The SPEAKER (Hon. Peter Slipper) took the chair at 9:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
… a more finely calibrated capacity for APRA to supervise and regulate the superannuation industry …
That is something we have been after for a long time—10 years—to try to ensure that the quality of supervision in superannuation is what you get in other industries.
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2012
That the Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support and Other Measures) Bill 2012 be referred to the Main Committee for further consideration.
That this bill be now read a third time.
The House divided. [09:55]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper)
(1) Schedule 1, item 94, page 48 (lines 19 and 20), omit the item, substitute:
94 Section 73
Repeal the section, substitute:
73 Director etc. must not participate in court proceedings in relation to settled matters
(1) This section applies if:
(a) either:
(i) the Director (or an inspector) and another party or parties are joint applicants in a building proceeding before a court; or
(ii) the Director (or an inspector) has intervened in a building proceeding before a court under subsection 71(1); and
(b) before the court has given judgement in the proceeding:
(i) the matter that is the subject of the proceeding is settled between the parties to the proceeding (or if more than one matter is the subject of the proceeding—one or more of those matters is settled between the parties to the proceeding); and
(ii) a notice is filed in the court discontinuing the proceeding to the extent that it relates to the settled matter or matters.
(2) The Director (or inspector) must not continue to participate in the building proceeding to the extent that it relates to the settled matter or matters.
(3) A reference in subparagraph (1)(b)(i) to parties to the proceeding does not include a reference to the Director (or inspector).
(4) In this section:
building proceeding means a civil proceeding in relation to a matter that arises under a designated building law and involves a building industry participant.
(2) Schedule 1, page 48 (after line 20), after item 94, insert:
94A Section 73A
Repeal the section, substitute:
73A Director etc. must not institute court proceedings in relation to settled matters
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a building proceeding was instituted in a court; and
(b) neither the Director nor an inspector:
(i) was a party to the proceeding; or
(ii) had intervened in the proceeding; and
(c) the matter that was the subject of the proceeding was settled between the parties to the proceeding (or if more than one matter was the subject of the proceeding—one or more of those matters was settled between the parties to the proceeding); and
(d) a notice was filed in the court discontinuing the proceeding to the extent that it related to the settled matter or matters.
(2) The Director (or an inspector) must not institute a building proceeding in a court if the conduct giving rise to the proceeding was the subject of the settled matter or matters referred to in paragraph (1)(c).
(3) In this section:
building proceeding has the same meaning as in subsection 73(4).
The House divided. [10:07]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper)
(1) Clause 2, page 1 (line 9) to page 2 (line 6), omit subclauses (1) and (2), substitute:
This Act commences on the day this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2) Schedule 1, items 1 to 104, page 3 (line 4) to page 50 (line 15), omit the items, substitute:
1 The whole of the Act
Repeal the Act.
(1) Schedule 1, item 2, page 3 (lines 23 and 24), omit paragraph 3(d).
(2) Schedule 1, item 3, page 3 (lines 27 to 31), omit the item.
(3) Schedule 1, item 16, page 5 (lines 4 to 7), omit the item.
(4) Schedule 1, items 23 and 24, page 5 (line 23) to page 6 (line 2), omit the items.
(5) Schedule 1, item 31, page 6 (lines 23 to 26), omit the item.
(6) Schedule 1, items 36 to 39, page 7 (lines 8 to 25), omit the items.
(7) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (lines 6 and 7), omit paragraph 10(h).
(8) Schedule 1, items 52 to 71, page 20 (line 14) to page 39 (line 9), omit the items, substitute:
52 Part 1 of Chapter 7
Repeal the Part.
53 Division 1 of Part 2 of Chapter 7
Repeal the Division.
(9) Schedule 1, items 78 to 86, page 46 (line 10) to page 47 (line 24), omit the items, substitute:
78 Section 65
Repeal the section.
(10) Schedule 1, item 103, page 50 (lines 1 to 13), omit the item.
(1) Schedule 1, item 52, page 21 (lines 2 to 12), omit the subsections 36A(1) and (2), substitute:
This Part applies to an investigation by the Director into a suspected contravention, by a building industry participant, of an offence against a designated building law punishable by imprisonment for a period of 12 months or more.
(1) Schedule 1, item 2, page 3 (lines 23 and 24), omit paragraph 3(d), substitute:
(d) protecting workplace rights through the prohibition of sham contracting arrangements; and
(2) Schedule 1, item 2, page 3 (line 26), at the end of section 3, add:
; and (f) protecting vulnerable workers.
(3) Schedule 1, item 10, page 4 (line 17), omit "59C(3)", substitute "15(4)".
(4) Schedule 1, item 11, page 4 (lines 18 and 19), omit the item, substitute:
11 Subsection 4(1) (definition of civil remedy provision )
Repeal the definition, substitute:
civil remedy provision has the same meaning as in the FW Act.
