The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. John Hog g) took the chair at 12:30, read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
That the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of the Senate today, from 3.30 pm, in relation to its inquiry on the aid to Afghanistan.
That the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate today, from 1 pm, to take evidence for the committee's inquiry into slavery, slavery like conditions and people trafficking.
That intervening business be postponed till after consideration of government business order of the day no. 12 (National apology for forced adoption).
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION AMENDMENT BILL 2013
The government has now introduced amendments that will create a new matter of national environmental significance under national environmental law. This amendment will enable the Commonwealth Environment Minister to take into account significant impacts of coal seam gas and large coalmining development on a water resource.
These amendments are the product of a long period of engagement with the community, as well as with members of this parliament who have been strong in their advocacy of this issue.
The challenge we have had up until now is that people quite reasonably expect the Minister for the Environment and Water to take into account, by law, the impacts of coal seam gas and large coal mining on water resources. They want to know that the Environment Minister is considering: if there is an irreversible depletion and contamination of our surface and groundwater resources; the impacts on the way critical water systems operate; and the related effects on our ecosystems.
But, under our current national environment law, the Commonwealth Environment Minister cannot take these concerns into consideration directly, because the Commonwealth does not directly regulate projects that are likely to have an impact on a water resource—either surface water or groundwater. This is because water resources are not currently a matter of national environmental significance.
Under our current laws, the only way the Environment Minister can take these issues into consideration is where there is a connection to an existing matter of national environmental significance.
For example, that connection may be to a threatened species which is legally listed but may be a hundred kilometres away downstream of the project. If there is an impact on that species downstream, only then can the Environment Minister take account the impact the project is having on that water source, to the extent that it affects the listed species.
The Australian government has already taken steps to provide more certainty for regional communities around coal seam gas and large coalmining developments, and the protection of water resources.
Last year we established the independent expert scientific committee under national environment law, to provide independent expert scientific advice to all governments on the water related impacts of coal seam gas and large coalmining.
The independence of the expert committee provides the community with the confidence they need that the scientific work being done has the integrity that people want.
However, when that advice comes back, the Environment Minister can only take that information into account if it is having that flow-on effect to an existing matter of national environmental significance.
Proposed amendments
The amendment does not seek to invoke the Commonwealth in all water decisions. The trigger will not capture small projects such as farm dams. The amendments will create a new matter of national environmental significance for coal seam gas and large coalmining developments which are likely to have a significant impact on a water resource. It will provide the strong legal basis for protection that the community wants.
In addition, the Bill includes an amendment to prevent states and territories from being accredited to make approval decisions in relation to the water trigger.
This is not a broad trigger. The Australian government has already established independent expert scientific committee, which considers coal seam gas and large coalmine developments. This amendment provides the appropriate gateway for federal approval, and should continue to do so.
The amendments also deal with the transition to the new trigger.
There are a number of projects that have already been referred under national environment law which are already undergoing assessment. The government thinks it would be a perverse outcome if every project already in the system was finished without taking account the new matter of national environmental significance.
This is why the amendments provide that, for any project that is already undergoing assessment, provided the Independent Expert Scientific Committee has not yet given its advice and a proposed decision on the project has not yet been made, the new trigger will apply.
This does not mean that the assessment will need to begin again and completely restart for those projects that are captured.
We know that the sort of information that would be needed to make a decision for the new matter of national environmental significance already gets collected in different ways for state approvals, and for the work of the independent expert scientific committee.
The Commonwealth environment department is contacting proponents to advise them of any additional information requirements which may apply, the same way they frequently seek additional information, so that the full impacts of those projects on water resources can be assessed.
Stakeholder engagement
Since the introduction of the amendments into the House of Representatives, the Australian Government has consulted with industry and community stakeholders.
The government will continue to engage industry and stakeholders in the lead-up to, and following the commencement of, the amendments, should they be passed by the Parliament. This will include providing guidance on the application of the new environmental law to their projects, such as the likely information requirements.
Conclusion
Up until now Australia's Environment Minister has not been able to take into account this information, which is already being collected. The information is provided and analysed but does not currently form part of the decision-making process. Under the new trigger, it will.
It means that when an approval is given or an approval decision is made, the community expectation that the Environment Minister has taken into account the impacts on water resources will match up with the legal obligations of environment minister.
