Religious Discrimination Bill 2021: Morrison loses his nerve and now hunts about for excuses?

Australian Prime Minister, Liberal MP for Cook & megaphone Christian Scott Morrison walks back on his 2018 & 2021 promises to prevent discrimination in religious-based schools against students who are either LGBQ or transgender.....

The Guardian, 10 February 2022:

The Morrison government has passed the religious discrimination bill in a marathon all-night sitting of the House of Representatives, despite Liberal moderates defecting to help add more extensive protections for LGBTQ+ students.

The Liberal MPs Bridget Archer, Trent Zimmerman, Katie Allen, Fiona Martin and Dave Sharma crossed the floor against the government, helping Labor and the crossbench add protections for LGBTQ+ students into the Sex Discrimination Act.

The main bill received a third reading at 4am, officially passing the lower house with Labor support after Wednesday’s resolution by the opposition caucus to fight for amendments but not oppose the bill at the final stage.

The human rights amendment bill, which now prevents religious schools discriminating against students on gender and sexuality, passed shortly before 5am – despite a last-ditch attempt from the government to defeat its own legislation.

Labor and several of the government’s own members were galvanised by the Morrison government revealing it will protect gay students from expulsion – but not other forms of discrimination – without protecting trans students at the same time.

Zimmerman told the house the parliament could not send a message by “omission” by moving to fix sexuality discrimination but not gender identity discrimination. “I could not live with myself if I didn’t seek to address those issues.”

Earlier, the Morrison government defeated Labor amendments to the statements of belief clause by the narrowest margin.

Despite Archer and Zimmerman voting against the government, shortly after 2.30am the speaker, Andrew Wallace, used his casting vote to break a 62-all tie to thwart Labor’s amendment to the controversial clause.

Further amendments to ban vilification on the grounds of religion and discrimination in the provision of in-home aged care services were defeated, with Zimmerman joining the Coalition, Bob Katter and Craig Kelly on those votes.

The Liberal MP Warren Entsch, who earlier told parliament he didn’t believe the bill was necessary and still had concerns about statements of belief and LGBTQ+ children, nevertheless voted against all amendments, claiming it was necessary to “bank the successes” of other changes to the bill.

Labor’s fight to amend the package of legislation will now move to the Senate, where it hopes support from the Greens, Rex Patrick, Jacqui Lambie, Stirling Griff and Liberal defectors including Andrew Bragg will help it win amendments defeated in the lower house.

Bragg has already called for the statements of belief clause, which protects religious statements even if they offend, insult or humiliate others on the basis of protected attributes, to be removed in its entirety.

Scott Morrison called for the bill to pass in a speech at 12.50am…..

The Religious Discrimination Bill 2021, Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021 and Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021, having been read a third time went before the Senate which was intending to consider them "during this period of sittings".

However, by way of a request by Senator Nick McKim (Greens Deputy Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate and Australian Greens Whip) all three bills were separated from the block scheduling vote and, on 10 February 2022 the Senate "negatived" the question. Having refused to include them in the block vote allowing provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 to not apply to those three bills - thereby blocking them from being considered during this period of sittings.

Morrison's bills are now in somewhat of a political limbo. The Government Deputy Leader of Senate Michaelia Cash having almost simultaneously announced an inquiry into what purports to be concerns relating to the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 as amended by the House of Representatives on Wednesday 9 February 2022, but I suspect is more about how to reshape the rebellious internal party politics surrounding the Religious Discrimination Bill while at the same time placating his Christian power base in the face of yet another ideological setback. 

This new inquiry all but ensures that the three bills are dead in the water until after the federal general election expected in May 2022.

What is somewhat amusing is that neither Scott Morrison as Prime Minister nor Peter Dutton as Leader of the House of Representatives appear to have seen the snare until it hoist them high and left them upside down spinning by one ankle.

Reading between the lines it seems Morrison was well aware that the already highly problematic Religious Discrimination Bill 2021 was in real danger by mid-afternoon on Wednesday 2022 of moving into unchartered waters and beyond his preferred framing. For his own party's political comfort Morrison really should have adjourned debate of the three bills then in order to come back to them on 14-17 February. Instead he kept going to the wee small hours of 10 February and voted to refer the problem to the Senate probably hoping that the optics of abandoning the bill would not look as bad there.

Once in the Senate matters moved so fast that the Deputy Nationals Leader in the Senate Matt Canavan had no idea what was happening and his plaintive query is recorded in Hansard: "I'm a little confused. I don't have the motion in front of me. In regard to the religious discrimination bills and the human rights bill, you said you'd put the motion. What was that motion? What was the content of it? I don't have it in front of me". 

Rumour has it that a Cabinet Meeting on 7 February 2022 was less than complementary of Morrison's political judgement - it appears his ministers has good cause.

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BACKGROUND

Australian Parliament, Hansard, VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS, 9 February 2022, excerpts:

House Of Representatives

13 RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL 2021

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Wilkie, viz.— That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“the House declines to give the bill a second reading and notes that:

(1) this bill will have a greater negative impact on Tasmania than any other state or territory because our anti-discrimination legislation is currently the best in the country; and

(2) the Tasmanian Anti-Discrimination Act 1998 has the full support of the Tasmanian Parliament and been strongly endorsed by the Liberal Premier the Hon Peter Gutwein MP”—

Debate resumed.

Ms L. M. Chesters addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Ms L. M. Chesters was granted leave to continue her speech when the debate is resumed, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

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29 RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL 2021

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Wilkie (see item No. 13, page 2447) —

Debate resumed.

Documents

Mr Albanese ( Leader of the Opposition ), by leave, presented the following documents:

Letter from the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister, to the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Opposition, 1 December 2021.

Letter from the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Opposition, to the Hon Scott Morrison MP, Prime Minister, 1 December 2021.

Debate continued.

Debate adjourned (Mr Wood—Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

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30 SUSPENSION OF STANDING ORDERS—TIME AND ORDER OF BUSINESS FOR THIS SITTING

Mr Wood (Assistant Minister for Customs, Community Safety and Multicultural Affairs), by leave, moved—That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring in relation to business for today:

(1) consideration of the following bills in order, without intervening business:

(a) Religious Discrimination Bill 2021;

(b) Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021;

(c) Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021;

(d) Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Superannuation Outcomes For Australians and Helping Australian Businesses Invest) Bill 2021;

(e) National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Bill 2021; and

(f) Corporate Collective Investment Vehicle Framework and Other Measures Bill 2021;

(2) following consideration of the bills listed in paragraph (1), the House to immediately adjourn until 9.30 am on Thursday, 10 February 2022;

(3) from the determination of the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021 until the adjournment of the House:

(a) any division called shall be deferred until 9.30 am on Thursday, 10 February 2022; and

(b) if any Member draws the attention of the Speaker to the state of the House, the Speaker shall announce that he will count the House at 9.30 am on Thursday, 10 February 2022; and

(4) any variation to this arrangement to be made only on a motion moved by a Minister.

