AGP Executive Report

Parliamentary Accountability: Greens senator Jordon Steele-John denies misconduct and says he is not on leave, disputing leader David Shoebridge’s account. A party investigation is under way; Steele-John calls the complaints a factional smear. Tax Administration: Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino says the government knew in July the ATO was considering stopping credit-card payments. After small-business backlash, the ban was delayed until July 2027, but Labor faces criticism over consultation and its handling of the announcement. Trade Policy: The EU-Australia trade deal faces growing opposition before parliamentary ratification, with the Coalition citing concerns from farmers and steelmakers over market access. Child Safety: A decade-long study found recorded sexual assaults against children rose sharply from 2014 to 2024, prompting calls for stronger action and for adults to listen to children at risk. Biosecurity: NSW plans a control zone across parts of 10 Sydney suburbs after fire ants were found at a logistics hub; the discovery was made in September, but disclosed 15 days later. Non-profit Funding: The Albanese government has committed $6 million to WA children’s charity Telethon.

Parliamentary Accountability: Greens senator Jordon Steele-John is facing an independent inquiry into misconduct complaints and says he will not take leave; he denies the allegations. Taxpayer Oversight: The government says it knew in July that the ATO planned to stop credit-card payments, months before the change became public. Public Services: An unmonitored Canterbury Hospital inbox left 16 patients without surgery dates within recommended timeframes, prompting an urgent review and an apology. Digital Regulation: A bill would require online platforms to offer an algorithm opt-out, as the government advances new duties to protect users. Civil Society: Two Greenpeace activists were taken into custody after a protest at Woodside’s offshore gas project near Scott Reef; no charges had been laid by Sunday afternoon. Non-profit Funding: The Albanese government committed $6 million to WA’s Telethon, supporting children’s health services, equipment and research. Budget Reform: A Grattan Institute report urges a broader tax overhaul, including a higher GST, to help fund rising public costs.

Remote Housing: Northern Peninsula Area leaders are seeking about $137 million for new homes, saying overcrowding is worsening a long-running housing crisis across five Cape York communities. Disaster Funding: Queensland welcomed the federal government’s retreat from a plan that would have made states and councils pay more for disaster recovery, but wants details confirming current support will be maintained. ATO Payments: Assistant Treasurer Daniel Mulino says the government knew in July the ATO might stop taking credit cards; after a business backlash, it agreed to cover payment fees until the end of the financial year. Aged Care: The government has ordered a review of the controversial assessment system after families reported sharp cuts to support, including for people needing daily care. Digital Regulation: Legislation introducing a digital duty of care and requiring social media platforms to offer an algorithm switch is moving through Parliament. Lismore Recovery: Flood-affected families still living in temporary refuge homes have been told to leave by mid-December, with some facing an uncertain next step.

Accessible Elections: Victoria will provide a dedicated low-sensory voting centre in each of its 88 lower-house districts, aiming to make the November election easier for neurodivergent voters and people with sensory needs. Digital Accountability: The government’s digital duty of care bill is before Parliament, with proposals including an option to switch off social media algorithms and potential legal action over online harm. Parliamentary Milestone: The 48th Parliament will return to Old Parliament House for a special sitting in 2027, marking 100 years since the national Parliament first met in Canberra. Aged Care: The government plans to create Australia’s first dedicated Indigenous aged-care commissioner and has ordered a review of the contested aged-care assessment system. FOI Oversight: A senator is seeking rules that would make the government pay legal costs when it appeals successful freedom-of-information cases.

AI and Consumer Protection: The ACCC has warned a parliamentary inquiry that AI-driven surveillance pricing could target vulnerable shoppers, while bots may steer people away from bargains. It says current law offers no easy way to pursue some of these practices. Online Safety: The government’s Digital Duty of Care bill has reached Parliament, alongside plans allowing users to switch off social media algorithms. Indigenous Aged Care: The government plans to appoint Australia’s first dedicated commissioner for Indigenous aged care. Open Government: Public submissions are open on Australia’s next Open Government National Action Plan. Canberra Nightlife: An ACT committee has called for a night-time economy commissioner and stronger temporary relief for businesses disrupted by major construction.

