The SPEAKER (Hon. Peter Slipper) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Fair and effective complaints handling is a critical component of a judicial system that is both respected and just, and seen to be so.
Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Family Law Amendment (Validation of Certain Orders and Other Measures) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Gippsland’s private Members’ business notice relating to the disallowance of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1), as contained in the Select Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 191, and made under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 , being called on immediately.
That the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 1), as contained in the Select Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 191, and made under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, be disallowed.
In many respects we are quite lucky that there are still a few remaining lead cows in those herds that know the areas that are being trialled. If we did not have that, we would have an environmental problem. Those cattle stick to the areas and the tracks, and they teach the other cattle the appropriate way to move through that country.
The concept may work in a rain forest in the Amazon or somewhere, where nature will take its course, but not here where I am standing in Victoria which is one of the most bushfire prone areas of the world.
The House divided. [11:21]
The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent notice No. 7, private Members’ business, standing in my name, being called on and proceeded with immediately and that until it is disposed of it take precedence over all other business before the House. In Particular that this House gives precedence to the Solar Hot Water Bill for the following reasons—the Government:
(1) terminated the Solar Hot Water Rebate program with no notice to families, retailers or manufacturing workers at 4.59 on 28 February 2012;
(2) did so in breach of its own mid-year budget papers of 10 February which showed $63.5m for the current financial year and $24.5m for the coming financial year commencing on 1 July 2012;
(3) has failed to provide the figures as to the number of units funded to date this financial year; and
(4) stands condemned for the hypocrisy of imposing the world’s highest and broadest carbon tax while simultaneously abandoning incentives for low cost hot water to families.
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [11:34]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper)
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [11:48]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper)
The House divided. [11:57]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper)
Insurance Contracts Amendment Bill 2011
That the bill be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
National Radioactive Waste Management Bill 2010
That the amendments be agreed to.
… offer a little patch of Australia to store nuclear waste …
… taking others’ waste could be an industry in itself …
In scientific terms Bob Hawke is right … Australia internationally could be regarded as a good place to actually bury it deep in the ground.
That the time for the presentation of the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services on the provisions of the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Obligations and Prudential Standards) Bill 2012 be extended to 19 March 2012.
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012
Higher Education Support Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2012
This will prevent a person from having access to the higher FEE-HELP limit where they choose to continue studying beyond the minimum level of study required for professional registration. A person will not have access to the higher FEE-HELP limit regardless of whether they choose to register as a dentist or a veterinarian. For example, a person who chooses not to register as a dentist after completing the minimum academic requirements and instead decides to go on to further study to specialise in a particular area of dentistry will not have access to the higher FEE-HELP limit beyond completing the minimum academic requirements for professional registration.
I have recently found out that I alone will be paying $131 at the start of this semester to pay for services that I do not use. This may seem like a small amount, but I fail to understand how it is fair that so many students will be paying this fee even though we don't all use these services. Many of these services, such as food and drink, are paid for by us anyway. I would also like to point out that a friend of mine who studies two degrees is required to pay this fee twice. How is that justified? Is that not "double dipping"?
I have to pay an extra $263 per year.
Basic car parking permit last year was $360, justified due to a lack of student amenities fees. Yet this year, with the amenities fees, the parking permit is still $360. Apart from parking, I have never used union services and now have to pay $263 for nothing.
My daughter went berserk when she got hers … She doesn't use the services AND she is doing honours and only needs to be at Uni for a few weeks this year had to pay a full Semester in 'amenity' fees … She is Not Happy …
$55 per trimester and as a part-time post-grad student and I will be using zero of their services as the majority of my tuition is online or out of standard business hours (i.e. when they're closed).
I can't imagine it is going to provide me with any real benefit and it is incredibly unfair for external students who will probably never use the amenities and for me as a-come-and-go student.
Australia will continue to work with the international community to assist the people of Sudan, north and south, to achieve an enduring peace.
The situation in Sudan and South Sudan has reached a critical point. It has become a major threat to peace and security across the region.
Each box represents a portfolio. Cabinet Ministers are shown in bold type. As a general rule, there is one department in each portfolio. However, there is a Department of Veterans' Affairs in the Defence portfolio. The title of a department does not necessarily reflect the title of a minister in all cases.
