The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 9:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
This bill will require the rules of registered organisations to provide for the disclosure of remuneration, including board fees, of the five highest paid officials of the organisation as well as the two highest paid in each branch, to the members of the organisation. Determining the five highest paid officials will be based upon monetary remuneration rather than non-cash benefits. However, where an official's remuneration is required to be disclosed, that disclosure will require non-cash benefits paid to the official to be identified.
Under the amendments proposed by the government—
registered organisations will be required to amend their rules to provide for the disclosure of transactions between the organisation and related parties, which may include the family members of officials.
To improve financial literacy within registered organisations, the rules of organisations will require each officer whose duties relate to the financial management of the organisation or the branch as the case may be to undertake approved training relating to the officials' financial management obligations.
The House divided. [09:14]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the report be agreed to.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent notices Nos 2 to 5, Government business, relating to the disallowance of the Residential Care and Aged Care Subsidies made under the Aged Care Act 1997, being called on immediately and considered together, with separate questions being put on each at the conclusion of the debate.
That the question be now put.
The House divided: [09:42]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
The House divided. [9:53]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
That the Residential Care Subsidy Amendment (Workforce Supplement) Principle 2013 made under the Aged Care Act 1997 [F2013L01225], be disallowed.
That the Aged Care (Residential Care Subsidy Workforce Supplement Amount) Determination 2013 made under the Aged Care Act 1997 [F2013L01251], be disallowed.
That Division 2.4 of the Aged Care (Home Care Subsidy Amount) Determination 2013 made under the Aged Care Act 1997 [F2013L01339], be disallowed.
That Division 2.5 of the Aged Care (Flexible Care Subsidy Amount Multi-Purpose Services) Determination 2013 (No. 2) made under the Aged Care Act 1997 [F2013L01347], be disallowed.
The House divided. [10:13]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
The House divided. [10:22]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop
The House divided. [10:25]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
The House divided. [10:25]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
It is of particular concern that the CFMEU, Mr McDonald and Mr Buchan have, as I have found on a prima facie basis, hidden behind spurious concerns as to the health and safety of employees to advance, as I infer, their own unspecified industrial aims. It is the very behaviour which the Commonwealth Parliament has made clear should be eradicated from the building industry in this country. It is conduct that directly undermines the main object of the BCII Act (s 3(1)) which is to provide an improved workplace relations framework for building work to ensure that building work is carried out fairly, efficiently and productively for the benefit of all building industry participants and for the benefit of the Australian economy as a whole.
No man is above the law and no man is below it: nor do we ask any man's permission when we ask him to obey it.
Korea is Australia's third largest market for automotive components exports. It is our largest export market for gearboxes ($122 million last year) and second largest for car engines ($50 million, again, last year).
Independent modelling shows both the opportunities for our country of finalising this free trade agreement and also the costs associated if we had not. It shows that agricultural exports to Korea will be 73 per cent higher after 15 years and manufacturing by 53 per cent as a result of this free trade agreement; and overall exports will be 25 per cent higher. It will provide an annual boost to our economy in the order of $650 million. Without this agreement, agricultural exports alone to Korea would have declined by 29 per cent by 2030 and overall exports would be five per cent lower.
The conclusion of negotiations has been warmly welcomed by a broad cross section of Australian industry. Some examples include:
The National Farmers Federation, Queensland Cattle Producers, the Business Council of Australia, the Cattle Council of Australia, Grain Growers, CPA Australia, ACCI, AiG, the Australian Food and Grocery Council, the Winemakers Federation of Australia, Queensland Sugar, Canegrowers, AusVeg, the Minerals Council of Australia, Australian Services Roundtable and the Law Council of Australia. This list goes on.
This agreement will include an investor-state dispute settlement provision. ISDS provisions are certainly nothing new. In fact, they are already contained in four free trade agreements that we currently have with other countries and 21 other investment agreements that Australia is a party to. The previous government, for instance, included such provisions in two free trade agreements that it signed. They are designed to create confidence for investors, both Australian and Korean. Importantly, the provisions also provide key safeguards which preserve Australia's ability to govern in the public interest in areas such as public health and the environment.
I acknowledge the constructive work of my predecessor Craig Emerson. Unfortunately for Australia, this ISDS became a major stumbling block with Korea under the previous government on account of pressure exerted by elements of the union movement, which is ideologically opposed to free trade. This government has placed strong priority on backing our nation's strengths, the things we do as well as any and better than most.
Pursuing an ambitious free trade and investment agenda gives these strengths—agriculture, mining and resources, education, health, tourism and events management and the services that have developed around them, including high-level manufacturing—the best possible chance to thrive and grow. It is also an emphatic signal to the world that Australia is indeed open for business.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Deputy Leader of the Opposition speaking in reply to the ministerial statement for a period not exceeding seven minutes.
