The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
The outlook for Australia's trading partner growth is little changed since the February Statement.
… growth of Australia's trading partners in year-average terms is forecast to be around its long-run average in 2014 and 2015.
In May we saw a sharp almost 7 per cent decline in consumer confidence … If 150,000 people lose their family tax benefits and there's the fear factor for everyone else, no doubt it will have an impact.
International tax rules have not kept pace with the change in the globalisation of business, and governments, as a result, are getting less tax revenue …
Given the fiscal positions that many governments find themselves in, it is obviously an area that people want to fix.
In fact, it is virtually certain that some of those loans, if they have not gone bad yet, will go bad.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) four out of five charities and not-for-profit organisations want to keep the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profit Commission (ACNC);
(b) accountability of charities is critical to maintaining public confidence, accountability and transparency in the not-for-profit sector; and
(c) the work of the ACNC under Commissioner Susan Pascoe has strengthened organisational governance and compliance and reduced reporting duplication for charities;
(2) expresses concern that the Minister for Social Services will abolish the ACNC; and
(3) calls on the Minister to:
(a) support a transparent and visible charities and not-for-profit sector; and
(b) heed the wishes of sector players and experts in this field and keep the ACNC.
The Committee recommends that the Australian Government, in consultation with the not-for-profit sector and the States and Territories:
Corporate Australia long ago rejected such a regime and begs the question as to why the not-for-profit sector should be burdened by such a cumbersome regime?
Nobody wants to go back to the bad old days of having the Australian Tax Office regulating charities. It's a failed model from the past. It will not work.
Based on the Commissioner's 45 minute estimate it will take the 57,500 organisations registered with the ACNC a total of 43,125 hours to complete the AIS. That is the equivalent of a year's work for nearly 25 full-time employees to meet this obligation.
Our analysis of the 2013 AIS is that the majority of the information it requests has already been provided to government—
by the majority of organisations registered with the ACNC.
The cost … of this duplication of effort is significant and critically many organisations can only meet the requirement by taking resources away from frontline service delivery.
A significant opportunity for the ACNC to reduce red tape from the beginning of its operations has been missed and the cost of doing so has fallen to the sector.
That this House:
(1) recognises that 100 per cent fly-in fly-out company workforce agreements in Central Queensland's coal mining belt are causing concern amongst residents and small business owners in small local mining towns; and
(2) encourages Parliament to discuss some of the recommendations in the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Regional Australia's report Cancer of the bush or salvation for our cities (13 February 2013) to determine if they are relevant to the ongoing issue now faced in mining towns in the electoral divisions of Capricornia, Dawson and Flynn.
Homes and vehicles are being repossessed by the banks. Businesses are closing and families are being torn apart. Suburbs are emptying as families have to uproot themselves and move elsewhere while looking for work.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 15 June is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day;
(b) elder abuse:
(i) includes physical, mental, emotional, financial, medical and neglect; and
(ii) occurs in all countries throughout the world; and
(c) Australians are living longer and around 14 per cent of the population are aged over 65; and
(2) calls on the federal, state and territory Governments to support initiatives which prevent, or raise awareness about, elderly abuse.
… any act which causes harm to an older person and is carried out by someone they know and trust such as family or friends.
The global population of people aged 60 years and older will more than double, from 542 million in 1995 to about 1.2 billion in 2025. Around 4 to 6% of elderly people have experienced some form of maltreatment at home.
a violation of Human Rights and a significant cause of injury, illness, lost productivity, isolation and despair.
… a single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust which causes harm or distress to an older person.
Some people seem to think that it is perfectly all right to shift an elderly relative into a home and then just take over their assets on the basis that 'granny doesn't need this anymore and we are going to inherit anyhow', and I'm sure that at least some don't see this as any form of abuse at all. Well, it is.
That this House congratulates the Government for its continuation of Defence reform, specifically in respect of strategic force modernisation, enhanced national security, and regional stability, including:
(1) the acquisition of:
(a) an additional 58 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft; and
(b) the eight P-8 Maritime Surveillance aircraft and commitment to the Triton Unmanned Aerial Vehicle; and
(2) a commitment to:
(a) enhancing Australia's overall Defence capability, close cooperation, and interoperability with regional partners; and
(b) provide certainty for Defence planning, capability and doctrine development.
Controlling the sea and air approaches to our continent is the key to defending Australia, in order to deny them to an adversary and provide maximum freedom of action for our forces. This strategy is focused on the maritime domain, and aims to:
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014
Is Tony Abbott's Australian administration the most hostile to his nation's environment in history?
