The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 9:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That the time for the Joint Select Committee on Northern Australia to present its final report and recommendations be extended to 1 September 2014.
That, in relation to proceedings on the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014, the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential Modifications of Appropriation Acts (No. 1), (No. 3) and (No. 5)) Bill 2014, the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential Modifications of Appropriation Acts (No. 2), (No. 4) and (No. 6)) Bill 2014, and the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential Modifications of Appropriation Acts (Parliamentary Departments)) Bill 2014, so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring:
(1) the resumption of debate on the second readings of the bills being called on together;
(2) at the conclusion of the second reading debate, not including a Minister speaking in reply, or 60 minutes after the resumption of the second reading debate, whichever is the earlier, a Minister being called to sum up the second reading debate and then without delay, (a) one question being put on any amendments moved to motions for the second readings by opposition Members, (b) any necessary questions being put on amendments moved by any other Member, and (c) one question being put on the second readings of the bills together;
(3) if the second readings of the bills have been agreed to, messages from the Governor-General recommending appropriations for the bills being announced together;
(4) the consideration in detail stages, if required, on the bills being taken together for a period not exceeding 20 minutes at which time any questions necessary to complete the detail stage being put;
(5) at the conclusion of the detail stage, one question being put on the third readings of the bills together; and
(6) any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.
I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner's pay is reduced.
This government has not reduced the pay of any cleaner full stop, end of story. This government has not reduced the pay of any cleaner.
The House divided. [09:18]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
That, in relation to proceedings on the Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2014, the Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2014, the Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2014, and the Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2014, so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring:
(1) the resumption of debate on the second readings of the bills being called on together;
(2) at the conclusion of the second reading debate, not including a minister speaking in reply, or two hours after the resumption of the second reading debate, whichever is the earlier, a minister being called to sum up the second reading debate and then without delay, (a) one question being put on any amendments moved to motions for the second readings by opposition members, (b) any necessary questions being put on amendments moved by any other member, and (c) one question being put on the second readings of the bills together;
(3) if the second readings of the bills have been agreed to, any messages from the Governor-General recommending appropriations for the bills being announced together;
(4 the consideration in detail stages, if required, on the bills being taken together for a period not exceeding 30 minutes at which time any questions necessary to complete the detail stage being put;
(5) at the conclusion of the detail stage, one question being put on the third readings of the bills together; and
(6) any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a minister.
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [09:26]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
The House divided. [09:30]
(The Speaker—Hon. Bronwyn Bishop)
Migration Amendment (Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care Measures) Bill (No. 2) 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
Government subsidies help to keep a lid on families’ out-of-pocket child care costs, but it is hard to escape the conclusion they have also helped drive up prices and the cost to government. The higher prices go, the more financial assistance families will require and so the cycle continues.
Meteorology Amendment (Online Advertising) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2014
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential Modifications of Appropriation Acts (No. 1), (No. 3) and (No. 5)) Bill 2014
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential Modifications of Appropriation Acts (No. 2), (No. 4) and (No. 6)) Bill 2014
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability (Consequential Modifications of Appropriation Acts (Parliamentary Departments)) Bill 2014
… from the sheer size of the legislative package the effect of these amendments goes across all of government and is essential to effective implementation of a new resource and governance framework.
The legislation affects every portfolio, covering amendments ranging from the Auditor-General Act to the Water Act and many in between.
I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner's pay is reduced.
This government has not reduced the pay of any cleaner full stop, end of story. This government has not reduced the pay of any cleaner.
I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner's pay is reduced.
The regulations may authorise a Minister to issue guidelines …
(1) Schedule 2, page 28 (after line 15), after item 58, insert:
58A Guidelines
The amendments to section 65 of the FMA Act made by this Schedule do not affect the continuity of the Commonwealth Cleaning Services Guidelines 2012, as in force immediately before the commencement time.
I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner's pay is reduced.
This government has not reduced the pay of any cleaner full stop, end of story. This government has not reduced the pay of any cleaner.
I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner's pay is reduced.
The House divided. [11:42]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Broadbent)
Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2014
Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2014
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2014
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2014
Fuel tax is a tax on distance. If ever there was a country that should not aggressively tax fuel, it is a vast country like Australia. It is a tax on doing business outside of the capital cities. It is a tax on farming in the distant parts of our nation. It is a tax on living and setting up a business in a country town.
I have always believed that the fuel excise system lacks equity, because those who live and work outside metropolitan areas pay a disproportionate amount of the excise simply because they need more vehicles per household, they use more fuel and they do not have access to regular public transport.
