The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Su e Lines ) took the chair at 09:30, read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
That the following address-in-reply be agreed to:
To His Excellency the Governor-General
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENCY—
We, the Senate of the Commonwealth of Australia in Parliament assembled, desire to express our loyalty to our Most Gracious Sovereign and to thank Your Excellency for the speech which you have been pleased to address to Parliament.
Multiculturalism provides Australia with a unique opportunity to be a microcosm of the world—to show that cultural diversity and respect can lead to a more peaceful, equitable and fulfilling life for all.
There are problems in aged care, where the situation is so dire, with thousands infected with COVID, hundreds dying and staff not able to perform their jobs.
… in complete meltdown, with the deaths from COVID of 15 aged residents, and 182 residents and staff testing positive for COVID.
Rapid antigen tests should be free and available. We are in a pandemic. Everybody needs access.
That just shows a Prime Minister who's been prepared to play politics, as he is during this period whereby, he's too frightened of upsetting some of the hard right, who are so obsessed by not having any rules in place …
… the Full Court's approach in this case is apt to undermine the primacy of deterrence as the objective of the civil penalty regime in the Act is amply demonstrated once regard is had to the failure of previous penalties to have any deterrent effect on the CFMMEU's repeated contraventions of s 349(1) of the Act—
The circumstance that the CFMMEU has continued to breach s 349(1), steadfastly resistant—
to previous attempts to enforce compliance by civil penalties fixed at less than the permitted maximum, is a compelling indication that the penalties previously imposed have not been taken seriously because they were insufficient to outweigh the benefits flowing unlawfully—
to the contravenor—
from adherence to the "no ticket, no start" policy. To the contrary—
the CFMMEU's continuing defiance—
… indicates that it regards the penalties previously imposed as—
"an acceptable cost of doing business".
The time when enough was enough in relation to compliance with the law by this union—
its immediate predecessor and, for that matter, others in history, and its officials—
has well and truly passed.
The government will also deliver on water commitments under the Murray-Darling Basin Plan, including 450 gigalitres for South Australia.
Rivers do not recognise those lines on the map that we call state borders …
He—
seemed to think we were representative a couple of months ago (except when we were pushing for the national bio-security strategy or more $$ for bio-security, that is…)
The EPBC Act is ineffective… It is not fit to address current or future environmental challenges—
This is a Government that I lead that will be consultative, that will work with business. There's a new show in town.
That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Watt) to questions without notice asked today by Opposition senators relating to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Indonesia.
I know this isn't the line that newspapers want to hear but we've got to keep this in perspective …
We're not going to see … our cattle industry decimated.
We will still have a domestic industry.
It's not going to stop milk or meat being available to us. And some people might argue it might actually make it cheaper because there'll be more of it available domestically.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Wong) to a question without notice she asked today relating to climate change.
That the Senate records its sorrow at the death, on 30 March 2022, of the Honourable Robert James Brown AM, former Minister for Land Transport and Shipping Support and former Member for Hunter and Charlton, places on record its appreciation of his service to the Parliament and the nation and tenders its sympathy to his family in their bereavement.
That the Senate—
a. notes the resolution of 8 October 1992 relating to the display of the Australian Flag in the Senate chamber;
b. resolves that, consistent with its previous resolution, the Aboriginal Flag and the Torres Strait Islander Flag be displayed alongside the Australian Flag in the Senate chamber; and
c. directs that the flags be installed within three weeks after the passage of this resolution.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Self-Employment Programs and Other Measures) Bill 2022
That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend legislation relating to family law, social security and veterans' entitlements, and for related purposes.
That this bill be now read a second time.
SOCIAL SECURITY AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (SELF-EMPLOYMENT PROGRAMS AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2022
SECOND READING SPEECH
Today I am introducing the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Self-Employment Programs and Other Measures) Bill 2022, which amends the social security law and related elements of the veterans' and family laws. This will make clear that the law operates in the same way when participants access self-employment services through the Self-Employment Assistance program as through the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme (NEIS).
Small businesses are a vital part of the Australian economy, with 2.4 million small businesses actively trading and employing around 4.7 million people. Supporting and encouraging the development of new small businesses can give Australians the opportunity to be their own boss and own a business that offers them secure work and financial independence.
Self-employment is an excellent alternative to traditional employment for Australians who want to use their existing skills and experience in a work environment of their choice. It also assists Australians who struggle to apply their skills in other labour market settings to use those skills and succeed. That's why people with disability - who still face significant challenges having their skills recognised by employers - are more than 40 per cent more likely to be self-employed than the general population.
