The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That this bill be now read a second time.
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.
That this House:
(1) expresses concern at the detention in Egypt of Australian citizen Peter Greste;
(2) notes that:
(a) Mr Greste is detained and currently on trial solely for conducting his role as a journalist and for peacefully expressing his opinion on events in Egypt; and
(b) the imprisonment of Peter Greste is contrary to the right to freedom of speech and expression;
(3) recognises that the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General have all been in contact with their Egyptian counterparts seeking Peter Greste's release; and
(4) notes that the Australian Government:
(a) is offering all possible consular assistance to Peter Greste and his family;
(b) has been working with Egyptian authorities at all appropriate opportunities; and
(c) is making direct and high-level representation to a number of other governments as part of a multi-pronged strategy to raise our ongoing concerns about the case.
1. their agreement and assistance to supply members of that group with funds, equipment, tools and information, in full knowledge of that group's aims;
2. possession of publication and recordings that include promoting their goals in order to inform others about them, in full knowledge of that group's aims;
3. broadcasting data, news, false rumours and untrue images, and presenting them to the public, inside and outside the country, with the aim of creating an impression amongst public opinion that the country is witnessing a civil war in order to weaken the state's image and standing, to harm the country's national interest, disrupt public security, spread panic among the populous and inflict damage on the public interest; and
4. possession of telecommunications, photographic and broadcasting equipment, and equipment to transmit sound and images, without a permit from the competent authority.
A free press will help every country, including Egypt, to be better in the months and years ahead and obviously a free press is not compatible with harassing journalists going about their ordinary business.
We have consistently expressed our serious concern about the limits on freedom of peaceful assembly and expression in Egypt, including leading up to the referendum, just as we expressed our concerns about the dangerous path Egypt's elected government has chosen in the year that led to 2013's turbulence. The United States again urges all sides to condemn and prevent violence and to move towards an inclusive political process based on the rule of law and respect for the fundamental freedoms of all Egyptians.
… we both knew what we were getting into.
It was a risk we both judged to be worth taking, if only because so few reporters have been into Somalia in the past decade, and nobody can hope to make a considered judgment of either Africa or Islamic extremism without understanding why that country has remained so anarchic.
How do you accurately and fairly report on Egypt's ongoing political struggle without talking to everyone involved?
We had been doing exactly as any responsible, professional journalist would—recording and trying to make sense of the unfolding events with all the accuracy, fairness and balance that our imperfect trade demands.
… Peter Greste to be a fine, upstanding correspondent who has proved his impartiality over many years …
He writes—
… "it knocked the middle ground out of the discourse. When the other side, political or otherwise, is a 'terrorist', there is no neutral way… So, even talking to them becomes an act of treason, let alone broadcasting their news, however benign."
… freedom of the press, printing and paper, visual, audio and electronic publication is guaranteed.
It is prohibited to censor, confiscate, suspend or shut down Egyptian newspapers and media outlets in any way …
… no freedom-restricting penalty shall be imposed for publication or publicity crimes.
That this House:
(1) expresses concern at the detention in Egypt of Australian citizen Peter Greste;
(2) notes that:
(a) Mr Greste is detained and currently on trial solely for conducting his role as a journalist and for peacefully expressing his opinion on events in Egypt; and
(b) the imprisonment of Peter Greste is contrary to the right to freedom of speech and expression;
(3) recognises that the Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Attorney-General have all been in contact with their Egyptian counterparts seeking Peter Greste's release; and
(4) notes that the Australian Government:
(a) is offering all possible consular assistance to Peter Greste and his family;
(b) has been working with Egyptian authorities at all appropriate opportunities; and
(c) is making direct and high-level representation to a number of other governments as part of a multi-pronged strategy to raise our ongoing concerns about the case.
… I do want to make this point and make it very strongly: a free press is in everyone's interests.
Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) shipbuilding is an industry that delivers the highest-value and most complex manufacturing outcomes produced in Australia, and therefore represents expertise and capacity that must be maintained for its very significant national economic and security benefits;
(b) as an example of the multiplier effects of shipbuilding projects in respect of the quality and range of manufacturing it both requires and enables, at the commencement of the Collins-class submarine project there were only 35 Australian companies certified to Defence quality standards, whereas by 1998 there were more than 1,500;
(c) there are currently more than 7,000 people employed in shipbuilding across Australia, including more than 4,000 people employed in naval shipbuilding alone;
(d) the Government has identified the need for more than 80 ships over the next 30 years for service in the Royal Australian Navy, and as part of border protection, Antarctic operations and scientific research, among other roles; and
(e) if Australian shipbuilding is not supported through a properly planned and managed program of project and maintenance work, it is likely that shipyards will close, thousands of jobs will be lost, and the critical expertise and capacity that have been developed will be irreparably squandered; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) provide certainty to the Australian shipbuilding industry and to thousands of Australian workers by settling a short, medium and long term program of government shipbuilding projects to ensure a balanced work flow and smooth delivery of key naval assets; and
(b) bring forward relevant shipbuilding projects, including the Pacific patrol boat and replacement Anzac frigate projects, in a timely manner to ensure that shipyards, companies, and workers are not put at risk.
I get really fired up when I find us giving away our manufacturing base in the Defence space to foreign manufacturers, it's just not on.
Industry revenue is forecast to increase by a compound annual rate of 2.8% over the next five years, with revenue forecast at $3.2 billion in 2018-19. Ongoing projects have been delayed, including the construction of the Hobart Class AWD and Canberra Class LHD ships, allowing for a more prolonged revenue source for industry players. These delays, along with the Federal Government proposing to bring forward the replacement of two RAN supply ships, look set to help avoid a debilitating extended gap—
in projects that has been projected for 2015-16. The estimated $36 billion Collins Class replacement submarine project is expected to begin construction in 2017-18, with a significant revenue stimulus projected upon commencement.
… to help avoid a debilitating extended gap in projects.
That business intervening before order of the day No. 1, Government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
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.
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.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
There are a significant number of consumers experiencing chronic illness. Some of that is debilitating; some of it is manageable. They will obviously be the highest end users who are likely to reach the threshold quicker.
For many, the safety net and its increased reimbursements is an important contribution to the significant expenses associated with managing their condition.. Raising the safety net threshold and having people pay more may worsen access to the recommended cycle of care and the recommended [six] monthly monitoring.
… there are consumers with chronic health conditions and high-level healthcare needs to whom the concessional EMSN threshold does not apply. Diabetes Australia expressed concern about these consumers' capacity to access affordable healthcare, to manage their illness and prevent the development of further complications. … A representative from CHF stated: 'there are high users of the system who are not necessarily concessional users of the system'.
At the end of the day the GPs are not the problem with the sustainability of the health care system, they are the solution.
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 that the bill is one of many changes the government is proposing that will increase the cost of healthcare”
Small business is the beating heart of O'Connor … that provides the jobs and opportunities for the future.
… there’s a better way of operating a health system, and the change should hardly hurt at all … 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.
That the member for Lilley be excused from the service of the House.
The House divided. [15:13]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
“he had just taken calls from (Chris) Bowen and Albanese complaining that I had undermined their pro-Rudd campaign”.
The proposed repeal of the INSLM Act has been explained as “designed to reduce bureaucracy and streamline government” by removing “duplication of responsibilities and between different levels of Government”.
The INSLM is not aware of any other officer, agency or “level” of government doing what Parliament required to be done by the INSLM Act enacted in 2010.
Given the enacted purposes of the office of INSLM, I dissent from its description as red tape.
Labor will always treat TAFE is a central part of our public education system … We will stop the mass sackings, cuts to courses and the massive fee increases to ensure we have a fair and affordable vocational education and training system in New South Wales.
My name is Adrian Lowe. I'm 28 and an apprentice baker,
I have 3 children and a stay at home wife due to our youngest is a new born
My apprenticeship is up at the start of November which means I will not be getting any of the money promised to me for completion of the apprenticeship.
I am out of pocket almost $2800 which would have helped if I cannot secure a new contract as a baker at my place of work
The money would have help pay bills in between jobs.
