The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 09:00 made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
I am a concerned grandmother writing with regard to the FTB B changes in the Abbott Government's budget. Actually I am concerned and outraged about much of the budget, however will focus on this particular issue for now.
What you'll get under us are tax cuts without new taxes.
We are about reducing taxes, not increasing taxes.
We have to end the wild ride of new taxes, undelivered tax cuts, on again/off again payments, and knee jerk reactive decision making.
I will say what I mean and do what I say.
What you'll get under us are tax cuts without new taxes.
I absolutely guaranteed to the Australian people, absolutely guaranteed to the Australian people, that the tax burden will be less under a Coalition Government.
No country has ever taxed its way to prosperity.
We pledge to the families of Australia we will never make your lives harder by imposing needless new taxes.
I expect we will see fee rises across the country. This will drive the level of HECS debt and I’m sure that will be a concern for students and their families.
What I don't want is for a pensioner to be able to look me in the eye and say 'I'm bearing pain and you're not,' because it's got to be fair.
We will do it in ways which are fair, which are equitable, and which I believe will be seen to be fair by the Australian people.
There is one fundamental message that we want to go out from this place to every nook and cranny in our country: there should be no new tax collection without an election.
A dumb way to cut spending would be to threaten family benefits or to means test them further.
We pledge to the families of Australia we will never make your lives harder by imposing needless new taxes.
I absolutely guarantee to the Australian people, absolutely guarantee to the Australian people, that the tax burden will be less under a coalition government.
We pledge to the families of Australia that we will never make your lives harder by imposing needless new taxes …
What you'll get under us are tax cuts without new taxes.
We are about reducing taxes, not increasing taxes. We are about getting rid of taxes, not imposing new taxes.
… there should be no new tax collection without an election.
This is my whole reason for being in politics, in the Parliament.
A coalition government will keep the current income tax thresholds … The carbon tax will go but no-one's personal tax will go up …
Personal income tax will be lower under a Coalition government in its first term than it is now …
If it's wrong … why would you scare the electorate? And if it's right, then it's even worse because we said before the election there'd be no new taxes.
Any income tax—
would be an unwelcome surprise from a new government that promised no new taxes and no surprises before the election.
If the government put such a levy in place, then long after this budget has been forgotten, the press and the opposition would still be attacking the prime minister over credibility.
In 1996 I announced a surcharge on superannuation for higher income earners.
The surcharge was one of the worst things I ever did.
… I'll have to raise taxes, but in my speech I'd like to avoid calling it a, "painful emergency tax".
Well, if you just want to out-and-out lie we could call it a, "temporary refund adjustment".
That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading the House notes:
(1) the importance of updating legislative requirements that impact on Australia’s biosecurity;
(2) that the Quarantine Act 1908 is over a century old and new legislation is needed to support safe and seamless transition of goods and services across Australia’s borders; and
(3) the Beale review recommended that Australia update its biosecurity legislation to ensure Australia’s biosecurity systems remain world-class.”
Any charges should reflect the costs of providing the product or service and should generally be imposed on a fee-for-service basis or, where efficient, as a levy.
Where possible, cost recovery should be undertaken on an activity (or activity group) basis rather than across the agency as a whole. Cost recovery targets on an agency-wide basis are to be discontinued.
Agencies with significant cost recovery arrangements should ensure that they undertake appropriate stakeholder consultation, including with relevant departments.
Agencies are to review all significant cost recovery arrangements periodically, but no less frequently than every five years.
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.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“whilst not declining to give the Bill a second reading the House notes:
(1) the Government’s poor environmental record;
(2) the importance of protecting Australia’s rich and diverse environment;
(3) the need to fully examine the range of changes proposed to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act since September 2013; and
(4) the lack of assurance from the Government about the future management and protection of our natural environment.”
