The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Commission Transfer) Bill 2013
That this bill be now read a third time.
Sadly we are already seeing what depths this Government will stoop too and the public will no longer have a right to know or question. But Labor can only look to itself and its loss in this campaign and take full credit for our failure to sell achievements or engage with the voters. With this in mind I am even more grateful for your kind words as opposed to criticism during this time of uncertainty and soul searching.
Given our list of achievements were many it is more disappointing that the benefits to the community maybe lost…
That Mr Alexander be discharged from the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests and that in his place Mr Vasta be appointed a member of the committee.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Submarine Cable Protection) Bill 2013
Labor's argument is, if fibre is the end game, if we are going to need it, then just like the submarine fibre cables which are the focus of this legislation, we should plan for the future and build it now. Japan, South Korea and Singapore are all investing in fibre to the premises.
You do think, should I have been more conservative? But the timescales are already set for you, the time frames are already put out there for you so there's not much you can do.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the resolution of appointment of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters be amended to provide for participating membership, as follows:
After paragraph (3), insert:
(3A) for the purposes of the inquiry into the 2013 election only, participating members may be appointed to the committee on the nomination in the House of Representatives, of the Government or Opposition Whips or any minority group or independent Member, and, in the Senate, of the Leader of the Government or Opposition, or any minority group or independent Senator, and such participating member:
(a) shall be taken to be a member of the committee for the purposes of forming a quorum if a majority of members of the committee are not present; and
(b) may participate in hearings of evidence and deliberations of the committee and have all rights of a committee member except that a participating member may not vote on any question before the committee.
That the amendment be considered immediately.
That the amendment to the resolution of appointment of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters be agreed to.
Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
That this bill be now read a third time.
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013
That this bill be now read a third time.
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Health Amendment (Simplified Price Disclosure) Bill 2013
That all the words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading the House notes that:
(1) the bill effects a policy announced by Labor in government and the revenue raised should be committed to remain within the health portfolio; and
(2) as new medicines become available the cost to government will only continue to increase and these savings will allow government to meet some of these increased costs without making cuts to other areas of the important portfolio of health.”
That this bill be now read a third time.
Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
The introduction of the carbon tax drove up operating expenses by $106 million.
The company was also impacted by the carbon tax during the 2013 financial year, with a $47.9 million cost of which we were unable to recover …
… Labor supports terminating the carbon tax.
I think we should abstain in the Senate, allow the Abbott government to implement its policies …
The strong public position of the ALP prior to the election and in the election was completely rebuffed by the electorate.
However, there is little we can do when the Federal Government—
appears to be hell-bent on destroying regional aviation and along with it, pretty much the rest of the economy.
OECD research shows that schools run by the local community are more efficient, have improved financial management, reduced bureaucracy and are more innovative.
The undermining of public confidence caused by the Government promising the Australian people one thing before the election and doing the complete opposite afterwards.
I will support Julia Gillard. Let me just say … I have supported the Prime Minister, I continue to support the Prime Minister, I campaigned for this Prime Minister …
Yes, I believe so. And before anyone interprets what I mean by the verb 'believe'—
Yes, I support her, okay? … I appreciate your interest in the matter … and I can only be as clear as I've been. I support our Prime Minister and I support our Prime Minister because of the job she has done and is doing.
I categorically deny that there is canvassing going on that I'm involved—
in about the leadership. … I'm happy to repeat it because it’s an important issue. I continue to support our Prime Minister—
I will continue to support Julia Gillard to be elected as the next Prime Minister of Australia, and will continue to campaign for Julia Gillard and Labor to form the next government of Australia.
… what I'm going to do in terms of the leadership debate, is be consistent. And consistently, I say that I support the Prime Minister, and I support our Prime Minister because of what she's got done in this period of the minority government.
I will continue to support Julia Gillard to be elected as the next Prime Minister of Australia, and will continue to campaign for Julia Gillard and Labor to form the next government of Australia.
… this is not an easy decision for me personally … I believe that Kevin Rudd being elected leader tonight provides the best platform for Labor to be competitive at the next election.
… what we rejected is this hysterical allegation that somehow we are moving towards a carbon tax …
Our budget orthodoxy is identical to the Government's on this … there is no slither of light between us.
Roy Morgan Research's Business Confidence survey in September showed that Australian business confidence rose to the highest level since January 2011 following the federal election. The rise of 14.7 points to a score of 134.3 is the biggest monthly increase in Business Confidence recorded since the survey began in December 2010.
We will be a no-surprises, no-excuses government, because you are sick of nasty surprises and lame excuses from people that you have trusted with your future.
