The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 21 March 2017.
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, 27 March 2017, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 STANDING COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE AND WATER RESOURCES:
Safe keeping — Inquiry into the biosecurity of Australian honey bees
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.20 am
Speech time limits—
Mr R. J. Wilson—5 minutes.
Next Member speaking—5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
2 AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION:
Report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the Twenty-fifth Annual Meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, Natadola, Fiji
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.25 am
Speech time limits—
Mr Entsch—5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR WILKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Banking Act 1959 , and for related purposes. (Banking Amendment (Establishing an Effective Code of Conduct) Bill 2017 )
( Notice given 21 March 2017. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 MR KATTER : To present a Bill for an Act to establish a People of Australia's Commission of Inquiry into banking and financial services in Australia, and for related purposes. (People of Australia's Commission of Inquiry (Banking and Financial Services) Bill 2017 )
( Notice given 20 March 2017. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
Orders of the day
1 Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay) Bill 2017 ( Mr Shorten ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 20 March 2017 ).
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
All Members speaking—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.
Notices - continued
3 MR ENTSCH: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 24 March is World Tuberculosis Day, and marks the anniversary of German Nobel Laureate DrRobert Koch's 1882 discovery of the bacterium that causes tuberculosis;
(b) tuberculosis is contagious and airborne, ranking as the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent;
(c) in 2015, 1.8 million people died from tuberculosis worldwide and 10.4 million people became sick with the disease, with over 60 per cent of cases occurring in countries in our region;
(d) Papua New Guinea (PNG) has one of the highest rates of tuberculosis infection in the Pacific, with an estimated 33,000 total cases including 2,000 drug-resistant cases, in 2015; and
(e) tuberculosis is:
(i) the leading cause of death among HIV positive people—HIV weakens the immune system and in combination with tuberculosis is lethal, each contributing to the other's progress; and
(ii) tuberculosis is considered a preventable and treatable disease, however many current treatment tools—drugs, diagnostics and vaccines—are outdated and ineffective;
(2) recognises:
(a) the impact of the increased support by Australia to combat tuberculosis in PNG, and the need for continued support for prevention and treatment, as well as development of new tools and strategies to combat tuberculosis, consistent with the World Health Organisation's 'The End TB Strategy';
(b) current Australian Government funding of health and medical research is helping to bring new medicines and diagnostic tests to market for tuberculosis and other neglected diseases; and
(c) the ongoing support for research and development of new simple and affordable treatment tools for tuberculosis and multidrug-resistant tuberculosis is essential if the goals of the End TB Strategy are to be met;
(3) acknowledges the work of Australia's partners in fighting tuberculosis, including the Burnet Institute and Global Fund, in partnership with the Government of PNG and the Reef and Rainforest Research Centre's 'Treaty Village Resilience Project' in building capacity in villages of the Western Province, to deliver platforms for the delivery of improved health services including tuberculosis prevention and treatment; and
(4) calls on the Australian Government to provide continued funding for tuberculosis prevention and treatment in PNG, and continued funding for the development of improved diagnostics and medications to combat tuberculosis, beyond 2017.
( Notice given 20 March 2017. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits—
Mr Entsch—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 7 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 PERRETT : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Australia has had a policy on multiculturalism since 1973; and
(b) Australia's multicultural policy demonstrates our shared values and cultural traditions and complements our national characteristics of equality and a fair go for all;
(2) recognises that:
(a) our diversity:
(i) makes us a richer, more vibrant and creative country; and
(ii) brings economic and social benefits and gives us a competitive edge in a globalised world;
(b) multiculturalism:
(i) is in our best interest and speaks to fairness and inclusion; and
(ii) enhances respect and support for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity;
(c) we are committed to a just, inclusive and socially cohesive society where everyone can participate in the opportunities our country offers;
(d) promoting understanding and acceptance is important;
(e) racism is harmful to individuals and to the community; and
(f) racist behaviour should not be tolerated in a civil society; and
(3) calls on the Government to reaffirm its commitment to Australia's culturally diverse and socially cohesive society and to condemn those who are actively seeking to incite division.
( Notice given 2 March 2017. )
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Perrett—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.
