The SPEAKER (Mr Harry Jenkins) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Clean Energy Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Income Tax Rates Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Household Assistance Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Tax Laws Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Fuel Tax Legislation Amendment) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2011
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2011
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Unit Shortfall Charge—General) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Unit Issue Charge—Auctions) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Unit Issue Charge—Fixed Charge) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (International Unit Surrender Charge) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Charges—Customs) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Charges—Excise) Bill 2011
Clean Energy Regulator Bill 2011
Climate Change Authority Bill 2011
Steel Transformation Plan Bill 2011
The world's largest aluminium company, Rusal, has launched a scathing attack on the Gillard Government's carbon tax and emissions scheme, saying it puts its key Queensland project at risk.
In a submission to the Federal Government Rusal said that the clean energy legislative package—the carbon tax and Emissions Trading Scheme—was a threat to the viability of the Russian group's major investment in Australia.
Rusal Australia, which owns 20 per cent of Queensland Alumina, one of the world's largest aluminium refineries, expressed concerns over the number of free permits to be allocated. Rusal Australia chairman John Hannagan said the refinery would receive free permits for 75 per cent of its emissions in the first year. 'For this year at Queensland Alumina Ltd it will cost us around $30 million,' Mr Hannagan said.
There is only one effective, sustainable way to produce "green jobs," and that is with a fixed, durable, long-term price signal that raises the price of dirty fuels and thereby creates sustained consumer demand for, and sustained private sector investment in, renewables.
I do not accept the premise of anthropogenic climate change, I do not accept that we are causing significant global warming and I reject the findings of the IPCC and its local scientific affiliates.
I support the direct action plan of the coalition to address climate change. It is a 'no regrets' policy. What that means is that, even if you do not believe that climate change is happening, even if you do not believe the government should take action on climate change, because it is a hologram, these are still good policies …
There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead.
… the argument that a reduction in carbon dioxide will somehow prevent future drought, or even increase rainfall, is entirely spurious.
… we cannot escape history. We of this Congress and this administration, will be remembered in spite of ourselves. No personal significance, or insignificance, can spare one or another of us. The fiery trial through which we pass, will light us down, in honor or dishonor, to the latest generation.
… threatens our jobs, [and] it would be absurd to tax French companies while giving—
to those in polluting countries.
… because we as Liberals believed in the superior efficiency of the free market to set a price on carbon.
Inevitably we'll have a price on carbon … we'll have to.
… if you want to put a price on carbon, why not just do it with a simple tax? … Why not ask electricity consumers to pay more? And then at the end of the year, you can take your invoices to the tax office and get a rebate. It would be burdensome—all taxes are burdensome—but it would certainly raise the price of carbon without increasing in any way the overall tax burden.
But first, let me say straight up that the question of whether or to what extent human activity is causing global warming is not a matter of ideology let alone of belief. The matter is simply one of risk management. It is, moreover, not a question of left versus right. Indeed, it was Margaret Thatcher who more than 20 years ago called for immediate action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions …
… … …
If Margaret Thatcher took climate change seriously—
and believed we should take action to reduce global greenhouse emissions, then taking action and supporting and accepting the science can hardly be the mark of insipient Bolshevism.
If we fail to dare, if we do not try, the next generation will harvest the fruit of our indifference; a world we did not want—a world we did not choose—but a world we could have made better …
Regarding the potential impact on the higher education sector as a whole, given we expect Bond will be impacted and Bond is very small, it seems most likely that all of the 39 universities in the higher education total sector will also exceed the threshold of 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide per year unless the Government decides they are specifically exempted. We could find no such exemption in the Government's information on the proposed carbon tax.
Most other universities are considerably larger than Bond. Bond's expenditure comprises around 0.7 per cent of sector expenditure. If we were to scale up to the sector level Bond's estimated proposed carbon tax impact of $2 million per year, we would get a sector-wide impact of the proposed carbon tax in the range of $200 million to $300 million.
The best way is to make polluters pay by putting a price on carbon. So that is the policy of the government I lead. And that is the plan which is before the House now. … Today we move from words to deeds. This parliament is going to get this done. There will be a price on carbon from 1 July 2012.
People remain sceptical about the Government's ability to administer such a complicated plan which involves a myriad of reforms and assistance programs.
The Government does not have a good track record of administering such programs—just witness the Building the Education Revolution and the home-insulation program.
Many of them will feel that this scheme will be little more than a huge washing machine where money swirls around and around … The Government's figures on how much the scheme will cost and how the compensation package will leave households better off appear to be a little rubbery …
Employment continues to grow strongly, with national employment increasing by 1.6 million jobs by 2020, with or without carbon pricing.
The poorest countries are already in those parts of the world most exposed to climate change. In these countries, the poorest are driven to live in vulnerable circumstances. Tenure is fragile. These families get the crumbling river banks or steep hillsides, unproductive land or flood plains, so the impact of wild weather is worst in the poorest communities.
The latest information I have seen shows that the CO2 levels are high and that the rate of accumulation is accelerating. The scientists who study this would argue that it is getting to the point where something has to be done quickly in order to cap them at least and start to have them decrease over a sensible period of time. You could easily argue that it is urgent and that something needs to be done because of the high level presently and the accelerating accumulation presently. We do need to do something.
Now, I did say during the last election campaign—I promised—that there would be no carbon tax. That's true and I've walked away from that commitment and I'm not going to try and pretend anything else. I also said to the Australian people in the last election campaign that we needed to act on climate change. We needed to price carbon and I wanted to see an emissions trading scheme. Then we had the election and the 17 days that were, and we formed this minority government. Now, if I'd been leading a majority government I would have been getting on with an emissions trading scheme. It's what I promised the Australian people. As it is, in this minority parliament, the only way I can act on climate change by pricing carbon is to work with others. And so I had a really stark choice. Do I act or not act? Well, I've chosen to act and we will have a fixed price, like a carbon tax, for a period and then get to exactly what I promised the Australian people, an emissions trading scheme.
Well, Laurie, 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, and that is actually the responsible course of action.
… each year of delay would mean more opportunities are lost or become harder and more expensive to catch up. ClimateWorks' previous research has found that delaying action on climate change to 2015 would increase the cost for business and households by $5.5 billion to reach Australia's 5 per cent reduction target in 2020.
As Australia's major political parties squabbled last week over whether an MP should be granted leave from a vote on carbon price laws to witness the birth of his child, arguably more serious statements about the future of carbon policy were being made overseas.
In China, the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide and a country often painted as indifferent to climate change policy, the State Council announced individual targets for provinces and cities that would require them to cut the amount of energy used to run their economies.
Every breath you take
Every cent you make
With every promise they break
There'll be no escape
She'll be taxing you
Every single day
More and more you pay
Carbon tax
You obey
It's the Labor way
She'll be taxing you
The Chinese must think Gillard a fool. Vivid Economics—
has been colourful with its analysis. They wildly overstate China's and wildly understate Australia's implicit carbon price.
There are three kinds of lies: lies, damned lies and statistics.
There is a much better way to reduce emissions and the better way to reduce emissions is to work with the grain of the Australian people … to further encourage the intelligent, sensible things that Australians and Australian enterprises are doing now to reduce emissions.
That further statements by indulgence in relation to Professor Brian Schmidt, Nobel prizewinner in physics, be permitted in the Main Committee.
I will not be breaking faith with the people of Morton. I did it in 2010 and I've been constantly reminded by my voters that I did that. … This is about me keeping faith with the people who put me in office.
… it's nice to have someone in the parliamentary party who understands foreign affairs at last.
The global economy is in a dangerous new phase.
Australia's performance since the onset of the global financial crisis has been enviable.
I say yes to carbon pricing, because this is the most important thing we can do for our nation this century.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Warringah moving immediately:
That this House calls on the Prime Minister to explain to the Australian people the following:
(1) why this is the right time to introduce the world’s largest carbon tax despite growing economic uncertainty; and
(2) why it is right for the Prime Minister to break her solemn pledge that “there will be no carbon tax under a government I lead” by bringing in this tax without the consent of the people.
I will not be breaking faith with the people of Moreton. I did it in 2010 and I've been constantly reminded by my voters that I did that.
People need to grow a bit of backbone and give the Australian people a chance to embrace and understand our policies.
This is not about loyalty to Julia Gillard or Kevin Rudd, it's about loyalty to the people of Moreton … This is about keeping faith with the people who put me in office.
That Mr K. J. Thomson be discharged from the Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and the Arts and that, in his place, Mr Lyons be appointed a member of the committee.
That the House take note of the following documents:
Administrative Review Council—Report for 2010-11.
Aged Care Commissioner—Report for 2010-11.
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission—Reports for 2009-10—Report 1: Telecommunications competitive safeguards; Report 2: Changes in the prices paid for telecommunications services in Australia.
Broadcasting Services Act 1992 —Digital television transmission and reception—Report, October 2011.
Customs Act 1901 —Conduct of Customs officers—Report for 2010-11.
Department of Finance and Deregulation—Campaign advertising by Australian Government departments and agencies—Report for 2010-11.
Finance—Final budget outcome for 2010-11.
