The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. Anna Burke) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the honourable member for Fadden speaking in reply to my statement for a period not exceeding 17 minutes.
We will no longer be conducting routine front-line operations within the Afghan National Security Forces. The Australian-led Provincial Reconstruction Team will have completed its work and the majority of our troops will have returned home. We will no longer be conducting routine front-line operations … Provincial Reconstruction Team will have completed its work.
In Oruzgan Province, in which we work, transition begins in coming months and, as you know, we expect this process to take 12 to 18 months, and at its conclusion the majority of Australian troops will be able to return home.
Our mission after transition will change and it will evolve. Afghanistan will have responsibility for its own security. ISAF will have made a shift from its combat mission, but there will still be a continuing need for support.
At the end of 2014, what you see is the end of the current mission, the current combat mission, and a move to a different set of circumstances …
The expansion and professionalization of Afghan security forces now allow us to recover the remaining 23,000 US surge troops by this fall—
I gather he means August or around that time—
enable us to continue to pressure the Taliban to reintegrate and reconcile, and make possible security transition to the Afghans in accordance with our Lisbon commitments.
It is important that you understand the scale of the ADF's budgetary reductions to help you put into context the decisions that have been made.
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Digital Television) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Navigation Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Navigation (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (2012 Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Defence Families) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Stronger Super) Bill 2012
Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Tax Laws Amendment (Cross-Border Transfer Pricing) Bill (No. 1) 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
… the provisions of a double taxation agreement that deal with profit shifting, either under a 'business profits' article …, or an 'associated enterprises' article …, may have to be applied instead of Division 13.
Possibly the most significant aspect of our treaties, … is the section modelled after Article 9 of the model OECD agreement which allows the reconstruction of profits of associated entities which have obviously been engaging in transfer pricing activities.
This provision has generally been regarded as a more effective weapon against transfer pricing than the current section 136—
… because the provisions of the Income Tax (International Agreements) Act prevail over the ordinary provisions of the Income Tax Assessment Act.
Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 2) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Income Tax (Managed Investment Trust Withholding Tax) Amendment Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Pay As You Go Withholding Non-compliance Tax Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Tax Laws Amendment (2012 Measures No. 3) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Income Tax (Seasonal Labour Mobility Program Withholding Tax) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Tax Laws Amendment (Income Tax Rates) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Corporations Amendment (Proxy Voting) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: new National Archives Preservation Facility and refurbishment of the existing Mitchell facility for the National Archives of Australia at Mitchell, Australian Capital Territory.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Base Infrastructure Works Project under the Base Security Improvement Program.
With a tighter cabotage policy, Australian shippers of domestic freight incur higher costs from lost opportunities to take advantage of cheap transport in passing foreign ships and having to pay for empty repositioning voyages by domestic ships. Part of the cost of empty voyages by foreign ships may be passed on in the form of higher freight rates to the Australian exporters and importers that employ the foreign ships to carry their international cargoes.
We are committed to aligning Australian productivity practices with the best in the world.
To do this, we will need a compact between industry and unions.
This compact must include changes to work practices, a review of safe manning levels and the use of riding gangs on coastal vessels.
Paid Parental Leave and Other Legislation Amendment (Dad and Partner Pay and Other Measures) Bill 2012
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (after line 3), at the end of the table, add:
(2) Schedule 2, page 58 (after line 25), at the end of the Schedule, add:
Part 3—Amendments to reduce the compliance burden for employers
Paid Parental Leave Act 2010
36 Section 4 (fourth paragraph under the heading " Chapter 3—Payment of parental leave pay ")
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
37 Section 6 (definition of employer determination decision )
Repeal the definition.
38 Section 6 (definition of subject to review )
Repeal the definition.
39 Section 6 (definition of transfer day )
Omit "(3),".
40 Subsection 64(1) (note)
Omit "Sections 93 and 94 affect", substitute "Section 94 affects".
41 Section 83
Omit "is being reviewed or".
42 Subsection 84(3)
Repeal the subsection.
43 Subsection 85(1)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
(1) This section applies if both of the following apply:
(a) the Secretary is required to pay an instalment to a person under subsection 84(4) (which deals with payment of instalments where an employer determination is revoked);
(b) the employer determination made for the person and the person's employer has never come into force.