Millions more Australians will have a better retirement if the superannuation guarantee goes to 12 per cent.
That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving forthwith the following motion:
That the Prime Minister be called to explain how the Australian people can trust her Government to control our borders and protect the Australian people from threats including the illegal importation of weapons used in gun crimes when the Government's failed border protection policies have overwhelmed the Budget and undermined the ability of agencies that manage our borders to do their job.
The House divided. [15:21]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper)
That Members be discharged and appointed as members of certain committees in accordance with the list which has been placed on the table. As the list is a lengthy one, I do not propose to read the list to the House. Details will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings .
Mr Jenkins, Ms Parke, Mr K. J. Thomson, Mr Wyatt and Mr Tehan be appointed members of the Parliamentary J oint Committee on Human Rights;
Ms Bird be discharged from the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications and that, in her place, Mr Champion be appointed a member of the committee;
Ms Bird be discharged from the Standing Committee on Procedure and that, in her place, Mr Lyons be appointed a member of the committee;
Ms Bird be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties and that, in her place, Mr L. D. T. Ferguson be appointed a member of the committee;
Mr Ripoll be discharged from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services and that, in his place, Ms O'Neill be appointed a member of the committee;
Mr Ripoll be discharged from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and that, in his place, Ms Hall be appointed a member of the committee;
Mr Jenkins be discharged from the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests and that, in his place, Mrs D'Ath be appointed a member of the committee;
Mrs D'Ath be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network and that, in her place, Mr Mitchell be appointed a member of the committee;
Mr Champion be discharged from the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform and that, in his place, Ms Brodtmann be appointed a member of the committee; and
Mr Byrne be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and that, in his place, Mr McClelland be appointed a member of the committee.
That the House take note of the following documents:
Migration Act 1958 —
Section 91Y—Protection visa processing taking more than 90 days—Report for the period 1 July to 31 October 2011.
Section 440A—Conduct of Refugee Review Tribunal (RRT) reviews not completed within 90 days—Report for the period 1 July to 31 October 2011.
Section 486O—Assessment of detention arrangements—2011-2012—Personal identifiers 667/11, 669/11 to 671/11, 672/12 to 673/12, 687/12 to 689/12, 703/12 and 706/12—
Commonwealth and Immigration Ombudsman’s reports.
Government response to Ombudsman’s reports.
National Water Commission Act 2004 —COAG review of the National Water Commission—Report by Dr David Rosalky, 6 December 2011.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Intelligence Services Act 2001 , Mr Melham be discharged from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security and that, in his place, Mr Rudd be appointed a member of the committee.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 13 March 2012.
2. The committee determined the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members' business on Monday, 19 March 2012, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 Standing Committee on Agriculture, Re sources, Fisheries and Forestry
Statements on progress of inquiry into the Competition Amendment (Horticultural Code of Conduct) Bill 2011 and Constitutional Corporations (Farm Gate to Plate) Bill 2011
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:20 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Mr Adams — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
2 Standing Committee on Health and Ageing
Lost in the labyrinth: report on the inquiry into registration processes and support for overseas trained doctors
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:30 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Mr Georganas — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
3 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement
Commonwealth unexplained wealth legislation and arrangements — Report on inquiry
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10:40 a.m.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hayes — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR DUTTON : To present a Bill for an Act to provide for equity in relation to the provision of certain dental services, and for related purposes ( Health Insurance (Dental Services) Bill 2012). (Notice given 13 March 2012.)
Presenter may speak for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41.
2 MR HUNT: To present a Bill for an Act to provide for the expenditure of money appropriated for the Solar Hot Water Rebate scheme, and for related purposes (Solar Hot Water Rebate Bill 2012). (Notice given 13 March 2012.)
Presenter may speak for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41.
3 MR FITZGIBBON: To move:
That this House acknowledges the importance of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax for the funding of important physical infrastructure in capacity constrained mining regions. (Notice given 13 March 2012.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr Fitzgibbon — 5minutes.