NBN Co Limited—Statement of corporate intent for 2011 to 2013
That, for this sitting, so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent:
(1) Government business having precedence from 9.30 p.m. until 11 p.m.;
(2) the Speaker interrupting the debate at 11 p.m., if the House is still sitting, and immediately adjourning the House;
(3) any business being debated when the House is adjourned being listed on the Notice Paper for the next sitting; and
(4) any variation to this arrangement being made only by a motion moved by a minister.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent:
(1) the Treasurer, Shadow Treasurer and the Member for Lyne each making a 10 minute statement on tax reform in the House, during Government business time on Wednesday, 12 October 2011;
(2) after the conclusion of the statements in paragraph (1), five minute statements by Members on tax reform being listed as an item of business in the Main Committee; and
(3) any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.
Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Participants in British Nuclear Tests) Bill 2011
That the following bills be referred to the Main Committee for further consideration:
Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011, and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (Participants in British Nuclear Tests) Bill 2011.
The failure of the government to properly consider the impact of a carbon tax on jobs and cost of living in this time of economic uncertainty.
We on this side of the House understand the importance of jobs and the dignity of work. The dignity of work is so important not just to individual families but to an economy. That is why we put such a high priority on jobs.
Employment continues to grow strongly, with national employment increasing by 1.6 million jobs by 2020, with or without carbon pricing.
Key downside risks are that the global recovery stalls or Asian growth falters, impacting demand for commodities.
Superannuation investors aged between 55 and 59—
are set to receive a tax-free income boost if Carbon Tax relief measures are implemented, according to MLC Technical Services.
Pension investors of that age would be able to receive an extra $1500 in taxable pension income, without paying any tax.
From July 1 2015, they are likely to be entitled to an extra $2000 in tax-free income, compared to now.
Taking into the account the 15% pension tax offset, this would result in tax savings of around $280 and $360 respectively.
This means they can draw more income, if required, from their pension investment without paying any tax
Currently those in the 55-59 age bracket can receive taxable pension income of up to $48,158 before being taxed.
… support the proposed introduction of a carbon price as … a transition to a permit is trading system to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions.
… the economic cost of inaction … would far exceed the economic cost of action—
There is no way that America is going to put a price on carbon anytime soon. There is no way that the Chinese and the Indians are going to put a price on carbon until their peoples have a comparable standard of living to those of the advanced Western world.
Under the Clean Energy legislation, the Climate Change Authority will not set emissions limits or caps. It will make recommendations to the Government. The Government will set the caps through regulations. These will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny and disallowance.
… the Western Australian Treasury modelling predicts that Western Australian households within three years will be paying more than $2,120 a year for power compared with $1,515 a year now.
… according to the Housing Industry Association and the Master Builders Association the price of a new house will go up by at least $5,000 under a carbon tax.
There will be 45,000 jobs lost in energy-intensive industries. There will be 126,000 jobs lost mainly in regional Australia.
Clean Energy Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Income Tax Rates Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Household Assistance Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Tax Laws Amendments) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Fuel Tax Legislation Amendment) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Customs Tariff Amendment) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Excise Tariff Legislation Amendment) Bill 2011
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2011
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Unit Shortfall Charge—General) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Unit Issue Charge—Auctions) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Unit Issue Charge—Fixed Charge) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (International Unit Surrender Charge) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Charges—Customs) Bill 2011
Clean Energy (Charges—Excise) Bill 2011
Clean Energy Regulator Bill 2011
Climate Change Authority Bill 2011
Steel Transformation Plan Bill 2011
The IMF has issued a stark warning for the global economy highlighting that it has entered a dangerous new phase. Global activity has weakened and has become more unbalanced. Downside risks are also intensifying.
The report cautions that global financial risks remain very high, particularly in regions like the euro area, the United States and Japan.
… no country currently imposes an economy-wide tax on greenhouse gas emissions or has in place an economy-wide ETS.
We feel very happy to be here in a process which is moving forward for this nation's future.
It will force Junee businesses to adapt, pushing many to the edge of viability and others to downsize their operations. Starting a business in this climate might not seem like the wisest of ideas, with what you might call 'dark clouds' on the horizon.
That the bills, not including the Steel Transformation Plan Bill 2011, be now read a second time.
(1) Clause 5, page 12 (line 24), omit "covered emissions and legacy emissions", substitute "covered emissions, legacy emissions and exempt landfill emissions".
(2) Clause 5, page 14 (after line 22), after the definition of executive officer , insert:
exempt landfill emissions , in relation to a landfill facility, has the meaning given by section 32A.
(3) Clause 5, page 20 (line 26), after "sections", insert "11AA, 11AB,".
(4) Clause 20, page 38 (line 14), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(5) Clause 20, page 38 (line 31), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(6) Clause 21, page 41 (line 12), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(7) Clause 21, page 41 (line 29), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(8) Clause 22, page 44 (line 4), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(9) Clause 22, page 44 (line 20), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(10) Clause 23, page 45 (lines 25 and 26), omit "covered emissions and legacy emissions", substitute "covered emissions, legacy emissions and exempt landfill emissions".
(11) Clause 23, page 46 (lines 8 and 9), omit "covered emissions and legacy emissions", substitute "covered emissions, legacy emissions and exempt landfill emissions".
(12) Clause 23, page 47 (line 10), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(13) Clause 23, page 47 (line 27), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(14) Clause 24, page 49 (lines 26 and 27), omit "covered emissions and legacy emissions", substitute "covered emissions, legacy emissions and exempt landfill emissions".
(15) Clause 24, page 50 (lines 8 and 9), omit "covered emissions and legacy emissions", substitute "covered emissions, legacy emissions and exempt landfill emissions".
(16) Clause 24, page 51 (line 2), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(17) Clause 24, page 51 (line 19), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(18) Clause 25, page 53 (lines 23 and 24), omit "covered emissions and legacy emissions", substitute "covered emissions, legacy emissions and exempt landfill emissions".
(19) Clause 25, page 54 (lines 5 and 6), omit "covered emissions and legacy emissions", substitute "covered emissions, legacy emissions and exempt landfill emissions".
(20) Clause 25, page 54 (line 22), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(21) Clause 25, page 55 (line 7), omit "supply", substitute "use that resulted in that combustion".
(22) Clause 30, page 63 (after line 4), after subclause (9), insert:
Exclusion of exempt landfill emissions from landfill facilities
(9A) For the purposes of this Act, a covered emission from the operation of a landfill facility does not include exempt landfill emissions from the operation of the facility.
(23) Heading to Subdivision F, page 64 (line 1), omit "Legacy emissions", substitute "Emissions".
(24) Clause 32, page 64 (lines 9 and 10), omit "the regulations", substitute "a determination under subsection 10(3) of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 ".
(25) Page 64 (after line 12), at the end of Subdivision F, add:
32A Exempt landfill emissions
For the purposes of this Act, if:
(a) a person is a liable entity for an eligible financial year (the relevant eligible financial year ) under a particular provision of Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 3 in so far as that provision applies to a particular landfill facility; and
(b) the landfill facility's threshold number for the relevant eligible financial year is 10,000 for the purposes of that provision; and
(c) the following conditions are satisfied in relation to each earlier eligible financial year at any time during which the landfill facility was in existence:
(i) no person was a liable entity for the earlier eligible financial year under Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 3 in so far as that Subdivision applies to the landfill facility;
(ii) the landfill facility's threshold number for the earlier eligible financial year was 25,000 for the purposes of a provision of that Subdivision; and
(d) an amount of greenhouse gas was emitted from the operation of the landfill facility during:
(i) the relevant eligible financial year; or
(ii) a later eligible financial year; and
(e) waste was accepted by the landfill facility during the period:
(i) beginning on 1 July 2012; and
(ii) ending immediately before the start of the relevant eligible financial year;
so much of the amount mentioned in paragraph (d) as is, under a determination under subsection 10(3) of the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007 , taken to be attributable to waste accepted by the facility during the period mentioned in paragraph (e) is anexempt landfill emission from the operation of the landfill facility.
(26) Clause 33, page 65 (line 10), omit "supply", substitute "use".
(27) Clause 35, page 66 (after line 17), after paragraph (1)(a), insert:
(aa) it may reasonably be expected that the natural gas is wholly or partly for use by the OTN holder; and
(28) Clause 35, page 66 (line 19), omit "supply", substitute "use".
(29) Clause 35, page 68 (lines 33 to 35), omit paragraph (7)(c).
(30) Clause 36, page 70 (after line 2), after paragraph (1)(a), insert:
(aa) it may reasonably be expected that the natural gas is wholly or partly for use by the OTN holder; and
(31) Clause 36, page 70 (line 6), omit "supply", substitute "use".
(32) Page 70 (after line 21), at the end of Division 3, add:
36A Extended meaning of use
For the purposes of this Division, if:
(a) a person (the first person ) provides an amount of natural gas for use by another person; and
(b) the provision of the natural gas does not involve a supply of the natural gas;
any use of the natural gas by the other person is taken to be use by the first person.
(33) Clause 55B, page 83 (line 12), omit "supply", substitute "use".
