The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 12:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Europe and the United States … have been trying to get this kind of agreement from Japan for 30 years.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Deputy Leader of the Opposition speaking for a period not exceeding 11½ minutes.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
As the etymology of our name ‘Liberal’ indicates, we have stood for freedom. We have realised that men and women are not just ciphers in a calculation, but are individual human beings whose individual welfare and development must be the main concern of government.
… our objective must be to build a balanced, strong, progressive and civilised nation in which advances are shared by all sections of the people.
So I repeat: we want a progressive nation.
DO YOU APPROVE the proposed law for the alteration of the Constitution entitled 'An Act to alter the Constitution so as to omit certain words relating to the People of the Aboriginal Race in any State and so that Aboriginals are to be counted in reckoning the Population?
… their unique place in the history of the country and their prior and continuing existence.
... we have a unique cultural heritage and a population of first people, part of the modern Australian social fabric and with ancient roots in this continent.
… is not ultimately about Australians in Australia. This is about human history, where we have a line of sight, if you like, to a distant part of history that is not available in many other places.
Yet for two centuries—with fragrant exceptions, of course—Australians had collectively failed to show to Aboriginal people the personal generosity and warmth of welcome that we have habitually extended to the stranger in our midst.
The first Aboriginal member of this parliament, Senator Neville Bonner, once warned his colleagues that history would judge us all. We shouldn't have to wait for the judgment of history …
A fair go for Aboriginal people is far too important to be put off to the judgment of history.
… for the purpose of overcoming disadvantage, ameliorating the effects of past discrimination, or protecting the cultures, languages or heritage of any group.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the notice relating to the disallowance of the Migration Amendment (Repeal of Certain Visa Classes) Regulation 2014, private Members' business, being called on immediately.
That the Migration Amendment (Repeal of Certain Visa Classes) Regulation 2014 made under subsection 504(1) of the Migration Act 1958 on 29 May 2014 and presented to the House on 2 June 2014, be disallowed.
… current claims for a number of family visas have been suspended until we can work through the backlog.
… under our migration program we invite people into the country who are able to come and to pay their way.
I have been waiting to finish my studies and get a job so that I can bring my parents to look after them. Just as soon as I was completing my studies, they announce that the visa options are abolished! This is a disaster for me as my whole life plan depended on it. I had much faith in Australia and gave up everything I had to follow this dream. This situation has left me helpless.
… we have reduced the number of places for the non-contributing scheme. … It has not gone to zero, at all …
The effect of these amendments is that persons are no longer able to apply for these visa classes from 2 June 2014.
This all started when the coalition government announced on 13 May 2014 in its budget that new applications for Other Family and Parent (non-contributory) visa categories will be ceased. This announcement was followed by the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP) announcing that the cessation date would be announced shortly.
However suddenly and to most people's complete and utter disbelief, without any further announcement, the Minister for Immigration made the migration amendment on 29 May 2014 which repealed the visa subclasses from June 2nd, 2014, The last day to make a valid application was 30th of May, which effectively gave applicants less than 10 hours to lodge a valid application.
I think this constitutes as clear abuse of power. When the decision was made on 29 May, why was this not made public by the Department of Immigration on the same day or a day in advance, which would have given a fair go to everyone who had their applications ready and could send applications on time. Making decisions and hiding it from public until the day when the regulation was effective dearly shows the government abused their power.
I personally feel cheated and don't understand the logic of this cancellation in the first place; parents who come on the non-contributory categories are people who have families to care for and provide for them, they don't get or even expect to live on benefits, they are harmless people who just want to join their families.
The Immigration Department’s policy manual stated that these visas reflected 'immigration principles relating to reunion of relatives in recognition of kinship ties and the bonds of mutual dependency and support within families'.
Parents and grandparents can provide childcare, allowing sponsors to go from being one-income to two-income households. They give physical and emotional support. Remittances that would otherwise be sent overseas stay and are spent in Australia. Carers bring huge savings, taking pressure off the welfare and healthcare systems.
If the proposed criminal penalties and proposed massive financial penalties for breaches of duties are included in the RO Act, this would operate as a major disincentive to existing voluntary officers of registered organisations continuing in their roles, and would deter other people from holding office.
As a western suburbs GP with many elderly patients the introduction of the co-payment worries me. I cannot afford to waive it; the loss of $7 equates to a 30 per cent drop in income. My worry is that elderly patients with chronic illness, often on necessary medication, will pick and choose what to miss out on to save $7. It may be seeing me or having an important blood test or X-ray. If this leads to a hospital admission, then the projected savings convert to a huge expense for taxpayers.
