The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2015 Measures No. 5) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a second time.
Australian Crime Commission Amendment (Criminology Research) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a second time.
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE-HELP Reform) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a second time.
An Australian workforce equipped with the skills, knowledge and cultural understanding to engage with potential FTA partner countries is central to the ability of Australian business to benefit from FTAs. The Committee considers that developing Australia's science, technology, engineering and mathematics capabilities, as well as widening knowledge of the languages and culture of key trading partners is of particular importance in facilitating engagement with FTA partner economies.
The Committee considers that the Australian Government should undertake modelling of human capital and workforce needs, particularly for the services sector, with the aim of identifying the labour skills needed to take advantage of future FTAs. This modelling should inform the development of a workforce strategy in the early stages of individual FTA negotiations.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Health Legislation Amendment (eHealth) Bill 2015
That all the words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"while not declining to give the Bill a second reading, the House notes the Government's inaction on eHealth over more than two years and the inadequacy of this Bill in making real improvements to a national electronic health record system".
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education Legislation Amendment (Overseas Debt Recovery) Bill 2015
Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Bill 2015
There is no such thing, of course, as “free” education. Somebody has to pay. In systems with no charges those somebodies are all taxpayers. This is a pretty important point: a “free” higher education system is one paid for by the taxes of all, the majority of whom haven’t had the privilege of a university education.
Ask yourself if you think that is a fair thing.
Presumably there will have to be some $A value fixed in regulation to provide some certainty in advance as to thresholds. Debtors need to know roughly how much they will need to set aside for their repayment. However, given fluctuations in the $A there will still be some uncertainty about how much it will cost them in their local currency when the time comes to transfer the money. Debtors will be hoping that the $A stays low; bad luck if you are a HELP debtor during the next commodity price boom.
"As it currently stands, Australians living overseas are not expected to make debt repayments, no matter how high their incomes.
"These Bills will ensure equity and fairness for all Australians with Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP) or Trade Support Loan (TSL) debts, and will help to maintain the stability and security of Australia’s education and training system.
"The same provisions for repayment of debts that apply to those living overseas will apply to those living in Australia. If you are volunteering overseas and earning only a small amount, if you are pulling beers or cutting hair in London for three months you will not be within the scope of these obligations. "However if you're working in a well-paid job overseas you will be required to pay back the cost of the education that you got here in Australia.
"From 1 January 2016, all Australians with current and new HELP and TSL debt who move overseas for six months or more will be required to notify the ATO via the myGov website to facilitate repayments.
"And from 1 July 2017, Australians with HELP and TSL debts who are non-residents for tax purposes will be required to assess their total Australian and foreign-sourced income in order to make income-contingent repayments, starting with the 2016-17 financial year.
"Only graduates earning over the repayment income threshold (currently around $54,000 Australian dollars a year) will be expected to make repayments."
Mr Pyne said the measures are estimated to save more than $25 million between 2015-16 and 2018-19, and more than $150 million over 10 years, in fiscal balance terms.
The Australian Taxation Office will provide a simple online tool to enable debtors to easily assess their repayment income and make repayments.
Mr Pyne also said that, following discussions with the United Kingdom, the Government plans to undertake a pilot data sharing project with the UK to enhance debt recovery. Reciprocal arrangements are also under discussion with New Zealand.
"This initiative will level the playing field and treat people the same no matter what currency their pay comes in," Mr Pyne said.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2015
Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2015
We are a society which has forgotten how to weep, how to experience compassion ...
In the name of 'peace', Israel continues to wage a daily war against the Palestinians—restricting their movement, demolishing their homes, displacing families, assassinating Palestinians and bombing towns and cities when it sees fit.
The authorities'—
Asset Recycling Initiative and Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility provided scope for additional investment in high priority infrastructure projects as they are identified, while meeting the government's medium-term fiscal strategy.
This decision by the government will be received with joy by many, many small businesses …
If you are a PAYE taxpayer there are fewer opportunities available to you to reduce the level of your tax.
The Government undermining the superannuation of working Australians.
The tax concessions for superannuation are substantial. They are justified—
because they avoid future payments of the age pension and they help boost our pool of savings, with all the benefits for the economy that this brings.
But because the tax concessions are costly for the budget bottom line it is natural that the Treasury and Department of Finance are attracted to recommending that they be pared back when belts are being tightened.
The problem with this is that it creates uncertainty for, and concern by people who are making voluntary contributions to superannuation.
Equal representation has been a success but the evolution of the super industry is important and I cannot see anything negative in having more independents on boards.
