The SPEAKER (Mr Harry Jenkins) took the chair at 9:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment (Deer) Bill 2011
That the National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment (Deer) Bill 2011 be referred to the Main Committee for further consideration
Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment (Oils in the Antarctic Area) Bill 2011
That this bill be now read a second time.
That the following order of the day, private Members’ business, be returned to the House for further consideration:
No. 12—Wild Dogs
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following item of private Members' business being called on, and considered immediately: Wild dogs—Order of the day.
That the following words be added to the motion:
"and (2) that private Members' business notice No. 4 given for Thursday 25 August 2011, standing in the name of the Member for Sturt, be considered immediately."
One Labor elder says, "It's as ugly out in the electorate as it can get. The depth of anger and hostility is reminiscent of the worst times in 1975 and in 1996. It's absolutely dire."
This is the last thing Julia needed … It gives Abbott another way to highlight the integrity issue which is the albatross around Julia's neck …
That this House requests the presence of the Member for Dobell to make a statement with respect to all the matters pertaining to his time as National Secretary of the Health Services Union and canvassed in the press, including but not limited to, his receipt of a gift from the NSW branch of the Australian Labor Party that remained undeclared on his Register of Members Interests for 77 days after the time had elapsed that such a declaration should be made.
The House divided. [10:23]
(The Speaker—Hon. Harry Jenkins)
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Budget Measures) Bill 2010
That the House take note of the report.
The ASA indicates that passage of the Bill and ratification of the MLC will improve protection for workers, benefit shipowners by addressing some areas of competitive disadvantage by levelling standards of employment, and provide certainty to stakeholders that basic social standards can be enforced. The ASA describes its commitment to ratification as ‘unwavering’ and urges ratification at the ‘earliest possible opportunity’.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Fit-out of new leased premises for the Human Services portfolio at Greenway, ACT.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Integrated fit-out of new leased premises for the Australian Taxation Office at 55 Elizabeth Street, Brisbane, Queensland.
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Early Release of Superannuation) Bill 2011
In some specific circumstances, persons are able to apply to their superannuation fund/retirement saving account provider for the early release of superannuation benefits, including financial hardship, permanent incapacity (permanent and total disability), terminal illness, where the preserved benefit balance is $200 or less, and in cases of permanent departure from Australia.
Superannuation benefits may also be released early on 'compassionate' grounds by application to APRA for superannuation and retirement savings accounts or by application to the Commissioner of Taxation for Self Managed Superannuation Funds. The changes proposed by the Bill relate only to the administrative arrangements for applications about early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds.
The circumstances under which an application for the early release on compassionate grounds can be granted are specified in the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Regulations 1994 and Retirement Savings Accounts Regulations 1997 and include:
or
After I retired aged 60 in Dec. 2009 Colonial advised us that these accounts were frozen due to the G.F.C. However as my husband was diagnosed in February this year with advanced renal cell cancer & bone cancer and is no longer able to work we will again attempted to close these accounts as they return only approximately 2%.
… on many occasions for many months, Federal Labor has made it crystal clear that we are committed to retaining all the existing Private Health Insurance rebates, including … the 35 and 40 per cent rebates for older Australians
The projection of the number of people from Treasury that will drop out of health insurance is just under half a million—492,000 people.
MORE than 2.4 million Australians with private health insurance will be forced to find up to $935 extra a year for their premiums if the government can manoeuvre its means test for the 30 per cent rebate through parliament …
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment (Deer) Bill 2011
Work Health and Safety Bill 2011
Perhaps less transparent to the Australian people: getting new occupational health and safety laws. Laws around the country. Businesses have been complaining for 30 years that they have different obligations in different states and at the same time not every individual worker had the same safety standards. Now, I have delivered that.
1. Employers shall be required to ensure that, so far as is reasonably practicable, the workplaces, machinery, equipment and processes under their control are safe and without risk to health.
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Budget Measures) Bill 2010
That the amendments be agreed to.
We would be extremely concerned about any changes to the childcare rebate that would make it harder for families to access affordable Early Childhood Education and Care … services …
That the amendments be agreed to.