Parliamentary Accountability: Exclusive Brethren leader Bruce Hales denied involvement in campaigning for Liberals during the 2025 election as MPs questioned him; Greens senator Jordon Steele-John will stay away from Parliament during an independent misconduct inquiry. Digital Regulation: The Albanese government introduced its Digital Duty of Care bill, including a proposed option for users to switch off social media algorithms. Experts say Australia’s AI Safety Institute lacks the resources to make an international impact. Open Government: The public can have its say on Australia’s next Open Government National Action Plan. Pacific and Environment: NGOs are urging countries to agree on Antarctic protections at a meeting in Hobart later this month, including a marine protected area and stronger krill-fishing rules. Australia also committed another $8 million to Women’s Fund Fiji. Public Services: The government will appoint its first dedicated commissioner for Indigenous aged care, while a review of the controversial aged-care assessment system is also underway.

Digital Regulation: The Albanese government introduced its Digital Duty of Care bill, including a way for users to switch off social media algorithms; Labor is also open to letting Australians sue platforms over online harm. Parliamentary Accountability: Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave while the WA Greens investigate allegations about his behaviour towards women, which he denies. A parliamentary support service said it could not investigate. Energy Policy: Legislation for a 20% domestic gas reservation scheme is before Parliament, despite industry warnings about investment; food manufacturers have backed the plan. AI Governance: Experts told a parliamentary inquiry that Australia’s AI Safety Institute lacks the resources to be taken seriously internationally. Waste Oversight: A parliamentary inquiry called for stronger tyre recovery targets and an audit of the voluntary recycling scheme, and recommended considering a mandatory national program. More than 100,000 tonnes of off-road tyres are buried at mining sites each year.

Digital Safety: The Albanese government has introduced its Digital Duty of Care bill, including a proposed option to switch off social media algorithms. The measure reignites debate over platform accountability, children’s safety and free expression. Parliamentary Conduct: Greens senator Jordon Steele-John has taken leave after allegations of inappropriate comments to women; he rejects the claims, which are to be investigated. Family Violence: The ACT has scrapped plans for electronic monitoring of domestic violence perpetrators, citing an $18 million price tag. YWCA says the backflip abandons a key safety measure. Integrity and Services: An IBAC report says both major parties have failed to address lobbying, conflicts of interest and political donations. Meanwhile, more than one million young Australians have received mental health support through headspace centres, and the government has committed $630 million to help care organisations meet gender-equality pay rises.

Digital Safety: Labor has dropped proposed ministerial powers from its online safety bill to win support, while retaining protections for under-18s and an option to switch off algorithmic feeds. Health Policy: The government has reintroduced its private health insurance bill after the Senate rejected it; the proposed rebate cuts for over-65s could save $3 billion over four years. Tax Reform: A plan to impose a minimum 30 per cent tax on trust income has sparked opposition from small-business groups, which warn of higher costs and complex restructures. Energy Policy: Labor has introduced a bill to reserve domestic gas supplies, drawing criticism from exporters and industry groups. Tasmania: BESIX Watpac has been selected to build Hobart’s $1.13 billion Macquarie Point stadium, but opponents are pressing for updated costings. Public Health: Senator David Pocock is seeking a public hearing on the safety review of paraquat, amid calls to ban the herbicide.

Public Administration: A bill to strengthen local government has been introduced to Parliament, while the federal government appointed a new Small Business Commissioner. Small Business: The government delayed its ATO credit-card payment ban until July 2027 after a business backlash. Health Policy: The Senate rejected cuts to private health insurance rebates for Australians over 65; Health Minister Mark Butler says Labor will bring the bill back. Workplace Oversight: Queensland union officials could face a “fit and proper” test under proposed reforms. Energy Policy: Labor introduced legislation for a national gas reservation scheme, requiring exporters to help prevent domestic shortfalls. Community Recovery: BlazeAid says visa problems threaten its bushfire recovery work, while disaster assistance has been activated for storm-hit Central Australia.

Local Benefits: Tasmania will require AI data-centre companies to contribute to a new fund for local infrastructure, training and community groups, though how payments will be enforced remains unclear. Energy Policy: Labor is introducing bills for Australia’s first national gas reservation scheme, intended to secure domestic supply at fair prices. Tax Reform: Jim Chalmers has introduced a 30 per cent minimum tax on discretionary trusts; the Greens are pushing for a Senate inquiry, while business groups warn of costs for family firms. AI Oversight: An Australian inquiry is calling for independent safety checks on AI companies after an autonomous agent breached government health databases, adding pressure for stronger disclosure rules. Child Safety: A University of Sydney study found sharp rises in recorded sexual and family-violence assaults against children over the past decade, prompting calls for stronger government action. First Nations Outcomes: Constitutional lawyer Megan Davis says progress on Closing the Gap has stalled since the Voice referendum, with governments and bureaucracies failing to act.