… do not bring back the type of commissions that financial advisers could receive before FOFA was introduced.
Independent legal and professional advice confirms that these regulations are against the best interests of Australian consumers.
… … …
This issue has been second only to pension cuts in recent representations to us by COTA members …
These changes do not change the substance or the intent of FoFA. The fundamental reforms and increased professionalism of financial advisers remain. However, these small changes ensure FoFA works as it was intended—to improve the quality and quantity of financial advice.
Our universities have been delighted to get behind this unique program because of the exciting opportunity it represents, not just for their brightest students but for those who embody the spirit of the Plan in celebrating Australia's commitment to the region …
The program has the potential to transform, not just the educational experience and global outlook of our students, but for Australian-Indonesia-Pacific relations …
The impact of the Government’s wrong priorities on nurses.
… without nationally coordinated reform Australia is likely to experience limitations in the delivery of high quality health services—
The message is clear: the measures add up to bad health policy.
The health measures in the federal budget are almost universally opposed by the people who provide health services in Australia. The [Australian Medical Association] is at the forefront of this opposition.
… ripped the heart out of the Australian health system and as a former Health Minister, [the Prime Minister] should be ashamed of that.
We as a practice currently make a loss per dressing we perform. We offer this service as a benefit to the community and to the patients of our practice. We charge no dressing fee to patients due to our belief that this would cause unreasonable hardship for these 'at risk' patients … We perform 20-30 dressings per day.
This is clearly not affordable for the practice to absorb these costs. This would result in our practice ceasing to offer this service which would result in patients having to attend Ingham Hospital for these dressings where the costs would be borne completely by the taxpayer at a higher rate. We then would reduce our nurse numbers.
If just one in four patients chose to go to a hospital emergency department, the Commonwealth will save no money because of the much higher costs of emergency department care; costs that the Commonwealth government now shares.
To the honourable Nick Champion
Dear Sir
I wish to draw your attention to the massive reduction at my practice of patient numbers since the budget announcement re co-payments in general practice. Our practice of eight doctors, a noncorporate teaching practice, has noted a 30 per cent drop in attendance since this announcement. We are now trying to reassure patients that this measure will only come in if passed by both houses of parliament in July 2015. Patients are confused and upset. We, the doctors, working in a working class suburb with many pensioners and concession card holders are angry and appalled by the proposed co-payment measure, which may well destroy our practice and others in the region, given the response already. The measure is heartless, bereft of social conscience and punishes those who can least afford it.
The meeting of premiers and chief ministers expresses grave concern that, contrary to the Prime Minister's remarks today, there are immediate impacts on front-line services and the cost of living for Australians. For example, from 1 July 2014, there will be a reduction in funding for 1,200 hospital beds across Australia …
The House divided. [16:15]
(The Deputy Speaker—Hon. BC Scott)
… good for wages, it was good for jobs and it was good for workers. And let’s never forget that.
The rules of the union are, we choose who is shop steward—if you want to have a business and a working relationship with me.
When the contractor refused, the union official allegedly said: 'Well done, you've sacked your own workforce. You will be out of business.'
(1) Schedule 2, item 166, page 48 (line 7), omit "of officers", substitute "of disclosing officers (see subsection 293C(1))".
(2) Schedule 2, item 166, page 48 (line 8), before "officers", insert "disclosing".
(3) Schedule 2, item 166, page 51 (line 24) to page 52 (line 32), omit section 293C, substitute:
293C Disclosure of material personal interests of officers
Disclosure by officers
(1) This section applies to each officer (a disclosing officer ) of an organisation or a branch of an organisation whose duties include duties that relate to the financial management of the organisation or branch.
(2) A disclosing officer of an organisation must, in accordance with subsection (5), disclose to the committee of management of the organisation details of any material personal interest that the officer has or acquires in a matter that relates to the affairs of the organisation.
Civil penalty: 100 penalty units, or 1,200 penalty units for a serious contravention.
(3) A disclosing officer of a branch must, in accordance with subsection (5), disclose to the committee of management of the branch details of any material personal interest that the officer has or acquires in a matter that relates to the affairs of the branch.
Civil penalty: 100 penalty units, or 1,200 penalty units for a serious contravention.