(34) Clause 56, page 84 (after line 3), after paragraph (1)(a), insert:
(aa) it may reasonably be expected that the natural gas is wholly or partly for use by the recipient; and
(35) Clause 56, page 84 (line 5), omit "supply", substitute "use".
(36) Clause 56, page 84 (lines 7 and 8), omit paragraph (1)(d).
(37) Clause 56, page 85 (line 7), omit "the facility", substitute "an eligible facility of the applicant".
(38) Clause 56, page 85 (after line 12), after subclause (6), insert:
(6A) For the purposes of subsection (6), a facility is an eligible facility of the applicant if:
(a) the facility is under the operational control of the applicant; or
(b) the following conditions are satisfied:
(i) the facility is under the operational control of another person;
(ii) the applicant provides natural gas to the other person for use in the operation of the facility;
(iii) the provision of the natural gas does not involve a supply of the natural gas.
(39) Clause 57, page 85 (after line 19), after paragraph (1)(a), insert:
(aa) it may reasonably be expected that the natural gas is wholly or partly for use by the recipient; and
(40) Clause 57, page 85 (line 21), omit "supply", substitute "use".
(41) Clause 57, page 85 (lines 23 and 24), omit paragraph (1)(d), substitute:
(d) it is intended that the whole or a part of that amount will be used as a feedstock;
(42) Clause 58, page 86 (after line 14), after paragraph (1)(a), insert:
(aa) it may reasonably be expected that the natural gas is wholly or partly for use by the recipient; and
(43) Clause 58, page 86 (line 16), omit "supply", substitute "use".
(44) Clause 58, page 86 (lines 18 to 20), omit paragraph (1)(d), substitute:
(d) the natural gas is to be used, in the course of carrying on a business, to manufacture compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas or liquid petroleum gas;
(45) Page 87 (after line 4), at the end of Subdivision C, add:
58A Extended meaning of use
For the purposes of this Subdivision, if:
(a) a person (the first person ) provides an amount of natural gas for use by another person; and
(b) the provision of the natural gas does not involve a supply of the natural gas;
any use of the natural gas by the other person is taken to be use by the first person.
(46) Clause 92A, page 121 (after line 25), after subclause (4), insert:
(4A) For the purposes of this section, in determining whether an entity is entitled to a fuel tax credit in respect of the acquisition, manufacture or import of an amount of taxable fuel, disregard section 41-30 of the Fuel Tax Act 2006 .
(47) Clause 125, page 163 (lines 26 to 28), omit paragraph (7)(b), substitute:
(b) the number of eligible Australian carbon credit units exceeds:
(i) if at least 50% of the total of the interim emissions numbers of the person for the relevant eligible financial year is attributable to, or to estimates of, provisional emissions numbers under Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 3 (which deals with landfill facilities)—the total of the interim emissions numbers of the person for the relevant eligible financial year; or
(ii) otherwise—5% of the total of the interim emissions numbers of the person for the relevant eligible financial year;
(48) Clause 128, page 169 (lines 12 and 13), omit paragraph (7)(b), substitute:
(b) the number of eligible Australian carbon credit units exceeds:
(i) if at least 50% of the person's emissions number for the relevant eligible financial year is attributable to provisional emissions numbers under Subdivision B of Division 2 of Part 3 (which deals with landfill facilities)—the person's emissions number for the relevant eligible financial year; or
(ii) otherwise—the number worked out using the formula in subsection (8);
(1) Schedule 1, item 307, page 58 (line 17), after "11A,", insert "11AA, 11AB,".
(2) Schedule 1, page 65 (after line 12), after item 339, insert:
339AA At the end of section 10
Add:
(4) A determination under subsection (3) may also deal with matters required or permitted by section 32 or 32A of the Clean Energy Act 2011 to be dealt with by such a determination.
(3) Schedule 1, item 348, page 66 (line 8), after "11A,", insert "11AA, 11AB,".
(4) Schedule 1, item 349, page 66 (after line 27), after section 11A, insert:
11AA Operational control during part of fixed charge year—nominated person
Scope
(1) This section applies if the following conditions are satisfied in relation to a period that is included in, or consists of, the first 9 months of a fixed charge year:
(a) 2 or more persons could satisfy paragraph 11(1)(a) in relation to a facility throughout the period;
(b) no particular person has the greatest authority to introduce and implement the policies mentioned in subparagraphs 11(1)(a)(i) and (iii) in relation to the facility throughout the period;
(c) no declaration under section 55 or 55A applies in relation to the facility at any time during the period;
(d) as at the start of 1 April in the fixed charge year, it may reasonably be expected that a person would have had an interim emissions number for the fixed charge year if it were assumed that:
(i) the person had operational control over the facility throughout the period; and
(ii) none of the persons mentioned in paragraph (a) of this subsection had operational control over the facility throughout the period.
Nomination
(2) The persons mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) must, before the end of 30 April in the fixed charge year, jointly nominate one of them to be the nominated person in relation to the facility for the period.
Civil penalty: 1,000 penalty units.
(3) A nomination must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) be in a form approved by the Regulator; and
(c) be accompanied by such information as is specified in the regulations.
(4) If:
(a) any of those persons is a foreign person; and
(b) any of those persons is not a foreign person;
a foreign person cannot be nominated.
Operational control—nomination made
(5) If a nomination is made and the facility is a facility of a joint venture, the nominated person is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have operational control over the facility throughout the period.
(6) If a nomination is made and the facility is not a facility of a joint venture, the nominated person is taken, for the purposes of this Act and the Clean Energy Act 2011 , to haveoperational control over the facility throughout the period.
Operational control—nomination not made
(7) If no nomination is made and the facility is a facility of a joint venture, each of the persons mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is taken, for the purposes of this Act, to have operational control over the facility throughout the period.
(8) If no nomination is made and the facility is not a facility of a joint venture:
(a) each of the persons mentioned in paragraph (1)(a) is taken, for the purposes of this Act and the Clean Energy Act 2011 , to haveoperational control over the facility throughout the period; and
(b) if there is a provisional emissions number of such a person for the fixed charge year in relation to greenhouse gases emitted from the operation of the facility during the period—for the purposes of this Act and the Clean Energy Act 2011 , that provisional emissions number is taken to be the number worked out using the formula set out in subsection (9).
(9) The formula is:
Unadjusted provisional emissions number
Total Number of persons mentioned in
paragraph (1)(a)
where:
unadjusted provisional emissions number means the number that, apart from paragraph (8)(b), would be the provisional emissions number of the person for the fixed charge year in relation to greenhouse gases emitted from the operation of the facility during the period.
Exception
(10) A person is not required to comply with subsection (2) if the question of who has operational control of the facility is not relevant (whether directly or indirectly) to a requirement under:
(a) this Act; or
(b) the Clean Energy Act 2011 .
11AB Operational control during part of fixed charge year—trust with multiple trustees
Scope
(1) This section applies if the following conditions are satisfied in relation to a period that is included in, or consists of, the first 9 months of a fixed charge year:
(a) because of section 11, 11A or 11AA, a trust has operational control over a facility throughout the period;
(b) throughout the period, there are 2 or more trustees of the trust;
(c) no declaration under section 55 or 55A applies in relation to the facility at any time during the period;
(d) as at the start of 1 April in the fixed charge year, it may reasonably be expected that a person would have had an interim emissions number for the fixed charge year if it were assumed that:
(i) the person had operational control over the facility throughout the period; and
(ii) the trust did not have operational control over the facility throughout the period.
Nomination
(2) The trustees must, before the end of 30 April in the fixed charge year, jointly nominate one of them to be the nominated trustee in relation to the facility for the period.
Civil penalty: 1,000 penalty units.
(3) A nomination must:
(a) be in writing; and
(b) be in a form approved by the Regulator; and
(c) be accompanied by such information as is specified in the regulations.
(4) If:
(a) any of those trustees is a foreign person; and
(b) any of those trustees is not a foreign person;
a foreign person cannot be nominated.
Operational control
(5) If a nomination is made, the nominated trustee is taken, for the purposes of this Act and the Clean Energy Act 2011 , to haveoperational control over the facility throughout the period.
(6) If no nomination is made:
(a) each of those trustees is taken, for the purposes of this Act and the Clean Energy Act 2011 , to haveoperational control over the facility throughout the period; and
(b) if there is a provisional emissions number of such a trustee for the fixed charge year in relation to greenhouse gases emitted from the operation of the facility during the period—for the purposes of this Act and the Clean Energy Act 2011 , that provisional emissions number is taken to be the number worked out using the formula set out in subsection (7).
(7) The formula is:
Unadjusted provisional emissions number
Total Number of trustees mentioned in
paragraph (1)(b)
where:
unadjusted provisional emissions number means the number that, apart from paragraph (6)(b), would be the provisional emissions number of the trustee for the fixed charge year in relation to greenhouse gases emitted from the operation of the facility during the period.
Exception
(8) A trustee is not required to comply with subsection (2) if the question of who has operational control of the facility is not relevant (whether directly or indirectly) to a requirement under:
(a) this Act; or
(b) the Clean Energy Act 2011 .
(5) Schedule 1, item 349, page 67 (line 13), omit "period.", substitute "period;".