(5) Schedule 1, page 5, after item 15 (after line 3), insert:
15A Subsection 4(1) (definition of CSC )
Repeal the definition.
(6) Schedule 1, item 19, page 5 (lines 13 to 16), omit the item.
(7) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 6), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(8) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 8), omit "59", substitute "15".
(9) Schedule 1, item 35, page 7 (lines 5 to 7), omit the item.
(10) Schedule 1, page 8, after item 47 (after line 18), insert:
47A Paragraph 5(1)(d)
Before "operation", insert "on-site".
(11) Schedule 1, item 48, page 8 (lines 19 to 22), omit the item, substitute:
48 Subparagraph 5(1)(d)(iv)
Omit ", whether carried out on-site or off-site".
48A Paragraph 5(1)(f)
Omit "purpose;", substitute "purpose."
48B Paragraph 5(1)(g)
Repeal the paragraph.
(12) Schedule 1, item 49, page 9 (line 3), omit "Director", substitute "Establishment".
(13) Schedule 1, item 49, page 9 (line 6), omit "a Director of", substitute ", within the Office of the Fair Work Ombudsman,".
(14) Schedule 1, item 49, page 9 (line 9), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(15) Schedule 1, item 49, page 9 (line 9), after "functions", insert "under this Act".
(16) Schedule 1, item 49, page 9 (line 31), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(17) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 5), omit "participants;", substitute "participants.".
(18) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 8), omit paragraph 10(i).
(19) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 9), omit the note, substitute:
Note: The Fair Work Ombudsman also has the functions of a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector (see section 16).
(20) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 12), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(21) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 13), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman in relation to this Act".
(22) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (lines 14 and 15), omit paragraph 11(1)(b), substitute:
(b) the manner in which the Fair Work Ombudsman is to perform or exercise the functions or powers of the Fair Work Ombudsman under this Act.
(23) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 18), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(24) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 23), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(25) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 24), omit "Director's", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman's".
(26) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 25), at the end of subsection 12(1), add "under this Act".
(27) Schedule 1, item 49, page 10 (line 28), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(28) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (line 1), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(29) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (line 3), omit "and (3), the Director", substitute ", the Fair Work Ombudsman".
(30) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (line 4), omit "Director's", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman's".
(31) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (line 7), omit "an inspector", substitute "a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector".
(32) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (line 9), omit all the words from and including "Director" to the end of subsection 13(2), substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman must not delegate his or her functions or powers as a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector".
(33) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (lines 15 to 23), omit subsection 13(3).
(34) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (line 26), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(35) Schedule 1, item 49, page 11 (line 29), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(36) Schedule 1, item 49, page 12 (line 2), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(37) Schedule 1, item 49, page 12 (line 4), omit "Director's", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman's".
(38) Schedule 1, item 49, page 12 (line 5), omit "Director's", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman's".
(39) Schedule 1, item 49, page 12 (line 14), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(40) Schedule 1, item 49, page 12 (line 16), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(41) Schedule 1, item 49, page 12 (line 18) to page 14 (line 29), omit sections 15 to 22, substitute:
Part 2—Fair Work Building Industry Inspectors
15 Appointment
(1) The Fair Work Ombudsman may, in writing, appoint as a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector:
(a) a person who has been appointed, or who is employed, by the Commonwealth; or
(b) a person who has been appointed, or who is employed, by a State or Territory, or who holds an office or appointment under a law of a State or Territory.
(2) The Fair Work Ombudsman may appoint a person as a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector only if the Fair Work Ombudsman is satisfied that the person is of good character.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (1), a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector is to be appointed under the FW Act as a Fair Work Inspector but must not perform functions or exercise powers other than:
(a) in relation to a building matter; and
(b) in accordance with such conditions and restrictions as are specified in his or her instrument of appointment.
(4) A matter is a building matter if it relates to building work.
Note: A Fair Work Building Industry Inspector is eligible for reappointment (see section 33AA of the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 ).
16 Fair Work Ombudsman is a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector
The Fair Work Ombudsman is a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector by force of this section.
17 Inspectors' power to monitor compliance with Building Code
(1) Fair Work Building Industry Inspectors are also to monitor compliance with the Building Code.
(2) For this purpose, a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector has the functions and powers under Subdivision D of Division 3 of Part 5-2 of the FW Act that he or she would have if the Building Code were a fair work instrument.
(42) Schedule 1, item 49, page 15 (line 1), omit "2", substitute "3".
(43) Schedule 1, item 49, page 15 (lines 8 to 15), omit all the words from and including "is to make", substitute:
is:
(a) to determine:
(i) policies to guide the performance and exercise of the Fair Work Ombudsman's functions and powers under this Act; and
(ii) the priorities of, and the programs to be implemented by, the Fair Work Ombudsman in the performance and exercise of the Fair Work Ombudsman's functions and powers under this Act; and
(b) to make recommendations to the Fair Work Ombudsman about any matter that the Minister requests the Advisory Board to consider.
