Federal parliament returns for a fortnight
WHAT'S ON THE PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA:
PRACTICAL MATTERS
* House of Representatives and Senate meeting over a fortnight from Monday
* Limited number of MPs and senators to attend due to coronavirus restrictions
* The quorum for the lower house is 31 while the Senate quorum is 19
* Parliament House will be closed to the public
* New rules will allow MPs and senators who are in their electorate offices due to the coronavirus to take part in debates and question time by videolink, but not vote
* All votes will need to occur in person on the floor of the chambers
* Rex Patrick will sit as an independent senator for the first time, having quit the Centre Alliance party.
KEY ISSUES
* Laws to extend the timeframe for, but cut the level of, JobKeeper wage subsidy and JobSeeker welfare benefits
* Senate expected to debate bills dealing with native title, research and development tax incentive, payment times for business, ASIO powers, superannuation and training
* Former Greens leader Richard Di Natale to deliver his valedictory speech via videolink on Tuesday
* Senate on Monday to debate a Greens bill to provide 14 days paid pandemic leave for all workers, and a second bill to ensure the Northern Territory retains two federal seats
* House to debate laws dealing with family assistance, dairy cattle export charge, superannuation, land rights, veterans wellbeing and the ABC
* A number of inquiry hearings will be held over the week, looking at trade deals, water policy, the sports rorts scandal and COVID-19.
