The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Free Range Eggs) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) approximately 16,000 Australians fought in the Boer War in contingents raised by the Australian colonies or the Commonwealth Government (after 1901), or joined British and South African colonial units;
(b) Australians, Lieutenants Harry 'Breaker' Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton served as volunteers in a South African irregular unit, the Bushveldt Carbineers, under British Military Command;
(c) Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton were found guilty at their courts martial for the death of 12 Boer prisoners even though they pleaded their actions were in accordance with orders of their British superiors; and
(d) Lieutenants Morant and Handcock were executed on 27 February 1902, and Lieutenant Witton's sentence commuted to life imprisonment, but he was released from prison in 1904 after representations from the then Australian Government and British parliamentarians, including Winston Churchill;
(2) acknowledges:
(a) that Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton were convicted of committing a serious crime;
(b) the serious deficiencies in the handling of the legal case against the three men, including the right to appeal their sentences by their legal advocate, Major James Francis Thomas, the opportunity to seek intervention by the Australian Government and the ability to contact their families to inform them of their plight;
(c) the failure of British Military Command to implement the recommendations for mercy made by the courts martial to be applied equally to these men;
(d) the findings of respected legal figures and community leaders who support this assessment; and
(e) the ongoing emotional suffering this case has caused the descendants of Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton; and
(3) expresses:
(a) sincere regret that Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton were denied procedural fairness contrary to law and acknowledges that this had cruel and unjust consequences; and
(b) sympathy to the descendants of these men as they were not tried and sentenced in accordance with the law of 1902.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the $210 million funding cut to South Australian schools in 2018 and 2019 means that schools will face significant cuts, which the South Australian Government has estimated to include:
(a) $1,315,000 from Adelaide High School;
(b) $882,000 from Craigmore High School;
(c) $1,392,000 from Norwood Morialta High School;
(d) $1,114,000 from Gawler and District College B-12;
(e) $817,000 from Parafield Gardens High School;
(f) $1,226,000 from Paralowie School;
(g) $875,000 from Playford International College;
(h) $512,000 from Nailsworth Primary School;
(i) $731,000 from Glenelg Primary School;
(j) $24,000 from South Australian School for Vision Impaired;
(k) $1,165,000 from Roma Mitchell Secondary College;
(l) $426,000 from Port Noarlunga Primary School; and
(m) $863,000 from Thebarton Senior College; and
(2) calls on the Australian Government to immediately reinstate the funding previously committed to South Australian schools.
That this House:
(1) notes that modem slavery continues to devastate the lives of millions of people, with latest estimates of over 40 million people impacted across the world, including over 4,000 people in Australia;
(2) acknowledges that the Government has one of the strongest responses to combat human trafficking and slavery around the world, delivered under the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery 2015-19;
(3) notes that the Government:
(a) remains committed to continuing to improve this response and recognises the importance of partnering with those on the frontline to combat this abhorrent crime;
(b) initiated the inquiry into Australia establishing modern slavery legislation, led by the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, which released its interim report in August 2017 making a number of recommendations and statements of in-principle support; and
(c) following extensive consultation with business and civil society, and taking into account the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee's recommendations in its December 2017 final report, will introduce targeted legislation requiring large businesses to report on the actions they are taking to address modern slavery in their supply chains; and
(4) calls on the House to support the Government's modern slavery legislation when it is brought before the Parliament.
Eminent as he was in every department of public labour, and a leader in every work of charity, whether to relieve the temporal or the spiritual wants of his fellow-men, his name will ever be specially identified with those exertions which, by the blessing of God, removed from England the guilt of the African slave trade, and prepared the way for the abolition of slavery in every colony of the empire: in the prosecution of these objects he relied, not in vain, on God; but in the progress he was called to endure great obloquy and great opposition: he outlived, however, all enmity…
That Mr Danby be appointed a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.