2 MS M. L. LANDRY : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Australian Government is committed to providing water infrastructure to increase agricultural production and irrigation potential across Australia;
(b) the Australian Government has committed funding to the following projects, which are examples of how the Coalition is serious about jobs and growth in this country, promising:
(i) $130 million to cover 50 per cent of the cost of building Rookwood Weir, near Rockhampton, with a further $2 million to ensure that the Queensland Government can complete the final business case required for Rookwood to proceed;
(ii) $225,000 to secure water infrastructure for Clermont and Theresa Greek Dam in Queensland; and
(iii) $3 million towards a feasibility study for Urannah Dam near Mackay in Queensland, benefiting an area from Eungella to Collinsville and the northern tropics;
(2) notes the failure of Federal Labor and Queensland Labor to financially commit to projects such as Rookwood Weir; and
(3) commends the Australian Government for recognising the potential of Australia by investing in water infrastructure.
( Notice given 2 1 March 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms M. L. Landry—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.
3 MS LAMB : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) there are over 90,000 people employed in the accommodation sector of the hospitality industry and many of these are women;
(b) full time workers will have their take home pay cut because of the Fair Work Commission's (FWC's) decision to cut Sunday and public holiday penalty rates for the hospitality award;
(c) the base wage for a Level 1 guest service worker is less than $700 a week;
(d) the cut to Sunday penalty rates for these workers is $4.55 an hour, which is more than a fortnight's pay per year; and
(e) those affected are among our most industrially powerless workers in the economy and they have been made poorer;
(2) condemns Government Members and Senators who called for cuts to penalty rates and their continuous pressuring of the FWC to reduce penalty rates; and
(3) calls on:
(a) Government Members and Senators to stand with Labor to protect low paid workers take home pay; and
(b) the House to support Labor's Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay) Bill 2017, to amend the Fair Work Act 2009 .
( Notice given 28 February 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Lamb—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.
4 MR EVANS: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that the last two budgets demonstrate the Government's achievements in supporting small businesses;
(2) notes that the Government has delivered:
(a) a Ten Year Enterprise Tax Plan to reduce the tax rate to 27.5 per cent, commencing on 1 July 2016, with the tax rate to progressively reduce to 25 per cent by 1 July 2026, noting that the lower rate will apply to businesses with annual turnover of less than $10 million from 1 July 2016;
(b) an immediate tax deduction for small businesses when purchasing assets up to $20,000;
(c) a more than $4.8 billion reduction in red tape and compliance costs for business;
(d) simplified business activity statement reporting requirements to reduce compliance costs for small business;
(e) improved access to digital services for small businesses through the rollout and pilot of the Single Touch Payroll system; and
(f) an extension of the unfair contract term provisions to create a level playing field for small businesses when entering standard form contracts;
(3) acknowledges the Government's efforts to boost innovation, open markets and grow businesses through:
(a) delivering the $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda, which includes key measures to promote a dynamic culture of entrepreneurship, changes to insolvency reform and access to finance;
(b) signing new trade agreements with Korea, Japan, China and Singapore and committing resources to help small and medium businesses access new export opportunities;
(c) creating an advocate for small business with the appointment of the Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman in March 2016;
(d) strengthening our competition laws to protect small businesses against anticompetitive behaviour and the misuse of market power;
(e) helping small businesses gain greater access to finance through innovative solutions and diverse funding options with the release of the Fintech statement; and
(f) making it easier for small businesses to access Commonwealth procurement opportunities; and
(4) encourages the Government to continue to pursue cutting red tape and compliance costs while implementing a rigorous policy agenda which supports Australian small businesses.
