Tag: Scott Morrison

Senator Questions Australian Opposition Deputy Leader’s Concealment of Pro-China Past

Hot on the heels of federal government claims that the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) would be “very happy” to see the Australian Labor Party (ALP) win the next election, the Chair of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Liberal Senator James Patterson, has launched another volley at the ALP Deputy Leader Richard Marles….


Religious Bill Delayed Indefinitely Amid Disagreements on Gay and Trans Student Protections

Chances of the religious discrimination bill becoming law are fading after the government shelved the bill indefinitely, potentially leaving one of the central election promises of Prime Minister Scott Morrison unfulfilled. After a marathon 10-hour debate, the bill passed the House of Representatives in the early hours of Thursday morning after five Liberal backbenchers crossed the floor…


Foreign Interference Ruled out in Australian PM’s WeChat Saga: Home Affairs

Home Affairs officials have said there is no evidence supporting claims that Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s WeChat account was hacked or subject to foreign interference. Senator Kristina Keneally, Australian Labor Party (ALP)’s home affairs spokeswoman who sought a departmental briefing over Morrison’s WeChat account, told the Labor caucus on Monday that there was no evidence…


Australia, a Country Divided by Mandates

Commentary The imposition of vaccine mandates in Australia has divided the country between proponents and opponents of compulsory vaccination. This division has spawned a wave of demonstrations against unrelenting government demands to get vaccinated. On Feb. 5, an anti-vaccination rally was held outside the Old Parliament House in Canberra. The rally supported the “Convoy to…


Australian PM Scott Morrison Apologises for Culture of Abuse in Federal Parliament

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has apologised directly to former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins who was allegedly raped after hours in the federal parliament, as well as to other staffers who have experienced bullying, abuse, and harassment in the country’s seat of power. Morrison said a review into parliamentary culture found that a “power imbalance”…


Australia Deploys 1,700 Military Personnel to Support Aged Care Sector’s COVID-19 Response

Australian Defence Minister Peter Dutton has not ruled out deploying more military personnel if the need arises in the aged care sector. His comments follow the Morrison government’s announcement on Feb. 7, that 1,700 defence personnel would be dispatched to assist the aged care sector with its COVID-19 response. The Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel…


Australia to Open Borders to International Tourists at the End of February

Fully vaccinated international tourists will be allowed to visit Australia from Feb. 21, following a near two-year lockout since the beginning of the pandemic. Prime Minister Scott Morrison made the announcement after a national security committee meeting of his Cabinet on Feb. 7. Since late 2021, entry in the country has been largely restricted to…


Balancing Rights and Freedom, Secular and Traditional Values

Commentary Declared a fundamental human right in international treaties to which Australia is a signatory, the exercise of the right to religious freedom has nonetheless been sorely tested in recent days. The controversy was provoked by Citipointe Christian College, a Brisbane-based independent school within the Christian Outreach Centre Movement when it asked parents of pupils…


Embattled Principal Stands Down Amid Backlash Over Faith-Based Statement on Sexuality

The principal of an Australian Christian independent school mired in controversy over an enrolment contract affirming the school’s stance on gender and sexuality has stood down, saying he is “heartbroken.” Citipointe Christian College in Brisbane, Queensland has been the target of public criticism and two government-led probes in response to a contract it sent to…


Melbourne Car Parade to Boycott Beijing Winter Olympics

Around 20 vehicles took to the metropolitan Melbourne streets for a car parade to boycott the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympic Games in the Australian state of Victoria on Feb. 4 just hours before the opening ceremony kicked off. The protest was led by the Uyghur Association of Victoria but included activists from the Tibetan community,…