The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 9:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Deputy Leader of the Opposition speaking in reply to the ministerial statement for a period not exceeding six minutes.
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (2014 Budget Measures No. 1) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (2014 Budget Measures No. 2) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
Carbon Farming Initiative Amendment Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Measures) Bill 2014
In affordability alone we have seen a massive increase in investment, we have seen an increase in the child care rebate from 30 to 50 percent, we have seen the increase in the cap of the child care rebate from $4,354 a year up to $7,500 per year but importantly they aren't the only statistics that matter.
The statistics that matter is the impact that this increase is having in Australian families. What we do know is that in 2004 when a family was spending on average 13 percent of their disposable income on their childcare fees, that by 2011 that figure stood at 7.5 percent.
… the committee is persuaded that these measures are limited, well targeted and for a finite period of time, and are a necessary part of the broader government agenda of repairing the budget and strengthening the economy.
Options for enhancing the choices available to Australian families as to how they receive child care support, so that this can occur in the manner most suitable to their individual family circumstances. Mechanisms to be considered include subsidies, rebates and tax deductions, to improve the accessibility, flexibility and affordability of child care for families facing diverse individual circumstances.
The House divided. [11:44]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Vasta)
The House divided. [11:53]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Vasta)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014
Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014
Second Reading
Cognate debate.
Debate resumed on the motion:
That this bill be now read a second time.
… 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 Government's continuing ownership of the Perth Market Authority, the TAB and the Water Corporation's assets, such as its wastewater treatment plants, will also be reviewed.
… the Australian economy faces a substantial challenge. Over the next decade or so, if we are to achieve anything like the type of growth in real per capita income that we have become used to, then a substantial increase in productivity growth will be required. We can no longer depend on a rising terms of trade and favourable demographics to make us richer. If this lift in productivity growth does not take place, then we will need to adjust to some combination of slower growth in real wages, slower growth in profits, smaller gains in asset prices and slower growth in government revenues and services – in short, slower growth in our average living standard. So the debate about productivity should not be seen as an esoteric one just for economists. Productivity growth matters and it matters a lot to our future living standards.
In the years ahead, it is unlikely that Australia's comparative advantage will lie in the production of standardised mass-produced manufactured goods for the global market. Instead, we have tremendous opportunities in a range of more specialised high value-added goods and services, where it is the quality of our ideas and the quality of our execution that is the key. Whether or not we can seize these opportunities depends critically on our human capital and our infrastructure.
The benefits of investment in transportation infrastructure are well known. Some of these are quite obvious, while others are more difficult to see, although no less important. Among the more obvious benefits is a reduction in travel times and costs for both people and goods. There can also be favourable social impacts through reducing travel stress and increasing the connectedness of communities. And there are environmental benefits as well.
There are numerous examples of inferior project selection and inadequate assessment of the costs and benefits of public infrastructure projects … In particular, government decisions can become politicised and may be based on inadequate information and assessment of the costs and benefits of projects …
Inferior investment decisions are not unique to governments … However, when the government makes mistakes regarding large public infrastructure projects, the consequences are felt more broadly by the community and taxpayers, often for long periods of time.
WHEN Anthony Albanese set up Infrastructure Australia in 2008 he made it his personal lapdog, largely answerable to him.
IA was sidelined on any real decision-making, forced to play catch-up and chase its tail to justify projects Labor had already announced without consulting its expert advisory body.
Labor's road and rail funding projects, its big-spending response to the global financial crisis, its infrastructure election promises, were all announced without being fully assessed by IA.
This is a very strong budget, because it makes difficult revenue and expenditure decisions, allowing Canberra to fund an unprecedented $50 billion investment in economic infrastructure.
The states will always have a central role in funding and providing public infrastructure, but with high levels of debt and substantial operating deficits, a higher and sustained level of national investment alongside the states is warranted.
… a project that is expected to shape Melbourne's future transport network and land use patterns. The preferred option presented could achieve up to 30 per cent capacity increase in the urban passenger rail network however the project cost is approximately equal to the benefits.
