Australian Parliament debates MP safety and climate policy rollback as Israel heads to pivotal election

Yesterday, the House of Representatives suspended its usual debate to commemorate Helen Haines, leaving an orange cockatoo—a symbol of her independent campaign—in her vacant seat. The issue of parliamentary security dominated the day, prompting Bradfield MP Nicolette Boele to question Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek on how she can reassure young women that political careers are still safe after the attack on Haines.

Opposition leader Angus Taylor used the occasion to declare the Coalition’s plan to dismantle Australia’s climate policies as a means to tackle inflation, unveiling early budget costings to support the claim. In parallel, Labor’s Digital Duty of Care legislation is set for a Senate inquiry after both the Coalition and the Greens rejected its current form. The week also sees Canberra debating these matters while abroad, Israel heads to its first election since the October 7, 2023 attacks, a vote many describe as the nation’s most consequential, pitting incumbent Benjamin Netanyahu against former military chief Gadi Eisenkot.