… successfully concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement between Australia and the Republic of Korea.
1. Background to the s trategic r eview
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Blaxland speaking in reply to the minister's statement for a period not exceeding 20½ minutes.
Selective data, conservative assumptions and extrapolations out to 2021 could be formulated to argue why the NBN might have comprehensively blown out its costs and not achieved its objective. It would be a continuation of the Coalition's attacks from opposition on NBN management and the board including threatening a Royal Commission of Inquiry.
Rates to build the fibre network based on the existing design and architecture were rising. But those rate increases would not have produced a cost increase because we had identified and validated, network and design changes that would have offset those increases.
Which is why I find it incomprehensible to hear the suggestion that the increases in LN/DN rates should be built into the forward projections and cost reductions that have already been identified, should not be.
Unless, of course, your objective is to try to confirm a pre-conceived position.
We want hand on heart true, realistic and achievable options prudently costed and scoped on which we can make weighty decisions.
Download speeds of between 25 and 100 megabits per second by the end of 2016 and 50 to 100 megabits per second by 2019.
In a period in which we in Australia are still, I think, handicapped by parochialism, by a slight distrust of big ideas, of big people or of big enterprises … this scheme is teaching us and everybody in Australia to think in a big way, to be thankful for big things, to be proud of big enterprises and … to be thankful for big men.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
There is no justification for selecting a different maximum penalty, for the same contravention, simply because the offender is in a particular industry.
The culture of the ABCC is not and has never been impartial. It has concerned itself almost exclusively with transgressions by unions, or by employers who have facilitated or acquiesced to transgressions by unions.
If it is going to haul before the courts a union member who refuses to tell them about what happened at a meeting to discus safety breaches by the employer, it must also haul before the courts the employers who breach the safety laws in the first place.
This is no trivial matter. There were 36 fatalities in the construction industry in 2007-08, twice as many as in 2004-05, immediately before the ABCC commenced operations in late 2005. Under the ABCC, construction became the industry with the highest number of deaths. As observance with occupational safety tends to be lower where unions are weaker, this trend is not surprising. But nor should it be allowed to continue.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of certain citizens of Australia
Draws to the attention of the House to the fact that SPC Ardmona can no longer compete with very low cost imported preserved fruit and tomatoes. This is forcing growers and the industry to abandon orchards and retrench workers.
We therefore ask the House to ensure the relevant ministers impose a World Trade Organisation consistent Emergency Safeguard Measure which will make imported preserved fruit and tomatoes compete on a more level playing field.
We also urgently request support of an industry survival package to give the growers and related workers a future.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of Certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House:
The current draft ruling of the Australia Taxation Office which proposes that a Goods and Services Tax be applied to Moveable Homes will adversely affect over 100,000 Australians.
We therefore ask the House to reconsider the draft ruling and ensure that a Goods and Service Tax not be applied to Moveable Homes.
Our marriage would not undermine heterosexual marriage—quite the opposite—our desire to be married reflects our deep respect for the institution of marriage.
… the role of the defence forces at the front of the building … appears to have been increasing over the years, although there is no connection with the operation of the legislature.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of residents and businesses of the City of Whittlesea, in particular the Epping corridor (Epping) Epping North/ Wollert), draws to the attention of the House, the significant social and economic disadvantage faced by residents and businesses due to the lack of services and infrastructure in Epping North/ Wollert.
We therefore ask the House to urge the Federal Government (through Infrastructure Australia) to resolve to fund in combination with the State Government where applicable:
1. The design and construction of the northern and southern ramps connecting O'Herns Road with the Hume Freeway (a full diamond interchange),
2. The duplication of the remaining section of single carriageway of O'Herns Road between the Hume Freeway and Redding Rise, and;
3. The four lane carriageway of Edgars Road between Cooper Street and O'Herns Road.
The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces in the country, including the sustained strength of the Australian dollar, high cost of production, small domestic market and arguably the most competitive and fragmented auto market in the world.
It would be wrong to attribute the decision to government action or inaction.
It gives me great pleasure to be able to say to the House that we have worked together with Holden and we have secured Holden to manufacture cars in Australia for the next decade. Holden will be manufacturing two new-generation motor vehicles here in Australia for the next decade.
We know from the groups that voters see surplus as an emblem of good economic management.
We need all ministers to explain our achievement constantly—and celebrate it.
Cabinet has agreed that ministers need to use the following language consistently …
This surplus means we now have a buffer in case the global economy gets worse. …We've delivered a surplus with targeted and responsible savings while protecting the frontline services Australian families rely on in health and education.
