The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms AE Burke) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent Mr Robert speaking for a period not exceeding 14 minutes.
We will no longer be conducting routine frontline operations with the Afghan National Security Forces. The Australian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team will have completed its work and the majority of our troops will have returned home. We will no longer be conducting routine front-line operations with the Afghan National Security Force. The Australian led Provincial Reconstruction Team will have completed its work.
Parliamentary Counsel and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
That notice No. 2, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
Migration Legislation Amendment (Student Visas) Bill 2012
The Gillard government is struggling to manage the international visa program, failing to keep track of hundreds of thousands of potential visa breaches.
The Australian National Audit Office has found the Department of Immigration's key administrative structures and processes "were not sufficiently robust" to ensure the "integrity" of the program, while student numbers have soared.
… it was "not feasible" for the department actively to monitor if all 400,000 students had breached their visas—including whether they had worked more than 20 hours a week.
Automatic cancellation of student visas should be abolished and replaced by a system in which information conveyed by SCVs—
is used as an input into a more targeted and strategic analysis of non-compliance.
They—
led to an explosion of private colleges offering sometimes dubious vocational courses that promised the shortest route to permanent residency. They not only devalued the reputation of Australia's education system and distorted the migration intake, they also created a perception in the community that international students were manipulative and devious—despite the fact that the vast majority were simply playing the game by the rules drawn up by the the Australian government.
… the ANAO concluded that the system of automatic cancellation was highly vulnerable to legal challenge. Automatic cancellations of student visas made between May 2001 and December 2009 were subsequently overturned, for all but five months of that period, by court decisions. The ANAO assessed that the complexity of the visa cancellation regime made it liable to procedural vulnerabilities, which would likely see it continue to be tested in the courts.
The amendments in this Bill are intended to benefit genuine international students in Australia and the international education industry more broadly. Under the discretionary cancellation framework that is intended to replace the automatic regime, students who are reported for a breach of condition 8202 will have the opportunity to explain the circumstances of their case and for departmental officers to make an assessment of whether a cancellation is warranted.
For genuine students, the abolition of automatic cancellation may allow changes in course or extra tuition as opposed to cancellation and exclusion from Australia.
Universities Australia supports the amendments in the proposed Bill. In our view, these cancellations were ineffective.
It is essential that Australia continue to review what is onerous, cumbersome and discouraging about the current student visa system as compared to traditional higher education competitor countries such as the UK, the US, Canada and New Zealand. International education is a hugely important export industry that is intrinsically tied to foreign relations and diplomacy, multiculturalism and transcultural exchange, and population growth and workforce skills and labour needs.
… patently not working as a compliance and integrity tool and is in fact hindering the effective use of available student compliance resources.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Paid Parental Leave and Other Legislation Amendment (Dad and Partner Pay and Other Measures) Bill 2012
The more that parental leave arrangements mimic those that exist as part of routine employment contracts, the more they will be seen by employers and employees as standard employment arrangements, with the dual effect of:
… Australian women have embraced the expansion of tertiary education and the opportunities opening up in the workplace. In 1951, only 20 per cent of university enrolments were women. In 1987, for the first time, female students outnumbered males, and by 2004, this majority had risen to 54 per cent.
Lack of access to part-time work in such professions—
has not been caused by any industrial or legal limitation, but by culture, custom and practice. This is also reflected in the predominance of professional development opportunities being based upon full time workplace participation.
… while more help for small business would have been welcomed, the budget was quite positive.
It appears it has been directed to make life easier and give more spending power to families …
… … …
From a general business point of view that's a good thing.
Discretionary spending power of families will increase as soon as the grants commence. Most of that money will find its way through to business."
Similarly, Ipswich Business Enterprise Centre manager Tony Axford said with 65% of all ABN holders in Ipswich classed as micro enterprises, the focus on families would help the majority of Ipswich business people.
"That funding will trickle into those small retailers such as Top of Town, Orion and Goodna," Mr Axford said.
"Those three areas are hurting in the retail area in Ipswich. I believe this will allow people to spend rather than save."
