Welcome back to your weekly federal politics update, where Courtney Gould brings you the latest from Parliament House.
Khawaja Speaks Out
Usman Khawaja, the Australian cricketer, visited Canberra recently to discuss the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and advocate for stricter regulations on gambling advertisements. However, during a press conference, he expressed disappointment that Prime Minister Anthony Albanese had to cancel their meeting due to scheduling conflicts.
Meeting with the Prime Minister
After sending a text and rearranging his agenda, Khawaja did meet with Albanese later. Treasurer Jim Chalmers noted that the Prime Minister respects Khawaja’s views on these pressing issues.
Khawaja’s Advocacy
Known for his humanitarian efforts, Khawaja had previously faced a ban for wearing shoes with the message “all lives are equal” during a match in Pakistan. This year, he voted Labor in the last election, sparking speculation about possible political ambitions in Brisbane.
Defence Minister Controversy
American defense officials recently sparked debate when clarifying the nature of a meeting involving Defence Minister Richard Marles and U.S. counterparts. Initially described as informal, Pentagon sources later confirmed it was a pre-arranged meeting, leading to questions in Parliament about its true nature.
Net Zero Commitments Under Scrutiny
Debate within the Coalition over its commitment to net zero emissions intensified following the Queensland Liberal National Party’s decision to abandon the target. This led to calls from some MPs for expedited discussions about the government’s 2035 emissions targets.
Midwinter Ball Highlights
As the parliamentary day closed, the Midwinter Ball kicked off, bringing together politicians and journalists for a light-hearted evening of charity. This year’s theme referenced the popular TV show “House of Cards,” with the Prime Minister humorously changing into a Medicare-logo shirt for his speech, drawing laughter and commentary.