We urge the government to look at ways to fund the project so it can commence as soon as possible.
… we believe waiting until the end of the decade is too long.
All of the evidence all over the world suggests these sorts of projects are unlikely to fix things in the longer term … It is as if the government is determined to press ahead with a truck-based transport system at all costs irrespective of the impact on the rest of the city in the longer term.
Clearly not everyone can afford an inner city car parking space, so how does Mr Abbott propose our growing population will get to work each day if he refuses to fund public transport?
I have been selling fruit and vegetables for 60 years into the metropolitan market, in Perth and have had to live with the fact that this is a supply and demand market, as are all the fresh produce markets in Australia.
As with any perishable crop, withholding supply to market is not an option, so growers are in the position of being price-takers rather than price-makers. This is a fundamental imbalance between products and buyers. We commonly see mark-ups of wholesale to retail of 100 to 1,000 per cent. A farmer may receive 40c per kilo for their plums, which are then retailed for $4 per kilo, a 1,000 per cent mark-up. This situation is deteriorating even further due to the distorting influence of Australia's two supermarket chains. Because we have no anti-trust laws in Australia to prevent this type of market dominance, it will only get harder for primary producers.
Supermarkets commonly sell fresh produce sourced from other countries and use this as a strategy to keep prices for local produce artificially low. Primary producers already pay levies for the promotion of fresh fruit and vegetables and to have this impost put on them again by a company is untenable, as the company is already effectively dictating the wholesale price that the grower receives.
This decision is petty and vindictive and is symbolic of the Minister's very poor relationship with the non-government sector.
I've no doubt there is a budget crisis—
We're accumulating debt as a higher share of GDP and of course in absolute terms, [it's] absolutely astronomical compared to far more serious episodes in Australian history, including recoveries from serious recessions.
The Labor government has decided to terminate the carbon tax to help cost-of-living pressures for families and to reduce the costs for small business.
The state government faced cuts to health and education funding from the Commonwealth government.
We note that Commonwealth grants to New South Wales have actually increased over the forward projection period, relevant to the 2013-14 budget update.
But there's a better way of operating a health system, and the change should hardly hurt at all … the ideal model involves a small co-payment—
But there's a better way of operating a health system, and the change should hardly hurt at all … the ideal model involves a small co-payment—not enough to put a dent in your weekly budget, but enough to make you think twice before you call the doc.
And the idea is hardly radical.
… without the opportunity to learn, you lose your ability to succeed.
I've no doubt there is a budget crisis. We're accumulating debt as a higher share of GDP and of course in absolute terms, [it's] absolutely astronomical compared to far more serious episodes in Australian history, including recoveries from serious recessions …
He says even during the Great Depression we didn't see deficits as a share of GDP of the size we're now experiencing.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 17 June 2014.
2. The committee determined the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members' business on Monday, 23 June 2014, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 Joint Standing Committee on Treaties:
Statement to the House on the Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of the United States of America to Improve International Tax Compliance and to Implement FATCA .
The Committee determined that statements may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.15 am.
Speech time limits—
Mr Wyatt Roy — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Defence Act 1903 to provide for parliamentary approval of overseas service by members of the Defence Force. (Defence Amendment (Parliamentary Approval of Overseas Service) Bill 2014)
( Notice given 16 June 2014. )
Time allotted—10 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Bandt — 10 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins]
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41.
Orders of the day
1 High Speed Rail Planning Authority Bill 2013 ( Mr Albanese ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 9 December 2013 ).:
Time allotted—5 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Albanese — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Notices— continued
2 MRS PRENTICE: To move:
That this House:
(1) expresses concern at the detention in Egypt of Australian citizen Peter Greste;
(2) notes that:
(a) Mr Greste is detained and currently on trial solely for conducting his role as a journalist and for peacefully expressing his opinion on events in Egypt; and
(b) the imprisonment of Peter Greste is contrary to the right to freedom of speech and expression;
(3) recognises that the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General have all been in contact with their Egyptian counterparts seeking Peter Greste's release; and
(4) notes that the Australian Government:
(a) is offering all possible consular assistance to Peter Greste and his family;
(b) has been working with Egyptian authorities at all appropriate opportunities; and
(c) is making direct and high-level representation to a number of other governments as part of a multi-pronged strategy to raise our ongoing concerns about the case.
