- Competition and Consumer Amendment Bill 2024:
- Senator Nick McKim (AG, Tasmania) introduced the Competition and Consumer Amendment (Make Price Gouging Illegal) Bill 2024, arguing for the urgency of criminalizing price gouging beyond just supermarkets due to its detrimental effects on Australians. He expressed disappointment with both Labor and Liberal parties for opposing similar past proposals (page 1).
- Senator Fatima Payman (AV, Western Australia) supported McKim’s views, addressing the power imbalance consumers face against large corporations such as Coles and Woolworths (page 3).
- Senator Malcolm Roberts (ON, Queensland) expressed doubt about the necessity of the bill, advocating for better enforcement of existing laws instead (page 5).
- Senator Peter Whish-Wilson (AG, Tasmania) also backed the bill, emphasizing its importance given the ongoing cost of living crisis (page 4).
- Ultimately, the bill was defeated, with 29 votes against and 12 votes for, showing significant resistance from the major parties (pages 3).
- Ongoing Climate and Energy Issues:
- Several senators raised concerns about cost-of-living pressures linked to energy prices and their impacts on Australian families, urging the government to take action to alleviate these burdens (pages 43-44).
- The report reflects a broader debate about Australia’s energy policy, tensions between transitioning to renewable energy sources, and addressing immediate economic challenges. Senators emphasized the need for fair representation and equity in decision-making concerning national security and social welfare (pages 44-54).
- Committee Discussions:
- Senator David Shoebridge raised concerns about the composition of committees, specifically on defence matters, arguing for more diverse perspectives to represent different viewpoints (page 38). He highlighted a lack of genuine dissent within current committee discussions, likening it to undemocratic practices.
- Senators Roberts and Pocock echoed calls for broader representation on oversight committees to enhance accountability and ensure that decision-making reflects a variety of political opinions (pages 38-39).
- Climate and Renewable Energy Discourses:
- Senators discussed the necessity of transitioning towards renewable energy while balancing immediate economic pressures, advocating for strategies that ensure sustainability without compromising affordability (pages 55-58).
- There were also critiques of the government’s energy policies, and multiple voices expressed fears regarding inadequate infrastructure to support such transitions (pages 59-60).
- The Call for Accountability:
- Senators urged for transparency in the government’s dealings, particularly regarding consulting firms and expenditures that relate to climate and environmental policy. There was a consensus on the need for reform in governmental approaches to these issues to maintain public trust (pages 91).
- Final Reflections on Parliamentary Proceedings:
- Throughout the proceedings, multiple senators conveyed the urgency of addressing environmental and climate-related matters, drawing connections between policy decisions and their real-world effects on citizens, particularly as these intersect with economic management (pages 50-59).
Discover more from GovSnacks
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