(44) Schedule 1, item 49, page 15 (line 18), omit paragraph 25(a).
(45) Schedule 1, item 49, page 15 (line 26), omit "the Director or".
(46) Schedule 1, item 49, page 16 (line 13), omit "the Director or".
(47) Schedule 1, item 49, page 16 (line 16), omit "the Director or".
(48) Schedule 1, item 49, page 17 (line 18), omit "the Director or".
(49) Schedule 1, item 49, page 17 (line 21), omit "the Director or".
(50) Schedule 1, item 49, page 18 (line 2), omit "the Director or".
(51) Schedule 1, item 49, page 18 (line 13), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(52) Schedule 1, item 49, page 18 (lines 14 and 15), omit all the words from and including "Director" to the end of subsection 26G(2), substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman and one other member".
(53) Schedule 1, item 49, page 19 (line 7) to page 20 (line 8), omit Part 3.
(54) Schedule 1, items 50 to 73, page 20 (line 10) to page 42 (line 23), omit the items, substitute:
50 Section 28
Repeal the section, substitute:
28 Building Code to be comprehensive statement
In contracting for building work, the Commonwealth must not require compliance, by a building industry participant, with a requirement that is not:
(a) set out in the Building Code; or
(b) of a kind specified in the Building Code as being exempt from the operation of this section.
28A Building Code to be consistent with FWA instruments
The Building Code has no effect to the extent that it is inconsistent with an instrument (however described):
(a) that has been approved by FWA; and
(b) is in force.
51 Chapters 5 and 6
Repeal the Chapters, substitute:
Chapter 5—Sham arrangements
36 Sham arrangements
(1) A person (the employer ) must not engage, or propose to engage, an individual to perform building work under a contract for services where the true character of the engagement or proposed engagement is that of employment.
Note: This subsection is a civil remedy provision (see Part 4-1 of the FW Act).
(2) A person (the employer ) must not enter into a contract with another person (thecontractor ) under which services in the nature of building work are to be provided to the employer, if:
(a) the services are to be performed by an individual (who is not the contractor); and
(b) the individual has any ownership in, or is an officer or trustee of, the contractor; and
(c) if the contract were entered into with the individual, the contract would be a contract of employment.
Note: This subsection is a civil remedy provision (see Part 4-1 of the FW Act).
(3) The employer's state of mind is not relevant for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2).
( 4) If a person (theemployer ) enters into a contract in contravention of subsection (1) or (2), then, for the purposes of determining the rights and obligations of the employer and the individual in relation to the performance of services under the contract, the individual is taken to be an employee of the employer.
(5) Subsections (1) to (3) have effect as if:
(a) they were included in Division 6 of Part 3-1 of the FW Act; and
(b) the term building industry participant had the same meaning in that Act as it has in this Act; and
(c) the reference to 357(1) in item 11 of the table in subsection 539(2) that Act included references to subsections (1) and (2) of this section.
37 Effect of other provisions with respect to building work
For the purposes of the application of section 357 of the Fair Work Act 2009 in relation to a person that employs, or proposes to employ, an individual to perform building work, subsection (2) of that section is taken to be replaced by the following:
"(2) The employer's state of mind is not relevant for the purposes of subsection (1)."
Note: Section 357 of the Fair Work Act 2009 deals with misrepresenting employment as an independent contracting arrangement.
52 Chapter 7 (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:
Chapter 7—Federal Safety Officers
53 Part 1 of Chapter 7
Repeal the Part.
54 Part 2 of Chapter 7 (heading)
Repeal the heading.
55 Divisions 1 and 2 of Part 2 of Chapter 7
Repeal the Divisions.
56 Division 3 of Part 2 of Chapter 7 (heading)
Repeal the heading, substitute:
Part 1—Appointment
(55) Schedule 1, item 74, page 43 (line 1), omit "Division", substitute "Part".
(56) Schedule 1, item 77, page 43 (line 8) to page 44 (line 31), omit section 64, substitute:
64 Disclosure of information to the Advisory Board
(1) This section applies to information that is:
(a) information acquired by the Fair Work Ombudsman in the course of performing functions, or exercising powers, under this Act; or
(b) information acquired by a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector in the course of performing functions, or exercising powers, as a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector; or
(c) information acquired by a member of staff referred to in subsection 697(1) of the FW Act in the course of performing functions, or exercising powers, as a member of staff in relation to this Act; or
(d) information acquired by a person in the course of assisting the Ombudsman under section 698 of the FW Act, or in the course of performing functions, or exercising powers, as a consultant under section 698 of the FW Act in relation to this Act; or
(e) information acquired by a person in the course of assisting a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector under section 710 of the FW Act in performing functions, or exercising powers, as a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector.