To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives:
This petition from certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House:
… there's been … unauthorised expenditure … and we want answers …
The matter is now before the courts where I understand it will be contested and she should be extended the presumption of innocence.
… a lot of people who are under investigation end up having nothing to answer for.
It's a police investigation and the appropriate thing for me to do is to let the police investigation run its course and then if it is appropriate I will have something to say.
… there's been unauthorised use of credit cards, unauthorised expenditure that is not normal union expenditure and we want answers … This union and our members require answers …
Senator Fisher is being prosecuted. She maintains her innocence. She is entitled to a fair trial just as the member for Dobell is entitled to a fair trial.
We will not be abolishing the bill. It is important to give this message to potential actors and investors in the space.
I'm not saying we'll necessarily cut the pension.
In Norway, a group is being investigated for carbon tax evasion as part of a Europol tax fraud probe into allegations that up to five billion euros of revenue has been lost.
Cyber criminals also allegedly accessed European business systems and stole legitimate carbon trading permits, which were then sold on the open market.
Report relating to the consideration of bills introduced 18 to 24 August 2011
1. The committee met in private session on 24 August 2011.
2. The committee determined that the following referrals of bills to committees be made—
That the House take note of the following documents:
Ministerial statements—Manufacturing—Senator Carr, Minister for Innovation, Science and Research, 24 August 2011.
Superannuation (Government Co-contribution for Low Income Earners) Act 2003 —Quarterly reports on the operation of the Act for the period—
1 October to 31 December 2010.
1 January to 31 March 2011.
That Dr Stone be discharged from the Standing Committee on Regional Australia and that, in her place, Mr Haase be appointed a member of the committee.
The impact of the Government's failures in policy and leadership in respect of Australia's forgotten families.
We have to remember that question time is supposed to be one of our key accountability mechanisms. If there is a big scandal or a corruption allegation, you are supposed to be able to get the matter in question time, and it is not serving that role now.
… person of integrity who opposed corruption at every turn.
Anyone in our organisation who misuses union money—be it for prostitution services or other unauthorised services—has committed a crime and in particular has defrauded the membership.
... he should go on the record and repeat those statements ... He owes it to the members of the Health Services Union.
... working-class people, they earn less than $20 an hour doing work that nobody else wants to do ... These people are salt of the earth. These people deserve answers ...
So will you promise you will not be leader at the next federal election?
I can, completely. … this is, you know, it makes good copy for newspapers but it is not within cooee of my day-to-day reality. You may as well ask me am I anticipating a trip to Mars. No I'm not...
If you want to put a price on carbon, why not just do it with a simple tax?
Why not ask electricity consumers to pay more, then at the end of the year you can take your invoices to the tax office and get a rebate?
…we also sleep soundly in our beds because invisible heroes ensure our national interests are protected abroad. Others protect our borders. Some make sure our cities and towns are safe. Others make sure our food is clean and keep our lights on. Some help the sick, the aged, the disadvantaged and the disabled … Public service should be lauded, not derided
I would greatly encourage you, and indeed be most grateful to you, if in setting standards in legislation, you can ensure that the stunning of both sheep and cattle unconscious prior to slaughter is mandatory. The utmost minimizing of the suffering of animals both leading up to and during the slaughter process is a key requirement of Islamic teachings, hard though that may be to believe when seeing the cavalier treatment of animals, sadly, in many Islamic countries. It would greatly assist our efforts were the Australian government to mandate standards that have been scientifically proven to reduce suffering, as well as having growing religious acceptance.
Whilst Australia's live export trade continues, it is important for countries in my region which have yet to implement animal protection laws, to see that the Australian government places great importance on animal welfare and ensuring that animals are humanely treated throughout the process.
He said that the local construction and tourism industries would be hard hit.
'The carbon tax will have a disastrous effect on the home building industry, which is already at an all time low,' Mr Olsen said.
'Our tourism industry will suffer as it will be cheaper to go overseas instead of holidaying in Australia.'
'By doing what he has done (supporting the Gillard Government’s carbon tax), he has totally betrayed the electorate …'
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. Peter Slipper) took the chair at 9:30 am.