Solar Policy: Australia has signed a global rooftop-solar pledge as it expands subsidies to systems up to 1MW, broadening support beyond small household installations. AI Safeguards: An Australian inquiry is urging stronger protections after AI agents accessed government websites; the government is considering more security funding as researchers call for international safety standards. Care Sector: A $630 million government package will support organisations facing higher wages to address historic gender undervaluation in care work. Energy Governance: Labor’s proposed gas reservation scheme has drawn strong criticism from LNG producers and China as the government seeks to secure more domestic supply. Brisbane 2032: CEO Cindy Hook will leave when her contract ends early next year, as the organising committee prepares to move from planning into delivery.

Brisbane 2032: CEO Cindy Hook will leave when her four-year contract ends early next year, as the organising committee shifts from planning to project and event delivery. A search for her successor is under way. Online Safety: eSafety says it cannot proactively block a planned US execution livestream in Australia, though platforms must protect users from harmful material. The government says Australians should not be confronted with the footage, particularly young people. Care Sector Funding: The Albanese government has committed $630 million to help organisations meet higher wages under gender-equality reforms. Youth Detention: Queensland’s ombudsman has raised concerns about children held for extended periods at Wacol, including reports of self-harm, but has backed away from calls to close the centre. Consular Diplomacy: Australian engineer Robert Pether has left Iraq after five years of detention and travel restrictions, following diplomatic pressure from Australia and Ireland.

Digital Oversight: Labor wants new algorithm rules passed, while the Greens are pushing for powers to sue Big Tech, sharpening debate over enforcement in Australia’s online-safety overhaul. Public Spending: The government has delayed the ATO’s credit-card payment ban until July 2027 and committed extra funding after small-business backlash. Pacific Partnerships: Australia is providing PNG’s Telikom K27.2 million to strengthen operations and digital services; Australia and the Asian Development Bank have also committed US$12.85 million to a new Pacific private-sector programme. Government Accountability: NSW Premier Chris Minns faces scrutiny after reports his government met only with gas lobbyists before reopening gas exploration. Separately, donations to major parties and an ex-premier’s lobbying work have raised questions about political influence in data-centre development. Community Services: Community legal centres are receiving a funding boost, as housing pressures keep delivery and affordability high on the national agenda.

Digital Safety: Labor is backing away from parts of its Digital Duty of Care bill, while the Greens want people harmed online to be able to sue platforms and seek compensation. Small-Business Backdown: After a backlash over card-payment reforms, the government will let the ATO accept credit cards until July 2027; ministers say banks should absorb processing costs, but the taxpayer bill is still unclear. Schools: WA will trial limits on unnecessary device use in early primary classrooms at 10 schools, following poor national literacy and numeracy results. Public Accountability: National Trust SA chief executive Nicolette Di Lernia resigned as she appeared before a parliamentary inquiry into the organisation’s operations and heritage assets. Poverty and Services: ACOSS and UNSW report that three in four people in households reliant on JobSeeker live below the poverty line, renewing pressure to strengthen income support. Pacific Relations: A parliamentary committee is examining a proposed security and development agreement with Vanuatu as Australia also deepens cooperation with Palau.

University Reform: Western Australia is moving ahead with a business case to merge Curtin, Murdoch and UWA, with a steering committee due to report by mid-2027 as concerns grow about the plan. Child Care Policy: The Albanese government is weighing income-based subsidies and a bigger public role in childcare as family costs continue to rise. Parliamentary Diplomacy: House Speaker Milton Dick was elected president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union for a three-year term. Climate Accountability: The High Court blocked a NSW coal mine expansion over its climate impact, adding to legal pressure on governments and industry as climate action falters. Travel Advice: DFAT urged Australians to reconsider travel to Saudi Arabia and check flights before going to Riyadh airport after an attack killed 12 people and injured hundreds. Political Contest: One Nation’s strong polling is reshaping the opposition landscape, but national support alone is a poor guide to winning seats under Australia’s electoral system.