… the transfer of decision-making powers from the Federal Level to the State Level … premature—
There is no need for the legislative changes to give the Queensland government power to issue federal environmental approvals—
These changes could have been in a stand-alone bill and scrutinised in its own committee inquiry. The attachment of the legislative changes to give effect to the Abbott-Newman deal to hand federal environmental approvals to the state is sneaky and underhanded. The rush to effect these legislative changes is unnecessary.
The EPBC Act is the most important piece of environmental legislation in Australia. The matters of national environmental significance that the EPBC Act protects are: matters of World Heritage, national heritage, wetlands of international importance … threatened species and communities … migratory species, protection of the environment from nuclear actions, the marine environment, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park and the protection of water resources from CSG and mining.
We are privileged to live alongside some of the greatest natural wonders in the world … Sadly, the Newman government has proved it cannot be trusted to protect our natural environment. The Newman government has systematically stripped away vital environmental protections, leaving our precious natural heritage at risk.
They overturned Labor's 23-year ban on uranium mining in Queensland. They ended the moratorium on shale oil mining and refinement … They extended sandmining on North Stradbroke Island up to 2035 … They introduced legislation … to repeal wild rivers declarations. They scrapped a world-class coastal management policy. They encouraged interstate companies to dump waste in South-East Queensland landfills. They stripped away statutory protection for native vegetation … They have made it harder for community groups to appeal environmental approvals.
The fact that the Abbott government has looked at this record and still decided to hand over its powers to the Newman government is a shocking indictment of its own environmental credentials.
… is exposing the state to liability and the environment to harm unnecessarily.
The World Heritage Committee … Requests the State Party to ensure the full completion of the independent review of the institutional and management arrangements for the property, as recommended by the 2012 reactive monitoring mission, as a key input to the LTPSD—
and considers that the transfer of decision-making power from Federal to State levels, before the vision, framework with desired outcomes and targets, and governance requirements to deliver the LTPSD have been adopted, is premature, and should be postponed to allow further consideration …
TOURISM leaders say the Far North's reputation as a top holiday destination—
This year the Australian government will spend on average over $6,000 on welfare for every man, woman and child in the country.
Is this fair?
There is no doubt that the loans are interest free.
The loans … are indexed annually with CPI.
Every young person can achieve a purposeful future.
Australia's new view is starkly at odds with the true status of east Jerusalem under international law. It also corrodes the international rule of law and violates Australia's international law obligations.
… they are dealing very directly and decisively with the budget deficit.
We're always saying you should at least keep it balanced. This is a more sustainable, more durable type of solution.
The extension of funding of sub-bachelor program's to TAFE SA and other registered higher education providers provides an opportunity for TAFE SA to access Commonwealth funding for its diploma and advanced diploma courses on an equal footing diploma courses on an equal footing with universities.
… I think quite correctly, that if we don't do anything to our broader health system, it is unsustainable … I think it's going to be a good thing if 20-odd million Australians feel that they're actually directly part of the research effort by that payment … It would be a tragedy if this fund did not happen, simply because the funding mechanism was not agreed to in Parliament.
That this Parliament acknowledges the opportunity to further lower the cost of living for all Queenslanders, especially seniors and pensioners by:
(1) calling on the Federal Government to immediately restore funding for concessions; and
(2) calling on the Australian Labor Party state and federal Members and Senators to pledge their support to repeal the carbon tax, renewable energy target and other green schemes, which would immediately reduce the cost of electricity.
Further, that the Speaker, on behalf of the Legislative Assembly, relay this request to both houses of the Commonwealth Parliament.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014
Debate resumed on the motion:
That this bill be now read a second time.
Tourism leaders say the Far North's reputation as a top holiday destination will take a dive if the Great Barrier Reef loses its World Heritage status.
… decision to list the Reef as "in danger" would harm the Far North's reputation.
"I think from our perspective it would be disappointing," he said. "I certainly hope the state and federal governments have done enough to ensure this doesn't happen.
"As a company and an industry, we're working very hard to ensure the health of the reef is maintained as best as it can be."
The federal government's decision to allow the dumping of three million cubic metres of dredge spoil in the Reef's waters off Abbot Point means it has failed its international responsibility to protect the Reef.
Since this decision—
the Australian Government has moved quickly to transfer environmental approval powers to the Queensland Government despite that Government's poor environmental track record.
The World Heritage Committee wants a long term plan and concrete action to protect the Reef and instead the Australian Government is washing its hands of responsibility for this national icon. It's a huge concern in the lead up to Doha.