(6) Schedule 1, item 349, page 67 (after line 13), at the end of subsection 11B(1), add:
(d) if the period is included in a fixed charge year—section 11AA does not apply to the facility for the period.
(7) Schedule 1, item 349, page 68 (lines 16 to 24), omit paragraph 11B(8)(b), substitute:
(b) if there is a provisional emissions number of such a person for the eligible financial year in relation to greenhouse gases emitted from the operation of the facility during the period—for the purposes of this Act and the Clean Energy Act 2011 , that provisional emissions number is taken to be the number worked out using the formula set out in subsection (9).
(8) Schedule 1, item 349, page 68 (lines 30 and 31), omit "or the controlling corporation, as the case may be,".
(9) Schedule 1, item 349, page 69 (line 17), omit "period.", substitute "period;".
(10) Schedule 1, item 349, page 69 (after line 17), at the end of subsection 11C(1), add:
(d) if the period is included in a fixed charge year—section 11AB does not apply to the facility for the period.
(11) Schedule 3, item 1, page 174 (lines 12 and 13), omit subsection 11(2), substitute:
(2) The Regulator may refuse the application if the Regulator is satisfied that the applicant is not a fit and proper person.
(2A) For the purposes of subsection (2), in determining whether the applicant is a fit and proper person, the Regulator:
(a) must have regard to the matters specified in regulations made for the purposes of this subsection; and
(b) may have regard to such other matters (if any) as the Regulator considers relevant.
(12) Schedule 3, item 5, page 176 (lines 4 and 5), omit subsection 30A(5), substitute:
(5) The Regulator may, by written notice, suspend the registration of a registered person if the Regulator is satisfied that the registered person is not a fit and proper person.
(5A) For the purposes of subsection (5), in determining whether the registered person is a fit and proper person, the Regulator:
(a) must have regard to the matters specified in regulations made for the purposes of this subsection; and
(b) may have regard to such other matters (if any) as the Regulator considers relevant.
(13) Schedule 4, page 189 (after line 3), after item 25, insert:
25A After subsection 47(1)
Insert:
Effect of transmission
(1A) The transmission is of no force until the Administrator transfers the unit under subsection (7) or (8).
(1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 5 (after line 18), after paragraph 914(1)(b), insert:
(ba) the person is residing in Australia; and
(2) Schedule 1, item 1, page 5 (after line 26), after paragraph 914(2)(b), insert:
(ba) the person is residing in Australia; and
(3) Schedule 1, item 1, page 6 (line 4), omit "and (b)", substitute ", (b) and (ba)".
(4) Schedule 1, item 1, page 6 (after line 34), after paragraph 914A(1)(b), insert:
(ba) the person is residing in Australia; and
(5) Schedule 1, item 1, page 7 (after line 8), after paragraph 914A(2)(b), insert:
(ba) the person is residing in Australia; and
(6) Schedule 1, item 1, page 7 (after line 16), after paragraph 914A(3)(b), insert:
(ba) the person is residing in Australia; and
(7) Schedule 1, item 1, page 7 (line 22), omit "and (b)", substitute ", (b) and (ba)".
(8) Schedule 2, page 66 (after line 31), after item 15, insert:
15A At the end of section 62
Add:
(5) For the purposes of working out an individual's rate of family tax benefit, if the individual is an absent overseas recipient on a day (disregarding section 63A), then the following provisions do not apply in relation to that day:
(a) paragraph (cb) of step 1 of the method statement in clause 3 of Schedule 1;
(b) paragraph (e) of step 1 of the method statement in clause 25 of Schedule 1;
(c) paragraph 29(1)(c) of Schedule 1;
(d) paragraph (c) of step 1 of the method statement in subclause 29(2) of Schedule 1;
(e) paragraph 29A(2)(c) of Schedule 1.
(9) Schedule 2, page 66, after proposed item 15A, insert:
15B At the end of section 63
Add:
(5) For the purposes of working out an individual's rate of family tax benefit, if an FTB child of the individual is an absent overseas FTB child on a day (disregarding section 63A), then disregard that child in working out the amount applicable in relation to that day under the following provisions:
(a) paragraph (cb) of step 1 of the method statement in clause 3 of Schedule 1;
(b) paragraph (e) of step 1 of the method statement in clause 25 of Schedule 1;
(c) paragraph 29(1)(c) of Schedule 1;
(d) paragraph (c) of step 1 of the method statement in subclause 29(2) of Schedule 1;
(e) paragraph 29A(2)(c) of Schedule 1.
(10) Schedule 2, item 34, page 77 (line 13), omit "16", substitute "15A".
(11) Schedule 3, item 6, page 85 (after line 20), after paragraph 61A(1)(b), insert:
(ba) the person is residing in Australia; and
(12) Schedule 3, item 6, page 85 (after line 29), after paragraph 61A(2)(b), insert:
(ba) the person is residing in Australia; and
(13) Schedule 3, item 6, page 86 (line 4), omit "and (b)", substitute ", (b) and (ba)".
(14) Schedule 4, item 9, page 119 (after line 9), after paragraph 424A(1)(a), insert:
(aa) the person is residing in Australia on the test day; and
(15) Schedule 4, item 9, page 119 (after line 16), after paragraph 424A(2)(a), insert:
(aa) the person is residing in Australia on the test day; and
(16) Schedule 4, item 9, page 119 (line 19), after "met", insert ", the person is residing in Australia".
(17) Schedule 4, item 9, page 120 (after line 11), after paragraph 424B(1)(a), insert:
(aa) the person is residing in Australia on the test day; and
(18) Schedule 4, item 9, page 120 (after line 18), after paragraph 424B(2)(a), insert:
(aa) the person is residing in Australia on the test day; and
(19) Schedule 4, item 9, page 120 (line 21), after "met", insert ", the person is residing in Australia".
(20) Schedule 4, item 9, page 121 (after line 11), after paragraph 424C(1)(a), insert:
(aa) the person is residing in Australia on the test day; and
(21) Schedule 4, item 9, page 121 (after line 19), after paragraph 424C(2)(a), insert:
(aa) the person is residing in Australia on the test day; and
(22) Schedule 4, item 9, page 121 (line 22), after "met", insert ", the person is residing in Australia".
(1) Clause 49, page 26 (after line 23), after paragraph (1)(t), insert:
(ta) the Energy Security Council;
(1) Clause 2, page 1 (line 8) to page 5 (line 3), omit the clause, substitute:
2 Commencement
(1) The provisions of this Act commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
(2) A Proclamation for the purposes of subsection (1) must not be made until after elections have been held for the 44th Parliament and the Parliament has met.
There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead.
(1) Schedule 1, item 12, page 8 (after line 5), after paragraph 43-8(4)(b), insert:
(ba) you acquire, manufacture or import the fuel in a financial year for use in a business whose use of taxable fuel in the year has a *carbon dioxide equivalence of less than 25,000 tonnes; or
(2) Schedule 1, page 19 (after line 8), after item 24, insert:
24A Section 110-5
Insert:
carbon dioxide equivalence , in relation to taxable fuel, means the carbon dioxide equivalence of the amount of potential greenhouse gas emissions embodied in the fuel within the meaning of theClean Energy Act 2011 .
… the threat to our world comes not only from tyrants and their tanks. It can be more insidious though less visible. The danger of global warming is as yet unseen, but real enough for us to make changes and sacrifices, so that we do not live at the expense of future generations.
The steel industry is very important to Australia’s economy. From smelting to fabricating, steel employs about 90,000 people—critical to so many other sectors of our economy as well … So, steel is critical to our way of life, steel is important in our economy and I’ve been making the point up hill and down dale since the carbon tax was first announced …
Take a good look at this scene—you might not see it so often once the fun policy in Canberra hit us between the eyes with a carbon tax.
Tourists like Perth couple Stewart Jarvis and Kate Walker won't be able to afford the inflated airfares, the hiked-up hotel rates or the mark up on our theme parks as companies scramble to pass on the additional costs.
Chief killjoy Julia Gillard's attempt to sell the tax to the nation yesterday only reaffirmed fears here on the Coast that our number one industry, tourism, will be hit and hit hard.
Bond University expects to pay an additional $2 million a year under the Federal Government's carbon tax and says it will have to cut more than 100 jobs or raise tuition fees to compensate.
I write regarding your response to the member for Wannon in question time last Thursday regarding the impacts from the proposed carbon tax on the Australian dairy industry. Your response to the question infers that the likely cost impacts on dairy farming families and dairy companies are being misrepresented in the current debate. The Australian Dairy Industry Council strongly rejects any inference that we have or are engaging in misrepresentation on this issue. From the very start of public discussions on climate policy the ADIC has observed that the impacts of carbon pricing on Australian dairy farmers were likely to be significant, unless appropriately structured. Carbon pricing would lead to a sharp increase in dairy's key on-farm energy import, electricity, and the inevitable pass-back of higher energy and import costs for diary manufacturers to farm suppliers in the form of lower milk prices.
We don’t want to be lumbered with the energy sources and jobs of the 20th century, while the 21st century charges on without us.
Australia's decision to put a price on carbon emissions is in our view an important step both environmentally and economically, because it is in our European experience the most cost efficient way to reduce emissions and also a great green business opportunity.
