The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 12:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013
Customs Amendment (Anti-Dumping Commission Transfer) Bill 2013
Australian Civilian Corps Amendment Bill 2013
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Cash Bidding) Bill 2013
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment Bill 2013
Import Processing Charges Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013
Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Australian Capital Territory Water Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2013
(1) informing the House that Senator Ludwig has been discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and Senator Bishop has been appointed a member of the committee; and
(2) informing the House that Senators Bishop, Eggleston, Fawcett, Faulkner and Ludwig have been appointed members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Above the Line Voting) Bill 2013
(1) informing the House of the following resolution agreed to by the Senate:
That—
(a) the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Above the Line Voting) Bill 2013 be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for inquiry and report; and
(b) in conducting an inquiry, the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters have the power to consider and use any evidence submitted to the Senate Finance and Public Administration Committee in relation to its inquiry into the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Above the Line Voting) Bill 2013.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Consumer Protection) Bill 2013
The Parliament intends that bodies or associations that the ACMA—
is satisfied represent sections of the telemarketing industry should develop codes … that are to apply to participants in the respective sections of the industry …
.. act in a manner that, in the opinion of the ACMA, enables public interest considerations to be addressed in a way that does not impose undue financial and administrative burdens on participants in sections of the telecommunications industry …
(a) the number of customers who would be likely to benefit from the code or standard—
(b) the extent to which those customers are residential or small business customers; and
(c) the legitimate business interests of participants in sections of the … industry; and
(d) the public interest, including the public interest in the efficient, equitable and ecologically sustainable supply of:
(i) carriage services; and
(ii) goods for use in connection with carriage services; and
(iii) services for use in connection with carriage services …
… concentrate resources on a limited number of comprehensive codes rather than numerous fragmented codes.
The legislation is vague on the code development process. There are no provisions that require independent consumer input to code development or prevent ACMA from registering a code which does not have consumer input.
As … detailed ... in 2009-10, the TIO registered 215,000 cases. This means that in a country with less than a third of the amount of people—
had almost 25 times more complaints than the UK.
… acquiring new customers can cost 5 to 7 times more than satisfying and retaining—
The notion that a 16 year old can rack up a $3,000 bill in the space of a week, or that travellers can return home with over $22,000 in international roaming charges is unacceptable. It's not an answer to say people have choices if the choices aren't great.
It's no wonder Australians are unhappy with our industry. Almost one million complaints to the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman about bills and customer service can't be wrong.
Optus is tackling these issues head on, by cutting our reliance on data breakage fees and unfair roaming charges.
To me, the sweet spot in public policy is when government identifies the objectives and sets ground rules and incentives to achieve those objectives—and then gets out of the way to let individuals and businesses do the work.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2013
Most of our big export industries do their business out of sight of city dwellers. Mines are dug and ore extracted without stirring the dust on suburban streets. There is one such industry, though, whose major commodity is visible in our capitals. That commodity is human beings. They are the confused young people trying to serve us in low-rent fast food outlets. They are the lonely kids on city streets or sharing rooms—and even beds—in crowded houses in the suburbs. They are an underclass in the labour market, with working conditions that undermine those for all lower paid workers.
This impressive building is about providing a space where applied and fundamental researchers can be innovative and ultimately produce science for the benefit of Australia, particularly for our agricultural sector.
Its location in regional Australia in the heart of the Murray Darling Basin will help the scientists engage with rural industries, agencies and students.
That the resumption of the debate on the Prime Minister's motion of condolence relating to the death of the Hon. Arthur Thomas Gietzelt be referred to the Federation Chamber.
That further statements on indulgence on Ariel Sharon be permitted in the Federation Chamber.
I think any government which makes it harder to manufacture cars is making it harder for us to continue to be a first world economy because without cars … we are not really a sophisticated economy anymore.
… it is the Government’s strong wish that Toyota continue to manufacture in this country. We will be talking to them about the best ways of ensuring that that happens.
In a signal to the union movement that there could be a limit to his support, the Opposition Leader said he would call on the union leadership to ban the wearing of any bikie colours or badges by union members … on worksites.
