The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Commonwealth Inscribed Stock Amendment Bill 2013
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: CSIRO Clayton Property Strategy, Clayton, Victoria.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the two private Members' business notices by the Member for Parkes and the Member for Barker, relating to the disallowance of the inclusion of areas in the list of threatened ecological communities made under section 181 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 on 5 August 2013, being called on immediately and considered together, with separate questions being put on each at the conclusion of the debate.
That the inclusion of the wetlands and inner floodplains of the Macquarie Marshes in the list of threatened ecological communities made under section 181 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 on 5 August 2013 and presented to the House on 12 November 2013, be disallowed.
That the inclusion of River Murray and associated wetlands, floodplains and groundwater systems, from the junction with the Darling River to the sea in the list of threatened ecological communities made under section 181 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 on 5 August 2013 and presented to the House on 12 November 2013, be disallowed.
That the question be now put.
That the question be now put.
Migration Amendment (Regaining Control Over Australia's Protection Obligations) Bill 2013
This amendment does not propose to resile from Australia's international obligations, nor is it intended to withdraw from any conventions to which Australia is a party. Anyone who is found to engage Australia's non-refoulement obligations will not be removed in breach of those obligations.
No Contracting State shall expel or return ('refouler') a refugee in any manner whatsoever to the frontiers of territories where his life or freedom would be threatened on account of his race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion.
We were having criminals and bikies who were claiming protection ... Now, our signatory status to important international conventions to protect people's human rights are not about protecting bikies and criminals.
The financial impact of these amendments is low. The estimated costs associated with the implementation of the proposed amendments will be met from within the department's existing funding.
… insufficient to meet the absolute and non-derogable requirement in international human rights law that Australia will not expose people to the real risk of torture, cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment, the death penalty, or arbitrary deprivation of life.
… introduce a system of "complementary protection" for future asylum seekers who do not meet the definition of refugee under the Refugee Convention but otherwise need protection for humanitarian reasons cannot be returned.
For those who've come across the seas 'We've boundless plains to share'. Australia is a big country with a big heart.
For those 55 individuals, the protection visa was often the difference between life and death.
All immigration ministers that I know would intervene in such cases and would grant that visa.
The House divided. [12:13]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Broadbent)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Australian Capital Territory Water Management Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
That this bill be now read a second time.
From ambivalent beginnings, self government is now firmly embedded in the consciousness of our community. The ACT, through its stable government and mature parliament, has embraced the social responsibilities with which it is charged. On average, Canberrans are among the healthiest, best educated and most prosperous in Australia. We are just, free and relatively free of prejudice. We have grown in population terms and as an indispensable presence in our region. We have also grown as a community, a vibrant and engaged polity, and increasingly we are recognised as such by a nation whose capital and seat of government we are proud to uphold and sustain.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
… represents a solid platform from which government and communities can build other health and education initiatives, as well as increase avenues for local employment for community members …
As underlined by the authorities, there is a case for help to smooth the transition, but not preventing it, when its pace and scale make it difficult to absorb, for instance at the regional level.
… designed for political consumption rather than being a genuine effort to communicate.
A Holden spokesman said the company would not respond to Mr Truss’s letter, which it was felt was designed for political consumption rather than being a genuine effort to communicate.
The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces in the country, including the sustained strength of the Australian dollar, high cost of production, small domestic market and arguably the most competitive and fragmented auto market in the world.
The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces in the country, including the sustained strength of the Australian dollar, high cost of production, small domestic market and arguably the most competitive and fragmented auto market in the world …
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Gorton from moving the following motion forthwith:
That this House condemns the Abbott Government for its failure to protect Australian jobs in the automotive and manufacturing sector.
That this House condemns the Abbott government for its failure to protect Australian jobs in the automotive and manufacturing sector.
The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces in the country, including the sustained strength of the Australian dollar, high cost of production, small domestic market and arguably the most competitive and fragmented auto market in the world.
