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Good morning!
Everything old is new again. At least that’s what it seems in UK politics at the moment, with former UK Prime Minister David Cameron announced as the UK’s new Foreign Secretary. It comes after current UK PM Rishi Sunak fired Home Secretary Suella Braverman on Monday, prompting a major Cabinet reshuffle.
As a reminder: Cameron was the UK PM from 2010 to 2016 and has been out of politics for the last seven years.
It’s like Kevin Rudd coming back
…again.
I've got 10 seconds
The quote
"[Robodebt] has tarnished a generation of Coalition ministers’ reputations. They will wear the stigma of Robodebt on their Wikipedia CV for the rest of their lives.” — Government Services Minister Bill Shorten speaking to media yesterday as the Government officially accepted all recommendations from the Robodebt Royal Commission.
The stat
9 in 10
The number of young Australians who experienced some level of financial stress in the last year, according to a study by Monash University of 500 18-24-year-olds.
Today in history
1969: Apollo 12 launched, performing the second successful human landing on the Moon.
I've got 30 seconds
Some headlines from this morning:
A bushfire on Tasmania’s east coast has destroyed multiple properties. No one has been injured, but one firefighter was treated for smoke inhalation. The bushfire at Dolphin Sands burnt through around 112 hectares, while it took 14 firetrucks and 30 firefighters to bring the blaze under control.
Virgin cabin crew workers are expected to take strike action, which could ground services across the country. Virgin staff who are part of the Transport Workers Union say they’re seeking better pay, job security and safer working conditions. It comes after Virgin Australia cancelled a planned meeting with union members to respond to workers’ claims and negotiate a new bargaining agreement.
I've got 1 minute
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) are on the rise post-pandemic with 136,135 recorded STIs for 2023 so far.
Numbers of infections are now matching, and in some cases surpassing, record-high rates for 2019 when over 150,000 STIs were reported.
Data for July, August and September (Q3) shows STIs are 14% higher than the same time last year.
It follows a significant drop in reported infections during 2020 and 2021 COVID-19 lockdowns.
Gonorrhoea
Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by bacteria. It can cause pain when urinating or during sex and unusual discharge.
Gonorrhoea infections peaked in 2019, with 34,746 reported cases for the year. With data yet to be collected for the final months of 2023, there have been 34,391 reported cases of gonorrhoea this year.
Chlamydia
Similarly to gonorrhoea, chlamydia is caused by the spread of bacteria through unprotected sexual contact. Symptoms can include pain when urinating or during sex, unusual discharge, and infertility if left untreated. However, three in four women and one in two men don't show early symptoms.
Chlamydia infections have increased by almost 10% over the past year. Case numbers for Q3 2023 (26,528) are on par with the same time in 2019, when infections peaked (26,921).
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I've got 2 minutes
Independent MP Dr. Monique Ryan introduced a bill to Parliament yesterday that would put limits on lobbying activities in federal politics.
Lobbyists, who seek to influence government policies on behalf of individuals or organisations, are subject to little oversight or regulation.
Ryan says she wants to bring attention to the "shocking" presence of vested interests in politics, but the bill is not expected to pass.
What is lobbying?
Lobbying is often carried out by expensive professional lobbyists. Most of their clients are private businesses.
Lobbyists cultivate political connections to benefit their clients. About 40% of registered lobbyists are former politicians, political staffers or senior public servants.
Lobbying is legal and can serve legitimate purposes, but critics say it gives too much access and influence to those who can afford it.
Lobbying rules
The Attorney-General's Department maintains a register of lobbyists and their clients, as well as a code of conduct. The code prohibits "corrupt, dishonest or illegal" conduct and says lobbyists must aim to ensure "truth and accuracy" in what they tell politicians.
It also puts an 18-month ban on former officials lobbying on any matter they dealt with in the 18 months prior to leaving office. For example, a former Defence Minister could not immediately lobby on defence issues, but could 18 months after leaving office.
However, the code of conduct is not legally enforceable and there are no financial penalties for breaching it.
It also covers a limited number of lobbyists. Representatives of charities, not-for-profits, religious organisations, unions, and employer groups are excluded. 'In-house' lobbyists employed by companies are also excluded.
There are no restrictions on how often lobbyists can meet politicians, and no requirement to disclose these meetings. Many lobbyists have 'access all areas' passes that allow them to enter Parliament House.
The bill
Ryan wants a more extensive code of conduct to be legally enforceable, with penalties of up to $30,000 for breaches.
Her bill would require lobbyists from charities, unions and employers groups, as well as 'in-house' lobbyists to register and be covered by the rules.
Lobbyists would have to report on their meetings four times a year, and ministers would also be required to publish their diaries.
The bill would prevent lobbyists from providing high-value gifts or hospitality (e.g. a corporate box at a sporting event) and stop lobbyists from campaigning for political candidates at elections.
It would also extend the lobbying ban for former government officials from 18 months to three years, and prevent lobbyists from lobbying people with whom they have a "close relationship".
Why?
Ryan, a first-term MP, says she is "shocked" by the prevalence of lobbyists in Canberra. "Hundreds of them roam the halls in Canberra, secretly meeting with Ministers to influence government policies".
She argues lobbying has had a particularly significant effect on climate policy, noting every Resources Minister who has left politics since 2001 has gone to work as a fossil fuel lobbyist.
Government view
In response to questions from TDA, a spokesperson for the Attorney-General noted the Attorney-General already has the power to de-register lobbyists who do not comply with the code of conduct. The spokesperson did not indicate whether the Government supported Ryan’s bill.
However, the Government and the Opposition do not typically support bills proposed by private members.
Give me some good news
The Indian city of Ayodhya has set a Guinness World Record for lighting the most oil lamps in a single location at once.
Over two million lamps were lit at the Saryu River and were burning for 45 minutes for this year’s Diwali – the festival of lights.
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A TDA tidbit
Don’t worry guys, Margot’s got this one!
In case you missed it, Margot Robbie shouted drinks for 126 customers at a restaurant in Coogee, Sydney, over the weekend. The actor was having lunch with her husband, Tom Ackerley, when she shouted everyone a round of cocktails made with her new gin brand, Papa Salt.
Robbie co-founded Papa Salt with her husband and their friends Josey McNamara, Regan Riskas Maas, and Charlie Maas.
Charlie Maas stood up in the restaurant to say: “We just wanted to pop in and shout you a round, so I hope you enjoy it.”
Thanks Barbie!
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