Question—put and passed.

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31 RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION BILL 2021

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Wilkie (see item No. 13, page 2447) —

Debate resumed.

The House continuing to sit until after midnight—

Thursday, 10 February 2022

Question—That the amendment be disagreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 96

Mr Albanese Mr Drum Mr Katter Mr Ramsey*

Mr Alexander Mr Dutton Ms Kearney Ms Rishworth

Dr Allen Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Mr C. Kelly Ms Ryan

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Entsch Mr Laming Mr Sharma

Mr K. J. Andrews Mr Evans Ms Landry Mr Simmonds

Ms Bell Mr Falinski Dr Leigh

Mr A. D. H. Smith Mr Bowen Mr Fletcher

Ms Ley Mr D. P. B. Smith Mr Broadbent Ms Flint

Mr Littleproud Ms Stanley* Mr Buchholz Dr Freelander

Ms McBain Mr Stevens Mr Burke Mr Frydenberg

Ms McBride Mr Sukkar Ms Burney Mr Georganas

Mr McCormack Ms Swanson Mr Burns Mr Giles

Mrs McIntosh Mr Taylor Ms T. M. Butler Dr Gillespie

Mrs Marino Ms Templeman Mr Byrne Mr Goodenough

Mr Marles Mr Thompson Mr D. J. Chester Mr Gorman

Dr Martin Mr van Manen Ms L. M. Chesters Mr Hamilton

Mr Morrison Mr Vasta Ms Claydon Mr Hawke

Mr Morton Mr Watts Ms Coker Mr Hayes

Mr Ted O’Brien Mrs Wicks Mr Coleman Mr Hill

Mr O’Connor Mr R. J. Wilson Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper] Mr Hogan [MP for Page]

Mr Pasin Mr T. R. Wilson Mr Conroy Mr Howarth

Mr Pearce Mr Wood Mr Coulton Mr Hunt

Mrs Phillips Mr Wyatt Mr Dick Mr Jones

Mr Pitt Mr Zappia Mr Dreyfus Mr Joyce

Mr Porter Mr Zimmerman

NOES, 6

Mrs Archer Dr Haines* Ms Steggall Mr Wilkie

Mr Bandt* Ms Sharkie

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Question—That the bill be now read a second time—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 97

Mr Albanese Mr Dutton Ms Kearney Mr Ramsey*

Mr Alexander Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Mr C. Kelly Ms Rishworth

Dr Allen Mr Entsch Mr Laming Ms Ryan

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Evans Ms Landry Mr Sharma

Mr K. J. Andrews Mr Falinski Dr Leigh Mr Simmonds

Ms Bell Mr Fletcher Ms Ley Mr A. D. H. Smith

Mr Bowen Ms Flint Mr Littleproud Mr D. P. B. Smith

Mr Broadbent Dr Freelander Ms McBain Ms Stanley*

Mr Buchholz Mr Frydenberg Ms McBride Mr Stevens

Mr Burke Mr Georganas Mr McCormack Mr Sukkar

Ms Burney Mr Giles Mrs McIntosh

Ms Swanson Mr Burns Dr Gillespie Mrs Marino

Mr Taylor Ms T. M. Butler Mr Goodenough Mr Marles

Ms Templeman Mr Byrne Mr Gorman Dr Martin

Mr Thompson Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hamilton Mr Morrison

Mr van Manen Ms L. M. Chesters Mr Hawke Mr Morton

Mr Vasta Ms Claydon Mr Hayes Mr Ted O’Brien

Mr Watts Ms Coker Mr Hill Mr O’Connor Mrs Wicks Mr Coleman

Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr Pasin Mr R. J. Wilson Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper]

Mr Howarth Mr Pearce Mr T. R. Wilson Mr Conroy

Mr Hunt Mr Perrett Mr Wood Mr Coulton Mr Jones

Mrs Phillips Mr Wyatt Mr Dick Mr Joyce

Mr Pitt Mr Zappia Mr Dreyfus Mr Katter

Mr Porter Mr Zimmerman Mr Drum

NOES, 6

Mrs Archer Dr Haines* Ms Steggall Mr Wilkie

Mr Bandt* Ms Sharkie

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative—bill read a second time.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Mr Bandt, by leave, moved amendments (1) to (12) together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be disagreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 90

Mr Albanese Mr Entsch Mr Laming Ms Rishworth

Mr Alexander Mr Evans Ms Landry Mr Sharma

Dr Allen Mr Falinski Dr Leigh Mr Simmonds

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Fletcher Ms Ley Mr A. D. H. Smith

Mr K. J. Andrews Ms Flint Mr Littleproud Mr D. P. B. Smith

Mrs Archer Mr Frydenberg Ms McBride Ms Stanley*

Ms Bell Mr Georganas Mr McCormack Mr Stevens

Mr Bowen Mr Giles Mrs McIntosh Mr Sukkar

Mr Broadbent Dr Gillespie Mrs Marino Mr Taylor

Mr Buchholz Mr Goodenough Mr Marles Ms Templeman

Ms Burney Mr Gorman Dr Martin Mr Thistlethwaite

Mr Burns Mr Hamilton Mr Morrison Mr Thompson

Mr Byrne Mr Hawke Mr Morton Mr van Manen

Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hayes Mr Ted O’Brien Mr Vasta

Ms L. M. Chesters Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr L. S. O’Brien Mr Watts

Ms Coker Mr Howarth Mr O’Dowd Mrs Wicks

Mr Coleman Mr Hunt Mr Pasin Mr R. J. Wilson

Ms Collins Mr Irons Mr Pearce Mr T. R. Wilson

Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper] Mr Jones Mrs Phillips Mr Wood

Mr Coulton Mr Joyce Mr Pitt Mr Wyatt

Mr Dreyfus Mr Katter Mr Porter Mr Zappia

Mr Drum Mr C. Kelly Mr Ramsey* Mr Zimmerman

Mr Dutton Ms C. F. King

NOES, 5

Mr Bandt* Ms Sharkie Ms Steggall Mr Wilkie

Dr Haines*

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Mr C. Kelly moved an amendment.

Debate ensued.

Amendment negatived, Mr C. Kelly dissenting.

Document

Mr Fletcher (Minister representing the Attorney-General) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Mr Fletcher, by leave, Government amendments (10), (12), and (17) to (21) were made together, after debate.

Mr Fletcher, by leave, moved Government amendments (1) to (9), (11), (13) to (16) and (22) together.

Mr Dreyfus moved the Opposition amendment to Government amendment (8).

