The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms AE Burke ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That the following bills be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration: the Transport Safety Investigation Amendment Bill 2012 and the Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2012.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
Labor committed to abolishing the Pacific Solution and this was one the first things the Rudd Labor Government did on taking office. It was also one of my greatest pleasures …
If more boats arrive, fewer people can be sponsored under our special humanitarian program.
Labor will end the so-called 'Pacific Solution', with its huge cost to Australian taxpayers.
Australia's immigration has drastically risen under the Rudd Labor Government and the number of illegal boat arrivals has reached record highs.
If Kevin Rudd cannot control the population of Christmas Island what hope does he have controlling the population of Australia
Not surprisingly, every independent inquiry into immigration detention has drawn attention to the poor mental health of detainees and the particular risks to children’s well-being.
… … …
Such research has revealed high rates of post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety and panic attacks, attempted suicides and self harm. The longer people are held in detention, the worse the symptoms are likely to be, adding to the already high levels of psychopathology among those who’ve experienced persecution, harassment, torture and physical assaults.
The origin of the notion of ‘queue jumping’, as Australians understand it in the current refugee debate, lies not in the fact that people living in refugee camps are more deserving of our protection, but in the fact that the previous Australian Government initiated a policy linking the onshore and offshore programs in a fixed quota system.
… the linkage between the onshore and offshore components of the Humanitarian Program be reviewed …
There is a myth … that refugees who travel by plane do so legally, while those who catch a boat are "illegals".
… … …
both groups of people are equally entitled to use these means to claim asylum.
The obvious reason why people risk their lives on leaky fishing boats is that they do not have an alternative.
As long as refugees have little chance of finding safety through official channels many will be forced to seek protection through dangerous unofficial channels. A successful regional approach can only work if refugees and asylum seekers' access to protection is improved, as evenly as possible, across all regional countries.
Amnesty International believes that Australia has a key role to play in developing a regional approach to refugees that in the long term reduces the need for people to flee their homeland, in the medium term reduces the need for refugees to flee countries of first asylum and in the short term provides refugees with more access to official migration routes throughout the region.
This approach must never be viewed as a substitute for the long‐established obligation to offer protection to vulnerable people asking for our help.
It is a lack of safe options across the region which forces refugees onto boats to Australia. Improving this situation is absolutely key to stopping people taking dangerous boat journeys.
No one leaves their home willingly or gladly. When people leave en masse the place of their birth, the place where they live it means there is something very deeply wrong with the circumstances in that country and we should never take lightly these flights of refugees fleeing across borders. They are a sign, they are a symptom, they are proof that something is very wrong somewhere on the international scene. When the moment comes to leave your home, it is a painful moment.
… … …
It can be a costly choice. Three weeks and three days after my family left the shores of Latvia, my little sister died. We buried her by the roadside, we were never able to return or put a flower on her grave.
And I like to think that I stand here today as a survivor who speaks for all those who died by the roadside, some buried by their families and others not and for all those millions across the world today who do not have a voice who cannot be heard but they are also human beings, they also suffer, they also have their hopes, their dreams and their aspirations. Most of all they dream of a normal life.
… … …
I entreat you ladies and gentlemen when you think about the problems of refugees, think of them not in the abstract think of them not in the bureaucratic language of decisions and declarations, and priorities in a sense that you normally think of things. I entreat you think of the human beings who are touched by your decisions, think of the lives who wait on your help.
A more comprehensive and sustainable regional framework for improving protection and asylum systems is a key prerequisite for creating safer alternatives to people smuggling.
The Federal Government will pay families up to $300 a week to temporarily house asylum seekers in their homes to help deal with the increasing flood of arrivals.
Under a plan slated to start next month, the Government will seek to access the 5000 homes registered under the privately run Australian Homestay Network (AHN) to host asylum seekers released from detention on bridging visas.
Policy should be based on principles of fairness, regional co-operation, a no-advantage principle for boat arrivals and adherence to international obligations—
Increase Australia’s humanitarian intake from 13,750 annually to 20,000—
The government expand its capacity-building initiatives in the region and significantly boost its allocation of resources—
Advance bilateral co-operation with Indonesia, including around search-and-rescue efforts and the treatment of Indonesian minors who crew asylum-seeker vessels—
Establish a processing centre in Nauru—
Establish a processing centre in PNG—
Boat arrivals are no longer to sponsor family to come to Australia under the Special Humanitarian Program—
Negotiate better outcomes for the removals and returns of failed asylum-seekers—
Australian agencies be appropriately funded to continue to disrupt people-smuggling activities—
Law enforcement agencies continue to counter the involvement of Australian residents in people-smuggling—
Work with regional partners to establish joint operational guidelines for search and rescues—
Any party which has a policy that results in 700 deaths at sea needs to revise its policy. Maybe we should have revised it earlier.
The Pacific Solution was an immediate and astonishingly popular response to the Tampa case.
The Howard government won the approval of an unthinking electorate with its response to Tampa, but it forever sacrificed any claim to moral decency.
Labor's quick action to end this offensive policy is to be applauded, though it will take time to rehabilitate Australia's damaged international reputation. Those responsible for the Pacific Solution face an almost impossible task in erasing this blot on their record, and deservedly so.
Labor will end the so-called Pacific solution—the processing and detaining of asylum seekers on Pacific islands—because it is costly, unsustainable and wrong as a matter of principle.