That the House censures the Prime Minister for doing nothing as Holden leaves Australia after 65 years and for failing to save Australian workers from job losses and in particular for:
(1) failing to do everything he could to keep Holden in Australia;
(2) failing to sit down, face to face, with Holden and work through what was needed to support Holden jobs;
(3) persisting with a $500 million cut to Australia's automotive industry even after receiving Holden's business case that would have saved Holden jobs;
(4) setting up a Productivity Commission inquiry with a reporting date in 2014 after the South Australian election when Holden needed immediate answers and immediate assistance;
(5) failing to lead a Government united in supporting Holden and protecting Australian manufacturing jobs;
(6) allowing his Ministers to encourage Holden to leave Australia;
(7) failing to have any strategy and any plan to support Holden workers who have lost their job two weeks before Christmas; and
(8) having no plan for Australian jobs, other than a plan to cut wages.
I have secured guaranteed support for Holden … ensuring production until 2022.
That all words after “That” be omitted and the following words be substituted: “this House calls on all Members to support policies that reduce taxation, cut red tape and regulation, improve productivity and create stable and consistent Government that encourages growth and investment.
… we believe that the necessary savings should not impact unduly on the overall number of APS jobs
The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces …
From myself and my family I would like to thank you and the Labor team for your hard work to help trying to keep the automotive industry going. It has been a very hard road recently, and there will be rocky roads ahead.
My message to federal colleagues is any speculation on the future of Holden is not helpful. It's disappointing.
Taxpayers are paying $1.6 billion a year, or $4,000 a car, to keep the car industry afloat. Treasurer Paul Keating has described this level of protection as a disgrace.
What do I say—
What is your new job like? One of the 2.5 million created since the early 1980s. People have found better jobs. I mean, did we ever hurt anybody liberating them from the car assembly line?
The Rudd government is committed to upholding the tradition of reform established in the Hawke-Keating era. We have resisted the temptation to bailout Mitsubishi.
We cut a deal with the prime minister of the country in the Lodge back in ’08, showed our business plan, as did Ford, as did Toyota, made investments and then midway through ... the rules of the game changed.
So it certainly worries a multinational parent—
when sovereign risk begins to be something that is bandied about in terms of doing business with Australia.
As a result of us making $34 million available to join with Ford in new investment to keep car manufacturing here, we’ll actually see the number of jobs grow. There will be an additional 300 jobs as a result.
Holden will be here in Australia producing cars for at least the next 10 years. That's great news. … So this is a great day for Australian car-making, to be able to announce that Holden will be here for the next decade and we've been able to secure that by working together.
There is no question that a tax on electricity, in making it more expensive in input costs, makes it more difficult for me to make money building cars.
The House divided. [16:04]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
That leave of absence be given to every Member of the House of Representatives from the determination of this sitting of the House to the date of its next sitting.
That standing order 31 (automatic adjournment of the House) and standing order 33 (limit on business after normal time of adjournment) be suspended for this sitting.
Report relating to the consideration of bills introduced 9 to 12 December 2013.
1. The committee met in private session on 11 December 2013.
Referral of bill
2. The committee determined that the High Speed Rail Planning Authority Bill 2013 be referred to the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications for inquiry and report.
General principles relating to the Selection of Private Members' business
3. The Committee reports to the House that it has endorsed general principles relating to the selection of Private Members' Business as attached. The principles reflect those applied by the Selection Committees in the 43rd, 41st and earlier Parliaments, and by the Whips in the 42nd Parliament. The Committee recommends that the general principles be adopted by the House.
THE SPEAKER ' S SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO REPORTS OF HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES AND JOINT COMMITTEES
(also incorporating reports tabled and details of Government responses made in the period between
26 June 2013, the date of the last schedule, and 11 December 2013)
12 December 2013
THE SPEAKER ' S SCHEDULE OF OUTSTANDING GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO COMMITTEE REPORTS
The attached schedule lists committee reports tabled and government responses to House and joint committee reports made since the last schedule was presented on 27 June 2013. It also lists reports for which the House has not received a government response. Schedules of outstanding responses will continue to be presented at approximately six monthly intervals, generally in the last sitting weeks of the winter and spring sittings.
The schedule does not include advisory reports on bills introduced into the House of Representatives unless the reports make recommendations which are wider than the provisions of the bills and which could be the subject of a government response. The Government's response to these reports is apparent in the resumption of consideration of the relevant legislation by the House. Also not included are reports from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, the House of Representatives Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests, and the Publications Committee (other than reports on inquiries). Reports from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights are only listed where the committee has examined and reported on a specific item(s) of legislation. Not listed are that committee's regular reports on the human rights compatibility of bills and legislative instruments that come before either House of Parliament.
Government responses to reports of the Public Works Committee are usually reflected in motions for the approval of works after the relevant report has been presented and considered. Reports from other committees which do not include recommendations are only included when first tabled.