( Notice given 27 February 2017. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits—
Mr Evans—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices - continued
5 DR LEIGH: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Global Gag Rule (GGR), as implemented by the United States, will prove detrimental to millions of women and girls around the world;
(b) the GGR has expanded to an unprecedented degree, applying to 15 times more funding as a consequence of its extension into all global health funding, which will result in roughly $9.5 billion dollars in global health funding being affected;
(c) the GGR will result in the targeting of some of the most effective health organisations in the world, operating in 60 low and middle income countries;
(d) a study by researchers at Stanford University found that after the GGR came into effect in 2001, the abortion rate increased sharply in sub-Saharan African countries that had been dependent on such funding;
(e) the funding cuts will likely prevent many global health organisations from offering HIV prevention and treatment services, maternal health care and even Zika virus prevention; and
(f) it is possible that as many as 21,700 maternal deaths could occur in the next four years as a consequence of this executive order, which is in addition to 6.5 million unintended pregnancies and 2.1 million unsafe abortions from 2017 to 2020, according to Marie Stopes International;
(2) notes that:
(a) when Labor was in government, overseas development assistance increased from 0.28 per cent of Gross National Income in 2007-08 to 0.37 per cent in 2013-14, and was on track to reach 0.50 per cent in 2017-18; and
(b) under the Coalition, development assistance is now just 0.23 per cent of national income, the lowest level since comparable records began in the 1970s, and well below the OECD average of 0.30 per cent; and
(3) calls on the Australian Government to join the Dutch, Belgian, Swedish and Canadian governments in filling the gap in development assistance funding left by the United States Government's imposition of the GGR.
( Notice given 16 February 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Dr Leigh—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.
6 MR CREWTHER: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Victorian Labor Government was elected on 29 November 2014 and the Premier was sworn in on 4 December 2014;
(b) the Premier:
(i) in his election platform stated: 'More young people are turning to a life of crime. Crime has increased every year. Courts and prison systems are under huge pressure'; and
(ii) took only one promise to that election in regards to law and order—$148.6 million to free up some of the 400 officers who supervise prisoners in holding cells;
(c) since being elected, the Victorian Government has seen prison riots, millions of dollars in damage to prison facilities, and a total loss of control over the justice system;
(d) when the Premier was elected, the crime rate was 7,869 offences per 100,000 Victorians, and Victoria's crime rate two years later is now 8,975 offences per 100,000 Victorians;
(e) between October 2015 and September 2016 this crime rate includes 12.6 per cent more assaults, 21.5 per cent more robberies, 13.7 per cent more burglaries and break and enters, 17.5 per cent more thefts, and 75.3 per cent more justice procedures;
(f) the Victorian Government is unable to control the criminals in prison let alone the criminals on the streets of Victoria; and
(g) under the Victorian Government, Victorians are just less safe;
(2) further notes that the Australian Government supports the fight against crime in Victoria more broadly and specifically in the electoral division of Dunkley through measures such as $925,150 from the Safer Streets Programme (SSP);
(3) calls on:
(a) the Federal Opposition to support measures that allow the Government to achieve savings to ensure even more funding for programmes like the SSP; and
(b) Members of the Victorian Parliament to ensure that Victoria has stronger policies on law and order including less bail and more jail for criminals who would pose a risk to the community; and
(4) condemns the Victorian Government for a lack of action on law and order and failing to protect Victorians.
( Notice given 28 February 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Crewther—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.
7 MS SHARKIE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the first Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs was appointed by the Fraser Government in 1978;
(b) subsequent Labor and Coalition Australian Governments have appointed Ministers with a portfolio concerned with youth, and the Howard Government had three different Ministers who held the youth affairs portfolio;
(c) in 2013 the Abbott Government abolished the youth portfolio;
(d) in May 2014, the Government advised it was planning a 'focused and targeted approach' to consult with young people, yet this year is likely to have the last National Youth Week with no funding in the forward estimates;
(e) the Deloitte 2017 Millennial Survey suggests that young people struggle to engage with major political parties—not having a Youth Minister acts as a clear signal that engagement with young people is not a priority for this Government; and
(f) Australia's youth unemployment and underemployment are an increasingly systemic concern, with the current youth unemployment rate sitting at 13.3 per cent and the youth underemployment rate sitting at 18.3 per cent; and
(2) calls on the Government to appoint a Minister for Young People, sitting within the Cabinet, having a particular focus on youth engagement, youth employment and transition to work.
( Notice given 21 March 2017. )
Time allotted—20 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Sharkie—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.
8 MR TED O'BRIEN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that a simple resolution is currently before the United States Senate in the name of Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland and 13 other United States Senators reaffirming a strong commitment to the United States-Australia alliance relationship;
(2) reaffirms the strong alliance relationship between Australia and the United States;
(3) supports continued diplomatic, military and economic cooperation between the Australia and the United States; and
(4) reaffirms the importance of a United States-Australia relationship based on mutual respect befitting a close and longstanding alliance partner crucial to the preservation of Australia's national interests in the Asia-Pacific region and around the world.
