An experiment to crowdsource a parliamentary question is under way, which will briefly drag federal parliament into the social media age.
Federal parliament
Kisses all round as clean energy bills pass the House
When the last vote finally came to adopt the 18 clean energy bills as complete package, former Slater & Gordon lawyer Adam Bandt broke into a broad grin, his election night pronouncements 14 months ago having born fruit.
MPs report on gay marriage: a ‘good day for love’ if most are opposed?
In November last year the federal parliament passed a motion from Greens MP Adam Bandt calling on members to take the pulse of constituents on gay marriage. This morning, a selection of MPs reported back. Clare O’Meara examines the speeches.
MacKerras: forget byelections … we’re off to polls in October 2013
The current Parliament will run its full three-year term.
Labor is surprisingly effective in parliament
Labor is almost comically inept outside Parliament but the rules within enable it to be much more effective.
Essential: What do voters think about Territory rights?
Labor, Liberal and Greens voters all feel strongly on the idea that territories’ laws can be overridden on the whim of Federal Ministers — they dislike it.
Parliament upgrades to…Vista
Federal Parliament has finally began updating its Microsoft operating system — not to the latest version, Windows 7, but to the widely snubbed and sledged Microsoft Vista. We assume the IT department has their reasons…
The future of the House of Reps
If you want a glimpse of what the new, improved House of Representatives will be like, check out Senate Question Time, if you can stay awake.
Marr: Highlights from the Parliamentary dog house
Federal Parliament is just like the dog pound, says David Marr: barking, growling and the looming threat of being put down.
FOI reform may undermine open government
Expect some drama as the Freedom of Information reform Bill is debated in federal parliament, since an amendment that would fatally undermine the move to more open government has been slipped in.
Ruddinator 2: Judgment Day
Poor judgment. Bad judgment. Wrong judgment. Misjudgment. Flawed judgment. The word ‘judgment’ was uttered 24 times in Question Time yesterday.
A brief history of props in Federal Parliament
Politicians from both sides have a long democratic tradition of treating Parliament contemptuously.
Peter Costello, Man of Mystery!
Where is he when you need him?
The day after Howard’s End
All eyes last night were on Four Corners, but have we actually learned anything, wonders Christian Kerr.
Nelson comes close to reconciling the irreconcilable
Brendan Nelson’s reply was a curious affair. Doubtless many people won’t be happy with it but it seemed to come as close as possible to reconciling the (quite irreconcilable) views of reactionaries and progressives in the ranks behind him, writes David MacCormack.
