First term of government 2015.E2.80.932016 Turnbull Government

1 first term of government 2015–2016

1.1 climate change
1.2 defence

1.2.1 terrorism


1.3 economic policy

1.3.1 taxation


1.4 education
1.5 foreign affairs , trade
1.6 health

1.6.1 women s safety package


1.7 immigration

1.7.1 refugees , asylum seekers


1.8 industrial relations
1.9 infrastructure
1.10 media , communications

1.10.1 media relations


1.11 same-sex marriage
1.12 safe schools program
1.13 senate reforms

first term of government 2015–2016
climate change

turnbull confirmed government keep emissions reductions targets set abbott government. under turnbull, australian renewable energy agency , clean energy finance corporation transferred responsibility of department of environment, seen sign agencies going retained. australia attended 2015 united nations climate change conference , adopted paris agreement. agreement includes review of emission reduction targets every 5 years 2020.

defence

during term of abbott government, australia had committed supporting us-led air campaign against in iraq , syria. turnbull replaced abbott supporter kevin andrews senator marise payne, became australia s first female defence minister, amid australia s deployment mid-east. shortly after turnbull took office, russia commenced separate military intervention in syria, against opponents of syrian president bashar al-assad. secretary of state john kerry, criticised russia s tactics , told united nations in response in position france, australia, canada, turkey, , other coalition partners joining campaign, dramatically accelerate our efforts . on 27 october, abbott criticised lack of progress of us–led coalition on ground. turnbull said there no current plans change nature of australia s deployment conflict.

terrorism

the ongoing threat of islamist terrorism made presence felt in australia , abroad within first months of turnbull government, shooting in sydney, , major is-inspired terror attacks in paris, beirut, mali , elsewhere. turnbull appointed michael keenan minister assisting prime minister counter terrorism. immigration minister dutton, abbott supporter, excluded national security committee of cabinet, reportedly on tensions between himself , turnbull.

as communications minister in abbott government, turnbull had distanced himself policy emphasis of abbott downplaying threat of islamic state wider world, saying group not hitler s germany, tojo s japan or stalin s russia .

a 15-year-old islamist shot , killed police finance worker outside parramatta police station on 2 october 2015. turnbull called on australians show mutual respect following murder.

amid deteriorating syrian civil war , following germany s decision open borders large numbers of asylum seekers, tony abbott delivered margaret thatcher lecture in london on 28 october, , urged europe australian example of border management, , international community more resolve syrian conflict. in joint conference turnbull on 13 november, german chancellor agreed solutions have found allow european union better protect external borders , turnbull did not endorse abbott s view. news limited reported turnbull delivered slap-down tony abbott lecturing european leaders on refugee policies arrived in berlin meet chancellor angela merkel. turnbull said have no intention or desire give advice on these matters german chancellor .

on night of 13 november, co-ordinated series of mass homicide attacks launched on paris sympathisers, , on 120 people killed. turnbull, still in germany following meeting merkel, expressed resolute solidarity people of france , held meeting of national security committee of cabinet. turnbull said political solution, not military invasion needed syria. france announced paris attacks act of war , secured un security council resolution authorising use of military force against islamic state , al-nusra front. in aftermath of attacks, of turnbull cabinet criticised sunni grand mufti of australia offering apparently equivocal condemnation of paris attacks. turnbull said did not wish engage in textual debate overseas.

economic policy


scott morrison replaced joe hockey treasurer of australia in turnbull government.

one of reasons turnbull gave challenging liberal leadership dissatisfaction economic message , tone of abbott government. in first press conference prime minister-designate, turnbull said government needed build confidence in australian economy amongst business community. stephen koukoulas of left-wing per capita think tank wrote guardian economic growth sluggish, unemployment high, real wages falling , consumer , business confidence weak , turnbull therefore had year inject confidence , strength economy or else swept office , condemned history wrecker of first term liberal government . in first press conference treasurer, scott morrison indicated reduction in government expenditure, , stated mid-year economic , fiscal outlook (myefo) , white paper on tax reform arrive on time.

on 1 october 2015, turnbull hosted economic summit @ parliament house, included representatives industry, unions, government , social sector. three-hour meeting did not result in policy commitments, participants agreed on need economic growth, returning budget surplus, increasing employment, investing in infrastructure , pushing innovation , increased productivity.

the myefo expected include savings measures, morrison had stated new spending must offset , giving examples of syrian refugee intake , roads recovery. deloitte access economics estimates new spending totals $5 billion since may. government said remove bulk-billing incentives pathology services , reduce incentives mri services. social security , welfare payment integrity measures last budget broadened increase revenue.