( Notice given 28 February 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Ted O'Brien—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.
9 MS L. M. CHESTERS: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the Hazelwood power station is scheduled to close on 26 March 2017;
(b) its closure will affect 750 direct jobs in Gippsland;
(c) unemployment is already at 8.1 per cent in the Latrobe Valley;
(d) the Victorian Government has created a $266 million transition package for workers affected by the Hazelwood closure; and
(e) the Australian Government has only contributed $43 million to this transition package;
(2) acknowledges that government plays an important role in creating policy settings to attract new investment and jobs, both in the Latrobe Valley and across regional Australia in general;
(3) condemns the Australian Government's:
(a) inaction in not meeting with affected workers; and
(b) failure to act in setting policies that give business the confidence to invest and create jobs; and
(4) calls on Australian Government Ministers to meet with affected workers and their unions and to start investing in industry and jobs across regional Australia in the upcoming federal budget.
( Notice given 2 1 March 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms L. M. Chesters—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.
10 MR GOODENOUGH : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that while Australia has some of the strongest firearm controls in the world, illicit firearms continue to remain a threat to community safety;
(2) acknowledges that the Government has:
(a) introduced legislation which doubles the maximum penalties for firearms trafficking offences, including mandatory minimum sentences of five years imprisonment;
(b) invested:
(i) $88 million to increase screening and examination of international mail, air and sea cargo to detect illicit firearms and firearms parts at our borders; and
(ii) $116 million in the National Anti-Gangs Squad which has been successful in getting illegal guns off our streets; and
(c) provided an additional $25.4 million to fund the expansion of the Australian Federal Police's (AFP's) National Forensics Rapid Lab to enhance the AFP's capacity to detect and seize illegal firearms and target the criminal syndicates that peddle them;
(3) notes that the Australian Labor Party and the Australian Greens have opposed mandatory minimum sentences for illegal firearms trafficking; and
(4) calls on Members to support tougher sentences for illegal firearms trafficking, including the need for mandatory minimum sentences.
( Notice given 28 February 2017. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm
Speech time limits—
Mr Goodenough—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 3 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) the Prime Minister has confirmed that his laws to water down protections against racist hate speech will be introduced into the Senate instead of the House of Representatives;
(b) this is nothing more than a cynical attempt by the Prime Minister to be able to claim to the extreme elements in his party room that his Government is taking action on section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act while hoping MPs in this Chamber can avoid having to vote on the issue; and
(c) Members of Parliament should not say one thing in Canberra but another thing to the voters in their electorates;
(2) resolves to deal with this issue today;
(3) affirms there should be no weakening of the Racial Discrimination Act by giving licence to racist hate speech; and
(4) therefore, resolves to retain section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act in its current form.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion forthwith—That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) the Prime Minister has confirmed that his laws to water down protections against racist hate speech will be introduced into the Senate instead of the House of Representatives;
(b) this is nothing more than a cynical attempt by the Prime Minister to be able to claim to the extreme elements in his party room that his Government is taking action on section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act while hoping MPs in this Chamber can avoid having to vote on the issue; and
(c) Members of Parliament should not say one thing in Canberra but another thing to the voters in their electorates;
(2) resolves to deal with this issue today;
(3) affirms there should be no weakening of the Racial Discrimination Act by giving licence to racist hate speech; and
(4) therefore, resolves to retain section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act in its current form.
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [9:40]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [19:47]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the motion be put.
The House divided. [09:49]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [09:52]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That business intervening before order of the day No. 30, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Bill 2016
The evidence is clear that children benefit from access to high-quality early learning, particularly from two days per week, as articulated in the evidence brief tabled with our submission.
… … …
However, we fear that the childcare proposal currently before the Senate will cut access to early learning in half or, worse still, to zero for some families earning less than $65,000 per year. Children from up to 100,000 low-income families could be worse off as a result. We therefore recommend that the package is modified to ensure all children have access to at least two days of early learning.
Our concerns about the childcare bill are directly associated with what we believe and what the experts have also confirmed will be the effect of this, which is that we will move away from enabling access to early childhood education and care of a minimum of two days per week, which is considered to be the minimum that should be available to children …
From our perspective, we have come to this minimum requirement of 15 hours as one of the ways of trying to ensure that that service provision is over the two days.