(2) The Fair Work Ombudsman may disclose, or authorise the disclosure of, the information to the Advisory Board if the Fair Work Ombudsman reasonably believes that the disclosure is likely to assist the Advisory Board in performing its role.
Note: Section 718 of the FW Act also deals with disclosure of information by the Fair Work Ombudsman.
(57) Schedule 1, items 78 to 86, page 46 (line 10) to page 47 (line 24), omit the items, substitute:
78 Subsections 65(2) to (8)
Repeal the subsections.
(58) Schedule 1, item 88, page 47 (line 32), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(59) Schedule 1, item 88, page 48 (line 3), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(60) Schedule 1, item 90, page 48 (line 10), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(61) Schedule 1, item 91, page 48 (lines 11 to 13), omit the item, substitute:
91 Subsection 71(1)
Omit "ABC Commissioner may", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman may, with the leave of the court,".
91A Subsection 71(2)
Omit "ABC Commissioner" (wherever occurring), substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(62) Schedule 1, item 92, page 48 (line 16), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(63) Schedule 1, item 93, page 48 (lines 17 and 18), omit the item, substitute:
93 Section 72
Omit "ABC Commissioner may, by giving written notice to the General Manager of FWA", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman may, with the permission of FWA".
(64) Schedule 1, item 94, page 48 (lines 19 and 20), omit the item, substitute:
94 Sections 73 and 73A
Repeal the sections, substitute:
73 When exercise of powers and proceedings must cease
FWA matters
(1) Where FWA is exercising any powers in relation to an issue that is related to a building matter, it must cease exercising those powers if it is satisfied that the issue has been settled or resolved by the building industry participants involved in the issue.
Court proceedings for civil remedy provisions
(2) Where there is a proceeding before a Court pursuant to a civil remedy provision, and the proceeding involves an issue that is related to a building matter, the Court must cease dealing with the proceeding in so far as it relates to the issue, if the Court is satisfied that the issue has been settled or resolved by the building industry participants involved in it.
(65) Schedule 1, item 95, page 48 (line 23), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(66) Schedule 1, item 96, page 48 (line 25), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(67) Schedule 1, item 100, page 49 (lines 11 to 16), omit section 76, substitute:
76 Court not to require undertaking as to damages
If the Fair Work Ombudsman or a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector is an applicant in court proceedings under the FW Act or the Fair Work (Transitional Provisions and Consequential Amendments) Act 2009 , the court cannot require the Fair Work Ombudsman, the Fair Work Building Industry Inspector or another person, as a condition of granting an interim injunction, to give undertakings as to damages.
(68) Schedule 1, item 101, page 49 (line 19), omit "Director", substitute "Fair Work Ombudsman".
(69) Schedule 1, item 102, page 49 (lines 23 to 27), omit paragraphs (a) to (e) of the definition of protected person , substitute:
(a) the Fair Work Ombudsman;
(b) a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector;
(c) a person assisting a Fair Work Building Industry Inspector under section 710 of the FW Act;
(d) a member of staff referred to in subsection 697(1) of the FW Act;
(e) a person assisting the Fair Work Ombudsman under section 698 of the FW Act;
(ea) a person engaged as a consultant under section 699 of the FW Act;
(70) Schedule 1, item 103, page 50 (lines 5 to 11), omit paragraphs (l) and (m).
That this bill be now read a third time.
CHF welcomes the final version of the Fifth CPA. For the first time in the history of Community Pharmacy Agreements, the views of consumers were specifically sought, and some of their concerns appear to have been taken into account in the final version of the Agreement. The Patient Service Charter is particularly welcome.
GP Access says more doctors are choosing to work fewer hours which is adding to the critical doctor shortage in the Hunter.
A senate inquiry has been set up to look at the factors affecting the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas.
GP Access Practice Workforce officer Jenni Scott says historically, doctors used to work around the clock to tend to patients.
But she says that is now a thing of the past.
"The work life balance that's permeating all workforce scenarios is the same in general practice," she said.
"Doctors going into the practice want to go to work, do their work but also go home and be with their families or do other things that are part and parcel of life these days."
The role of new 'Medicare Locals' organisations like the Hunter's GP Access will come under scrutiny as part of the senate inquiry.
Ms Scott says the doctor to patient ratio in some areas is very concerning.
"The preferred GP population ratio usually quoted as approximately 1:1100 or 1:1200," she said
"But the relevant ratio for some of our smaller communities is usually 1:2000.
(1) Schedule 1, item 2, page 4 (after line 13), add:
(4) The Minister must publish statistics annually for each pharmaceutical item supplied under subsection 1.
(5) The Minister must:
(a) cause a written report to be prepared of a review of this section no more than two years from the commencement of the section; and
(b) cause a copy of the report to be laid before each House of the Parliament within six months of the commencement of the review.
