces potential losses of around $5,604 per year. Electricians and plumbers stand to lose around $13,431 and $5,694 per year, respectively.
The report points to the federal Coalition’s endorsement of a NSW Liberal policy, which proposes to remove award protections from workers earning above average weekly earnings. Shadow Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Michaelia Cash has expressed her support for the NSW policy stating it contained “good ideas that align strongly with the Coalition’s approach to industrial relations.”
McKell Institute acting CEO Sarah Mawhinney said the likely changes under a Dutton Government would represent a serious threat to workers and families across Australia.
“These cuts would mean real hardship for hundreds of thousands of Australians who rely on penalty rates and allowances to make ends meet,” Ms Mawhinney said.
“Workers like nurses, teachers, electricians, and plumbers are essential to our communities. Stripping away their basic protections would be devastating, not only for these individuals and their families but also for the broader economy.
“The Coalition’s actual industrial relations policy have been hidden from the public. Given this secrecy, and Michaelia Cash’s explicit praise for the NSW Liberals’ policy, it is reasonable to anticipate a Dutton Government would pursue similar measures.
“These are significant, harmful cuts that would disproportionately affect essential workers and their families, potentially pushing many Australians into financial stress or even poverty.”
The McKell Institute calls on the Coalition to immediately clarify its position and commit to maintaining current award protections for Australian workers.
MEMBERS of the CFMEU Manufacturing Division have voted overwhelmingly to leave the CFMEU and establish an independent union—the Timber, Furnishing and Textiles Union (TFTU).
In the AEC-run ballot ordered by the Fair Work Commission, 91.6% of participating members voted 'yes' to the split.
The union will now begin formal steps to complete the demerger and establish Australia’s newest trade union.
“Our members have voted for change—for a union that is theirs. One that reflects their industries, their values, and their future,” said Michael O’Connor, national secretary of the soon-to-be-established TFTU.
“This is about building a better union—worker-led, transparent, and free from the influence of the CFMEU’s construction division.”
In an extremely high turnout for a non-compulsory union ballot almost 50% of members voted with 3553 voting yes and only 324 voting no.
The vote was made possible by legislation passed last year in Federal Parliament, championed by Senator Jacqui Lambie and Minister Tony Burke, and supported by all MPs — except Adam Bandt and the Greens.
“Members won’t forget how all MPs voted with integrity to give workers a say on their future — except Adam Bandt and the Greens, who disgracefully backed John Setka ahead of workers.
“We thank Senator Lambie, Minister Burke, and all MPs who backed our members’ right to choose their future.”
This result follows a years-long campaign led by delegates and members who demanded a clean break and a stronger union.
“This isn’t just a name change. It’s a structural and cultural shift — towards more independence, integrity, and member control,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Delegates and members drove this campaign from the ground up. They’ll be central to what comes next.
“The TFTU will carry forward the proud traditions of the Manufacturing Division and its predecessor timber, furnishing trade, pulp and paper, and textile, clothing and footwear unions—while forging a bold new path for its members as a proud part of Australia’s trade union movement," Mr O’Connor said.
YESTERDAY the Department of the House of Representatives launched Yarning, a new competition for First Nations secondary school students across Australia.
The Yarning competition is about storytelling. It aims to raise awareness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and provide a platform for young First Nations Australians to connect with the work of the Australian Parliament.
The goal of Yarning is to give young First Nations students a chance to share their perspectives and stories with a broader audience. We also want to increase students’ understanding of the work of the department and the Australia Parliament.
The competition is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in years 7/8, 9/10 and 11/12 to share their unique stories and experiences. Students from regional, rural and remote areas are encouraged to take part and showcase their stories.
There are four themes to choose from and students can choose from different creative mediums such as two‑dimensional artworks; a piece of writing; photographs or videos; or a song, speech or soundscape. The themes are:
Country and connection
identity and culture
family and community
reconciliation.
Entries will be judged on how engaging the storytelling is, the originality and creativity, how relevant the entry is to its theme, and the care and effort that has gone into is presentation. The judging panel includes members of the APS Indigenous Senior Executive Network and the Parliamentary Services Indigenous Employee Network.
The three winners will be flown to Canberra for three nights and get to meet the Minister and Shadow Ministers for Indigenous Australians. They also get to share their entries, enjoy private tours behind the scenes of Parliament House, and a prize pack of goodies from the Parliament Shop.
The competition is now open and entries can be submitted via the online entry form until May 30, 2025.
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