The Labor Party has a strong history of supporting new small businesses. It was the Hawke Government that launched the New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, or NEIS program, in 1985 to help unemployed Australians create their own employment opportunities. Since then, NEIS has successfully helped over 198,000 Australians to start and run small businesses.
NEIS achieved excellent outcomes for the diverse range of participants who accessed its services. Three months after exiting the program 82 per cent of participants remained in employment and 68 per cent were still running their business. More than half of the participants who accessed NEIS over the past seven years were women.
Since the onset of COVID, NEIS helped many businesses pivot to deliver services in new and innovative ways to remain viable. This demonstrated that government can play a key role in helping businesses adapt in uncertain times.
The services available under NEIS were expanded when it was replaced by the new Self-Employment Assistance program on 1 July 2022.
Eligible people interested in self-employment will be able to receive free help to generate and validate business ideas, so they can make informed decisions about whether self-employment is a good fit for them and their families.
Participants in the program who want to develop their skills and prepare their business can access free accredited training and help to prepare a comprehensive business plan.
Eligible business owners who have recently started trading, or who need help to adapt their business in a changing economic environment, will be able to access appropriate business mentoring and advice.
As was the case under NEIS, eligible income support recipients who access the program can receive a Self-Employment Allowance from the government. This helps supplement the income a participant earns from their business, so they can reinvest their business' earnings back into the business.
Self-Employment Assistance is building on the NEIS program's legacy of success by continuing its valuable support, but through more flexible services that help a wider range of people secure their future.
This Bill will update the social security, veterans' and family laws to make clear that Self-Employment Assistance payments will be treated in the same way by the law as other NEIS payments. The same will apply if the Employment Secretary notifies a different name for Self-Employment Assistance. The Bill will therefore provide increased clarity for participants as they support themselves while establishing their businesses.
Self-employment continues to be a viable pathway for many to help them move off income support, earn their own income and contribute economically to their communities. However, it takes time and other support to establish a small business, including financial support.
To support and foster self-employment opportunities we bring this Bill to the Parliament.
The Bill also makes a small number of minor technical amendments to clarify or remove redundant material from the social security law, consequent to the recent Streamlined Participation Requirements Act.
I commend this Bill to the chamber.
That departments and agencies be allocated to legislative and general purpose standing committees as follows:
Community Affairs
Health and Aged Care
Social Services
Economics
Industry, Science and Resources
Treasury
Education and Employment
Education
Employment and Workplace Relations
Environment and Communications
Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (Communications and the Arts functions only)
Finance and Public Administration
Finance
Parliament
Prime Minister and Cabinet
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Defence, including Veterans' Affairs
Foreign Affairs and Trade
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Attorney-General
Home Affairs
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts (Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development functions only).
That the days of meeting of the Senate for the remainder of 2022 be as follows:
Thursday, 28 July
Monday, 1 August to Thursday, 4 August
Monday, 5 September to Thursday, 8 September
Monday, 12 September to Thursday, 15 September
Tuesday, 25 October to Thursday, 27 October
Monday, 21 November to Thursday, 24 November
Monday, 28 November to Thursday, 1 December.
(1) That the 2022-23 Budget estimates hearings be scheduled as follows:
Friday, 28 October until no later than 5 pm ( Group A )
Monday, 7 November until no later than 11 pm ( Group A )
Tuesday, 8 November until no later than 1 pm ( Group A )
Tuesday, 8 November until no earlier than 2 pm until no later than 11 pm ( Group B )
Wednesday, 9 November and Thursday, 10 November until no later than 11 pm ( Group B ).
(2) That cross portfolio estimates hearings on Indigenous matters and on Murray-Darling Basin Plan matters be scheduled for Friday, 11 November but not restricted to that day.
(3) That the committees consider the proposed expenditure in accordance with the allocation of departments and agencies to committees agreed to by the Senate.
(4) That committees meet in the following groups:
Group A:
Environment and Communications
Finance and Public Administration
Legal and Constitutional Affairs
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport
Group B:
Community Affairs
Economics
Education and Employment
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.
(5) That the committees report to the Senate on Tuesday, 29 November 2022.