Independent directors on trustee boards, appointed using a strong definition of independence, will ensure that the interests of consumers are put ahead of the interests of shareholders or a sponsoring organisation. As superannuation grows from $2 trillion today to $7 trillion by 2035, good governance will be imperative for protecting consumers from potential conflicts of interest that may arise on boards of superannuation funds.
Independent directors are more likely to ask the right questions of where the interests of members lie …
It's critical to improve the governance of all superannuation funds, and having independent directors and chair is a positive step in this direction.
… we are encouraging Australians to invest in their superannuation—then they have to have some certainty about what is going to happen … in the retirement phase.
In Australia, it is the law that people (or employers on their behalf) make a compulsory contribution to superannuation of 9.5% of employment income (wages or salary). Do you support or oppose this system?
You may be aware that the Federal Government will continue to increase these compulsory contributions from 9.5% up to 12% of income over the next decade.
… higher-income earners gain relatively more from the favourable tax treatment of retirement savings (indeed, low income earners lose: subsidies are insufficient to offset the effectively higher average tax rate on superannuation contributions than on other earnings), which undermines the progressivity of the income tax system.
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2015
Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment (Streamlining Regulation) Bill 2015
The evidence shows that immigration detention is a dangerous place for children.
Australia is unique in its treatment of asylum seeker children. No other country mandates the closed and indefinite detention of children when they arrive on our shores.
… agreed on oath before the Inquiry that holding children in detention does not deter either asylum seekers or people smugglers. No … rationale for the prolonged detention of children seeking asylum in Australia has been offered.
These words are coming from hell. There are many broken hearts screaming with heartache because we have been kept for such a long time, with nothing except failing lives. Our stories might not be interesting to you ...
We have kids. We can't think about our future. We can't do anything for them, even their smallest wish. Our kids are dying slowly in front of us ... Please give us your hand to get us out of this deep dark hell ...
We are asylum seekers. Sorry but we have forgotten our names because now we are just called by our boat numbers. We have been in detention for years in this hell you call offshore processing centre. We cannot describe our suffering. We are tired of being tired ...
Wondering why our lives were saved in the ocean ... You took our joy, you took our hope, dreams and locked us up inside the fence.
This isn't about my job, it's giving a voice to those who can't speak out loudly enough.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mrs N Griggs ) took the chair at 9:30.
Most of our members each day go and attend something which no other person in society would see, so I think some of those things have a lasting effect.
Did you ever meet a bloke so full of life?
Always with a huge grin, even in strife
Would often share his last smoke and tucker too
Never hesitant to speak up for the likes of me and you
In peace and war for causes he led many a band
Defeat and failure he never did understand
"Cannot be done" was never part of his game
Always challenging the system gave him justified fame
Above all, he was to you and me, true blue
A mate to be trusted to see any danger through
Already we are missing you, JB
Yet always will be those proud treasured memories
So many dawns and sunsets you shared with others
Such a great honour to have called you our brother
Luv ya mate
'You're still a bloody troublemaker,' he tells his mate. 'As one of your commanders said, "Lieutenant Bourke is a problem, Lieutenant Bourke has always been a problem, and Lieutenant Bourke is the kind of problem it’s always good to have around."'
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of The House of Representatives
This petition is signed by concerned members of the public and their families based on the New South Wales Central Coast.
This petition draws to the attention of the House the lack of Lymphodema services, which is impacting hundreds of patients.
Lymphodema is recognised as a serious disease, which i s a side-effect of having lymph glands surgically removed during cancer surgery. It affects both men and women of all ages.
In particular, there is only one part time therapist employed at Gosford Hospital. This therapist is also required to assist patients with hand and feet therapy needs.
On the Central Coast, this is resulting in wait times of around seven weeks for an established patient at Gosford Hospital, and three months for a new patient to start treatment.
We therefore ask the House to act on this shortage of qualified therapists who are able to
treat Lymphodema. In particular, this is impacting residents i n the Federal electorate of Robertson.
This is considered a Commonwealth matter under the purview of the Department of Health, who would also be well positioned to raise awareness of this issue on a national level.
Please see the following pages for original signatures of petitions gathered on this important issue.
Lymphoedema is the regional accumulation of excessive amounts of protein-rich fluid in body tissue.
… usually affects the limb/s, although it can also affect the trunk, breast, head and neck or genital area. It … can be acquired following surgery, radiotherapy, trauma or other damage to the lymphatic system following treatment for cancer … Conservative estimates suggest that at least 20% of survivors from breast, gynaecological and prostate cancer, or melanoma will experience … lymphoedema.