TO THE HONOURABLE THE SPEAKER AND MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
This petition of citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House the withdrawal of funding for occasional childcare services by the Gillard Government in the 2010/11 Federal Budget.
Of particular concern to the undersigned are the potential impacts on remote communities where 'Take a Break' childcare services available through Neighbourhood Houses and community centres may cease as a result of this decision.
In many rural and regional communities childcare services operated through Neighbourhood Houses are the only childcare option available and play a vital role in supporting volunteering, workforce and social participation.
We therefore ask the House to support a reinstatement of occasional childcare funding by the Federal Government to enable rural and regional communities to access quality childcare services.
National Residue Survey (Excise) Levy Amendment (Deer) Bill 2011
And the hurrying people daunt me, and their pallid faces haunt me
As they shoulder one another in their rush and nervous haste,
With their eager eyes and greedy, and their stunted forms and weedy,
For townsfolk have no time to grow, they have no time to waste.
And I somehow fancy that I’d like to change with Clancy,
Like to take a turn at droving where the seasons come and go,
While we faced the round eternal of the cashbook and the journal –
But I doubt he’d suit the office, Clancy, of ‘The Overflow’.
In my time at the ABC there were many stirring deeds by reporters and crews, but for me there was none greater than during the disastrous 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. That is when Gary and cameraman, then Peter Sinclair, hovered in gale-force winds above stricken yachts and life rafts in tumultuous seas to coordinate their positions with rescuers, turning away only when in his calculation they had just enough fuel left to return to land. They made it with just a few litres in the tank and it was said his actions saved the lives of probably 25 crew members in that race.
He was an extraordinary young man with everything, including incredible physical and mental agility. Matt had a great enthusiasm for living life, generously sharing his time, thoughts and ideas and inspiring us all by walking the talk.
Physically I am completely unsuitable for almost all Australian school sports. Nearly all Australian school sports require speed and/or size.
I am writing this letter to you all as a lifelong resident of the South Coast and Illawarra. I am married with 2 children that I have great hope for. I have been employed at the Port Kembla Steelworks since leaving school in 1983. In that time I have seen a vast number of changes take place both inside the works and in our community in general. Until now, I have not seen one that has had the potential to be as devastating to the community as the one announced yesterday regarding the removal of 800 plus jobs.
As a citizen of this community I am calling on you to change the way you think. As our elected representatives the time has come for change. Rescue packages, bailout packages, relocation packages are all after the fact results. When I watch the news and hear the Prime Minister and Industry Minister address what happened yesterday with political spin and rhetoric I wonder what the future is for my country as a whole.
Growing up and being educated as a child and young man, I was regaled with stories of the growth of this country. The Snowy Hydro scheme, the irrigation of the Riverina, even the building of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. All symbols of the growth and prosperity of our great nation. Perhaps I was naive and idealistic to believe it could continue. But why shouldn’t it?
We need to look beyond the ends of our noses. Bureaucracy needs to disappear. Like our forefathers, as a nation we need to start to make things happen. In our area alone a number of initiatives could go ahead that could create employment and long term growth opportunities. The raw material that we are digging out of the ground and sending to China is doing just that. They are building solid infrastructure. We should be doing the same.
What is stopping a second airport being built near Goulburn with a fast train that services Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne? A percentage of the material involved could be sourced from Australian suppliers such as BlueScope. It would certainly be a faster journey than catching the train from Sydney Airport to Oak Flats. We built the SeaCliff bridge, why don't we have a fast train that services Sydney from the Illawarra? It would drastically reduce road traffic, while again creating local jobs.
The Shellharbour Marina must occur. Why spend $100 million relocating displaced steel workers? Spend it building something that will employ them in their local area. Whether or not the residents of Shellharbour oppose it based on their own personal wants is no longer valid, it is a growth opportunity for our area. Housing estates are not long term employment options. Long term decisions need to be made
We have a fantastic port that is under utilised. The Illawarra region is a prime candidate for processing plants that are being sent overseas, provided transport infrastructure is up to scratch. Again, an opportunity for BlueScope, local fabricators and the people of the Illawarra. Business will be encouraged to invest in the area if the correct facilities are in place. Getting these facilities is going to take bi partisan support and some extra attention being focused on our region. You all need to remember that the Illawarra doesn't have the same sized coal and viticulture industry to fall back on that the Hunter region had.