It's not the truth. That's right, it's lying.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion forthwith:
That the House censures the Prime Minister for:
(1) failing to stand up and fight for Australian jobs at:
(a) Toyota;
(b) Electrolux;
(c) Simplot;
(d) Holden;
(e) Qantas;
(f) Ford;
(g) the Gove alumina refinery;
(h) SPC Ardmona; and
(i) countless other small businesses around Australia;
(2) failing to lead a Government united in supporting and protecting Australian manufacturing jobs;
(3) failing to support the workers, small businesses and communities affected by job losses;
(4) misleading the Australian people by blaming employees and their conditions for job losses; and
(5) having no plan for Australian jobs.
The House divided. [15:39]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
That statements on indulgence on the death of Peter Hartford Drummond to be made in the Federation Chamber.
That Ms M. L. Landry be appointed as a participating member of the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia.
The Government’s failure to act to protect Australian jobs including at Toyota, Holden, SPC Ardmona and Rio Tinto at Gove.
Our nation is facing an historic shift the like of which we have not seen in two generations. That does not mean that change will be easy or swift. These are incredibly challenging times.
Mr Sardelis said he was angry at policymakers. "In the end, they didn't want an industry and they've got what they wanted."
Our nation is facing an historic shift, the like of which we have not seen in two generations.
That does not mean that change will be easy or swift. These are incredibly challenging times.
Many manufacturers have found the higher exchange rate extremely difficult to handle.
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment Bill 2013
International education is a pillar of the people-to-people relationships that drive economic, cultural and social outcomes for Australia in the Asian Century …
In the Australian Curriculum: Mathematics, the priority of sustainability provides rich, engaging and authentic contexts for developing students’ abilities in number and algebra, measurement and geometry, and statistics and probability.
The Australian Curriculum: Mathematics provides opportunities for students to develop the proficiencies of problem solving and reasoning essential for the exploration of sustainability issues and their solutions.
The four years of surpluses I announce tonight are a powerful endorsement of the strength of our economy, resilience of our people, and success of our policies. This Budget delivers a surplus this coming year, on time, as promised, and surpluses each year after that, strengthening over time.
The Sustainability priority is futures-oriented, focusing on protecting environments and creating a more ecologically and socially just world through informed action.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2013 Measures No. 1) Bill 2013
Debate resumed on the motion:
That this bill be now read a second time.
(1) Page 40 (after line 12), after Schedule 15, insert:
Schedule 15A—Public notification and recovery
Therapeutic Goods Act 1989
1 After paragraph 30EA(2)(b)
Insert:
(ba) to inform the public or a specified class of persons, in the specified manner and within such reasonable period as is specified, of specified information, or of information of a specified kind, relating to either or both of the following:
(i) therapeutic goods;
(ii) the circumstances referred to in paragraph (1)(a) in relation to therapeutic goods;
2 At the end of subsection 30EA(2)
Add:
; (d) to notify the Secretary, in the specified manner and within such reasonable period as is specified, of specified information, or of information of a specified kind, relating to the persons to whom therapeutic goods have been supplied.
3 After paragraph 32HA(2)(b)
Insert:
(ba) to inform the public or a specified class of persons, in the specified manner and within such reasonable period as is specified, of specified information, or of information of a specified kind, relating to either or both of the following:
(i) the biological;
(ii) the circumstances referred to in paragraph (1)(a);
4 At the end of subsection 32HA(2)
Add:
; (d) to notify the Secretary, in the specified manner and within such reasonable period as is specified, of specified information, or of information of a specified kind, relating to the persons to whom the biological has been supplied.
5 Subsection 41KA(2)
Omit "one or both", substitute "one or more".
6 At the end of subsection 41KA(2)
Add:
; (c) to inform the public or a specified class of persons, in the specified manner and within such reasonable period as is specified, of specified information, or of information of a specified kind, relating to either or both of the following:
(i) medical devices of that kind;
(ii) the circumstances referred to in paragraph (1)(a);
(d) to publish, in the specified manner and within such reasonable period as is specified, specified information, or information of a specified kind, relating to the manufacture or distribution of medical devices of that kind;
(e) to notify the Secretary, in the specified manner and within such reasonable period as is specified, of specified information, or of information of a specified kind, relating to the persons to whom medical devices of that kind have been supplied.