Family Assistance and Child Support Legislation Amendment (Protecting Children) Bill 2017
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Family Assistance and Child Support Legislation Amendment (Protecting Children) Bill 2017
The future beckons us. Whither do we go and what be our endeavour? To bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India; to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.
… I don't think business are going to have any option but to use some of the benefits of any tax reduction into paying more for people.
… to reduce the corporate tax rate, it would make a strong contribution to Australian economic growth … you could see changes in a matter of months.
… lowering the corporate rate for smaller businesses only (as the Greens propose)—
creates an artificial incentive for someone to downsize.
That Mr Alexander be appointed a member of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties.
Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay of All Workers) Bill 2017
Family Assistance and Child Support Legislation Amendment (Protecting Children) Bill 2017
… the Australian Government review the Child Support Program to ensure the adequacy of calculated amounts and equity of the program for both payers and payees …
The Committee recommends that the Australian Government amend legislation to enable a greater period of time before determining when to adjust the amount of child support payable in interim care determinations. The Committee considers that the current fourteen week period, after which Department of Human Services changes the child support payable to reflect the care taking place at that time, does not provide sufficient time for relevant legal proceedings to be completed or for prior agreed arrangements to be enforced by a court or for revised arrangements to be agreed upon. The best interests of the child must be paramount in any amendment made.
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (at the end of the table), add:
9. Schedule 2, Part 3, Division 1 Immediately after the commencement of item 1 of Schedule 19 to the Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act 2016.
10. Schedule 2, Part 3, Division 2 At the same time as the provisions covered by table item 8.
However, the provisions do not commence at all if item 30 of Schedule 1 to the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Act 2017 commences before that time.
11. Schedule 2, Part 3, Division 3.The later of:
(a) immediately after the commencement of the provisions covered by table item 8; and
(b) immediately after the commencement of item 30 of Schedule 1 to the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Jobs for Families Child Care Package) Act 2017.
(2) Schedule 2, item 4, page 73 (lines 10 to 14), omit the item.
(3) Schedule 2, page 81 (after line 3), at the end of the Schedule, add:
Part 3—Contingent amendments
Division 1—Amendments contingent on the commencement of the Budget Savings (Omnibus) Act 2016
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999
23 Subsection 3(1) (subparagraph (b)(i) of the definition of receiving)
Omit “clause 38L”, substitute “clauses 1 and 38L”.
24 Application of amendments
The amendments of the definition of receiving in subsection 3(1) of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 made by this Division apply in relation to working out the rate of family tax benefit for days on or after the commencement of this item.
Division 2—Amendments commencing 1 July 2018
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999
25 Paragraph 6(1)(b)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(b) the adult’s FTB child rate in relation to the child is reduced under subclause 7(2) or (3) or 26(3) or (4) of Schedule 1 (see sections 61A and 61B).
26 Application of amendments
(1) The amendments of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 made by this Division apply in relation to the day (the commencement day) this item commences and later days.
(2) However, despite the amendments of that Act made by this Division, that Act, as in force before that day, continues to apply in relation to any days that occur before the commencement day.
Division 3—Amendments commencing later
A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999
27 At the end of subsection 6(1)
Add:
; or (c) whether the adult’s FTB child rate in relation to the child is reduced under subclause 7(2) or (3) or 26(3) or (4) of Schedule 1 (see sections 61A and 61B).
28 Application of amendments
(1) The amendments of the A New Tax System (Family Assistance) Act 1999 made by this Division apply in relation to the day (the commencement day) this item commences and later days.
(2) However, despite the amendments of that Act made by this Division, that Act, as in force before that day, continues to apply in relation to any days that occur before the commencement day.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card) Bill 2017
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment (Operational Efficiency) Bill 2017
Moving the APVMA would allow it to have a closer interaction with the people who actually use agricultural and veterinary chemicals, as well as build a centre of excellence in the research of agricultural issues.
To effectively undertake the move of the APVMA and adopt relevant risk mitigation strategies, the cash cost to the government could be significantly higher than the estimated economic cost of $23.19 million.