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be disagreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 62

Mr Alexander Mr Fletcher Ms Ley Mr Ramsey*

Dr Allen Ms Flint Mr Littleproud Mr Sharma

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Frydenberg Mr McCormack Mr Simmonds

Mr K. J. Andrews Dr Gillespie Mrs McIntosh Mr A. D. H. Smith

Ms Bell Mr Goodenough Mrs Marino Mr Stevens

Mr Broadbent Mr Hamilton Dr Martin Mr Sukkar

Mr Buchholz Mr Hawke Mr Morrison Mr Taylor

Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr Morton Mr Thompson

Mr Coleman Mr Howarth Mr Ted O’Brien Mr van Manen

Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper] Mr Hunt Mr L. S. O’Brien Mr Vasta

Mr Coulton Mr Irons Mr O’Dowd Mrs Wicks

Mr Drum* Mr Joyce Mr Pasin Mr R. J. Wilson

Mr Dutton Mr Katter Mr Pearce Mr T. R. Wilson

Mr Entsch Mr C. Kelly Mr Pitt Mr Wood

Mr Evans Mr Laming Mr Porter Mr Wyatt

Mr Falinski Ms Landry

NOES, 62

Mr Albanese Mr Dick Ms M. M. H. King Ms Sharkie

Mrs Archer Mr Dreyfus Dr Leigh Mr Shorten

Mr Bandt Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Ms McBain Mr D. P. B. Smith

Mr Bowen Dr Freelander Ms McBride Mr Snowdon

Mr Burke Mr Georganas Mr Marles Ms Stanley*

Ms Burney Mr Giles Mr B. K. Mitchell Ms Steggall

Mr Burns Mr Gorman Mr Neumann Ms Swanson

Ms T. M. Butler Mr Gosling Mr O’Connor Ms Templeman

Mr Byrne Dr Haines Ms O’Neil Mr Thistlethwaite

Dr Chalmers Mr Hayes Ms Owens Ms Thwaites

Ms L. M. Chesters Mr Hill Mr Perrett Mr Watts

Mr Clare Mr Husic Mrs Phillips Ms Wells

Ms Claydon Mr Jones Ms Rishworth Mr Wilkie

Ms Coker Ms Kearney Ms Rowland Mr Zappia

Ms Collins Mr Khalil Ms Ryan* Mr Zimmerman

Mr Conroy Ms C. F. King

* Tellers

The numbers for the “Ayes” and the “Noes” being equal, the Speaker gave his casting vote with the “Ayes” in accordance with the principle that where no further discussion is possible, decisions should not be taken except by a majority.

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Question—That Government amendments (1) to (9), (11), (13) to (16) and (22) be agreed to—put and passed, Mr Bandt and Mr Wilkie dissenting.

Mr Dreyfus, by leave, moved Opposition amendments (2), (4), (10), (17) to (19) and (21) to (27) together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be disagreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 62

Mr Alexander Mr Fletcher Ms Ley Mr Ramsey*

Dr Allen Ms Flint Mr Littleproud Mr Sharma

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Frydenberg Mr McCormack Mr Simmonds

Mr K. J. Andrews Dr Gillespie Mrs McIntosh Mr A. D. H. Smith

Ms Bell Mr Goodenough Mrs Marino Mr Sukkar

Mr Broadbent Mr Hamilton Dr Martin Mr Taylor

Mr Buchholz Mr Hawke Mr Morrison Mr Thompson

Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr Morton Mr van Manen

Mr Coleman Mr Howarth Mr Ted O’Brien Mr Vasta

Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper] Mr Hunt Mr L. S. O’Brien Mrs Wicks

Mr Coulton Mr Irons Mr O’Dowd Mr R. J. Wilson

Mr Drum* Mr Joyce Mr Pasin Mr T. R. Wilson

Mr Dutton Mr Katter Mr Pearce Mr Wood

Mr Entsch Mr C. Kelly Mr Pitt Mr Wyatt

Mr Evans Mr Laming Mr Porter Mr Zimmerman

Mr Falinski Ms Landry

NOES, 61

Mr Albanese Mr Dreyfus Ms M. M. H. King Ms Ryan*

Mrs Archer Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Dr Leigh Ms Sharkie

Mr Bandt Dr Freelander Ms McBain Mr Shorten

Mr Bowen Mr Georganas Ms McBride Mr D. P. B. Smith

Mr Burke Mr Giles Mr Marles Mr Snowdon

Ms Burney Mr Gorman Mr B. K. Mitchell Ms Stanley*

Mr Burns Mr Gosling Mr R. G. Mitchell Ms Steggall

Mr Byrne Dr Haines Mr Neumann Ms Swanson

Dr Chalmers Mr Hayes Mr O’Connor Ms Templeman

Ms L. M. Chesters Mr Hill Ms O’Neil Mr Thistlethwaite

Mr Clare Mr Husic Ms Owens Ms Thwaites

Ms Claydon Mr Jones Mr Perrett Mr Watts

Ms Coker Ms Kearney Mrs Phillips Ms Wells

Ms Collins Mr Khalil Ms Rishworth Mr Wilkie

Mr Conroy Ms C. F. King Ms Rowland Mr Zappia

Mr Dick

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Mr Dreyfus, by leave, moved Opposition amendments (5) to (9) and (11) to (15) together.

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendments be disagreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 63

Mr Alexander Mr Fletcher Ms Ley Mr Sharma

Dr Allen Ms Flint Mr Littleproud Mr Simmonds

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Frydenberg Mr McCormack Mr A. D. H. Smith

Mr K. J. Andrews Dr Gillespie Mrs McIntosh Mr Stevens

Ms Bell Mr Goodenough Mrs Marino Mr Sukkar

Mr Broadbent Mr Hamilton Dr Martin Mr Taylor

Mr Buchholz Mr Hawke Mr Morrison Mr Thompson

Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr Morton Mr van Manen

Mr Coleman Mr Howarth Mr Ted O’Brien Mr Vasta

Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper] Mr Hunt Mr L. S. O’Brien Mrs Wicks

Mr Coulton Mr Irons Mr O’Dowd Mr R. J. Wilson

Mr Drum* Mr Joyce Mr Pasin Mr T. R. Wilson

Mr Dutton Mr Katter Mr Pearce Mr Wood

Mr Entsch Mr C. Kelly Mr Pitt Mr Wyatt

Mr Evans Mr Laming Mr Porter Mr Zimmerman

Mr Falinski Ms Landry Mr Ramsey*

NOES, 61

Mr Albanese Mr Dreyfus Ms M. M. H. King Ms Ryan*

Mrs Archer Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Dr Leigh Ms Sharkie

Mr Bandt Dr Freelander Ms McBain Mr Shorten

Mr Bowen Mr Georganas Ms McBride Mr D. P. B. Smith

Mr Burke Mr Giles Mr Marles Mr Snowdon

Ms Burney Mr Gorman Mr B. K. Mitchell Ms Stanley*

Mr Burns Mr Gosling Mr R. G. Mitchell Ms Steggall

Ms T. M. Butler Dr Haines Mr Neumann Ms Swanson

Mr Byrne Mr Hayes Mr O’Connor Ms Templeman

Dr Chalmers Mr Hill Ms O’Neil Mr Thistlethwaite

Mr Clare Mr Husic Ms Owens Ms Thwaites

Ms Claydon Mr Jones Mr Perrett Mr Watts

Ms Coker Ms Kearney Mrs Phillips Ms Wells

Ms Collins Mr Khalil Ms Rishworth Mr Wilkie

Mr Conroy Ms C. F. King Ms Rowland Mr Zappia

Mr Dick

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.