What I'd really like to highlight is how the people of the region have been good neighbors to each other. That is one of the great mercies coming out of this terrible disaster. It's more than a silver lining—I'm of a generation of people who are remembered for the war. Hopefully the people here will be [remembered] for a disaster in which they helped each other.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of Citizens of Australia who are firm believers in protection of racial dignity and multiculturalism draws to the attention of the House:
The community concerns in relation to the proposed changes to Racial Discrimination Act 1975. The proposed changes will reduce the Act's ability to protect the community against hate speech, bigotry and similar offensive conduct in relation to race, colour, or national or ethnic origin. We are firm believers in right to free speech but we also believe that these rights come with responsibility and it is the duty of the government to protect our diverse population from a small but loud minority, who may misuse the changes to insult, humiliate and offend fellow Australians on the basis of their race, colour and national or ethnic origin.
We therefore ask the House to oppose and vote against any changes to the Racial Discrimination Act 1975.
… are firm believers in protection of racial dignity and multiculturalism …
Insulting, offending or humiliating a person because of their race leads to increased discord in our community, and serious personal consequences for victims of discrimination.
We need laws that preserve freedom from fear, not ones that promote freedom to hate.
We call on the Federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act and ensure that the Act continues to protect Australian citizens from hate-speech and to promote harmony
Compared with entry rates in 2011, the year before the introduction of higher tuition fees in England, 18 year olds in disadvantaged areas in England are 12 per cent more likely to enter in 2013.
… the share of disadvantaged background students entering university is now at its highest in a decade.
… the proportion of students from low income backgrounds has not changed since fees were abolished …
Market based HECS—
will also help to improve our higher education system by making universities even more responsive to student needs and educational outcomes …
When I was mayor of Hervey Bay, Work for the Dole participants helped build the footpaths and walkways along our picturesque Esplanade. It built self-confidence and gave participants a sense of achievement. Many of the participants gained long-term employment—
as a direct result of their involvement in this program.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 27 May 2014.
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, 2 June 2014, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 Parliamentary Delegation:
Report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the Philippines, Malaysia and Brunei, 30 March to 10 April 2014.
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.20 am.
Speech time limits—
Mr B. C. Scott — 5 minutes.
Next Member speaking—5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS HALL: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Landcare is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year;
(b) the keystones of Landcare are that it is community owned and driven and bi-partisan in nature, and it encourages integrated management of environmental assets with productive farmland and a more sustainable approach to private land management; and
(c) 40 per cent of all farmers are involved in Landcare;
(2) Landcare has been working for over 25 years to:
(a) improve our farmlands;
(b) breathe new life into waterways;
(c) improve the coastal environment;
(d) restore native vegetation and wildlife habitats; and
(e) protect our urban environment; and
(3) condemns the Government for slashing almost $480 million from Landcare's budget.
( Notice given 26 May 2014; amended 27 May 2014. )
Time allotted—20 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Ms Hall — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue at a later hour in the Federation Chamber.
2 MRS GRIGGS: To move:
That this House notes that:
(1) there is a serious need for infrastructure and economic development in Australia's north;
(2) the Government wants to maximise Northern Australia's enormous untapped potential and the Prime Minister has adopted measures that will end years of Government inertia on developing this region;
(3) the terms of reference for the Northern Australia White Paper provide a foundation for a rigorous, well-defined and timely policy platform for promoting Northern Australia's development; and
(4) through its deliberations the Parliamentary Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia will contribute to the development of the White Paper with valuable feedback from stakeholders on the ground who have an interest in advancing the national interest.
( Notice given 17 March 2014. )
Time allotted—50 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mrs Griggs — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 MS PLIBERSEK: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the decisive victory in India's recent national election of the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Shri Narendra Modi;
(b) India's achievement in building secular, democratic government since independence in 1947;
(c) the continuing improvements in living standards of the Indian people over recent decades; and
(d) India's growing role in international affairs; and
(2) calls on the Australian Government to move promptly to build a strong relationship with the new Indian Government.
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits—
Ms Plibersek—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Orders of the day
1 High Speed Rail Planning Authority Bill 2013 ( Mr Albanese ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 9 December 2013 ).:
Time allotted—5 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Albanese — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 Australian Education Amendment (School Funding Guarantee) Bill 2014 ( Mr Shorten ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 26 May 2014 ).:
Time allotted—10 minutes .