7 Application of amendments
Therapeutic goods
(1) The amendments of section 30EA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 made by this Schedule apply in relation to requirements imposed on or after the commencement of this item, whether the therapeutic goods to which the requirement relates are registered or listed before or after that commencement.
Biologicals
(2) The amendments of section 32HA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 made by this Schedule apply in relation to requirements imposed on or after the commencement of this item, whether the biological to which the requirement relates is included in the Register before or after that commencement.
Medical devices
(3) The amendments of section 41KA of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 made by this Schedule apply in relation to requirements imposed on or after the commencement of this item, whether the kind of medical device to which the requirement relates is included in the Register before or after that commencement.
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2013
The bill will clarify the approval and authorisation arrangements for travel for treatment for eligible persons and attendants under the Veterans' Entitlements Act and the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act.
In 2012-13 the department processed over 165,000 claims for reimbursement for travel expenses for treatment purposes.
Travel expenses can include costs for transport, meals and accommodation for eligible persons and where necessary an attendant to accompany the eligible person.
Amendments to the Veterans' Entitlements Act and the Australian Participants in British Nuclear Tests (Treatment) Act will make it clear that the Repatriation Commission may approve or authorise travel for treatment, before or after the travel has been undertaken.
Further amendments in the bill will enable special assistance under the Veterans' Entitlements Act and the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act to be delivered in a more timely manner.
This will be achieved by enabling special assistance to be provided by legislative instrument instead of by regulation.
The result will be a more streamlined and therefore quicker process for providing special assistance to veterans, members, former members and their dependants.
Amendments in the bill will update the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act as a consequence of the enactment of the Legislative Instruments Act and will replace obsolete references to pharmaceutical allowance and telephone allowance in the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act.
… … …
Minor amendments will also ensure that the Veterans' Entitlements Act debt recovery provisions will be applicable to all relevant provisions of the act, the regulations and any legislative instruments made under the act.
Other amendments in the bill will rationalise and align the maintenance income provisions of the Veterans' Entitlements Act with the Social Security Act.
The remaining amendments in the bill will make minor technical changes to Veterans' Affairs and related legislation.
Although relatively minor, the amendments in the bill will clarify, update and improve the accuracy of Veterans' Affairs legislation.
With Australia's decade-long war in Afghanistan coming to an end, all but a handful of the troops are returning home. For most who made it back in time for Christmas it will mean a welcome return to the routines of family life and work. For others, it will mark the start of a new, silent war that they cannot return from, played out in the homes they find themselves unable to leave, medically discharged from the jobs they love in their early 30s, and wracked by night terrors, panic attacks and isolation
There is a large wave of sadness coming our way, and the system - DVA and Defence - needs to be ready for it. I wonder whether we are?
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2013 Measures No. 1) Bill 2013
The House divided. [20:17]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Craig Kelly)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2013
We have got to have this thing over here whatever it costs, and with a bloody Union Jack flying on top of it.
Wartime secrecy produced a distortion of constitutional government in countries such as Britain where atomic matters were never discussed within the small War Cabinet, and Mr Attlee, as Deputy Prime Minister, the Service Ministers and the Chiefs of Staff knew almost nothing about it.
… Communists and … fellow travellers who wanted our tests to stop while Russia continued with hers.
When the bomb was fired, you [would] get the sight of every shadow in front of you from the flash, and you [would] turn around and [you'd be] watching the mushroom cloud forming, just like a big, boiling oil-fire …
It's that technicolour effect inside the bomb that makes it so magnificent.
But you're not thinking, because it's so far away …
And there's no noise.
And then suddenly you can see this wall coming towards you.
And as it comes towards you … it picks up more and more dust.
And then … the shock hits you.
He describes it like a black mist that rolled through, along the ground, through the tops of the trees, and … silently it moved.
It totally confused the animals.
Animals were so used to dust storms, and the noise that [a] dust storm brings … but this was a black mist that came silently across the land.
My name is Yami Lester / I hear I talk I touch but I am blind / my story comes from darkness / listen to my story now unwind.
We didn't ask our Government to poison us with radiation many years ago.