Reports of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit primarily make administrative recommendations but may make policy recommendations. A government response is required in respect of such policy recommendations made by the committee. Responses to administrative recommendations are made in the form of an Executive Minute provided to, and subsequently tabled by, the committee. Agencies responding to administrative recommendations are required to provide an Executive Minute within 6 months of the tabling of a report.
12 December 2013
______________
Notes
1 The date of tabling is the date the report was presented to the House of Representatives or to the Speaker, whichever is earlier. In the case of joint committees, the date shown is the date of first presentation to either the House or the Senate. Reports published when the House (or Houses) are not sitting are tabled at a later date.
2 If the source for the date is not the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives or the Journals of the Senate, the source is shown in an endnote.
3 For reports up to the end of 42nd Parliament, the time specified is three months from the date of tabling. While the government has undertaken to continue to respond to reports within three months, from the 43rd Parliament (28/09/10 onwards) the period within which the House requires a response is 6 months - see resolution of the House of Representatives of 29/09/10. This resolution also puts in place additional steps for reports not responded to within that six month period. The period from when the 43rd Parliament was prorogued on 5 August 2013 and the commencement of the 44th Parliament on 12 November 2013 is not included in the response period.
4 In July 2011 the government advised that it did not intend to respond to the report because of the time elapsed since the report was tabled. The committee has not agreed to the removal of this report from the schedule.
5 In June 2009 the government advised that it did not intend to respond formally to this report. The committee awaits a response to recommendations of the report. In November 2009 the government indicated a response is being considered and will be tabled in due course. In November 2011 the government indicated it was in discussion with the committee on this matter.
6 On 26 June 2013, the Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Defence Science and Personnel provided an interim response by way of statement to the Federation Chamber. See House of Representatives Hansard , 26 June 2013, pp 103-104.
7 Recommendations made in the report have been implemented in amendments made to the standing orders on 13 November 2013.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Intelligence Services Act 2001, Mr Byrne, Mr Nikolic, Ms Plibersek, Mr Ruddock, Mr B. C. Scott and Mr Tehan be appointed members of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security.
That this House place on record its appreciation of the long and meritorious service to the parliament by the Clerk of the House, Mr B. C. Wright, and extends to him and his wife and family every wish for a healthy and happy retirement.
… that the person has extensive knowledge of, and experience in, relevant Parliamentary law, procedure and practice.
That the business of the day be called on.
The House divided. [17:33]
(The Deputy Speaker—Hon. BC Scott)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Even just prior to the 7 September election, long after it was clear to most observers that the rollout was missing every goal, the member for Grayndler continued to assert 5.5 million households and businesses would get the NBN by 2016.
The former minister knew that was untrue as demonstrated by the draft 2013 NBN Co. Corporate Plan he had received, and accorded to a leaked minute published in The Australian presented to cabinet in July.
That consideration of the message be made an order of the day for the next sitting.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 09:34.
Holden generated $32.7 Billion in economic activity in Australia.
They received $1.8 Billion in Government Assistance
They paid $1.4 Billion back to the Government in PAYE income tax revenue.
And paid $21 Billion to businesses in Australia for supplies and services.
… (it's an investment—not a purchase).
This $400m investment puts $21b back into the Australia economy …
… 1.9 cents to the government for every $1 earned by Australian Companies—who will also be paying PAYE income tax revenue to the government, which far exceeds the $400m … that the government will have actually outlaid.
… … …
The other side of the coin is the cost in unemployment benefits to be paid to the Holden workers retrenched by the closure of plants, along with the countless thousands who currently work for companies that are paid the $21b and all of their suppliers who are also affected.
Let's assume the total outfall of this fiscal decision of this government results in a total unemployment of 5,000 workers …
Let's … assume that these 5,000 workers will be on Newstart … of $542 per fortnight. That's a massive impost on the Australian Taxpayers of $2,710,000.00 per fortnight that these workers—
By not offering any fiscal support (that it seems that every other country in the world that still has a manufacturing industry) to Holden in this instance, the government is forgoing multi billion dollars in PAYE payments from Holden and its suppliers—to an expense on … $70m a year (and that assumes that only 5,000 people are placed on Newstart), add to this, the costs of providing all of the retraining that the government is now espousing …
That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.
Nick, from myself and my family, I would like to thank you and the Labor team for your hard work to help trying to keep the automotive industry going. It's been a very hard road recently and there'll be rocky roads ahead. I'd appreciate it if you could forward my thanks to Mr Weatherill also, please, as I share his frustration but all along noticed his immense efforts.
No animal deserves to be tortured and until we can guarantee control over this industry and that there are zero instances of abuse and torture, it is not a good industry. By turning a blind eye to this behaviour and ignoring this appalling abuse, we are supporting the treatment these animals endure.
Whilst I appreciate that this trade is central to the exporters' livelihoods, I am concerned that animal welfare has been overlooked and will continue to be so without sufficient regulation.