Scripts dispensed by a community pharmacy under the continued dispensing arrangements and claimed through the usual PBS claiming process via Medicare will be recorded. These items will be clearly identifiable from other medicines dispensed under the PBS. The Department of Health and Ageing intends to publish data relating to the continued dispensing initiative on an annual basis through its existing publication Expenditure and prescriptions 12 months to 30 June .'
That this bill be now read a third time.
Electronic medical records a boon for consumer safety—Health Ministers
Australian Health Ministers today considered and agreed to lend their support to a proposal to develop a system of electronic medication records.
Speaking at the Australian Health Ministers' Conference in Wellington, New Zealand, Federal Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge, said today's show of support for the proposal in-principle could lead to significant and genuine improvements in health outcomes in a relatively short time.
"The Better Medication Management System (BMMS) is a way to bring together currently fragmented medication record systems by using information technology to link patients, doctors, pharmacists and hospitals," Dr Wooldridge said.
The new system would be entirely voluntary for all parties—consumers, prescribers and dispensers. The BMMS offers consumers access to their own medication record for the first time.
"This affords consumers the opportunity to become active participants in their medication management. It also enables doctors and pharmacists—with patient consent—to make prescribing and dispensing decisions based on knowledge of what has been prescribed for a patient before and what other current medications a patient is taking."
"An area of potentially great gains will be at the interface with public hospitals, where quick access to a patient's medication record could be life saving."
In terms of the broader health IT agenda being discussed at the conference, Health Ministers agreed that the BMMS provides a unique opportunity to apply the principles for HealthConnect in a confined and manageable area of the wider health sector.
... should contain sufficient data to identify the patient or client, support the diagnosis or reason for the health care encounter, justify the treatment, and accurately document the results.
The medical record is vital to the care of the patient as it is a communication tool between all individuals involved in the patient's care, and provides a documented account of the episode to aid clinicians' memories.
If we can give caregivers immediate access to key medical information—such as a patients diagnoses, allergies, lab test results, and medications—we can improve the clinical decisions they make.
That the following Main Committee orders of the day, private members' business, be returned to the House for further consideration:
No. 14—motion relating to tax reform; and
No. 17—motion relating to Srebrenica remembrance.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following orders of the day, private Members' business, being called on, and considered immediately in the following order:
Tax reform—Order of the day No. 14; and
Srebrenica remembrance—Order of the day No. 17.
That paragraph (8) be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
(8) the anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, 11 July, should serve as a time to remember the victims.
There is evidence of a lack of probity, ineffective governance and an inability to deliver targeted programs.
The program risks falling into disuse from the very first day of live operation.
Confidentiality is regarded as one of the most important aspects of good medical practice.
The integrity of the confidentiality of the patient medical record is absolutely essential to developing, enhancing, and underpinning the therapeutic relationship between medical practitioners and their patients. This confidentiality secures the necessary trust and openness that characterises the ongoing communication between doctors and their patients to optimise patient care.
To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives.
This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House the importance of the Australian car manufacturing industry to our future.
Since the earliest days of the motor car, the industry has enjoyed bipartisan support at all levels of government in Australia.
The car industry, and die many industries that supply it, pays the wages for more than 200,000 Australians, It sustains families, communities and regions throughout Australia.
It is the cornerstone on which one million manufacturing jobs rest. We strongly oppose the $500 million cut to the car industry's legislated investment demanded by the coalition
We are concerned by the coalition's refusal to commit to any assistance beyond 2015, which would deny the industry a further $1 billion in the years to 2020.
This policy would not just sacrifice the car industry. It would decimate Australian manufacturing. It would deny our children the opportunities which are their heritage and their future. A sustainable car manufacturing industry must be a partnership between car companies, workers and their unions, and all sides of politics, giving the industry the confidence to make the right long-term investments.
We therefore ask the House to remember its obligations to the working men and women of Australia, and call on the coalition to abandon its opposition to the Australian government's firm commitments for the car industry's future.
… organising the escape of as many as possible and encouraging … those few who could not escape … to meet death alongside him with dignity and honour.
China is now the major competitor in both smelting and refining. Future investment will go offshore.
Significantly reducing emissions will mean higher costs for businesses and households, there is no escaping that and anyone who pretends to do otherwise is not a serious participant in this hugely important public policy debate.
We've had an avalanche of job losses since the beginning of the year.
The key is to … set out a defensible truth: one that you will not have to expand, modify or resile from.
Abbott's chief of staff Peta Credlin sent an email to shadows and whips last week reminding them they had to get clearance in advance.
More difficult is keeping MPs away from major media, especially if they are not good at it, or their performances have the potential to cut across an agreed strategy.
