The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. John Hog g) took the chair at 12:30, read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
That the days of meeting of the Senate for 2014 be as follows:
Autumn sittings:
Tuesday, 11 February to Thursday, 13 February
Monday, 3 March to Thursday, 6 March
Monday, 17 March to Thursday, 20 March
Monday, 24 March to Thursday, 27 March
Budget sittings:
Tuesday, 13 May to Thursday, 15 May
Winter sittings:
Monday, 16 June to Thursday, 19 June
Monday, 23 June to Thursday, 26 June
Monday, 7 July to Thursday, 10 July
Monday, 14 July to Thursday, 17 July
Spring sittings:
Tuesday, 26 August to Thursday, 28 August
Monday, 1 September to Thursday, 4 September
Monday, 22 September to Thursday, 25 September
Tuesday, 30 September to Thursday, 2 October
Spring sittings (2):
Monday, 27 October to Thursday, 30 October
Spring sittings (3):
Monday, 24 November to Thursday, 27 November
Monday, 1 December to Thursday, 4 December.
That the days of meeting of the Senate for 2014 be amended as follows:
(1) Omit:
"Monday, 7 July to Thursday, 10 July Monday, 14 July to Thursday, 17 July."
(2) Omit all words and dates from "Spring sittings" and substitute:
"Spring sittings:
Tuesday, 19 August to Thursday, 21 August
Monday, 25 August to Thursday, 28 August
Monday, 8 September to Thursday, 11 September
Monday, 15 September to Thursday, 18 September
Spring sittings (2):
Monday, 13 October to Thursday, 16 October
Monday, 3 November to Thursday, 6 November
Monday, 10 November to Thursday, 13 November
Monday, 24 November to Thursday, 27 November
Monday, 1 December to Thursday, 4 December."
That consideration of the business before the Senate on Wednesday, 4 December 2013, be interrupted at approximately 5 pm, but not so as to interrupt a senator speaking, to enable Senator O’Neill to make her first speech without any question before the chair.
That the Senate:
(a) notes:
(i) that 25 November is observed as White Ribbon Day,
(ii) that White Ribbon Day aims to reduce and prevent violence against women and raise awareness of the issue in all Australian communities,
(iii) that the White Ribbon organisation is the world’s largest male-led movement to end men’s violence against women, and
(iv) the Coalition’s commitment to increase funding to the White Ribbon campaign by $1 million over 4 years; and
(b) acknowledges:
(i) that partner violence is the most common type of violence against women, affecting 30 per cent of women worldwide,
(ii) that women are most at risk of violence in the home and from men they know, and young women are at greater risk of violence than older women,
(iii) that, in the past year, between 5 and 10 per cent of Australian women experienced at least one incident of physical and/or sexual violence by a man, and
(iv) the men and the members and senators that swear the White Ribbon Oath: ‘I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women’.
Our price per tonne is actually negative $2.40. The reason it is negative is that when we lend we earn a profit on that lending activity. Corporations use that money that is lent to become more efficient by reducing their energy costs and by reducing their energy usage they actually reduce emissions. It works very well that we lend. The taxpayer receives a return because we are running profitably on that money and the company receives a better return because they are actually becoming more efficient.
Instead of paying something, when you do a reverse auction you might say we are taking the lowest price, we move into the positive price. So for every tonne of emissions that we manage to encourage to be achieved, it has a return to the government of $2.40 per tonne.
Firstly, government cannot sufficiently finance low carbon alternatives to meet a two-degree outcome and private capital is needed. Secondly, the low-carbon investment market is relatively young and so deal flow needs to be supported. Thirdly, capacity in the finance sector must be increased through the experience of financing investments. Fourthly, financial participants welcome investment opportunities presented in new markets by an objective third party, even more than by investment banks.
Lastly, co-financing organisations can actually earn financial returns for governments, delivering abatement at negative costs—and we think this is appealing and makes sense to all parties. Given the government's infrastructure agenda, we think dismissing co-financing as a useful policy instrument may be premature.
… there really is an appetite for progressing emissions reduction, but it does need an advocate and it needs an encouragement to get on with the job, because the market has been very immobilised by the lack of bipartisan policy in this space.
…we actually provide targeted monetary policy. When the government wants to encourage activity in one sector, it uses a very broad tool such as overall interest rates. By having an organisation such the CEFC, we are able to deliver a targeted monitoring policy to the clean energy sector, including those people who want to take action to reduce emissions and become more efficient. We can ensure that they have access to capital efficiently and at a lower cost.
At the end of the motion, add:
", but the Senate expresses concern over the impact that the abolition of the Clean Energy Finance Corporation will have on investment in renewable energy projects."
… this would contribute 60 per cent of the total abatement required to meet the bipartisan 2020 national abatement target, and at the same time deliver a net positive return to the taxpayer of over $200 million per annum.