Mr Abbott's got to get off Sydney's north shore and go and talk to some real families and get himself in the real world.
The tragedy for progressive politics is that there are scores of Craig Thomsons across the labour movement. He is the cultural norm, not an isolated peccadillo.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Sturt moving immediately—That That this House calls on the Prime Minister to outline in the Parliament today all involvement that the New South Wales Labor Party has had in providing financial and ‘in kind’ support to the Member for Dobell since the story concerning his misuse of union funds first broke in the Fairfax Press on 8 April 2009, including, but not limited to the settlement of the cost of defamation proceedings, the legal costs involved in those proceedings, the preparation of his response to the Fair Work Australia inquiry and all other matters.
We paid because if he hadn't he'd be bankrupt …
The tragedy for progressive politics is that there are scores of Craig Thomsons across the labour movement. He is the cultural norm, not an isolated peccadillo.
I cannot imagine anything more gut-wrenching for the party faithful, the salt-of-the earth types who grew up with the legends of working class decency under Ben Chifley and John Curtin.
I walk into the reception in the Speaker's office with Speaker's staffers there … I've said hello to all of them, so I passed the time of day with all of them.'
The House divided. [15:31]
(The Deputy Speaker—Hon. Anna Burke)
That the House take note of all documents:
Australian River Co. Limited and its consolidated entities—Report for the period 1 December 2010 to 30 November 2011.
Interactive Gambling Act 2001 —Prohibition on interactive gambling advertisements—Report for 2011.
Law Enforcement—Joint Statutory Committee—Examination of the annual report of the Australian Crime Commission 2009-10—Government response.
That standing order 31 (automatic adjournment of the House) be suspended for the sitting on Thursday, 10 May 2012 and at that sitting, after the Leader of the Opposition completes his reply to the Budget speech, the House automatically stand adjourned until 10 a.m. on Monday 21 May 2012 unless the Speaker or, in the event of the Speaker being unavailable, the Deputy Speaker, fixes an alternative day or hour of meeting.
Report relating to private Members' business and the consideration of bills introduced 8 to 9 May 2012
1. The committee met in private session on 8 and 9 May 2012.
2. The committee determined that the following bills be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Migration for inquiry and report:
REASONS FOR REFERRAL/PRINCIPAL ISSUES FOR CONSIDERATION: The explanatory memorandum does not explain how many visas will be affected by this charge nor what visa sub-classes are affected. For example, will a child visa need to be evidenced, for example so that the child can go to school? Isn't this another barrier to participation? Nor is a reason given why this extremely high charge of $250 is necessary. According to the explanatory memorandum, it is expected that this charge will raise $90 million over three years.
3. The committee recommends that the following item of private Members' business listed on the Notice Paper be voted on:
Order of the Day—
Air Services (Aircraft Noise) Amendment Bill 2011 (Mrs Moylan).
The failure of the Budget to provide economic security for regional Australians.
NSW motorists will be shocked by a Federal Budget that slashes spending on the state’s roads by almost half to an alarmingly low $1.2 billion.
The deal on roads is always 50/50. That is what the Minister for Transport has made clear and that is what the NSW government should step up to.
… because New South Wales Labor were not delivering on their Pacific Highway promises, I took action against them.
… the $48 million has been retracted in the update MOU schedule.
… I have taken a decision to direct an additional $48 million to provide for further duplication works on the Pacific Highway …
… condemned the dearth of funding.
The Bruce Hwy accounts for one-in-six deaths on our national highways and to see that really it's just being treated with spot funding and black spots and a few dollars here and there is a very disappointing result …
Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment (Schoolkids Bonus Budget Measures) Bill 2012
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012
That this bill be now read a third time.
Paid Parental Leave and Other Legislation Amendment (Dad and Partner Pay and Other Measures) Bill 2012
(1) notes that the Government's paid parental leave scheme is too short, does not provide superannuation and does not maintain the income of the majority of Australian mothers; and
When a man holds a baby they get a sense of security that's quite different from a mother's. While Dad's role may be only a supporting one for things like breastfeeding, it's absolutely critical in a baby's development.