44 Subsection 85(3)
Omit "paragraph (1)(a) or (b)", substitute "subsection (1)".
45 Section 93
Repeal the section.
46 Section 100
Omit the section, substitute:
100 Guide to this Part
47 Subsection 101(1)
Omit "Secretary must", substitute "Secretary may".
48 Paragraphs 101(b) and (c)
Repeal the paragraphs, substitute:
(b) both the person and the employer have consented in the claim to the employer paying instalments to the person; and
49 Paragraph 101(f)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
; and (f) the employer determination is made on or before the day on which the payability determination referred to in paragraph (a) is made.
50 Subsections 101(2) and (3)
Repeal the subsections.
51 Subsection 101(4)
Omit all the words after and including "of all or any", substitute "that the employer is not a fit and proper person".
52 Subsection 102(5)
After "a person", insert "and the person's employer".
53 Subsection 102(5)
Omit "the person a", substitute "them a".
54 Subsection 102(5)
Omit "the person of", substitute "them of".
55 Section 103
Before "Within", insert "(1)".
56 Section 103
Omit all the words after and including "do one of", substitute "give the Secretary a written notice (the acceptance notice ) that complies with section 104".
57 Section 103 (note)
Repeal the note.
58 At the end of section 103
Add:
(2) The employer may, at any time, by written notice given to the Secretary, withdraw the acceptance notice.
59 Subsection 104(5)
Repeal the subsection.
60 Sections 105 and 106
Repeal the sections.
61 Subsection 107(1)
Omit "or (3)".
62 Subsection 107(2)
Omit "or a compliance notice given under section 157".
63 Subsection 107(3)
Repeal the subsection.
64 Subsection 108(1) (table item 2)
Omit "as required by a compliance notice given for a contravention of section 103", substitute "within the time required under subsection 103(1) or has, by written notice given to the Secretary, withdrawn the acceptance notice for the employer determination".
65 Subsection 108(6)
Repeal the subsection.
66 Division 4 of Part 3-5
Repeal the Division.
67 Section 146 (table items 10 and 11)
Repeal the items.
68 Subsection 157(1)
Repeal the subsection, substitute:
Compliance notice given by Secretary
(1) This section applies if the Secretary reasonably believes that a person has contravened subsection 82(2) (which deals with notifying the Secretary if certain events happen).
69 Paragraphs 159(1)(b) and (c)
Repeal the paragraphs.
70 Section 202 (fifth paragraph of the Guide to Part 5-1)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
71 Subsection 203(2)
Repeal the subsection.
72 Subsection 205(1)
Omit ", 207".
73 Paragraph 206(1)(b)
Repeal the paragraph.
74 Section 207
Repeal the section.
75 Subsection 209(2)
Omit ", other than an application under section 207 (which deals with application for review of employer determination decisions),".
76 Paragraphs 210(2)(a) and (b)
Omit "an employer determination decision or".
77 Paragraphs 212(1)(c)
Repeal the paragraph.
78 Paragraph 212(1)(d)
Omit "any other", substitute "a".
79 Section 213
Omit "employer determination decisions and".
80 Subparagraphs 215(2)(a)(vi) and (vii)
Repeal the subparagraphs.
81 Paragraphs 223(1)(a) to (d)
Omit "an employer determination decision or".
82 Subsection 224(1)
Repeal the subsection.
83 Subsection 224(3)
Omit "(1) or".
84 Paragraph 225(2)(b)
Repeal the paragraph.
Labor will not support a system that imposes additional financial burdens or administrative complexity on small businesses or in any way acts as a discouragement to the employment of women.
The House divided [12:03]
(The Deputy Speaker—Hon. Anna Burke)
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Health Reform Amendment (Administrator and National Health Funding Body) Bill 2012
Federal Financial Relations Amendment (National Health Reform) Bill 2012
… it's not appropriate for us to … and we've made it very clear we don't want to increase the size of the bureaucracy. It's not appropriate for us to establish an authority where there is not a need to do so.
… there will need to be people who can process essentially the cheques that need to be paid through to local hospital networks, but it doesn't require an authority.