Mr Fletcher moved—That the bill be now read a third time.

Question—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 90

Mr Albanese Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Mr Katter Mr Pitt

Mr Alexander Mr Entsch Mr C. Kelly Mr Porter

Dr Allen Mr Evans Mr Laming Mr Ramsey*

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Falinski Ms Landry Ms Rishworth

Mr K. J. Andrews Mr Fletcher Dr Leigh Ms Rowland

Ms Bell Ms Flint Ms Ley Mr Shorten

Mr Bowen Dr Freelander Mr Littleproud Mr A. D. H. Smith

Mr Broadbent Mr Frydenberg Mr McCormack Mr D. P. B. Smith

Mr Buchholz Mr Georganas Mrs McIntosh Ms Stanley*

Mr Burke Mr Giles Mrs Marino Mr Stevens

Ms Burney Dr Gillespie Mr Marles Mr Sukkar

Ms T. M. Butler Mr Goodenough Dr Martin

Mr Taylor Dr Chalmers Mr Hamilton Mr Morrison

Mr Thompson Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hawke Mr Morton

Mr van Manen Ms Claydon Mr Hayes Mr Neumann

Mr Vasta Mr Coleman Mr Hill Mr Ted O’Brien

Mr Watts Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper] Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr L. S. O’Brien

Mrs Wicks Mr Conroy Mr Howarth Mr O’Connor

Mr R. J. Wilson Mr Coulton Mr Hunt Mr O’Dowd

Mr T. R. Wilson Mr Dick Mr Husic Mr Pasin

Mr Wood Mr Dreyfus Mr Irons Mr Pearce

Mr Wyatt Mr Drum Mr Jones Mr Perrett

Mr Zappia Mr Dutton Mr Joyce

NOES, 6

Mrs Archer Dr Haines* Ms Steggall Mr Wilkie

Mr Bandt* Ms Sharkie

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative—bill read a third time.

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32 RELIGIOUS DISCRIMINATION (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2021

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Leave granted for third reading to be moved immediately.

On the motion of Mr Fletcher (Minister representing the Attorney-General), the bill was read a third time.

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33 HUMAN RIGHTS LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2021

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Ms Sharkie moved amendment (2).

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be disagreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 69

Mr Alexander Mr Entsch Mr C. Kelly Mr Porter

Dr Allen Mr Evans Ms Landry Mr Ramsey*

Mrs K. L. Andrews Mr Falinski Dr Leigh Mr Sharma

Mr K. J. Andrews Ms Flint Ms Ley Mr Simmonds

Ms Bell Mr Frydenberg Mr Littleproud Mr A. D. H. Smith

Mr Broadbent Mr Georganas Mr McCormack Ms Stanley*

Mr Buchholz Mr Giles Mrs McIntosh Mr Stevens

Mr Burke Dr Gillespie Mrs Marino Mr Sukkar

Ms Burney Mr Goodenough Mr Marles Mr Taylor

Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hamilton Mr Morrison Mr Thompson

Ms Claydon Mr Hawke Mr Morton Mr van Manen

Mr Coleman Mr Hayes Mr Ted O’Brien Mr Vasta

Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper] Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr L. S. O’Brien

Mr Watts Mr Coulton Mr Hunt Mr O’Dowd

Mr R. J. Wilson Mr Dick Mr Irons Mr Pasin

Mr T. R. Wilson Mr Dreyfus Mr Joyce Mr Pearce

Mr Wyatt Mr Drum Mr Katter Mr Pitt

Mr Zappia Mr Dutton

NOES, 8

Mrs Archer Dr Haines* Ms Sharkie Mr Wilkie

Mr Bandt* Dr Martin Ms Steggall Mr Zimmerman

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Ms Sharkie moved amendment (3).  [my yellow highlighting]

Debate ensued.

Question—That the amendment be disagreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 58

Mr Alexander Ms Flint Ms Ley Mr Ramsey* Mrs K. L. Andrews

Mr Frydenberg Mr Littleproud Mr Simmonds Mr K. J. Andrews

Dr Gillespie Mr McCormack Mr A. D. H. Smith Ms Bell

Mr Goodenough Mrs McIntosh Mr Stevens Mr Broadbent

Mr Hamilton Mrs Marino Mr Sukkar Mr Buchholz

Mr Hawke Mr Morrison Mr Taylor Mr D. J. Chester

Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr Morton Mr Thompson Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper]

Mr Howarth Mr Ted O’Brien Mr van Manen Mr Coulton

Mr Hunt Mr L. S. O’Brien Mr Vasta Mr Drum*

Mr Irons Mr O’Dowd Mrs Wicks Mr Dutton

Mr Joyce Mr Pasin Mr R. J. Wilson Mr Entsch

Mr Katter Mr Pearce Mr T. R. Wilson Mr Evans

Mr C. Kelly Mr Pitt Mr Wood Mr Falinski

Mr Laming Mr Porter Mr Wyatt

Mr Fletcher Ms Landry

NOES, 65

Mr Albanese Mr Dreyfus Dr Leigh Ms Sharkie

Dr Allen Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Ms McBain Mr Sharma Mrs Archer

Dr Freelander Ms McBride Mr Shorten Mr Bandt

Mr Georganas Mr Marles Mr D. P. B. Smith Mr Bowen

Mr Giles Dr Martin Mr Snowdon Mr Burke

Mr Gorman Mr B. K. Mitchell Ms Stanley* Ms Burney

Mr Gosling Mr R. G. Mitchell Ms Steggall Mr Burns

Dr Haines Mr Neumann Ms Swanson Ms T. M. Butler

Mr Hayes Mr O’Connor Ms Templeman Mr Byrne

Mr Hill Ms O’Neil Mr Thistlethwaite Dr Chalmers

Mr Husic Ms Owens Ms Thwaites Mr Clare

Mr Jones Mr Perrett Mr Watts Ms Claydon

Ms Kearney Mrs Phillips Ms Wells Ms Coker

Mr Khalil Ms Rishworth Mr Wilkie Ms Collins

Ms C. F. King Ms Rowland Mr Zappia Mr Conroy

Ms M. M. H. King Ms Ryan* Mr Zimmerman

Mr Dick

* Tellers

And so it was negatived.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 65

Mr Albanese Mr Dreyfus Dr Leigh Ms Sharkie

Dr Allen Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Ms McBain Mr Sharma Mrs Archer

