Senator Katy Gallagher said the party would conduct an inquiry into the ASIS operation to bug East Timor’s cabinet rooms during sensitive oil and gas treaty negotiations.
Witness K: Labor pledges inquiry into Timor-Leste bugging operation 9news.com.au - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from 9news.com.au Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
In the past decade, trust in public institutions has declined in liberal democracies around the world. The optimism about a bright democratic future based on that held sway after the end of the Cold War in the early 1990s has waned. In some countries, liberal democracy has been all but extinguished as right-wing populists have gained power and re-imposed authoritarian rule.
Some attribute this loss of public confidence to the stresses unleashed by the Global Financial Crisis of 2007-08. The inequalities laid bare by that upheaval did indeed contribute to citizens in many democracies, including Australia, feeling that the system no longer worked for them. The decline in trust, however, preceded both the financial crisis and the sense of threat arising from the terrorist attacks on the United States in 2001 and the subsequent Middle East wars.
Share on Twitter
The Greens are pushing for a Senate inquiry into the processing of family reunion visas over concerns the system is being plagued by lengthy waiting periods and exorbitant costs.
SBS News understands the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee has agreed to the inquiry that would be put to a vote in the Senate next week.
Deputy Greens leader Nick McKim had earlier called for the inquiry, which would have a particular focus on partner and parents visas.
His push for an overhaul of the family visa system comes as Australia’s migration program has been rocked by the coronavirus pandemic.
Report of the Inquiry into nationhood, national identity and democracy Report
16 Feb 2021
Publisher
Description
In August 2019, the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee called for submissions from the public, and published a discussion paper to guide submitters in responding to the broad terms of reference for this inquiry.
The terms of reference asked submitters to consider the health of Australia s democracy, and the reasons for falling trust and satisfaction; as well as to provide suggestions for ways to turn the tide. Submitters addressed these issues with generosity and creativity.
In Australia, restrictive measures put in place by governments to slow the spread of the coronavirus had implications for democracy. These measures tested the trust and faith of Australians in our governments, and put pressure on democratic institutions including parliaments and the federation. The committee sought evidence on COVID-19, as i