Key risk factors include extent of surgery, lymph node dissection and radiation treatment. Other factors include trauma, infection, body mass index … and immobility.
We … ask the House to act on this shortage of qualified therapists who are able to treat Lymphodema. In particular, this is impacting residents in the Federal electorate of Robertson.
This is considered a Commonwealth matter under the purview of the Department of Health, who would also be well positioned to raise awareness of this issue on a national level.
… to avoid a whole series of small traps in the tax code that ordinary people would face if they paid tax on an onshore basis.
Ridesharing is not a revolutionary concept. It is simply a marketing term. Ridesharing is exactly what the Industry has been doing for years. That is, providing the travelling public with transport on a commercial basis.
If the costs of compliance were totally removed from existing hire car and Taxi operators (including licencing, insurances, driving certificates etc), the Industry would be able to provide a more cost competitive service and negate the massive cost disparities enjoyed by UberX.
… urban man is diminished by any final severance of his links with nature and the countryside …
A national government which has nothing to say about cities has nothing relevant or enduring to say about the nation or the nation’s future.
What sum was spent by the Minister's department(s) on advertising and associated services in 2014–15, and what policy areas did this relate to.
(1) What sum did the Minister's department spend in 2014-15 on the purchase and/or lease of (a) mobile phones, and (b) tablet devices for (i) Ministerial staff, and (ii) departmental staff. (2) What sum was spent on telecommunications contracts associated with these devices by (i) Ministerial staff, and (ii) departmental staff.
(1) In 2014–15, the Minister's department spent the following on purchasing and/or leasing:
(a) (i) mobile phones for Ministerial staff - $3,264.10
(ii) mobile phones for departmental staff - $1,020.43
(b) (i) tablet devices for Ministerial staff- $3,650.00
(ii) tablet devices for departmental staff - $3,676.01
(2) In 2014–15, the Minister's department spent the following on telecommunication contracts associated with these devices by:
(i) Ministerial staff- $45,195.56
(ii) Departmental staff - $141,239.25
In 2014-15, (a) what sum was spent on training for Ministerial staff, (b) on what date(s), and at what location(s), did the training occur, and (c) what outcomes were achieved.
(a) $1,650.
(b) 25 July 2014 and 12 March 2015, Canberra.
(c) Competency in using technical equipment in the Minister's office.
In respect of departmental costs for media events and photo opportunities in 2014-15, what (a) date was each event held, (b) location was each event held at, (c) sum was spent on each event, (d) announcement and/or issue did the event relate to, and (e) was the expenditure for.
The Department of Agriculture and Water Resources recorded no costs for media events and photo opportunities in 2014-15.
A media event was held to mark World Soils Day on 5 December 2014 at Canberra's City Farm in Turner to raise awareness about the importance of healthy soils featuring Australia's Advocate for Soil Health, Major General the Hon Michael Jeffery, AC, AO (Mil), CVO, MC (Retd). There was no cost to the department for this event.
In respect of catering and hospitality by the Minister's department in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) for what functions was the catering and hospitality, (c) on what date(s) did each function occur, and at what location(s), and (d) for each function, what sum was spent on (i) meals, (ii) drinks, (iii) hospitality staff, and (iv) other costs.
1. Refer to Attachment A.
2. Refer to Attachment A.
3. Refer to Attachment A.
4. N/A.
Attachment A
In respect of catering and hospitality by the Minister's department in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) for what functions was the catering and hospitality, (c) on what date(s) did each function occur, and at what location(s), and (d) for each function, what sum was spent on (i) meals, (ii) drinks, (iii) hospitality staff, and (iv) other costs.
The department spent a total of $74 217 on catering and hospitality. Attachment Aprovides the requested details.
Attachment A
Catering and Hospitality 2014-15
In respect of the $23,512.50 for 'tickets for industry conferences hosted by Gartner Austrasia' (CN3287224), (a) to what specific conference(s) does this tender relate, (b) how many tickets will be provided, (c) how many (i) departmental staff, and (ii) Ministerial staff will be in attendance, (d) what is the total cost associated with attendance at the conference(s), including meals and accommodation, and (e) what is the full itinerary for the conference(s).
Mr Joyce – The Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources has provided the following answer to the honourable member's question:
(a) Gartner Summit Events held over the 2015/16 and 2016/17 financial years. Gartner Summits focus on technology roles, provides in-depth analysis and insight on a variety of key initiatives and hot topics critical to the department's IT environment.