The construction of the new business models for Armidale should be regarded as a high priority and delivered by a full-time team headed by a senior executive with a direct reporting line to the CEO. In order to insulate the team from the day-to-day and operational pressures of a busy regulator …
The maintenance of a sufficient internal scientific capability will require vigorous efforts to retain and recruit appropriately skilled regulatory scientists. This will require active management of staff relocations including incentives for staff to relocate and an accelerated recruitment program. The APVMA should also consider targeting staff from overseas pesticide and veterinary chemical regulators, either on permanent appointment or on secondment.
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that since the former Agriculture Minister decided to force the relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) to Armidale in his own electorate, the Authority has suffered critical staff loses and declines in operational efficiency".
The House divided. [17:14]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Crisis Resolution Powers and Other Measures) Bill 2017
… probably, the best designed stimulus package of any of the countries, advanced industrial countries, both in size and in design, timing and how it was spent …
That this bill be now read a third time.
Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017
The period—
must not start earlier than 4 months before the nomination is received by the Minister.
The Minister must not make a determination ... unless the Minister is reasonably satisfied that any advertising of the position undertaken in the determined manner:
... that a significant proportion of suitably qualified and experienced Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents would be likely to be informed about the position ...
Despite present fears about automation eradicating jobs, by 2030 a shortage of workers is a more likely problem than a shortage of jobs.
How many young Australians are they employing? Are they going into schools looking for young kids to come and work in jobs? Are they employing mature aged workers …
Wow... did I just get trolled by a govt minister as being un-Australian?
… to ensure that overseas workers are only brought when there are genuine skills needs. We are about to introduce new rules for how jobs must be advertised so that Aussies get the first chance at the jobs.
The House divided. [19:08]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That leave of absence from today for the remainder of this week be given to Ms McBride, the member for Dobell, for personal reasons.
Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a third time.
Investigation and Prosecution Measures Bill 2017
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Coulton ) took the chair at 10:29.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the importance of open trade and investment policies in growing the Australian economy and creating local jobs;
(2) commends the Government for leading efforts to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership 11 nation (TPP-11) agreement;
(3) welcomes the recent conclusion of this landmark deal which will eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone with a combined GDP of AUD $13.7 trillion;
(4) notes the significant opportunities offered by new trade agreements with Canada and Mexico and greater market access to Japan, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei;
(5) recognises the importance of the agreement for Australia's farmers, manufacturers and service providers in increasing their competitiveness in overseas markets;
(6) notes indicative modelling by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, which found that the TPP-11 agreement would boost Australia's national income by 0.5 per cent and exports by 4 per cent; and
(7) encourages the Parliament to work co-operatively to ratify the TPP-11 agreement so that Australian exporters can take advantage of the many benefits it delivers.
Trade negotiations should be informed by an independent and transparent analysis of the costs and benefits …
… the Australian Government consider implementing a process through which independent modelling and analysis of a proposed trade agreement is undertaken by the Productivity Commission …
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) among 15 rural research and development corporations which receive statutory levies partly matched by the Commonwealth, the representation of women is no higher than 44 per cent, is as low as 11 per cent, and averages 26 per cent;
(b) the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Institute) says its quest for 30 per cent female representation across ASX 200 boards by 2018 has stalled;
(c) the Institute's latest gender diversity report shows that as of 31 August 2017 there were 25.4 per cent female directors, only marginally higher than the 25.3 per cent reached at the end of 2016;
(d) at the time of the publication of the Institute's latest gender diversity report, 11 ASX 200 companies had no women on their boards; and
(e) the Institute says that the Government may be forced to intervene with quotas to force companies to appoint more female directors;
(2) acknowledges the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (Program) initiative launched by the National Farmers' Federation and AACo on 15 October 2017, which asks organisations to commit to auditing the gender diversity within their leadership teams and pledge to make 'meaningful change' towards achieving enhanced gender equality; and
(3) calls on the:
(a) Government to support the Program and similar initiatives to ensure that companies appoint more female directors; and
(b) Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources to outline to the Parliament a plan to increase the representation of women to a minimum of 30 per cent on all agricultural boards over which the Government has some level of influence, including rural research and development corporations, agricultural committees, panels and councils.