…this is the most important thing we can do for our nation this century—
Portland Aluminium, located in my electorate of Wannon, directly employs 600 people. Across the country there are 60,000 jobs dependent on the aluminium industry. Will the Prime Minister guarantee that there will be no job losses in the aluminium industry as a result of the carbon tax?
I refer the Treasurer to a fact sheet from a group including the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Environment Victoria and Greenpeace, which claims:
'… if Alcoa’s aluminium smelting did go overseas, there would be a direct environmental benefit even if the same quantity of aluminium was produced.'
Does the Treasurer agree that relocating Australia's aluminium industry, including Portland Aluminium in my electorate, to countries that do not impose a tax on carbon would help reduce global emissions?
The Carbon Tax is the sort of charge against our business which we cannot recover from in an already highly price competitive market place …
This imposes a cost on us which I don’t believe is necessary or fair, because it is not imposed on the imports we compete against. These additional costs will make it a lot harder.
The 19 bills comprising the clean energy legislation and the Steel Transformation Plan Bill represent one of the most important environmental and economic reforms in this nation's history.
Well, certainly what we rejected is this hysterical allegation somehow that we are moving towards a carbon tax … We reject that.
In Queensland, fisheries are likely worth more than $200 million per year, mainly through the Great Barrier Reef system … and tourism is estimated to contribute $9.2 billion and employs 222,000 people …
… Labor's platform for re-election in 2013 is environmentally marginal, economically costly and likely to lead Labor to a historic electoral train wreck.
"One thing is sure—it won't change the world, but it could change the government"—
Mr Iemma accused the Gillard government of betraying the Hawke-Keating legacy of economic reform, instead embracing the environmental policies of the Greens' agenda.
"We embraced economic growth, and the benefits of economic growth, in the Hawke Keating era, but we're fighting this battle on the Greens' turf, not our turf. Bob Brown wants to replace the Labor Party as a major party."
… … …
He rejected the government's view that Australia's carbon tax was similar in scope to actions being taken by other countries.
"Every day there are reports of growth and development in China, its growth in emissions will far outstrip our total emissions," Mr Iemma said.
"The carbon tax at best reduces the rate of increase of emissions slightly."
If the world as a whole cut all emissions tomorrow, the average temperature of the planet's not going to drop for several hundred years, perhaps over 1000 years.
"… the Greens' agenda is anti-growth and anti-investment. Lower growth and lower investment leads to lower incomes and fewer jobs."
… New South Wales would be particularly hurt by the carbon tax in smelting steelworks and manufacturing in western Sydney.
"Voter reaction ranges from unease and uncertainty to outright hostility. I went down a coalmine myself recently and all the guys I spoke to were uncertain of their futures."
"We should always be standing shoulder to shoulder with steelworkers and miners and factory workers before we stand shoulder to shoulder with the likes of Bob Brown and Christine Milne."
Mr Iemma's comments reflect the growing concern of many Labor politicians in private.
… we took an emissions trading scheme to the last election. We believe in climate change action.
I believe passionately in climate change action.
We do not want the proposed carbon tax without an election on the issue.
Please vote against this tax or at least for a delay until after the next election.
(1) The provisions of this Act commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
(2) A Proclamation for the purposes of subsection (1) must not be made until after elections have been held for the 44th Parliament and the Parliament has met.
As the government's carbon tax finally goes to a vote in Parliament this week, remember two tough truths. First, nothing Australia does by itself will materially affect carbon emissions or the trajectory of the world's weather. Only concerted global action will make any difference.
Second, the chances of concerted global action are low and trending lower. Two years after the collapse at Copenhagen, momentum for a global plan is stalled. As the global economy teeters, this year's Durban follow-up meeting is expected to mark time.
The heart of the problem is the world's most complex, important and dangerous relationship - the edgy mix of implacable rivalry and mutual dependence between the US and China.
They are not just the world's two biggest economies, and the world's two biggest carbon emitters. They are also the world's most powerful diplomatic players. If they can agree together on a carbon emissions plan, they can make it happen. If they cannot agree, nothing will happen. It is as simple as that.
Those of us who do not believe the CSIRO is part of an international Green conspiracy to undermine Western civilisation or do not believe that leading scientists like Will Steffen are subversives should not be afraid to speak out, and loudly, on behalf of our scientists and our science. We must not allow ourselves to be deluded on this issue.
… … …
Now let me just say this to you: The idea that our country, this great country of ours, can sail through a 3, 4 or 5 or more degrees rise in temperature this century with our prosperity and freedom, let alone the Great Barrier Reef, intact is very naïve. So this is a big issue. So in the storm of this debate about carbon tax and direct action and what the right approach to climate change should be, do not fall into the trap of abandoning the science. Do not fall into the trap of thinking that what Lord Monckton says or what some website says is superior to what our leading scientists or leading universities would say.
I do think that there has been a war on science to some extent, an attack on climate scientists … So, it’s common sense, you’ve got to take the science seriously and I do.
Under responsible government, the executive is accountable to the parliament and the parliament to the people.
Armed with this research all parliamentarians should think again before burdening small business with the carbon tax …
We have an obligation to manage climate change responsibly on behalf of future generations, so that our prosperity today is a legacy they too can enjoy tomorrow. The Australian economy depends more on fossil fuels for its wealth generation and power supply than most developed economies and we are a significant supplier of energy to the world. Adjusting to a carbon-constrained economy will entail costs. We cannot change the structure of our economy overnight and we need to manage the transition with care.
Yet, as well as costs, the same transition will also present new opportunities. We are richly endowed with natural assets that will be valuable in a carbon-constrained world—
We are richly endowed with natural assets that will be valuable in a carbon-constrained world, including high-quality geological and biological sequestration sites, large uranium reserves and abundant renewable energy resources, including geothermal energy opportunities. An important component of Australia’s climate change policy is developing key low emissions technologies to realise these opportunities.
Climate change is a global problem and Australia cannot solve it alone. The multi-faceted response set out in this document will ensure Australia leads the world in our domestic approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and is a key player in effective international responses to climate change.
(1) The provisions of this Act commence on a date to be fixed by Proclamation.
(2) A Proclamation for the purposes of subsection (1) must not be made until after elections have been held for the 44th Parliament and the Parliament has met.
Well, certainly what we rejected is this hysterical allegation somehow that we are moving towards a carbon tax from the Liberals and their advertising. We certainly reject that.
Australia’s domestic policies will influence, and be influenced by, effective and practical international responses to climate change. It may take some time for a truly effective international framework for emissions reductions to emerge. It is likely that in the near term progress will be made through national and bilateral actions. A domestic emissions trading system, investment in low emissions technologies and energy efficiency measures in Australia will create opportunities as the international framework emerges.
The company expects that it would be eligible for government assistance via the Coal Sector Jobs Package which will assist in reducing the overall impact of the tax. However a substantive emissions management strategy is being developed as part of each mining operation to ensure that emissions are controlled.
Mr Jagatramka, Executive Chairman for GNCCL said "we have actively investigated action that will be undertaken to reduce our total emissions of greenhouse gases. The development of new underground roadways separate from the old and existing mine workings, supports the sealing off of these old workings and prevents waste gasses from being included in our mine's ventilation system. Into the future the company is committed to utilising ventilation controls, the sealing of old mining areas and gas drainage techniques that will allow the capture and flaring of gas."
Based upon this strategy and the above mentioned measures, the potential impacts of the carbon tax are expected to be around $2.70 per tonne of coal produced. It is apparent that the direct impacts of the carbon tax will be minimised and this is not expected to impinge on future growth of the company.
That the member for Indi be suspended from the service of the House.
I am writing to express my support for the Government to legislate to put a price on Carbon. I urge the government to continue to move ahead with the Carbon tax.
If a carbon tax passes parliament, higher prices that could do nothing for climate change become law. The government is introducing the world's largest carbon tax legislation in parliament this week, and if the world's largest carbon tax becomes law it effectively means higher prices will also become law. It will be the law for higher fuel prices for 60,000 businesses. It will be the law for higher electricity prices for every Australian family and business. It will be the law for higher public transport costs. It will be the law that raises costs for Australian manufacturers.
(1) How many ambassadors/high commissioners are fluent in the official language of the country in which they are currently posted.
(2) How many departmental officials are considered fluent in (a) Bahasa Indonesia or other Indonesian dialects, (b) Japanese, (c) Mandarin, (d) Hindi, (e) Korean, (f) Arabic, (g) French, and (h) German.
(1) 31 ambassadors/high commissioners are fluent in the official language of the country to which they are currently posted where English is not the official language.
(2) The following table shows the number of departmental officials fluent in the particular language:
(1) How many overseas delegations were sponsored by the Government in each calendar year from 2005 to 2010.
(2) From what countries were these delegations, and what were the names and positions of each delegation member.
(3) What was the total cost to the Government of these delegations in each calendar year from 2005 to 2010.
To provide the detailed information sought on overseas delegation visits would entail a significant diversion of resources requiring input from all departments and agencies and all overseas posts. I do not consider the additional work can be justified.
(1) How many cases of alleged corruption in Papua New Guinea (a) are currently being investigated, and (b) were investigated in each calendar year from 2005 to 2010.