At the same time, the Australian government is making sure that the administrative processes for the transition are done in a way that delivers better scrutiny and gives better-quality and more thorough decisions, without needlessly adding to time frames. I commend the bill to the Senate.
… what we want to work towards here is a streamlined system, so that projects don’t go through two layers of assessment for no real gain.
… it is important to recognise that the states do not necessarily have the national interest at heart when they are assessing these types of proposals. States can often directly benefit from projects that they are assessing, whether it is through royalties on mining and gas resources or through direct income to state-owned agencies that are carrying out projects within their own state.
… drawing on our extensive experience as environmental lawyers, we developed 10 best practice standards for planning and environmental regulation in response to COAG proposal to streamline environmental assessment. We then evaluated relevant laws in each State and Territory against these standards. Based on our analysis, no State or Territory currently has a regulatory regime that reflects ANEDO's 'best practice metric'.
… the rapid and extensive development of coal mining and CSG mining in particular and the great community concern that these activities have raised require that concerns about these activities should now be addressed.
When the Prime Minister and the Treasurer and others tell you that the Australian economy is doing better than most—they are right …
The four … surpluses I announce tonight are a powerful endorsement of the … success of our policies.
The deficit years of the global recession are behind us. The surplus years are here.
The surplus years are here …
A surplus provides our best defence against dramatic changes in the global economy.
Senator CASH: … do those figures represent what stopping the boats would look like?
Mr Bowles : Yes.
Question:
Mr President, I ask a supplementary question. Given that $240 million of this fund is meant to return 40 gigalitres of water to the environment, will the Commonwealth be as innovative with the rules governing the fund as they are in asking river communities in South Australia to be innovative in their approach to optimising water use? For instance, will funding be allocated to projects that assist economies of scale and new tertiary processing facilities?
Answer:
On 28 October 2012, The Hon Tony Burke, Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities announced that the Commonwealth had set aside funding of $265 million for water recovery and industry regeneration projects in South Australian River Murray communities. The $265 million consists of:
Funding of up to $1.2 million was approved in June 2012, for the South Australian Government to undertake a feasibility study and to prepare a business case for the proposed River Murray Improvements Program. The final business case has not been received by the Commonwealth to date. The due diligence process will review South Australia's proposal against criteria which have already been agreed by South Australia.
The scope and content of the proposed South Australian Industry Futures Program is still being developed by the South Australian Government and will be subject to due diligence assessment on submission of a business case for the program.
Question:
Mr President, I ask a further supplementary question. Does the government acknowledge the fear of many river communities in South Australia that this $265 million fund may go the same way as the PIIP-SA water infrastructure fund, which has such restrictive, unsuitable and poorly targeted guidelines for funding that, after more than four years, only $14 million of $110 million in the fund has been allocated?
Answer:
The Government does not accept the criticisms of PIIP-SA. It is important to note that PIIP-SA has not conducted further grant rounds because the South Australian Government has sought to use the remaining funds allocated to PIIP-SA for other State Priority Projects.
The Commonwealth is already funding projects which support irrigation communities in the South Australian River Murray. For example, South Australian irrigators were successful in receiving approval of $35 million for on-farm irrigation modernisation under the competitive on-farm program in the Southern Basin. Further funding will flow as and when the new programs pass due diligence, are approved for funding and the required funding agreements are put in place.
That the Senate take note of the minister's answer.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance and Deregulation (Senator Wong) to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today relating to the 2013-14 Budget.
We will honour all of our pre-election commitments. Every one of them, every one of them.
The Labor Party is the party of truth telling. When we go out into the electorate and make promises, do you know what we would do in government: we would keep them. When we say them, we mean them.
Every voter that cried "cost of living" was given a wad of cash to quieten them down.
The competition for handouts infected the government itself. Howard and Costello argued, repeatedly, over the quantity and the content of the largesse.
While Howard searched for the next payment to make to his target audience Costello tried to reinforce a sense of purity—
by cutting income taxes as well.
The upshot was taxes were no longer being collected to provide public services, or to build buffers in good times to deploy in bad times, but to churn back to the electorate. The budget became a frequent-voter program …
We are on track for surplus in 2012-13, on time, as promised—and this provides the solid foundations for the targeted investments we announce tonight.