The floods in Queensland and Victoria are another example of the potential for infrastructure and growth. I understand the need for environmental conservation as much as anyone, but a lot of the natural flora and fauna of these areas is no longer there. Building dams and causeways, trapping water so that we do not have periods and extreme between drought and flood, piping water to regional Australia can only benefit us all in the long run. It will also allow our native flora and fauna to flourish. There is even a tourism potential in these areas with houseboats, introduced fishing etc. The list is endless.
Lastly, the level of youth unemployment in our region has been too high for too long. Current events aren't going to help that. The Steelworks once trained hundreds of apprentices who have since gone on to all sorts of vocations. That opportunity hasn't existed for a long time. The disaffected youth of Great Britain have shown what can happen when people don't have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. What is to stop any school leaver that is unemployed for more than 6 months spending time in the armed services to learn either a trade or a job specific skill such as driving heavy equipment? They would then be able to go and work in these regional and mining areas that have a shortage of skills. They don't have to go to war, they just need to enhance their skill set. If they find employment whilst training they should be free to leave so they can take up the offer.
Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope it has provided some food for thought with some of my ideas. Being a government in surplus due to holes being dug in the ground shouldn't be our sole focus. I urge you to look to the visionaries of the past. Seize upon their ideals and beliefs so that we can make this country grow once more. We are the envy of the world in so many ways, and we have the opportunity to remain that way through your leadership. I await your non politicised replies.
… require a trade description with the name of the country in which the goods were made or produced …
In respect of rent payable over the last ten years for personnel living in (a) married quarters, and (b) all other living quarters: how many times has the amount payable changed; in what years; and by what proportion (as a percentage).
The Group Rent Scheme (GRS) (including rent allowance, Service residence and living-in accommodation) member contributions are reviewed annually and adjusted in line with the increase in the cost of Defence housing assistance. It is a long standing policy that Defence should subsidise 50 per cent of the national cost of housing for Australian Defence Force members and their families with members meeting the remaining 50 per cent.
In past years the level of subsidy provided by Defence has increased due to greater than expected fluctuations in the Australian housing market and in 2009 the Defence subsidy was at 56.53 per cent. In the same year, the CDF and Secretary committed to a subsidy correction program to return the Defence subsidy to 50 per cent. In 2010, Rent Bands 4 and 51 were adjusted to achieve the 50 per cent subsidy and in 2011 Rent Bands 2 and 3 achieved 50 per cent subsidy. It is anticipated that the final subsidisation for Rent Band 1 (currently at 53.32 per cent) will be corrected in 2012.
The GRS updates broadly reflect the annual market rent cost changes faced by the wider Australian community.
(a) The amount payable for Service residences (married quarters) has changed once every year since 2001. The proportion of change as a percentage for specified contributions for:
(i) Service Residences for Members with Dependants;
(ii) Service Residences for Members without Dependants 'not sharing'; and
(iii) Service Residences for Members without Dependants 'sharing'
are provided in the table at Attachment A can be obtain from the House of Representatives Table Office .
(b) The amount payable for rent allowance has changed once every year since 2001. The proportion of change as a percentage for specified contribution for rent allowance for:
(i) Members with Dependants; and
(ii) Members without Dependants
are provided in the table at Attachment B can be obtain from the House of Representatives Table Office .
The amount payable for Living-in Accommodation has changed 12 times since 2001. The contribution is based on rank, sharing arrangements and the level of accommodation. The proportion of change for these figures are set out in the table at Attachment C can be obtain from the House of Representatives Table Office .
__________________
1 Rent Band 1 – PTE to LT (excluding WO2 and WO1) Equivalent
Rent Band 2 – WO2, WO1 and CAPT Equivalent
Rent Band 3 – MAJ and LTCOL Equivalent
Rent Band 4 —COL and BRIG Equivalent
Rent Band 5 – MAJGEN and above Equivalent