(2) In each calendar year from 2005 to 2010, how many of the cases in part (1)(b) resulted in (a) dismissal, (b) fine, (c) demotion, or (d) other penalty being handed down.
(3) What sum of money was lost to corruption in Papua New Guinea in each calendar year from 2005 to 2010.
It is not possible to provide authoritative and reliable information in response to these questions.
I am advised that PNG authorities do not aggregate data on cases of alleged corruption. Therefore, there is no accurate information available from PNG to answer these questions. International organisations and their affiliates, such as Transparency International and Transparency International PNG Inc, provide general assessments of corruption related activity in PNG. However, detailed case information is not available.
In March 2010, the PNG Government tabled an 800-page Commission of Inquiry report on the management of public monies by the PNG Department of Finance. The Commission of Inquiry concluded that statutory processes had been grossly abused allowing improper claims for payment to be made on the State, and excessive payouts to be legitimised, over the investigation period of 2000 to 2006. However, corruption covers a range of offences wider than the misuse of public money covered in the Commission of Inquiry report.
Can health records of members of the Australian Defence Force, including (a) medical assessments, (b) psychological assessments, and (c) counselling interviews and records, be subpoenaed by either civilian or military prosecutors or other legal authorities; if so, can he say whether any such records were seized or subpoenaed as part of the general court martial proceedings brought against Sergeant J and Lance Corporal D in relation to the 12 February 2009 Civilian Casualty Incident in Afghanistan.
(1) Documents in the possession of the Department of Defence, including personnel records, in relation to Australian Defence Force members and Defence employees can be sought under subpoena or summons issued by a Court or Tribunal or under a statutory Notice to Produce. The type of documents that can be sought under subpoena, summons or statutory notice to produce in respect of Australian Defence Force members include health records such as a member's medical assessments, psychological assessments and counselling interviews and records.
Subsection 138(2) of the Defence Force Discipline Act 1982 (Cth) allows the Registrar of Military Justice to issue a summons ordering production of documents held by the Department of Defence for the purposes of a proceeding before a service tribunal. Summonses under subsection 138(2) can be issued at the request of either a defending officer or a prosecutor in the particular proceeding.
However, no medical assessments, psychological assessments, or counselling interviews and records, were subpoenaed or seized by either civilian or military prosecutors or other legal authorities as part of the general court martial proceedings brought against Sergeant J and Lance Corporal D in relation to the 12 February 2009 Civilian Casualty Incident in Afghanistan.
(2) Consistent with the Privacy Act 1988 , access to information from health records of Australian Defence Force members may also be given to Service police engaged in the investigation of a service offence under the Defence Force Discipline Act.
There is a Defence Instruction (General) which addresses the privacy of health information in Defence and, among other things, sets out the process for the Service Police to request access to health information of Defence members. This process includes criteria which are to be taken into account by an investigator in deciding to make request and a process to make the request. This process does not allow Service Police unlimited access to health information, such as psychological records, of members of the Defence Force. In effect the only information accessible by Service Police is information that serves a legitimate forensic purpose in respect of a particular Defence Force Discipline Act investigation.
During the investigation of possible service offences arising from 12 February 2009 Civilian Casualty Incident in Afghanistan, the Australian Defence Force Investigative Service (ADFIS) requested access to the psychological records of Sergeant J and Lance Corporal D in accordance with the guidance contained in the Defence Instruction. In requesting these records, ADFIS determined they were pertinent to the pursuit of an authorised Defence Force Discipline Act investigation and limited their request to documents concerning the deployment of these members to Afghanistan and to any subsequent treatment that could be related to their deployment. Relevant psychological records of both members were subsequently included in the ADFIS Brief of Evidence provided to military prosecutors.
Who are the members of the advisory committee that advised the Treasurer and the Treasury to increase the gross debt limit of Commonwealth Government Securities.
As noted in Statement 7 of Budget Paper 1 the panel included representatives of the Treasury, the AOFM, the Reserve Bank of Australia, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority and the State Treasury Corporations of NSW and Victoria. Private sector market participants in the panel included representatives of major retail banks, fund managers and investment banks.
(1) Is he aware of the announced closure of the Post Office in Bucasia, Mackay, by Australia Post?
(2) Is he able to intervene to stop the closure of the Bucasia Post Office; if not, what measures can Australia Post implement to ensure that there is easy access to postal and other services currently provided to Bucasia residents, particularly elderly residents, by the existing Bucasia Post Office.
(1) Australia Post has advised that the Licensee at Bucasia is seeking to relocate the Licensed Post Office (LPO) to a new shopping centre in the neighbouring suburb of Eimeo in March 2012. Australia Post is supporting the relocation of the LPO for the following reasons:
(2) No. As a Government Business Enterprise, Australia Post is responsible for the day-to-day running of the organisation, which includes making decisions about the opening, closing and relocating of postal outlets. Australia Post has advised that it invited more than 350 local residents to a community meeting on 29 June 2011 to discuss the proposed relocation of the LPO and seek feedback. The 13 residents who attended the meeting were advised a large proportion of Bucasia residents already travel to other areas for work and shopping and, consequently, use the postal services in those areas. The street posting boxes will be retained in Bucasia so local residents can continue to post their mail. The proposed location for the LPO is easily accessible by bus and will have dedicated parking for LPO customers.
In respect of the Tourism division of his department, what are the details of all: (a) leased offices, including the (i) address, (ii) size, (iii) total sum of annual rent (in Australian dollars), and (iv) sum of annual rent per square metre (in Australian dollars); and (b) offices owned by his department, including the (i) address, (ii) size, and (iii) annual depreciation expense.
(a) The Tourism Division does not lease or rent offices.
(b) The Department of Resources, Energy & Tourism does not own any offices.
In respect of Tourism Australia:
(1) A s at 1 July 2011, what total number of staff were employed by this agency.
(2) As at 1 July 2011, in respect of (a) APS 1, (b) APS 2, (c) APS 3, (d) APS 4, (e) APS 5, (f) APS 6, (g) EL 1, and (h) EL 2, officers, what number were (i) ongoing, (ii) non-ongoing, (iii) full-time, and (iv) part-time, and based in (v) Canberra, (vi) Sydney, (vii) elsewhere in Australia, and (viii) overseas.
(3) As at 1 July 2011, what number of SES Band (a) 1, (b) 2, and (c) 3, officers were (i) ongoing, and (ii) non-ongoing, and what were their (iii) job titles, (iv) common law agreement start and end dates, (v) office locations, and (vi) salary ranges.
(1) 216 (including 8 staff on maternity leave)
(2) Tourism Australia does not employ staff under the APS classification framework and instead uses a 7 Band system. Bands 1 to 4 inclusive closely approximate APS and EL classifications. In this group:
171 staff were employed on an ongoing basis
15 staff were employed on a fixed term basis
169 staff were employed on a Full-time basis
17 staff were employed on a Part-time basis
0 staff were employed in Canberra
99 staff were employed in Sydney
86 staff were employed overseas
(3) Tourism Australia does not employ staff under the APS classification framework; rather it uses its own 7 Band system. Bands 5 to 7 inclusive closely approximate SES classifications. In this group:
6 staff were employed on an ongoing basis
24 staff were employed on a fixed term basis
The positions titles were:
Manager, Consumer & Market Insights; Marketing Communications Manager, Japan; Country Manager, Korea; Partnership, Distribution & Business Events Manager, SSEAsia; Country Manager, Malaysia; Manager Domestic Marketing; Manager, Global Public Relations; General Manager Finance and Procurement; General Manager, People & Culture; Chief Technology Officer; Manager, Industry Development; General Manager Business Events Australia; Head of Asia Development; Chief Representative, China; General Manager, New Zealand; Country Manager, Singapore; Regional General Manager, Japan; General Manager, Consumer Marketing; General Manager, Strategy & Research; General Manager International Markets; Regional General Manager Continental Europe; Regional General Manager, North Asia; Regional General Manager, UK/Northern Europe; Regional General Manager, Americas; Regional General Manager, S/SE Asia & Gulf; Executive General Manager Consumer Marketing; General Manager Corporate Services; Executive General Manager Strategic Projects; Executive General Manager Marketing Operations; and Managing Director.
The offices these staff were employed in are Sydney; Tokyo; Seoul; Kuala Lumpur; Shanghai; Auckland; Singapore; Frankfurt; Hong Kong; London and Los Angeles
As a general rule, executive staff are employed on common law contracts for a 3 year fixed term. Contracts expire to the following schedule:
1 in August 2011; 1 in September 2011; 1 in November 2011; 1 in January 2012; 2 in March 2012; 1 in August 2012; 1 in September 2012; 2 in November 2012; 1 in February 2013; 2 in August 2013; 1 in October 2013; 1 in December 2013; 1 in January 2014; 1 in May 2014; 3 in Jun 2014; 2 in August 2014; 1 in September 2014; and 1 November 2014.