The journey from the kitchen to the boardroom has been a long one for women …
… that women create necessary balance on boards that ultimately leads to better decision making in the complex world of corporate finance, takeovers and mergers.
He says many men are driven by their egos in the middle of a corporate raid, while women think more objectively and strategically.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 8 million Australians live outside our capital cities; and
(b) while some regions like the Sunshine Coast are experiencing strong economic growth, others are not enjoying the same levels of economic activity;
(2) further notes that:
(a) many regions, including the Sunshine Coast, can supply substantially lower office accommodation costs and lower operating costs;
(b) regions such as the Sunshine Coast can offer a highly educated workforce, high quality business facilities, first class health and transport infrastructure, as well as innovative start-up communities;
(c) regions, including the Sunshine Coast, can offer lifestyle benefits like lower cost housing, short commute times and a family-friendly environment; and
(d) research suggests that highly skilled people are taking increasing account of lifestyle factors when choosing their employer;
(3) welcomes the Government's pursuit of a policy of decentralisation of public sector agencies, and the recent relocation of some parts of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to Wodonga; and
(4) encourages the Government to continue to explore further options for the relocation of Commonwealth agencies to the regions.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the government’s short-sighted $2.2 billion in cuts to universities are equivalent to more than 9,500 Australians missing out on a university place in 2018, and again in 2019;
(b) across the country this month, students will be attending university, with orientation periods beginning, and that these students are faced with more uncertainty about how the cuts will affect their student experience; and
(c) the government’s short-sighted cuts will hurt regional and outer metropolitan universities and their students the most; and
(2) calls on the government to reverse its short-sighted, unfair cuts to universities, which are closing the door of opportunity to thousands of Australians.
… a “double whammy” on students—both by lifting fees and eroding funding for courses, student learning and student support.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government has delayed release of the Productivity Commission's review of the GST distribution until after the South Australian state election on 17 March 2018;
(b) the Productivity Commission's draft report recommended changes to the distribution of GST revenue that would see South Australia lose up to $557 million in the first year alone;
(c) South Australia did not receive one new dollar of infrastructure funding in the 2017-18 budget;
(d) education funding to South Australia has been cut by $210 million by the Government; and
(e) the Government’s failure to support Holden has resulted in thousands of job losses in South Australia; and
(2) calls on the Government to provide South Australia with its fair share of Commonwealth funding and to release the Productivity Commission’s report prior to 17 March.
… the Turnbull government had no policy to change the way the cash was distributed.
The Productivity Commission writes reports, the Government makes policy. There is no policy to change the GST mix …
Any attempt to undermine this principle will be met with a fierce fight from me and, I would expect, every other South Australian in Federal Parliament …
Grey MP Rowan Ramsay said the current GST carve-up was not sustainable in the long-term but suggested putting a minimum on the cents in the dollar return …
It does little to improve the transparency, simplicity, economic efficiency, or equity of the current system …
… consider all options that will help Australians get a job. There are 1,100 Australians who are getting a job each day.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Order of Australia is the highest national honour award and the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens;
(2) recognises that since being established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, there have been more than 500 recipients of Companion of the Order of Australia, almost 3,000 awarded Officers of the Order of Australia, more than 10,000 inducted as Members of the Order of Australia and more than 23,000 honoured as recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia;
(3) notes the almost 900 recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia on Australia Day in 2018, from an array of fields including education, arts, sport, science and social work; and
(4) encourages all Members to congratulate recipients from their electorates on this immense achievement.
For significant service to dentistry in the field of craniofacial biology, and to dental education through research, teaching and mentoring roles.