… you can vote Liberal or Labor and you'll get exactly the same amount of funding for your school except you'll get $120 million more from [us] …
Parents and schools need certainty in funding arrangements. They need to know that their school's funding arrangements won't be prone to sudden change.
… … …
I have seen first hand just how angry parents and communities get without certainty.
No. I've studied the Gonski model closely …
I never said to anybody that I wouldn't meet with the Gonski committee.
I've never said that we'd be reverting to the Howard model so I don't know where you've got that … from.
I believe that the school funding model that was implemented by the Howard government … is a good starting point for a school funding model.
Australian Capital Territory Water Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Environment Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
… the parts of the highway that are divided now—Tweed Heads to Byron Bay, and the Ballina bypass for my end—have seen less conflict, particularly frontal conflict where opposing directions of traffic end up crashing.
Few are willing to brave the disapproval of their fellows, the censure of their colleagues, the wrath of their society. Moral courage is a rarer commodity than bravery in battle or great intelligence. Yet it is the one essential, vital quality for those who seek to change a world that yields most painfully to change. And I believe that in this generation those with the courage to enter the moral conflict will find themselves with companions in every corner of the globe.
Michael John Bernard Maher, politician and solicitor, was greatly admired across the political spectrum as a diligent, local MP who saw the vocation of politics in pastoral terms, as serving the people. Thus the manifold representation of his constituents was no mere chore to be endured and given minimum attention so as to play in the great game of politics. For Maher, high politics was ancillary to the essential, noble tasks of representing the public. He was a model, modest member—but never to be under-estimated because of that.
Maher was born on July 11, 1936 in Haberfield to a staunch Irish Catholic, Labor voting family, the son of Denis (Clem) Maher and Marie O’Connor. He joined the ALP at 15. After leaving school he joined the public service and studied part time. This was in the 1960s when Sydney University ensured staff and resources were readily available to working students undertaking a first degree. He graduated in Law in 1965, along the way defeating Bronwyn Setright (now Bishop) in student elections. … He later completed an Arts degree and a Masters in History.
Michael was always interested in politics, with several relatives who were politicians, including cousin Ray Maher (1911-1966) who unsuccessfully stood for Drummoyne in the 1930s, and who was an MP for several other seats from 1959-1965, and uncle Roy Jackson (1895-1964) MP for Drummoyne from 1953-56.
After a close contest against aspiring Liberal John Howard in 1968, Reg Coady, the Labor State member for Drummoyne entertained retirement. But he wanted Maher to succeed him. He held on at the 1971 election and then, before the 1973 contest, aged 37, Maher stood and, despite a statewide swing against Labor, won by 378 votes; Maher subsequently achieved an astonishing two-thirds of the primary vote in several subsequent State elections, known as the Wranslides.
At his side was the Irish-born and educated Dr Margaret Bermingham, a gentle, sharply intelligent, good-humoured, common sense soul, lecturer in BioScience at the University of Sydney, whom he married in 1971. They were to have five children.
As an MP, bureaucrats and politicians were astonished at Maher’s relentless pursuit of cases on behalf of his constituents. Seeking consumer protection laws for people ripped off by dodgy insurance agents, supporting migrants settling in Australia, pursuing housing for impoverished pensioners, pouring his soul into winning small victories for people set upon by the system was an immensely time-consuming effort. Most days, even when Parliament wasn’t sitting, Maher would pop into his Macquarie Street offices to get correspondence typed up by the Parliamentary pool. Transport Minister Peter Cox called him the Minister for Bus Stops as he was always pushing route changes and extra stops on the public transport that he himself assiduously utilised. He enjoyed the company of the many Italian, Maltese, Greek and other communities in his electorate.
When the former Prime Minister Billy McMahon retired from public life in 1982, a by-election loomed for his federal seat and Maher was persuaded to give up his now decidedly safe seat for the federal electorate of Lowe. Maher achieved a big 9% swing to capture this previously safe Liberal seat.
After winning again in the 1983 and 1984 elections, a torrid campaign in 1987 saw Maher narrowly defeated. Paul Keating lamented that a man of such talent had not been a Minister. But Maher was never to return to public life. Instead, as a solicitor, he served his clients with characteristic relentless dedication to solve their problems.
In political life, Maher saw his greatest achievements in micro terms. Politics was local and personal. But he also played an immense role in co-drafting the Heritage Act in NSW, and ensuring that Labor modernised; his preference vote secured the election of Neville Wran as NSW Labor Leader in 1973. … Maher had a streak of independence and voted with his conscience on many issues in internal and public debates. He got seriously involved in policy development; aboriginal affairs and civil liberties were passions. He had a Pope Francis-like insight into what was important between State and Church.
