ABC | A tumultuous week in Politics

 A tumultuous week in Politics

This week has been eventful in the political arena, marked by significant developments and controversies.

Early in the week, the Attorney General announced the passage of new legislation amending the Commonwealth Crimes Act. According to the Attorney General’s office, the act introduces new offenses, revises definitions of existing crimes, and allows for police prosecutions. Attorney General DanTMoore stated that the introduction of police prosecutions is “realistic and understandable.” Notably, the legislation includes new provisions targeting accessories and conspirators in criminal activities.

However, the week was not without its challenges for the government, particularly concerning the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA). Newly appointed Director BlazingYeet resigned just days into his tenure after calling on journalists to “not post opinions,” a directive that faced strong opposition from within the government and the legal community. Foreign Minister Vintiqal publicly hinted at possible legal consequences and suggested that such an incident would not have occurred had she been Treasurer. BlazingYeet’s resignation came a mere 11 minutes after this public criticism. In response, Federal Treasurer Westpacman issued a statement affirming the importance of free expression while condemning derogatory or discriminatory content.

The political turmoil continued with disruptions in the House of Representatives. For much of yesterday’s sitting, the House lacked the necessary one-third quorum, rendering several proceedings illegitimate. Acting Leader of the Opposition, SirPlatin, criticized this situation as evidence of “the Speaker’s incompetency” for not adjourning the session. A senior member of the Australian executive reportedly expressed concerns about the lack of attendance and the overall “competency of our politicians.”

During the same sitting, the Liberal Party declared its opposition to the Treaty of Manila, a foreign policy agreement currently under debate. The party argued that the treaty's signatories were too “underdeveloped” to be considered valuable partners for Australia. Given the quorum issues, it remains uncertain whether the Governor General will approve any motions passed during the session. Liberal Leader Akrilous is expected to discuss the legitimacy of these proceedings with Government House.

Controversy also touched the opposition, with SirPlatin, the Liberal Party’s National Campaign Director and an Executive Member, being sentenced to two days in federal prison on a murder charge. SirPlatin has stated that this conviction will not lead to his resignation from the party. The incident has intensified public calls for the government to take stronger action against crime and terrorism, particularly in Byron Bay.

As both major parties grapple with this week’s developments, several questions linger: Can the Attorney General’s legislative efforts help the government regain its footing? Will the Liberal Party succeed in forming a stable cabinet capable of mounting a serious challenge to Labor’s large majority? These issues remain at the forefront of the political landscape, with Australian voters watching closely.