taxation

in 2013 election campaign, tony abbott promised comprehensive tax white paper @ tax reform. in june 2014, abbott launched reform of federation white paper, eye clarifying roles , responsibilities states , territories far possible, sovereign in own sphere . in march 2015, joe hockey launched abbot government s tax white paper titled re:think . after taking on prime ministership, turnbull intervened delay release of tax green paper, , sydney morning herald reported: according bureaucrats, green paper not released until [2016], pending full reset on taxation policy , rethink ground . in policy circles, s regarded code inclusion of gst.

initially, turnbull confirmed gst increase on table , stating increase in gst offset tax breaks , morrison indicated superannuation tax reviewed. through in 2016, morrison made case increase in gst. in february, turnbull ruled out pursuing gst increase.

two days before 2016 council of australian governments (coag) meeting, turnbull responded leaked report regarding plans reforms income tax levying. @ press conference @ penrith football field, turnbull announced plan hand states income taxing powers, explained fundamental reform federation in generations . state , territory leaders rejected plan outright, , turnbull withdrew initiative 2 days later following coag meeting.

education

in government s first major education policy decision, education minister simon birmingham announced abbott government s proposed university deregulation plan postponed until @ least 2017. furthermore, birmingham confirmed move reform university funding not submitted parliament before next election.

foreign affairs , trade

julie bishop retained positions of liberal deputy leader , minister foreign affairs in turnbull government

julie bishop backed turnbull s replacement of tony abbott prime minister , retained post of minister foreign affairs in turnbull government. andrew robb supported abbott, remained minister trade , investment until announcing retirement in february 2016. replaced steven ciobo.

malcolm turnbull s first overseas visit prime minister new zealand, in october 2015, met prime minister john key , discussed immigration rules. in november, embarked on five-nation tour , attended major leaders summits in europe , asia.

trade

the china–australia free trade agreement agreed abbott government concluded passage through parliament in october 2015. turnbull government continued abbott government s negotiations india free trade deal. turnbull continued abbott government s moves improve trade relations indonesia , germany, , establish trans-pacific partnership (tpp). turnbull met indonesian president joko widodo , german chancellor angela merkel on november 2015 world tour , discussed trade. andrew robb signed tpp in february 2016.

health

health minister, sussan ley sought feedback on private health insurance. hepatitis c treatments subsidised march 2016 under pharmaceutical benefits scheme. on 13 january 2017, prime minister malcolm turnbull announced ley had resigned ministry, following expenses scandal. greg hunt appointed ley s replacement minister health , sport, , ken wyatt appointed assistant minister health , minister indigenous health , aged care, both effect 24 january 2017.

women s safety package

on 24 september 2015, shortly after turnbull became prime minister, he, minister women, michaelia cash, announced $100 million package of measures designed provide safety net women , children @ high risk of experiencing violence . minister cash suggested government considering denying american singer chris brown visa due highly publicised domestic violence offence in 2009. turnbull stated cash had brilliantly expressed thoughts of government . brown later denied entry australia.

immigration

peter dutton, abbott supporter, retained position minister immigration, following turnbull s replacement of abbott liberal leader.

refugees , asylum seekers

under operation sovereign borders, maritime people-smuggling trade , associated deaths @ sea halted during term of abbott government. when turnbull took office, 1,600 asylum seekers , refugees remained @ nauru , papua new guinea s manus island awaiting processing or resettlement. turnbull expressed sympathy these remaining asylum seekers, indicated continue bi-partisan policy whereby not resettled in australia.

on 28 september, 7.30 reported asylum seeker @ nauru making allegations of rape. pregnant woman, abyan , asked government allow come australia abortion, illegal on nauru, , arrived on 11 october. guardian reported feared being sent nauru , asked counselling, said not granted before being returned nauru. turnbull said abyan returned nauru because changed mind having procedure. dutton said abyan had decided not proceed termination, disputed representation. dutton said advocates fabricating information, while others using case political agenda . united nations high commissioner human rights subsequently called abyan receive further assistance. abyan brought australia abortion second time in late 2015, subsequently didn t have abortion , instead gave birth in australia in may 2016.

as australia prepared accept 12,000 refugees syrian conflict, united nations secretary general ban ki-moon met turnbull @ 2015 asean summit , criticised turnbull government s offshore asylum seeker processing regime. ban reportedly expressed concern on detention conditions in australia s offshore processing centres, , encouraged turnbull reconsider operation sovereign borders.

industrial relations

the royal commission trade union governance , corruption had been established abbott government. in december 2015, final report found widespread , deep seated corruption, , recommended new national regulator same powers australian securities , investments commission established combat corruption in trade union movement. in response, turnbull said report watershed moment unions, , union reform election issue if senate blocked reforms trade union governance , oversight.

