Greens plan to cash in on getting wishes by stalling coronavirus stimulus
The Greens will thwart the stimulus package’s passing through parliament to see Newstart raised and get paid leave for casuals.
The Greens will delay Scott Morrison’s coronavirus stimulus package in parliament next week with attempts to raise Newstart and provide casual workers with sick leave, as more than 80 MPs and senators miss the next sitting to prevent the further spread of the disease.
The government is hoping parliament will be able to rise early next week after Labor agreed to swiftly pass the economic stimulus and health measures, ensuring there is even less contact between MPs.
Greens sources have told The Australian they will try to amend the government’s package throughout the sitting week to push its policies on Newstart and casual workers potentially affected by the coronavirus pandemic.
The left-wing party will determine whether it will slim down its numbers in parliament at a partyroom meeting on Wednesday.
The Prime Minister and Anthony Albanese agreed on Tuesday to provide pairing arrangements for 30 MPs in the house each and 11 senators each from next week.
Labor and the Coalition will prioritise pairs for MPs from remote areas and members over 70. The two senators in Pauline Hanson’s One Nation will not attend parliament on the advice of Senate president Scott Ryan. Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie is still planning to go to Canberra. Centre Alliance senator Rex Patrick has gone into self-isolation as a result of coming into contact with coronavirus-positive Liberal senator Andrew Bragg.
House Speaker Tony Smith and Senator Ryan said on Monday the public would be kept out of the parliamentary chambers when sittings resumed on Monday, while imploring MPs to bring only essential staff to Canberra.
House and Senate committees are also being asked to consider whether their business is essential and switch to teleconferencing.
Former MPs, state parliamentarians, lobbyists and volunteers will also be barred from private areas of parliament.
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