( Notice given 16 June 2014 .)
Time allotted—50 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mrs Prentice — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 + 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 MS PARKE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) shipbuilding is an industry that delivers the highest-value and most complex manufacturing outcomes produced in Australia, and therefore represents expertise and capacity that must be maintained for its very significant national economic and security benefits;
(b) as an example of the multiplier effects of shipbuilding projects in respect of the quality and range of manufacturing it both requires and enables, at the commencement of the Collins-class submarine project there were only 35 Australian companies certified to Defence quality standards, whereas by 1998 there were more than 1,500;
(c) there are currently more than 7,000 people employed in shipbuilding across Australia, including more than 4,000 people employed in naval shipbuilding alone;
(d) the Government has identified the need for more than 80 ships over the next 30 years for service in the Royal Australian Navy, and as part of border protection, Antarctic operations and scientific research, among other roles; and
(e) if Australian shipbuilding is not supported through a properly planned and managed program of project and maintenance work, it is likely that shipyards will close, thousands of jobs will be lost, and the critical expertise and capacity that have been developed will be irreparably squandered; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) provide certainty to the Australian shipbuilding industry and to thousands of Australian workers by settling a short, medium and long term program of government shipbuilding projects to ensure a balanced work flow and smooth delivery of key naval assets; and
(b) bring forward relevant shipbuilding projects, including the Pacific patrol boat and replacement Anzac frigate projects, in a timely manner to ensure that shipyards, companies, and workers are not put at risk.
( Notice given 16 June 2014 .)
Time allotted—remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits—
Ms Parke—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR NEUMANN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples (Congress) is the national representative body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
(b) Congress:
(i) was established with a view to creating a new relationship with governments to reset the relationship based on partnership and genuine engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
(ii) is owned and controlled by its membership and independent of government;
(2) recognises:
(a) the important role of Congress as a leader and advocate for recognising the status and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as First Nations Peoples in Australia; and
(b) that the existence of an effective national body is essential to the Government's ability to fulfil its Closing the Gap targets;
(3) acknowledges that:
(a) Congress received Deductible Gift Recipient status in July 2013, allowing it to begin to pursue income opportunities with corporate Australia and the wider community;
(b) the previous government committed:
(i) $29.2 million over four years to establish Congress; and
(ii) $15 million over three years in the 2013 budget to support Congress to continue to develop income opportunities to sustain the organisation; and
(c) ongoing Commonwealth funding beyond 2013 is essential to support the continued sustainability of an independent national voice for First Nation Peoples;
(4) notes with concern that the Government plans to cut the $15 million funding and abandon the commitment to the sustainability of Congress as the national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; and
(5) calls on the Government to commit to the sustainability of a strong Congress by honouring the $15 million funding commitment.
( Notice given 13 February 2014. )
Time allotted—20 minutes .
Mr Neumann — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 MR SIMPKINS: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes the mutually beneficial and strengthening cooperation between Australia and Japan with particular emphasis on our:
(a) strong trade relationship;
(b) significant strategic partnership; and
(c) developing defence equipment and technology relationship;
(2) acknowledges the:
(a) Australian Government's success in concluding the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement;
(b) scope to further enhance our relationship in areas such as investment and education;
(c) Australian Government's plans to combat sovereign risk for foreign investment in Australia by repealing both the carbon and mining taxes;
(d) importance of elevating the bilateral security and defence relationship to a new level, based on our shared strategic interests in regional and international peace, stability and prosperity; and
(e) importance of the forthcoming visit to Australia of Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr Shinzo Abe, in further building our strategic partnership with Japan into a new special relationship; and
(3) commends the Australian Government for enhancing the relationship between Australia and Japan, which will be mutually beneficial for the economies and people of Australia and Japan.
