Let’s get the bills passed, Anthony Albanese tells Scott Morrison

Anthony Albanese has written to Scott Morrison calling for an ­urgent recall of parliament so stimulus measures can be passed.

The Morrison government rejected the Labor leader’s request ­for an urgent recall of parliament so stimulus measures can be quickly implemented as it issued a ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 500 ­people from Monday. Picture: AAP

Anthony Albanese has written to Scott Morrison calling for an ­urgent recall of parliament so stimulus measures can be quickly implemented.

The Opposition Leader on Friday said the Prime Minister should convene parliament a week early to consider the legislation needed for the $17.6bn stimulus package. Parliament is due to next sit on March 23.

“In recognition of the need to act swiftly, I request you agree to the parliament sitting next week for the purpose of urgently considering legislation related to the stimulus and any other legislation associated with the national ­response to the coronavirus,” Mr Albanese wrote. “The opposition stands prepared to act in the nat­ional interest by dealing with all stages of urgent bills in both houses next week. ”

The Morrison government rejected the Labor leader’s request as it issued a ban on non-essential gatherings of more than 500 ­people from Monday.

Australian Medical Association federal president Tony Bartone called on Mr Morrison to consider delaying parliament’s next sitting period because of the coronavirus risk.

He said it was “absolutely” unlikely the transition risk of COVID-19 would peak in the next 10 days, when politicians and their staff were due to congregate at Parliament House in Canberra.

“I think that parliament will have to look at and review its sitting agenda,” Dr Bartone said. “As more and more Australians ­indeed develop COVID-19 infection, obviously the risk the community transmissions progresses and escalates.

“So obviously until we are well past that peak and the ­infectivity in terms of a large ­cohort of the population having the necessary underlying immunity to do that, it would be appropriate to consider that we maintain the status quo.”