That consideration of the business before the Senate on the following days be interrupted at approximately 5 pm, but not so as to interrupt a senator speaking, to enable senators to make their first speeches (of approximately 20 minutes) without any question before the chair, as follows:
(a) Wednesday, 27 July 2022—Senators Stewart and Nampijinpa Price;
(b) Monday, 1 August 2022—Senator Allman-Payne;
(c) Tuesday, 2 August 2022—Senators David Pocock and Shoebridge;
(d) Wednesday, 3 August 2022—Senators Barbara Pocock and Babet;
(e) Monday, 5 September 2022—Senators White and Cadell;
(f) Tuesday, 6 September 2022—Senators Tyrrell and Payman; and
(g) Wednesday, 7 September 2022—Senator Liddle.
That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings:
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Self-Employment Programs and Other Measures) Bill 2022.
Fair Work Amendment (Equal Pay for Equal Work) Bill 2022
(1) That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect.
(2) That the Fair Work Amendment (Equal Pay for Equal Work) Bill 2022 be restored to the Notice Paper and consideration of the bill resume at the stage reached in the 46th Parliament.
(1) That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect.
(2) That the following bills be restored to the Notice Paper and consideration of each of the bills resume at the stage reached in the 46th Parliament:
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Audio Description) Bill 2019
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Lowering Voting Age and Increasing Voter Participation) Bill 2018
Customs Legislation Amendment (Commercial Greyhound Export and Import Prohibition) Bill 2021
Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2020
Electric Vehicles Accountability Bill 2021
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Save the Koala) Bill 2021
Federal Environment Watchdog Bill 2021
Landholders' Right to Refuse (Gas and Coal) Bill 2015
Live Performance Federal Insurance Guarantee Fund Bill 2021
Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Amendment (No New Fossil Fuels) Bill 2021 [No. 2]
United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Bill 2022.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, by no later than 1 August 2022, all documents in relation to the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Indonesia between the Department of Infrastructure and the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government and Australian international airports.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, by no later than 1 August 2022, the following documents:
(a) all requests for advice from the minister's office to the Department after being alerted to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease(FMD) in Indonesia; and
(b) the incoming government brief to the new Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry specifically in relation to the advice on FMD.
Question agreed to.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Prime Minister, by no later than midday on 1 August 2022:
(a) any briefing notes, file notes and emails between the Prime Minister and his office and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and/or his office in relation to the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work Amendment Instrument 2022 (Building Code) announced by Minister Burke on 24 July 2022;
(b) any briefing notes, file notes and emails between the Prime Minister and his office and the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and/or his office in relation to the abolition of the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC);
(c) any briefing materials produced by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that were provided to the Prime Minister and/or the Prime Minister's office in relation to the changes to the Building Code; and
(d) any briefing materials produced by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet that were provided to the Prime Minister and/or the Prime Minister's office in relation to the potential abolition of the ABCC.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, by no later than midday on 1 August 2022:
(a) briefing notes, file notes and emails between the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations (Minister) and/or his office and the Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO), and/or the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC), in relation to the Code for the Tendering and Performance of Building Work Amendment Instrument 2022 announced by Minister Burke on 24 July 2022;
(b) briefing notes, file notes and emails between the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and/or his office and the FWO, and/or the ABCC in relation to the potential abolition of the ABCC;
(c) briefing materials produced by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations that were provided to the Minister and/or the Minister's office in relation to the changes of the Building Code; and
(d) briefing materials produced by Department of Employment and Workplace Relations that were provided to the Minister and/or the Minister's office in relation to the potential abolition of the ABCC.
Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:
The biggest causes of climate change is the extraction and burning of coal and gas. To prevent the climate crisis getting worse, no new coal and gas projects can be developed in Australia.
The biggest causes of climate change is the extraction and burning of coal and gas. To prevent the climate crisis getting worse, no new coal and gas projects can be developed in Australia.
(a) Killing members of the group;
(b) Causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group;
(c) Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part;
(d) Imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group;
(e) Forcibly transferring children of the group to another group.
That the Senate take note of the document.
That the Senate take note of the document.
That the Senate take note of the document.
That the Senate take note of the additional information.
That the Senate take note of the 489th report—Defence major projects report (2019-20).
That the Senate take note of the report.
What is most disturbing is that the Australian Government knew and reported on the risks … The Taliban Government publicly and repeatedly broadcasted their intentions (and still do) to seek retribution against anyone who worked for the Coalition forces and Foreign Governments, including the Australian Embassy Security Guards, Contractors and their families.