Dr Freelander Ms McBride Mr Shorten Mr Bandt

Mr Georganas Mr Marles Mr D. P. B. Smith Mr Bowen

Mr Giles Dr Martin Mr Snowdon Mr Burke

Mr Gorman Mr B. K. Mitchell Ms Stanley* Ms Burney

Mr Gosling Mr R. G. Mitchell Ms Steggall Mr Burns

Dr Haines Mr Neumann Ms Swanson Ms T. M. Butler

Mr Hayes Mr O’Connor Ms Templeman Mr Byrne

Mr Hill Ms O’Neil Mr Thistlethwaite Dr Chalmers

Mr Husic Ms Owens Ms Thwaites Mr Clare

Mr Jones Mr Perrett Mr Watts Ms Claydon

Ms Kearney Mrs Phillips Ms Wells Ms Coker

Mr Khalil Ms Rishworth Mr Wilkie Ms Collins

Ms C. F. King Ms Rowland Mr Zappia Mr Conroy

Ms M. M. H. King Ms Ryan* Mr Zimmerman Mr Dick

NOES, 59

Mr Alexander Mr Fletcher Ms Landry Mr Ramsey*

Mrs K. L. Andrews Ms Flint Ms Ley Mr Simmonds

Mr K. J. Andrews Mr Frydenberg Mr Littleproud Mr A. D. H. Smith

Ms Bell Dr Gillespie Mr McCormack Mr Stevens

Mr Broadbent Mr Goodenough Mrs McIntosh Mr Sukkar

Mr Buchholz Mr Hamilton Mrs Marino Mr Taylor

Mr D. J. Chester Mr Hawke Mr Morrison Mr Thompson

Mr Coleman Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr Morton Mr van Manen Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper]

Mr Howarth Mr Ted O’Brien Mr Vasta Mr Coulton

Mr Hunt Mr L. S. O’Brien Mrs Wicks Mr Drum*

Mr Irons Mr O’Dowd Mr R. J. Wilson Mr Dutton

Mr Joyce Mr Pasin Mr T. R. Wilson Mr Entsch

Mr Katter Mr Pearce Mr Wood Mr Evans

Mr C. Kelly Mr Pitt Mr Wyatt Mr Falinski

Mr Laming Mr Porter

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Question—That the bill, as amended, be agreed to—put.

The House divided (the Speaker, Mr Wallace, in the Chair)—

AYES, 65

Mr Albanese Mr Dreyfus Dr Leigh Ms Sharkie

Dr Allen Mrs Elliot [MP for Richmond] Ms McBain Mr Sharma

Mrs Archer Dr Freelander Ms McBride Mr Shorten

Mr Bandt Mr Georganas Mr Marles Mr D. P. B. Smith

Mr Bowen Mr Giles Dr Martin Mr Snowdon

Mr Burke Mr Gorman Mr B. K. Mitchell Ms Stanley*

Ms Burney Mr Gosling Mr R. G. Mitchell Ms Steggall

Mr Burns Dr Haines Mr Neumann Ms Swanson

Ms T. M. Butler Mr Hayes Mr O’Connor Ms Templeman

Mr Byrne Mr Hill Ms O’Neil Mr Thistlethwaite

Dr Chalmers Mr Husic Ms Owens Ms Thwaites

Mr Clare Mr Jones Mr Perrett Mr Watts

Ms Claydon Ms Kearney Mrs Phillips Ms Wells

Ms Coker Mr Khalil Ms Rishworth Mr Wilkie

Ms Collins Ms C. F. King Ms Rowland Mr Zappia

Mr Conroy Ms M. M. H. King Ms Ryan* Mr Zimmerman

Mr Dick

NOES, 59

Mr Alexander Mr Fletcher Ms Landry Mr Ramsey*

Mrs K. L. Andrews Ms Flint Ms Ley Mr Simmonds

Mr K. J. Andrews Mr Frydenberg Mr Littleproud Mr A. D. H. Smith

Ms Bell Dr Gillespie Mr McCormack Mr Stevens Mr Broadbent

Mr Goodenough Mrs McIntosh Mr Sukkar Mr Buchholz

Mr Hamilton Mrs Marino Mr Taylor Mr D. J. Chester

Mr Hawke Mr Morrison Mr Thompson Mr Coleman

Mr Hogan [MP for Page] Mr Morton Mr van Manen Mr Conaghan [MP for Cowper]

Mr Howarth Mr Ted O’Brien Mr Vasta Mr Coulton

Mr Hunt Mr L. S. O’Brien Mrs Wicks Mr Drum*

Mr Irons Mr O’Dowd Mr R. J. Wilson Mr Dutton

Mr Joyce Mr Pasin Mr T. R. Wilson Mr Entsch

Mr Katter Mr Pearce Mr Wood Mr Evans

Mr C. Kelly Mr Pitt Mr Wyatt Mr Falinski

Mr Laming Mr Porter

* Tellers

And so it was resolved in the affirmative.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

On the motion of Mr Fletcher (Minister representing the Attorney-General), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Member for Mayo Rebekha Sharkie's moved amendment passed 65 to 58:

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021

(Ms Sharkie)

(1) Schedule 1, item 6, page 5 (lines 4 to 7), omit subsection 47C(4).

[educational institutions]

(2) Schedule 1, page 6 (after line 10), at the end of the Schedule, add:

10 At the end of section 37

Add:

(3) Paragraph (1)(d) does not apply to an act or practice of an educational institution that is conducted in accordance with the doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of a particular

religion or creed if the act or practice is in connection with employment, education or training provided by the educational institution.

11 Section 38

Repeal the section.

[educational institutions]

(3) Schedule 1, page 6 (after line 10), at the end of the Schedule, add:

10 At the end of section 37

Add:

(3) Notwithstanding paragraph (1)(d), it is unlawful for an educational institution that is conducted in accordance with the doctrines, tenets, beliefs or teachings of a particular religion or creed to discriminate against a student or prospective student on the ground of

the student’s or prospective student’s sexual orientation, gender identity, marital or relationship status or pregnancy.

11 Subsection 38(3)

Repeal the subsection

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Senate, Hansard, 10 February 2022, excerpt:

The PRESIDENT: With the agreement of the chamber, I'll put the question on those bills as set out by Senator McKim first. We start with the question on those bills as listed by Senator McKim—three electoral matters bills, NDIS amendment, two religious discrimination bills and the human rights bill.