That Federation Chamber, private Members’ business, orders of the day No. 1 relating to World Plumbing Day, No. 3 relating to Wind turbine planning policies, and No. 6 relating to Careers in agriculture be returned to the House for further consideration.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following orders of the day, private Members' business, being called on, and considered immediately in the following order:
Motion relating to Careers in agriculture;
Motion relating to World Plumbing Day;
No. 22 – motion relating to the Delay of the consideration of the
Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011; and
Motion relating to Wind turbine planning policies.
That the motion be amended in the terms as circulated to honourable members in the chamber. The motion reads:
That this House:
(1) recognises the importance of clean energy generation technologies in Australia's current and future energy mix;
(2) acknowledges the exponential growth of wind power across Australia;
(3) appreciates that prudent planning policies are key to ensuring new infrastructure development does not adversely impact upon the social fabric of communities;
(4) notes that:
(a) the Environment Protection and Heritage Council has decided to cease further development of the National Wind Farm Development Guidelines;
(b) there are claims supporting concern about the health and associated social effects of wind farms which remain unresolved; and
(c) the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee's report, The Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms has called for adequately resourced studies into the possible impact wind farms have on health as a matter of priority;
(5) recognises that the National Health and Medical Research Council's rapid review into wind turbines and health is only a cursory compilation of literature on the topic and not an in-depth study and should not be principally relied upon to inform planning guidelines;
(6) acknowledges that the National Health and Medical Research Council is now conducting an in-depth literature review of the scientific evidence on the potential effects of wind turbines, including low-frequency noise and infrasound to:
(a) inform any update to the National Health and Medical Research Council's Public Statement Wind Turbines and Human Health; and
(b) identify critical gaps in the current evidence base;
(7) calls on the government to facilitate further expert investigation and research should critical gaps be evident;
(8) requests that State and Territory Governments fully investigate international best practice in planning policies regarding wind farms and publish comprehensive updated guidelines;
(9) calls on State, Territory and local government authorities to adopt cautious planning policies for wind farms and in the interim provide adequate buffer zones and not locate wind farms near to towns, residential zoned areas, farm buildings and workplaces; and
(10) calls on the approval processes of State and Territory and Local Governments to require wind farm developers to indemnify against potential health issues arising from low frequency noise and infrasound before development approval is granted.
That business intervening before order of the day No. 1, Government business, be postponed until the next sitting.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2012-2013
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. BC Scott) took the chair at 09:30.
The Anzac Day commemoration in Tumbarumba was once again very well attended, with an estimated 100 people attending the dawn service and then approximately 300 people attending the 10.30 am service, despite bleak weather.
The ceremony was marred by the absence of the usual catafalque party, whose presence provides comfort to the Tumbarumba community that the nation values the sacrifices of so many of the community in past wars, and also provides a contemporary reminder that many young people continue to risk their lives in defence of the nation.
The Anzac Day gathering was informed that the Federal Government has decided that providing a catafalque party to small communities such as Tumbarumba is too expensive to continue. As a consequence there was little ceremony to add gravitas to the day, and no serving defence force member to give the Anzac Day address.
Many people in the community expressed disappointment and disgust about the perceived 'misguided penny-pinching' to councillors and it was discussed at the Council meeting held on the 26th April.
I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing plight of seven Baha'i leaders and the continued attacks on the Baha'i Faith in Iran. Your dignity and patience is admirable in the face of such severe discrimination and intimidation for simply staying true to your faith.
My careers adviser said to me the other day, Quinn, the time has come to work! I found myself asking the same question I had been asking for many years now, what will I do?
Work experience is certainly nothing to take lightly, so I thought it over. After thinking for a while I decided that I would apply where I knew the least: Politics.
I've never really know exactly what went on in parliament, but my chance to find out was here! Immediately seizing the opportunity I handed in my forms at my local members office and hoped I would be accepted.
To my surprise I was accepted with a smile and offered a better opportunity: To go to parliament itself!
I had to take an extra week off school, but it was well worth it! Having been interested in debating and public speaking since I could talk, the experience was amazing!