(4) A disclosing officer does not need to disclose an interest under subsection (2) or (3) if:
(a) the interest:
(i) arises because the disclosing officer is a member, or a representative of a member, of an organisation or a branch and the interest is held in common with the other members of the organisation or branch; or
(ii) arises in relation to the officer's remuneration as an officer of the organisation or branch; or
(iii) relates to a contract the organisation or branch is proposing to enter into that is subject to approval by the members of the organisation or branch and will not impose any obligation on the organisation or branch if it is not approved by the members; or
(iv) is in a contract, or proposed contract, with, or for the benefit of, or on behalf of, a related party of the organisation or branch that is a body corporate and arises merely because the officer is on the Board of the related party; or
(b) the officer has given a standing notice of the nature and extent of the interest under section 293D and the notice is still effective in relation to the interest.
(5) A disclosure made under subsection (2) or (3) must:
(a) be made as soon as practicable after the interest is acquired; and
(b) provide details of:
(i) the nature and extent of the interest; and
(ii) the relation of the interest to the affairs of the organisation or branch; and
(c) be made:
(i) at a meeting of the committee of management (either orally or in writing); or
(ii) to the members of the committee of management individually in writing.
The disclosure is made under subparagraph (c)(ii) when it has been given to every member of the committee of management.
Committee of management must record details of disclosure in minutes of meeting
(6) An organisation or a branch contravenes this subsection if a committee of management of the organisation or branch (as the case may be) fails to record details of a disclosure made under subsection (2) or (3):
(a) if the disclosure is made at a meeting of the committee of management of the organisation or branch—in the minutes of the meeting of the committee of management at which the disclosure is made; or
(b) in any other case—in the minutes of the first meeting of the committee of management after the disclosure is made.
Civil penalty: 100 penalty units.
(7) An organisation or a branch contravenes this subsection if a committee of management of the organisation or branch (as the case may be) fails, within 28 days of being requested in writing to do so by a member of the organisation or branch, to provide to the member details of disclosures made to the committee of management under subsection (2) or (3).
Civil penalty: 100 penalty units.
(4) Schedule 2, item 166, page 55 (lines 13 to 15), omit subsection 293F(3), substitute:
(3) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply if:
(a) subsection (4) allows the officer to be present and take part in a discussion with respect to the matter; or
(b) the interest does not need to be disclosed under section 293C.
(5) Schedule 2, item 166, page 56 (after line 32), after subsection 293G(5), insert:
Arm ' s length terms
(5A) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a payment made to a related party if the payment is made on terms that:
(a) would be reasonable in the circumstances if the organisation, or the branch, and the related party were dealing at arm's length; or
(b) are less favourable to the related party than the terms referred to in paragraph (a).
Small amounts given to related party
(5B) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a payment made to a related party if the total of the following amounts is less than or equal tothe amount prescribed by the regulations for the purposes of this subsection:
(a) the amount of the payment;
(b) the total of all other payments given to the related party, in the financial year, in relation to which subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to the payment because of this subsection.
(5C) In working out the total of the payments referred to in paragraphs (5B)(a) and (b) disregard:
(a) amounts that have been repaid; and
(b) amounts that fall under any other exception in this section.
Payments to members that do not discriminate unfairly
(5D) Subsections (1) and (2) do not apply to a payment made to a related party if:
(a) the payment is given to the related party in their capacity as a member of the organisation or the branch; and
(b) making the payment does not discriminate unfairly against the other members of the organisation or the branch.
(6) Schedule 2, item 166, page 57 (line 2), omit "293C(1) or (2)", substitute "293C(2) or (3)".
(7) Schedule 2, item 166, page 59 (line 34) to page 60 (line 1), omit "officers of the organisation or the branch, and by the organisation or branch, under Division 2", substitute "the organisation or the branch under sections 293BC, 293G and 293H".
(8) Schedule 2, item 166, page 60 (line 5), omit "Each", substitute "Unless exempted under section 293M, each".
(9) Schedule 2, item 166, page 60 (after line 27), at the end of Division 4, add:
293M Commissioner may grant exemption from financial training
(1) An organisation or branch of an organisation may, in writing, apply to the Commissioner for an officer of the organisation or the branch to be exempted from the requirement to undertake training under section 293K.
(2) The Commissioner may grant the exemption if the Commissioner is satisfied that the officer has a proper understanding of the officer's financial duties within the organisation or the branch because of the officer's:
(a) experience as a company director; or
(b) experience as an officer of a registered organisation; or
(c) other professional qualifications and experience.
(3) The Commissioner may grant the exemption subject to any conditions that the Commissioner considers appropriate in the circumstances.
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.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the amendments be agreed to.