… a democratic government such as Australia … could never be nasty enough to match the terror, the persecution that is meted out by the Taliban …
In its long history of refugee settlement Australia had:
Labor will end the so-called Pacific solution—the processing and detaining of asylum seekers on Pacific islands—because it is costly, unsustainable and wrong as a matter of principle.
Labor committed to abolishing the Pacific Solution and this was one the first things the Rudd Labor Government did on taking office. It was also one of my greatest pleasures in politics.
Labor committed to abolishing the Pacific Solution and this was one the first things the Rudd Labor Government did on taking office. It was also one of my greatest pleasures in politics.
(1) Clause 1, page 1 (line 6), omit " Offshore ", substitute "Regional ".
(2) Schedule 1, heading, page 3 (line 1), omit "Offshore", substitute "Regional".
(3) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (line 7), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(4) Schedule 1, item 4, page 3 (lines 16 to 20), omit the item, substitute:
4 Subsection 5(1)
Insert:
regional processing country means a country designated by the Minister under subsection 198AB(1) as a regional processing country.
(5) Schedule 1, item 6, page 3 (line 27), omit "to an offshore", substitute "to a regional".
(6) Schedule 1, item 7, page 3 (line 29) to page 4 (line 1), omit the item, substitute:
7 Paragraphs 36(2)(a) and (aa)
Omit "to whom", substitute "in respect of whom".
(7) Schedule 1, items 9 and 10, page 4 (lines 4 to 9), omit the items.
(8) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 1), omit the heading to Subdivision B, substitute:
Subdivision B—Regional processing
(9) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 11), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(10) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 12), after "Minister", insert "and Parliament".
(11) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 13), omit "offshore", substitute "regional".
(12) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 14), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(13) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 17), omit the heading to section 198AB, substitute:
198AB Regional processing country
(14) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (lines 18 and 19), omit "in writing, designate that a country is an offshore ", substitute "by legislative instrument, designate that a country is aregional ".
(15) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (after line 19), after subsection 198AB(1), insert:
(1A) A legislative instrument under subsection (1):
(a) may designate only one country; and
(b) must not provide that the designation ceases to have effect.
(1B) Despite subsection 12(1) of the Legislative Instruments Act 2003 , a legislative instrument under subsection (1) of this section commences at the earlier of the following times:
(a) immediately after both Houses of the Parliament have passed a resolution approving the designation;
(b) immediately after both of the following apply:
(i) a copy of the designation has been laid before each House of the Parliament under section 198AC;
(ii) 5 sitting days of each House have passed since the copy was laid before that House without it passing a resolution disapproving the designation.
(16) Schedule 1, item 25, page 6 (line 22), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(17) Schedule 1, item 25, page 7 (line 11), omit "in writing", substitute "by legislative instrument".
(18) Schedule 1, item 25, page 7 (lines 14 and 15), omit subsection 198AB(8).
(19) Schedule 1, item 25, page 7 (lines 22 and 23), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(20) Schedule 1, item 25, page 7 (line 28), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(21) Schedule 1, item 25, page 8 (lines 26 and 27), omit the heading to section 198AD, substitute:
198AD Taking offshore entry persons to a regional processing country
(22) Schedule 1, item 25, page 8 (lines 33 and 34), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(23) Schedule 1, item 25, page 9 (line 11), omit "to an offshore", substitute "to a regional".
(24) Schedule 1, item 25, page 9 (line 19), omit "offshore", substitute "regional".
(25) Schedule 1, item 25, page 9 (line 22), omit "offshore", substitute "regional".
(26) Schedule 1, item 25, page 9 (line 31), omit "the offshore", substitute "the regional".
(27) Schedule 1, item 25, page 11 (line 14), omit the heading to section 198AF, substitute:
198AF No regional processing country
(28) Schedule 1, item 25, page 11 (line 16), omit "offshore", substitute "regional".
(29) Schedule 1, item 25, page 11 (line 17), omit the heading to section 198AG, substitute:
198AG Non-acceptance by regional processing country
(30) Schedule 1, item 25, page 11 (line 19), omit "offshore processing country, or each offshore", substitute "regional processing country, or each regional".
(31) Schedule 1, item 25, page 11 (line 27), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(32) Schedule 1, item 25, page 12 (line 5), omit "offshore", substitute "regional".
(33) Schedule 1, item 26, page 12 (line 15), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(34) Schedule 1, item 26, page 12 (line 17), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(35) Schedule 1, item 27, page 12 (line 21), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(36) Schedule 1, item 36, page 13 (line 18), omit "the commencement of this item", substitute "13 August 2012".
(37) Schedule 2, item 2, page 14 (lines 10 to 13), omit the item, substitute:
2 Section 4
Insert:
regional processing country has the same meaning as in theMigration Act 1958 .
(38) Schedule 2, item 4, page 14 (line 23), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
(39) Schedule 2, item 8, page 15 (line 21), omit "an offshore", substitute "a regional".
We are united in our opposition to the Migration Legislation Amendment (Offshore Processing and Other Measures) Bill, currently before parliament. We are also concerned that other legislative changes required to implement the recommendations of the expert panel on asylum seekers will, if passed, see the Australian parliament remove legislative safeguards for asylum seekers, reverse previous measures implemented to protect vulnerable people and breach Australia's international obligations.