Not to mention I signed a contract with the government to complete my apprenticeship and they will help me to do so financially.
The coalition loans will be made available in addition to the commonwealth Tools For Your Trade incentive scheme, a spokesman for Mr Abbott later confirmed.
We’ve got evidence that they—
were spending the money on tattoos and mag wheels for their cars, and birthday parties.
Some of us see a skill and a trade as equal and as important as a degree at university, and we as a government will do everything we can to ensure that those opportunities are made available.
Personal safety concerns through both workplace bullying and unsafe work practices are also relatively common.
Unfortunately for many apprentices, wages are low until their third or fourth year. These Loans will assist apprentices with costs such as tools, TAFE fees, transport and everyday expenses—which will increase their ability to stay in an apprenticeship.
The Australian Apprenticeships Mentoring Program is now closed to new applications. No further projects will be funded under this Program.
There is no doubt that the loans are interest free. It gives me an opportunity to highlight the great regard and delight from industry in relation to the trade support loans. The loans, as the shadow minister knows, are indexed annually with CPI.
Trade Support Loans will be provided at concessional interest rates and capped at $8,000 in the first year of the apprenticeship, $6,000 in the second, $4,000 in the third and $2,000 in the fourth.
Apprentices will put up with a lot, including low wages, if what they get in return is fair … If they don’t get a fair deal, then any aspect of the apprenticeship—like pay, repetitive work or a lack of workmates—can become a source of dissatisfaction and restlessness and impact on their commitment and likelihood of completion.
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.
(1) Page 15, before Schedule 1, insert:
Schedule 1—Payments to or for the States, ACT, NT and local government
Note: See section 18.
(2) Schedule 1, page 15, omit the heading, substitute:
Schedule 2—Services for which money is appropriated
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the amendment be agreed to.
Completion rates for Australian Apprenticeships are unacceptably low at approximately 55.4%. This represents a significant economic cost—
The Trade Support Loans Scheme is a positive step, enabling apprentices to access financial support over the course of their apprenticeship. We particularly commend the completion incentive built into the loan structure.
The Trade Support Loans are a fantastic solution to ease the financial burden by providing apprentices with real support while they complete their skills training
I have just heard from my hard-working, low paid young hairdressing apprentices that the Tools For Your Trade payment has been cancelled from July. This is a great disadvantage to them, considering they pay their own TAFE fees and have to purchase all their tools while earning under $11 an hour for their first year. A set of straighteners for a professional can cost at least $2,000.
It's a long time coming, and anything we can do to help kids into a trade, as we do for young people into university, is a good thing.
It doesn't matter where they start, providing they start, and this scheme has a very powerful incentive.
The coalition loans will be made available in addition to the commonwealth Tools For Your Trade incentive scheme …
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.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Trade Support Loans will be provided at concessional interest rates—
and capped at $8,000 in the first year of the apprenticeship, $6,000 in the second, $4,000 in the third and $2,000 in the fourth.
To be a leading humanitarian organisation in Australia, improving the lives of vulnerable people through services delivered and promotion of humanitarian laws and values.
The bomber fell to Ordinary Seaman Sheean at the after oerlikon, who remained at the gun when the ship sank.
Teddy died, but none of us who have survived, I am sure, will ever forget his gallant deed … None of us will ever know what made him do it, but he went back to his gun, strapped himself in, and brought down a Jap plane, still firing as he disappeared beneath the waves.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 10:30.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of residents and visitors of Sisters Beach on the North-West Coast of Tasmania draws to the attention of the House, the lack of mobile phone coverage at Sisters Beach and the risk this poses to residents and visitors during the fire season and in case of emergency.
We therefore ask the House to consider allocating funding under the Liberal Coalition's $100 million Mobile Phone Black Spot funding program to the Sisters Beach community to ensure all residents and visitors have access to essential services.
We live in a secular society … secular by choice, by the people, and with that we allow things like The Stupa, the Chinese temple, churches and cathedrals to co-exist harmoniously and the mosque should be no different.