… on time, as promised.
The alternative—meandering back to surplus—would compound the pressures in our economy and push up the cost of living for pensioners and working people.
This Budget delivers a surplus this coming year, on time, as promised, and surpluses each year after that, strengthening over time—
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Sport (Senator Lundy) to a question without notice asked by Senator Wright today relating to NAPLAN testing.
That the Senate records its deep regret at the death on 2 April 2013 of the Honourable Ian Bonython Cameron Wilson, AM, former minister and member for Sturt, places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service and tenders its profound sympathy to his family in their bereavement.
For the last eighteen years a Liberal-Country Party Government has implemented policies which have permitted the economic growth of the nation. The growth rate has outstripped the rate at which the population has increased, with the result that the standard of living has improved significantly. The real value—the purchasing power—of wages increased and there have been improvements in ancillary benefits such as long service leave and annual leave.
… The steady yet dramatic economic progress which has been made has enabled the Government to embark upon the development of a comprehensive social security programme.
Members on this side of the House believe in adequate provision not only for the aged, the invalid, the widowed, the sick and the unemployed, but also for the children.
I was a Liberal rather than a Conservative. But I believed that the Liberal Party of that period, as of even earlier periods, had to be a broad based party in circumstances where its members had the opportunity within the party to express their views and they would win some arguments and they would lose some arguments. But the give and take then was a strength that the party had.
… served the party with great distinction for 23 years, including two years as a minister in the Fraser Government and has a great and distinguished record of service to the party and the country.
That the following general business orders of the day be considered on Thursday, 16 May 2013 under the temporary order relating to the consideration of private senators' bills:
No. 111 Migration Amendment (Reinstatement of Temporary Protection Visas) Bill 2013 [No. 2].
No. 102 Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Towards Transparency) Bill 2012.
That leave of absence be granted to Senator Cormann for 14 May 2013 for parliamentary reasons.
That the time for the presentation of reports of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee be extended as follows:
(a) provisions of the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (New Mandate and Other Measures) Bill 2013—to 17 June 2013; and
(b) provisions of the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Military Compensation Review and Other Measures) Bill 2013—to 17 June 2013
That the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Wednesday, 15 May 2013, from 12.30 pm, to take evidence for the committee's inquiry into the Auditor-General's reports nos 26 to 2007-08 and 22 of 2012-13 in relation to the Tasmanian forest industry.
That the hours of meeting for Tuesday, 14 May 2013 be from 12.30 pm to 6.30 pm and 8 pm to adjournment, and for Thursday, 16 May 2013 be from 9.30 am to 6 pm and 8 pm to adjournment, and that:
(a) the routine of business from 8 pm on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 shall be:
(i) Budget statement and documents 2013-14, and
(ii) adjournment; and
(b) the routine of business from 8 pm on Thursday, 16 May 2013 shall be:
(i) Budget statement and documents—party leaders and independent senators to make responses to the statement and documents for not more than 30 minutes each, and
(ii) adjournment.
Cutting the budget of the Australian Renewable Energy Agency by $100m slows down Australia’s transition to a low carbon economy and ignores the evidence provided by the Australian Energy Market Operator showing that achieving 100% renewable energy is technically straightforward and increases in electricity prices would be similar to business as usual projections.
First, direct domestic action would forego opportunities for cheaper, internationally sourced abatement. Second, direct action programs are generally less effective at driving take up of all potential abatement opportunities.
Committee reports
1. Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee—Report, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee—Competition and Consumer Amendment (Australian Food Labelling) Bill 2012 (No. 2).
2. Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee—Report—Restoring Territory Rights (Voluntary Euthanasia Legislation) Bill 2012.
3. Standing Committee of Senators’ Interests—Report for 2012.
4. Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories—Report—An Estate for the Future: Inquiry into the allocation of land to diplomatic missions in the ACT.
5. Joint Select Committee on Cyber Safety—Second interim report—Cybersafety for Seniors: A worthwhile journey.
6. Economics Legislation Committee—Report, together with submissions received by the committee—Small Business Commissioner Bill 2013.
7. Community Affairs References Committee—Supply of chemotherapy drugs—Interim report. Report, together with the Hansard record of proceedings, documents presented to the committee, additional information and submissions.
8. Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee—Report, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee—Performance of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry and agencies (live animal export arrangements).
9. Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—Interim report—Broadcasting Services Amendment (Material of Local Significance) Bill 2013 and the delivery of news coverage in rural and regional areas by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.
10. Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee—Interim report—Auditor-General’s reports nos 26 of 2007-08 and 22 of 2012-13 in relation to the Tasmanian forest industry.
11. Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee—Report, together with the Hansard record of proceedings and documents presented to the committee—Migration and Security Legislation Amendment (Review of Security Assessments) Bill 2012.
12. Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee—Interim report—Aviation accident investigation.
13. Economics References Committee—Report, together with the Hansard record of proceedings, documents presented to the committee, additional information and submissions—Development and operation of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax.
14. Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee—Report, together with the Hansard record of proceedings, additional information and submissions—Australia Council Bill 2013 [Provisions] and the Australia Council (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013 [Provisions].
15. Finance and Public Administration References Committee—Interim report—Implementation of the 1999 recommendations of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance.
16. Economics Legislation Committee—Report and submissions—Exposure draft of the Australian Jobs Bill 2013.
17. Economics Legislation Committee—Report and submissions—Insurance Contracts Amendment Bill 2013 [Provisions].
18. Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—Report, together with the Hansard record of proceedings, documents presented to the committee, additional information and submissions—Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Bill 2013 [Provisions]
Government responses to parliamentary committee reports
1. Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services—Report—Collapse of Trio Capital.
2. Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform—Report—The prevention and treatment of problem gambling.
Government documents
1. Commonwealth Fisheries Review—Statement by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Ludwig).
2. Climate Change Authority—Renewable Energy Target Review—Final report Government response.
3. National Water Commission—Murray-Darling Basin Plan implementation: initial report.
4. Gene Technology Regulator—Quarterly report for the period 1 October to 31 December 2012.
5. Australian Human Rights Commission—Report No. 59—DA v Commonwealth of Australia.
6. Indigenous Land Corporation—National Indigenous Land Strategy 2013-2017.
7. Clean Energy Regulator—Renewable Energy Target 2012 administrative report (formerly known as the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator report.
8. Australian Human Rights Commission—Report for 2011-12–Corrigendum.
9. National Health Practitioner Ombudsman and Privacy Commissioner—Report for 2011-12.
10. Australian Film, Television and Radio School (AFTRS)—Report for 2011-12—Correction.
11. Commonwealth Ombudsman’s reports on inspections of surveillance device records for the period 1 July to 31 December 2012—Australian Crime Commission and Australian Federal Police for the period 1 July to 31 December 2012—Victoria Police for the period 1 July 2011 to 30 June 2012.
12. Australia’s Human Rights Framework—National Human Rights Action Plan 2012
13. Department of Finance and Deregulation—Campaign advertising by Australian government departments and agencies—Report for the period 1 July to 31 December 2012.
Reports of the Auditor-General
1. Report no. 27 of 2012-13—Performance audit—Administration of the Research Block Grants Program: Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education.
2. Report no. 28 of 2012-13—The Australian Government performance measurement and reporting framework: Pilot project to audit key performance indicators.
3. Report no. 29 of 2012-13—Performance audit—Administration of the Veterans’ Children Education Schemes: Department of Veterans’ Affairs.
4. Report no. 30 of 2012-13—Performance audit—Management of detained goods: Australian Customs and Border Protection Service.
5. Report no. 31 of 2012-13—Performance audit—Implementation of the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness: Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs.
6. Report no. 32 of 2012-13—Performance audit—Grants for the construction of the Adelaide Desalination Plant: Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities; Department of Finance and Deregulation; Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet.
7. Report no. 33 of 2012-13—Performance audit—The regulation of tax practitioners by the Tax Practitioners Board: Tax Practitioners Board; Australian Taxation Office.
8. Report no. 34 of 2012-13—Performance audit—Preparation of the tax expenditures statement: Department of the Treasury; Australian Taxation Office.
Return to order
Primary Industries—Fisheries management legislation review—Order for the production of document—Document (motion of Senator Siewert agreed to 20 March 2013)
Statement of compliance and letters of advice relating to Senate orders:
1. Statement of compliance relating to indexed lists of files:
Office of the Official Secretary of the Governor-General.