There is no question that a tax on electricity, in making it more expensive in input costs, makes it more difficult for me to make money building cars.
Investors do not turn up for chat; they turn up when there is a deal to be done. If we know that the counterparty can make the investment more attractive, then we are interested. We are not just going to come along for a bit of a chat about what might occur or what investment might take place.
We need the ability to deploy cash so we are a real participant in the market, so that we can participate equally and on level terms with the private sector, so that we can actually facilitate transactions.
I think we have got evidence that there has certainly been crowding in rather than crowding out, because new financial institutions have come to participate in the market, being encouraged by a government owned entity's participation.
… wilful violations of NSA's authorities have been found—
ASIO is concerned about the potential for Australians in Syria to be exposed further to extremist groups and their ideology.
An individual who becomes involved in the conflict and who holds, or develops, an extremist ideology could return to Australia not only with the intent to facilitate attacks onshore but also with experience— (Time expired)
… I can say with absolute confidence that every school will get exactly the same amount of money, or in fact better now, than they would have if Labor had been elected.
… it is unlikely that NBN Co will meet the 2016 deadline to upgrade the fixed network to enable Australians to have minimum download speeds of 25Mbps.
… policies and funding commitments need to be predictable and, above all, stable and we believe the $500 million commitment should be honoured.
That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Human Services (Senator Payne) and Minister for Employment (Senator Abetz) to questions without notice asked by Senators Carr and Dastyari and the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Wong) today relating to schools funding.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Assistant Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (Senator Cash) to a question without notice asked by Senator Whish-Wilson today relating to efforts to prevent illegal whaling.
Reports of the slaughter of whales in Australian waters are deeply disturbing. The Government must make a statement immediately, have whales been slaughtered in Australian waters, if so what are they going to do about it. We’ve got blood in the water and a blind eye in Canberra, it’s completely unacceptable.
These are Australian waters that should be protected. Whaling should never be occurring but for it to occur in Australian waters is an utter failure in Canberra.
Should the whaling season continue, the Coalition commits to sending a Customs vessel to the Southern Ocean. It is important that Australia has a Southern Ocean presence given the ongoing risk of confrontation between whalers and protestors.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) Australia and other donors are due to announce their 3‑year pledges to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, TB and Malaria at the replenishment meeting being held in Washington DC on the morning of 4 December 2013 (AEST),
(ii) the Global Fund is seeking a total of $15 billion to build on progress in bringing an end to AIDS, TB and malaria,
(iii) Australia should offer the strongest possible support to the Global Fund to continue an ambitious and successful program to fight AIDS, TB and malaria,
(iv) in addition, Australia's contribution will support positive bilateral and multilateral relationships and will be seen as a measure of Australia's standing in the international community,
(v) the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) is committed to saving children's lives and is on track to immunise 500 million children by 2015, and
(vi) at the GAVI Pledging Conference in June 2011 the Australian Government increased Australia's commitment from $60 million over 3 years to $200 million for the period 2011 to 2013, of which $52.5 million remains outstanding; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to:
(i) commit at least $375 million to the Global Fund for the period 2014 to 2016, and
(ii) complete its current pledge and increase investments in GAVI to at least $75 million in both 2014 and 2015.
That the Senate—
(a) notes:
(i) needs-based funding, where money is distributed equitably according to need, is essential to ensuring all students can access high-quality education,
(ii) that disadvantage occurs in all sectors of schooling, but is concentrated in government schools,
(iii) the discredited SES funding model was responsible for increasing inequity, and
(iv) the Government made a clear pre-election commitment to maintain the reformed school funding model from 1 January 2014 for 4 years, with the same funding envelope; and
(b) recognises that, in reneging on its pre-election commitment, the Government will perpetuate and worsen the inequities at the heart of the schooling system, which needs-based funding reform had the only chance of reversing.