For far too long the dialogue between the Commonwealth and the states on public hospital funding has been characterised by mutual blame and recrimination, with accusations of removal of funds by one level of government when additional funds were put in by another.
Today we are delivering on the most significant reform of Australia’s health and hospital system since the introduction of Medicare almost three decades ago.
The Government will deliver better hospitals by establishing a national network, that is funded nationally, and run locally.
For the first time in history the Australian Government will take on the dominant funding role for the entire public hospital system.
For the first time, eight state-run systems will become part of one national network.
To fund this Network, the Australian Government will take around one-third of the GST revenues and place it in a new National Hospital Fund to be spent only on health and hospitals.
It's not appropriate for us to—and we've made it very clear we don't want to increase the size of the bureaucracy—it's not appropriate for us to establish an authority where there is not a need to do so. There will need to be people who can process essentially the cheques that need to be paid through to local hospital networks, but it doesn't require an authority.
The real health reform will come with system redesign and proper service planning at the local level through the local hospital networks—
That Federation Chamber, private Members’ business, order of the day No. 13 relating to a Sovereign Wealth Fund be returned to the House for further consideration.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent order of the day, private Members' business, motion relating to a Sovereign Wealth Fund, being called on and considered immediately.
National Health Reform Amendment (Administrator and National Health Funding Body) Bill 2012
Federal Financial Relations Amendment (National Health Reform) Bill 2012
… we don’t want to increase the size of the bureaucracy—it’s not appropriate for us to establish an authority where there is not a need to do so. There will need to be people who can process essentially the cheques that need to be paid through to local hospital networks, but it doesn’t require an authority.
National Health Reform Amendment (Administrator and National Health Funding Body) Bill 2012
(1) Schedule 1, item 27, page 10 (line 8), after "Part", insert "(other than in subsection 238(1))".
(2) Schedule 1, item 27, page 13 (line 9), after "monitor", insert "Commonwealth".
(3) Schedule 1, item 27, page 13 (lines 11 and 12), omit paragraph 238(1)(c).
(4) Schedule 1, item 27, page 13 (after line 17), at the end of subsection 238(1), add:
Note: The corresponding legislation of the States will provide that the functions of the Administrator include monitoring State payments into each State Pool Account for the purposes of Division 2 (or equivalent) and making payments from each State Pool Account in accordance with the directions of the State concerned.
(5) Schedule 1, item 27, page 13 (lines 32 to 34), omit subsection 238(5), substitute:
(5) To avoid doubt, this Part is not intended:
(a) to give the Commonwealth ownership or control of money in a State Pool Account; or
(b) to affect the obligation of the Administrator under the law of a State to make payments from the State Pool Account of the State in accordance with the directions of the State.
(6) To avoid doubt, the Administrator may have regard to information obtained in the exercise or performance of functions under the law of another jurisdiction in the exercise or performance of the Administrator's functions under Division 2.
(6) Schedule 1, item 27, page 17 (lines 11 to 13), omit subsection 245(3), substitute:
(3) The Administrator is required to provide to the responsible Ministers of all jurisdictions a copy of advice provided by the Administrator to the Treasurer of the Commonwealth about the basis on which the Administrator has calculated the payments to be made into State Pool Accounts by the Commonwealth.
(7) Schedule 1, item 27, page 18 (line 35) to page 19 (line 6), omit subsection 248(1), substitute:
(1) A National Health Reform law of a State may confer powers or functions, or impose duties, on one or more of the following if the powers, functions or duties relate to the exercise or performance of the functions of the Administrator (including the functions of the Administrator under a National Health Reform law of a State):
(a) the Funding Body;
(b) an officer of the Commonwealth.
Note: Section 250 sets out when such a law imposes a duty of the Funding Body or an officer of the Commonwealth.
(8) Schedule 1, item 27, page 19 (line 12), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(9) Schedule 1, item 27, page 19 (line 17), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(10) Schedule 1, item 27, page 19 (line 21), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(11) Schedule 1, item 27, page 19 (line 26), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(12) Schedule 1, item 27, page 19 (line 29), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body or an officer of the Commonwealth".