2. Letters of advice relating to lists of contracts:
Immigration and Citizenship portfolio.
Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio.
Resources, Energy and Tourism portfolio.
Australian Government response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services report:
Inquiry into the Collapse of Trio Capital
APRIL 2013
Government Response to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services' Inquiry into the collapse of Trio Capital
Australian Government response to the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform report:
The prevention and treatment of problem gambling
[May 2013]
Government Response
Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform
Third Report: The Prevention and Treatment of Problem Gambling
The Australian Government welcomes thisreport and recognises the important ongoing work of the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform.
The Government is committed to taking action to reduce the harm caused by problem gambling and acknowledges that research can play a prominent role in informing future policy and programs and provide lessons learnt through evaluation.
Since the Committee's report was released, the Government has, through the National Gambling Reform Act (2012) , established the Australian Gambling Research Centre (AGRC) from July 2013.
The AGRC will be an independent research body, housed in the Australian Institute for Family Studies (AIFS), which will provide greater insight into problem gambling through the provision of a comprehensive and forward thinking research and evidence program.
The AGRC will be supported by an independent Expert Advisory Group on Gambling, which will provide advice to the Director of AIFS in relation to strategic directions and research plans and programs into gambling and strategies to increase the capability and capacity of researchers.
Response to the Joint Select Committee ' s Report
The Government agrees or agrees in-principle to many of the recommendations made by the Committee.
The Government acknowledges that the Committee has made several recommendations which involve conducting or commissioning research. The Government has a strong history of funding problem gambling research which is consistent with the ongoing approach to evidence based policy, and has previously funded research into topics which relate to the areas highlighted by the Committee. The new AGRC will be the first ever dedicated national body for gambling research. Many of the Committee's recommendation could be relevant to the work of the AGRC and the Committee's report will be provided to the AGRC when established to inform their consideration of their forward work agenda.
The Australian Government recognises that the Committee has also made recommendations in areas which state and territory governments have primary responsibility or where joint effort is required. These recommendations will require further consultation with jurisdictions.
Additional comments by the Chair and Senators Xenophon, Di Natale and Madigan
That the time for the presentation of the final reports of the:
(a) Environment and Communications Legislation Committee on its inquiry into the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Material of Local Significance) Bill 2013 and the delivery of news coverage in rural and regional areas by the Australian Broadcasting Corporation be extended to 20 June 2013;
(b) Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on its inquiry into Auditor-General’s reports no 26 of 2007-08 and 22 of 2012-13 in relation to the Tasmanian forestry industry be extended to 11 June 2013;
(c) Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on its inquiry into an aviation accident investigation be extended to 23 May 2013; and
(d) Finance and Public Administration References Committee on its inquiry into the implementation of the 1999 recommendations of the Joint Expert Technical Advisory Committee on Antibiotic Resistance be extended to 24 May 2013.
That consideration of committee reports and government responses be listed on the Notice Paper as separate orders of the day.
ACT Attorney-General (Mr Corbell) to a resolution of the Senate of 22 November 2012 concerning conviction records
Attorney-General (Mr Dreyfus) to a resolution of the Senate of 6 February 2013 concerning legal services
Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Bushfire Response (Mr Wells) to a resolution of the Senate of 7 February 2013 concerning the Country Fire Authority
Premier of Queensland (Mr Newman) and the Premier of South Australia (Mr Weatherill) to a resolution of the Senate of 27 February 2013 concerning Lake Eyre
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (Senator Ludwig) to a resolution of the Senate of 28 February 2013 concerning Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service licence fees
Premier of South Australia (Mr Weatherill) to a resolution of the Senate of 13 March 2013 concerning the container deposit scheme in the Northern Territory
Monsignor Luis-Miguel Munoz Cardaba, Charge d’affaires a.i. to a resolution of the Senate of 19 March 2013 concerning the Roman Catholic Pontiff
Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, AO, RAN (Ret’d) to a resolution of the Senate of 20 March 2013 concerning Australian peacekeepers
Minister for Foreign Affairs (Senator Bob Carr) to a resolution of the Senate of 21 March 2013 concerning Sri Lanka
Chief of Staff to the Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Ms McKenzie) to a resolution of the Senate of 21 March 2013 concerning National Close the Gap Day
Minister for Community Services (Ms Collins) to a resolution of the Senate of 21 March 2013 concerning a grandcarers support scheme
Minister for Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (Ms Macklin) to a resolution of the Senate of 21 March 2013 concerning World Down Syndrome Day
That the Senate take note of the report.