( Notice given 16 June 2014. )
Time allotted—30 minutes .
Mr Simpkins — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day
1 Australian Education Amendment (School Funding Guarantee) Bill 2014 ( Mr Shorten ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 2 June 2014 ):
Time allotted—20 minutes .
Speech time limits—
All Members—5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Notices— continued
3 Ms O ' Dwyer: To move:
That this House notes:
(1) that the spirit of ANZAC is one of special significance to all Australians as it showcases the attributes of courage, mateship and sacrifice which were demonstrated at the Gallipoli landing;
(2) that the ANZACs helped define us as a people and as a nation, they were ordinary Australians who performed extraordinary deeds and were drawn from the smallest towns and biggest cities;
(3) that the Government is enabling Australians to honour the service and sacrifice that epitomises the ANZAC spirit by increasing the funding allocated to each federal electorate across Australia to $125,000 via the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program; and
(4) the Government's commitment to community-based commemoration, as promised at the last election.
( Notice given 19 March 2014. )
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Ms O ' Dwyer—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 Dr Leigh: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) since 1975, earnings at the 90th percentile have risen three times faster than earnings at the 10th percentile; and
(b) since 1980, the top 1 per cent income share has doubled, and the top 0.1 per cent income share has tripled; and
(c) overall, inequality in Australia is now higher than it has been in three-quarters of a century;
(2) notes that:
(a) analysis by NATSEM (which the Prime Minister once described as 'the most reputable and authoritative modelling organisation in Australia') shows that the 2014-15 budget will redistribute income from lower-income households to higher-income households;
(b) by 2017-18, NATSEM analysis suggests that the budget will cause:
(i) across all households, a 2.2 per cent drop in disposable incomes in the bottom quintile, and an 0.2 per cent rise in disposable incomes in the top quintile;
(ii) among couples with children, a 6.6 per cent drop in disposable incomes of households in the poorest quintile; and
(iii) among single parents, a 10.8 per cent drop in disposable incomes of households in the poorest quintile; and
(3) calls upon the Government to rethink a budget that not only breaks promises and produces higher deficit figures than in the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2014, but also fails the 'fair go test' by hurting low and middle income families.
( Notice given 2 June 2014. )
Time allotted—20 minutes .
Dr Leigh — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
5 Ms MacTiernan: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes with concern the extent to which 457 visas are being used where there are ample, suitably qualified Australians; and
(2) urges the Government not to delay the completion of its review or its response to this growing problem.
( Notice given 3 June 2014. )
Time allotted—10 minutes .
Ms MacTiernan — 5 minutes.
Next Member — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 Ms Hall: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) June is Lipoedema Awareness Month, and that Lipoedema is a painful disorder of fat metabolism and distribution that causes deposition of fat in 5 to 15 per cent of the population (mainly women) in the legs and arms; and
(b) Lipoedema is:
(i) an underdiagnosed disorder for which sufferers receive poor medical diagnosis and no counselling support—Lipoedema is a poorly supported illness; and
(ii) one of the most underfunded chronic conditions in Australia with limited research as to its cause and the treatment required for patients;
(2) calls for:
(a) a public awareness campaign to be launched and for Medicare Locals to be involved in the campaign; and
(b) support to be given to people living with Lipoedema to ensure appropriate ancillary services are available; and
(3) notes the need for research and population data on Lipoedema.
( Notice given 16 June 2014. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Ms Hall—5 minutes .
Next Member — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
The Government's failure to have a plan for Australian jobs while attacking job seekers and cutting training opportunities for young people.
That Ms MacTiernan be appointed a supplementary member of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications for the purpose of the committee's inquiry into infrastructure planning and procurement.
Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014
Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014
We have this inertia where everyone is pointing to each other. The Commonwealth is pointing to the States; the States are pointing to the Commonwealth. Meanwhile we haven't achieved anything.
Focusing on the right reforms will help us to use existing infrastructure more efficiently … and involve private players more in the ownership and management of traditionally publicly owned assets by recycling capital to fund new infrastructure … These reforms, however challenging, will leave Australians better off—with more capable Governments, better planned infrastructure that meets their needs, and more sustainable, affordable transport options.
Efficient public infrastructure plays a key role in a competitive and productive economy and the ongoing funding and financing of infrastructure development in Australia is therefore of critical importance.
In South Australia, privatisation was advocated in the 1990s on the basis that it was necessary for participation in the National Electricity Market. Far from reducing prices, the result was to raise them to the highest levels in Australia.
This was due in part to massively increased distribution charges. As the SA Essential Services Minister, Lew Owens noted in an interview with ABC Stateline (2003):
The simple explanation for that is in addition to the wholesale energy price you have to add the network charges for the poles and wire businesses.
They are dearer in SA because the assets were revalued back in 1996 prior to privatisation and locked in by legislation.
In some cases, governments have sought to increase the sale price of assets by raising costs to consumers in the lead up to privatisation, or by allowing price increases after privatisation.
The only problem with socialism is that you eventually run out of other people's money.
No one can say to his nation, 'Thus far shalt thou go and no further'.
The Abbott government has been accused of pork-barrelling after analysis of the budget's infrastructure spending revealed Coalition electorates are favoured for new money by a ratio of three to one.
A Fairfax Media analysis of the Abbott government's 2014 budget has calculated that, of the new projects announced and funded, just under three-quarters were in Coalition electorates.
It introduces a bold new approach to identifying, planning, funding and implementing infrastructure of national significance across Australia. It also introduces rigorous and robust economic analysis of infrastructure investments prior to government decision-making.
Australia faces a shortfall in infrastructure which could worsen with the demand pressures exerted by the mining boom, population growth and environmental concerns.
Productivity has slowed as a direct result of infrastructure shortfalls—time lost in travel, delay at ports, lost production due to water restrictions.
… makes a powerful case for recognizing that finance … is one of the most powerful tools we have for solving our common problems and increasing the general well-being.
…that the current state of Australia's most fundamental infrastructure – supporting all elements of the transport network, energy and water supplies, and the basic facilities to support growing and spreading urban communities – is in urgent need of reform, repair and expansion.
We are at the crossroads in terms of infrastructure development as a result of poor institutional arrangements and policy choices. Changes are required to alleviate current capacity constraints, and provide additional capacity to support high growth in the years ahead.
Victoria's competitiveness and wealth are inextricably tied to the health of our infrastructure ... With considered investment in projects that are genuinely economically sound, the process of commercialising Victoria's public assets would enhance our state's growth immensely.
To me this is ridiculous, because I have met police officers and solicitors with autism and, if they can do it, it just proves that, with the right education balance, with funding within our system, anything is possible for these children.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 09:30.
As a Victorian municipality with sixty per cent of residents born overseas, the City of Greater. Dandenong celebrates diversity and proactively seeks to address local racial discrimination. … Anti-racism is a matter of strong sentiment in this municipality.
Within Greater Dandenong, those most affected by this amendment would include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and members of certain religious groups, many of whom experience discrimination on a regular basis.
The latest Medicare billing statistics, which account for all active Medicare billing and therefore give an accurate indication of the geographic distribution of doctors across Australia …
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015
The greater issue is the impact that the removal of the payroll tax supplement will have on investment in the sector. Aged care in Australia must have a mix of providers to ensure we remain a competitive, innovative industry that offers the highest quality of services available. Removal of this payroll tax supplement will seriously threaten some providers resulting in less competition across the industry.
I have to go to each of the state governments now and discuss with each one, one at a time, which really is increasing red tape, and that's the opposite of what the government was trying to achieve nationally.