Next 5 Members speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MR ABBOTT: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that since the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill was first introduced on 8 February 2010, it has been referred to the following inquiries:
(a) the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee which commenced its inquiry on 25 February 2010 and reported to the Senate on 22 June 2010;
(b) the House Standing Committee on Economics which commenced inquiry on 17 November 2010 and reported to this House on 12 May 2011;
(c) the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee which commenced its inquiry on 24 March 2011 and reported to the Senate on 10 May 2011;
(d) the House Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry which commenced its inquiry on 15 September 2011, was due to report to the House on 2 November 2011 and is yet to table a report; and
(e) the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs on 24 November 2011 with a reporting date which is yet to be determined;
(2) expresses its concern that despite the unprecedented scrutiny for a private Members' bill this House is yet to have the opportunity to vote on this bill;
(3) notes that Noel Pearson and the Cape York Institute have called for traditional owners of land on Cape York to have more control over the way the land is used; and
(4) calls on the Government to allow the members of this House to exercise their vote on this important bill. (Notice given 14 February 2012. Notice will be removed from the Notice Paper unless called on on any of the next 7 sitting Mondays including 19 March 2012.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits —
Mr Abbott — 15minutes.
Next Member speaking — 15minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 15 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue at a later hour.
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (8 to 9.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices—continued
4 MR ABBOTT: To move:
That this House:
( 1) notes that since the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill was first introduced on 8 February 2010, it has been referred to the following inquiries:
(a) the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee which commenced its inquiry on 25 February 2010 and reported to the Senate on 22 June 2010;
(b) the House Standing Committee on Economics which commenced inquiry on 17 November 2010 and reported to this House on 12 May 2011;
(c) the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee which commenced its inquiry on 24 March 2011 and reported to the Senate on 10 May 2011;
(d) the House Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry which commenced its inquiry on 15 September 2011, was due to report to the House on 2 November 2011 and is yet to table a report; and
(e) the House Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs on 24 November 2011 with a reporting date which is yet to be determined;
(2) expresses its concern that despite the unprecedented scrutiny for a private Members' bill this House is yet to have the opportunity to vote on this bill;
(3) notes that Noel Pearson and the Cape York Institute have called for traditional owners of land on Cape York to have more control over the way the land is used; and
(4) calls on the Government to allow the members of this House to exercise their vote on this important bill. (Notice given 14 February 2012. Notice will be removed from the Notice Paper unless called on on any of the next 7 sitting Mondays including 19 March 2012.)
Time allotted — 50 minutes
Speech time limits —
First 2 Members speaking — 10minutes each.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
5 MR BANDT: To move:
That this House calls on the Government to set a date for the safe return of Australian troops from Afghanistan. ( Notice given 21 November 2011. Notice will be removed from the Notice Paper unless called on on any of the next 6 sitting Mondays including 19 March 2012. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 9.30 pm
Speech time limits —
Mr Bandt — 10minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (approx 11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Orders of the Day
1 MIGRATION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (THE BALI PROCESS) BILL 2012 ( Mr Oakeshott ): Second reading (from 13 February 2012 ).
Time allotted — 30 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr Oakeshott — 5 minutes.
Next 5 Members speaking — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 POLICE OVERSEAS SERVICE (TERRITORIES OF PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA) MEDAL BILL 2011 ( Mr Morrison ): Second reading (from 21 November 2011 )
Time allotted — 60 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr Morrison — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices
1 MR CROOK: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the role played by Albany in the ANZAC story, as the gathering place of the ANZAC First Fleet and the final departure point for many Australian and New Zealand soldiers leaving Australia in November and December 1914;
(2) acknowledges the work undertaken by the Albany Centenary ANZAC Alliance in promoting Albany's rich ANZAC heritage;
(3) notes the recommendations from the National Commission on the Commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary calling for Albany to play a focal role in the 2014 ANZAC Centenary, including the recommendation:
(a) for a re-enactment of the convoy of vessels to gather in King George Sound; and
(b) to establish an ANZAC Interpretive Centre on the contours of Mount Adelaide; and
(4) calls on the Government to commit support and funding to ensure that Albany is able to deliver a nationally significant event in commemoration of the ANZAC Centenary in 2014. ( Notice given 13 February 2012 ).