That senators be appointed to committees as follows:
Community Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating member: Senator David Pocock
Education and Employment Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating member: Senator David Pocock
Finance and Public Administration Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating member: Senator David Pocock
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating member: Senator David Pocock
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating member: Senator David Pocock
Scrutiny of Delegated Legislation—Standing Committee—
Appointed—Senator David Pocock
Selection of Bills—Standi ng Committee—
Appointed—Senators Chisholm and Gallagher
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill now be read a second time.
AGED CARE AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (ROYAL COMMISSION RESPONSE) BILL 2022
SECOND READING SPEECH
I am pleased to introduce the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022. This Bill takes important steps towards implementing recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
It demonstrates this Government's strong commitment to delivering security, dignity, quality and humanity for every older Australian.
Most of the measures in this Bill were considered by the 46th Parliament. However, the first version of the Royal Commission Response Bill was not agreed ahead of the election being called.
I am introducing this revised Bill today, in the first sitting week of the 47th Parliament, to prevent any further delay of the important funding, quality and safety reforms that will be enabled by this Bill.
This Government has carefully considered the Bill introduced by the previous Government.
We have made some improvements and additions and removed the amendments that related to worker screening.
Instead, this Government will develop a national worker registration scheme that includes ongoing training and English proficiency requirements, and criminal history screening to further professionalise the aged care workforce.
Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) model
At the core of this Bill is a new funding model for our aged care sector.
It has been in development since 2017 in deep consultation with the sector, with providers, with people receiving care and their advocates. It was a key finding of the Royal Commission and it has been widely expected to commence on October first this year.
It will result in a ten per cent uplift in funding for a sector badly in need of support.
This measure was proposed in legislation at the end of the previous Parliament, was subject to a senate inquiry process, debate and passage in this place and debate and amendment in the other place.
It, along with much of this Bill, lapsed at the end of the 46th Parliament.
The result has been a sector riddled with neglect, confusion and underfunding further racked with uncertainty that this new model of funding will be commencing on time.
I can assure all of those in aged care that it will.
Schedule one of this Bill relates to the new Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) model for calculating aged care subsidies that was endorsed by the Royal Commission.
This schedule is critical to support structural reform of funding for residential aged care.
The Bill makes clear that AN-ACC will replace the existing Aged Care Funding Instrument on 1 October this year.
Since April 2021, residential aged care recipients have received shadow assessments under the AN-ACC model, and this Bill will allow those classifications to be linked to the subsidy calculation for residential aged care providers.
It is unfortunate that this Bill and new funding model was unable to be progressed through to completion by the former Government in the previous Parliament.
The certainty and funding that the sector so badly needs drives our desire to see the earliest possible consideration of this Bill.
Star Ratings
Schedule 2 of the Bill, is a new measure that will facilitate the publication of Star Ratings for all residential aged care services on My Aged Care by the end of 2022.
A transparent and standardised Star Rating system for residential aged care services will ensure older Australians, their families and carers are assisted to make informed decisions about aged care.
Star Ratings will support older Australians to compare services and make informed choices based on an overall rating and four sub-categories:
Star Ratings will empower older Australians and their representatives with information to make choices about their aged care. They will incentivise providers to make continuous quality improvements, and support Government to provide transparent information about the quality of the aged care system.
Code of Conduct and banning orders
Schedule 3 introduces a Code of Conduct for the aged care sector, as recommended by the Royal Commission.
The Code of Conduct - the first stage of the Government's worker registration plan - will set standards of behaviour for aged care workers, approved providers and governing persons of approved providers to ensure they are delivering aged care in a way that is safe, competent and respectful.
It will also empower the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to monitor compliance with the Code, investigate complaints into alleged breaches and take appropriate enforcement action in response.
This includes the ability to issue banning orders to prevent workers from working in the aged care sector for the most egregious breaches. This will ensure that older Australians provided with care can have confidence in the workforce and be safeguarded by regulatory arrangements.
Extension of incident management and reporting
Schedule 4 of this Bill extends the Serious Incident Response Scheme to home care and flexible care delivered in a home or community care setting from 1 December 2022, giving effect to Recommendation 100 of the Royal Commission.
This extension seeks to level the protections for aged care recipients in all settings and create a consistent mechanism of oversight in both the residential and home care sectors.
These new requirements will help to build provider capacity to record and respond to incidents; identify, manage and resolve risks; and formalise ways of ensuring continuous improvement in care practices that will reduce the number of preventable incidents in the future.