Our assessment shows the Australian and Queensland Governments have failed to make "good progress or complete" a single one of UNESCO's requests.
At a time when UNESCO is advising Australia to increase investment to protect the Reef the Federal Government has cut funding to the Environment Department and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.
The Queensland and Australian Governments are risking the Reef's World Heritage status. The Reef provides 63,000 jobs and $6 billion to the Queensland economy. A decision to protect the Reef is a decision to protect our tourism industry and the Queensland economy.
… calling on the Australian and Queensland governments to address the most serious concerns of the World Heritage Committee to avoid a possible listing as 'in danger' in 2015.
It broke my heart that some of those professional bludgers thought they had a win.
Mark my word we were prepared to go head to head with that protest group.
When the policy is fully implemented, state and territory governments will, for the first time, be able to make a single approval decision that accounts for both state matters and matters of national environmental significance. This will dramatically simplify environmental approvals and remove unnecessary bureaucracy, while maintaining the high standards set out in the EPBC Act.
EHP (Department of Environment and Heritage Protection) is not fully effective in its supervision, monitoring and enforcement of environmental conditions and is exposing the state to liability and the environment to harm unnecessarily.
Since the dawning of environmental awareness in early 1970's, the Commonwealth government has steadily increased its involvement in environmental matters, through legislation, policies and programmes that have largely been developed on a cooperative basis with the states and territories.
…the recently elected Commonwealth government appears to be intent on dismantling much of this Commonwealth fabric, masking its apparently ideological retreat from involvement in environmental protection behind an oft-repeated mantra of "red tape/green tape reduction". The pinnacle of this assault is the government's "one stop shop" programme. I want to suggest to you that this seemingly technical exercise involving odd instruments called bilateral agreements, which might not be expected to attract the attention of the ordinary person in the street, is in fact a matter of the most profound importance and concern in terms of the future protection of the Australian environment.
(c) the principle of inter-generational equity—that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations;
(d) the conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision-making …
There is nothing new in the current campaign … The mining industry railed against the application of the EPIP Act to its activities constantly from the time of its adoption in 1974, especially after the Fraser Government took the unexpected step of using the Act to prohibit the export of mineral sands extracted from Fraser Island. It was joined in this opposition for many years by the forestry industry, culminating in proposals in the early 1990's to introduce so-called "resource security" legislation.
The current 'green tape' propaganda is simply the latest stanza in an enduring campaign against Commonwealth involvement in environmental approvals by the resources sector … Underlying this campaign is a far larger issue with respect to the future of those involved in the fossil fuel industry in Australia. The coal oil and gas industries have a great deal at stake in the face of the growing pressure to shift Australia's energy generation from fossil fuels to renewables in response to the challenge of climate change. They have found a willing ear in the current coalition government, and it is impossible to avoid the conclusion that the question of what is an appropriate role for the Commonwealth in environmental approvals has been captured by a much larger contest involving the future choice between fossil fuels and renewable energy in Australia. In short, the coalition government has become the handmaiden of the fossil fuel industry and is vigorously promoting its cause.
Big business has never been so directly influential with government, and senses that it might be a winner which takes all on environmental matters.
State and territory governments … have processes in place for evaluating the environmental impacts of development proposals consistent with the principles of ecologically sustainable development, …
While the committee heard claims that the Commonwealth approval process was causing inefficiency, that processes between the Commonwealth and the states and territories were duplicated, and that project proponents were labouring underneath the weight of uncertainty, there was no substantive evidence presented to support these claims.
The GBRMPA draft SA—
underlines concerns expressed by the Committee regarding serious decline in the condition of the GBR, including in coral recruitment and reef building across extensive parts of the property, and that a business as usual approach to managing the property is not an option.
It further indicates that climate change remains the most significant threat to the long-term health of the reef. The SA concludes that the loss of resilience is not attributable to any single cause but to the effect of cumulative impacts and that management is not keeping pace with these.
The proposed dumping of dredged material from the proposed Abbot Point development is also noted with concern. Indeed, this was approved, despite an indication that less impacting disposal alternatives may exist …
Increased attention is needed to complete the required work on reviewing governance of the property and the transfer of decision-making powers from the Federal Level to the State Level appears premature until the governance requirements to implement the LTPSD—
have been considered.
First Ministers reaffirmed COAG's commitment to high environmental standards, while reducing duplication and double-handling of assessment and approval processes. To achieve these commitments, our governments will work together to … fast-track the development of bilateral arrangements for accreditation of state assessment and approval processes, with the frameworks to be agreed by December 2012 and agreements finalised by March 2013.
