A well-respected Italian barista has drawn praise from the prime minister as political shenanigans drew criticism during a frenetic final day of parliament.
The silly season came to a head in the Senate on Thursday as Labor attempted to force votes on dozens of bills on the last sitting day of 2024.
The push initially fell over before Greens leader Adam Bandt breathed life back into proceedings.
Mr Bandt clinched a last-minute deal with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to pass Labor’s signature manufacturing initiative Future Made in Australia – in exchange for $500 million to make social housing more energy efficient.
Coal and gas won’t be included in the fund as part of the deal.
In exchange, the Greens will help pass several other key laws before parliament including an overhaul of the Reserve Bank and university reforms.
Despite the coalition scuttling key Labor legislation in the final weeks of parliament, Mr Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton shared some Christmas cheer.
“In spite of significant ideological differences that we have – no point papering over those – we are able to have civil discourse and discussion,” Mr Albanese said.
“Peter Dutton has been into my office I don’t know how many times – too many for my liking, probably, and I’m sure too many for his liking,” he said, laughing.
Mr Dutton thanked first responders, defence force personnel and veterans who had worked to keep Australians safe, noting many would continue to work through the holidays.
“There are many things that we dedicate ourselves to this Christmas but the betterment of our country in 2025 for the benefit of all Australians is the top of the Christmas wish list this year,” he said.
Mr Dutton was less joyous as he addressed Mr Albanese during their year-ending Question Time, when the opposition gets to pepper ministers with pot-shots for up to 90 minutes.
“Why not call an election now to put Australians out of their misery and allow a competent coalition government to get our country back on track?” Mr Dutton said.
Labor was also under attack in the upper house, with firebrand senator Jacqui Lambie criticising the government for shoving dozens of bills into the Senate’s stocking on its final sitting day.
A Christmas break appeared too good to come back from for senior Liberal senator Simon Birmingham, who announced his retirement at the upcoming federal election after 17 years in the Senate.
Tony Calabria, who took over the cafe in Parliament House in 1996 and ran it as a family business for three decades, was also farewelled by the prime minister and opposition leader after announcing his retirement.
Hundreds of people rely on Mr Calabria’s Aussies cafe to function day-to-day, with the venue a well-known hotspot for politicians, journalists and lobbyists to see and be seen schmoozing.
“Tony is the man who did so much to enhance the seat of democracy here,” Mr Albanese said.
On the flip side, independent senator Lidia Thorpe refused to leave without a fight after being censured by the Senate and banned from attending the chamber on Thursday.
Extra security guards were on alert outside the chamber doors amid fears Senator Thorpe might interrupt the chamber after she sat in the public gallery and interjected during deliberations in the morning.
The renegade senator then held a rally outside Parliament House where she said having her mob arrive from across Australia to support her was the “best day off I’ve ever had”.
Liberal MP Keith Wolahan – also known as the Keith-seeking missile – clinched victory in the final weekly pollies’ soccer match for 2024 with a peach shot from well outside the box in the dying seconds of the game.