That this House censures the Prime Minister for presiding over a government that is paralysed by dysfunction and division and is now incapable of addressing the daily challenges facing the Australian people and secondly for the culture of evasion, deceit and sheer incompetence that characterizes her Prime Ministership.
That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Manager of Opposition Business from moving the following motion forthwith:
That this House censures the Prime Minister for presiding over a government that is paralysed by dysfunction and division and is now incapable of addressing the daily challenges facing the Australian people and secondly for the culture of evasion, deceit and sheer incompetence that characterizes her Prime Ministership.
The House divided. [15:33]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper ]
We now know the costing was done by a catering company. Morrison's claim that the company had been involved in building the Nauru facility is a blatant untruth.
Morrison's claim that the company had been involved in building the Nauru facility is a blatant untruth.
That the House take note of the following document:
Sydney Airport Demand Management Act—Quarterly report on movement cap for Sydney airport for the period 1 October to 31 December 2011.
1. The committee met in private session on 15 and 16 February 2012.
2. The committee determined that the following referrals of bills to committees be made—
Standing Committee on Economics:
Standing Committee on Education and Employment:
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters:
Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications:
Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs:
Joint Standing Committee on Treaties:
That Mr Bandt be appointed a supplementary member of the Standing Committee on Economics for the purpose of the committee’s Review of the Reserve Bank Annual Report 2011; the Standing Committee on Education and Employment for the purpose of the committee’s inquiry into the Fair Work Amendment (Better Work/Life Balance) Bill 2012; and the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs for the purpose of the committee’s inquiries into the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 and the Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2010.
The urgent need to maintain support and co-investment in Australia's car manufacturing industry to ensure it, and the hundreds of thousands of people whose jobs depend on it, have a secure future.
Queensland Liberal Senator Sue Boyce has called for more cuts to taxpayer handouts for the car industry, even if this meant no cars were manufactured in Australia.
I've never understood what it is about the car manufacturing industry that makes it so, so special in terms of government subsidies—
There is a role for government to assist industries to adapt to changing environments, but taxpayers funding a romantic attachment to a bygone era is not a position the Australian economy can afford or sustain.
We are cutting $500 million worth of automotive assistance. This takes the level of automotive assistance back to the level that the Howard government thought necessary in 2007 and it removes the additional assistance to the motor industry that the Labor government provided.
We cut a deal with the prime minister and then midway through ... the rules of the game changed ... it certainly worries a multinational parent when sovereign risk begins to be something that is bandied about in terms of doing business in Australia.
I have always emphasised that the New Car Plan is not a set and forget policy.
The Plan sets the parameters—
… car manufacturing is special and is an industry where Australia has a hundred years of experience and global connections to build upon. We should be very careful about withdrawing from this industry and I don't think we should.
I think it is fundamental to the Commonwealth's approach to native title issues generally that native title is not an obstacle to economic development.
Harry attracted public funds to fit out and staff group homes because the correlation between homelessness and mental illness was so strong.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms AE Burke ) took the chair at 09:30.
I gathered my things from the casualty room, where I had stayed during a forty-eight hour vigil and prepared to leave the hospital. It seemed there was nothing more that I could do.
A child that seemed to have no ideal sanctuary in our world would go to his maker; the problem that appeared to have no answer would be solved… a feeling of relief flooded through me.
Overcome by grief and remorse I went back to take one last look at Larry, lying at peace, ashamed for thinking that 'death was the only solution' to the problems that arrived with his birth.
Kneeling at the side of his cot, appealing to the God that I doubted, asking forgiveness for surrendering my Faith during the turmoil and tragedy, making a 'silent' vow: ' to pledge my life to the cause of children like him as atonement .' A miracle happened. When he recovered, I took him home, determined that he would never again be forsaken and I would build 'a world of their own', that would provide for the specific needs, care and protection for children like him.
We are committed to the Millennium Development Goals both as a moral obligation and as part of our regional security.
Under the Coalition policy of appointing a Minister for International Development Assistance, I expect that PNG will be the primary focus for that Ministry as we use development assistance and access to our markets to expand opportunities for growth and employment.
Ultimately, it will be our actions not our words, that will demonstrate beyond doubt that Papua New Guinea is one of Australia's top foreign policy priorities.
The developed world has not found a successful form of providing aid to our neighbours in much the same way as we have much to learn in helping our own Indigenous Australians. In both cases we must persist, because if we fail we let our neighbours down and indeed our first Australians.
Some 36 years ago Papua New Guinea became in independent nation. The world watched and many predicted failure.
Despite the pessimism there is much for Papua New Guinea to be proud about. We have a strong economy. We have proud and vibrant people. We are not blind to our challenges.
Importantly we are learning to confront them. Our dreams have not progressed perfectly - whose do?
Let me be blunt. Our short history has been scarred by tribal warfare and ethnic clashes, shaken by the Bougainville conflict, damaged by the Asian economic crisis, betrayed by systemic and governance failures and shaken by the subjugation of women and children.