We oppose any form of offshore processing and policy centred on deterrence and punishing people based on their mode of arrival. We are particularly concerned that the implementation of the expert panel's recommendations will:
repeal the few human rights protections included in the offshore processing legislation passed in 2001;
see any country designated for offshore processing, regardless of whether it is a party to the refugee convention;
punish asylum seekers who arrive by boat, in breach of the refugee convention;
implement a return to assessing asylum applications in Nauru and Manus Island, ignoring past lessons regarding the mental health impacts of holding people indefinitely with limited freedom of movement;
facilitate the removal of child asylum seekers from Australia;
facilitate the transfer of unaccompanied minors, who will have no guardian to act in their best interest, in breach of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child;
prevent irregular maritime arrivals, whatever their age, from proposing family members for the Special Humanitarian Program, the SHP, creating greater incentives for families who want to stay together to travel by boat to Australia; and
leave open the possibility that boats may be turned back in the future, contravening the convention for the safety of life at sea.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent proceedings on the Migration Legislation Amendment (Offshore Processing and Other Measures) Bill 2011 taking precedence over all other business.
(1) Schedule 1, item 25, page 10 (after line 8), after section 198AD, insert:
198ADA 12 month limit on transfer to offshore processing country
(1) The Minister must ensure that a person who is transferred to an offshore processing country under section 198AD is transferred to Australia no later than 12 months after the day on which the person arrived in the offshore processing country.
(2) Subsection (1) does not apply in relation to a person who is not in the offshore processing country 12 months after the day on which the person arrived in the country.
(3) Section 198AD does not apply in relation to a person who is transferred to Australia under subsection (1).
That this bill be now read a third time.
Sikh Youth Australia will join Sikhs all over Australia in prayers for the departed and those who have been hurt. Our condolences go to all those who have suffered as a result of this tragedy. May the Almighty give all the strength to move forward from this sad event.
That further statements on indulgence on the London Olympic Games be permitted in the Federation Chamber.
How can Australian based manufacturing facilities be competitive when they face additional costs from the carbon tax that their overseas competitors do not.
How can Australian based manufacturing facilities be competitive when they face additional costs from the carbon tax that their overseas competitors do not.
I want to help families with the cost of living …
… We budgeted … about $3 million for next year for the Carbon Tax.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 14 August 2012.
2. The committee determined the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members' business on Monday, 20 August 2012, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
More than just talk – Australia ' s Human Rights Dialogues with China and Vietnam
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:20 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Mr L. D. T. Ferguson — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
2 Standing Committee on Regional Australia
Report on certain matters relating to the proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:30 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Mr Windsor — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
3 Standing Committee on Health and Ageing
Discussion paper on late effects of polio/post-polio syndrome
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:40 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Mr Georganas — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
4 Delegation Report
Parliamentary Delegation to the European Parliament and Institutions and bilateral visit to Israel, 20 April – 4 May 2012
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:50 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Mr Perrett — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
5 Delegation Report
Report on the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the UK, Spain, Germany and the United States
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:55 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Dr Jensen — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 Mr Christensen: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that the:
(a) proposal of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a once-in-a-generation landmark reform that has the potential to deliver better quality of life outcomes for Australians with disabilities;
(b) schedule for implementation of the NDIS, as proposed by the Productivity Commission, will take seven years, spanning the life of three Parliaments; and
(c) NDIS is a reform that involves the cooperation and support of state and territory governments, the disability support services sector, people with a disability and their families and carers;
(2) notes the bipartisan and cross-party support for the implementation of the NDIS;
(3) declares its support for policy stability on the NDIS over the life of those three Parliaments and until the scheme's full implementation; and
(4) resolves to immediately establish a Joint Select Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme which will:
(a) oversee the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme;
(b) be subject to terms of reference to be agreed upon by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader and ratified by this House;
(c) be comprised of 4 Government members and/or Senators, 4 Opposition members and/or Senators, 1 Greens member and/or Senator and 1 non-aligned member and/or Senator;
(d) be jointly chaired by 1 Government member and 1 Opposition member; and
(e) remain in existence until the full implementation of the NDIS is achieved; and
(5) transmit a message to establish a Joint Select Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme to the Senate for concurrence. (Notice given 22 May 2012.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits —
Mr Christensen — 10 minutes.
Next 3 Members speaking — 10 minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 10 mins + 5 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue at a later hour.