For a long time, Maher was struck by Parkinson’s Disease which over a decade left him terribly debilitated; his wife Margaret was constantly devoted; she was his advocate and carer. Their love is an example to us all.
He passed away on September 29, 2013 in the care of St Mary’s Villa, Concord. He was buried with his first communion rosary beads, his Medal of the Order of Australia, his Labor Party life membership certificate and his trademark hat, so often tipped on door knocks throughout the electorates he served. In Gaelic, the congregation asked … may his noble soul rest in God’s right hand. He is survived by Margaret, and children Mary, Iona, Fildema, Anthony and Brigid, their spouses and six grandchildren.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 9:30.
We have gifted our share of the world's biggest fishery to other countries, because it's impossible to be a major player in that industry from our domestic catch unless that resource is available to us.
Last year PNG caught a million tonnes of tuna in their zone, most of it skipjack. Australia's catch of skipjack tuna in that time was zero—not a single tonne.
You couldn't possibly eliminate them even if you wanted to.
Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013
Refugees have enriched out society by bringing with them such wonderful qualities like determination, compassion and empathy for those in similar situations, dignity, self-respect, courage, peace, faith and a strong pride in the country they so desperately want to call home.
We should consider ourselves lucky to be able to assist these people if they are able to contribute these admirable qualities. At our school we use the a positive behaviour system called Stop, Think and Do.' Why don't you the leaders of our country-people that we have elected to represent us, follow our example?
You must stop and put yourselves in the position of theses refuges, show some empathy and compassion. Think about what it would be like to be told you are not welcome. Once you have considered all this, then hopefully you will do the right thing and humane thing and give people the asylum they seek.
Our school community believes that refugees should be allowed to make Australia their home. We do not feel turning them away is the right thing to do. If we had turned refugees away in the past, some of our families would not have had the privilege of calling Australia home.
Roxburgh Park might not be the culturally diverse place that it is now, enriched by our contribution to it. We believe we should be opening our doors and welcoming refugees into our country. Our school prayer calls us to 'open our eyes, hearts and hands' to people who are in need. Aren't the thousands of refugees who seek Australia's help on a daily basis truly in need?
We hope you see the difficulties people face when they leave their country of birth and how grateful they are for a new start in Australia. We hope you tell others about the stories and let the refugees into our country.
I hate to wait for things to happen. I like to cause things to happen.
You who have dreams, if you act they will come true.
'Swam to his death in race'
His love of participating in competitive swimming in spite of his advanced years caused George Wheaton, about 55, of the Lenore Street, Five Dock, to suddenly fall dead in view of many bathers last night after he had raced over 220 yards at Drummoyne Baths.
The victim was unplaced in the last race.
He contested a heat of the championship arranged by Drummoyne Amateur Swimming Club. After successfully negotiating the distance Wheaton left the water and conversed with some friends while the next heat was about to be run.
Without warning he fell and struck his head on the concrete. Friends found that life was extinct when they picked him up.
Wheaton had been told by his associates that he was getting rather old to compete in races, but he was too fond of his hobby to give it up.
Central Ambulance took the body to Balmain Hospital, where formal pronouncement of death was made.
Mr George Wheaton, a prominent swimming official, collapsed and died shortly after a 220-yard race. Mr Wheaton, who was 53 years of age, was for several years delegate to the New South Wales Amateur Swimming Association, honorary secretary of the Western Districts Swimming, and treasurer of Drummoyne club.
The former Labor Government's refusal to revive alpine grazing has damaged the alps. Not only has it left the area bushfire prone, it has risked wiping out a 200-year-old tradition.
Since alpine grazing came to an end, fuel loads have reached dangerous levels and valleys have been choked with weeds.
Let's hope there is still a future for both the heritage of our cattlemen and the sustainable management of the land.
The Dandenong school celebrated its 40th anniversary with a dinner dance and fun fair on 1 and 2 November.
Junior and senior campus principal Dianne Wright said the school for pupils with mild intellectual disabilities was education department bureaucrat Les Emerson's vision.
"Every kid deserves an opportunity," she said.
Ms Wright said the concept was to support kids languishing at the bottom of their class.
"It was an opportunity for those kids to shine," she said.
"Our school is the difference between being a recluse from society and actually giving back to society.
"Our aim is for our students to be gainfully employed."
The school started with 144 pupils and now has more than 410.
"I've been there since 1985," Ms Wright said.
"I was only going to stay for a few years. I chose it because my mum lived nearby at the time."
She planned to stay until her toddler son started primary school.
"Now Bradley's 31 and I'm still here," she said.
"I really believe that what we do here makes a difference to the lives of the kids we have."
Ms Wright said the school had a fantastic weekend of celebrations.