These summits include:
(i) Business Intelligence, Analytics & Information Management
(ii) IT Infrastructure, Operations & Data Centre Summit
(iii) Applications Architecture, Development & Integration
(iv. Security & Risk Management
(v) Business Process Management
(b) 10 tickets in total. To date 3 tickets have been utilised by departmental staff.
(c) (i) 10 (ii) nil
(d) The total costs associated with attendance for the 3 staff that have attended summits is $9,400 (GST Inc). Costs will vary depending on flights and accommodation at the time of the booking.
(e) The itinerary will vary depending on the summit and the individual's requirements. A sample itinerary is ( Attachment A ).Copies of the sample itinerary can be obtained from the House of Representatives Table Office.
(1) In respect of the categories of property listed on the Department of Finance's website: http://www.finance.gov.au/property/property/domestic-property-portfolio.html, will the Minister provide a full list of properties categorised as (a) Special Purpose Properties, (b) Residential Properties, and (c) Other Properties; if so, for each property, can the Minister provide the details such as its (i) name, and (ii) location.
(2) For each category above, and in addition, the category of Albury-Wodonga Properties, which ones are (i) currently undergoing divestment processes and what is the expected timeframe for each, and (ii) deemed to be surplus Commonwealth land and property holdings.
(1) In respect of the categories of property listed on the Department of Finance's website: http://www.finance.gov.au/property/property/domestic-property-portfolio.html, categorisation of the portfolio properties is as follows:
(a) Special Purpose Properties. Total Special Purpose Properties: 10
(b) Residential Properties. Total Residential Properties: 9
(c) Other Properties. Total Other Properties: 170, including properties in following states or territories
(2) For each category above, including the Albury-Wodonga Properties, the properties currently undergoing divestment processes and the expected timeframe for those processes for each category of properties are as follows:
(a) Special Purpose Properties
(b) Residential Properties
(c) Other Properties
Divestment strategy options are being developed and progressed for further surplus properties where divestment will occur in subsequent financial years.
The properties deemed to be surplus Commonwealth land and property holdings.
Properties Currently in Process of Divestment
Department of Finance - Properties Sold in 2015/16
Will the Government consider mandating Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) on all new cars given that (a) the European New Car Assessment Programme's assessment of AEB systems suggests that they can reduce rear end crashes by one quarter or more and lead to a significant reduction of injuries, and (b) both the Australasian New Car Assessment Program and Australian Medical Association advocate the mandating of AEB on all new cars, consistent with the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe making AEB systems mandatory for new heavy vehicles from the start of 2015.
The national vehicle standards—the Australian Design Rules (ADRs)—are being increasingly harmonised with international vehicle regulations adopted by the United Nations (the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe). This is important because over 85 percent of motor vehicles supplied to the Australian market are imported by global vehicle manufacturers, while vehicle sales in Australia represent less than one percent of the total world production of motor vehicles. Regulation that is based on internationally agreed standards provides consumers with access to the safest vehicles from the global market at the lowest possible cost.
The United Nations has adopted a regulation for Advanced Emergency Braking (AEB) on heavy vehicles and in 2016 the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development will commence development of a Regulation Impact Statement to ascertain the case for mandating AEB on heavy vehicles in Australia.
At this stage, the United Nations has not commenced development of a regulation for AEB on light vehicles. However, Australia will continue to monitor the situation closely and participate actively in the development of any such regulation. In the meantime, the Australian Government will promote the voluntary uptake of AEB on light vehicles.
In December 2014, the former Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, the Hon Jamie Briggs MP, signalled the importance of promoting AEB is his Ministerial Statement to Parliament on Progress on Road Safety. In May 2015, Minister Briggs wrote to major businesses drawing their attention to the National Road Safety Partnership Program and encouraging the purchase of vehicles with targeted technologies, particularly highlighting AEB.
The Australian Government also promotes AEB through its participation in the Australasian New Car Assessment Program (ANCAP) and AEB is one of the identified 'technologies with high safety potential' in the National Road Safety Strategy Action Plan 2015-2017 (Action 9).
Reference to the European New Car Assessment Programme's (EuroNCAP) assessment of AEB in the honourable member's question appears to refer to research on the real world effectiveness of AEB that was jointly commissioned by EuroNCAP, ANCAP and the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development. A brief summary of the research is available at < http://www.ancap.com.au/media-and-gallery/releases/study-confirms-effectiveness-of-autonomous-emergency-braking >.