We didn't ask to roll around in the nuclear fallout dust from the bomb blast that settled onto the ground, we were ordered to do so. Nor did we ask to be lined up with our backs to the nuclear bomb as it went off and then again to turn around and face it. This was done in an unsafe area with no protection at all. We did as we were ordered to. It was as though the British treated us like toast, they wanted both sides done to find out which side got the most radiation poisoning from the bomb blast or the fallout and after-effects. The powers that be needed to know what would happen to us by doing so. We were the guinea pigs used so to keep safe their own personnel.
Well, we died, that is what happened to us, or we got very sick, then and for many years later with many different cancers or attacks to our bones of our bodies.
While at all times the British were fully aware as they equipped their own men with all protection that they could issue at the time, the Australians had none.
We didn't ask to fly our planes through the clouds of nuclear radiation caused by the explosion of the atom bomb. We did our ordered duties to fly through the cloud to get samples for testing.
We didn't ask to unload trucks and to carry in our bare hands with no protective clothing or masks highly contaminated with radiation material directly from the nuclear bomb sites into the British scientists' building at the RAAF base Edinburgh in South Australia, we were ordered to.
One of the Air Force servicemen carrying that contaminated material in his bare hands now has bones growing out of each disc in his back, top and bottom, front and back, which are joining up to each other and fusing all his spine together. This is not normal. No doctor can help him nor wants to. He is a too hard basket case to the medical profession.
We didn't ask to get onto the back of the truck and sit on the contaminated material but were ordered to by the officer in charge. We choked on the desert dirt and dust which was full of contaminated particles as the truck raced along the runway over to where the British scientists were. At every bump we would go up in the air with the contaminated materials but when we came down we were covered again in the dirt and dust that came off the contaminated materials. Our clothes, only a pair of overalls, were completely covered in the contaminated desert dirt and dust which had come directly from the nuclear bomb sites.
Nor were we allowed to change our clothes immediately on returning to our normal duties or have a shower from the period from early in the morning until 6.30 pm that night. We were once again ordered that we could not shower or change but to continue on with our daily work.
As Navy servicemen, we were ordered up on deck to witness the nuclear explosion at Monte Bello Islands. We were ordered to turn our backs to the blast, take off our glasses, close our eyes and cover them with our hands. This turned out to be useless as when the blast from the nuclear bomb happened we could see straight through our eyelids, through our hands past the bones, exactly the same as looking at an X-ray of our hands.
Food security exists when populations have access on an ongoing basis to sufficient, safe and nutritious food to meet their dietary needs and food preferences for an active and healthy life.
With global population expected to reach more than nine billion by 2050, FAO estimates that agricultural production will need to grow by 70 percent if it is to keep the world's population fed and healthy. Only about 10 percent of this growth will come from availability of new lands which means that 90 per cent will need to come from intensification of current production. Ensuring that this intensification is sustainable will require enormous investments for primary agriculture and storage and processing infrastructure—just to stay abreast of the population growth.
And I want to give people this absolute assurance: no cuts to education, no cuts to health, no changes to pensions, and no changes to the GST.
We don't want to condemn people to what is virtually a dead-end these days in terms of the DSP.
This—
is one of the fast-growing areas of government expenditure. The Commission of Audit is looking at this whole area for us ... and is expected to make some recommendations on how that can best be achieved by the end of January.
(1) What is the contractual status of the National Broadband Network construction in (a) Ashfield, (b) Bassendean, (c) Beechboro, (d) Eden Hill, (e) Kiara, (f) Lockridge, and (g) Morley, and does this status reflect the construction rollout plan published by NBN Co Limited in April 2013?
(2) What information does NBN Co Limited or any Government agency under the Minister's direction have regarding the condition of the copper wire network in (a) Ashfield, (b) Bassendean, (c) Bayswater, (d) Bedford, (e) Beechboro, (f) Dianella, (g) East Perth, (h) Eden Hill, (i) Embleton, (j) Highgate, (k) Inglewood, (l) (Kiara, (m) Lockridge, (n) Maylands, (o) Morley, (p) Mt Lawley, (q) Noranda, (r) North Perth, (s) Northbridge, (t) Perth, and (u) West Perth?