Giving aged-care providers back the aged care workforce supplement over five years will do nothing for the development of the aged care workforce.
The Government will achieve savings of $449.0 million over five years by indexing pension and equivalent payments and Parenting Payment Single by the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
The compounding interest here [means] we might deliver debts to students of $70,000, $80,000, $100,000 and no-one here wanted that.
If universities have price discretion they will all take it … and could actually end up charging more than what it actually costs—
I also think it is unethical for a generation of leaders who by and large benefited from free higher education to burden the generations behind them …
Deregulation will inevitably lead to much higher fees for our students. Over time, full fee deregulation will lead to a higher education system characterised by the 'haves' and the 'have nots'.
To be a university of international standing and outlook, achieving excellence through scholarship, teaching, learning, research and service to its regional, national and international communities, beginning with the people of Greater Western Sydney
The prospect orfrepaying university loans whilst raising a family might deter women, while many other prospective students would weigh up the costs against the benefits of education.
It would be irrational for people not to consider the cost in relation to their working life in the same way as when you borrow to buy a house.
It is up to universities, not Canberra, to decide what fees should apply to which courses.
The modelling released today by Universities Australia on the impact on fees of changes to cluster funding rates is based on a fundamental misunderstanding of the way the system works …
This finding is closely related to the Cost of Training Employees which is rated as the third highest concern.
SA Higher Education Minister Gail Gago said on Saturday the federal government's plan to recognise and fund sub-bachelor degrees delivered by the SA TAFE system was welcome.
"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 with universities," she said.
"TAFE SA already works closely with a number of universities in terms of providing opportunities for students to transfer to university and have recognition for their studies in TAFE SA and the recognition and funding of these sub-bachelor programs delivered by TAFE SA is welcome."
Senator WONG: Can you confirm that, with that figure, broadly you are looking at around 30 for schools and 50 for hospitals?
Mr Ray: It is a little bit under 30 for schools and a bit over 50 for hospitals.
… what services would they like us to cut …. you cannot outsource your problems to the states …
When we handed down the Victorian budget last Tuesday we put extra money into Victorian hospitals and extra money into Victorian schools. We didn't put that extra money in so that the federal government can take money out.
JOURNALIST: You have committed and you still will commit to the next election for those years five and six?
SHORTEN: Yes.
JOURNALIST: That will cost I think about $7 billion additional is that what you're prepared for that?
SHORTEN: We budgeted for this when we were in Government and furthermore, what does it cost Australia if we short change our kids?
We'll reveal all our policies in good time before the next election.
The 2014 Higher Education Budget reforms are necessary. They are logical, coherent, sustainable, equitable and inevitable … My guess is that the detractors of micro-economic reform in Australia's higher education industry will find themselves on the wrong side of history in resisting efficiency improvement and innovation, as they will be in opposing the redistributive measures of the package and, curiously, supporting socially regressive subsidies from general taxpayers to more advantaged segments of the community.
In respect of the coal gas industry stakeholders group announced on 26 September 2013, what (a) are its terms of reference, (b) are the expanded, current and projected financial costs by the Government, (c) is the projected duration for its activities, (d) is the membership and the qualifications and remuneration of members, and (e) are the current and future plans for public, private and industry consultations.
Preliminary work was undertaken in considering the scope of this work and discussions were undertaken with potential panel members for advisory panel on New South Wales coal seam gas (CSG). In parallel, the government also released a major study on the Eastern Australian Domestic Gas Market and consulted with stakeholders on potential policy options. In light of this analysis the Government has decided not to progress with convening such a panel or finalising its terms of reference and other arrangements.
What is the level of unemployment in the (a) aviation sector, and (b) trucking industry.
According to estimates from the Labour Force Survey conducted by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2013 (latest available data), there were approximately:
(a) 2000 people who were unemployed and who reported that their most recent job in the past two years was in Air and Space Transport; and
(b) 7300 people who were unemployed and who reported that their most recent job in the past two years was in Road Freight Transport.