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Increased Employment Participation) Bill 2014
That the amendments be agreed to.
Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014
But most of all, as a result of the actions of this government, there are no children floating in the ocean between Australia and East Timor, as occurred under Labor.
Migration Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2014
That this bill be now read a third time.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Bilateral Agreement Implementation) Bill 2014
The House divided. [20:07]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Vasta)
(1) Schedule 3, page 13 (after line 9), after item 2, insert:
2A Subsection 48A(1)
After "described in subsection (2) or (3)", insert ", or referred to in subsection (2A),".
2B Subsection 48A(1)
After "subsection (2)" (second occurring), insert ", (2A)".
2C After subsection 48A(2)
Insert:
(2A) A bilateral agreement including a declaration that is described in section 46 and that covers an action described in section 24D or 24E must include the following undertakings by the State or Territory:
(a) that the appropriate State or Territory Minister will obtain the advice of the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development if the taking of the action, or a class of actions that includes the action, is likely to have a significant impact on water resources, including any impacts of associated salt production and/or salinity;
(b) that, in deciding whether or not to approve the taking of the action or a class of actions that includes the action, the decision maker will take into account any relevant advice obtained from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development under the agreement.
(2B) To avoid doubt, the fact that a bilateral agreement contains the undertakings mentioned in subsection (2A) does not limit the ability of the appropriate State or Territory Minister to request advice from the Independent Expert Scientific Committee on Coal Seam Gas and Large Coal Mining Development.
Note: See subsection 505D(2).
2D After paragraph 505D(1)(b)
Insert:
(ba) at the request of the Environment Minister—to provide advice to the Environment Minister about the operation of a bilateral agreement including a declaration that:
(i) is described in section 46 or 47; and
(ii) covers an action described in section 24D or 24E;
(2) Schedule 3, item 5, page 13 (line 15), before "The", insert "(1)".
(3) Schedule 3, item 5, page 13 (after line 18), at the end of the item, add:
(2) The amendments made by items 2A, 2B and 2C of this Part apply in relation to an action that is approved in accordance with a management arrangement or authorisation process that is a bilaterally accredited management arrangement or bilaterally accredited authorisation process for the purposes of a bilateral agreement on or after the day this item commences, regardless of when the agreement is entered into.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment Bill 2014
I see Australian politics at a crossroads.
The perception of politicians has never been lower and it is clear to me that people are looking for more from their political representatives.
I would like to reiterate that the widening (upgrading) of Coober Pedy's runways is not required, unless the aerodrome operator wishes to do so as a business decision …
… it is unlawful for a person to do an act, otherwise than in private, if the act is reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or a group of people; and the act is done because of the race, colour or national or ethnic origin of the other person or of some or all of the people in the group.
Section 18C does not render unlawful anything said or done reasonably and in good faith:
(a) in the performance, exhibition or distribution of an artistic work; or
(b) in the course of any statement, publication, discussion or debate made or held for any genuine academic, artistic or scientific purpose or any other genuine purpose in the public interest; or
(c) in making or publishing:
(i) a fair and accurate report of any event or matter of public interest; or
(ii) a fair comment on any event or matter of public interest if the comment is an expression of a genuine belief held by the person making the comment.
… "in effect rips up" key protections to groups within Australian society which have operated successfully for almost 20 years …
… the current Racial Discrimination Act strikes a fair balance between freedom of speech and freedom from racial vilification.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Porter ) took the chair at 10:30.
This is the 21st Century and this is Australia, we feel we are entitled to the same uninterrupted television as any other family.
That this House:
(1) recognises that the Government has turned its back on regional Australia in the budget;
(2) acknowledges that the Government's broken promises and wrong priorities in the budget will hurt those living in regional Australia and further increase the divide between the city and the bush;
(3) notes that this budget will hurt regional Australia by:
(a) slashing $1 billion in funding to local government by cutting into the Financial Assistance Grants;
(b) introducing co-payments to Medicare that will discourage doctors from bulk billing, meaning there will be less choice for people to access general practitioner services in regional areas;
(c) cutting health which will mean fewer services in regional Australia;
(d) cutting education which will impact on regional schools and students with less funding available;
(e) increasing the fuel excise which will hurt regional Australians the most who rely on being mobile and being able to travel to work;
(f) cutting the ABC that regional Australians rely on for information; and
(g) increasing university fees that will hurt regional students and regional universities; and
(4) calls on the Government to reconsider its broken promises and wrong priorities for regional Australia in the Budget.
Only The Nationals' Regional Health Rescue Plan can ensure that the one third of Australians living in the regions get a fair go from the health system and a fair share of health funding.