The salary range for each country is as follows:
Sydney Band 5 from $149,980 to 224,971: Band 6 from $188,882 to 238,323; Band 7 from $231,416 to 347,125
Tokyo Band 5 from ¥13,571,962 to 21,142,763; Band 6 from ¥15,642,262 to 24,367,930
Seoul Band 5 from ₩98,272,200 to 148,308,300
Kuala Lumpur Band 5 from RM222,357 to 333,536
Shanghai Band 5 from ¥594,621 to 891,931
Auckland Band 5 from NZD136,441 to 204,661
Singapore Band 5 from S$173,070 to 259,605; Band 6 from S$244,442 to 166,663
Frankfurt Band 5 from €97,977 to 153,088: Band 6 from €128,963 to 193,445
Hong Kong Band 5 from HK$1,416,665 to 2,124,998; Band 6 from HK$2,161,979 to 3,242,968
London Band 5 from £71,023 to 106,085; Band 6 from £92,938 to 139,408; and
Los Angeles Band 5 from US$105,025 to 157,537: Band 6 from US$136,879 to 205,139
In respect of Tourism Australia in 2010-11:
(1) What sum of program expenditure was spent on (a) advertising, (b) hospitality or entertainment, (c) information and communication technologies, (d) consultants, (e) staff training and education, (f) external accounting services, (g) external auditing services, and (h) external legal services.
(2) What are the details of all grants paid, including the (a) recipient, (b) date announced, (c) date that the first payment was dispatched, and (d) date that the last grant payment was due.
(3) What was the total travel expenditure for staff employed in this agency.
(4) What was the travel expenditure for (a) first class, (b) business class, (c) premium economy class, (d) economy class, and (e) in total, for (i) domestic, and (ii) international, travel.
(1) (a) $59,166,393
(b) $243,486
(c) $6,637,613
(d) $350,701 (this excludes legal and audit costs which are shown separately below)
(e) $481,078
(f) Nil.
(g) ANAO $105,332 and internal auditor $229,841. Total: $335,173
(h) $406,220
(2) Not applicable
(3) $2,627,952
(4) Tourism Australia has employees across international offices and travel is classified as in region or out of region, which correlates to the classification of "Domestic" and "International".
Total in region travels costs: $1,393,858; Total out of region travel costs: $1,234,094.
Do investment guidelines exist for ethical investment of public money, including the Future Fund; if so, are they publicly available; if not, what steps are being taken to introduce ethical investing guidelines throughout the Commonwealth public sector.
The broad framework for the management of public money and property is contained within the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997 which includes the requirement that agency Chief Executives manage agencies' affairs in a way that promotes the efficient, effective and ethical use of Commonwealth resources.
Investment policies are the responsibility of the relevant investment bodies, subject to the legislation applying to these bodies. For example, the Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation, which is the consolidated trustee board for Commonwealth superannuation schemes, details its environmental, social and governance practices on its website (http://www.aria.gov.au/about/governance/esg.html).
The Future Fund Act 2006 sets out the main objective of the Fund, which is to enhance the Commonwealth's ability to discharge unfunded superannuation liabilities.
The Government expresses its broad expectations for the investments and management of the Future Fund through the issuance of Investment Mandate Directions (the Investment Mandate). The Investment Mandate was issued by the previous government in 2006.
The Government is committed to ensuring that the investment activities of the Future Fund Board of Guardians (the Board) remain independent of Government and for this reason does not interfere in its investment decisions. This is in the best interest of the tax payer.
The Board has a Statement of Investment Policies for the governance and management of the Future Fund. This is a public document and the current version is available on the Future Fund website (www.futurefund.gov.au) under 'Investment'.
Among other matters included in its Statement of Investment Policies, the Future Fund has made it clear that it expects to consider investments across a wide variety of economic activities, provided they are legal in Australia and do not contravene international conventions to which Australia is a signatory.
(1) Is he aware that data on the United States Department of Agriculture's website indicates that substantial quantities of beef and beef products have been exported to Australia since 2003.
(2) Is it a fact that beef or beef products have been imported into Australia from the United States of America (USA) since 2003.
(3) What is the Government's position on the threat of Bovine Spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) contaminated beef and beef products emanating from the USA, and how is the Government disseminating information to Australian consumers about the potential health threat this poses.
(4) What steps is the Government taking to curtail the importation of beef and beef products from the USA to protect consumers and encourage greater consumption of Australian grown, BSE-free beef.
(1) Yes. Notwithstanding the US Department of Agriculture export statistics, the United States (US) Government has publicly confirmed that no US-sourced cattle, or fresh, chilled or frozen US beef has been exported to Australia since December 2003.
Australian official import statistics are the source of information on beef imports on which the Australian Government relies. These are based on documentation accompanying product cleared at the border. This is supported by import permit information held by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.
(2) Australia has not imported beef from cattle slaughtered in the US after December 2003.
There are valid import permits for beef that is processed in the US, but only where the beef is sourced from the following approved countries: Australia, New Zealand, Brazil, Argentina, and Uruguay. Australia's import permits for these beef products set stringent conditions to ensure that beef from approved countries does not co-mingle in the production process with beef from the US.
(3) The Government will not permit the importation of BSE contaminated beef from any country.
(4) Australia has not imported beef from cattle slaughtered in the US after December 2003.
Under Australia's new BSE policy for imported beef, countries that have had one or more cases of BSE in their cattle herd (such as the US) can apply to be assessed for access to Australia's beef market. Applications to import beef will be assessed by Australian authorities under two procedures – a food safety risk assessment by Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) and an import risk analysis (IRA) by Biosecurity Australia for animal health issues.
Biosecurity Australia commenced a regulated IRA of all animal health issues (not just BSE) for beef and beef products from the US on 8 April 2010. Work on the IRA for beef and beef products from the US was paused on 4 February 2011 pending the US providing complete information on its cattle health status, beef production, inspection and certification systems. As at August 2011, this information has still not been provided.
FSANZ commenced a BSE food safety risk assessment in August 2010. Completion of the US assessment is on hold pending an in-country inspection of US beef production systems at a date yet to be agreed with the US authorities.
Is the Government aware that the Australian Red Cross has approved a proposal to undertake a leading role within the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement, to publicly support an international convention rendering the use of nuclear weapons clearly illegal under international law; if so, will the Government consider supporting the development of such a convention and undertake to become a signatory to such an instrument.
The Australian Government is aware of the Australian Red Cross' proposal to publicly support and advocate for an international convention to prohibit the use of nuclear weapons.
Australia is a steadfast supporter of nuclear non-proliferation and disarmament, including through support for the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, the International Atomic Energy Agency and the multilateral United Nations disarmament machinery. The Government is firmly committed to the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons. The international community may need to explore possible legal frameworks for the eventual abolition of nuclear weapons, such as the convention proposed by the Australian Red Cross, as prospects for multilateral disarmament improve. The Government places priority on promoting: an immediate start to negotiation of a Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty; entry into force of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty; stronger international nuclear safeguards, particularly through universalisation of the International Atomic Energy Agency Additional Protocol; and greater transparency in nuclear disarmament reporting. The Government sees these measures as collectively contributing to nuclear non-proliferation and to achieving the goal of a world free of nuclear weapons.
(1) parties to each Deed of Agreement, by geographical location, and
(2) service charges that each contractor with the Commonwealth will be paid per item/service pursuant to the respective agreement, in a form similar to that set out in Schedule 3, clause 1.1 of the standard Deed of Agreement that his department has made publicly available.
(1) The following Deeds of Agreement, parties, by geographical location, have been entered into for the provision of services related to the Digital Switchover Scheme:
(2) Service charges under the Deeds of Agreement are not disclosed. Disclosure of this material would compromise future negotiations with tenderers in remaining switchover areas.
How many retail customers signed up for fixed-line National Broadband Network services in the weeks ending(a) 1 July 2011, (b) 8 July 2011, (c) 15 July 2011 (d) 22 July 2011 (e) 29 July 2011, and (f) 5 August 2011, what services did they sign up for and at what speed?
NBN Co Limited (NBN Co) has reporting obligations defined in the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997, the Governance Arrangements for Commonwealth Government Business Enterprises June 1997 and the Corporations Act 2001. The NBN Co Annual Report will include details of progress towards meeting its coverage objectives and expenditure in doing so. NBN Co is required to submit its Annual Report to Shareholder Ministers for tabling at least 4 months after the end of the financial year. NBN Co will be including updated information in its Corporate Plan in line with the timetable established by Government.
The Joint Committee on the National Broadband Network (NBN) has been appointed to inquire into the NBN rollout and report every six months to the Parliament and its Shareholder Ministers. Information on progress with the NBN rollout will be provided for the Committee’s six-monthly reports.
(1) What was the portfolio expenditure for his department in 2010-11 for (a) advertising, (b) travel, including (i) business, (ii) economy, (iii) first class, (iv) international, and (v) domestic, (c) hospitality and entertainment, (d) information and communications technology, (e) consultants, (f) education and training of staff, (g) external (i) accounting, (ii) auditing, and (iii) legal, services, and (h) memberships or grants paid to affiliate organisations.
(2) For (a) to (h) above, what is the breakdown of expenditure for the following programs identified in the 2010-11 Portfolio Budget Statement: (a) infrastructure investment; (b) transport security; (c) surface transport; (d) road safety; and (e) air transport.