That the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee be authorised to meet during the sittings of the Senate for private briefings, as follows:
(a) on Monday, 9 December 2013, from 10 am; and
(b) on Tuesday, 10 December 2013, from 4 pm.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, no later than noon on Monday, 9 December 2013, the Strategic Review of the rollout of the National Broadband Network conducted by NBN Co and due to be provided to the Government on Monday, 2 December 2013.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that 1 December 2013 is World AIDS Day;
(b) recognises that:
(i) more than 35 million people now live with HIV/AIDS worldwide, and almost 10 per cent of these are under the age of 15,
(ii) every day nearly 6 300 people contract HIV, nearly 262 every hour,
(iii) in Australia in 2012 there were 25 000 people living with HIV and 1 253 new diagnoses of HIV infection, a 10 per cent increase from previous years,
(iv) in 2012, 1.6 million people died from AIDS related illnesses,
(v) in some communities HIV rates are as high as 40 per cent,
(vi) since the beginning of the epidemic in the 1980s, more than 75 million people have been infected with HIV and nearly 36 million have died of AIDS related illnesses,
(vii) there are now outstanding antiviral treatments available to people living with HIV, and
(viii) although a lot of work has been done and many medical advances have been made, there is no cure and no vaccine, so a lot of research and work still needs to be done before we see the end of HIV;
(c) acknowledges that:
(i) in July 2014, Melbourne will host the 20th International AIDS Conference (AIDS 2014),
(ii) the conference will bring together 14 000 delegates from around 200 countries, which will be the largest medical conference ever held in Australia, and
(iii) the conference will be chaired by Nobel Laureate, Professor Francoise Barre Sinoussi, and Professor Sharon Lewin; and
(d) calls on the Parliament to:
(i) continue Australia's strong commitment to an enduring effective partnership between government, scientists and the community to meet the needs of people living with HIV,
(ii) continue Australia's strong commitment to medical health and research; and
(iii) foster and cultivate Australia's medical health and research community and researchers to ensure we stay at the forefront of all aspects of treatment, care and research in HIV.
(1) That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect.
(2) That the Poker Machine Harm Reduction ($1 Bets and Other Measures) Bill 2012 [2013] be restored to the Notice Paper and that consideration be resumed at the stage reached in the last session of the Parliament.
(1) That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent this resolution having effect.
(2) That the Fair Trade (Australian Standards) Bill 2013 be restored to the Notice Paper and that consideration be resumed at the stage reached in the last session of the Parliament.
That the Senate—
(a) acknowledges that 3 December marks the 21st anniversary of the International Day of Persons with Disability;
(b) congratulates the following winners of the National Disability Awards;
(i) Ms Ann Procter (Duffy, Australian Capital Territory) and Mr John Moxon (Northmead, New South Wales), recipients of the Lesley Hall Award for Lifetime Achievement in Disability,
(ii) Mr Huy Nguyen (Victoria), recipient of the Emerging Leaders Award in Disability,
(iii) Western Desert Dialysis (Alice Springs, Northern Territory), recipient of the Excellence in Accessible Communities Award,
(iv) Penrith City Council (Penrith, New South Wales), recipient of the Excellence in Improving Social Participation Award,
(v) Mr Robert Pask (Bentleigh East, Victoria), recipient of the Excellence in Advocacy and Rights Promotion Award,
(vi) ABLE Employee Action Group and Westpac Group's Diversity and Flexibility Team (National), recipient of the Excellence in Improving Employment Opportunities Award,
(vii) Hear for You (National), recipient of the Excellence in Improving Personal and Community Support Award,
(viii) Down Syndrome Victoria (Fitzroy, Victoria), recipient of the Excellence in Improving Education Outcomes Award,
(ix) Ms Susan Race (St Albans, Victoria), recipient of the Excellence in Improving Health and Wellbeing Outcomes Award,
(x) The Project, Network Ten (Victoria), recipient of the Yooralla Media Award of Distinction, and
(xi) Ms Lesley Hall, recipient of the Prime Minister's Awards for Outstanding Achievement;
(c) joins with all Australians, including those with disability, in celebrating the many advances that have been made to improve the lives of those with disability and their families;
(d) acknowledges the important role that so many organisations and individuals play in supporting and advocating for people living with a disability; and
(e) acknowledges that much remains to be done to remove the barriers to employment, education and full community participation of people with disability.
That the Senate—
(a) notes:
(i) the failure of the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (Senator Cash) to comply with the order of the Senate of 14 November 2013 by noon on 18 November 2013, and
(ii) that tabling publically available information such as transcripts and operational updates is a failure to comply with the order, and that tabling of other publically available information would still represent a failure to comply with this order;
(b) orders the Minister representing the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection (Senator Cash) to comply with the order by 5 pm on Wednesday, 4 December 2013; and
(c) does not accept the claims of public interest immunity made by the Minister in respect of the documents ordered by the Senate to be tabled, or the grounds for making these claims.
The Senate divided. [15:50]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
That the following matter be referred to the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters for inquiry and report by 24 March 2014:
Different options for Senate voting, with particular reference to:
(a) the possible advantages and disadvantages of the following voting methods for both above the line and below the line voting:
(i) optional preferential,
(ii) partial preferential, and
(iii) compulsory preferential; and
(b) other related matters.