When health policy decisions are being made, regional concerns must be championed by a dedicated Minister with regional experience and a primary focus on the welfare of regional Australians.
That this House:
(1) commends the Government on the establishment of an Infrastructure Growth Package (IGP) that will fast track investment in critical infrastructure across the country;
(2) notes that:
(a) funds will be targeted at projects that grow the economy, boost productivity and create jobs;
(b) the fund includes $5 billion over five years towards the Asset Recycling Initiative which will encourage the states and territories to sell assets and recycle the sale proceeds into new productivity-enhancing infrastructure, and
(c) the fund also includes $3.7 billion for targeted infrastructure investments to delivery priority infrastructure projects and upgrades across the country;
(3) acknowledges the IGP builds on the Government's existing commitment, now at more than $50 billion, to fund key road, rail and intermodal projects; and
(4) recognises the IGP as part of the Government's Economic Action Strategy to build a strong, prosperous economy for a safe and secure Australia.
We are not going to pass the buck to another generation. We must move now to shape our destiny. We inherited an economy with below-trend growth; we inherited an economy with rising unemployment, with falling terms of trade.
It's got to be fixed, it's very, very important and I think quite frankly that the Commonwealth have stumped up to take on one of the hardest parts of South Road and that's encouraging.
It's fantastic to see that these two significant parts of South Road will be upgraded by 2018.
That all the words after "That this House" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
(1) condemns the government for failing to fulfil its promises on infrastructure investment in its budget of broken promises;
(2) notes the Budget:
(a) fails to conduct cost benefit analysis for any new project funded in the budget greater than $100 million;
(b) cuts funding to projects which have been recommended by Infrastructure Australia including Brisbane's Cross River Rail and the Melbourne Metro;
(c) fails to provide any additional funding across the forward estimates for the Pacific Highway or the Bruce Highway;
(d) cuts funding for any public transport projects other than those already under construction;
(e) fails to fund any new rail freight projects;
(3) further notes the advance payment of $1.5 billion this month for the East West project in Melbourne in direct contravention of the government's stated policy of only making milestone payments upon construction; and
(4) condemns the Coalition for undermining the independence of Infrastructure Australia.
So we are driving the state governments very hard to give us timetables to ensure that we're meeting the expected time of delivery of these projects. That we're hitting milestones, that we're only making payments to states when they actually deliver the milestones, that they're not getting money in their bank account prior to milestones being delivered …
The simple fact is that Sydney does need a second airport and we need to plan for it now if this city is going to continue to be a truly global city.
… there are significant opportunities for additional investment in transportation infrastructure and for using the existing infrastructure more efficiently. Doing so would promote productivity growth in Australia and contribute to advancement of the overall welfare of our citizens.
… I can't help but think that surely there are investments in transport infrastructure that would yield a social rate of return greater than the cost of financing.
… when governments spend billions of scarce public dollars on new roads or rail lines they ought to be certain upfront that they get it right and that the investment delivers on the desired outcome.
That this House:
(1) recognises the importance of investment certainty for clean energy investors;
(2) notes that:
(a) under the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), around 3,500 MW of new renewable energy capacity has been commissioned since 2001, with total investment to date of $18 billion;
(b) the Clean Energy Council estimates that there is potential for another $18.7 billion in clean energy investment if the MRET policy was retained in its current form;
(c) over 24,300 people are directly employed in the renewable energy industry;
(d) the Australian Energy Market Commission has found that the cost of the MRET accounted for approximately three per cent of residential retail electricity prices in Australia; and
(e) reducing the greenhouse gas emissions intensity of our electricity generation sector is essential if we are to reduce Australia's carbon pollution; and
(3) calls on the Government to commit to retaining the MRET at the legislated 41,000 gigawatt hours by 2020.
The renewables industry has been standing over the graves of Australian manufacturing concerns, crowing about the jobs the RET is creating in the wind industry.
This House:
(1) recognises the tragedy of the floods in May that afflicted Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia and Croatia, which killed more than 40 people;
(2) notes the:
(a) need for evacuation of large populations from both countries; and
(b) risk of undiscovered land mines from the war in the 1990s, being moved by flood waters and mudslides, increasing the risk to civilian populations; and
(3) commends the Australian Government for pre-positioning funds with the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies through the Disaster Relief Emergency Funds to assist national Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to respond quickly to situations such as this.