Now we have this fuel tax, which has been presented to the House in the form of this legislation. It will have a direct impact on the cost of living, particularly in regional areas.
There a lot of people in this country—in practical terms, I am one of them—who have to drive a heavy four-wheel drive. Even in my own home village, just filling up a Toyota Landcruiser station wagon the other day cost me $121.50. It is a real issue.
None of us like to see rises in crude oil prices and none of us like to see people in far-flung regions disadvantaged.
I'm concerned that it does put all the costs up …
… It's another tax and I guess it could be a broken promise.
Whether it be tomatoes or lettuce, premium beef products … anything that you buy virtually will all go up and [it] will have that inflationary effect on the economy.
If you want to put a price on carbon, why not just do it with a simple tax? Why not ask motorists to pay more …
… effectively, it's a backdoor carbon tax, so how it can be rationalised by the Government, that this makes any sense at all, either economically or politically. I think it really leaves many people wondering.
We stand for lower, simpler, fairer taxes, not great big new taxes that damage Australia’s economy, not great big new taxes that are yet another hit on the cost of living of struggling Australian families.
We are Liberals who believe in smaller government, lower taxes, greater freedom.
The one thing that they will never have to suffer under a coalition government is an unnecessary new tax, a tax that could easily be replaced by savings found from the budget.
We honour the victims of the floods by being a competent parliament and a competent government. We do not honour them by imposing an unnecessary new tax.
Why should the Australian people be hit with a levy to meet expenses which a competent, adult, prudent government should be able to cover from the ordinary revenues of government?
People can be confident that spending, debt and taxes will always be lower under a coalition government because we have the record to prove it.
A very clear message is going out from the Australian people to this government: there can be no tax collection without an election. If this government had any honesty, any decency, that is what we would have—an election now.
I have often said, and members of this House will no doubt hear me say it again, there should be no new tax collection without an election.
I say to this Prime Minister: there should be no new tax collection without an election.
Tony himself has, in just four or five months, publicly advocated the blocking of the [emissions trading scheme], the passing of the ETS, the amending of the ETS and, if the amendments were satisfactory, passing it, and now the blocking of it. His only redeeming virtue in this remarkable lack of conviction is that every time he announced a new position to me he would preface it with 'Mate, mate, I know I am a bit of a weathervane on this, but . . . '.
"Barnaby isn't interested in good policy," … "He's only interested in what will make him popular in the bush."
I just went to the bathroom and missed the vote. I record my vote for the ayes to the Democrats’ amendment.
It is widely accepted that the current approach to road pricing is unsustainable. A range of bodies, including Infrastructure Australia, the Productivity Commission, the National Transport Commission and the Commonwealth Treasury … have concluded that the system requires substantial change.
The Henry Review—
correctly concluded that the current taxation settings for the nation's roads would prove unsustainable in the longer term.
The Henry Review attributed the decline in Fuel Excise revenue to the cessation of indexation in 2001, which has been compounded by other causes, such as increasing efficiency of the vehicle fleet.
This measure will allow for the maintenance of the real value of excise rates in a non-destabilising fashion.
That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“the House declines to give the bill a second reading as the government’s petrol tax is a broken promise that will increase the cost of living for Australian families."
… our duty is to make the most of this precious moment … a fair go for Aboriginal people is far too important to be put off … we need to provide it now.
Fuel tax is a tax on distance. If ever there was a country that should not aggressively tax fuel, it is a vast country like Australia. It is a tax on doing business outside of the capital cities.
Electricity prices went up fairly quickly on the way up and they will go down fairly immediately on the way down.
If and when the carbon price is removed as an input cost to energy bills, then Origin will pass on this benefit to consumers as soon as practicable …
The Government has decided to terminate the carbon tax to help cost-of-living pressures …
The Government has decided to terminate the carbon tax to help cost-of-living pressures for families and to reduce costs for small business
I have no doubt the big end of town in Australia will begin jacking up their prices in response to fee deregulation, but they will be doing so just as a range of new online, low-cost yet high-quality competitors are entering our domestic market. As a result, we are likely to see prices move in both directions … the prestigious university brands will find themselves going head-to-head with a raft of cheaper but equally high-quality competitors.
We recognise that, in a deregulated fee environment, the Government has chosen to ensure scholarships for low SES and other students from backgrounds that are underrepresented in higher education.