The Senate divided. [15.54]
(The Deputy President—Senator Parry
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) political donations for the 2013 federal election made on or after 1 July 2013 will not be made public until 1 February 2015,
(ii) political donations under $12 400 do not have to be disclosed by parties or candidates to the Australian Electoral Commission, and
(iii) this higher disclosure threshold level means the public is not aware of the details of a large number of political donations received by political parties; and
(b) calls for:
(i) a donation disclosure threshold of $1 000,
(ii) a ban on overseas donations,
(iii) a $50 cap on anonymous donations,
(iv) donations to different branches of a political party to be accumulated and treated as donations to the same party in order to stop political parties minimising their disclosure obligations by donation splitting,
(v) 6-monthly disclosure of donations and political expenditure, and
(vi) online disclosure of donations over $1 000 in the 3 months prior to an election or from when the election is called.
The Senate divided. [15.59]
(The Deputy President—Senator Parry
Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:
The government's failure to honour its pre-election commitment to maintain the Better Schools funding model.
… we would expect those signatory states to commit to those previous promises. But at the end of the day, that is a matter for those sovereign jurisdictions.
Labor used heavy handed tactics to try and force Queensland to sign up to a program that meant more red tape instead of getting the results we needed.
The Abbott government knows Queensland runs our schools and we know what our schools need.
… has a relentless focus on achieving better outcomes for Queensland students. We—
are committed to revitalising front line services for families and this federal and state funding demonstrates some of the ways we are delivering on our election promises.
The principle of a needs-based funding system, where disadvantaged students get more money, is a good principle and that was the same principle of the previous socio-economic status [SES] funding model. It was called socio-economic status, because funding got to where it was most needed.
He must be the only person in Australia who thinks the SES model is a good model. The Gonski panel said no. If you walked into any school in New South Wales, every teacher and principal would say no.
This is not Gonski – it is a conski.
… as far as school funding is concerned, Kevin Rudd and I are on a unity ticket. There is no difference between Kevin Rudd and myself when it comes to school funding.
We will make sure that no school is worse off.
… we will honour the agreements that Labor has entered into. We will match the offers that Labor has made.
We’ll also provide schools with funding certainty – so the Coalition will match the dollar-for-dollar commitments already made to schools for the next four years …
I will renegotiate all funding agreements with the signatory and non-signatory jurisdictions …
… You're guaranteeing that no individual school will be worse off?
Mr ABBOTT: No.
Everything needs to be examined fresh, because the model that Labor came up with is a shambles and quite unimplementable.
Well in 2014 we will ensure that the new school funding model as proposed by Labor is implemented …
Well next year I will sit down and after consulting and talking with stakeholders I will develop a new model in the early part of the New Year …
… what we must look for, and it is a matter of desperate importance to our society, is a true revival of liberal thought which will work for social justice and security, for national power and national progress, and for the full development of the individual citizen, though not through the dull and deadening process of socialism.
That—
(a) Senator Siewert be appointed as a member of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme; and
(b) Senator Whish-Wilson be appointed as a participating member of the Select Committee on the National Broadband Network.
That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time.
That these bills be now read a second time.
GRAPE AND WINE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (AUSTRALIAN GRAPE AND WINE AUTHORITY) BILL 2013
The Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 creates the Australian Grape and Wine Authority which will commence operation on 1 July 2014. The new Authority will be the result of a merger of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and the Wine Australia Corporation. It will take on the roles and functions of these two corporations to become the single statutory authority for the wine industry.
The reform has come about at the request of industry, following discussions raised over the last twenty years. It is finally being made a reality following a proposal submitted by the industry peak bodies, the Winemakers’ Federation of Australia and Wine Grape Growers Australia.
The Australian wine industry is a wonderful success story for our agricultural know how and initiative. The industry is valued at approximately $3.4 billion annually and is a major contributor to the economy of rural and regional Australia. The industry suggests that more than 22,000 people are directly employed in grape growing and winemaking activities, with many more employed in associated industries such as tourism and hospitality.
There are more than 2,500 wine producers in Australia, and almost 6,000 wine grape growers. Wine grapes are grown in all states and territories of Australia, except the Northern Territory.
The Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation had revenue of $22.8 million in 2011-12, of which the Australian Government provided $10.4 million through its matching funding arrangements.
With these funds the Corporation was able to produce key outcomes that deliver real productivity gains for the industry. This has included partnering with the CSIRO to develop new rootstocks with characteristics including the ability to tolerate drought and salinity and to be resistant to phylloxera, a potentially devastating pest. Its investment in water use efficiency has contributed to the level of water use per hectare in the wine grape industry dropping from 9 mega litres at the end of the 1990s to well under 6 by the mid 2000s.
The research and development programme continues to invest in vineyard sustainability and production techniques that look to continually improve the consistency and quality of Australian wine, while at the same time improving the bottom line for our wine grape growers and wine producers.
The Wine Australia Corporation had revenues of almost $12 million in 2012-13 from industry levies and contributions. These funds underpin a sophisticated marketing and export compliance regime that promotes the quality and reliability of Australian wine across the world. Australian wine holds significant market share in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and our premium wines are gaining an ever growing foothold in the important Chinese market.