Speech time limits—
All Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Notices
1 MR COLEMAN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the National Broadband Network project was badly mismanaged by the previous government, and has:
(a) caused a substantial amount of taxpayer funds to be wasted; and
(b) led to a minute proportion of Australians actually being connected to the network; and
(2) recognises the plans of the Government to change the strategy of NBN Co. Limited, delivering a high quality service in substantially less time and at substantially less cost than would have occurred under Labor; and
(3) commends the Government on its approach to this important infrastructure project.
( Notice given 19 March 2014. )
Time allotted—45 minutes .
Mr Coleman — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 MS RISHWORTH: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that National Palliative Care Week is being held between 25 May and 31 May, with this year's theme being Palliative care everyone ' s business: let ' s work together ;
(2) recognises that with an ageing population in Australia the demand on palliative care services will increase, while also noting that palliative care is required by people of all ages;
(3) acknowledges:
(a) that providing high quality palliative care in a range of settings including in the home is critical to ensuring that patients and their carers have their wishes respected; and
(b) the important role of the health workforce, trained volunteers and all those who are involved in delivering quality palliative care; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) increase community awareness and understanding about palliative care and the importance of advance care planning; and
(b) ensure adequate funding for palliative care services through both commonwealth and state and territory agreements, as well as through the National Palliative Care Program.
( Notice given 15 May 2014. )
Time allotted—30 minutes .
Ms Rishworth — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 Mrs Prentice: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Prime Minister visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) from 21 to 23 March 2014;
(b) this trip was the longest and most extensive visit by an Australian Prime Minister in almost a quarter century;
(c) Prime Minister Abbott and Prime Minister O'Neill signed a new economic co-operation treaty; and
(d) PNG plays a vital role in the regional approach to asylum seekers and preventing deaths at sea; and
(2) commends the Prime Minister for a successful visit which strengthened Australia's relationship with PNG.
( Notice given 27 March 2014. )
Time allotted—30 minutes .
Mrs Prentice — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 LANDCARE: Resumption of debate on the motion of Ms Hall—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Landcare is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year;
(b) the keystones of Landcare are that it is community owned and driven and bi-partisan in nature, and it encourages integrated management of environmental assets with productive farmland and a more sustainable approach to private land management; and
(c) 40 per cent of all farmers are involved in Landcare;
(2) Landcare has been working for over 25 years to:
(a) improve our farmlands;
(b) breathe new life into waterways;
(c) improve the coastal environment;
(d) restore native vegetation and wildlife habitats; and
(e) protect our urban environment; and
(3) condemns the Government for slashing almost $480 million from Landcare's budget.
( Notice given 26 May 2014; amended 27 May 2014. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
All Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
The Government’s unfair attacks on education, training, opportunities and support for young people.
… deregulation will inevitably lead to much higher fees for our students. … Over time, full fee deregulation will lead to a higher education system characterised by the ‘haves’ and the ‘have nots’.
It's the ordinary Australians that I think aren't getting enough of a guernsey in this conversation.
However, the proposal to index HELP debts at the long-term bond rate, up to an amount of 6%, instead of CPI, will lead to a rapid increase in individual debts. … This will disadvantage women more than men, who take longer to pay their HELP debt back. It will also disproportionately affect older individuals, people of lower socio-economic backgrounds and Indigenous students.
Some of our apprentices have purchased tools and now they will be left out of pocket. The printing trade already has a skills shortage and this just makes it harder, especially in our regional areas.
I am not writing out of self-interest—I've finished my university education.
I am writing because I am concerned that these policies will create a two-class system in our universities and make it impossible to go to better universities if their parents are not wealthy.
I am writing on behalf of myself and a group of my friends who have just started university ...
We are aged from 18-22 and are all completely outraged at Tony Abbott's proposed cuts to education.
Most of us were already concerned about the debt our courses would accrue, but some of my friends have talked of dropping out if Abbott gets his appalling education budget through.