The expansion will ensure that approved providers of home care and flexible care provided in a home or community setting report relevant incidents to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner.
This will enable Government oversight and ensure that the risk of abuse and neglect towards vulnerable older Australians receiving aged-care services is minimised.
Governance of approved providers
Schedule 5 of this Bill strengthens the governance of approved providers.
From 1 December 2022, the Bill will introduce a number of new governance responsibilities for approved providers and their governing bodies.
New reporting requirements, being introduced through these amendments, will assist older Australians and their families to understand the operations of providers.
The amendments will require approved providers to notify the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission of changes to key personnel.
The amendments will also replace the current disqualified individual arrangements with a broader suitability test.
These governance arrangements will improve the transparency and accountability of providers and the quality care delivered to aged care recipients. These measures align with Recommendations 88 to 90 of the Royal Commission.
Information Sharing
Where possible, the Government is aligning the regulation of providers across the broader care and support sector comprising aged care, disability support and veterans' care.
Regulatory harmonisation will improve the consistency of quality and safety protections across the care and support sector while accounting for the needs of different people, support types and settings.
It will also encourage greater cross-sector service provision and supply by reducing duplicative and inconsistent obligations.
As a first step in regulatory alignment, Schedule 6 facilitates increased information sharing by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Department of Health and Aged Care and the Department of Veterans' Affairs with other Commonwealth bodies.
These amendments are intended to enable Commonwealth bodies with powers and functions related to aged care, veterans' care and disability support to share information regarding providers and workers operating across the care and support sector who might be putting those receiving care, support or treatment at risk.
The amendments seek to address aspects of the existing legislation that can make it difficult to share information in the prompt and efficient way needed to respond effectively to such risks.
Reciprocal sharing of information about provider and worker conduct in the NDIS has been enabled by provisions introduced by the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Improving Supports for At Risk Participants) Act 2021 .
Use of refundable deposits and accommodation bonds
The Government is improving the financial oversight and prudential regulation of the aged care sector to improve the financial viability of residential providers and support the continuity of services for older Australians.
As part of this, Schedule 7 of the Bill will increase Government oversight of how refundable accommodation deposits and bonds paid by older Australians are used by the sector and other companies until they have been refunded - and also strengthen the offence for their misuse.
This will reduce the risk of older Australians not being repaid their accommodation funds when due.
Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority
Schedule 8 of the Bill expands the functions of a renamed Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority to also include the provision of advice on healthcare and aged-care pricing and costing.
New governance arrangements will reflect the enhanced responsibilities and integrated functions of the pricing authority by enabling appointment of an Aged Care Deputy Chair.
This new, independent aged-care pricing and costing advice function will support transparent and evidence-based assessment of the costs involved in delivering aged care. This will support sustainability of aged care over the long term.
Restrictive Practices
Schedule 9 of the Bill will enable the implementation of an interim solution with respect to the requirement to obtain informed consent for the use of restrictive practices. These amendments are intended to address unforeseen practical limitations resulting from the interactions between Commonwealth and State and Territory consent laws.
The interim measure will allow a person other than the care recipient to provide consent to the use of restrictive practices where the care recipient does not have capacity to do so, and where State and Territory laws would not otherwise allow that consent to be provided.
Schedule 9 to the Bill also provides a limited immunity from civil or criminal liability that may arise in relation to the use of a restrictive practice where someone follows all of the requirements under Commonwealth law in relation to the use of a restrictive practice. This provision does not provide a broad immunity to negligence in respect of the use of a restrictive practice.
Conclusion
Aged care is an urgent priority for this Government.
I commend this Bill.
That the Senate—
(a) concurs with the resolutions of the House of Representatives contained in messages Nos 2-6 and 8-16 relating to the appointment of joint committees; and
(b) concurs with the resolution of the House of Representatives contained in message No. 7, except that paragraph 6 of the resolution be amended as follows:
omit Joint Select Committee and substitute Joint Standing Committee.
At the end of the motion, add—
, except in relation to the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and that in relation to that committee, paragraph (6) be amended as follows:
(6) the committee elect a:
(a) minor group senator or independent senator as its chair; and
(b) Government member as its deputy chair who shall act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee.
The Senate divided. [19:12]
(The Deputy President—Senator McLachlan)
If eternal vigilance is the price of freedom, incessant distractions are the way politicians take away our freedoms, in order to enhance their own power and longevity in office.
No passion so effectively robs the mind of all its powers of acting and reasoning as fear.