That all words after 'that' be omitted and the following be substituted:
That this Parliament pledge to work together to protect and support manufacturing and employment in Australia, through policies that promote growth, particularly taxation and regulatory policies.
The decision to end manufacturing in Australia reflects the perfect storm of negative influences the automotive industry faces in the country, including the sustained strength of the Australian dollar, high cost of production, small domestic market and arguably the most competitive and fragmented auto market in the world.
… I will never see my country plunged into another war without the ability to build a main battle tank.
The House divided. [15:58]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
… a young woman from Somaliland in Somalia who has a serious facial disfigurement because of a gunshot wound incurred as a child during the war in Somalia.
Now, through Aussie generosity, facial reconstruction surgery in Australia has become a real possibility, with this surgery and the passage to Australia being offered to Ayaan free of charge by Brisbane's Wesley Hospital and the Rotary organisation. But Ayaan has been denied a short-term medical visa by the Abbott government …
So, as it stands, Minister Morrison, this decision makes no sense. It appears profoundly unfair and it needs to be reconsidered.
The need for productivity to determine infrastructure investment decisions by Government, through transparent economic analysis and the maintenance of the independence of Infrastructure Australia, free from political interference.
Tom Koutsantonis: If that's all true could you ask Mr Briggs why the Prime Minister is honouring his commitment to upgrade the Tonsley rail line? It's not [indistinct] rail…
Jamie Briggs: It's freight.
Tom Koutsantonis: No it's passenger, it's passenger service…
Jamie Briggs: It's freight…
Tom Koutsantonis: No it's not freight…
… unless the rail networks are right, the cities won’t work properly.
I've certainly had some discussions about Tony Abbott's issue with a rail tunnel and he's softened …
… … …
He's indicated to me they're prepared to have ongoing discussions on key infrastructure like the metro rail tunnel.
I would dispute that's the case … What I say in public and what I say in private is the same ... we will not be committing to the—
metro rail scheme. I've made that absolutely … clear.
If you are financing national infrastructure, it's actually pretty hard to say: 'Well, the most nationally needed projects just happen to be in Queensland and Western Australia … You are increasingly within a construct that says that you have to spread the gravy around irrespective of merit, otherwise you (will) suffer politically ... That's been there forever but is intensifying.
In 2010, an Australian National Audit Office report found Labor handed $2.2 billion in taxpayer funds to eight infrastructure projects that its own adviser had questioned as economically unviable or "not ready" to proceed.
The report said six rail, road and port infrastructure projects announced in the 2009-10 budget, as well as two rail projects funded in the 2010-11 budget, had not made Infrastructure Australia's shortlist of priority projects.
Mr Tanner's comments came a day after eight Labor ministers, including cabinet members Anthony Albanese and Jenny Macklin, were reported to have awarded more than $8.2 million in grants in their own electorates without properly reporting them.
Auditor-General Ian McPhee on Wednesday released details of 33 cases over 2½ years in which ministers violated Labor's anti-pork barrelling rules.
The investigating team determines that the cause of this accident was the in-flight detachment of the propeller from the aircraft as a result of loss of preload of the propeller assembly attachment studs.
(i) Improper torque of the propeller studs;
(ii) Failure to wire lock the studs allowed the studs to back out of the propeller hub assembly resulting in the separation of the propeller from the aircraft;
(iii) Failure to follow correct propeller installation procedures; and
(iv) Failure to use identifiable manufacturers' approved parts.
The time delay and failure of the relevant Civil Aviation Authorities to notify the South African Police Services, within a reasonable period of time, that a criminal investigation is called for, has resulted in crucial evidence being lost and unaccounted for. In this regard one of the files of the South African Civil Aviation Authority, in regards to the aircraft ZS-KOX, been lost and is still unaccounted for. Furthermore, the aircraft components that failed were shipped from Zambia via South Africa to the United States of America where they were forensically examined. After the examination they were shipped by the National Transport Safety Board, Washington DC, to the Department of Civil Aviation, Zambia. The Department of Civil Aviation returned the components to the National Transport Safety Bureau for reasons that are unknown to the National Transport Safety Bureau. The National Transport Safety Bureau then shipped the components back to the Department of Civil Aviation, Zambia.