That this House notes:
(1) notes that:
(a) the National Congress of Australia's First Peoples (Congress) is the national representative body of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
(b) Congress:
(i) was established with a view to creating a new relationship with governments to reset the relationship based on partnership and genuine engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and
(ii) is owned and controlled by its membership and independent of government;
(2) recognises:
(a) the important role of Congress as a leader and advocate for recognising the status and rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as First Nations Peoples in Australia; and
(b) that the existence of an effective national body is essential to the Government's ability to fulfil its Closing the Gap targets;
(3) acknowledges that:
(a) Congress received Deductible Gift Recipient status in July 2013, allowing it to begin to pursue income opportunities with corporate Australia and the wider community;
(b) the previous government committed:
(i) $29.2 million over four years to establish Congress; and
(ii) $15 million over three years in the 2013 budget to support Congress to continue to develop income opportunities to sustain the organisation; and
(c) ongoing Commonwealth funding beyond 2013 is essential to support the continued sustainability of an independent national voice for First Nation Peoples;
(4) notes with concern that the Government plans to cut the $15 million funding and abandon the commitment to the sustainability of Congress as the national representative body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples; and
(5) calls on the Government to commit to the sustainability of a strong Congress by honouring the $15 million funding commitment.
I want a new engagement with Aboriginal people to be one of the hallmarks of an incoming coalition government—and this will start from day one …
Nothing about us without us.
Discontinuation of $15 million set aside in the Budget Forward Estimates for Congress from 2014-17 amounted to censorship of independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander voices by stealth …
Does congress truly represent us? Membership is so low, voting numbers even lower. … They have taken their eye off the bigger, strategic picture. They should have been lobbying on issues, making the organisation relevant and bringing about change for our mob … Instead they focussed on lobbying about themselves …
… we harness the determination of all Australians, Indigenous and non-Indigenous, to close the gap that lies between us in life expectancy, educational achievement and economic opportunity.
That this House:
(1) notes the mutually beneficial and strengthening cooperation between Australia and Japan with particular emphasis on our:
(a) strong trade relationship;
(b) significant strategic partnership; and
(c) developing defence equipment and technology relationship;
(2) acknowledges the:
(a) Australian Government's success in concluding the Japan Australia Economic Partnership Agreement;
(b) scope to further enhance our relationship in areas such as investment and education;
(c) Australian Government's plans to combat sovereign risk for foreign investment in Australia by repealing both the carbon and mining taxes;
(d) importance of elevating the bilateral security and defence relationship to a new level, based on our shared strategic interests in regional and international peace, stability and prosperity; and
(e) importance of the forthcoming visit to Australia of Prime Minister, His Excellency Mr Shinzo Abe, in further building our strategic partnership with Japan into a new special relationship; and
(3) commends the Australian Government for enhancing the relationship between Australia and Japan, which will be mutually beneficial for the economies and people of Australia and Japan.
That this House::
(1) that the spirit of ANZAC is one of special significance to all Australians as it showcases the attributes of courage, mateship and sacrifice which were demonstrated at the Gallipoli landing;
(2) that the ANZACs helped define us as a people and as a nation, they were ordinary Australians who performed extraordinary deeds and were drawn from the smallest towns and biggest cities;
(3) that the Government is enabling Australians to honour the service and sacrifice that epitomises the ANZAC spirit by increasing the funding allocated to each federal electorate across Australia to $125,000 via the ANZAC Centenary Local Grants Program; and
(4) the Government's commitment to community-based commemoration, as promised at the last election.
In spite of the tremendous losses there was not a sign of wavering all day. Not an inch of ground was given up and not a single straggler came back.
The ends of the enemy's trenches were found to be blocked with the bodies of Sikhs and … the glacis slope was thickly dotted with the bodies of these fine soldiers all lying on their faces as they fell in their steady advance on the enemy.
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
… Anzac stood, and still stands, for reckless valour in a good cause, for enterprise, resourcefulness, fidelity, comradeship, and endurance that will never own defeat.
So now we'll toast the Third Brigade,
That led Australia's van,
For never shall their glory fade
In minds Australian.
Fight on, fight on, unflinchingly,
Till right and justice reign.
Fight on, fight on, till Victory
Shall send you home again.