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (8 to 9.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices—continued
2 Ms Parke: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the inaugural international parliamentary conference on 'Parliaments, minorities and Indigenous peoples: effective participation in politics' was held in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico from 31 October to 3 November 2010;
(b) the conference was organised jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Mexican Congress of the Union and Government of the State of Chiapas, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues and the Minority Rights Group International;
(c) the conference heard that many situations around the world demonstrate that an adequate representation of minorities and Indigenous peoples in policy and decision-making is instrumental in breaking the cycle of discrimination and exclusion suffered by members of these groups, and their ensuing disproportionate levels of poverty and related impediments to the full enjoyment of many civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, and yet, minorities and Indigenous peoples often remain excluded from effective participation in decision-making, including at the level of the national parliament;
(d) the conference adopted the Chiapas Declaration, which urges every parliament, within the next two years, to inter alia, hold a special debate on the situation of minorities and Indigenous peoples in their country, recognise the diversity in society, and adopt a 'plan of action' to make the right to equal participation and non-discrimination a reality;
(e) the Chiapas Declaration recommended that at a minimum the following elements are contained in the 'plans of action':
(i) ensure that the right to free, prior and informed consent is observed in every step leading to the adoption of legislative and administrative measures affecting minorities and Indigenous peoples, and hold government to account for the implementation of such measures;
(ii) require of government that all submissions to parliament of draft legislation and the national budget include an assessment of their impact on minorities and Indigenous peoples;
(iii) make regular use of plenary sessions in parliament and other parliamentary fora to discuss minority/Indigenous matters in order to raise awareness and combat prejudice in society, organise awareness-raising sessions for all parliamentarians so as to increase their knowledge of minorities and Indigenous peoples and the particular problems they face, and ensure that minority and Indigenous issues are mainstreamed into parliamentary work, especially at the committee level;
(iv) allocate sufficient resources to the task of establishing dialogue between minority/Indigenous peoples and public institutions and to parliamentary committees to allow them to carry out effective outreach activities such as public hearings with minority and Indigenous peoples; and
(v) increase parliaments' familiarity with work being done within the United Nations system so as to equip them better to hold governments to account for their international commitments, including the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, urge ratification of International Labour Organisation Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, hold debates in parliament on the conclusions and recommendations made by the United Nations human rights treaty bodies and special mechanisms with regard to minority and Indigenous peoples' rights;
(f) the Chiapas Declaration also affirmed the responsibility of political parties to promote the effective participation of minorities and Indigenous peoples, and address their concerns in their party programs; and
(g) the IPU will facilitate networking among parliaments on this issue, monitor the implementation of the Chiapas Declaration and convene a follow-up meeting within two years to discuss progress and set targets for future action;
(2) urges the Government, parliamentarians, and political parties to familiarise themselves with the Chiapas Declaration; and
(3) calls upon the Government to facilitate a roundtable discussion with representatives of Australian Indigenous communities on issues arising from the Chiapas Declaration. (Notice given 19 June 2012.)
Time allotted — 60 minutes
Speech time limits —
Ms Parke — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 + 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
3 Mr Chester: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that the carbon price came into effect on 1 July 2012;
(b) the Government's repeated assertions that only Australia's '500 biggest polluters' will pay the carbon price;
(c) community concern that the social and economic impacts of the carbon price have not been fully investigated;
(d) research that indicates the carbon price will have a disproportionate impact on small businesses, regional industries, and regional communities;
(e) concern:
(i) regarding the impact of the carbon price on at least 104 councils in rural, regional and urban Australia which have received notices of potential liability from the Clean Energy Regulator; and
(ii) within regional communities that the $200 million Regional Structural Adjustment Assistance Package is inadequate to meet the needs of adversely affected communities, particularly those exposed to the Government's 'contract for closure' policies; and
(g) that the Government's $36 million advertising campaign to promote the Household Assistance Package provides no information on the policy that has led to the payments to households; and
(2) highlights that the Government should have deferred the introduction of the carbon price until after the Australian public has had its say at the next election.
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 9:30 pm
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (approx 11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 Mr Gibbons: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that a vibrant, independent news media is an essential component of a healthy democracy; and
(2) considers that:
(a) the democratically essential concept of an independent news media not does equate to the unrestricted right of specific media owners, or the industry in general, to manage their businesses without a social licence to operate;
(b) recent developments in Australia, and in other democratic countries, including inappropriate relations between media owners and politicians, socially unacceptable methods of news gathering, socially unacceptable standards of factuality and veracity in news reporting, a failure to distinguish between factual news reporting and editorial opinion, falling circulations, declining sales revenues and failed business models, are all evidence, prima facie, of an industry that has lost its social licence to operate;
(c) market competition can be a valuable mechanism for maintaining general, socially acceptable standards of journalism, but the concentration of news media ownership in the hands of a few represents, prima facie, a competitive market failure requiring compensatory regulation to ensure socially acceptable outcomes; and
(d) as the only representative body democratically elected by all citizens of Australia, the Parliament of Australia is the appropriate body to determine what socially acceptable standards are expected from news media in this country and to legislate appropriately to ensure adherence to them; and such legislation should include:
(i) the appointment of a politically-independent regulatory body to oversee adherence to statutorily-defined standards of news media behaviour;
(ii) commercially significant sanctions for failures to comply with relevant statutory regulations; and
(iii) adequate resourcing for such a regulatory body to enable it to enforce statutorily defined sanctions against financially and politically powerful news media owners. (Notice given 18 June 2012.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr Gibbons — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 + 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 Mr Chester: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that the carbon price came into effect on 1 July 2012;
(b) the Government's repeated assertions that only Australia's '500 biggest polluters' will pay the carbon price;
(c) community concern that the social and economic impacts of the carbon price have not been fully investigated;
(d) research that indicates the carbon price will have a disproportionate impact on small businesses, regional industries, and regional communities;
(e) concern:
(i) regarding the impact of the carbon price on at least 104 councils in rural, regional and urban Australia which have received notices of potential liability from the Clean Energy Regulator; and
(ii) within regional communities that the $200 million Regional Structural Adjustment Assistance Package is inadequate to meet the needs of adversely affected communities, particularly those exposed to the Government's 'contract for closure' policies; and
(g) that the Government's $36 million advertising campaign to promote the Household Assistance Package provides no information on the policy that has led to the payments to households; and
(2) highlights that the Government should have deferred the introduction of the carbon price until after the Australian public has had its say at the next election.
Time allotted — 90 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr Chester — 10 minutes.
Next 3 Members speaking — 10 minutes each.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 10 + 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue at a later hour.