Senator RICE (Victoria—Deputy Australian Greens Whip) (12:03): I seek leave to make a short statement.

The PRESIDENT: Leave is granted for one minute.

Senator RICE: The Religious Discrimination Bill should be dumped rather than be rushed through the Senate. The bill, as was passed through the House last night, would increase discrimination against people with disability, against women, against people of minority faiths and against LGBTIQA+ people. The bill, as was passed through the House last night, would allow an aged-care home to refuse to employ a worker because she is a Muslim woman wearing a hijab. The bill, as was passed through the House last night, would allow a school to sack staff or students because they refuse to sign up to a school policy that says homosexuality is evil. The bill that was passed through the House last night would make legal hurtful, harmful statements, like disability being a punishment from God.This bill should be dumped. It should be put into the dustbin of history, rather than being rushed through the Senate.

The PRESIDENT: The question is that the motion be agreed to with respect to the bills as listed by Senator McKim. Senator Urquhart.

Senator Urquhart: Could we put the electoral bills separately, and the religious ones together?

The PRESIDENT: You're happy with putting the electoral bills and the NDIS bill together, and then the religious discrimination and the human rights bills; is that correct?

Senator Urquhart: Yes.

The PRESIDENT: We will start with the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Foreign Influences and Offences) Bill 2022, the Electoral Legislation Amendment (Authorisations) Bill 2022, the Electoral Legislation Amendment (COVID Enfranchisement) Bill 2022 and the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Participant Service Guarantee and Other Measures) Bill 2021. The question is the motion be agreed to.

The Senate divided. [12:11]

(The President—Senator Brockman)

Ayes.......................48

Noes.......................9

Majority .................39

Question agreed to

The PRESIDENT (12:14): I will now put the question on the Religious Discrimination Bill 2021, the Religious Discrimination (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021 and the Human Rights Legislation Amendment Bill 2021.

Question negatived.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

COVID-19 Update 8 February 2022: New South Wales & Northern NSW

 

In the 24 hours up to 4pm on Tuesday 8 February 2022 NSW Health reported that the were 10,312 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and 71,000 active COVID-19 cases across the state.

In that same 24 hours there were 20 confirmed COVID-19 related deaths - 11 men and 9 women.

The dead all over 60 years of age; 4 people were in their 60s, 2 people were in their 70s, 8 people were in their 80s, and 6 people were in their 90s. Thirteen people were from Sydney and suburbs, two people were from the Central Coast, one person was from the Hunter Valley, one person was from Albury, one person was from the state’s Central West, one person was from Newcastle, and one person was from Tweed Shire in northern NSW.

On 8 February there were 1,906 COVID-19 cases admitted to hospital, including 132 people in intensive care, 61 of whom require ventilation.

The number of self-managed COVID-19 cases (diagnosed within past 7 days up to 7 February) living at home or in insecure accommodation totalled 49,049 men, women & children.

By 8 February 2022 only 1,946,916 people have received two doses of a COVID-19 vaccine out of a total NSW population of est. 8,189,300 - and only 595,552 have received an additional booster vaccine dose.

As at 4pm Tuesday 8 February 2022 across the 7 local government areas in Northern NSW Local Health District there were 481 new confirmed COVID-19 cases:

Tweed Shire – 139 cases across postcodes 2483, 2484, 2485, 2486, 2487, 2488, 2489, 2490;

Clarence Valley – 91 cases across postcodes 2460, 2462, 2463, 2464, 2466;

Lismore City – 74 cases across postcodes 2472, 2480;

Ballina Shire – 70 cases across postcodes 2477, 2478;

Byron Shire – 48 cases across postcodes 2479, 2481, 2482, 2483;

Richmond Valley – 43 cases across postcodes 2469, 2470, 2471, 2473;

Kyogle Shire – 15 cases across postcode 2474;

Tenterfield Shire* – 1 cases in postcode 2372 (*Tenterfield is in a different Local Health District, but postcodes put cases in NNSWLHD).

TOTAL 481

NOTE: Postcode list may be incomplete as NSW Health location database has not been updated since 7 February 2022.

One death of a person in their 90s from Tweed Shire was recorded in 24hrs to 4pm 8 February 2022 and there are 23 COVID-19 positive patients in hospital in Northern NSW, with 4 of these in ICU.

The Echo, 9 February 2022:

According to the COVID-Live website Ballina LGA currently has 360 active cases while Byron has 215, Clarence Valley 304, Kyogle 28, Lismore 190, Richmond Valley 170, Tenterfield 26, and Tweed LGA 1,183 active cases of COVID-19.

Lismore City Council began its new local government 4 year-term term in earnest at an Ordinary Monthly Meeting at 6pm on 8 February 2022. It quickly went downhill....

Banyam Baigham, The Sleeping Lizard
Images: Change.org & David Lowe

With little forewarning Lismore City Council Business Paper for its Ordinary Monthly Meeting of 8 February 2022 contained a Notice of Motion which shocked and alarmed the Widjabul Wia-bal People, traditional owners of the unceded lands on which Lismore local government asserts a jurisdictional right, as well as shocking a good many residents in the wider community of the Lismore area and across Northern New South Wales. 

Motion 10.7 North Lismore Plateau read thus:

Councillor Big Rob has given notice of intention to move:

That:

1. Council take no further action in relation to its decision of 13 July 2021 (Item BP21/567) to hand back all Council owned land at the North Lismore Plateau to the traditional owners;

2. staff prepare suitable information and budget estimates for consideration in the upcoming Operational Plan and budget process to investigate options for Council to realise a financial return on its R1 zoned land at the North Lismore Plateau;

3. the information above include an analysis of Council’s obligations and associated costs to rehabilitate the quarry having regard to the North Lismore Quarry End Use Plan 2012, the North Lismore Quarry Rehabilitation Plan 2012, with a particular focus on the E2 and E3 zoned land;

and

4. Council provide in principle support to transfer ownership of the E2 and E3 zoned land owned by Council at the North Lismore Plateau to the traditional owners and prepare budget estimates and supporting information to allow further consideration of this matter in the upcoming Operational Plan and budget process.  [my yellow highlighting]

The initial public reactions was two-fold - an online petition and a public meeting.

Big crowd on hand to support Widjabul Wia-bal People in their fight to see North Lismore Plateau returned to them as the Lismore Council promised last year. pic.twitter.com/JzBztv4zuq

— Michael Bennett (@nthistorian) February 8, 2022

The Lismore Council meeting was webcast at 6pm and the following Twitter stream of consciousness from among those watching began in the hour before the meeting opened and once the relevant item was reached.