Information on expenditure can be found in the Department's Annual Report.
Further to his answer to question in writing No. 405 ( House Hansard , 7 July 2011, page 8123), what sum of savings has resulted from the Cooroy to Curra Section B Project.
After 12 years of inaction by the Howard Government, the Gillard Labor Government is delivering the long overdue upgrade between Cooroy to Curra, Section B. It is being delivered on schedule and under budget.
(1) When were the (a) request for tender documentation, and (b) tender of the successful tenderer, for the Defence Export Control Office (DECO) replacement IT system released.
(2) Which company was awarded the DECO IT system replacement contract.
(3) When did the DECO begin the transition to the use of the new IT system, and when will the new system be fully operational.
(4) What is the per annum cost of (a) delivering, and (b) running, the DECO replacement IT system.
(5) On what grounds did Defence decide to replace the DECO IT system and what capabilities will the new system offer over the existing system.
(6) Will the new DECO IT system meet all of the requirements that are to be contained within the Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011.
(1) (a) Neither a restricted nor an open tender for the DECO replacement IT system were conducted. A feasibility study has been conducted by the Defence Chief Information Officer Group and it is intended that the Request for Tender will proceed in the upcoming weeks.
(b) Neither a restricted nor an open tender for the DECO replacement IT system were conducted. IBM Australia Limited were approached to submit a quote for the DECO replacement IT which was not accepted. The Defence Chief Information Officer Group will be proceeding to Request for Tender in the upcoming weeks.
(2) Neither a restricted nor an open tender for the DECO replacement IT system were conducted. IBM Australia Limited were approached to submit a quote for the DECO replacement IT which was not accepted. The Defence Chief Information Officer Group will be proceeding to Request for Tender in the upcoming weeks.
(3) DECO has not begun transition to the DECO replacement IT system as it has not yet been developed. It is estimated that the new system should be operational in the first half of 2012.
(4) (a) The cost per annum of delivering the DECO replacement IT system will be determined as part of the Request for Tender process.
(b) The cost per annum of running the DECO replacement IT system will be determined as part of the Request for Tender process.
(5) Defence decided to replace the DECO IT system because the DECO IT system:
Is now obsolete having been introduced in 1992.
Is very difficult to support with little effective back up available.
Has not kept pace with changes to legislation, including the introduction of the Weapons of Mass Destruction (Prevention of Proliferation) Act 1995.
Does not support an optimal staffing structure and provides an ineffective paper-based and labour intensive system.
Is a 'stand-alone' system that runs on separate hardware and networking infrastructure,
independent from all Defence Chief Information Officer Group governance and sustainment arrangements.
The DECO replacement IT system offers the following advantages over the DECO IT system:
It will be supported by the Defence Chief Information Officer Group on existing Defence Restricted Network and Defence Secret Network infrastructure, hence supporting the ICT savings stream of the Defence Strategic Reform Program.
It will offer an approved assessment process which will allow DECO staff to more easily focus on analysing the policy issues in export cases and to assess them more thoroughly, consistently and quickly. This would allow existing DECO staff levels to accommodate a rising volume of export applications, and would accommodate expected additional work under legislative amendments currently being proposed.
It will deliver an e-business approach for Exporters who will be able to submit applications and other required documentation online.
It will better facilitate coordination of complex cases which, require classified input
from other government departments and specialist areas within Defence.
It will offer an updated modern database which will improve reporting and analysis for DECO and other specialist areas within Defence.
(6) The DECO replacement IT system has not yet been developed, however it will be built to meet the requirements of the DECO which include the requirements of the Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011. It is also planned to ensure that the DECO replacement IT system will be flexible enough to cope with evolving United States requirements and Australian legislation.
(1) What sum of funding is allocated to the Country Areas Program. (2) What sum of this funding is allocated to the Queensland Government through the Priority Country Area Program (PCAP). (3) What Queensland schools receive funding through the PCAP, and what sum did each of these schools receive in 2009-10 and 2010-11, and from 1 July 2011 to date.
(1) In 2010 the Australian Government provided $5.8 million under the Country Areas Program. Of this, $1.06 million was provided to non-government education authorities in Queensland.
(2) The PCAP is a Queensland Government program managed by the Queensland Department of Education and Training.
(3) The Queensland Department of Education and Training administers the PCAP. The Australian Government does not have information regarding the details of schools funded by this program.
To date, (a) what is the total cost of charter and commercial flights in respect of the processing of Irregular Maritime Arrivals on Christmas Island and the mainland, including the date, time, destination and purpose of each flight, and (b) how many charter flights have been used solely for the purpose of transporting goods and products for the use of detainees.
The total cost of charter and commercial flights in respect of processing Irregular Maritime Arrivals for the financial year of 2010 – 2011 was $28.29 million.
Of this, charter flights accounted for $18.72 million and commercial flights $9.57 million.
For the 2011 – 2012 financial year to 31 July 2011, the total cost of charter flights in respect of processing Irregular Maritime Arrivals is $4.24 million.
For the 2011 – 2012 financial year to July 31 July 2011, the total cost of commercial flights in respect of processing Irregular Maritime Arrivals is $611 672
The total expenditure on charters, commercial flights and freight for the current financial year to 31 July 2011, is $11.43 million. We do not have figures for August at this point.
It is not possible to provide an answer as to the dates, times and purpose of each flight within timeframe.
The Department does not generally use charter flights solely for the transportation of goods and products. Overall freight related to processing of Irregular Maritime arrivals totalled $450 126 for the 2010 – 2011 financial year.
How many staff were employed by the Minister's department in the Senior Executive Service (i.e., SES) on 1 July (a) 2008, and (b) 2011.
As of the 1st of July 2008 there were 77 Senior Executive Service Officers in Treasury.
As of the 1st of July 2011 there were 91 Senior Executive Service Officers in Treasury.
These figures exclude staff on MOPS, Staff on leave without pay for a period of more than 3 months, and also staff seconded to other departments. It does however include paid inoperatives (which are staff on long term leave).
These figures have been extracted out of the Treasury Annual Report.
How many staff were employed by the Minister's department in the Senior Executive Service (ie, SES) on 1 July (a) 2008, and (b) 2011.
(1) The number of Senior Executive Service in Defence includes Chiefs of Division and Medical Officers Grade 6. "Relief staff" are counted for non-SES officers on long-term acting in SES/Chief of Division positions which were either vacant, or where the incumbents were taking leave, acting in higher positions or on overseas duty.
(2) The Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) became a prescribed agency in 2007 and therefore, reports SES figures separately to Defence.
(3) The combined number of SES in the Department of Defence and DMO are as follows:
(a) 1 July 2008: 157 (i)
This figure is made up of
Defence: 125 (ii)
DMO: 32 (iii)
(i) This figure is inclusive of 16 Chiefs of Division and 1 Medical Officer. These classifications are not SES classifications for the purposes of the Public Service Classification Rules 2000, but are included in Defence's public reporting of senior leaders.
(ii) This figure includes 12 relief staff for (i.e. where the incumbent has acted at the SES level for 4 weeks of more).
(iii) This figure includes only permanent SES officers. There were no DMO relief staff reported in SES positions on 1 July 2008.
(b) 1 July 2011: 172 (i)
This figure is made up of
Defence: 136 (ii)
DMO: 36 (iii)
(i) This figure is inclusive of 16 Chiefs of Division and 2 Medical Officers. These classifications are not SES classifications for the purposes of the Public Service Classification Rules 2000, but are included in Defence's public reporting of senior leaders.
(ii) This figure includes 19 relief staff (i.e. where the incumbent has acted at the SES level for 4 weeks or more).
(iii) This figure includes 4 relief staff. (i.e. where the incumbent has acted at the SES level for 4 weeks or more).
How many staff were employed by the Minister's department in the Senior Executive Service (i.e. SES) on 1 July (a) 2008, and (b) 2011.
How many staff were employed by the Minister's department in the Senior Executive Service (i.e., SES) on 1 July (a) 2008, and (b) 2011.
At 1 July 2008 staff employed in the Senior Executive Service totalled 85.
At 1 July 2011 staff employed in the Senior Executive Service totalled 91.
How many staff were employed by the Ministers department in the Senior Executive Service (ie, SES) on 1 July (a) 2008, and (b) 2011.
The number of Senior Executive Service staff (excluding the Secretary) employed by the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism on (a) 1 July 2008 and (b) 1 July 2011 was:
(a) 22
(b) 25
In respect of the Government’s announcement during the 2010 election campaign that $57 million will be committed to financial incentives to get general practitioners and specialists to deliver online services:
(a) what is the status of this program, and
(b) how do local doctors apply.
(a) The Connecting Health Services with the Future: Modernising Medicare by Providing Rebates for Online Consultations telehealth initiative was successfully implemented on 1 July 2011.
(b) The initiative is open to medical and other health practitioners who have a Medicare provider number with billing rights under Medicare, and who deliver or assist in delivering a specialist consultation to a patient by video-conference.
To receive the financial incentives for telehealth, an application form is not required. The Department of Human Services will automatically determine eligibility of the medical or other health practitioner based on Medicare claiming information. More information is available at www.mbsonline.gov.au/telehealth.