3 Mr Hayes: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) there are well over 100,000 people of Serbian origin currently living in Australia, with approximately 5 per cent in the electoral division of Fowler;
(b) the Australian Federal Police and Serbian Police recently signed an agreement to co-operate on trans-national crime including money laundering and drug trafficking, which is an example of the growing strength of Australia's bilateral relationship with the Republic of Serbia;
(c) the Republic of Serbia recently gained European Union candidate status which suggests an increased potential for future economic cooperation and provides an opportunity for large-scale investment from Australia and a strong cultural and educational exchange;
(d) in 2011, the trade between our two countries increased by 11 per cent; and
(e) since March 2012, Serbia has been awarded the preferential status under Australian Customs Act 1901 , which has the potential to further increase the trade relations; and
(2) recognises:
(a) that significant progress has been made in Serbia and other countries in the region that participated in the devastating civil war, in moving away from conflict and towards reconciliation and cooperation; and
(b) the great economic, social and cultural contribution of the Serbian people to the vibrancy of our multicultural society.
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits —
Mr Hayes — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10 minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (6.30 to 9 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices—continued
4 Mr Christensen: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that the:
(a) proposal of a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) is a once-in-a-generation landmark reform that has the potential to deliver better quality of life outcomes for Australians with disabilities;
(b) schedule for implementation of the NDIS, as proposed by the Productivity Commission, will take seven years, spanning the life of three Parliaments; and
(c) NDIS is a reform that involves the cooperation and support of state and territory governments, the disability support services sector, people with a disability and their families and carers;
(2) notes the bipartisan and cross-party support for the implementation of the NDIS;
(3) declares its support for policy stability on the NDIS over the life of those three Parliaments and until the scheme's full implementation; and
(4) resolves to immediately establish a Joint Select Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme which will:
(a) oversee the implementation of the National Disability Insurance Scheme;
(b) be subject to terms of reference to be agreed upon by the Prime Minister and Opposition Leader and ratified by this House;
(c) be comprised of 4 Government members and/or Senators, 4 Opposition members and/or Senators, 1 Greens member and/or Senator and 1 non-aligned member and/or Senator;
(d) be jointly chaired by 1 Government member and 1 Opposition member; and
(e) remain in existence until the full implementation of the NDIS is achieved; and
(5) transmit a message to establish a Joint Select Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme to the Senate for concurrence. (Notice given 22 May 2012.)
Time allotted — 55 minutes
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 11 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
5 Dr Leigh: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the extraordinary athletic achievements of the late Peter Norman, who won the silver medal in the 200 metres sprint running event at the 1968 Mexico City Olympics, in a time of 20.06 seconds, which still stands as the Australian record;
(2) acknowledges the bravery of Peter Norman in donning an Olympic Project for Human Rights badge on the podium, in solidarity with African-American athletes Tommie Smith and John Carlos, who gave the 'black power' salute;
(3) apologises to Peter Norman for the wrong done by Australia in failing to send him to the 1972 Munich Olympics, despite repeatedly qualifying; and
(4) belatedly recognises the powerful role that Peter Norman played in furthering racial equality. (Notice given 28 June 2012.)
Time allotted — 35 minutes
Speech time limits —
Dr Leigh.— 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
6 Ms Smyth: To move:
That this House:
(1) condemns the Victorian Liberal Government for scrapping the 'School Start Bonus' and 'School-based Education Maintenance Allowance' payments and calls for them to be immediately reinstated; and
(2) considers that:
(a) the Victorian Liberal Government's cuts to the Education Maintenance Allowance will affect some of the most disadvantaged students across Victoria, and their families; and
(b) these cuts, combined with cuts which have already been made by the Victorian Government to Victorian Certificate of Applied Learning and the Victorian TAFE system, will cause long-lasting damage to the Victorian education system, particularly for those who are most at risk of leaving the school system early without proper skills and training. (Notice given 31 May 2012.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes
Speech time limits —
Ms Smyth — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 Ms Hall: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Haemochromatosis Awareness Week is held from 13 to 19 August 2012 and aims to raise awareness of the symptoms and treatment of haemochromatosis;
(b) haemochromatosis is an iron overload disorder and is the most common genetic disorder in Australia; and
(c) more than 100,000 Australians, approximately 1 in 200 people with European ancestry, have the genetic predisposition for haemochromatosis;
(2) notes with concern that:
(a) the condition is seriously underdiagnosed even though haemochromatosis can be easily diagnosed by a simple blood test; and
(b) many people may be suffering from the symptoms without knowing the underlying cause;
(3) acknowledges the work of the voluntary advocacy and support group Haemochromatosis Australia in facilitating Haemochromatosis Awareness Week;
(4) recognises that the symptoms of iron overload include, at:
(a) lower levels, chronic fatigue and joint pain leading to arthritis; and
(b) higher levels, liver cancer, diabetes and serious tissue damage including the weakening of the heart muscle; and
(5) asks all Members to support Haemochromatosis Awareness Week by raising awareness of the condition in their electorates.
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 9 pm
Speech time limits —
Ms Hall — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
That the House take note of the document.
The need for urgent federal government intervention to divest the two supermarket giants and give owner operated business, Australian farmers and customers increased competition, greater choice and a fairer deal.
Recently, Nationals senator John ''Wacka'' Williams called for an ombudsman to be given the power to force supermarkets to increase prices.
But a statement like that should draw a response from political leaders lest people start thinking it is serious.
A government has to decide whether it is for the consumer or the producer.