The Director of Civil Aviation, Zambia, informed us that the components are missing and cannot be traced. Officials from the High Commissions of both Australia and the United Kingdom recently visited and met with the Director of Civil Aviation, Zambia. Upon their return they informed us that the components are still missing but that the Director of Civil Aviation undertook to conduct a renewed search for the missing components. The Director of Civil Aviation has now informed us that the renewed search was unsuccessful and that the components cannot be traced.
Based on her findings it can be concluded that there is a fine line between Nelair Engineering and Raylen.
Facts:
1. Raylen = Nelair reading the word Raylen backwards basically reads Nelair:
2. The Staff/principals in both companies are basically the same
3. Facilities used and shared responsibilities are within the same team or ownership.
4. There is enough evidence to conclude that the organisation is indeed related or operating under new name.
Whilst South African Civil Aviation Authority was busy with the safety audit/inspect at the Older Nelair, an organisation was certified by South African Civil Aviation Authority at Lanseria airport by the name Raylen. This organisation had appointed Mr. Willie Snyman whom is the son-in-law of Mr Pine Pienaar.
This is Nelair with another different name.
… this matter should be referred to criminal law enforcement agency .... Detailed information on the latest regarding this matter can and should be referred to the Hawks: Signed Simon Segwabe Acting Senior Manager- Airworthiness.
That Dr Stone be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties and that, in her place, Mr O'Dowd be appointed a member of the committee.
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2013
That this bill be now read a third time.
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2013
A number of researchers have questioned the merit of drawing on a ‘corporate model’ of accountability, pointing out that trade unions and companies are very different types of organisations. Their rationales for formation, the purposes they serve, and the nature of their membership are key differences. Union members have a democratic interest in the organisation of a union, rather than a financial or proprietary interest. Unions should be viewed as membership-based mutual interest societies rather than businesses.
The function of unions is not to profit from dealings with the general public. They operate as non-profit organisations. Their potential to harm individuals with whom they have financial dealings is nowhere near as great as that of private or public companies. Unions do not have shareholders with significant financial investments at risk. Shareholders may have large financial exposure to a company by reason of the size of their shareholding; by contrast union members have necessarily invested only their generally fairly modest membership fees.
The Bill is poorly conceived, badly motivated, and entirely unnecessary.
It is a transparently political Bill in an area where there is no extant public policy problem.
… nothing but a minor piece of window-dressing produced by the minister and the government in a desperate attempt to try and divert and distract media and public scrutiny from the sorry state of governance in the union movement.
… the majority of registered organisations do the right thing and in many cases maintain higher standards than those that are currently required.
The first head of the Registered Organisations Commission will be appointed by the Minister but will not be subject to Ministerial direction.
That the House do now adjourn.
The House divided. [19:34]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2013
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 9:30.
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.
… I greet you all in the name of peace, democracy and freedom for all. I stand … before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant …
We enter into a covenant that we shall build a society in which all South Africans, both black and white, will be able to walk tall, without any fear in their hearts, assured of their inalienable right to human dignity—a rainbow nation at peace with itself and the world.
During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society … It is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power.
I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons will live together in harmony with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for, and to see realised. But my Lord, if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination.
It was the labour movement of this country—
… in the early-50s which supported the dockworkers—
… created a great deal of excitement, and gave the people of South Africa in their struggle, a lot of strength and a lot of hope.
It was difficult to understand how workers, thousands of miles from our shores, who did take the initiative, the lead, among the workers of the world, to pledge their solidarity with the people of South Africa.
The feeling that we are not alone, that we have millions of workers behind us, is a factor which has prepared us, notwithstanding the most brutal form of oppression which we've faced in our country.