Yet the true test of a nation is not a recitation of its problems but rather how we work to overcome them.
The maternal deaths, mothers dying from giving birth or giving a life, is not on. The high mortality rate in PNG it is the highest in the Pacific region and the second highest in the Asia region because Afghanistan is the highest, so it's one of the highest in the world and I think it's important the leaders and all sectors of the community take the issue on hand.
Contemporary health policy discussions are generally about vested economic interests competing within an antagonistic political system. While these ‘policy’ discussions impact directly on health consumers, they are rarely referenced to real health outcomes.
Real health is about how we look after ourselves, our family and friends, our workplaces, our communities and our environments. It is about regulation and safety (seat belts, random blood alcohol testing, OHS, etc.), access to quality food and water and hygienic sanitation, access to preventative health. It is about exercise, nutrition and well-being. It is about belonging. It is about us.
Discussions about our health care systems are usually about money and there is a compelling case for adopting this approach. Around 1 in 8 Australians are employed in the health sector, making it the largest employment sector in Australia—
It is also a sector that is growing at a much greater rate than most others—healthcare needs are expanding, as are community expectations from our ageing population to have access to the best possible care. Health is a remarkably resilient economic powerhouse in Australia and around the world.
Almost all health policy creates economic winners and losers among the existing players. If a particular drug becomes much cheaper to consumers by being listed on our subsidised Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, the drug manufacturer makes more money through increased sales. A higher Medicare rebate for certain procedures allows doctors to charge more and increase their income.
Any Health Minister proposing cost saving changes to the health system is going to have to run a gauntlet of opposition from those who will lose money if the policy change is implemented.
Cataract surgery rebates is one example cited by Dr Tony Webber, the former head of the Medicare watchdog, the Professional Services Review, in the current edition of the Medical Journal of Australia . Dr Webber argues that billions of dollars of savings can be achieved if the government is prepared to take on vested interests across the health system. He is right.
... ... ...
Vested economic interests in health care systems will always oppose any change that potentially reduces their income. Oppositions will usually seek to gain political capital by joining any chorus of disenchantment. Unfortunately these two forces currently seem to be the major drivers of our health care system.
The $3.5 billion private health insurance (PHI) rebate needs further scrutiny in the light of advice from the Federal Treasury that it does not deliver value for money, according to the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA).
The AHHA is the peak national body representing public hospitals, area health services, community health centres and public aged care providers.
AHHA has previously called for the PHI rebate to be evaluated to assess whether or not it represents the best use of scarce health resources ...
Since the program was introduced by the Howard Government it has never been assessed against its objectives. This is despite the fact that many economists and other health experts have expressed serious concerns that it is an inefficient use of tax-payer funds.
Means testing the rebate will result in a fairer use of public health funding and not impose any additional burden on public hospitals.
AHHA has done extensive modelling on the impact of the proposal and found that only 15% of the insured population or about 1.53 million people will be affected by the changes. For this small group - the wealthiest in the community - their rebate will fall by between 10% and 20%.
We know from past experience that price has relatively little effect on private insurance membership. For example, when the rebate was first introduced in 1999, membership grew by only 2% for every 10% reduction in price. The proposed reforms will simply reverse that for higher income people. At an average 14% increase in price, only 31,000 would now be expected to drop their private insurance. This estimation is almost identical to that reached independently by Treasury.
It was not easy for us to break an association which had endured for the whole of our political lives. We made that break solely because we believed that the government, by its financial drift and dangerous inflation schemes, was leading the country surely and swiftly to destruction.
People are sent to gaol for things much less criminal than what this bill proposes. … In my opinion we are not justified in passing such a deceitful piece of legislation. … We are asked to commit an act of injustice which will redound to the discredit of the Parliament for many years to come.
…in the final analysis, the disability support system in Australia needs more than tweaking at the edges. It is a system that no longer adequately serves our community. A system that has been characterised as:
Unfair.
Underfunded.
Fragmented.
Inefficient.
Not the kind of system we would wish for ourselves or those who are dear to us.
… … …
Certainly your pleas fell on stony ground for many thankless years.
That happened, I think, because disability confronts us with our own worst fears and how easily fate could separate us from our easy, comfortable certainties.
… … …
… too many generations of parents have gone to their graves not knowing what the future held for their child with disability as they grew to middle age.
So I say this as your Prime Minister tonight: Not another generation will face that agonising choice.
… … …
Let there be no mistake. The decision I announced in August is a not just a preliminary hint or an aspiration.
It is the green light for a National Disability Insurance Scheme in this country.
… … …
The time for words is over. The time for action has come. We will get this thing done.
… … …
… the NDIS … will be a defining achievement of this term of government …
… The time for action has come. We will get this thing done.