(1) The areas listed in (a) to (g) have not been the subject of an NBN Co build contract. While these areas were listed in NBN Co's one year rollout plan published in April 2013, under previous definitions this simply indicated that construction of the network was scheduled to commence within 12 months. In areas that had not entered the 'build commenced' phase, including those listed above, NBN Co had not issued build instructions to delivery partners.
NBN Co's rollout maps have been updated to show only areas where build instructions have been issued to delivery partners or where services are already available.
(2) NBN Co and the Department of Communications do not have specific information regarding the condition of Telstra's copper infrastructure in these areas. However, at the Senate Estimates hearings in October 2013, NBN Co indicated its intentions to test network performance at the node or cabinet level in planning the future rollout of the National Broadband Network.
In respect of Australia's use of its position on the United Nations Security Council, how is Australia
(a) advocating for human rights protections in Afghanistan,
(b) seeking to protect the rights of Afghan women and helping to secure their full participation politically as well as in peace talks,
(c) promoting human rights and the rule of law among Afghan authorities,
(d) championing the Women Peace and Security Agenda outlined in Resolution 1325, and
(e) promoting the protection of human rights.
As UN Security Council (UNSC) coordinator ('pen-holder') for Afghanistan, Australia's first priority is to ensure that the Council remains fully committed to the international efforts to help protect and advance the basic rights of the Afghan people.
Australia advocates for human rights protections by ensuring provisions in Council resolutions such as the International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) renewal authorisation and United Nations Assistance Mission to Afghanistan (UNAMA) mandate support not only security and political transition, but human rights and peace and reconciliation efforts.
Australia coordinated the extension of the UNSC authorisation for the ISAF mission in Afghanistan through to the end of 2014. Australia initiated new text in this resolution (UNSC Resolution 2120) which ensured the Security Council delivered an important message promoting the rights of women and girls in Afghanistan, including in relation to: the protection of the rights of women and girls; the need to protect civilians from sexual violence and all other forms of gender-based violence (including full implementation of the Elimination of Violence Against Women law); condemning the increased targeted killing of women and girls; the importance of recruiting, training and retention of women in the Afghan National Security Forces; the vital role that women play in the peace process; and the importance of Afghanistan implementing UNSC Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Similarly, we are working to ensure strong language on the Women, Peace and Security agenda in the UNAMA mandate renewal.
We also draft and author Council statements that condemn attacks against civilians and violations against human rights, and urge continued protection of all persons including women, children, media workers and detainees.
Moreover, we use report briefing and open debates to make public national Statements to the Council, including key messages on continuing to encourage Afghanistan to finalise and implement a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security and hold elections that maximise voter participation, especially the participation of women.
More broadly, as outlined above, as UNSC pen-holder on Afghanistan, Australia uses its role to promote human rights and the rule of law amongst Afghan authorities through negotiating mandates, coordinating press statements and resolutions and through our national statements to the UNSC during UNAMA quarterly debates.
During our term on the UNSC, the women, peace and security agenda (WPS) will continue to be a priority for Australia. Australia is working with our fellow members and the UN system to encourage all relevant peacekeeping and peacebuilding operations to address the impact of the situation on women and girls and prevent impunity for sexual violence.
Consistent with Australia's National Action Plan on WPS, we are using our two-year term to pursue a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to these issues across the Council's entire agenda, including advocating for: peacekeeping mandates to include gender perspectives; the appointment of gender advisers and women protection advisers in Council mandated missions; and for WPS to be more effectively integrated into conflict prevention and peacebuilding. We are for example highlighting the impact of conflict situations on women and girls, as well as advocating responses which seek to empower women, and also respond to sexual violence in conflict. We are also advocating for regular briefings to the Security Council to keep the Council informed of gender concerns, including by UN Women, the Secretary-General's Special Representative on Sexual Violence in Conflict, the Under Secretary-General for Peacekeeping, and other relevant UN officials and for peacekeeping reports to the Security Council to address gender issues. We are continuing to support the work of the Special Representative and advocating for Council visits to countries on the Council's agenda to consult civil society, including women's groups.
In April 2013, we participated in the Open Debate on Sexual Violence in Conflict. Our statement highlighted the need to end impunity, make best use of existing sanctions mechanisms, ensure women's participation in conflict resolution and peace building and to deploy systematically gender expertise to Council mandated missions.