Time allotted — 20 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr Crook — 5 minutes.
Next 3 Member speaking — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 MR L. D. T. FERGUSON: To move:
That this House:
(1) records its abhorrence at the events of 16 to 18 March 1988 at Halabja, Kurdistan, involving the use of chemical weapons by the then Iraq regime of Saddam Hussein;
(2) notes:
(a) the death of 5000 civilians and injury of 7000 people;
(b) the use of a mixture of Sarin, VX and Tabin nerve gases in addition to mustard gas, leading to birth defects, miscarriages, infertility, paralysis, cancers and other illnesses;
(c) that this massacre was only part of the broader 'Arfal' 1987 to 1988 assault on the Kurdish people aimed at ethnic cleansing; and
(d) the execution of Ali Hassam Almajid on 25 January 2010, after being found guilty of ordering and organising this attack; and
(3) acknowledges:
(a) resolutions in a similar vein carried by the United States Senate and House of Representatives, and in the Canadian, Iraqi and British parliaments; and
(b) that in 2009 the Halabja genocide was commemorated for the first time by the United Nations. ( Notice given 13 March 2012 .)
Time allotted — 20 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr L. D. T. Ferguson — 5minutes.
Next 3 Members speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
3 MR WILKIE: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the large number of mothers and fathers with serious grievances with family law and the child support system;
(2) notes that there has not been a comprehensive review of the child support system since the 2005 review In the Best Interests of Children—Reforming the Child Support Scheme;
(3) calls on the Government to undertake a comprehensive review of family law and the child support system; and
(4) recommends that the Terms of Reference of this review be formulated to ensure that the safety and well being of children are paramount. ( Notice given 13 September 2011 )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to approximately 1.30 pm
Speech time limits —
Mr Wilkie — 5minutes.
Next 3 Members speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (6.30 to 9 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices—continued
4 MS PARKE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the motion tabled in the South Australian Parliament on 28 July 2011 by Mr Tony Piccolo MP, Member for Light, which acknowledges the experience of 'enemy aliens' interned during World War II and seeks to record an acknowledgement in similar terms by the Commonwealth Parliament on behalf of the nation; and
(b) that during World War II thousands of people were interned in camps around Australia as 'enemy aliens' and prisoners of war, and among the 'enemy aliens' interned were permanent Australian residents born in Australia or who had become British subjects in accordance with the Federal immigration and citizenship laws of the day;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) of these people interned at the camps, the overwhelming majority were law-abiding members of the Australian community who posed no security threat, indeed they were people who had made a valuable contribution to Australian society and so their internment was not only a hardship to them and their families, but also a significant loss to the communities to which they belonged; and
(b) 'enemy alien' internees were deprived of their freedom and consider that this was primarily on the basis of their ethnic and cultural identity under the mistaken belief that this cultural heritage posed an unreasonable risk, and not for any demonstrated or valid security concerns;
(3) notes:
(a) the substantial research and personal histories that demonstrate that the internment experience had a long term, detrimental impact on the physical and psychological health and wellbeing of many of the people interned; and
(b) that two thirds of all Italian internees were interned in the states of Western Australia and Queensland, including more than 1000 in Fremantle, and that certain communities and industries were particularly affected by the internment policy;
(4) recognises and acknowledges the pain, suffering, grief and hardship experienced by the people who were interned and their families, and in particular, the impact on mothers and wives who were left to care for children, homes, farms or businesses alone;
(5) congratulates those internees and their families who made the decision to remain in Australia and rebuild their lives following internment and/or other discriminatory treatment including the inability to buy or lease land, or obtain bank loans, the prohibition against travel, and the confiscation of torches, radios, cameras, trucks and tractors;
(6) celebrates the lives of those former internees and families, and those wrongly classed as 'enemy aliens', who despite their experiences went on to make a significant contribution to the economic, social and cultural development of Australia; and
(7) expresses the hope that as a maturing nation we have learned from the experiences of the World War II policy of internment and that we should ensure that current and future generations of migrants to this country, and their descendents, are treated with justice and equality before the law, and not discriminated against on the sole basis of their cultural heritage. ( Notice given 14 February 2012 )
Time allotted — 30 minutes
Speech time limits —
Ms Parke — 5minutes.