If you are on contract work or you take short-term work or you are in a casual labour market, you are going to really struggle to meet that activity test all the time. So, where we have identified improvements to the package, it is to try to stabilise participation for those children.
The funding reform proposal will no doubt ensure the closure of up to 90 per cent of the current BBF mobile children's services across rural and remote communities in Australia.
It will fail. Every service that I can actually think of in the children's area that is mainstreamed after Aboriginal control, fails. And it fails because the services that these Aboriginal-controlled people are providing, provide a whole range of other things that are very protective and culturally important for Aboriginal children and their families.
It is like putting a square peg in a round hole, trying to jam it in and make sure it fits. We know that it is not going to, because we are going to have splinters everywhere. What is going to happen to our services? In 2018 they will have to close their doors.
These changes will diminish our kids' potential to make a smooth transition to school, compounding the likelihood of intergenerational disempowerment and unemployment. Children will fall behind before they have even started … and suffer greater risks of removal into out-of-home care.
The Turnbull government's early childhood education and care reforms have been comprehensively designed with regional Australia in mind.
Families in cities, in regional centres and in the bush know that our early childhood education and care system is not working for them.
Many of the services in regional and rural areas are part of a scheme set up 40 years ago that limits the amount of funding they can get from the government and stops them from growing to support families.
Rather than reduce their support we plan to increase it and provide more opportunity for services to respond to changes in their community.
We are supporting services onto a new model of funding that targets increased support towards those families working the most and earning the least, while our ‘Child Care Safety Net’ worth $1 billion will help services that might not otherwise be viable—like some mobile education and care services in regional and remote communities.
Firstly, the services will have access to the child care subsidy—
which will allow growth in funding per child for the first time.
We will also remove red tape that currently stops child care services from only operating on certain days or for limited hours, which should also help regional Australia …
Overall, official analysis shows our reforms are set to benefit around one million families across the country.
That the motion be now put.
The House divided. [11:17]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [11:24]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
I felt very emotion about the MIA memorial. Looking at the graves from my two classmates at Duntroon—Eric Larson and Joe Luscombe. And other graves I wanted to see—Lieutenant Colonel Charlie Green and Slim Madden.
When I assumed the command at Woodside, I arranged to have the soldiers' canteen named in his honour, and I believe it is still being referred to as the Slim Madden Soldier's Club, and I'm very proud of that.
You had to keep your eyes open for snipers all the time. They were like flies. But we got rid of many of them. We took it in our stride.
We were up top, the battalion was around us, we were mortared, shelled continuously for the whole day. We were very, very fortunate to get off it. I never thought I would ever see it again.
I don't think any Australian kids know anything about the Korean War. But certainly the schoolkids in this country do.
The cemetery in Pusan. Seeing how the Australian braves are looked after, respected. It gladdens the heart of an old veteran. To know that his old comrades, or some of his mates, are buried here and they are not forgotten.
The Koreans know what the Australians have done in this country. They know they made a large sacrifice. 340 of them died here. Most of them are buried here. They will always remember the Australian contribution to the Korean people.
We are happy to know that we helped a little the South Koreans to get started, and build their country and make it into one of the most powerful nations in the Asian sector now.
We can always sit back and say we done a bit. We done our bit.
Fair Work Amendment (Corrupting Benefits) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
Copyright Amendment (Disability Access and Other Measures) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
Communications Legislation Amendment (SBS Advertising Flexibility) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
Education and Other Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2017
The VET sector is a crucial piece of Australia's economic and social infrastructure. It prepares workers for the rapid economic change and helps to keep Australians competitive in a global market.
We recognise the role of strong TAFE providers alongside effective and accountable private providers.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Corporations Amendment (Crowd-sourced Funding) Bill 2016
That the amendment be agreed to.
If a person who is a retail client in relation to a CSF offer makes an application pursuant to the offer, the person may withdraw the application within 48 hours after the application is made.
Such a reality defeats the purpose for introducing legislation to facilitate CSF as only a very small minority of companies will be able to raise funds through this mode of finance.
It's very easy for the startup community to become very self-focused. It's not really targeted as much to startups …
As noted in the prior consultation papers about 99 per cent of Australian companies are proprietary companies and a majority are small businesses.