In May 2013, Australia and Guatemala co-hosted a UNSC "Arria-formula" meeting on the implementation of the UNSC's women, peace and security agenda and to derive lessons from the experience of those in the field. Australia's then Minister for Defence, the Hon Stephen Smith MP, delivered opening remarks and Australia's then Ambassador for Women and Girls, Penny Williams, facilitated discussion. The meeting heard from senior UN officials and Gender and Women Protection Advisers serving in UN peacekeeping missions - MONUSCO in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UNMISS in South Sudan, and MINUSTAH in Haiti. Non-Council UN members, UN agencies and representatives from NGOs also participated.
In June 2013, under the UK's Presidency, we co-sponsored UNSC resolution 2106, focused on ending impunity for sexual violence in conflict, and participated in the related open debate. We have also championed the UK's Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and signed up to the Declaration to End Sexual Violence in Conflict launched in September 2013.
On 6 September 2013, during our UNSC Presidency, Australia co-hosted, with Conciliation Resources and the NGO Working Group on Women Peace and Security, an interactive panel on Women's Participation in Peacebuilding in New York.
In October 2013, we participated in the Open Debate on Women, Peace and Security, which focused on Women, Rule of Law and Transitional Justice in Conflict-Affected Situations. Our statement called on the Council to rigorously strengthen its consideration of the gender dimensions of conflict across the breadth of its work and strengthen women's empowerment and their participation in peace processes and as leaders. We worked to secure a related resolution (SC Resolution 2122) which we co-sponsored that establishes a more systematic approach to implementing commitments on WPS. These measures include: deploying greater technical expertise in peacekeeping missions and UN mediation teams supporting peace talks; improved access to timely information and analysis on the impact of conflict on women and women's participation in conflict resolution in reports and briefings to the Council; and strengthened commitments to consult as well as include women directly in peace talks.
The Australian government is committed to ensuring the promotion and protection of human rights during its term on the Security Council.
Similar to our approach in addressing women's rights, we seek a comprehensive approach to human rights so that these issues are considered across the Council's entire agenda in a systematic way. This includes entrenching respect for human rights law and international humanitarian law and the protection of civilians in Council resolutions and deliberations, highlighting the impact of conflict situations on the human rights of affected populations; advocating for peacekeeping mandates to include human rights monitors; advocating for peacekeeping reports to the Security Council to specifically document and provide options to respond to human rights issues; advocating for regular briefings to the Security Council by relevant UN officials; and advocating for Council visits to countries on the Council's agenda to consult civil society.
Which programs will be cut or affected under the proposed reduction to the aid budget of over 11 per cent.
Information on the aid budget reductions is available on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website: http://aid.dfat.gov.au/publications/pages/five-billion-dollar-aid-budget-to-focus-on-the-region.aspx.
Will the Government consider the proposal of the Diabetes Amputation and Hospitalisation Reduction Program to fund an extra 1.3 million podiatry consultations and 56,000 pressure offloading devices under the Medicare Benefits Schedule; if not, why not.
In 2012-13, almost 2 million Medicare rebateable podiatry services were provided to patients with a chronic medical condition, at a total cost to government of $102.3 million.
The Government has inherited an enormous debt and policy priorities, including any expansion of Medicare services, will be considered within this context. Any additional expenditure will be considered when we responsibly can.
Medicare does not cover aids and appliances. Medicare benefits are limited to the costs of professional services rendered by practitioners.
State and territory governments operate aids and appliances programs to assist residents with the cost and/or provision of appropriate equipment, aids and appliances in the community setting.
In respect of the proposed changes to Afghanistan's Penal Code to reintroduce punishments like stoning for adultery:
(a) what diplomatic action will the Australian Government take to express opposition to the proposal, and
(b) is the Australian Government aware of the perception that this proposal undermines Australia's heavy military and financial investment in Afghanistan since 2001, to fight extremism.
(a) On 26 November, the Afghan Ministry of Justice told the Australian Embassy in Kabul it had no intention of introducing stoning as a punishment under Afghanistan's Penal Code. It would comply with its international obligations.
This position was subsequently confirmed by President Karzai during an interview on 29 November 2013 with Radio Free Europe, and by Afghan Minister for Justice Ghalib during a meeting with the Australian Ambassador in Kabul on 17 December.