Next 5 Members speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
5 MRS MOYLAN: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the importance of clean energy generation technologies in Australia's current and future energy mix;
(2) acknowledges the exponential growth of wind power across Australia;
(3) appreciates that prudent planning policies are key to ensuring new infrastructure development does not adversely impact upon the social fabric of communities;
(4) notes that:
(a) the Environment Protection and Heritage Council has decided to cease further development of the National Wind Farm Development Guidelines;
(b) there is significant anecdotal evidence supporting concern about the health and associated social effects of wind farms which remain unresolved; and
(c) the Senate Community Affairs Reference Committee's report, The Social and Economic Impact of Rural Wind Farms has, as a matter of priority, called for adequately resourced studies into the possible impact that wind farms have on health;
(5) recognises that the National Health and Medical Research Council's rapid review into Wind Turbines and Health is only a cursory compilation of literature on the topic and not an in depth study and should not be principally relied upon to inform planning guidelines;
(6) calls on the Government to urgently commence full in-depth studies into the potential health effects of wind turbines, especially low-frequency infrasound;
(7) requests that the Government fully investigate international best practice in planning policies regarding wind farms and, in conjunction with State governments, publish comprehensive updated guidelines;
(8) calls on State, Territory and local government authorities to adopt cautious planning policies for wind farms and in the interim provide adequate buffer zones and not locate wind farms near towns, residential zoned areas, farm buildings and workplaces; and
(9) calls for approval processes to require wind farm developers to indemnify against potential health issues arising from infrasound before development approval is granted. ( Notice given 14 February 2012 ).
Time allotted — 50 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mrs Moylan — 10minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
6 MR DANBY: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that 24 March is World Tuberculosis Day, in observance of a preventable and treatable disease that still claims the lives of up to 1.5 million people every year, mostly in developing countries, and that:
(a) overall, one third of the world's population is currently infected with the Tuberculosis bacillus;
(b) the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that the largest number of new Tuberculosis cases in 2008 occurred in the South-East Asia Region, which accounted for 35 per cent of incident cases globally; and
(c) the number of new cases of Tuberculosis arising each year is still increasing in Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia;
(2) acknowledges that Tuberculosis is responsible for one in four AIDS related deaths, making it the leading killer of people living with HIV and that:
(a) less than seven per cent of people living with HIV are screened for Tuberculosis;
(b) people living with both HIV and Tuberculosis infection are much more likely to develop Tuberculosis; and
(c) the WHO estimates that by scaling up services and providing integrated HIV and Tuberculosis care, it is possible to save the lives of up to one million people living with HIV by 2015;
(3) notes that:
(a) currently more than two thirds of international financing for Tuberculosis services is provided by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria;
(b) the Global Fund is a key international body which provides critical basic services to support many developing countries in the fight against Tuberculosis; and
(c) Australia strongly supports the Global Fund; and
(4) encourages Australia to continue to work bilaterally and with other international donors to address Tuberculosis, including through the Global Fund. ( Notice given 13 March 2012 .)
Time allotted — 30 minutes
Speech time limits —
Mr Danby — 5minutes. While this is snake this
Next 5 Members speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 MR HUNT: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the:
(a) importance of World Plumbing Day on 11 March and its aim of highlighting the role that the plumbing industry plays in relation to health, through the provision of safe water and sanitation; and
(b) environmental role of the industry in water conservation and in energy efficiency and the increasing use of renewable sources of energy;
(2) notes that it is estimated that 3.1 million children die each year as a result of water related diseases; and
(3) congratulates the World Plumbing Council on its role in promoting the importance of the plumbing industry both in developed countries and in developing countries where good plumbing could save lives. ( Notice given 28 February 2012 ).
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 9 pm
Speech time limits —
Mr Hunt — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10 minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012
That the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
The threat to Australia posed by the Government's budget cuts to customs and border protection.
For a start, 12,000 public servants in Canberra will be made redundant over a two-year period immediately upon us being elected.