That the Senate take note of the document.
That the Senate take note of the response of Rear Admiral Ken Doolan, chairman of the Australian War Memorial Council, to the Senate motion of 20 March 2013 in relation to Australian Peacekeepers.
This decision reflects the changing nature of modern military operations and wider community perspective.
That the Senate take note of the response by the Victorian Minister for Police and Emergency Services and Minister for Bushfire Response, Mr Wells, on the Country Fire Authority in Victoria.
That the Senate take note of the document.
That the Senate take note of the report.
That the Senate endorse the conclusion at paragraph 1.57 of the 152nd report of the Privileges Committee and adopt the recommendation that no contempt be found in respect of the matter referred.
Broadcasting Legislation—Joint Select Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr
Community Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Constitutional Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples—Joint Select Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr
Corporations and Financial Services—Joint Statutory Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr
Economics Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References Committee—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Environment and Communications Legislation Committee—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—
Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Substitute member: Senator Moore to replace Senator Bilyk on 23 May 2013
Environment and Communications References Committee—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Finance and Public Administration Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Gambling Reform—Joint Select Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr
Human Rights—Joint Statutory Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Statutory Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Participating member: Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Participating member: Senator Kim Carr
Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Thistlethwaite
Appointed—Senator Kim Carr.
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Reform of Self Managed Superannuation Funds Supervisory Levy Arrangements) Bill 2013
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
The Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Reform of Self Managed Superannuation Funds Supervisory Levy Arrangements) Bill 2013 implements the changes to the self-managed superannuation fund (SMSF) supervisory levy announced in the 2012-13 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook.
The SMSF supervisory levy is a cost recovery levy designed to cover the costs of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) regulating the sector. However, the current levy does not fully recover the ATO’s cost of supervising this rapidly growing and diverse sector.
This Bill will ensure the levy is collected from SMSFs in a more timely way, and will increase the levy to ensure the Taxation Office's costs of regulating the SMSF sector are fully recovered.
To this end, the Bill increases the maximum levy payable by a self managed fund for a year of income from $200 to $300. However, the actual levy payable from the 2013-14 income year will be $259 and this amount will be prescribed in the Regulations.
This Bill also allows for the change in timing of collection of the SMSF levy so that it is levied and paid in the same financial year, rather than the following financial year. The change will ensure consistency with super funds regulated by the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA), which pay the superannuation supervisory levy in the same financial year it’s levied. The Government considers that this is appropriate for a cost recovery levy.
It should be noted that the lodgement of returns will continue as normal, and the timing of the collection of the levy will be phased in over two years, to give the sector time to adjust.
Accordingly, in 2013-14, SMSFs will pay the $191 levy for the 2012-13 income year, and half the $259 levy for the 2013-14 income year (that is, a total of $321, rounding up).
Then in 2014-15, they will pay the other half of the $259 levy for the 2013-14 income year, and the $259 levy for the 2014-15 income year (or a total of $388, rounding down).
And from 2015-16, funds will pay the $259 levy in the relevant income year. Just to clarify, the amount of the levy payable for a year of income will not exceed the cap, as the total amount payable for 2013-14 and 2014-15 each represents the levy for one and a half years, while the levy for the particular income year will be below the cap.
In addition, I can assure the ATO is working to minimise any compliance costs associated with these measures.
I note that the SMSF levy is intended to help offset the costs of implementing the Government’s SMSF Stronger Super reforms, which aim to improve the operation, efficiency and integrity of the SMSF sector.
This Bill will enhance the ATO’s ability to deliver these important reforms and continue to effectively regulate the self-managed super fund sector.
Finally, as I mentioned before, SMSFs are a rapidly growing and diverse sector. For example, between 30 June 2008 and 30 June 2012, the number of SMSFs increased from almost 376,000 to over 478,000, representing growth of over 27 per cent.
Let’s be clear – the Government strongly supports self-managed superannuation funds. At their core, these reforms are about improving the integrity of the SMSF sector, and providing for better regulation, and ultimately better protection, for fund members.