Increasing the age pension age is a responsible reform to meet the challenge of an ageing population …
… … …
Australia must move towards a higher pension age over the next decade.
… in order to make the pension system is sustainable in the long run, we also made the hard decision to raise the qualifying age for the age pension.
There is a lesson in that decision and the lesson is this: when we make policy we need to have the courage to adapt to changing demographic trends. It simply was not feasible to continue with a pension age drawn up a century ago.
It is time to start coming out [of debt and deficit], otherwise the longer you leave it the more exposed you become and the harder it is to wind it back.
The budget goes a long way to restoring all important business confidence that will drive investment and job creation, particularly for Australia's two million small businesses …
The Government has returned the Budget to surplus three years ahead of schedule and ahead of any other major advanced economy.
… the real value of the pension will fall dramatically over time.
The Australian Technology Network of Universities (ATN) supports the Commonwealth Scholarship model unveiled in the Federal Budget as being in the best interest of students in a deregulated higher education system.
What actually matters is more low SES students participating and achieving at university without the need for costly oversight.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 24 June 2014.
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, 14 July 2014, 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 Social Policy and Legal Affairs:
Statement to the House regarding the progress of the inquiry into the Child Support program.
The Committee determined that statements may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.15 am.
Speech time limits—
Mr Christensen — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
2 Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs:
Statement to the House regarding the progress of the inquiry into drones and regulation of air safety and privacy.
The Committee determined that statements may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.25 am.
Speech time limits—
Mr Christensen — 5 minutes.
Ms Claydon — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
3 Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters:
Statement to the House regarding the committee ' s inquiry into the 2013 federal election.
The Committee determined that statements may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.35 am.
Speech time limits—
Mr Smith — 10 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR ALBANESE: To move:
That this House:
(1) condemns:
(a) the decision by the Government to freeze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants to local governments across Australia;
(b) the resulting cuts to local government funding of $925 million over the next four years, affecting every council in Australia; and
(c) the failure of the:
(i) Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development to protect this critical funding to local governments across Australia; and
(ii) National Party to stand up against the cuts on behalf of regional and remote councils, which are affected most by the freeze;
(2) notes:
(a) Financial Assistance Grants are used by every local government in Australia to maintain local roads and deliver critical community services;
(b) the Government's indexation freeze represents cuts of $925 million to local governments in every town and city over the next four years;
(c) regional and remote councils will be most affected by the cuts, with larger service areas and more kilometres of roads to maintain per ratepayer;
(d) the viability of some regional and remote councils may be compromised as a result of the cuts;
(e) the pressure now on councils to increase council rates or cut services due to the cuts; and
(f) within six years, the value of the cuts will be greater than the entire Roads to Recovery budget; and
(3) calls upon the Government to:
(a) listen to local government concerns about the impact of freezing indexation of Financial Assistance Grants on local roads and community services; and
(b) immediately reverse the decision to freeze indexation of Financial Assistance Grants to local government over the next three years.
( Notice given 17 June 2014. )
Time allotted—45 minutes .
Speech time limits—
Mr Albanese — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 MRS PRENTICE: To move:
That this House:
(1) understands that the carbon tax has caused a reduction in confidence and competiveness for small business;
(2) notes that:
(a) the carbon tax has seen gas and electricity prices rise by around 10 per cent;
(b) the former Government did not provide compensation for small businesses hit by the carbon tax;
(c) many small businesses are run at a very slim profit margin and are unable to pass these costs on to the consumers, forcing them to absorb the burden of the carbon tax themselves;
(d) with the cost of doing business increasing due to the carbon tax, small businesses lose confidence, invest less money in their business, and are forced to employ fewer staff; and
(e) under the former Government, too many small business jobs were lost; and
(3) commends the Government's action to repeal the carbon tax to provide certainty to small business and restore the sector's competitiveness, viability and capacity to employ.