(13) Schedule 1, item 27, page 20 (line 3), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(14) Schedule 1, item 27, page 20 (line 22), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body or officer".
(15) Schedule 1, item 27, page 20 (line 24), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body or officer".
(16) Schedule 1, item 27, page 20 (line 26), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(17) Schedule 1, item 27, page 20 (line 27), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(18) Schedule 1, item 27, page 20 (line 30), omit "Administrator", substitute "Funding Body".
(19) Schedule 1, item 27, page 21 (line 9), at the end of section 252, add "(including the Administrator's functions under a National Health Reform law of a State)".
(20) Schedule 1, item 27, page 21 (line 21), at the end of subsection 255(2), add "(if appointed)".
(21) Schedule 1, item 27, page 22 (line 14), at the end of subsection 256(2), add "(if appointed)".
Rupert Murdoch was not running a normal business, but a shadow state. Now exposed by the daylight, it has been publicly humbled, its apparatus partially dismantled and its executives in retreat, at least for the moment. It stands shaken and ostensibly apologetic, but it is still there, and Rupert Murdoch is still in charge.
... question time is supposed to be one of our key accountability mechanisms. If there is a big scandal ... you are supposed to be able to get to the matter in question time ...
That is an absolutely rock solid, ironclad commitment.
I am going to be held to higher standards of accountability than any Prime Minister in the modern age.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Warringah from moving forthwith:
That this House censures the Prime Minister for her consistent failure to be honest with the Australian people.
… there is one side of politics … that you can trust …
Julia has lost the trust of the Australian people …
It wasn't K Rudd who made a pre-election commitment on a carbon tax. It wasn't K Rudd who made a particular commitment to Mr Wilkie on the question of poker machines. It wasn’t K Rudd who had anything to do with the East Timor solution or the Malaysia solution. These were initiatives and decisions taken uniquely by the prime minister.
The House divided. [15:24]
(The Deputy Speaker—Ms AE Burke)
That the House take note of the following document:
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—Review of the Defence annual report 2009-2010—Government response.
The impact of the carbon tax on jobs and the cost of living
Following a thorough review it is clear that the plant will not be profitable in the short term with current market prices, while long-term viability will be negatively affected by a number of factors including increasing energy costs and the carbon tax.
I have spoken with the company today, which confirmed that today's announcement has been driven by current financial losses that are unrelated to the carbon price …
I spoke to a company representative again today in relation to this issue who emphasised to me that the announcement today is not driven by the implications of the carbon price.
Minister Combet has spoken directly to the company today, and they are very clear that their current financial pressures have nothing to do with the carbon price.
The carbon price is not a major issue compared to other factors.
Following a thorough review, it is clear that the plant will not be profitable in the short term with current market prices, while long-term viability will be negatively affected by a number of factors including increasing energy costs and the carbon tax.
I spoke to a company representative again today in relation to this issue who emphasised to me that the announcement today is not driven by the implications of the carbon price …
… driven by current financial losses that are unrelated to the carbon price, which does not begin until 1 July.
There will be 35,000 fewer jobs than would have been the case without a carbon tax.
Investment will be down almost $6.3 billion, or 6.6 per cent.
Per capita income will be more than $1,050 lower.
The Victorian State Budget will be almost $660 million worse off.
Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high;
Where knowledge is free;
Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by narrow domestic walls;
Where words come out from the depth of truth;
Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection;
Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit;
Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action—
Into that heaven of freedom, my Father, let my country awake.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. BC Scott) took the chair at 09:00.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2012-2013
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2012-2013
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2012-2013
Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2011-2012
Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2011-2012
If you are against cutting company tax, you are against economic growth». If you are against economic growth, then you are against jobs.
This room is filled with people who came to this place with high ideals, to make a difference, to seek the common good, with thoughts of leaving a noble legacy for the future. Something your peers and your families will be proud of. Something that will give you deep satisfaction after you leave this place.
… … …
So, here’s my question. What will you have done this year to secure that birthright – for the common good?