Full details of the amendments in this Bill are contained in the explanatory memorandum.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Bill 2013
Royal Commissions Amendment Bill 2013
That the Senate take note of the report.
[W]ell-behaved children learn a great deal better and a great deal more than poorly behaved children.
If I have had to deal with a classroom bully, by the time I deal with that child, get them out of the room, when I go back into that room, I may have 25 or 26 scared children who are in no position to learn.
PISA measures socioeconomic background by taking into account economic, social and cultural status. Across the three tests, the mean score for students from the highest socioeconomic quartile was much higher than the other three quartiles—indeed the schooling gap was between 1 and 3 years.
The individual and collective impact of not addressing this situation is significant. Young people with poor educational outcomes are more likely to experience unemployment and poorer health outcomes, and rely more heavily on income support payments. This creates additional economic and social costs for individuals and the community as a whole.
Tax Laws Amendment (Countering Tax Avoidance and Multinational Profit Shifting) Bill 2013
Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency Bill 2013
Fair Work Amendment Bill 2013
That the Senate take note of the budget statement and documents.
That the documents be referred to legislation committees for the consideration of the estimates.
Budget Related Documents—14 May 2013
2013-14 Portfolio Budget Statements (PBS)
1.1 Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio
1.2 Attorney-General's portfolio.
1.3 Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy portfolio.
1.4A Defence portfolio.
1.4B Department of Veterans' Affairs.
1.5 Education, Employment and Workplace Relations portfolio.
1.6 Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs portfolio.
1.7 Finance and Deregulation portfolio.
1.8 Foreign Affairs and Trade portfolio.
1.9 Health and Ageing portfolio.
1.10 Human Services portfolio.
1.11 Immigration and Citizenship portfolio.
1.12 Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education portfolio.
1.13 Infrastructure and Transport portfolio.
1.14 Prime Minister and Cabinet portfolio.
1.15 Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport portfolio.
1.16 Resources, Energy and Tourism portfolio.
1.17 Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities portfolio.
1.18 Treasury portfolio.
We offer this apology in the hope that it will assist your healing and in order to shine a light on a dark period of our nation’s history.
To those who have fought for the truth to be heard, we hear you now. We acknowledge that many of you have suffered in silence for far too long.
Scores of complaints against an Australian online florist accused of ruining Valentine's Day surprises by failing to deliver has prompted co-ordinated action by fair trading bodies.
… … …
The company was receiving so many complaints on its Facebook page that it briefly disabled it …
According to an ASIC company extract, the company's directors Deborah and Peter Ross Hegarty are located in Manning in Perth.
NSW Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald is standing by the poker machine waiting to pull a jackpot for the coal mining industry. But who will get the prizes?
There is strict environmental regulation, which ensures that exploration does not have any significant impacts on aquifers.
The process was done entirely by the department ... I delegated all authority.
We're not asking [the Australian Government] to support any party. We're asking them to remain consistent with Australian foreign policy position in support of freedom and democracy.
Why do you make so much noise about Iraq? Or Afghanistan? Or Myanmar? And mute it with regard to Malaysia? Is it business interests or investments?
Do you want an amphibious landing on the east coast of Malaysia?
Promoting democracy helps to secure peace, prosperity and stability in our region.
We note concerns regarding reported irregularities in the conduct of the election, and believe it is important that Malaysian authorities address concerns that have been raised. We look forward to the outcome of their investigations.
… never give in, never, never, never—in nothing, great or small, large or petty—never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
The ESPS is operating without the benefit of robust key performance indicators or performance information to demonstrate the extent to which it is meeting its intended aims.
I fully support any initiative which aims to improve management and governance in the ADF. The outcomes of this initiative give me greater flexibility in determining how I deliver Army capability and a better control over resources to ensure value for money.
… showed a clear interest in organising and managing their financial dealings and in maximising their income. This is not consistent with their claimed indifference to the potential loss of the significant ESP income stream, nor with their evidence that they did not even discuss the potential loss of ESP and that it was not a factor in their decision to transfer ownership of the company. The Tribunal finds that by far the most likely reason for the transfer of the ownership of the company in 2006 was the belief that the applicant company would continue to qualify for ESP if he was an employee rather than a self-employed member.