And with Australia's flag shall fly
A spray of wattle bough,
To symbolise our unity,
We're all Australians now.
That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) since 1975, earnings at the 90th percentile have risen three times faster than earnings at the 10th percentile; and
(b) since 1980, the top 1 per cent income share has doubled, and the top 0.1 per cent income share has tripled; and
(c) overall, inequality in Australia is now higher than it has been in three-quarters of a century;
(2) notes that:
(a) analysis by NATSEM (which the Prime Minister once described as 'the most reputable and authoritative modelling organisation in Australia') shows that the 2014-15 budget will redistribute income from lower-income households to higher-income households;
(b) by 2017-18, NATSEM analysis suggests that the budget will cause:
(i) across all households, a 2.2 per cent drop in disposable incomes in the bottom quintile, and an 0.2 per cent rise in disposable incomes in the top quintile;
(ii) among couples with children, a 6.6 per cent drop in disposable incomes of households in the poorest quintile; and
(iii) among single parents, a 10.8 per cent drop in disposable incomes of households in the poorest quintile; and
(3) calls upon the Government to rethink a budget that not only breaks promises and produces higher deficit figures than in the Pre-election Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2014, but also fails the 'fair go test' by hurting low and middle income families.
… the most reputable and authoritative modelling organisation in Australia.
THE big winners from six years of Labor government were white-collar, inner-city Greens, while the big losers were blue-collar traditional ALP voters and young mums in the outer suburbs, an analysis of job trends shows.
That this House:
(1) notes with concern the extent to which 457 visas are being used where there are ample, suitably qualified Australians; and
(2) urges the Government not to delay the completion of its review or its response to this growing problem.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) June is Lipoedema Awareness Month, and that Lipoedema is a painful disorder of fat metabolism and distribution that causes deposition of fat in 5 to 15 per cent of the population (mainly women) in the legs and arms; and
(b) Lipoedema is:
(i) an underdiagnosed disorder for which sufferers receive poor medical diagnosis and no counselling support—Lipoedema is a poorly supported illness; and
(ii) one of the most underfunded chronic conditions in Australia with limited research as to its cause and the treatment required for patients;
(2) calls for:
(a) a public awareness campaign to be launched and for Medicare Locals to be involved in the campaign; and
(b) support to be given to people living with Lipoedema to ensure appropriate ancillary services are available; and
(3) notes the need for research and population data on Lipoedema.
… it was easy to tell when buyers were unlawful foreign investors purchasing in their sons’ and daughters’ names because you could see them talking to their parents on the phone throughout the auction.
"Developed countries must keep their promises to developing countries. North-South aid is still vital for many countries: it must be maintained, and increased wherever possible. But more than aid is needed to implement sustainable development worldwide. Developed countries… have special responsibilities in ensuring that there can be no safe haven for illicit capital and the proceeds of corruption, and that multinational companies pay taxes fairly in the countries in which they operate."
… … …
Christian Aid estimated that in 2008, developing countries lost more than USD 160 billion through just two forms of multinational corporate tax dodging – transfer mispricing and false invoicing. This figure dwarfs the amount that these countries receive in aid, which amounted to USD $120 billion in 2009.
If developing countries had access to these lost revenues and used them in the same proportions and for the same purposes as their current expenditures, Christian Aid estimates they could save the lives of around 350,000 children each year.
It is a contradiction to support increased development assistance, yet turn a blind eye to actions of multinationals and others that undermine the tax base of a developing country.
That further proceedings on Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2013-2014 be conducted in the House.
The Extended Medicare Safety Net (EMSN) was introduced to protect individuals and families from high out-of-pocket expenses when their need for medical services outside the hospital setting was unusually high. The EMSN has helped many people access timely and affordable medical care, and is quite likely to have prevented downstream costs to the health system.
Research commissioned in 2012 by National Seniors Productive Ageing Centre revealed that 570,000 people age 55 years and over spend more than 10% of their income on health and about 250,000 spend over 20% of their income on health. Those with five or more chronic conditions spend $882 per quarter which is almost 6 times as much as those with no chronic conditions.