With the help of Wine Australia, the premium, higher profitability segment of the wine market continues to grow in key East Asian markets, like China. The Chinese market has grown from $57 million in 2007 to $250 million today, to be our third biggest by value. Australian bottled wine exports into the United States at the higher, above $7.50 a litre segment grew by 16% in the year ended 30 September 2013. This is an exciting new growth opportunity for the industry. Wine Australia also continues to engage internationally, through groups like the World Wine Trade Group, to deliver sensible trade reforms that make exporting wine simpler and more cost effective.
The wine industry is a great example of a progressive Australian agricultural industry and the wide support industry has shown towards the proposed merger is yet another example of this.
The proposed merger is consistent with the government’s deregulation agenda and will ultimately result in efficiencies through combining the administrative resources of operating two statutory bodies into one. This will consequently result in improved service delivery to industry. The opportunity has also been taken to reduce red tape where possible, such as removing the requirement for ministerial approval of annual operational plans under the new Authority.
A single wine industry statutory authority will support the industry by providing links between the investment initiatives and functions of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and the Wine Australia Corporation.
This Bill proposes amendments to the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980 to establish the new authority and renames the Act as the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013. Although the Bill amends the existing Wine Australia Corporation Act, these amendments are significant and the merger is not a takeover of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation by Wine Australia. This is a strategic merger of the two statutory corporations on an equal footing.
This Bill is divided into two schedules.
Schedule 1 amends the Wine Australia Corporation Act to create the Authority.
Schedule 2 covers matters arising from the transition from two statutory corporations to the Authority. It covers matters such as the transfer of staff to the Authority.
Schedule 1 is divided into two parts.
Part 1 of Schedule 1 commences on the day after Royal Assent. This part amends the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980 to establish a selection committee to select and nominate to the Minister for Agriculture, possible directors of the board of the Authority. The Bill gives the Minister for Agriculture an alternative option of appointing a first board of the Authority for a 12 month period without reference to the selection committee.
Part 2 of Schedule 1 commences on 1 July 2014. This part provides amendments to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980. This Part establishes the Authority and provides the governance framework for its operation.
Schedule 1 provides the research and development functions, including provisions for the Commonwealth to match research and development levy funding dollar-for-dollar.
The Authority will be required to spend research and development levy money and government matching funds on research and development activity. Industry has highlighted the importance of this issue for the new Authority and I want to make it clear to the industry that its R&D levies will be spent on R&D purposes only. It is also important to the government to ensure that Australian government money appropriated for research and development is used for this purpose.
The Bill does not include any changes to the structure or the amounts of the levies that currently fund both statutory corporations, or to the existing regulatory, marketing and compliance roles of the Wine Australia Corporation.
The Bill transfers definitions of research and development from the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1981.
It establishes an Authority with a skills-based board of five to seven directors selected and nominated by a statutory selection committee and appointed by the Minister.
The board is led by a Chair appointed by the Minister following consultation with industry.
The Authority is required to prepare a five-year Corporate Plan to outline the Authority’s strategies, policies and priorities to achieve the objectives.
The Authority is also required to prepare an annual operation plan but, unlike those of the two statutory corporations, this plan is not required to have the Minister’s approval.
Schedule 2 provides for the transition of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and Wine Australia to the Authority, including that the operations, assets, liabilities and staffing conditions are transferred to the Authority.
The Bill allows the Minister for Agriculture to select the first board directors after Royal Assent. The board will commence on 1 July 2014. Between the date of appointment and 1 July 2014, the Minister can engage the future board directors as consultants to assist with preparations for the Authority’s commencement, including making preparations to appoint a chief executive.
The boards of the two statutory corporations will continue to exercise their powers and meet all statutory responsibilities until 30 June 2014.
Before 1 July 2014 the future directors, in their role as consultants, could not make decisions that would bind the Authority. However, it can be expected that any recommendations they make would be considered for ratification by the board at its first meeting.
The costs of the consultants will be met by the Commonwealth through the Department of Agriculture. Once the Authority commences, any and all Commonwealth funding provided for the purpose for engaging consultants will be refunded by the Authority. As the consultants are the future board directors acting in the interests of the Authority, it is reasonable for the Authority to reimburse the Commonwealth for the costs of the consultants.
The Bill ensures that all employees of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and Wine Australia are transferred to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority along with all employee entitlements.
The Bill also provides for a number of amendments to be made to outdated sections of the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980, and introduces modernised language to bring it up date with current terms.
The wine industry has a unique regulatory structure with the Wine Australia Corporation enforcing the Label Integrity Program, licensing exporters and maintaining Australia’s wine geographical indications system. These important roles are not affected by the merger.