For service to veterans and their families, to lawn bowls, and to the environment.
Our Australian of the Year State and Territory recipients are shining examples of our best selves. All of them are outstanding and brilliant achievers and driven to succeed by a determination to help their fellow Australians and make Australia an even, better, brighter place to realise your dreams.
Whether through science or philanthropy, medicine or mentoring, their lives have made our lives better. And they are as diverse as the nation they represent.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) in 1999, the 30th General Conference of UNESCO proclaimed annual observance of International Mother Language Day (IMLD) on 21 February; and
(b) about 200 different languages are spoken throughout Australia;
(2) acknowledges:
(a) the significance of preserving Indigenous languages as a link to Indigenous culture and histories and as an expression of identity;
(b) the social, cultural and economic benefits of multilingualism to the Australian community; and
(c) that encouraging Australians to learn a language other than English should be a priority for all levels of government; and
(3) calls on the Government to observe IMLD on 21 February across Australia and to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by the people around the world through:
(a) promoting the active participation, revitalisation and maintenance of local Indigenous languages;
(b) continuing the National Library of Australia's collection of oral history and available alphabets of spoken languages as a means of preserving the multi‑lingual inheritance of the people of Australia; and
(c) supporting second language instruction in Australian educational institutions.
Our struggle, this time, is a struggle for our freedom, our struggle, this time, is a struggle for our independence. Joy Bangla.
That this House:
(1) notes the release on 5 October 2017 of the Consular State of Play 2016-17 (State of Play), which provides an overview of the Government's provision of consular assistance to Australians in the last financial year;
(2) acknowledges the hard work and dedication of Australian consular officials who have provided high‑quality assistance to Australians in distress in 12,454 cases during 2016-17;
(3) notes with concern that a significant number of Australian travellers are travelling overseas without insurance;
(4) reiterates the Minister for Foreign Affairs' remarks in launching the State of Play that if travellers cannot afford travel insurance, they cannot afford to travel;
(5) acknowledges that the Australian Government will provide consular assistance where possible, while noting there are limits to what it can do to assist Australians in trouble overseas; and
(6) calls on Australians to:
(a) draw on resources such as Australian Government Smartraveller advice to inform themselves about their destination; and
(b) purchase insurance appropriate to their activities and circumstances.
That this House:
(1) observes:
(a) United Nations World Radio Day (WRD) on 13 February 2018;
(b) this year's WRD theme of 'Radio and Sports' which calls on us to:
(i) celebrate the role of radio in promoting Australian sports and the inspiring stories of our high achieving sportspeople and teams;
(ii) support and promote the grassroots sports that anchor us within our communities;
(iii) be inspired by the stories that challenge gender stereotypes; and
(iv) equally cover both men's and women's sports events;
(2) recognises the:
(a) unique ability of sport to unite and inspire Australians of all backgrounds, and the iconic nature of many Australian sporting events;
(b) power of radio to unite, inform and entertain Australians throughout the nation and across commercial, public and community broadcasting;
(c) particular importance of publicly funded radio in regional and remote Australia, especially during natural disasters;
(d) critical importance of publicly funded radio for our culturally and linguistically diverse communities through the SBS; and
(e) role of community broadcasters in nurturing new Australian talent including sports broadcasters, journalists and producers;
(3) acknowledges:
(a) the significant disparity between the coverage of men's and women's sports in Australia in radio broadcasting, as well as television, print and online; and
(b) the need to address this disparity to encourage greater participation in women's sports and to recognise the achievements of our women athletes; and
(4) calls for:
(a) commercial, public and community radio broadcasters to cover more women's sports and to ensure there is a diversity of voices in sports commentary; and
(b) greater recognition of the extraordinary achievements of our women's sports teams in the media, including by ensuring equal public funding.
Until women are trusted to be the person who describes the action, play by play, ball by ball, then women in sports media will always be second class citizens.