… whether we really need 7,000 officials in the Defence Materiel Organisation, when the United Kingdom, with armed forces at least four times our size, gets by with 4,000 in the equivalent body.
… a lot of people in Canberra are spending a lot of time duplicating the work of the states. For example, there's a Department of Health in Canberra with over 6,000 employees. Not one of them is a doctor or not one of them is a nurse treating a patient - not one.
Well of course; if you wanna reduce the size of the government, if you wanna get rid of the waste—
if you want to keep your commitments on track, you're gonna have to make hard decisions.
I'm concerned that anyone's involved in these organised criminal groups that are in the business of trafficking guns from the other side of the world. This is a serious problem. This isn't just a border security issue, this is a national security issue. It's something that we need to understand is a major concern not only to law enforcement, it should be to every person that lives in this nation.
Police will detail ... in the coming days the full magnitude of what they have identified … and quite simply had the federal government acted earlier what could have been stopped.
Sydney police have seized an AK-47 assault rifle from a house in the city's south-west.
A 46-year-old man was arrested at the home on Brennan Road at Yagoona during the raid by the Middle Eastern Organised Crime Squad yesterday afternoon.
Police say they found the rifle along with a 30-round magazine and a combat helmet.
The man has been charged with possessing a prohibited firearm and not storing a firearm safely.
The gun is to undergo ballistic examination.
We have clearly opposed pushbacks in the Italian case in the Mediterranean in the recent past before the Libyan crisis, and we think that that is clearly a violation in relation to the '51 Convention.
It was apparently these fears that sparked a plan to burn the vessel to prevent its return to Indonesia. A fire would also necessitate rescue of the passengers by the—
and their transfer to an Australian vessel.
The threat to Australia posed by the Government's budget cut to customs and border protection.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Farrer speaking in reply to the ministerial statement for a period not exceeding 15 minutes.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent Ms Ley speaking in reply to the ministerial statement for a period not exceeding nine minutes.
That order of the day No. 4, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
Road Safety Remuneration Bill 2011
Road Safety Remuneration (Consequential Amendments and Related Provisions) Bill 2011
It isn't good enough, and this country is smart enough to prevent a set of circumstances where drivers are rushing to fulfil unrealistic deadlines, they're perhaps required not to be paid for waiting time. They get very low rates of pay—some are around the order of $30,000 a year, which is barely the minimum wage in Australia. Sometimes, in order to meet the very tough deadlines, they have to take illicit substances. We think we can make safer roads for our drivers and their families, but we also believe that safer rates mean safer roads for all Australians.
No other industry is responsible for 330 deaths in a year. No other industry injures 5,350 people per year at the rate of 31 per day. This is an industry in the midst of a severe crisis in safety.
…the overwhelming weight of evidence indicates that commercial/industrial practices affecting road transport play a direct and significant role—
…a direct and significant role in causing hazardous practices. There is solid survey evidence linking payment levels and systems to crashes, speeding, driving while fatigued and drug use.
The point estimates indicate that if mileage rate were to increase to $0.37 per mile, drivers would reduce their weekly hours to be in compliance with current regulations. At this rate, drivers are being compensated at a rate sufficient for them to be able to satisfy their income requirements without being induced to work in excess of mandated law.
They are too big … You can't dictate the terms and conditions of what people have got to trade with you. And they are getting to that stage. They are trying to dictate to everyone …
They are expecting everything for nothing. They are going to crucify the farmers, crucify the bread manufacturers and if you spoke to most of the consumer goods manufacturers at the moment, you would get a very mixed response about the aspects of dealing with these companies.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business
1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 14 March 2012.
2. The committee decided to amend its determinations in respect of committee and delegation business on Monday, 19 March 2012, as reported to the House earlier today, by substituting:
Notice s
1 DR STONE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the Australian agricultural industry offers excellent career opportunities, including:
(a) approximately 100,000 jobs in the agricultural sector;
(b) 2.5 jobs for every agricultural graduate; and
(c) a diverse range of careers requiring a wide range of skill levels;
(2) acknowledges that responding to the expanding global food task will require Australia to substantially upskill and increase the size of its agribusiness workforce;
(3) recognises that there are declining participation rates and graduates in the agriculture sector as tertiary agricultural science courses offerings decline, and secondary school students do not take up undergraduate courses; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) resource the promotion of careers in agriculture through the primary and secondary school system;
(b) provide incentives for universities to offer agricultural science courses; and
(c) encourage industry in the development of agribusiness educational and training resource material. (Notice given 13 March 2012.)