• Do Lismore City councilors realise if they go forward /w assent in any form of Motion 10.7 North Lismore Plateau at tonight's Ordinary Monthly Meeting then Council will likely be subject of least 2 formal complaints to NSW Office of Local Government & to Minister? @WendyTuckerman

• Have signed petition, downloaded business paper & attachment & opened a screen to listen to Lismore Council Ordinary Meeting at 6pm. I am seriously pissed off with Lismore City councillors!

• I think the SK team will get the shits with Big Rob calling all the shots. This might be the turning point. (Noticed Nimbin GT labelled it Big Robbery).

• this is not the only issue being tabled. The Sleeping Lizard agenda will attract much attention and the response may surprise this arrogant new council and mayor. The newly elected council are all in for a tough time and deservedly so.

• What a way for the new Lismore City Council to start its local government term 😂😂😂

• Uncle Mickey Ryan just presented a petition of 25,000 people to the Lismore Council meeting.

He expressed his thanks to all that have shown their support.

• Way to go! Opponents of Motion 10.7 North Lismore Plateau politely & carefully raised the prospect of racist intent. The colonialist attitude of take what you want & let First Nations live on the scraps you don't want was written all over it #LismoreCityCouncil

• Not normally a fan of watching Council meetings but that was superb.

• One LGA resident told Lismore City councilors that if they voted for Motion 10.7 North Lismore Plateau they will be on the wrong side of history & another told councilors who might support this motion that it looked as through they intended to "steal" the land a second time.

• Yet another LGA resident told councillors Motion 10.7 North Lismore Plateau is a test of their personal characters & referred to colonial attitudes towards First Nations peoples.

• I never thought watching a Lismore City Council meeting would bring me so much joy. The deputations are on fire! #landrights #reconciliation #SleepingLizard #GiveItBack

• OMG! Motion 10.7 Lismore Plateau is being changed on the run before being voted on - the details clearly demonstrating one particular councilor has no idea what spiritual connection to Country actually means. #OdiousDestructiveColonialismIsAliveAndWellAtLismoreCouncil

• And the newby Mayor is making it worse!

• Elly doing best to stop the mess that Cr. Rob created

• Sheesh Mayor Krieg is totally out of his depth.

• Yes. Caught the last 5 minutes. BR reading the meeting code and getting it totally wrong.

The Mayor’s got even less of an idea. It’s pathetic.

• He thought he knew how to chair a meeting because he was a school teacher. Oh well, reality strikes.

• I just witnessed so many breaches of the meeting code of practice, I don’t know where you would start a complaint.

• A certain Lismore City councilor is calling the Sleeping Lizard "a piece of crap land" then tries to walk it back and blame others a la Scotty Morrison.

• Oh please, someone save those new Lismore City councilors from themselves before they wreck this particular local government. A 5 minute break has been called in the OGM

• I honestly fear for Lismore City Council. If it continues breaching Code of Meeting Practice & Practice Notes it will be under administration before June.

• Motion 10.7 North Lismore Plateau before Lismore City Council at OGM 8 Feb 2022 failed decidedly! No-one except the mover voted for it.

• And the motion goes down.

• It should never have been contemplated, let alone put to a vote. This kind of shit harms people.

That said, I’m glad it was voted down.

• 9-1! Excellent news.

• Good news

• Finally, in spite of the Lismore City Mayor & Cr. Rob the experienced councillors finally put the issue of Motion 10.7 to bed.

• Honestly I have never witnessed new local government councillors anywhere undertake such a sustained insult of First Nations culture, lore & law #LismoreCityCouncil

• To see the response to Lismore council brings strength to my soul. Thank you to everyone who has helped.

Yessss pic.twitter.com/TP6Ukvbbq5

— sᴉɹɹǝℲ ǝllǝɥɔoɹ (@OzEcology) February 8, 2022

*

Affordable housing remains an issue in New South Wales and the Northern Rivers region

This was the situation in 2020 in the NSW Northern Rivers region......

House of Representatives, Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, Inquiry into homelessness in Australia: June 2020, Social Futures -Submission 141

Northern NSW suffers from chronic homelessness issues. Like many regional communities, it is characterised by relatively low incomes, lack of employment opportunities, high welfare dependency, significant pockets of social disadvantage, limited stocks of affordable housing (especially in the coastal areas) and a lack of regular public transport. The Northern NSW region has an above average Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population at 4.4 per cent compared to the national average of 2.9 per cent.

This combination of high rents and a critical shortage of available rental accommodation has created severe housing stress among a considerable portion of the community, forcing many into homelessness. With the growth in tourism in some coastal communities, property values have soared and increasing numbers of dwellings are used as short term rental accommodation for visitors and tourists, further reducing available and affordable housing stock for people in the private rental market.

The Richmond Federal Electorate was ranked third highest across the whole of Australia for rental stress at 43 per cent (7,390 households).

Housing stress is particularly high among renter households at 38.8 per cent compared to 28.4 per cent for NSW and 28 per cent for Australia.

The four least affordable local government areas for renters in regional NSW are located within the Northern Rivers.

The average monthly rental vacancy rate for the Northern Rivers over the 12 months to April 2020 was 1.8 per cent. This is a very tight market compared to Sydney where the vacancy rate is 3.4 per cent.

There is substantial pressure in regional housing markets in NSW with most of the regional markets surveyed recording average monthly vacancy rates of 2 per cent or less over the same period.

While the Northern Rivers only represents 4 per cent of the NSW population the region recorded 18.7 per cent of the State’s rough sleepers on Census night in 2016 (up from 18.4 per cent in 2011).

Affordable housing and rental stress remains an issue.....

 The Guardian, 6 February 2022:

In the already Covid-stretched hospitals of northern New South Wales, health workers are struggling with another growing pressure caused by the pandemic.

House prices have soared in Byron Bay and surrounding areas since Covid lockdowns and work-from-home inspired many to flee the city for a sea or tree change.

And while the impacts on buyers or renters in the area have been well documented, hospital workers say it’s having far-reaching effects on the community’s health.

The consequences of the housing crush are being felt at hospitals such as Ballina, where nurse and New South Wales Nurses and Midwives’ Association (NSWNMA) representative Suzie Melchior works.

“That’s not just staff struggling to get permanent housing, but we’ve seen people who are almost itinerant,” she said.

“We’re not used to people living out of their vehicles, their cars. That seems to be a new thing.”

Every additional stressor is being felt due to the surge in demand brought on by Covid, and already prevalent GP shortages.

“They don’t have a GP so they’re coming to us for their basic healthcare needs,” Melchior said.

“They know they’re not meant to be accessing emergency departments to get their blood pressure medication or their gout medication but they don’t have the option.”

Long-term renter and mother of four Jenny – not her real name – is at breaking point after two years of housing instability, and has seen her health slide as a result.

“There have been moments where I ask, ‘What’s the point in going on?’,” she said. “My stress levels are through the roof. A human right to safety and shelter – there’s nothing remotely close to that now.”