(c) the principle of inter-generational equity—that the present generation should ensure that the health, diversity and productivity of the environment is maintained or enhanced for the benefit of future generations;
(d) the conservation of biological diversity and ecological integrity should be a fundamental consideration in decision-making;
'Some of it is some of the most outstanding forests in the country, if not in the planet …
'So the great majority of the area that is being proposed to be removed from the World Heritage Area is in fact unlogged forest, and much of it with important conservation values.'
That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading the House notes:
(1 ) the government’s poor environmental record;
(2) the importance of protecting Australia’s rich and diverse environment;
(3) the need to fully examine the range of changes proposed to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act since September 2013; and
(4) the lack of assurance from the government about the future management and protection of our natural environment.”
That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
… the House notes:
(1) the Government’s poor environmental record—
(2) the importance of protecting Australia’s rich and diverse environment;
(3) the need to fully examine the range of changes proposed to the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act since September 2013; and
(4) the lack of assurance from the Government about the future management and protection of our natural environment.”
… fast-track the development of bilateral arrangements for accreditation of State assessment and approval processes, with the frameworks to be agreed by December 2012 and agreements finalised by March 2013.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading the House notes:
(1) that addressing urban congestion requires investment in both road and rail projects;
(2) that investment in rail freight boosts productivity, reduces road congestion and has environmental benefits”
Can we imagine our skies and airports (with) double the number of flights there are now? Or our roads with double the traffic?
You cannot designate a corridor through our cities, suburbs, towns and rural landscapes without being willing to purchase the affected lands and that will be expensive and without an immediate return.
The construction of the line is in itself a project of the first importance, but even more important is the part which the project as a whole will play in the development of Australia's resources, the increasing of export; …
But the public transport projects were funded in a Labor budget that was also designed to return to surplus in the same length of time that Mr Abbott says he will deliver a surplus.
Think of the paralysis of intellect that gave that idea birth; imagine the boulder it emerged from on some petrified legislator's shoulders.
… … …
All passengers fret at the double-gauge; all shippers of freight must of course fret at it; unnecessary expense, delay, and annoyance are imposed upon everybody concerned, and no-one is benefited.
The humblest person is king in his own car …
… generally slow, expensive, not especially reliable ... a hideous drain on the public purse.
There just aren't enough people wanting to go from a particular place to a particular destination at a particular time to justify any vehicle larger than a car, and cars need roads.
And the commonwealth's knitting when it comes to funding infrastructure is roads.
Think of the paralysis of intellect that gave that idea birth.
The Berlin Wall was a 30-year mistake but not building Metro One in the original way it was designed would be a 100-year catastrophe for our city.
(2) investment in rail freight boosts productivity, reduces road congestion and has environmental benefits
That this bill be now read a third time.
'While we cannot do without excellent basic research, wherever possible it must be followed by its translation into practical use, to the benefit of society.
'This is a prime example of such practice with a potential for global benefit including in disadvantaged regions.'
'This link-up with Merck is especially inspiring, because it may lead to the relief of serious health problems, particularly in remote and developing regions.
'In the immediate term, it will employ more people in Brisbane’s innovation economy, and boost the global reputation of Queensland and Australian R&D.'
'This directly builds upon intensive and outstanding research on the Nanopatch—conducted by my research group at UQ—taking the Nanopatch from an idea to achieving unprecedented immune responses in animals. And our research has been supported by competitive research grants from both the Australian and Queensland State Governments.'
This Budget heralds the death of the Whitlam-Hawke higher education system: a system in which your brains, not your wallet, determined where you go to university and what you study.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 09:30.
A just doctor's fee will aid the needy but deter the frivolous.
But there's a better way of operating a health system, and the change should hardly hurt at all. As economists have shown, the ideal model involves a small co-payment—not enough to put a dent in your weekly budget, but enough to make you think twice before you call the doc. And the idea is hardly radical. Countries with a co-paying public health system include Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal and Sweden.
In 1991 Australia introduced the perfect co-payment system—$2.50 …
Converting the 1991-92 scheme into today's money would be equivalent to $3.50.
