Bushfire disaster to dominate parliament first day

POLITICIANS will use the first parliamentary sitting day of the year to pay tribute to the victims of the devastating bushfire crisis.

Federal Parliament returns tomorrow with the entire day to be dedicated to condolences after more than 30 people died during the horror fire season that shows no sign of ending. Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese will attend a church service in the morning.

Legislation to make bushfire relief payments and lossof-income grants for volunteer firefighters is set to be rushed through both houses by the end of the week. That includes grants for businesses and farmers, as well as disaster recovery allowance payments.

A fire continues to burn in the ACT’S Namadgi National Park, making it likely thick smoke will provide the backdrop as MPS and senators return to Canberra. Labor will also be keen to reapply the blowtorch to Energy Minister Angus Taylor over doctored documents used to attack Sydney’s mayor.

Meanwhile, president of South Australia’s Legislative Council Andrew Mclachlan will be sworn in as a new Liberal senator to replace Cory

Bernardi after his preselection this weekend.

The Senate is expected to deal with legislation to crack down on illegal phoenix activity on Wednesday.

On Thursday, the Government hopes to make four more recommendations from the banking royal commission law.