We found that some 55 per cent of the ESMN benefits were concentrated to the top quintile of Australia's most socially advantaged areas, whereas the least advantaged quintile receive less than 3.5 per cent.
There is no point pretending that the broken agreements of the Federal Budget won’t hurt the people of New South Wales.
From a technical perspective, this Bill is difficult to fault.
The provisions are logical, clear and have a simplified outline at the beginning of each part to assist a person who may be entirely unfamiliar with monitoring, investigation or enforcement regimes.
… a project that is expected to shape Melbourne's future transport network and land use patterns. The preferred option presented could achieve up to 30 per cent capacity increase in the urban passenger rail network …
When will each of the following towns in the electoral division of Hunter be served by fibre-to-the-premises technology for the delivery of highspeed broadband: (a) Aberdeen, (b) Aberglasslyn, (c) Branxton, (d) Broke, (e) Cassilis, (f) Cessnock, (g) Denman, (h) Gillieston Heights, (i) Greta, (j) Kandos, (k) Kurri Kurri, (l) Lochinvar, (m) Maitland, (n) Merriwa, (o) Mulbring, (p) Murrurundi, (q) Muswellbrook, (r) Pokolbin, (s) Rutherford, (t) Rylstone, (u) Scone, (v) Singleton, and (w) Wollombi.
Labor failed New South Wales in rolling out the NBN. Prior to the time of the last election, as at 2 September 2014 NBN Co had connected just 8,232 active brownfields users in New South Wales. In the following 8 months the Coalition Government has increased active NBN brownfields users in NSW by 3.5 times what Labor achieved in 6 years.
The Strategic review found that the fastest and most affordable way to deliver the NBN is to apply a mix of technologies based on their best fit with the infrastructure already in place. NBN Co is now making preparations to implement the Government's directions. NBN Co's review into the wireless and satellite programs has been completed and is available on its website.
The outcomes of these reviews will feed into the process of determining which areas of Australia will be serviced by which technology. Meanwhile, the Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) build is continuing and the areas where build has commenced or where services are available are listed on the NBN Co website.
Once these processes have been completed and NBN Co has stabilised the FTTP rollout, the company will be in a position to provide further details. NBN Co is working on a new rollout schedule which will indicate when different parts of Australia will be connected to the NBN and which technology will be used in those locations. We expect this information to be released in the second half of this year.
Importantly, areas with no or limited access to broadband will be prioritised and will receive upgrades on average 2 years sooner than they would have under Labor.
Will the Minister reject requests from the Australian Trucking Association and or trucking companies to bring in truck drivers from overseas, and recommend that companies invest in job training and incomes that make the industry safer and more attractive to young people.
Any Australian employer is able to request access to the Labour Agreement programme. However, in their submission they must provide a reason why they are having difficulties in recruiting from the Australian domestic market as well as provide evidence of genuine on-going recruitment efforts. Employers must also commit to a yearly training benchmark to spend either one per cent of gross wages on the training of their Australian employees or pay two per cent of gross wages into an Australian industry fund.
(1) In respect of the United Nations Office of Human Rights Commission of Inquiry on Human Rights in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, is she aware (a) of the findings, and (b) that the Chair, Mr Michael Kirby, has appealed to the United Nations Security Council to refer the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to the International Criminal Court (ICC).
(2) Is she aware that the United Nations Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution asking the United Nations Security Council to consider referring the situation in the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, to the ICC, and can she state Australia's position on this.
(1) (a) Yes.
(1) (b) Yes.
(2) Australia co-sponsored the UN Human Rights Council Resolution (adopted 28 March) calling for the UN Security Council (UNSC) to consider referring the situation in the DPRK to the ICC. Australia co-convened an informal meeting of UNSC members on 17 April to consider the Commission's recommendations and build a case for formal UNSC consideration of the Commission's report and its recommendations (including ICC referral).
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.
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.
The Minister has not had a meeting with Mr Di Girolamo.
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.
Between the 7 September 2013 and 11 June 2014 I have had no meetings with Australian Water Holdings Pty Ltd Chief Executive Mr Nick Di Girolamo.