It would be enough to deter the GP visits but not enough to limit genuine preventative care. Everyone, including pensioners, should pay.
The Liberal federal budget cuts to pensions, concessions and lowering to CPI will cause me to be unable to pay rates, afford car rego, electricity and phone. I am already living at the bare minimum, and this will cause me to be homeless by having to default on bills and council rates and have the council resume my home and be awarded costs, leaving me to live on the street, without even a car to sleep in as rego will be unaffordable.
The four years of surpluses I announce tonight are a powerful endorsement of the strength of our economy—
This budget delivers a surplus this coming year, on time, as promised, and surpluses each year after that, strengthening over time.
… excessive debt accumulation … often poses greater systemic risks than it seems during a boom.
… again and again countries take on excessive debt in good times and without enough awareness of the risks that will follow when the inevitable recession hits. Many players in the global financial system often dig a debt hole far larger than they can reasonably expect to escape from.
Greece's public hospital budget was cut by 25 per cent between 2009 and 2011 and public spending on pharmaceuticals has more than halved. … Rising unemployment in a country where health insurance is linked to work status has led to an estimated 800,000 people lacking either state welfare or access to health services and in some areas international humanitarian organisations … have stepped in to provide health care. …
If the current Labor government delivered growth in real government spending during its first five years in office at the same pace the Howard government had in the years from 2000-01, government spending would be almost 6% (or around $20 billion) greater in 2012-13 than is the case.
Had Labor spent at the same pace as the Howard government did from 2000-01, there would be no chance of a budget surplus in any year of the forward estimates out to 2015-16. The level of government debt, to the extent it matters, would be more than 50% larger by 2014-15.
Never once did the Howard government deliver a cut in real spending in any of its 12 budgets.
In simple terms, the facts show that in the five years from 2000-01, the Howard government increased real government spending by around 23%. In the five years from 2007-08, when Labor has controlled the budget purse strings, growth in real government spending has been a tick over 17%, including the 12.7% increase in 2008-09 when the GFC was bearing down on the Australian economy …
The Howard Government presided over the biggest private debt boom in Australia’s history and, in its later years, one of the biggest terms-of-trade booms.
These two events meant that the Australian economy grew strongly and fostered strong growth in both employment and incomes. Importantly, it also flooded the Government with tens of billions of dollars worth of extra taxation
They … looked like sound managers by virtue of the fact that their revenue base expanded inexorably and their budgets remained in surplus, despite a raft of questionable (and costly) spending decisions.
It works out that low income-earners—generally the old, the young and the unemployed—are heavily dependent on government spending, and genuinely middle income-earners with dependent kids are significantly reliant on government spending.
The group worst affected by bracket creep is the 1.2 million earning $38,000 to $46,000—
who will pay an extra 1.4 per cent of their income, or $565 a year, by 2016-17.
Those on $46,000 to $56,000 will pay an extra 1.1 per cent, but will face the same increase in dollar terms because of the way marginal tax rates are structured.
Families with school-age children are the hardest hit. Across all income groups, they will lose $15.9 billion over four years, more than 90 per cent of the total.
A witness to a fatal collision that claimed the life of a Mackay truck driver has described a blazing inferno and screams at the scene of the horrific crash.
Michelle, just wanted to say I support the new budget that the coalition has given Australia. I can definitely see why we need to do this, and I am willing to make small sacrifices for my daughter's generation as they will be the ones who will benefit from this in the long run. It is great to see a party that actually wants to help Australia get rid of debt and not put us in more debt. I fear for Australia though and feel that Labor may get in again if another election is held and then spend all that money again. Make sure you shake Tony Abbott and Joe Hockey's hand for me because you have my support.
We maintain our support of the Government's commitment to remove the carbon tax. The cost imposed on our Rockhampton facility in the first year of Carbon Pricing included a direct liability charge of over $900,000, in addition to an approximate $270,000 increase in the price of utilities.
Universities therefore are being asked to set fees in an unprecedented market environment... we have to have a stab and make a decision about what we think the market might bear...
Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure nineteen six, result happiness. Annual income twenty pounds, annual expenditure twenty pound ought and six, result misery.
(1) Have any Hot Issue Briefs been received by the Minister from the Minister’s department since the federal election in 2013; if so, how many.
(2) Has the Government changed the policy in respect of the public release of Hot Issue Briefs, including the timeframe within which this must occur; if so, can the Minister provide the new policy.
(1) Yes. As at 5 May 2014, 47 had been received.
(2) Following the election, the Department proposed suspending the public release of Hot Issues Briefs, pending further consultation with the Minister’s Office. The Office agreed to this approach.
On 5 May, the Department sought advice from the Minister on this matter. This matter is still under consideration.
What is the unemployment level of Australian (a) pilots, (b) engineers, and (c) flight attendants, and why are these professions on the list of visa sub-class 457 shortages.
The question of the unemployment level of Australian (a) pilots, (b) engineers, and (c) flight attendants should be addressed to the Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Eric Abetz.
Applicants for the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) may nominate occupations on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL).
The CSOL currently includes all occupations in skill levels 1 to 3 of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, except where there are immigration concerns with respect to an occupation, or integrity issues.
An applicant for the subclass 457 visa must be sponsored by an approved business. A business can sponsor someone for this visa if Australian workers are unavailable to undertake the skilled work.
What is the unemployment level of Australian truck drivers, why is this occupation on the list of visa sub-class 457 shortages, and if there is a shortage of truck drivers, why has funding for Registered Training Organisations to teach Driver Operations courses been cut.
The question of the unemployment level of Australian truck drivers should be addressed to the Minister for Employment, Senator the Hon Eric Abetz.
Applicants for the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) may nominate an occupation on the Consolidated Sponsored Occupation List (CSOL).
The CSOL currently includes all occupations in skill levels 1 to 3 of the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations, except where there are immigration concerns with respect to an occupation, or integrity issues.
The occupation Truck Driver (ANZSCO 733111) is not on the CSOL. The occupation of Truck Driver can be sponsored through the Labour Agreement programme which provides a tailored skilled migration arrangement for businesses and sectors with specific needs that sit outside the mainstream skilled migration programme. Businesses seeking access to a labour agreement need to demonstrate there is genuine and significant demand for the nominated occupation and that this demand cannot be met from within the Australian labour market.
The question of the funding level for particular training courses should be addressed to the Minster for Industry, the Hon Ian Macfarlane.
(1) Is the Minister aware that the Director of Fair Work Building and Construction (FWBC), Mr Nigel Hadgkiss, said that the FWBC was taking its focus away from employee entitlements and recovery of unpaid wages to concentrate on its 'core business' of unlawful industrial action and 'general thuggery' on worksites (Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee, Estimates, 27 February 2014, pages 47-54).
(2) Is it a fact that the functions of the Commissioner as set out in Section 10 of the Fair Work Act 2009 include the following in respect of all building industry participants, including employers, monitoring compliance with designated building laws and the Building Code:
(a) inquiring into and investigating any act or practice that may be contrary to a designated building law, a safety net contractual entitlement or the Building Code, and
(b) commencing proceedings in a court, or to make applications to the Fair Work Commission, to enforce designated building laws and safety net contractual entitlements.
(3) Will the Minister issue a direction to the FWBC under Section 11 of the Act to ensure that the FWBC investigates and prosecutes suspected contraventions of the laws applying to employers in the industry as well as those relating to employees and trade unions.
(1) Yes.
(2) Yes.
(3) No. Fair Work Building and Construction investigates and prosecutes breaches of relevant workplace relations laws by any building industry participant, including employers, workers and unions.
Wages and entitlements matters lodged with Fair Work Building and Construction may be referred to the Fair Work Ombudsman. This is appropriate given the experience and expertise of the Fair Work Ombudsman in responding to such matters across all industries.
On (a) how many occasions, and (b) what date(s), has the Minister met with Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd chief executive Mr Nick Di Girolamo, and can the Minister provide the nature of each meeting.
(a) None.
(b) Not applicable.