Where matters of this nature arise, the Australian Embassy in Kabul takes every opportunity to register Australia's concerns with the Afghan government and encourage the implementation of international human rights norms.
Given our response to (a), we do not think it is necessary to respond to part (b) of the question.
(1) In respect of a recent Federal Court hearing ( Animals ' Angels e.V. v Secretary of Department of Agriculture ) concerning a live export voyage which occurred in 2008, is he able to confirm that the court heard that (a) his department was allegedly aware of evidence that there had been overstocking of animals on the voyage, and that a representative of the exporter concerned, International Livestock Export Pty Ltd, was said to have told the onboard vet that overstocking of animals was a regular practice in the live export industry; and (b) an investigator from his department had allegedly heard from two highly experienced live export onboard vets, Dr Lyn Simpson and Dr Mike McCarthy, that overstocking was routine during live export.
(2) What action has been taken by his department against the exporter concerned, or any other exporter who has been proven to have overstocked live export ships.
(1) In the Federal Court hearing on Animals' Angels e.V. and the Secretary of Department of Agriculture, I can confirm that the applicant made submissions to the court to the effect that the department was on notice of being informed of overstocking on the voyage and that there was a practice of overstocking live animal export vessels.The applicant also made submissions to the court to the effect that a departmental investigator had spoken to both Dr Lyn Simpson and Dr Mike McCarthy about live animal export practices. The judgment has not yet been handed down.
(2) The allegations of overstocking on the voyage were not proven so no action was taken against the exporter concerned.
The department has applied an additional condition to approvals for livestock export consignments for an exporter previously found to have overloaded a live export ship. This condition requires additional oversight of the loading process by Department of Agriculture staff.
Can he indicate the Government's position on overstocking in terms of animal welfare, particularly where there is the potential for heat stress or heat stroke, as often occurs on voyages to the Middle East, and what investigations has his department conducted to establish the extent of overstocking of live export ships by exporters.
It is a requirement of the approval of an application to export livestock by sea that the exporter provides the Department of Agriculture with a load plan. The load plan must comply with stocking densities as prescribed by Standard 4: Vessel preparation and loading within theAustralian Standards for the Export of Livestock (Version 2.3) 2011 (ASEL) .
Load plans for consignments destined to, or through, the Middle East are calculated using Heat Stress Risk Assessment (HSRA) software, known as HotStuff . Department of Agriculture officers attend the loading of livestock vessels to check that livestock are loaded in accordance with the HSRA and load plan before an Export Permit and Health Certificate can be issued.
The Department of Agriculture has not conducted investigations about overstocking of livestock vessels.
Can he (a) indicate the progress on investigations into the recent allegations of cruelty to Australian (i) sheep in Jordan during the Festival of Sacrifice, and (ii) cattle in Mauritius; (b) explain how such cruelty could have occurred; and (c) detail the action he is taking to prevent such acts of cruelty in the future.
(a) The Department of Agriculture is currently investigating allegations of breaches of the Exporter Supply Chain Assurance System (ESCAS) in (i) Jordan and (ii) Mauritius. The department is committed to a prompt and thorough investigation to ensure that it is as complete as possible. Investigations take as long as needed to ensure a fair and accurate outcome is reached. When the investigations are complete, the reports will be published on the department's website.
(b) ESCAS was designed knowing that no regulatory system can eliminate the issues it has been put in place to guard against. ESCAS seeks to ensure that adverse animal welfare incidents for Australian livestock are minimised. However, when incidents do occur, ESCAS provides a regulatory process to investigate and address the incidents in a manner that minimises the disruption to trade and improves animal welfare outcomes. In relations to these specific allegations of cruelty to Australian sheep and cattle, the department of Agriculture is currently investigating these allegations.
(c) The Minister has no regulatory or investigative role, the department undertakes regulatory responsibilities.
What action has been taken by the Therapeutic Goods Administration to review the listing of Atomoxetine hydrochloride on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme since its statement on 1 October 2013 regarding the serious adverse events associated with use of the drug by children and adolescents.
Medicines are listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) on the advice of the independent expert body known as the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC). PBAC is not part of the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). The TGA therefore has no direct role in reviewing PBS listings.