The Australian Grape and Wine Authority will therefore have a strong focus on controlling exports and developing domestic and international markets for Australian grape products, along with investigating, coordinating and funding grape and wine research and development. The Authority will be responsible to report its progress on these matters to the Parliament or Minister and representative organisations.
Two companion bills are being introduced alongside this Bill that propose minor amendments to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 and the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 to enable levies collected to be paid to the new Authority.
The creation of the Australian Grape and Wine Authority is a natural progression by the industry in continuing to reform to meet future challenges. The benefits of replacing the existing two statutory bodies with a single authority will come at no additional cost to winemakers or grape growers. Instead, this reform will deliver efficiencies while enhancing links between the industry’s research and development and marketing activities – which are the key to future industry competitiveness and profitability. Through this reform the Government wants to ensure that the levies and fees that industry contributes to these efforts has the best opportunity to keep delivering for the industry in the future. It is with great pleasure that I introduce this Bill to make this important reform a reality.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (CUSTOMS) CHARGES AMENDMENT (AUSTRALIAN GRAPE AND WINE
The Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 is a companion Bill to the Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013.
The companion Bill provides consequential amendments to replace references to the Wine Australia Corporation in the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 with ‘Australian Grape and Wine Authority’ to reflect the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 that will govern the new authority.
The change will allow for levies collected to be paid to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.
The Bill also repeals clauses that provided for Wine Australia, following an annual general meeting, to make recommendations to the Minister about the levy rate. The Government has a process for consulting with industry about levy rates that provides for consultation, a vote of industry and an objections process. The Bill provides that the process for changing wine industry levies is consistent with other industries.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (EXCISE) LEVIES AMENDMENT (AUSTRALIAN GRAPE AND WINE AUTHORITY) BILL 2013
The Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 is a companion Bill to the Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013.
The companion Bill provides consequential amendments to replace references to the Wine Australia Corporation in the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 with ‘Australian Grape and Wine Authority’ to reflect the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 that will govern the new authority.
The change will allow for levies collected to be paid to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.
The Bill also repeals clauses that provided for Wine Australia, following an annual general meeting, to make recommendations to the Minister about the levy rate. The Government has a process for consulting with industry about levy rates that provides for consultation, a vote of industry and an objections process. The Bill provides that the process for changing wine industry levies is consistent with other industries.
(1) That the following matter be referred to the Education and Employment References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in March 2014:
The provisions of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2013, with particular reference to:
(a) the potential impact of the amendments to interfere with the ongoing operation of registered organisations in Australia; and
(b) the potential of the amendments to impede the ability of employees of registered organisations to carry out their duties.
(2) That for the avoidance of doubt, standing order 115(3) applies to the consideration of the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2013 and any related bills.
A Federal Court judge has criticised the penalties available under laws governing misconduct by union officials who are found to have inappropriately used members' money or failed to comply with governance regulations.
… … …
… Federal Court Judge Anthony North said he was unhappy at the relatively small penalties on offer, particularly in relation to the cost of the court proceedings.
The penalties are rather beneficially low ... beneficial to wrongdoers
As the impact of the recent changes to the Registered Organisations Act cannot yet be assessed—
ACCI does not support further changes to the Registered Organisations Act at this stage.
That the Senate take note of the document.
As part of Harmony Day in March this year it was decided to visit the Peace Park. Mr Harrison like any good teacher never lets a chance go by and invited Joan over to talk to us about the Peace Park.
Joan came loaded with old photos, plans, her 2003 award and lots of stories about the park, its beginnings, and the beautiful sandstone sculpture. One thing that we all noticed was Joan's passion. She also happily answer questions and told us stories that made us think about not giving up and how you can get things done.
Someone asked her the question, "What did she think that the park still needed?" One of the things that she mentioned was more seats.
Later that day when we were discussing Joan, Reuben Connor, suggested that we should try and organise a seat to recognise Joan's wonderful contribution to West Hobart. We all thought that this would also help solve the lack of seating and thank Joan from the West Hobart community.
Today we are celebrating Joan's wonderful contribution to Tasmania, and especially her contribution to the community of West Hobart.
In the 1950's Joan trained as a midwife and worked in Australia and later England and Canada.
We know that Joan moved to Tasmania in 1964 and then trained as a Maths and Science teacher.
Joan was also invited to set up and manage a special school for girls who are at risk of expulsion or refused to go to school.
Joan has chaired the Alcohol and Drug Dependency Tribunal, was a member of the Accountability and Working Group as a part of the review of local government act, was the head of the School of Child Care at TAFE and was instrumental in establishing an Associate Diploma of Child Care, Trustee of the Tasmanian Peace Trust, a Member of the Republican Movement, a Life Member of the Labor Party and lots of other things that we really didn't understand.