That this House:
(1) commends the Government for reaffirming Australia's support for the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (the Initiative) by maintaining the $15 million commitment for 2013-14;
(2) notes that:
(a) on 13 January 2014, India passed three years without reporting a single case of polio, an achievement reports say will lead to the entire South-East Asia Region of the World Health Organisation being certified as polio-free later in 2014;
(b) lessons learned from India's success are now part of the Polio Eradication and Endgame Strategic Plan 2013-2018 announced at the Global Vaccine Summit in Abu Dhabi in 2013;
(c) the Initiative should mobilise the polio eradication infrastructure for broader child survival efforts wherever possible, ensuring that the knowledge, capacities, processes and assets created by the Initiative contribute to reducing child deaths, accelerating the achievement of Millennium Development Goal 4;
(d) despite ongoing security challenges, in the three countries where polio remains endemic—Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria—the proportion of children vaccinated during 2013 increased;
(e) in 2013 for the first time in the history of the Initiative, all cases of poliomyelitis caused by a wild virus were due to a single serotype, type 1; the most recent case due to wild poliovirus type 3 occurring on 10 November 2012 in Nigeria, while a case of poliovirus type 2 has not been detected since 1999;
(f) polio outbreaks in previously polio-free countries—Somalia, Syria, Cameroon—and the presence of the polio virus in Egypt and Israel are constant reminders of the need to ensure the polio program is fully funded and of the need for countries to take full ownership of the implementation of emergency plans; and
(g) the World Health Organisation, its Initiative partners and the GAVI Alliance have initiated a joint program of work to ensure polio eradication infrastructure systematically contributes to improving routine immunisation coverage; and
(3) calls on the Government to continue to support polio eradication by reaffirming Australia's commitment to provide $80 million over four years from 2015 to 2018 to the Initiative.
Any reduction in funding allocated by the Commonwealth Government to the Landcare program will make it more difficult for Groups to continue to undertake local, grass-roots projects and indeed, perhaps even to survive.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015
None of us dares forget, and Wilson and the government would do well to remember that racist words have evil consequences.
Surely for ministers of the Crown it is not that difficult to come in here and answer questions for 35 minutes on areas within their portfolio without going through this ludicrous parody of government members getting up and asking dorothy dixer questions and the minister then reading a prepared answer.
If I go back to the PEFO—as we know, the PEFO is where the officials tell the truth about what the budget really is from the previous government. From the previous Government, that's what it does.
It is time to start coming out [of debt and deficit], otherwise the longer you leave it the more exposed you become and the harder it is to wind it back.
That business intervening before order of the day No. 1, Committee and delegation reports, be postponed until a later hour this day.
However, the fact remains that there is little visibility surrounding $5 billion of public money spent on sustainment in 2012-13. Further, when a Major Project's acquisition budget is combined with the sustainment budget, only then does the scale of the overall, long-term financial commitment become apparent. The MPR and the budget papers do not presently disclose this information.
The Committee recommends that the Defence Materiel Organisation prepares a suitable and separate methodology for reporting sustainment activity and expenditure, and that this methodology be reported to the Committee within six months of the tabling of this report.
That business intervening before order of the day No. 5, committee and delegation business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
… Australian wage rates are very high by international standards and our system is dogged by rigidities.
The slowing in wage growth across all industries has meant that firms have experienced relatively slow growth in their labour costs. This is more striking after accounting for the growth in the productivity of labour, which as I've already noted has picked up somewhat compared with the pace we had become accustomed to over much of the 2000s. Over the past year and a half, the growth in nominal wages has been matched by growth in labour productivity. As a result, there has been no increase in the cost of labour required to produce a unit of output.
In turn, slower growth in labour costs is having a beneficial effect on international competitiveness.
In terms of the … effect on emergency departments, we all have fears that patients, instead of seeing their general practitioners, but also accessing pathology and diagnostic imaging services, will default to our public hospital system.
Now, our public hospital system is also taking a cut under this Budget, and it's going to be ill-equipped to be able to deal with any increase in demand that might be provided by the GP diagnostic imaging and pathology …
This is a budget that will hurt practically every woman—whether a single parent, unemployed, in the workforce, studying or a homemaker. Very few will remain unscathed.
In the councils of government, we must guard against the acquisition of unwarranted influence, whether sought or unsought, by the military-industrial complex. The potential for the disastrous rise of misplaced power exists and will persist.
We must never let the weight of this combination endanger our liberties or democratic processes. We should take nothing for granted. Only an alert and knowledgeable citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.
If I do not keep that F-22 fleet viable, the F-35 fleet frankly will be irrelevant. The F-35 is not built as an air superiority platform. It needs the F-22.