labor, greens , part of crossbench combined in senate block efforts re-establish australian building , construction commission (abcc) combat corruption in construction industry. in march, turnbull vowed call 2 july double dissolution election if bill blocked. turnbull took unusual step of asking governor-general prorogue parliament , both houses recalled on 18 april consider , pass australian building , construction commission bills , registered organisations bill. senate voted down bills, , double dissolution election set 2 july.

infrastructure

turnbull has committed $95 million gold coast light rail project. turnbull government has set deadline of december 2016 choose single site store australia s nuclear waste. proposed locations include near sallys flat in new south wales; hale in northern territory; cortlinye, pinkawillinie , barndioota in south australia; , oman ama in queensland.

media , communications

turnbull selected mitch fifield communications minister. turnbull government moved reform keating-era media ownership laws, in move allow mergers of major tv networks , print media. changes abolished rule preventing mergers between regional television networks , metropolitan affiliates, , rule prevented 1 proprietor owning newspaper, radio station , television network in same major market.

media relations

turnbull served minister communications in abbott government. turnbull criticised tony abbott s request ministers boycott q&a program on perceived left wing bias , zaky mallah affair. turnbull told abc 7.30 program during boycott take view wherever there open microphone m happy on other side of it.

since taking office abbott, turnbull has boycotted 2gb , 4bc radio networks, after criticised high-rating conservative commentators alan jones, andrew bolt, ben fordham , ray hadley. turnbull s ascension liberal leadership welcomed abc political commentators kerry o brien, barrie cassidy, fran kelly , paul bongiorno. april 2016, turnbull had conducted 17 interviews @ abc, , none @ 2gb. fairfax political commentator mark kenny calls turnbull coalition s best electoral asset.

same-sex marriage

turnbull confirmed government retain coalition policy of allowing australians vote in non-binding plebiscite loosely scheduled late 2016. following announcement plebiscite pushed february 2017, issue caused significant divisions within government. turnbull introduced legislation establish plebiscite on 1-year anniversary of prime ministership , oversaw passage of legislation through house of representatives, bill defeated in senate. turnbull has refused rule out prospect of free vote being held on legislation legalise same-sex marriage, though have argued turnbull s leadership , stability of coalition agreement between liberal , national party government threatened such move. following defeat of plebiscite legislation in senate, turnbull confirmed government had no plans take other measures on issue . in august 2017, following attempt 5 liberal party mps change party policy , have free vote in parliament on same-sex marriage legislation, government announced move voluntary postal plebiscite held later year. occur in event government s compulsory plebiscite legislation again rejected senate. occurred on 9 august 2017, when government-initiated motion in senate debate plebiscite (same-sex marriage) bill 2016 tied @ 31-31; resulting in motion being negatived. following result in senate, government directed australian statistician begin process of collecting statistical information on voluntary basis, australians on electoral roll, views on same sex marriage.

safe schools program

the safe schools program, created combat lgbt bullying in schools, reviewed government after coalition backbenchers, george christensen , cory bernardi, raised concerns on claimed sexualised nature of program. on 9 february 2016, australian newspaper reported claims gay manual being pushed in schools. spokesperson australian christian lobby stated program pressured kids , confuses them own identity . kevin donnelly, senior research fellow @ australian catholic university has described program social engineering . christensen likened program pedophile grooming victim , , said program attempting run queer gender theory , marxist ideology schools should limited universities. coalition mps in disagreement such warren entsch said concerns being pushed external lobby groups. labor leader bill shorten labelled christensen group ideologues ... trying impose 1950s view of world .

the government quick adopt changes program further review recommended, announced on 18 march 2016, after 43 of 123 federal coalition parliamentarians including former leader tony abbott had signed petition. christensen said afterward: still yet see response safe schools coalition because talking fundamentally altering have proposed , have proposed think disastrous schoolchildren if reject government s put forward funding suspended .

senate reforms

following 2013 election, abbott liberal government announced investigate changing electoral system senate. on 22 february 2016, turnbull liberal government announced following proposed changes:

group voting tickets abolished.
instead, voters put parties in order of preference, above line . above , below line voting optional preferential. above line, voters told write @ least first 6 preferences, however, savings provision put in place if less 6 given. result, less votes classed informal, however, more ballots exhaust result (i.e. people find vote not counted towards electing candidate). below line, voters told , required write @ least first 12 preferences.
more mistakes allowed below line before vote declared informal.
parties able put distinctive logo on ballot sheet.

the changes had support of liberal/national coalition, australian greens, , nick xenophon − three-vote majority.

the senate reform legislation passed both houses of parliament of australia on 18 march 2016.