… … …
So this is a genuine legacy moment. Supporting the introduction of a proper system of marine parks may well be the most significant legislative gift you will make to this nation. There’s no point being half-arsed about it, and going soft in the face of short term vested interests. If your predecessors had done that last century we wouldn’t have national parks on land. They held their nerve and took the long view. Let’s do it right while we can.
When your grandkids ask you what you did as a member of parliament some of them, I’ll admit, will be entranced by your stories of tax reform.
… … …
But think of the day when you help your granddaughter reel in her first flathead, the day you take your nephew to the aquarium, the morning you take your grandkids snorkelling in a marine sanctuary and their eyes are out on sticks. There’s always that quiet moment you get on the way home. After they’ve seen that turtle, those dolphins, the rockpool full of life. That’ll be when you let it slip. Offhand. You know, real casual, about what you did when you were in parliament. You helped save Australia’s oceans. You’re one of people who made the marine parks. And you did it for them. Tax reform might do it. Fair enough. But to get that rare moment when a little kid looks up at you with a flicker of interest, even a moment of admiration. My money’s on the dolphins and the marine parks.
(1) How many staff currently work on issues related to climate change in the Minister's department, and what is their APS/SES level.
(2) What is the 2011-12 budget allocation for the Climate Change and Environment Section within the Minister's department.
(3) How many staff currently work in the United Nations Security Council task force, and what is their APS/SES level.
(1) On a "full-time equivalent" (FTE) basis, based on the estimated proportion of staff time devoted to work on climate change issues, there were 5.2 FTE employees across the department in Canberra that regularly spent a significant and quantifiable proportion of their time on climate change issues, as at 31 March 2012. The breakdown by classification is as follows:
We are not able to quantify the proportion of time spent from time to time on climate change issues by officers posted overseas.
(2) The Department allocates budgets at the divisional level. There is no specific budget allocated to the Climate Change and Environment Section (CCE).
(3) On a "full-time equivalent" (FTE) basis, which takes account of part-time employees, UN Security Council Taskforce had 9.27 FTE employees as at 31 March 2012. The breakdown by classification is as follows:
Since 1 January 2008, has the Minister's department contracted Skills Training Australia Pty Ltd, 92 Copeland Street, Liverpool, NSW, to conduct training; if so, for each type of training, what (a) was the purpose, (b) was the duration, (c) sum was charged per participant, and (d) oversights (if any) occurred on the specified outcome, duration and delivery.
My Department has advised that it has not contracted Skills Training Australia Pty Ltd, 92 Copeland Street, Liverpool, NSW to conduct training.
Since 1 January 2008, has the Minister's department contracted Skills Training Australia Pty Ltd, 92 Copeland Street, Liverpool, NSW, to conduct training; if so, for each type of training, what (a) was the purpose, (b) was the duration, (c) sum was charged per participant, and (d) oversights (if any) occurred on the specified outcome, duration and delivery.
Please refer to the response to House of Representatives Question 970 .
(1) On what date did the Burmese Government first extend to Australia an invitation to send electoral observers, and what was the nature of the invitation.
(2) Did the Burmese Government specify a preference for officials or parliamentarians or any other person to act as observers.
(3) Did the Australian Government contact other nations invited to send electoral observers prior to its decision to send parliamentarians from Australia.
(4) Did the Australian Government ask other nations whether they were sending officials or elected representatives to Burma.
(5) What reasons were given by the Burmese Government for refusing visas to the parliamentarians nominated by the Australian Government.
(1) The Burmese Government extended the invitation to the Australian Government on 20 March 2012. The invitation was for the Australian Government to send two officials and three journalists to observe the 1 April by-elections in Burma.
(2) Yes. The invitation from the Burmese Government was for two officials and three journalists to go to Burma to observe the 1 April by-elections. Accordingly, the Australian Government asked officials with expertise in electoral systems and Burma's politics to participate along with media representatives. In parallel, we also requested that the Burmese authorities allow Australian parliamentarians to observe the elections.
(3) Yes, we engaged with ASEAN nations and ASEAN dialogue partners, Canada, New Zealand, and the US. We also consulted the United Nations in New York and the European Union in Brussels on the composition of the delegation.
(4) Yes.
(5) The Burmese Government advised that capacity constraints made hosting dignitaries impossible at such a busy time.