(1) Since 2 March 2015, how many people have been (a) suspected of travelling, or (b) attempting to travel, to conflict zone 'declared areas' from airports around Australia. (2) How many of these travellers were suspected supporters or sympathisers of terrorist organisations. (3) How many of these travellers were (a) able to continue their travel, and (b) prevented from boarding. (4) How many of these travellers have returned from these areas as suspected or confirmed 'foreign fighters', by state and territory
For operational reasons, the specific information requested is not able to be provided.
However, since 2 March 2015 Counter Terrorism Units (CTU) have conducted 596,777 real time assessments, and assisted with 680 passenger offloads – for a range of reasons, that includes suspected travel to conflict zones.
Since 2012, around 220 Australians have travelled to Syria and/or Iraq to fight with, or support groups involved in the conflict. Around 110 Australians are currently fighting or engaged with terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq. Around 40 people have returned to Australia after traveling to Syria/Iraq and joining groups involved in the conflict, many of whom did so prior to the declared 'caliphate'.
Passport cancellations are the responsibility of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
(1) Since 1 July 2013, (a) how many (i) drug, or (ii) contraband, seizures have occurred at Adelaide Airport, and (b) what was the total street value, and how does this value compare to the other states and territories (as a percentage). (2) Since 1 July 2013, (a) how many cash seizures have occurred at Adelaide Airport, (b) what was the total sum of cash seized, and (c) how does this value compare to the other states and territories (as a percentage).
The Department detects a range of contraband at the border including: major drugs, precursors, New Psychoactive Substances (NPS), Performance and Image Enhancing Drugs (PIEDS), undeclared conventional firearms as well as undeclared tobacco.
The Department does not measure the street value of the drugs it detects at the border. The Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission's Illicit Drug Data Report 2015-16 contains illicit drug data including value.
What is the Australian Government's response to the statement from the Papua New Guinea (PNG) Minister for Immigration and Border Security on 29 October 2017 that the responsibility for pursuing third country options for the detainees transferred to PNG remains with Australia.
The management of refugees and failed asylum seekers in Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a matter for the Government of PNG. Australia continues to support the Government of PNG to find resettlement options for people found by PNG to be refugees.
What is the Government's position on the statement by the spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 3 November 2017, specifically (a) sentence one in paragraph two, (b) sentence one in paragraph three, and (c) sentence one in paragraph five. (see http://www.ohchr.org/EN/NewsEvents/Pages/DisplayNews.aspx?NewsID=22348& LangID=E)
(a) The government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) is responsible for managing arrangements with respect to residents of the former Manus Regional Processing Centre (RPC).
PNG has closed the Manus RPC. PNG has completed the processing of RPC residents and there are clear pathways ahead of them.
For refugees, accommodation options and services are available at the East Lorengau Refugee Transit Centre (ELRTC) and West Lorengau Haus (WLH). Amenities at these sites include accommodation, modest living allowances to purchase items in the local community, potable water, security (access control), access to cooking and laundry amenities, case management support, and garrison services – including site maintenance and cleaning.
For persons found not to be a refugee, accommodation and services are available at Hillside Haus. Amenities at Hillside Haus include dormitory style beds and communal bathrooms, air conditioning, laundry facilities, fencing and security, communal spaces, dedicated sewage facilities, potable water and catered food, case management support, and garrison services – including site maintenance and cleaning.
(b) The Government of PNG is responsible for managing regional processing arrangements, assessing the refugee status of unauthorised maritime arrivals transferred to PNG in accordance with PNG domestic law, noting PNG is party to the Refugees Convention. Relevantly, PNG has committed to treating people transferred with dignity and respect and in accordance with relevant human rights standards.
(c) The Governments of Nauru and PNG are responsible for managing regional processing arrangements in their countries.
Persons residing in Nauru and PNG are subject to their respective domestic laws and processes. The Nauru RPC is an open centre and residents are not detained.
