Newsletters 2023

Week 74: Climate, workplace laws and how we're holding the government to account

Kylea backs calls by asylum seekers and refugee advocates for a royal commission into immigration detention.

The 47th Parliament has one of the largest crossbenches in Australian history, and this week has shown how important our independent voices can be.

With the end of year fast approaching, the Government has been pushing for a vote on its "Closing Loopholes" Bill of Industrial Relations changes, which will establish new definitions and standards for casual and gig economy workers.

Since this Bill was first introduced in September I have been working with Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations Tony Burke, policy experts, business owners, employees and recruitment agencies across our community to ensure any reforms are good for both employers and workers. I've already had a number of local employers come and see me and say: "We don't want to risk falling foul of this... I'm just going to bring a family member back in to do that job rather than employ a separate casual." It’s a delicate balance to maintain, and we need to get this right.

On Wednesday I proposed an amendment to avoid potential unintended consequences for recruitment agencies that frequently employ or deploy temps, and supported several other amendments that would have strengthened the Bill and alleviated community concerns. Unfortunately, without these amendments, I did not feel I could support the Bill as it stood, and alongside my crossbench colleagues, I had to vote against it.

North Sydney's Private Members Bill to impose limits on immigration detention in Australia was introduced to Parliament on Monday. You can read the full text of the Bill and a transcript of my speech here. I also had the privilege of joining the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and several other refugee advocacy groups in calling for a Royal Commission into Australia’s Immigration Detention regime. Our parliamentary petition for a royal commission closes on 13 December; if you would like to add your name, please do so here.

Meanwhile, our work to push for faster action on climate continues. On Monday, I spoke against a motion moved by the Opposition to halt industrial-scale renewable energy projects. While the motion criticises these projects for what it claims to be 'significant land clearing and invasive construction', it is silent on the destruction already wrought on our environment by fossil fuel projects. Yes — we must ensure renewable projects meet environmental standards, but this must not be used as a tool to delay Australia's clean energy transition.

I also questioned the Government on its promised fuel efficiency standards, which have yet to be delivered. With global average temperatures now 1.4 degrees above pre-industrial levels, time is fast running out for us to achieve the Paris Agreement's 1.5 degree target, which means we're staring down the barrel of more extreme climate events ahead. We need to do more, and we need to do it faster.

Here's to being the change that we want to see.

- KT

WHAT'S ON IN NORTH SYDNEY

CAROLS IN WILLOUGHBY PARK
SAT 2 DEC
4:00PM-9:00M
Ernest Place, Crows Nest
SUSTAINABLE CHRISTMAS MARKET
SUN 3 DEC
3:00PM-8:00PM
The Coal Loader, Waverton
CAROLS IN THE PARK
SUN 3 DEC
5:00PM-9:00M

Boronia Park Ovals, Hunters Hill

CHRISTMAS IN THE PARK

SUN 3 DEC
Hughes Park Reserve, Lane Cove
6:00PM

CHRISTMAS MOVIE NIGHT

SAT 9 DEC
Sub Base Platypus, North Sydney
6:00PM-10:00PM

GREENWICH CAROLS BY CANDLELIGHT

MON 11 DEC
6:00PM
Leemon Reserve, Greenwich

JOIN THE PETITION: IMMIGRATION DETENTION

Petition

Since 2001, tens of thousands of people seeking asylum in Australia have been held in detention facilities that are now privatised, offshore, and beyond the reach of courts and media. This regime cost taxpayers over $9.65 billion from July 2013 to the 2021-22 financial year.

It's time to shine a light onto the suffering and costs of Australia's Immigration Detention regime. Add your voice to the Parliamentary Petition for a Royal Commission into Autralia's Immigration Detention here.

NATIONAL HISTORY CHALLENGE WINNER

Congratulations to Arlo, a young North Sydneysider whose research into Australian beach culture has been recognised in the 2023 National History Challenge.

More than 6,500 students from over 700 schools entered this year's competition. Arlo's Museum Exhibit, "Bikinis and Beach Bans – The continuity and change of Australian beach culture and how it reflects our evolving sense of morality", won first place in its category. Well done!

National History Challenge 2023

IN THE NEWS

Calls for royal commission into immigration detention - Canberra Times, 28 November. Kylea has backed calls for a comprehensive investigation of Australia's long-standing bipartisan immigration detention policy.

Push to limit immigration detention, ban detaining kids - Canberra Times, 27 November. Kylea has introduced a private member's bill to reduce the time the government can hold someone in immigration detention to 90 days, as well as banning authorities from detaining children.

Labor faces crossbench revolt over 'rushed' IR laws - The Australian, 27 November. Kylea has asked for more time to consider Labor's "Closing Loopholes" industrial reforms, as rushing the legislation through the chamber could have unintended consequences on small business and the economy.

More media mentions here.

 

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Week 76: Best wishes for the festive season

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Week 75: Celebrating North Sydney's volunteers

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Week 74: Climate, workplace laws and how we're holding the government to account

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Week 73: Driving progress for human rights, women's safety and workplace laws

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Week 72: This week in Parliament: Mental Health, Social Cohesion and Fair Work Laws

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Week 71: A step forward for Human Rights

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