This means that the vast majority of potential small business users of the new framework must wait for another, soon-to-be-announced round of amendments and regulations before they can begin to make the necessary decisions and adaptations, including possibly taking the decision to switch legal structures and become a public company.
… we believe it would be simpler, more certain and more straightforward for small business if the current amendments were held off so the full package of amendments were introduced at the same time.
The question is: are we opening the floodgates to stuff that we would not want to hear, that no-one around this table would want to hear, inadvertently by trying to improve it without knowing what is likely to happen next?
The rolling back of a law sends a message, as does the passage of one. It can send the message that it is acceptable to offend and insult another person on the basis of their race.
It is a statement of fact which I agree with.
I have previously said the nation should be aiming for a 25 per cent corporate tax rate.
Dobinsons are only a medium sized business and have been looking at all avenues to minimise electricity usage and cost of electricity by 2020. We've just outlaid $1.3 million on solar so as to reduce our electricity bill, but after installing over 2,000 solar panels it is still only one-third of our electricity. It doesn't help us with starting the furnaces at 5.30, heating them up for the 7 am start.
… declaring conduct, relevantly speech, to be unlawful, because it causes offence, goes too far.
In 1991, the report of the national inquiry into racist violence recommended that the legislation should not be about hurt feelings or injured sensibilities but should focus on incitement to racial hostility.
I continue to believe that that … was essentially correct.
If people are going to be hauled before tribunals or courts over these very issues, it is going to stifle debate.
Let's say five.
…means the flying doctor will be better able to deliver emergency medical care to injured or ill Australians across 91 frequently used airstrips.
Ordered that the report be made a parliamentary paper.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2016-2017
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2016-2017
The need to properly fund Australian schools.
What the best and wisest parent wants for his own child, that must the community want for all its children.
I promise you every day your child will learn something.
Some days they will bring it home in their hands,
some days they will bring it home in their heads,
and some days they will bring it home in their hearts.
The state's spending on public schools fell from $2.450 billion to $2.394 billion in 2014/15 when adjusted for inflation, while federal money increased $12 million …
State funding per public school student dropped from $14,682 to $14,312, while federal funding rose …
The figures come just days after it was revealed the State Government gave a $757,500 grant to a group of community organisations to run a campaign against federal education funding policies.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2016-2017
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2016-2017
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan) Bill 2016
Any student of Australian business and economic history since the mid-80s knows that part of Australia's success was derived through the reduction in the company tax rate.
Cutting the company income tax rate increases domestic productivity and domestic investment. More capital means higher productivity and economic growth and leads to more jobs and higher wages.
… for a nation to try to tax itself into prosperity is like a man standing in a bucket and trying to lift himself up by the handle.
… Keating knew that the corporate tax rate needed to be cut to make Australia competitive, that capital and investment would flow to tax-competitive nations and that this was an important job-creation move. Today capital is even more mobile than it was then and it is important that our corporate tax rate is more competitive.
The money was all appropriated for the top in the hopes that it would trickle down to the needy. Mr. Hoover didn’t know that money trickled up. Give it to the people at the bottom and the people at the top will have it before night, anyhow.
We think it is really important to signal that we want reinvestment in businesses, because that is what grows the jobs and grows the capacity.
Our plan will also improve the competitiveness of the entire economy. It will deliver a company tax rate cut for all companies.
… … …
These changes promote growth across the entire economy.
Cutting the company income tax rate increases domestic productivity and domestic investment. More capital means higher productivity and economic growth and leads to more jobs and higher wages.
Labor Senators also call on the Government to abandon fiscal recklessness and instead work cooperatively to continue the work of budget repair in a way that is fair.
Labor Senators also call on the Government to abandon fiscal recklessness and instead work cooperatively ...
Choosing not to pass this Bill in its entirety would be a decision to let Australia fall further behind other countries and give up on competitiveness and building future prosperity. It would be a decision to continue imposing self-inflicted harm on the Australian economy, workers and households. We cannot afford not to pass this Bill.
Cutting the company income tax rate increases domestic productivity and domestic investment. More capital means higher productivity and economic growth and leads to more jobs and higher wages.
… it's a Labor thing to have the ambition of reducing company tax, because it promotes investment, creates jobs and drives growth.
I'd like to see it lower over time. I think we've had 14 years of having the corporate tax rate stable. That's too long. Over time, I'd like to see it lowered.
