Opinion Piece: Federal Labor is back flipping

By Anne Webster
Federal Member for Mallee

THE Paris Olympics are just over a month away and if Team Albanese keep practising their backflips, I think they are a real medal chance in the gymnastics.

Immigration minister Giles would star with his Direction 99 double-backflip.

When the then New Zealand Labour Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern wanted to stop Australia deporting sex offenders and murderers across the ditch, the Albanese Government created Direction 99 requiring an immigration detainee’s connection to Australia to be a key consideration.

As a result, 153 detainees have been released, and a further 2600 more could be released yet 20 per cent of those already released have re-offended, including the horrific home invasion and attack on a Perth grandmother.

Minister Giles’ backflip has been to promise to amend Direction 99 to put community safety first, but the second backflip has been the minister’s now-discredited claim that drones were being used to monitor released detainees.

The veterans affairs minister did an assisted backflip, saying the military will recruit citizens from any nation, then the defence minister clarified it only be New Zealand first, then the US, UK and Canada.

The transport minister Catherine King backflipped on draconian National Vehicle Efficiency Standards, softening her landing to reduce the impact on car buyers and Aussie car dealers alike.

The energy minister Chris Bowen backflipped and now accepts the long-term role of gas.

If only he would backflip on the reckless and radical roll-out of renewables and their huge transmission towers across Mallee’s prime agricultural land and bushland as well!

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland backflipped on requiring social media to verify the age of young users, thankfully!

Labor backflipped on their 30 hours a week requirement from 1 July for Pacific Island workers.

Farmers will be relieved at Labor’s temporary sensible landing point of 120 hours averaged over four weeks, allowing for seasonal surges and quiet periods.

Agriculture Minister Murray Watt also backflipped on the need for an inquiry into the live sheep export phase-out.

Backflips happen thanks to a strong and vocal Opposition.

Australia needs a winning team with real skill and commitment, not to backflip, but to provide strong leadership.

A change of government cannot come quick enough.

Digital Editions


  • Community invited to celebrate 26 January

    Community invited to celebrate 26 January

    LOCAL Australia Day events will be held in Robinvale-Euston, Boundary Bend, and Piangil, aligned with the national themes of respect, reflect, and celebrate. Swan Hill…

More News

  • Man left woman screaming for help

    Man left woman screaming for help

    A WOMAN was left screaming for help after her partner refused to allow her to leave her house just weeks after he was granted bail over similar offending against the…

  • Sex offender faces more charges

    Sex offender faces more charges

    A CONVICTED sex offender jailed for seven months in 2023 for possessing images of children as young a six engaging in sexual acts is facing further charges of possessing child…

  • Mates aim to make it great on road trip

    Mates aim to make it great on road trip

    THE local watering hole has always been appealing to most blokes, as pubs are seen as social hubs with neutral ground for men to meet and socialise over a pint…

  • Making a din at the MS Mega Swim

    Making a din at the MS Mega Swim

    MARK Slade can’t wait to get on the Mildura Waves microphone at 6am on Sunday and announce to the neighbourhood that the MS Mega Swim, a fundraiser for multiple sclerosis,…

  • Planning goes to the dogs at Robinvale

    Planning goes to the dogs at Robinvale

    PLANS for Robinvale’s first fenced off-leash dog park are moving ahead, with community feedback giving the proposal a clear paws up. Swan Hill Rural City Council has secured State Government…

  • Elvis the Pelvis to shake MAC

    Elvis the Pelvis to shake MAC

    ELVIS Presley’s music is still as relevant today as it was when he first started in Memphis during the 1950s. From recent movies and documentaries, various festivals across the country,…

  • Namaste for locals on a yoga getaway

    Namaste for locals on a yoga getaway

    SEVERAL Mildura locals are set to journey to the Maldives as part of a local yoga instructor’s latest selection of retreats. Melanie Halacas began her studio Melanie Wellness after the…

  • Fund aims for game on for everyone

    Fund aims for game on for everyone

    NEW Victorian Government grants are now available for projects that support the sporting careers of people with disabilities. The Level the Field program is delivered through not-for-profit Leisure Networks and…

  • Holding the line: How a few dozen FFR, CFA, and MRCC resources kept 50,000-hectare fire at bay

    Holding the line: How a few dozen FFR, CFA, and MRCC resources kept 50,000-hectare fire at bay

    AS Friday’s fire conditions worsened and a predicted wind change was set to hit the Boinka fire front, the region’s firefighters readied for the worst. The fire that had started…

  • Woman finally held to account

    Woman finally held to account

    A WOMAN arrested just after Christmas last year after she failed to appear in court on multiple occasions has been released on a good behaviour bond after serving almost two…