Time allotted—60 minutes
Speech time limits—
Dr Stone—10 minutes.
Next Member speaking—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
in place of:
Orders of the Day
2 POLICE OVERSEAS SERVICE (TERRITORIES OF PAPUA AND NEW GUINEA) MEDAL BILL 2011 ( Mr Morrison ): Second reading (from 21 November 2011 )
Time allotted—60 minutes
Speech time limits—
Mr Morrison—10 minutes.
Next Member speaking—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Diabetes mellitus currently represents one of the most challenging public health problems of the 21st century. There are over 1.5 million Australians with diabetes, including those who are undiagnosed. This results in substantial morbidity and mortality, particularly from cardiovascular complications, eye and kidney diseases and limb amputations.
With a mix of such high performance machines and swimmers in such confined waters so close to the shore, an accident of this sort was inevitable.
… these Jet Skis … have fundamentally changed the character … of going to the beach … How is it that we have allowed these machines to have precedence on our local beaches? Who made that policy decision? Nobody did. It just happened when no one was looking. It appears to me that this important safety issue has slipped - almost unnoticed - between the various jurisdictions of the local Council, the Water Police and Parks Victoria. No one appears to have overall responsibility for addressing the safety issues that are caused by mixing together high performance machines and swimmers in the confined waters near suburban beaches. This is clearly a significant collective failure of local Council; the Water Police; Parks Victoria … It is time they started to talk to each other and took some collective responsibility for the appropriate management of this important water safety issue. If these various agencies of government do not act decisively now then the community should expect further fatalities.
Part of the problem may be the relatively lax approach to licensing riders of a powerful machine that naturally attracts young thrill-seekers. … An obvious discrepancy exists between the law's attitude to riding a high-powered jet-ski on the water and a high-powered vehicle on the road.
Let us see a greater effort on enforcement of the separation of swimmers and jet skis. Let us see greater restrictions on where these powerful and now clearly lethal machines can be allowed to operate. Let us increase the areas for swimmers and more passive recreational activity closer to shore and push jet skis further out past the 400 metres mark. Let us benchmark penalties on the equivalent offences for road vehicles. Let us make registration and licensing more demanding and rigorous. Let's increase the focus on education and responsible behaviour.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms AE Burke ) took the chair at 09:30
The Child Support Agency is going to be responsible for a whole new stolen generation in the future. Parents have to pay and pay and CSA has nothing in place to ensure that access is available to parents who are doing the right thing in providing for their children. It is easy to take away money, to take tax returns and drive parents to the brink but hold no responsibility in making sure that the paying parent sees their child.
The second highest source of revenue is from community tenants, primarily those using sport and recreational facilities. These tenants—the football and cricket clubs that local mums and dads take their kids to on weekends—will inevitably face a sharp increase in their costs, leading to major pass-through costs to those same mums and dads just for giving their kids some time to enjoy the Australian rite of organised sport at the local park or pool.
Sporting groups are outraged by Ryde Council’s decision to jack up sporting ground hire charges by 25 per cent.
We enjoy our sport so much but now we'll have to make choices about paying our mortgage and bills or playing sport.
If the bills also rise, sport will not be an option and my family will have to miss out.
We plan to stay ... but it depends on the nuclear situation.
Our home is the epicentre of the disaster ... And there are major concerns over whether we can ever go back.
Having our own factory will help us rebuild our brand and our relationship with our customers.
It's a shame we can't reopen on the old site, but the damage there was so serious that it would take years.
Our forebears, who led our country to prosperity, stood up with brave resolution in times of crisis.
While offering our support for the daily struggles of those people in the disaster-affected regions, we will join hands as we seek to fulfil our historic mission of the rebirth of Japan through reconstruction.