The PBAC considers each PBS listing submission having regard to the safety, clinical effectiveness and cost-effectiveness (value-for-money) of the medicine for the intended use, in comparison with other available treatments.
At its November 2006 meeting, the PBAC recommended the listing of atomoxetine (under the brand name Strattera®) on the PBS for the treatment of patients with ADHD diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 18 years, under certain circumstances (as outlined on the Schedule of Pharmaceutical Benefits ).
Atomoxetine is currently available on the PBS as an authority required medicine, restricted only for the treatment of patients with ADHD diagnosed between the ages of 6 and 18 years, under certain circumstances. This means that in order to prescribe this medicine, treating doctors need approval from the Department of Human Services (Medicare Australia). The treating doctor must declare the specific conditions and circumstances that justify the use of this medicine through the PBS. This can be usually done by phone during the consultation.
The TGA does have an important role in reviewing medicine safety. The TGA published an article on 1 October 2013 for health professionals in its bi-monthly medicines safety bulletin (Medicines Safety Update) reinforcing the importance of existing precautions regarding the risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviours associated with atomoxetine.
The article reminded health professionals to carefully weigh the risks against the benefits of atomoxetine therapy and patients to be carefully monitor for suicidality, especially in the first few months of treatment and whenever there is a change in dose. The article also advises health professionals to warn parents and caregivers of the risks, and alert them of the need to monitor for signs of unusual changes in behaviour or precursors of suicidality.
The management of a patient's medical condition, including direction as to the most appropriate pharmaceutical or other therapy option/s, is essentially a matter for the professional clinical judgement of the treating doctor concerned. A treating doctor would consider individual risks and potential benefits when suggesting a pharmaceutical or other approach for a patient's treatment. When treating a child or adolescent with ADHD, a treating doctor is at liberty to recommend behavioural and/or psychosocial interventions without pharmaceutical therapy, depending on the risk/benefit profile for the individual.
Importantly, individuals or carers of individuals currently taking these medications should contact their doctor if they have concerns about these medications.
Has his department or Health Workforce Australia undertaken any analysis on how the freeze on uncommitted funds is affecting programs that support universities and health services to provide clinical training; if so, will he reveal the results.
Funding has been approved for all participating universities to continue recurrent clinical training activity until 31 December 2014.
Has his department undertaken any (a) work into increasing the Practice Incentive Program for teaching from $100 to $200; and (b) analysis on an increase, if so, will he reveal the results.
(a) and (b) My Department has undertaken preliminary work on an increase to payments under the Practice Incentive Program Teaching Incentive, which is currently being considered.
Has his department undertaken any (a) work on implementing a new program for general practitioner practices to expand their facilities: and (b) analysis into the need for the expansion of general practitioner practices, if so, will he reveal the results.
(a) The structure of the Rural and Regional Teaching Infrastructure Grants announced in August 2013 is under Government consideration. It is anticipated that information regarding the programme will be available on the Department of Health's website once finalised.
(b) It is anticipated that the funding will facilitate additional consultation rooms and space for teaching medical students and supervising registrars in rural and regional areas. Consistent with the Commonwealth Grant Guidelines and achieving value for money, applicants will be required to demonstrate a need for the grant within their local community.
Has his department undertaken any new work into the coordination of intern positions with the states and territories since 7 September 2013.
My department has been meeting regularly with state and territory governments since 7 September 2013 to discuss the coordination of intern positions.
The work in progress will deliver benefits and efficiencies through taking a national approach to managing the demand for internships. The Commonwealth remains involved in these discussions.
What are the 'additional conditions' applied by his department to exports of slaughter sheep to Jordan and Kuwait that he said (in his letter to me dated 25 November 2013) would strengthen exporter supply chains.
The additional conditions applied to approvals include:
By what date will he release the final report of the 2012 Pharmaceutical Patents Review, and is he considering the draft recommendations released in April 2013.
The Government has no plans to release the final report at this stage.
The Government is not considering the recommendations made by the panel in the draft report.
The Pharmaceutical Patents Review panel delivered its final report to the previous government in May 2013, which did not release the report.
As the Pharmaceutical Patents Review was commissioned by the previous government and conducted by an independent panel, the government is not obliged to release the report.