Jenny has a month left at her short-term rental in Alstonville and after months of searching still can’t find a secure and affordable next step.

She is considering buying a caravan or pitching a tent.

“I wouldn’t have considered that in the past but what are our options? What else can we do?” she said.

Melchior said many patients were presenting without Medicare cards because they didn’t have an address for them to be posted to, taking up extra admin time that overworked staff didn’t have.

“There’s a ripple effect,” she said.

“It is small in the scheme of things but if you multiply that across how many other people are having similar issues … it’s big.”

Another local nurse – who wished to remain anonymous – said she was also seeing more patients without a fixed address.

“Even in the maternity unit we see it – new mums living in caravan parks because they can’t find housing,” she told the Guardian……

The Guardian, 25 January 2022:

Nearly half of all people who sought help with homelessness last year in New South Wales did not get it, a new report has shown.

According to data from the Productivity Commission’s annual report on government services, 48.2% of people in Australia’s most populous state who asked for accommodation assistance from specialist homelessness services in the 2020-2021 financial year went without.

That figure represents a substantial increase from five years ago, when 37.2% of people did not receive the help they had requested.

The Productivity Commission report, released on Tuesday, contains detailed information on the performance of Australia’s social support services, including housing, homelessness, aged care, youth justice, child protection and more.

It shows unmet requests for homelessness accommodation services are increasing across Australia, from 30.2% of people going unassisted nationally in 2016–2017, to 32.2% in the last financial year…..

Productivity Commission, Report on Government Services 2022: Housing and Homelessness, 25 January 2022:

Low income earners are particularly susceptible to housing instability as market factors lead to higher private housing prices. ‘Rental stress’, defined as spending more than 30 per cent of gross household income on rent, is a measure of housing affordability for this cohort. In 2017-18, of the 27.1 per cent of Australian households renting in the private sector, 43.4 per cent were low income. Of these households, 50.2 per cent experienced rental stress – largely unchanged over the past 10 years.

Of low income households that were CRA [Commonwealth Rental Assistance] recipients at end June 2021, 72.5 per cent would have experienced rental stress without CRA. With CRA, 45.7 per cent still experienced rental stress…..

In 2021 the percentage of NSW households considered to be under rental stress:

• At more than 30% household income on rent.

Receiving no housing assistance payment from the federal government – 75.2%;

With rental assistance payment (CRA) from federal government – 48.5%.

• At more than 50% household income on rent.

Receiving no housing assistance payment from the federal government – 35.1%;

With rental assistance payment (CRA) from federal government – 20.4%.

In 2020-21 there were 321,509 eligible dependent children living in renting households which received Commonwealth Rental Assistance.

As at 30 June 2021, nationally there was a total of 400 792 households and 422 753 social housing dwellings (tenancy rental units for community housing), excluding ICH [Indigenous Community Housing]. In addition, as at 30 June 2020 (latest available data), there were 16 363 households and 15 053 permanent dwellings managed by government funded ICH organisations.

The total number of low income households in all categories of social housing in NSW as of 30 June 2021 was 141,597.

The occupancy rate of all NSW social housing categories is high. Only between est. 3-5% of all social housing stock was available to new tenants on 30 June 2021.

There has been a marked rise in community housing stock in NSW. However this in part reflects a transfer of 13,465 public housing dwellings (under management or held by title) to community housing organizations between 1 July 2018 & 30 June 2021, rather than an significant increase in total social housing stock numbers overall.

For decades the NSW Government has indulged in shifting deck chairs around on the Titanic rather than addressing the sinking proportion of social and affordable housing in the overall for sale or rental residential housing mix. 

By 2019 the NSW shortfall in social and affordable housing projected unmet need was est. 316,700 units by 2036 - est. 99,700 of those units representing the shortfall in rural & regional New South Wales.

SOCIAL HOUSING STOCK NSW 30 JUNE 2012 to 30 JUNE 2021

The centrepiece of the Morrison Government’s “Living with Covid” program is a call centre outsourced to former robo-debt collectors and staffed by workers on casual contracts with no medical experience

 

“On January 17, as the nation recorded another 39,000 cases of the disease, with hundreds of thousands of active cases, the first phase of the “transitioning to Living with Covid” plan went live at the national hotline…..Health Minister Greg Hunt first announced what was then an information line for people worried about the novel coronavirus on January 31, 2020. Although hosted by healthdirect – a sort of national cabinet for government health advice across every jurisdiction in Australia – the call centres were set up by Stellar Asia Pacific Pty Ltd, now a wholly owned subsidiary of its former rival Probe Group.” [Journalist & author Rick Morton writing in in The Saturday Paper, 5 February 2022]

The Saturday Paper, 5 February 2022:

The centrepiece of the federal government’s “Living with Covid” program is a call centre outsourced to former robo-debt collectors and staffed by workers on casual contracts with no medical experience.

A cache of documents and testimony obtained by The Saturday Paper reveals the inner workings of the National Coronavirus Helpline, which is being run by private-equity owned Probe Group and its subsidiaries on contracts worth more than $270 million.

This information hotline has now been asked to triage people who have tested positive for Covid-19, or who believe they are infected, as part of the Commonwealth’s pivot to managing the disease in the community.

In practice, it has outsourced a key front-line health service to a small battalion of low-paid, poorly trained workers on insecure contracts. People staffing the hotline do not have medical qualifications. Many were previously unemployed and subject to the welfare system’s “mutual obligations”, which threatens penalties and payment suspensions if they refuse reasonable offers of work.

Training offered to new Probe recruits lasts only two hours.

Accounts obtained by The Saturday Paper show workers have described being placed under extreme stress while managing an overwhelming variety of callers, with limited information or ability to actually help them.

For instance, the coronavirus helpline is listed as the No. 1 point of contact on almost every government department, including Home Affairs and for disability and Aboriginal health services, despite there being no specific resources for team members to even provide advice.

Although scripts for call centre operators advise patients to seek rapid antigen tests if they are available, it is not part of the helpline’s remit to actually provide these tests or information on where they might be obtained.

Helpline workers are also fielding calls from people who are experiencing family violence, poverty or other types of extreme stress and are expected to arrange welfare checks or talk them through complex problems with little support.

Where problems do arise, employees are encouraged to phone their team leaders and not put anything in writing to ensure a “quick response”. Employees have requested access to more resources and training but in some cases have had no response from management or, where concerns have been heard, a two-page “cheat sheet” is provided.

There have been frequent occurrences of callers who have been given incorrect isolation advice from the National Coronavirus Helpline or who have complained about misleading public statements by politicians compared with the advice for different jurisdictions offered by the hotline.

In other cases, callers have been directed to see a doctor but have been sent away from GP clinics and even emergency departments, contrary to the advice offered over the helpline…..

Read the full article here.