The Coalition has committed to a ''root and branch'' review of competition policy. This will be another showdown between rational economics and rural populism.
Over the past 30 years—
food prices in Australia have increased by 189 percent. Much higher than many others, in the UK and US food prices have increased about 120 per cent, while in Canada they have only increased by 90 per cent.
… consumer prices are inflated, meaning higher grocery bills.
There is little evidence to suggest that Coles and Woolworths have simply ‘bought out’ the competition.
Millions of Australian consumers shop at Coles and Woolworths in preference or addition to a number of alternatives—the local independent, the specialty bread shop, the Saturday market and/or the corner shop. High concentration levels alone do not dictate the nature of competition. There are other markets internationally that are more concentrated but appear to be more competitive.
… ALDI has been a significant influence on Australian grocery retailing. ALDI has forced Coles and Woolworths to react by reducing prices—specifically in States and localities where ALDI is present. Even if a customer does not shop at ALDI, they obtain significant benefits from having an ALDI in their local area or state, as the Coles and Woolworths stores price more keenly.
I have never been as excited about economics as some of my colleagues; you know, I find economics is not for nothing known as the dismal science.
That the bills be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
That prior to commencing negotiations for a new agreement, the Government table in Parliament a document setting out its priorities and objectives, including the anticipated costs and benefits of the agreement.
The Governor-General must not ratify a treaty unless both Houses of the Parliament have, by resolution, approved the ratification.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
… moving responsibility for anti-dumping decisions from Customs to another department is just bureaucratic reshuffling and will take away the responsibility for making decisions from the staff who actually monitor what is being imported into Australia.
This is the worst the dumping has ever been in the history of the local industry …
The high dollar is just killing us.
Jason Restagno from Lakesview Citrus said for the first time in many years, his packing shed had not sent a single navel to juice companies.
“I actually had to pay someone to take 120 bins away this morning to dump for cattle,” Mr Restagno said.
Other packing sheds are sending navels back to the growers as they come in.
“I’ve been doing this for 30 years and this is one of the hardest seasons I’ve seen,” Don Centofanti from Golden West Packing House said.
“There’s an oversupply of fruit so the major chains, which control 80 per cent of the market, are pushing hard on price.”
Clear Lake Citrus’ Pat Mancini, who is dumping about 30 tonnes of navels each week, said a lack of confidence in the consumer market was also driving down demand.
“People aren’t spending and when they go to the supermarket they’re buying just what they need and often cutting out fruit and veg,” Mr Mancini said.
We will make the Department of Industry responsible for Australia's anti-dumping regime.
That this bill be now read a third time.
SELECTION COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 61
Private Members’ business
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 15 August 2012.
2. The committee decided to amend its determinations in respect of private Members' business for the Chamber on Monday, 20 August 2012, from 8pm to 9.30pm as reported to the House on Wednesday 15 August 2012, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (8 to 9.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notice
2 Ms Parke: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the inaugural international parliamentary conference on 'Parliaments, minorities and Indigenous peoples: effective participation in politics' was held in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, Mexico from 31 October to 3 November 2010;
(b) the conference was organised jointly by the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Mexican Congress of the Union and Government of the State of Chiapas, in partnership with the United Nations Development Program, the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, the United Nations Independent Expert on minority issues and the Minority Rights Group International;
(c) the conference heard that many situations around the world demonstrate that an adequate representation of minorities and Indigenous peoples in policy and decision-making is instrumental in breaking the cycle of discrimination and exclusion suffered by members of these groups, and their ensuing disproportionate levels of poverty and related impediments to the full enjoyment of many civil, cultural, economic, political and social rights, and yet, minorities and Indigenous peoples often remain excluded from effective participation in decision-making, including at the level of the national parliament;
(d) the conference adopted the Chiapas Declaration, which urges every parliament, within the next two years, to inter alia, hold a special debate on the situation of minorities and Indigenous peoples in their country, recognise the diversity in society, and adopt a 'plan of action' to make the right to equal participation and non-discrimination a reality;
(e) the Chiapas Declaration recommended that at a minimum the following elements are contained in the 'plans of action':
(i) ensure that the right to free, prior and informed consent is observed in every step leading to the adoption of legislative and administrative measures affecting minorities and Indigenous peoples, and hold government to account for the implementation of such measures;
(ii) require of government that all submissions to parliament of draft legislation and the national budget include an assessment of their impact on minorities and Indigenous peoples;
(iii) make regular use of plenary sessions in parliament and other parliamentary fora to discuss minority/Indigenous matters in order to raise awareness and combat prejudice in society, organise awareness-raising sessions for all parliamentarians so as to increase their knowledge of minorities and Indigenous peoples and the particular problems they face, and ensure that minority and Indigenous issues are mainstreamed into parliamentary work, especially at the committee level;
(iv) allocate sufficient resources to the task of establishing dialogue between minority/Indigenous peoples and public institutions and to parliamentary committees to allow them to carry out effective outreach activities such as public hearings with minority and Indigenous peoples; and
(v) increase parliaments' familiarity with work being done within the United Nations system so as to equip them better to hold governments to account for their international commitments, including the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals, urge ratification of International Labour Organisation Convention 169 on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples, hold debates in parliament on the conclusions and recommendations made by the United Nations human rights treaty bodies and special mechanisms with regard to minority and Indigenous peoples' rights;
(f) the Chiapas Declaration also affirmed the responsibility of political parties to promote the effective participation of minorities and Indigenous peoples, and address their concerns in their party programs; and
(g) the IPU will facilitate networking among parliaments on this issue, monitor the implementation of the Chiapas Declaration and convene a follow-up meeting within two years to discuss progress and set targets for future action;
(2) urges the Government, parliamentarians, and political parties to familiarise themselves with the Chiapas Declaration; and
(3) calls upon the Government to facilitate a roundtable discussion with representatives of Australian Indigenous communities on issues arising from the Chiapas Declaration. (Notice given 19 June 2012.)