Insurance Contracts Amendment Bill 2011
'Flood' means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of:
(a) any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or
(b) any reservoir, canal or dam.
Flood means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of:
A. any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or
B. any reservoir, canal, or dam.
With effect from 19th October 2011 Lumley Insurance ceased writing Household and Landlords Insurance in post codes 4737 and above.
I have never written such a letter before nor have I ever felt I had a need to. However, with Cyclone Yasi we are not entitled to any sort of government rescue package but we run a small B&B. It is very modest. We were making an income of about $50,000 but because of all the economic problems in the area that income has reduced to $20,000 a year, but our insurance premium has gone up from $3,000 to $5,506.
... the covering of normal dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of:
(a) any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or
(b) any reservoir, canal or dam.
The government needs to look into the wording of what a flood et cetera are in insurance companies as most people are only now finding out what their policy really means to them.
'Flood' means the covering of normally dry land by water that has escaped or been released from the normal confines of:
(a) any lake, or any river, creek or other natural watercourse, whether or not altered or modified; or
(b) any reservoir, canal or dam.
... cannot ... agree with paragraphs 2.50 and 2.51 of the report that outlined assurances that outlined assurances the Department of Treasury was engaged in constructive dialogue with industry and consumer groups; as well as the observation that there were 'no points raised in submissions or at the hearing that the Treasury was not already across or was taking steps to consider solutions'.
Mr Ciobo: Wasn’t that the entire point of this bill—
Mr Anning: Not the actual definition of flood. That is subject to the discussions under the regulations.
Mr Ciobo: So, we actually have no clarification yet of what the impact of this would be on potentially thousands of people …
Mr Anning: … I guess the point is we are not at the point of having the clarity to even form a view.
(1) Schedule 1, page 3 (after line 3), before item 1, insert:
1A Paragraph 11(10)(a)
After "37", insert ", 37C".
1B Paragraph 11(10)(c)
After "37", insert ", 37C".
(2) Schedule 1, item 1, page 4 (line 27), omit "The prescribed contract is taken", substitute "The flood provisions of the prescribed contract are taken".
(3) Schedule 1, item 1, page 5 (lines 3 and 4), omit "the prescribed contract is taken", substitute "those provisions are taken".
(4) Schedule 1, item 1, page 5 (lines 7 and 8), omit "the contract", substitute "those provisions".
(5) Schedule 1, item 1, page 5 (after line 15), after subsection 37D(5), insert:
(5A) To avoid doubt, this section does not affect the operation of any provisions of a prescribed contract that are not flood provisions.
(6) Schedule 1, page 5 (after line 30), at the end of the Schedule, add:
2 Subsection 38(3)
After "37", insert ", 37C".
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012
The Committee is satisfied that the evidence demonstrates overwhelming support for an R18+ Restricted classification for computer games. The Committee further notes that the Bill’s aim is not controversial. Rather, it seeks to align the existing classification system for computer games with the system that applies to films.
The computer gaming community in the Top End want an R18+ gaming classification. For too long now, the Australian gaming industry has been held back by classification laws. It is pretty clear to us that some games which get classified as MA15+ are too violent for 15 year olds. There needs to be another classification level. Games which are modified to meet Australian standards do not always have the same game content quality. Adult computer games are being censored by the classifications board but the fact is these games are not designed or marketed to fifteen year olds for an MA15+ classification—they're computer games for adults and such should be labelled accordingly. There are games in Australia which 15 year olds can purchase that you have to be 18 to buy in New Zealand or the UK. Computer gaming is a form of entertainment which is very similar to television and film. The fact that the two classification systems are so different highlights the need for a change. I believe an R18+ classification will help parents buy more appropriate games for their children. We need an R18+ classification.
How many departments, agencies, commissions, Government owned corporations or other such bodies have been created within the Minister's portfolio since 24 November 2007 (excluding existing departments that have been re-named or merged into a larger entity), what is the name of each such entity, and how many full-time equivalent employees did each such entity have at the end of 2011.
Department of Defence has not created any new departments, agencies, commissions, Government owned corporations or other such bodies (departments/agencies) since 24 November 2007.