However we do understand the phrase "a tireless worker" a role model for our community and a long time member of the Goulburn Street Primary Association. Joan has committed her life to advancing the principles of social justice. We are so thankful for inspiring many of us to put others before yourself. Without her hard work and dedication this wonderful park and so many other things would not be there.
Dedicated to Joan Fitz-Nead AM
An extremely passionate West Hobart citizen who is making the world a more peaceful place. Goulburn Street Primary School 2013
… between 4.5 to 5.5 million people in Asia and the Pacific living with HIV.
… the vast majority of people living with HIV in the Asia Pacific region live in 11 countries: Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan, Thailand, Vietnam, and Papua New Guinea.
Life gets so busy and there is so much to be concerned by, which means that sometimes we forget about big issues facing others. HIV is one of those issues. We have to refocus on raising awareness of HIV. We need to come together as a community and support those who need us.
The Australian teams' visits resulted in the following observations and conclusions:
1. Registered voters were enthusiastic in their desire to exercise their democratic right to cast their ballots, and that desire was appropriately facilitated by officials and security personnel working in most of the election centres;
2. Security was sufficient for voters to feel confident in attending voting centres even against the atmosphere of threat that parties boycotting the election attempted to instil;
3. Procedures and practices observed by Australian teams provided the expectation of a free, inclusive and transparent election which would lead to a fair and accurate outcome in terms of voters' political preferences.
4. Voter education and provision of voter ID cards (although delayed until the last minute) had enabled voters to basically understand voting procedures and facilitated entry/exit at the polling centres.
… … …
The Australian observer teams and the Australian Parliament congratulate the Election Commission of Nepal, the Chairman and Interim Election Council of Ministers, and the people of Nepal in the carriage of a transparent and fair election which saw a turnout of over 75% of registered voters.
Hopefully there will be fewer smaller-scale, inefficient operators but more choice for clients. Hopefully that adds up to a better quality of life.
We are in billets, and still a good many miles from the front line. Despite this, the big guns are plainly heard and in the evenings the flashes would remind you of sheet lightning—only more consistent. The German planes bomb the villages all round us and it's nothing to hear the anti-aircraft guns burst out all of a sudden, and the firing taken up all along the route of the German aircraft.
Had two days on the march and it was pretty hard work. Had very nice billets to camp in the first night—a big barn and plenty of dry straw. Not so good here, though, as we got washed out of our tent, and I could not produce much that is dry now except my throat. It looked fine early in the evening and I had a fairly comfy cot in a turnip patch but alas all that rain and mud. It is also pretty lively here about, especially in the air and all night long the big guns are flashing—just like a big thunderstorm coming up.
We have had a very lively time, part of which was spent in the front line on ground that the battalion we relieved had wrested from the Germans. The scenes up that way were not too nice, and neither are the smells. The way the ground is cut up by the big stuff is beyond description, as indeed everything in connection with it is. The weather has remained delightfully fine throughout, and in fact the moon could not have shone more peacefully one night while we stood by waiting for the Germans, who would not come. It is pretty hard coming out as well as going in. We have been out a few days and are now perhaps 15 miles back and wait hourly for the command to go forward again. A nuisance though, as the weather broke a few days ago, and since then it has been wet and stormy, and not too hot either. Our casualties were light considering the worst is the big stuff lobbing nearby, which puts a nasty taste in one's mouth.
Had a funny experience one afternoon. The Germans started to bombard us during a heavy thunderstorm and hail shower. While the hailstones were coming down, trees, mud, and dugouts et cetera were going up, and it is hard to say which was the loudest, the shells bursting or the thunder. If I grinned it was a pretty sickly one. We are out of range of his guns here, but every night German planes come along with bombs et cetera, but they drop few and far between, and we do not worry our heads about them. Bit of a nuisance though when 'lights out' rings through the lines.
In this camp we have got fairly comfortable wooden huts that are at least dry. Up to now we have been in tents, but they are not too good in the rain and mud. We will be going into the front line again in a day or so and only hope the weather will be fine for our next performance.
Did a record sprint one morning just near the line. A few of us were digging in one morning when a German plane came and spotted us, and in a few minutes shells began to arrive. One chap was killed, and we decided to go back to our previous dugout. Got ready to hop out, waited for the next one to lob—it was only about three yards over the trench—and away we went.
The winter is making itself felt pretty well now and the rain and mud is the limit. Marching, or rather scrambling through the mud on a cold rainy night makes one think of Take me back to Dear old Blighty . The troops are cheerful, though.