Time allotted—30 minutes
Speech time limits—
Ms Parke—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day
1 MARRIAGE AMENDMENT BILL 2012 (Mr S. P. Jones): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 25 June 2012).
Time allotted—30 minutes
Speech time limits—
All Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Peter Slipper MP
Chairman
15 August 2012
I think the thing that really shocked me is that they were competing for food with the pigs.
… I sent most of the children to religious establishments. I knew I could count on the Sisters.
Here I am a stranger, asking them to place their child in my care. They ask if I can guarantee their safety. I have to answer no. Sometimes they would give me their child. Other times they would say come back. I would come back a few days later and the family had already been deported.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 09:30.
The ACCC is encouraging small business owners to get their questions ready and sign-up now at www.accc.qov.au/carbon …
The ACCC will be providing guidance on carbon price claims and addressing some of the key small business issues which have arisen since 1 July.
Maslin Beach doesn't have any shops anymore and so you have to go to Moana if you want to do some shopping. The problem in a nutshell is that there is no safe path to get there at the moment. It's not very far but I know from walking with my wife it can get quite dicey because you basically have to walk in the road …
… any increased particulate exposure is associated with increased adverse health outcomes, even if the levels are below the current guidelines.
Today we lay to rest our eldest son Blaine, who died doing what he loved, what he believed in, in the company of those with whom he shared a special bond.
To Blaine he couldn't imagine doing anything else, he was living his dream and living it with pride and distinction.
Whilst we are devastated at his loss, we lovingly remember the man who was absolutely focused and driven to be the best he could be in everything he pursued, yet always with that wonderful sense of humour, boundless enthusiasm and perspective that will be sorely missed.
Blaine was totally devoted to his wife and children, to his extended family, and unreservedly dedicated to his mates and to his country.
Blaine's brothers and sisters all looked up to him as their hero long before he became a national hero.
As parents we are so very proud of Blaine; proud of what he stood for; proud of what he had achieved; proud of who he was.
Our grief has been tempered by the overwhelming expressions of sympathy and support we have received, and we are steeled to face the difficult days ahead by the knowledge that we do not grieve alone.
We would like to thank the Australian Defence Force for their efforts in supporting us through this traumatic time, and in particular the regimental family of the Special Air Service Regiment—the military family Blaine loved so much, and whose support has been unstinting.
Finally we ask that out of respect for Blaine and in recognition of the ultimate sacrifice he has made for his country, you grant his family and friends complete privacy as we all come to terms with his loss
Didds passed away on 2 July 2012 in a place very foreign to most of us, surrounded by his mates, and doing what he truly loved. He was without doubt a "hard hitter".
Given how he passed, it would be easy to define him as just a soldier, but to those that knew him he was so much more. Didds was the most loving of husbands and a devoted and very proud father to our children, Elle-Lou and Henry. Whenever he could, he loved watching the kids play sport and taught them at a very young age to ski. Skiing was a passion for Didds and each year our family would take a ski trip together come hell or high water! We will look back at these holidays and cherish the moments we shared with Didds.
Friends and families were so very important to Didds. His mates really became members of our family, and I know just how hard his loss is for them also. In this difficult time the support they have shown to the children and I has been unwavering. Didds was a man who stood by his mates no matter what and I know he will be sorely missed and well remembered by them all. The men he stood side by side with in the SASR were his brothers in every sense of the word.
He lived his life to the fullest, his enthusiasm and humour were utterly infectious, if you were around Didds you were having a good time. Everyone has a 'Didds story'.
We would like to thank family, friends and the defence community for their support, and finally we would like to thank those sectors of the media community who have respected our request for privacy and hope this will continue during this difficult time.
… he was humble, loyal to the end and respectful of all who contributed to the delivery of operational capability.
His pursuit of professional excellence, his devotion to his family, his dedication to his mates and to his country will always be remembered by an eternally grateful regiment, defence force and nation.
The scale of our loss of Sergeant Diddams is perhaps only surpassed by our recognition of his contribution to Australia over so many years in so many places and at such a consistently high standard.
Words cannot ease the overwhelming grief they feel today but I hope they can find comfort in the knowledge that this soldier served his country with pride and distinction.
Today we honour one of the toughest of the tough, 'a soldier's soldier' whose uniform guarded us while we slept. Today we honour Sergeant Blaine Diddams and we humbly thank him and his family for the burden they have borne for the freedom we enjoy.
That further proceedings be conducted in the House.
In 1770 Captain James Cook had made landfall on the unexplored east coast of this utterly enigmatic continent, stopped for a short while at a place named Botany Bay and gone north again. Since then no ship had called: not a word, not an observation, for seventeen years, each one of which was exactly like the thousands that had preceded it, locked in its historical immensity of blue heat, bush, sandstone and the measured booming of glassy Pacific rollers.
He's pleased that he knows enough about making things to appreciate greatness when he sees it, and to understand the sheer difficulty of creating something that looks simple.