I was able to see both behind and in front of the scenes as I glided from office to office. I was able to meet and greet some of the people who run this country, and some who work in their shadows.
The idea of being able to work and watch in this place while other people went about their business was amazing!
Everyday at 1:45 pm, I was given permission to make my way up to the senate or House of Representatives to see question time. The events sometimes became a little bit out of control, but most of the time they were composed.
I learned of many things while I was there, including the current bills, who everyone was, and the location of the coffee shop. Priorities may vary between people.
Of course, my learning didn't stop in parliament! After three days I came back to the local office and was able to meet many nice people who were happy to take me in. The office, I discovered, is where the nitty gritty stuff happens. All the brochures and posters and campaigns and schedules are made by the people behind the scenes. The work of a politician is not something that is done alone.
These people who I've had the pleasure to meet have helped me to learn exactly what I need to know in order to become involved in my community, and what it's like to be a politician. The work involved with parliament is beyond comprehension, it takes a lot of effort to organise an electorate and I appreciate it more now.
I'm amazed at how hospitable and helpful the staff at Miss Gash's office have been, and I thank them for their friendly support.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012
That order of the day No. 2, committee and delegation reports, be postponed until the next meeting.
… no evidence which would cause it to recommend any change in current public policy settings on this issue.
That further proceedings on order of the day No. 3, government business, be conducted in the House.
If these recommendations are adopted, they will have a significant impact on addressing medical workforce shortages in rural Australia. As part of that vision, we agree with the committee that more needs to be done to encourage Australian-trained professionals to work in rural communities and remain committed to that goal.
We certainly didn't set out to willingly denigrate Seymour, or to do it harm. In assessing content against the impartiality standards, it is necessary to consider, in context, all relevant factors, including the type, nature and subject matter of the content and the audience's likely expectations of it.
The information within the segment was presented with due impartiality, and the favouring of the perspectives of Mr Doyle and Professor Flannery—consistent with the format of the series—was not undue. We are therefore satisfied that the relevant editorial standards were met.
(1) Is the Government paying for, or contributing to, the construction cost of The Flannery Centre; if so, what sum. (2) How many square metres of floor space is The Flannery Centre. (3) Does the Commonwealth own the land upon which The Flannery Centre is being built; if so, (a) when was it acquired, (b) for what sum, and (c) what is its current value; if not, are any Government subsidies attached to the development, if so, in what form and of what value. (4) Once fully operational, how many staff will The Flannery Centre employ on a (a) full-time, and (b) part-time basis. (5) What are the estimated annual operating costs of The Flannery Centre, and will the private sector cover any of these costs. (6) Has he received any (a) written, or (b) verbal, requests for ongoing funding from representatives of The Flannery Centre. (7) Will the Government need to fund The Flannery Centre to keep it operational; if so, for what sum per financial year. (8) What sum will be charged per participant for the (a) two hour Living Sustainably training session, and (b) Climate Change workshop, and does this sum cover the full cost of the session/workshop, if not, what proportion will the Government contribute. (9) Will the Climate Change workshop cover rising sea levels, including the assertion that we are at the brink of a 25 metre sea-level rise; if not, can he indicate what sea level rise will be discussed in the workshop.
(1) Central West Group Apprentices Ltd (trading as Skillset) received a grant of $5 million through Round 2 of the Education Investment Fund (EIF) for the Flannery Centre – Skillsets for a Low Carbon Economy project.
(2) The Flannery Centre's floor space is 1852m2, which comprises training spaces, offices and student amenities.
(3) No, Skillset holds title to the land on which the Flannery Centre is located.
(4) This information was requested from Skillset.
Skillset's response: Skillset is a not for profit training organisation that will employ staff that work from the Flannery Centre. Initially the Centre will contain 25 full time staff, 3 part time staff and up to 20 Trainers and Assessors on a sessional basis.
(5) This information was requested from Skillset.