… I know that department ve-ry well. I would not recommend doing that.
Reinders, whose eyes filled with tears as he recalled that story … during the five years he had served at Mandela's side, he had received nothing but courtesy and kindness.
In Australia here, I have confidence in both population groups that there are competent and able men and women with experience who are able to resolve their problems, and to know how to resolve them.
We were frightened to approach him but he put out his hand and said 'talk to me.' … I was nervous because I was meeting a great man … It was a moment in my life I will never forget.
I related to him because he is a black man who served a political prison term because of his beliefs.
He gave me strength to fight for what I believe as a person—the rights of Aboriginal Australians—to achieve good outcomes for our people.
My choice was to stay in Aboriginal affairs and to work toward reconciling.
On September 2nd last year the Australian Government called for the release of political prisoners, including the immediate release of Mandela as an essential step toward dialogue and negotiations leading to the end of apartheid and a transition to a united free and democratic South Africa.
Mr Mandela's Presidential victory is the culmination of an odyssey that could easily have ended on the gallows in 1964 when he faced the death sentence for treason against the apartheid state. Instead he was sentenced to life in jail. Behind bars, he evolved into the world's most celebrated political prisoner and the standard bearer of the struggle for racial equality in the world's pariah nation, South Africa.
Do not judge me by my successes; judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.
Our nation has lost its greatest son. Our people have lost a father.
… … …
This is the moment of our deepest sorrow.
Our nation has lost its greatest son.
Yet, what made Nelson Mandela great was precisely what made him human. We saw in him what we seek in ourselves.
And in him we saw so much of ourselves.
I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
I stand here before you not as a prophet, but as a humble servant of you, the people.
Your tireless and heroic sacrifices have made it possible for me to be here today. I therefore place the remaining years of my life in your hands.
What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.
No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin, his background, or his religion. People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love, for love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.
The key thing is to believe that there's goodness in all human beings, irrespective of their colour, their beliefs, their particular ideology.
My work in reconciliation, along with many others, has been to challenge our nation to deal with its history, the legacy of the dispossession of Aboriginal peoples, and then the legacy of treaties and sovereignty and those sorts of issues. To deal with these matters in a mature, constructive way so that the nation can go forward, to make sure that there is recognition in the constitution of the first peoples of this country.
So there's a motivation that Mandela has given, along with Gandhi and others, of a non-violent approach, but also a consistency and dedication to that sort of cause for the betterment of the nation and not just for personal aggrandisement.
Those universal teachings of his, along with Gandhi and Martin Luther-King ... will live forever. I don't see it ever fading.
I will remember that the Labor movement of this country was among the very first, if not the first, to launch solidarity action in line with the people of South Africa in the course of their struggle. It was difficult to understand how workers, thousands of miles from our shores, who did take the initiative, the lead, among the workers of the world to pledge their solidarity to the people of South Africa. The feeling that we were not alone, that we had millions of workers behind us is a factor which has prepared us, notwithstanding the most brutal form of oppression, which we have faced in our country. Throughout, since 1912, every South African Government has tried to destroy the African National Congress, or at least to cripple it. Not only have they failed in that resolve, but we have emerged to be the most powerful political organisation in the country, inside and outside of Parliament.
Your victory has demonstrated that no person anywhere in the world should not dare to dream of wanting to change the world for a better place.
I am sure Madiba is smiling from above as he looks down on the multitude of diverseness here, for this is what he strove for, the equality of man, the brotherhood of humanity and the unity of progressive peoples until his last days.
Peace, justice, unity of all mankind. Let us pledge to keep Madiba's dream alive in the way in which we honour the humanity in each other, in the way in which we reach out to the humanity in each other, and in the way in which we raise up the impoverished, and the disfavoured.
There are times when a leader must move out ahead of the flock, must go off in a new direction, confident that he is leading his people the right way.
That further proceedings be conducted in the House.