From 1 January 2015 the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) co-payment and Safety Net threshold amounts will increase …
Increased up-front payments would also present an additional access barrier for people who may have adequate incomes but are experiencing cash-flow problems. Given that periods of illness often coincide with reduced earning capacity and other additional expenses, high upfront costs for unexpected illnesses can impact adversely on people, even when rebates are provided at a later stage. This can lead to people delaying or failing to access the care they need, resulting in the development of more serious health problems (which are often more costly overall to the community).
We are confident that once pricing negotiations conclude, the Minister for Health, the Hon Peter Dutton, will take the PBAC’s recommendation to Cabinet and deliver a listing date for the 200 Australians waiting on Kalydeco.
The Federal Government’s move to impose a co-payment for GP visits will deter people from seeking necessary medical care and could leave doctors $13 out-of-pocket if they waive the charge for their patients, the AMA has warned.
The measure is heartless, bereft of social conscience and punishes those who can least afford it.
The embattled Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says he understands why there are loud calls today for his resignation, in the wake of the Government's decision to raise the Medicare Safety Net.
But you must have been either lying at the time when you referred to the cast iron guarantee, or you were hoping that the Government would go along with the blow-out.
The statement—
the statement that I made back then was the absolute truth to the best of my knowledge and belief at the time, but since the election the Government has obviously been reconsidering this matter, since the election the Government has been looking at the blow-out, not just in the short term, in the very long term, and responsible governments do not make commitments which turn out to be unsustainable.
… when I made that statement, in the election campaign, I had not the slightest inkling that there would ever be any intention to change this. But obviously when circumstances change, governments do change their opinions …
You would have to wait longer to get treatment at a hospital because we wouldn’t be able to have as many doctors or nurses on hand to be able to treat people, so it might mean longer waiting times for treatment when you turn up and present at a public hospital.
Cost is a commonly reported barrier to accessing health services by Indigenous Australians … and low levels of income can discourage people from seeking medical care and paying for ongoing medical costs …
In only 15 years, from 1990 to 2005, the number of overweight and obese Australian adults increased by 2.8 million … If the trends continue, it is predicted that almost two thirds of the population will be overweight or obese in the next decade.
… developed through an open, engaging and transparent process and in a manner that is linked with other policies such as the National Food Plan and other key policy areas such as physical activity, women's health, indigenous health and the national curriculum.
What are the four big challenges facing the Australian health system … First of all, there is the challenge of affordability … Affordability is a serious issue.
Of course the government does not want people to worry about whether they can afford to visit the doctor … No-one likes to see people paying high costs, particularly for their health care. No-one likes that.
Obviously the Budget, generally, is under pressure and it’s very important that we do what we can to fix the Budget, as quickly as we can, but we’ve got to do it in ways which are consistent with our pre-election commitments. Don’t forget, I said we were going to be a no surprises, no excuses Government. You might also remember … that I was the Health Minister in a former government and as the Health Minister in a former government, I used to say that that government was the best friend that Medicare had ever had.
This leopard doesn’t change its spots—I want this Government to be, likewise, the best friend that Medicare has ever had.
A big red cross is cutting health and education spending. It's not acceptable.
We think that they are an attack on the state’s delivery of health and education services and you can rest assured that we will be taking up the challenge in Canberra to revisit some of those decisions.
The real impact for us comes in 2017/18 … The real issue for us is the long-term aspects that come from and impacts that come from uncertainty with health funding.
… we fundamentally believe in a taxpayer-funded free public hospital system. And this actually in some ways goes counter to that.
… increases in patient contributions particularly impact on concessional patients’ ability to afford medicines. This is an impact that should be of concern to policy makers.
… implement a review of diplomatic resources and consider options ... to ensure Australia's global diplomatic network is consistent with our interests.
Over time, I have a plan to expand our diplomatic footprint overseas and that will in some instances require new money ... Sometimes you have to spend more money to make more money.
… it was not the deputy premier's role to censure another member in a party forum.
A Poem by Philip R. Rush
There are thousands upon thousands of carers in our State,
And I've had the privilege of meeting quite a few of them of late.
Some are only children, pre-teenage girls and boys,
But almost every carer seems to do their task with joy.
There are many in their eighties, as is a friend of mine,
In only thirty months or so he'll be turning eighty-nine!
He does the cooking and the cleaning and the caring for his wife,
His care's the most important role he carries out in life!
It's the same for many thousands who daily spend their hours
Cooking dinners, dressing partners, making beds and giving showers.
The carer's role is never-ending, seven days of every week,
But it's done in love and caring, no rewards they ever seek!
They're often hidden from the public, care quietly on their own;
You rarely hear a carer complain or sigh or moan!