(1) What is the Australian Government's rationale for not accepting New Zealand's offer to resettle some of the refugees from Manus Island.(2) Does the Australian Government have a legal basis for preventing the resettlement of refugees to New Zealand.(3) Other than the United States, what third party nations is the Australian Government considering for resettlement.
(1) As the Prime Minister stated on 5 November 2017, the Government appreciates the offer that New Zealand has made, but we are focused on concluding the resettlement arrangement with the United States.
(2) New Zealand made the offer to the Australian Government. As I stated on 16 November 2017, any resettlement arrangement between a regional processing country and New Zealand is a matter for their respective governments.
(3) It would not be appropriate to disclose details of confidential discussions with other governments.
(1) How many of the 499 round 1 base stations announced in 2013 under the Mobile Black Spot Program (MBSP) are currently operational.(2) How many of the 429 round 1 base stations announced in 2013 under the MBSP being built by Telstra are currently operational.(3) How many of the 70 round 1 base stations announced in 2013 under the MBSP being built by Optus are currently operational.(4) How many of the 266 round 2 base stations announced in 2015 under the MBSP are currently operational.
(1) As at 29 January 2018, 313 of the 499 round 1 base stations announced in 2015 under the Mobile Black Spot Program are currently operational.
(2) As at 29 January 2018, 280 of the 429 round 1 base stations announced in 2015 under the Mobile Black Spot Program being built by Telstra are currently operational.
(3) Optus was not awarded any funding under round 1 of the Mobile Black Spot Program. As at
29 January 2018, 33 of the 70 Vodafone round 1 base stations announced in 2015 under the Mobile Black Spot Program being built by Vodafone are currently operational.
(4) 71 of the 266 round 2 base stations announced in 2016 under the Mobile Black Spot Program are currently operational.
Are there any milestones for the commencement of construction and commencement of operations of base stations built under the Mobile Black Spot Program; if so, what are they.
There are no milestones for the commencement of construction. The Mobile Black Spot Program funding agreements with the mobile network operators (MNOs) have performance targets for the completion of the rollout:
The rollout sequence is being determined by the MNOs based on various factors, including obtaining local government planning approval, landowner agreement where necessary, and access to existing infrastructure, power and backhaul.
(1) How many base stations in (a) the ACT, (b) the Northern Territory, (c) NSW, (d) Queensland, (e) South Australia, (f) Tasmania, (g) Victoria, and (h) Western Australia, have been funded under the Mobile Black Spot Program.(2) Where are the above base stations located.(3) Which of the above base stations are operational, and when are the remaining base stations expected to be operational.
(1) Base stations funded under the Mobile Black Spot Program, operational as of 7 February 2018, by State and Territory, are detailed in the table below:
(2) Information about the locations of each of the MBSP base stations is available on the Optus, Telstra and Vodafone websites:
Optus: www.optus.com.au/shop/mobile/network/mobile-black-spot-program
Telstra: www.telstra.com/blackSpot
Vodafone: www.vodafone.com.au/red-wire/vodafone-mobile-black-spot-investment
Round 1 and 2 information is also published on the National Map. Links are available via https://www.communications.gov.au/what-we-do/phone/mobile-services-and-coverage/mobile-black-spot-program under 'Additional information and resources'.
The location information for each State and Territory base station funded under the Mobile Black Spot Program is also reproduced in the table on the following page.
(3) See (1) for Mobile Black Spot Program funded base stations currently operational. 727 base stations under the Mobile Black Spot Program are scheduled to be operational by 30 June 2018 and the 38 remaining rounds 1 and 2 base stations operational by the end of October 2018. The actual number operational by these dates is expected to vary subject to the resolution of issues such as planning approvals, environmental issues, land access arrangements etc.
How many base stations under the Mobile Black Spots Program are expected to be operational by 30 June 2018.
727 base stations under the Mobile Black Spot Program are scheduled to be operational by 30 June 2018. The actual number operational by this date is expected to vary subject to the resolution of issues such as planning approvals, environmental issues, land access arrangements etc.