The problem is, with the lack of F-22s, I'm going to have to use F-35s in the air superiority role in the early phases as well, which is another reason why I need all 1,763. I'm going to have some F-35s doing air superiority, some doing those early phases of persistent attack, opening the holes, and again, the F-35 is not compelling unless it's there in numbers,
Because it can't turn and run away, it's got to have support from other F-35s. So I'm going to need eight F-35s to go after a target that I might only need two Raptors to go after.
(1) Can he confirm that the Pilbara Integrated Power Solution was submitted by the Western Australian Government in 2008 to Infrastructure Australia for consideration; if so, was this submission subsequently withdrawn by the Western Australian Government; if so, on what date was it withdrawn.
(2) Can he confirm that an application in respect of the same project was lodged by a private sector entity; if so, (a) what action was taken, and (b) what assessment was made, by Infrastructure Australia.
(3) Can Infrastructure Australia release all documents related to its actions and assessment taken in respect of the Pilbara Integrated Power Solution project.
(1) The Western Australian government has not submitted the Pilbara Integrated Power Solution project to Infrastructure Australia for assessment against the infrastructure priority list. However, the project was included in an audit document submitted by the Western Australian Government in mid-2008.
(2) Worley Parsons submitted the Pilbara Integrated Power Solution project to Infrastructure Australia in October 2008.
(3) Infrastructure Australia assessment documents in relation to the Worley Parsons submission can be found at:
In respect of the Government's decision to finalise adoptions that were approved under the former Ethiopia‑Australia intercountry adoption program, what has changed since the closing of the program in June 2012 to ensure that the interests of Ethiopian children are now protected.
The decision to prescribe Ethiopia under the Family Law (Bilateral Arrangements—Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998 (Cth) does not impact the Australian Government's current policy on intercountry adoption from Ethiopia. The program remains closed. This decision was to assist those families whose adoptions through the Ethiopia Australia Intercountry Adoption Program, prior to its closure, had not yet been finalised in Australia. By prescribing Ethiopia, these families will have their adoptions immediately recognised under Australian laws. This removes the need for these families, whose adopted children are now resident in Australia, to take the additional step of finalising the adoption in an Australian court following the conclusion of the post placement supervision period (which is generally 12 months).
In respect of a recent media report 'Campaign group calls for action on 'illegal' adoption of Indian children' by Mr Rory Callinan ( The Saturday Age , 25 January 2014, page 4) stating that the Netherlands based organisation Against Child Trafficking believes that dozens of Indian children have been trafficked to Australia under a previous intercountry adoption program that ended in 2010, were any children trafficked to Australia under the Ethiopian intercountry adoption program prior to it being closed in June 2012.
The Ethiopia-Australia Intercountry Adoption Program operated under two separate models prior to its closure in June 2012. Following the suspension and review of the program in 2009 10, a new program was opened. It operated under a significantly different governance structure. Background checking, undertaken by an independent service provider, assisted to minimise the risks of child trafficking. A small number of cases of concern were raised with my Department, in relation to adoptions facilitated under the old program structure. No cases of concern have been raised with my Department in relation to adoptions facilitated under the newer program structure. It is not appropriate for the Australian Government to comment on specific adoption cases.
(1) Does Australia apply and uphold the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption (29 May 1993).
(2) Do Taiwan, Ethiopia, and South Korea apply and uphold the Hague convention, and did the Government take this into account when it recently decided to relax the policy on adoptions with these countries.
(3) Are the new bilateral agreements with Taiwan, Ethiopia and South Korea as comprehensive as the Hague convention.
(1) Yes.
(2) My Department continually monitors all intercountry adoption programs to ensure that Australia complies with its obligations under the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co-operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption , regardless of whether the partner country is a signatory to the convention. This policy was not relaxed by the decision to prescribe Taiwan, Ethiopia and South Korea under theFamily Law (Bilateral Arrangements—Intercountry Adoption) Regulations 1998 (Cth).
Taiwan, Ethiopia and South Korea have not acceded to or ratified the Hague Convention on intercountry adoption. However, South Korea signed the Hague Convention on 24 May 2013, and my Department anticipates the Convention will enter into force in South Korea by 2016. My Department considers that the Taiwanese and South Korean intercountry adoption programs comply with Hague Convention principles and standards.
The decision to include Ethiopia does not affect the Australian Government's current policy on intercountry adoption from Ethiopia. The program remains closed. This decision will assist those families whose adoptions through the program, prior to its closure, had not yet been finalised in Australia, although the children are now resident here.
(3) There are no new bilateral agreements with Taiwan, Ethiopia and South Korea.