… … …
… the NDIS … will be a defining achievement of this term of government …
Bird deaths from wind power are the new inconvenient truth. The total number of birds killed and the amount of bird habitat lost will dramatically increase as wind power build-out continues across the country in a rush to meet federal renewable energy targets.
1. Oil is replaced with other (equally rich and abundant) energy sources (opening the whole debate about alternative fuel sources, e.g. gas-to-liquids, coal-to-liquids, electricity, hydrogen).
2. Improved energy efficiency results in energy use per unit of GDP declining markedly to match the shortfall—
3. GDP declines to match the shortfall.
I want new scientific findings to be included in the climate debate. It would then become clear that the simple equation that CO2 and other man-made greenhouse gases are almost exclusively responsible for climate change is unsustainable. It has not gotten any warmer on this planet in almost 14 years, despite continued increases in CO2 emissions. Established climate science has to come up with an answer to that.
In my experience as an energy expert, I learned that the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is more of a political than a scientific body. As a reporteur on renewable energy, I witnessed how thin the factual basis is for predictions that are made at the IPCC.
For the IPCC and the politicians it influences, CO2 is practically the only factor. The importance of the sun for the climate is systematically underestimated, and the importance of CO2 is systematically overestimated. As a result, all climate predictions are based on the wrong underlying facts.
What is the accumulated sum of outstanding and written-off debt from consular assistance rendered since the publication of Helping Australians abroad: a review of the Australian Government’s consular services (Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee, 1997, Canberra).
The current sum of outstanding debts from consular loans is $1,425,256 (as at 31 August 2011).
To provide information on all written-off debt would entail a significant diversion of resources and in these circumstances I do not consider the additional work can be justified.
What was his department's total expenditure on travel in 2010-11, and of this, what sum was spent on (a) first class air travel, (b) business class air travel, (c) economy class air travel, (d) international air travel, and (e) domestic air travel.
For the department's expenditure on travel refer to the 2010-11 DFAT Annual Report page 284, Financial Statements 2010-11, Note 3B. Following is a breakdown of the air travel booked in Australia through the department's Travel Management Company:
In 2010-11, what was his department's total expenditure on (a) information and computer technology, (b) consultancy, (c) external accounting, (d) external auditing, (e) external legal services, and (f) membership and grants paid to affiliate organisations, and for each category, what was the program breakdown for this expenditure.
Total expenditure for 2010-11 in each of the requested categories is detailed below:
(a) Refer 2010-11 Annual Report, Section 5, page 284.
(b) Refer 2010-11 Annual Report, Section 4, Appendix 12 – Consultancy services, page 232.
(c) External accounting: $0.056 million.
(d) External auditing expense: $0.467 million. Of this $0.45 million relates to a notional charge for the annual audit conducted by the Australian National Audit Office. This is reported in the Financial Statements at Note 12 within the 2010-11 Annual Report (Resources received free of charge).
(e) External legal services: $3.080 million.
(f) Refer 2010-11 Annual Report, Section 4, Appendix 11 – Grants and contributions, page 229.
The department does not itemise expenditure at the level of detail sought. To fully report expenditure at the level of detail asked would require a significant diversion of resources and I do not consider the additional work can be justified.
How many Australian Government staff are currently deployed at each of Australia's international airports, what are their roles and what sum did these officers cost the Government in (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, (d) 2010-11, and (e) 2011-12 (to date), including their salaries and other costs associated with their work.
Australian Customs and Border Protection Service
(a) The number of Customs and Border Protection FTE deployed at each of Australia's international airports as at 30 November 2011 is:
(b) These staff are deployed to efficiently and effectively manage end-to-end passenger and crew processing that supports legitimate travel and the interventions needed to prevent the illegal movement of people and goods across the border. Customs and Border Protection staff currently perform a range of activities which include:
(c) The costs associated with these staff performing the above duties are:
*Note : 2011/12 are Year To Date figures at end November 2011.
Australian Federal Police
The number of Australian Federal Police staff deployed at each of Australia's international airports on 31 October 2011 was 644 staff. A breakdown of these figures is provided in Table 1 below.
The role of AFP members at airports is to deliver a sustainable, efficient and effective law enforcement capability focused on deterring and responding to acts of terrorism, the provision of uniformed policing and the investigation of serious and organised crime in the aviation stream.
Table 1: Number of Australian Federal Police staff deployed at each of Australia ' s international airports
N.B. The above data excludes Hobart Airport and Alice Springs Airport which are not designated International Airports.
Table 2: Cost of Officers to the Australian Government
Explanatory Notes:
In (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, (c) 2009-10, and (d) 2010-11: (i) how many corporate credit cards were issued to departmental staff, and (ii) what was the total cost of all transactions made on these corporate credit cards.
(i) (a) 46
(b) 43
(c) 32
(d) 33
(ii) (a) $704,459
(b) $874,301
(c) $1,132,145