As the alternative Treasurer, I'm telling you that I think it would be a better thing if Australia's … tax rate was more competitive …
… company tax rate reductions had largely corresponded with base broadening measures, such as the removal of accelerated depreciation.
The Government is to cut the corporate tax rate in one step, from 49 cents to 39 cents, to give Australian companies a tax structure more than competitive with the rest of the world.
… the Government has decided to lower the company tax rate by removing some tax concessions.
That is, lowering the company tax rate by broadening the company tax base.
So instead of tax breaks only being available to select businesses, with others shouldering the burden, all companies will now enjoy a lower tax rate.
In other words, a better and fairer company tax system.
Despite the referendum and the resulting delay of tax reform, Switzerland remains an attractive business location with its highly skilled workforce, excellent infrastructure, and the overall attractive tax environment.
Cutting the company income tax rate increases domestic productivity and domestic investment. More capital means higher productivity and economic growth and leads to more jobs and higher wages.
More capital means higher productivity and economic growth and leads to more jobs and higher wages.
It's a Labor thing to have the ambition of reducing company tax, because it promotes investment, creates jobs and drives growth.
It's a Labor thing to have the ambition of reducing company tax, because it promotes investment, creates jobs and drives growth.
Any student of Australian business and economic history since the mid-80s knows that part of Australia's success was derived through the reduction in the company tax rate.
We need to be able to make life easier for Australian business, which employs two in every three Australians.
The Government's tax reform agenda has a strong focus—
on ensuring that Australia remains an attractive place to invest ... Cutting the company tax rate is an important step along this road.
This recognises the benefits to investment and growth from lower company tax rates and a trend to lower rates across the OECD over the past 30 years.
Keating knew that the corporate tax rate needed to be cut to make Australia competitive, that capital and investment would flow to tax-competitive nations and that this was an important job-creation move.
Today capital is even more mobile than it was then and it is important that our corporate tax rate is more competitive. It's a Labor thing to have the ambition of reducing company tax …
I'd like to see it lower over time. I think we've had 14 years of having the corporate tax rate stable. That's too long. Over time, I'd like to see it lowered.
As the alternative Treasurer, I'm telling you that I think it would be a better thing if Australia's corporate tax rate was more competitive.
… corporate income taxes are the most harmful for growth as they discourage the activities of firms that are most important for growth: investment in capital and productivity improvements.
The four years of surpluses I announce tonight are a powerful endorsement of the strength of our economy, resilience of our people, and success of our policies.
In an uncertain and fast‑changing world, we walk tall—
… our multi-speed economy is putting pressure on businesses that aren't in the fast lanes.
… … …
We'll encourage companies to invest and innovate …
… … …
This will support businesses …
Many are up in arms over this, including the owners, management and 50 full-time staff at Seaford caravan firm Jayco Page Bros, whose 3 ha site is earmarked for the wrecking ball.
Frankston City Council favours a new stabling facility at Baxter in a project that would also deliver an electrified and duplicated track to the growing area.
Don't hold your breath waiting for an efficient public transport system on the Mornington Peninsula.
@mrbenjaminlaw tweeted:
At the age of 10, I was at the local pool as a group of white boys held my head underwater, laughing at me for being Asian. #FreedomOfSpeech
@SuDharmapala
#Freedomofspeech—my 8 year old begging for skin bleaching because he was teased for being the colour of poo. I lost it that night.
Sharon Davis
After taxi ride full of racist comments. I tucked my 6yo into bed. He asked me what's wrong with us? Why do they hate us? #FreedomofSpeech
Faustina Agolley
90s. almost veered off the road with my Chinese mum & aunt by a group of white men yelling 'go back to where you came from!' #FreedomofSpeech
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Bird ) took the chair at 10:02.
If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:
If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:
If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’
If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
Show support to Australians who work their butts off and pay their taxes, stop our companies from going bust, and make our small businesses profitable and successful…make Australia great again – strong industry, strong community…
Cutting the company income tax rate … leads to more jobs and higher wages.
If you really care in making a change, I suggest you and the liberals and the other parties, all pass legislation to cease making payments and any other concessions that are paid to former prime ministers, ministers etc. that includes offices, travel, support staff which all cost the Australian tax payer.
