Federal parliament returns for a fortnight of sittings from Monday, with drug testing of welfare recipients, child sex criminals and MPs' integrity on the agenda.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
It is the first sitting of the lower house and Senate since August 1, coming after a winter break during which Prime Minister Scott Morrison travelled overseas, a raft of data pointed to a weakening economy and the coalition chalked up six years in power.
The government has flagged it will reintroduce a bill, which has previously been rejected in the Senate, to allow for drug testing of welfare recipients.
The two-year drug testing trial would be rolled out in three locations - Logan in Queensland, Canterbury-Bankstown in NSW and Mandurah in WA.
Social Services Minister Anne Ruston says people on welfare who take drugs are denying themselves the opportunity to get a job.
However, Labor says the bill is punitive and unfairly singles out welfare recipients.
As well, Attorney-General Christian Porter will bring to parliament a bill to make jail time mandatory for child sex offenders.
Labor has previously baulked at the idea of mandatory sentencing, which is also considered unworkable by peak legal groups such as the Law Council.
Water Minister David Littleproud is looking to pass a bill ensuring an indigenous person is on the board of the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
The Senate is expected to deal with bills on counter-terrorism, intellectual property, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, live animal exports, multinational tax, a national sports tribunal and farm activists.
After two former ministers were hauled before an inquiry into their post-retirement jobs, Labor will seek parliamentary approval for a new body - known as the select committee on integrity - to look at improving transparency and accountability from ministerial standards to freedom of information laws.
Meanwhile, Centre Alliance senators are seeking an inquiry into Australia's relations with China.
The Senate will also consider setting up a new committee to oversee the implementation of the national redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse.
One Nation wants parliamentary approval to disallow the banking code of practice, arguing it's wrong for the banks themselves to design the system that keeps them accountable.
First speeches are expected this week by senators Paul Scarr, David Van, Gerard Rennick, Marielle Smith and Jess Walsh, as well as lower house MP Libby Coker.
Australian Associated Press