At one point Newman said, with a straight face, 'I thought our quarrel was with Michelangelo.'
It was not a quarrel anyone could win with a stripe.
Every inch of the surface has to be won, must be argued through, bears the traces of curiosity and inquisition — above all, takes nothing for granted and demands active engagement from the viewer as its right.
Caravaggio was one of the hinges of Art History. There was Art before him, and Art after him, but they were not the same.
Robert Hughes, more than any other critic, played an enormous role in converting people to take pleasure in it and to be discerning about it, rather than to feel that sense of suspicion.
I had known Robert Hughes since the mid-70s and will miss his eloquent, thought-provoking writing and commentary on Australian art in a national and international context.
After 15 bombing raids over Germany in 1943, Edgar and his crew were the most experienced left in their squadron.
Dresden was a very sad business. We didn't know it at the time—I guess ignorance was bliss.
We did not make this war, we did not seek it. We did all we could to avoid it. … We went so far at times in trying to avoid it as to be almost destroyed by it …
Hitler and his Nazi gang have sown the wind; let them reap the whirlwind.
The fighters are our salvation but the bombers alone provide the means of victory.
That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.
Has he, or his office, requested his department to provide a brief on the Military Off The Shelf options for the Future Submarine Project, if so:
(a) on what date was this request made,
(b) by what date is this brief due,
(c) will the brief be made public, and
(d) on what date will this brief first be considered by the National Security Committee of Cabinet
The Department has provided a range of information to Government on the Future Submarines program over several years, relating to all options, including Military Off The Shelf.
(a) and (b) Not applicable.
(b) Much of the information on the Military Off The Shelf options that has been provided to the Government is commercial-in-confidence and will not be released publicly.
(c) The National Security Committee of Cabinet will consider all options for the Future Submarines Program again at First Pass in 2013 or early 2014.
Can she itemise each strict liability offence that has been introduced by legislation since the election in 2007.
Strict liability offences form part of a number of regulatory schemes in Commonwealth legislation, many of which fall outside the scope of responsibility of the Attorney-General's Department. There is no existing compilation of strict liability offences contained in Commonwealth legislation. Therefore it would require a manual analysis of all legislation enacted in the 42nd and 43rd Parliaments to identify every strict liability offence.
Providing such a response would involve an unreasonable diversion of resources. As such, a response cannot be provided.
Does the Government have any plans to help assist and maintain the Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities: Training if so, what is the plan; if not, why not.
The Antarctic Climate and Ecosystems (ACE) Cooperative Research Centre (CRC) is currently operating in its fourth and final funding term. Under the CRC program guidelines, this is the final term of funding for which the ACE CRC is eligible. No future plans have been announced for the ACE CRC beyond its current funding period.
The future of a CRC after the CRC program is a decision for the CRC and its participant organisations. The Department provides advice to support CRCs to develop options to transition from the program.
For (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11, and (d) 2011-12, what was the total cost of overseas travel for departmental staff.
(a) For the period 1 July 2008 to 30 June 2009, the total cost of overseas travel for departmental staff was $710,151 (GST exclusive).
(b) For the period 1 July 2009 to 30 June 2010, the total cost of overseas travel for departmental staff was $800,218 (GST exclusive).
(c) For the period 1 July 2010 to 30 June 2011, the total cost of overseas travel for departmental staff was $1,046,466 (GST exclusive).
(d) For the period 1 July 2011 to 31 May 2012, the total cost of overseas travel for departmental staff was $883,219 (GST exclusive).
Note - Travel costs for the Arts and Sports Group and National Mental Health Commission have not been included in this response. They will be answered separately by the Department of Regional Australia, Local Government, Arts and Sport and the National Mental Health Commission respectively.
In respect of the introduction of the Diagnostic Imaging Accreditation Scheme (the Scheme), (a) were any changes to the Scheme undertaken as a result of the evaluation of Phase 1; if so, what were these changes, and (b) will her department undertake an evaluation of Phase 2 of the Scheme; if so, (i) what will be considered as part of the review, (ii) will the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists and the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists be consulted as part of the evaluation, (iii) will the evaluation consider the cost impact of the Scheme on small and single practitioner non-radiology practices, (iv) will the evaluation include a review of the impact on clinical outcomes of the Scheme in small and single practitioner non-radiology practices, (v) has there been, or will there be, as part of the evaluation, consideration of the exclusion of non-referred Medical Benefits Scheme items from the Scheme, (vi) when will the evaluation commence, and (vii) on what date will the findings of the evaluation of Phase 2 be released.
(a) No.
(b) Yes.
(i) The second phase of the review will evaluate the impact of the requirement for practices to comply with the full suite of practice accreditation standards and will help to identify any concerns raised by diagnostic imaging practices in complying with the additional standards.
(ii) The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) and the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists will continue to be consulted as part of the evaluation. In Phase 1, an Expert Working Group, comprising around 15 members including a representative from RANZCOG was convened to assist the department prepare the standards for the Scheme.
(iii) The evaluation will consider the cost impact of the Scheme on all practices, including small and single practitioner non-radiology practices, as well as the benefits the application of common, measurable safety and quality standards has for patients.
(iv) Yes.
(v) The appropriate arrangements for non-referred ultrasound services under the Medicare Benefits Schedule will be considered.
(vi) The evaluation of Stage 2 will commence in July 2012.
(vii) The findings of the evaluation will be available by the end of 2013, after which detailed consideration will be given to any recommendations that come from the review.