You ask me how I know it; how I know these things I've said,
Well, I'm a carer also to the lady that I wed
Back in the nineteen sixties, and she needs a bit of care,
Her head is quite undamaged, but her body's past repair!
A back that can't be mended, and her legs that struggle, too,
And many other problems which I won't repeat to you.
She cannot drive; it's hard to walk—a wheelchair's what we use
When going out, or to the shops, whatever we might choose.
She swims an hour each Wednesday, two hours of Aquarobics, too,
On a Monday and a Friday, that's all that she can do
To exercise her body, her commitment's great to see,
Since her health is so precarious, she's said good-bye to me
Three times when in the hospital since nineteen ninety-eight,
But she's survived these obstacles, her tenacity is great!
So I'm chief cook and cleaner, but I don't do that as well
As Yvonne used to do it, as anyone could tell!
But my cooking skills are better, which doesn't mean that much,
Yet apple sponge and birthday cakes, and casseroles and such
Are now upon the menu which I manage now and then,
And I'm sure it's similar history for many carers who are men!
I could go on for ever, but I'll finish with this line,
All you carers who are listening, you're close to being divine!
What action is the Government taking to combat multinational tax avoidance and secure sustainable tax revenues for (a) Australia, and (b) developing countries.
(a) Australia:
Australia has a robust set of domestic laws in place to counter base erosion and profit shifting (BEPS) by multinational companies, including comprehensive controlled foreign company and thin capitalisation regimes, tough transfer pricing rules and an extensive general anti-avoidance rule.
The government is also progressing two key reforms to further respond to emerging integrity issues in the corporate tax system. These changes involve:
International cooperation complements our domestic processes and will help ensure that other countries are fulfilling their responsibilities.
The G20 is working with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to deliver the BEPS Action Plan, which identifies 15 action items to help prevent base erosion and profit shifting.
Seven action items have outputs which will be delivered in September 2014, and the remaining items will be finalised by December 2015.
As G20 President, Australia has a key role in facilitating these discussions about the international tax system, which is one of the key work streams in the G20 agenda.
(b) Developing countries:
Australia recognises that many developing countries are also adversely affected by BEPS and is working both bilaterally and through international forums to help developing countries address BEPS.
For example, in Papua New Guinea, Australia is helping to build institutional tax capacity to address transfer pricing, implement new automated systems, increase tax compliance and strengthen audit capacity.
Australia has undertaken to increase tax-related official development assistance over the next two years.
In the G20 context, Australia is working to ensure that developing countries can participate in and benefit from the G20's tax agenda.
This year, the G20 is analysing the impacts of BEPS in developing countries and what the G20 can do to support developing countries address these.
The G20 will also release a roadmap on the steps developing countries can take to effectively implement the Common Reporting Standard on automatic exchange of tax information with other countries. Implementing the roadmap will help tax administrations in developing countries to identify offshore assets and investments held by their residents that may be subject to tax. This will be one important tool for developing countries to tackle tax evasion.
Is he aware that past and current open ended population growth policy creates the inevitable prospect of imposing continual infrastructure projects on the public, each one more invasive and destructive of the social and natural environments.
Setting a fixed population target can mask the complexities of the issue. For example, there are many aspects of population change in Australia, such as changes in fertility rates that cannot be accurately predicted or directly controlled.
The Australian Government has in place a range of commitments to infrastructure, services, jobs and the environment which will provide for Australia's currently growing population including a commitment to better plan for and sequence infrastructure development across Australia, and to develop a White Paper on the Development of Northern Australia. These policies will support environmentally, socially and economically responsible growth and cultivate resilient, productive and fair communities.
When will each of the following towns in the electoral division of Hunter have access to minimum broadband download speeds of 25mbps: (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?
NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) advised the Government that to deliver fast broadband sooner, at less cost to taxpayers and more affordably for consumers, the NBN should be completed using a multi-technology mix. This is predicted to save taxpayers $32 billion, get the NBN finished four years sooner than under Labor and enable nine out of ten Australians in the fixed line footprint to get access to download speeds of 50 megabits per second or more by 2019.
The rollout of the NBN is currently underway in Maitland. NBN Co is working on a new rollout schedule which will indicate when different parts of Australia will be connected to the NBN. It is expected that this will provide greater certainty about the rollout timing and technology for many areas, such as Aberdeen, Aberglasslyn, Branxton, Broke, Cassilis, Cessnock, Denman, Gillieston Heights, Greta, Kandos, Kurri Kurri, Lochinvar, Merriwa, Mulbring, Murrurundi, Muswellbrook, Pokolbin, Rutherford, Rylstone, Scone, Singleton, and Wollombi.