Just a word to let you know I have been damaged. Left Belgium on the 15th. Marched a few miles, entrained, and at 3 am on the 16th there was a collision. It was some bang. I finished up somewhere on top of the next carriage. I was pinned down for perhaps 20 minutes. Eventually I was taken to a French house on a stretcher and then to here per motor ambulance. No bones broken—they must have bent instead. A bit bruised about the hips, thighs, back, arms, legs and two lovely black eyes—otherwise I am not too bad. I have been a bit seedy, but bobbing up well now, and can nearly get my head off the pillow. I am amongst the luckiest as there must have been a good many broken limbs, and one or two deaths.
I think I was at the centre of the carriage facing the front. Was sort of dozing when I heard a crash coming from the front like a very sudden stop, which of course it was, and then 'bang'—men, rifles, equipment and wreckage were all thrown forward in sweet confusion.
Some were thrown clean out, others under wheels, and some others, including yours truly, finished somewhere in the next carriage. I knew I was not anything like as badly hurt as most of them appeared to be, but I could only move my shoulders and arms. I remained in the wreckage for the 20 minutes or so, and was highly pleased that the usual fire did not break out. Luckily, I didn't require much attention and was packed into a motor ambulance and brought here about daylight
My appetite just about returned in time for the Christmas dinner, as I had been off my food a bit up till then and I would have been very disappointed had I not been good enough to eat too much. Had a bottle a dinkum English beer to help it down too. Each patient received a Christmas box from the British Red Cross with pipe tobacco and chocolates et cetera. All was warm and cheery inside, but outside it was snowing and blowing a treat—what they are pleased to call a real English Christmas.
Joves, though, I pitied the poor beggars holding the trenches. Just before Christmas we had an air raid, with bombs falling close enough to shake this building. Some of the dead and dying were brought in here.
It is a shame that the issue has been entirely overtaken by partisan politics. The Government has done itself no credit in getting to this position. It would be reasonable to expect that during six years in opposition, the coalition might have been able to formulate a cohesive education policy but the flip-flopping over the past few weeks shows a surprising lack of commitment.
It was, therefore, no surprise to those who knew his character and had note of the military lore stored in his mind when he was appointed to be commander of the 2/27th battalion, even though there were numerous candidates who had already distinguished themselves on the field of battle.
He was not a bombastic man in any way, and under his leadership and guidance the battalion became an efficient unit when the battalion went into action in the Syrian campaign. He proved to be a good leader and his tactical knowledge was evident. The battalion record in the campaign was sound and this was all due to his leadership.
I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women.
… my deputy company commander was a terrorist. He was a settler, an Arab-hater, and they used to scare the Arabs. There was one arrest mission where I was with him and he slapped some Palestinian right in front of his children ... Instead of taking the guy out, I dunno, so at least they wouldn't witness it, because at that moment you produced another—there were three kids there?—three brand new terrorists.
No, I was in the swing of things. I knew it was wrong but I didn't have so much time to think about it.
It's all in there. What they are selling is Israel's "experience" and expertise gained from the occupation and its conflicts with its neighbours
The Occupied Territories are crucial as a laboratory not just in terms of Israel's internal security but because they have allowed Israel to become pivotal to the global homeland security industry. Other states need Israel's expertise … in turn … states exert no real pressure on Israel to give up the Occupied Territories because of their mutually reinforcing interests.
Given the continuing disregard by Israel of calls to halt settlement expansion in the Occupied Territories, including East Jerusalem, the Australian Greens:
We do not wish to fund companies that so directly contribute to violations of international humanitarian law.
… every soldier who has served in the Occupied Territories has these images of breaking into a house in the middle of the night; little children are crying; you wake up the family. That is constant. You have patrols that bump into random houses and disrupt the life of people—that is the idea. It is what we call in the military "to create the feeling of being chased". This is what our society is made of, you cannot ignore it, you cannot just run away from it—this is who we are … this is something we should face.'
Let me ask you something: How, if you say you're working for peace and you want peace and a Palestine that is a whole, Palestinian that belongs to the people who live there, how can you say we're planning to build in the place that will eventually be Palestine? It sends a message that somehow perhaps you're not really serious.
Everything has been restricted by the occupation and now by the siege on Gaza. You are dealing with it all the time, you are seeing people's lives basically being destroyed. I think it is very difficult for people outside to really understand what is happening. Gazans are tired, they have been through so much—people cannot leave, students lose scholarships. People die a little inside every time.
Remember that the traditions of this City will be the traditions of Australia. Let us hope that they will be the traditions of freedom, of peace, of honour, and of prosperity; that here will be reflected all that is finest and noblest in the national life of the country; that here a city may arise where those responsible for the government of this country in the future may seek and find inspiration in its noble buildings, its broad avenues, its shaded parks, and sheltered gardens—a city perhaps bearing some resemblance to the city beautiful of our dreams.
Such an opportunity as this, the Commonwealth selecting a site for its national city in almost virgin country, comes to few nations, and comes but once in a history.