Skillset's response: The Centre is fully integrated into the Skillset business model. Sustainability programs are run on a fee for service basis paid for by the private sector and individuals. In some circumstances these companies and individuals are eligible for a contribution to their training fees from the NSW and Commonwealth government. Skillset offers apprenticeships, training, workforce development and sustainability programs and generates revenues of around $30 million annually.
(6) The Minister for Tertiary Education has received a letter from Ben Bardon, CEO, Skillset, requesting additional funding. The Minister is currently considering the request, but as noted below in the response to Question 7, there is no legal obligation on the Government to provide additional funding.
(7) The $5 million in funding from EIF was for capital costs and no Australian Government funding has ever been provided for recurrent or operational costs. The Australian Government has no legal obligation to provide additional funding under the terms and conditions of the EIF funding agreement. Skillset has confirmed that it does not receive operational funding from the Australian Government.
(8) This information was requested from Skillset.
Skillset's response: The Climate Change for Small Business course runs over six weeks and will cost around $450 per participant. This will be fully funded by the small business.
(9) This information was requested from Skillset.
Skillset's response: The workshop covers the diverse range of climate change impacts including sea level rise. We reference the International Panel on Climate Change aggregated research in this course.
In respect of the motion carried by the House on 'Coptic Christians in Egypt' (Votes and Proceedings, 13 October 2011, page 991), what action has the Australian Government taken, specifically, has it; (a) issued a public statement condemning the ongoing attacks against the Coptic Christian minority in Egypt, (b) made representations to the United Nations to end the persecution of Coptic Christians in Egypt, and (c) strongly urged the Egyptian Government to provide equal rights to all Egyptian citizens regardless of race or religion; if so, (i) on what date(s), (ii) what was said, and (iii) what response was received (if any); if not, why not.
(a) Yes
19 March 2012: Address to Parliament by Senator Carr
10 October 2011: Joint Press Statement by the Prime Minister, Ms Gillard and the former Minister for Foreign Affairs, Mr Rudd.
(b) Yes
(c) Yes
(i) 19 March 2012; 15 February 2012; 18 October 2011; 11 October 2011
In addition to these specific representations, the Australian Ambassador and other diplomatic staff at the Australian Embassy in Cairo regularly discuss the situation of Copts, express concerns about violence and discrimination, and urge equal treatment in meetings with Egyptian political and religious figures.
Expressions of support to the Coptic Community have been made at the highest levels, including through a statement of condolence by Prime Minister Gillard on 18 March after the death of Pope Shenouda and the attendance of the Australian Ambassador at the Pope's funeral on 20 March.
(ii) Addressing Parliament on 19 March, I (Senator Carr) noted the tragic loss of life caused by ongoing sectarian violence in Egypt and called on the Egyptian government to ensure equal treatment and protection under the law for all Egyptians. I (Senator Carr) said it was critical that religious freedoms were protected and that Egypt's transition was just and inclusive.
In other representations the Australian Government has:
(iii) Egyptian Government representatives expressed regret at the incident and loss of life on 9 October 2011. Egyptian Government representatives expressed a commitment to religious co-existence and tolerance in Egypt.
In respect of departmental credit card use in (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, and (c) 2010-11, (i) how many times has the use of a credit card breached departmental guidelines, (ii) what was the dollar value of each breach, and what sum was repaid in each instance, and (iii) were any employees disciplined for such breaches.
(i) In 2010-11 there were no instances of credit card usage that breached departmental guidelines.
Between 2008-09 and 2009-10 two staff members breached departmental guidelines in relation to the use of credit cards.
In the first case an investigation in 2009 uncovered eleven instances of a breach of departmental guidelines.
In the second case an investigation in 2009 uncovered two instances of a breach of departmental guidelines.
(ii) In the first case the total value of the eleven breaches was $2,494 which was fully repaid.
In the second case the total value of the two breaches was $295 which was fully repaid.
(iii) In the first case the employee was suspended whilst a formal investigation was undertaken.
In the second case a formal investigation was undertaken.
Both investigations determined that breaches of the APS Code of Conduct had occurred and sanctions were recommended. Both employees were terminated at their request before sanctions could be imposed.