Were countries other than Taiwan, Ethiopia, and South Korea considered for possible inclusion in Select Legislative Instrument No. 7, 2014; if so, (a) which ones, and (b) why were they excluded.
No.
Is it a fact that (a) truck driving is Australia's most dangerous occupation, with a workplace fatality rate 15 times higher than the national average, and (b) more than 330 people die each year in truck-related crashes on Australian roads.
(a) Safe Work Australia data indicate the road freight transport sector recorded a fatality rate of 29.09 deaths per 100,000 workers in 2012. Recent National Truck Accident Research Centre data suggest that truck drivers are not responsible for the majority of multi-vehicle fatal accidents involving trucks. In 2011, every multi-vehicle fatal accident involving a National Transport Insurance insured heavy vehicle was found to be the fault of the driver of the lighter vehicle (or third party). Data from 2009 indicate the truck driver was found to be at fault in only 18 per cent of cases.
(b) The most recent data from the Bureau of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Economics (Australian Road Deaths Database) indicate a significant overall decline in truck-related fatalities from 259 in 2004 to 180 in 2013.
(1) Is the Minister aware that (a) a key cause of truck crashes is pressure from major companies to whom trucks deliver goods making unreasonable demands which lead to drivers speeding, driving while fatigued, and neglecting vehicle maintenance, and (b) following an investigation into a truck crash involving multiple deaths, the trucking company Cootes, who was a supplier to Coles, was found to have dozens of unsafe trucks on the roads.
(2) Will the Government give further consideration to the importance of safe roads, and reconsider its opposition to safe rates for truck drivers.
(1) (a). The 2011 Regulatory Impact Statement, prepared by the then Labor Government, in respect of the Road Safety Remuneration Bill stated that " There is some research to suggest that the remuneration for drivers is a factor in safety outcomes, however data at this point in time is limited and being definitive around the causal link between rates and safety is difficult. " This remains the case.
(b) Yes.
(2). The Australian Government believes road safety is vitally important and is committed to ensuring that regulations and policies for improving safety outcomes in the road transport industry are appropriate, effective and based on credible evidence. That is why the Government commissioned an independent review of the road safety remuneration system.
The review examined the links between remuneration and road safety along with the role of other forms of regulation in improving Australia's road safety record.
The Government will carefully consider the review.
In respect of the Minister's announcement of an independent review of the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) program, (a) is it a fact that (i) several members of the panel for the review publicly opposed Labor's 2013 legislation concerning 457 visas, and (ii) some panel members are involved in the migration agent industry and would have a commercial interest in the 457 visa program, and (b) in what sense is the panel for the review independent.
The independent panel for the 457 review consists of four industry specialists who were engaged due to their extensive experience in industry, government and their understanding of migration issues.
(1) Did the Fair Work Ombudsman audit on cleaning services find that 40 per cent of audited cleaning contractors did not comply with workplace laws.
(2) Is it a fact that from 1 July 2014 the Government will:
(a) scrap rules requiring businesses winning Government contracts to declare that they comply with the Fair Work Act 2009 , if so, has the Government undertaken any research concerning the likely effect of this change on the level of compliance with the Act; and
(b) abolish guidelines for cleaners employed on Government contracts, if so, what will be the impact of this change on the rates of pay for cleaners employed on Government contracts.
(1) Between September 2010 and May 2011, the Fair Work Ombudsman undertook a campaign of national cleaning services. The campaign found that:
(2) (a) This is a false claim. Businesses who are awarded Commonwealth Government contracts will continue to be required to comply with all Commonwealth laws, including the Fair Work Act 2009 as a condition of their contract. Further, they must declare that they have no unsettled judgements relating to employee entitlements against them.
(b) Since the Cleaning Services Guidelines commenced in January 2012, there have only been around 25 to 30 cleaning contracts influenced by the guidelines, in capital cities where a Commonwealth Agency directly engages a cleaning company—a tiny proportion of the industry. For the very small subset of employees in the cleaning industry involved in contracts influenced by the Guidelines, the terms and conditions of current employment contracts will continue to apply beyond 1 July 2014.
The continuation of these discriminatory arrangements would have perpetuated a two-tiered system. For instance, a cleaner in a Centrelink office in the Melbourne CBD would be covered by the guidelines whereas a cleaner in a Centrelink office in regional Victoria would not. This is manifestly unfair.
On (a) how many occasions, and (b) what date(s), has the Minister met with Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd chief executive Mr Nick Di Girolamo, and can the Minister provide the nature of each meeting.
To the best of my recollection, I have not met with Mr Di Girolamo.