Leader of the Opposition Bill Shorten. Picture Kym Smith
THE Federal Opposition is playing hardball and makes no apologies about it.
After killing off the proposed same-sex marriage plebiscite, Bill Shorten’s team yesterday went after new laws on asylum seekers, the backpackers tax and a move to review racial discrimination laws.
“There are things that we won’t stand for,” Opposition deputy leader Tanya Plibersek said on Wednesday.
Ms Plibersek said the party was “absolutely not” bent on blocking the government at every turn but said it must be held to account.
“In the very short time we’ve been back since the election, we’ve worked with the Government, for example, to pass the omnibus savings bill,” she told ABC radio.
“But there are things that we won’t stand for, and quite properly we yesterday announced, for example, that we will be opposing these most recent immigration laws that are just unnecessary.”
The proposed laws would ban asylum seekers who come by boat from ever settling in Australia or even visiting as a tourist years later.
Deputy Opposition Leader Tanya Plibersek says there are things Labor will not stand for. Picture Kym SmithSource:News Corp Australia
Mr Shorten declared Labor would oppose the laws outright, without suggesting amendments.
“Those people who have been on Manus Island and Nauru now for more than three years have been there much too long,” Ms Plibersek said on Wednesday.
“Third country resettlement should be the priority for the Immigration Minister, instead of silly bits of legislation like this.
“But frankly, we have asked the Government is this part of a two-step deal that involves resettlement. They’ve said no.
“We can only take them at their word. I think they should be focusing on third country resettlement, but sadly I don’t think they are.”
The Opposition also rubbished the government’s move to review racial discrimination laws, announced on Tuesday, and confirmed Labor would push for the backpackers tax to be dropped from 19 per cent to 10.5 per cent.
Ms Plibersek denied the party was capitalising on ‘chaos’ in the senate, after two members’ eligibility to be elected was referred to the High Court.
“You’ve got a government that has voted on the floor of the House of Representatives to condemn itself,” she said.
“And again this week a government member again voted to condemn the Government on its treatment of pensioners, by accident.
“You’ve got the $300 million ice campaign; none of that has gone to front line services.
“You’ve got Julie Bishop spending $200,000 to take 23 public servants to Paris to learn about how to save money in the portfolio.
“You’ve got the continuing issues of George Brandis and plenty of incompetence.”
Parliament has just two more sitting weeks before the end of the year and will then resume in February.