Please push for the complete legalisation of medicinal cannabis. Many people are suffering and this substance could alleviate their pain. It is frustrating to see how slowly this is happening.
like to see more done about lowering the daily living cost which is killing low income Australians such as petrol, power, water, rent, fresh food…where and when does it stop?
Just relocation in itself doesn't achieve anything except interrupting the efforts being made by the APVMA to improve regulatory efficiency.
If you did a cost-benefit analysis on the Sydney Opera House, well (you can say) that doesn't pay for itself either.
as a community we've benefitted so much from the funding from Gonski. And we see the difference it's making in the lives of our students. They have an opportunity to grow and develop, and develop skills in particular that will set them up significantly for future employment prospects and we're really grateful for the funding that we have received.
It is about gay teenagers yet to come out, fearful of rejection, being told that there is something wrong with who they are and how they feel.
LGBTI people have a five times increased risk of suicide …
… this is caused by discrimination and homophobia.
There is nothing intrinsically wrong with people in the LGBTI community in terms of mental illness but their experiences causes the increased risk.
Congratulations to you on your wedding day. May this special time be blessed with love, laughter, and happiness. We wish you all the best as you embark on your journey together, and we hope your bond grows stronger with each passing year.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama and Michelle Obama
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2016-2017
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2016-2017
Yet even with the determination of our First Australians to create a better future … with successive Commonwealth and state governments … and thousands of dedicated Australians seeking to contribute … we still are not making enough progress.
… that there is no evidence to suggest that lower rates increase economic growth. Secondly, a historical analysis of Australia’s own corporate tax rate shows that, if anything, lower rates have a negative impact on the kind of economic indicators spruiked by their proponents.
The evidence presented here suggests that if there are any growth dividends of lowering the company tax rate they are so weak as to be outweighed by other factors. Neither cross-country comparison nor Australia’s own history lend any support to the ‘tax-cuts-are-good’ thesis. If the aim really is increased economic growth, then Australians would be better advised to ignore the business lobby’s call for lower company tax rates and look seriously at other policies.
If all a government does is try to pump further liquidity into the residential housing market, inevitably, all you do is push up house prices.
… the classic example—
was the Howard government's $7,000 first homeowners grant which, he said, may as well have been given straight to developers such was its effect in pushing up prices.
"Nick, I'm not loving your most recent crusade—
In fact, I think you need a better research assistant because you've just messed up as far as Canada is concerned," Turner wrote in an open letter. "We're reaping the bitter harvest sown when that dumbass legislation passed.
"Allowing first-time buyers to remove tax-free money to buy a modest home they could not otherwise afford, then restore it to their long-term retirement savings makes perfect sense in theory. In practice and inexperience, just the opposite [happened]."
In respect of his travel to the United Kingdom and Europe to meet with counterparts in January 2017, can the Minister provide an itemised breakdown of the following for the Minister and each accompanying staff member, (a) days on which the trip took place(b) purpose and details of each leg of the trip(c) how many
(i) Ministerial staff and
(ii) officials travelled with the Treasurer and what classification were they, (d) cost and classes of airfares for all legs of the journey(e) cost and details of all hotels, or other forms of accommodation(f) cost of transport, including taxis, hire cars or chauffeur services(g) how much was spent on food and drink(h) what restaurants were attended(i) how much was spent on telephone calls made by the Minister and any accompanying staff to Australian landline or mobile numbers(j) how much was spent on all hospitality
(k) costs borne by Treasury, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (including posts), or another Government entity, and (l) allowances provided to the Minister and any accompanying staff, and how much of these allowances were paid back at the end of the trip.
(a) 21-29 January 2017.
(b, d, e, f, g, h, i, j, l) All overseas travel is undertaken in line with the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 and paid for by the Department of Finance. Dates, destinations, the purpose and costs of all official overseas visits are tabled in the Parliament every six months in a report titled Parliamentarians' Expenditure paid by the Department of Finance and its supporting information. The reports and supporting information are also published on the Department of Finance website.
(c) The Treasurer was accompanied by his Chief of Staff and one Adviser from his office. Two Canberra-based Treasury officials with classification levels of SESB3 and APS6 supported the Treasurer at these meetings.
(k) Treasury bore the cost of the following expense utilised by the Australian delegation. Please refer to other relevant Government agencies for proper accounting of any expenses they may have incurred in association with this trip.