( Notice given 24 June 2014. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits—
Mrs Prentice—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS PARKE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the ethnic and sectarian unrest in parts of Myanmar, including Rakhine state and the Mandalay, Bago, and Yangon regions, but in Rakhine state in particular, has created significant humanitarian concerns given that the latest iteration of displacement has been going on for almost two years;
(b) Human Rights Watch released two reports on the unrest in Rakhine state and the situation of Rohingya Muslims there which clearly concluded that ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity were perpetrated against the Rohingyas;
(c) the national census in Myanmar in April 2014 has led to a deepening of the humanitarian crisis due to the census boycott by ethnic Arakanese groups and the alienation of minority communities as a result of questions relating to ethnicity and religion, including the refusal to allow Rohingya Muslims to self-identify as such;
(d) on 27 May 2014 Myanmar's state-run media published a draft law on religious conversions that would impose unlawful restrictions on citizens wishing to change their religion, which would encourage further repression and violence against Muslims and other religious minorities;
(e) the Australian Government continues to assist affected people in Rakhine state through direct humanitarian assistance, providing over $5.79 million in humanitarian assistance in 2012-13, making Australia one of the largest donors helping those affected by the crisis; and
(f) any acts of discrimination or violence against any persons will impact on Myanmar's international standing and consequently harm its bilateral relationships; and
(2) calls on the Australian Government to urge the Myanmar Government to:
(a) elevate its efforts to resolve ethnic and sectarian unrest in parts of Myanmar, including by accepting the deployment of personnel from the Australian Civilian Corps for security, humanitarian and peace building purposes in Rakhine state;
(b) allow the establishment of the United Nations Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights in Myanmar with a full rights protection, promotion and technical assistance mandate, and permit unfettered access to all areas where sectarian violence has occurred;
(c) permit Médecins Sans Frontières to freely enter and operate in Rakhine state, and provide humanitarian assistance to all persons needing it;
(d) impartially investigate and bring to justice all those responsible for abuses, regardless of their status, position, or rank;
(e) ensure the security of all persons in Rakhine state while protecting human rights, including the right to freedom of movement, maintaining proper rule of law and good governance that includes an end to all discriminatory policies against Rohingyas;
(f) amend the 1982 Citizenship Law to bring it in line with international standards;
(g) ensure that minority communities are properly included in the national census;
(h) abandon the proposed law on religious conversions that would politicise religion and permit government intrusion on decisions of faith;
(i) ensure right to fair trial to all persons held in jails in Rakhine state;
(j) ensure all local laws are non-discriminatory and fair to all people of Myanmar, and respect the rights to movement, religion, work and access to health care and education;
(k) condemn violence and abuse inflicted on any persons, ensuring proper judicial procedures are applied;
(l) ensure Myanmar security forces protect all communities equally and uphold the law of the state;
(m) allow independent investigations into recent abuses, specifically in Rakhine state, for example the Du Chee Yar Tan incident in Maungdaw township in January 2014;
(n) support the citizenship rights of Rohingyas and reconciliation of local communities;
(o) ensure the rights of women by protecting a women's right to choose whom they will marry without regard to religious faith, and permit persons the right to freely choose the size of their family;
(p) provide appropriate humanitarian assistance, including adequate shelter, and grant access by humanitarian organisations, to those affected by the unrest; and
(q) ensure quick return of the internally displaced peoples to their place of origin and assist in rebuilding their houses and properties.
( Notice given 2 June 2014. )
Time allotted—30 minutes .
Ms Parke — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 MS GAMBARO: To move:
That this House applauds the Government for its resolute commitment to supporting the men and women of the Australian Defence Force (ADF), past and present, by:
(1) honouring its election promise to:
(a) introduce from l January 2014, free basic health care to all eligible dependents of full-time ADF members and Reservists undertaking continuous full time service; and
(b) provide 'fair indexation' for military superannuants by amending the indexation arrangements for more than 57,000 Defence Forces Retirement Benefits and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits scheme pensioners from 1 July 2014;
(2) officially launching Project Suakin, which introduces a range of full-time, part time and casual employment categories within the ADF that will offer members increased flexibility to match their changing personal circumstances and enable the ADF to respond to current and future workforce challenges; and
(3) directing Defence Housing Australia to upgrade housing stock available to Defence personnel and reduce pressure on local community housing markets through programs such as the Top End Defence housing strategy which will deliver over 2,300 additional homes in Darwin.
( Notice given 18 March 2014. )
Time allotted—40 minutes .
Ms Gambaro — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 Ms Owens: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the devastating effects of atypical Haemolytic Uraemic Syndrome (HUS) and its long term impact on the lives of the sufferer, as well as their friends and family;
(b) that atypical HUS is a genetic disease of excessive immune dysfunction that affects people of all ages, with symptoms including heart failure, pulmonary edema, clotting in the lungs, blurred vision and kidney failure; and
(c) that the current treatment regimen of plasma exchange and/or dialysis has significant risks and can result in a further reduction in the quality of life for the patient;
(2) acknowledges the community advocacy work that has brought this condition to the attention of the House, such as the work by Ms Jeanette Daher who seeks a listing of the drug under the Government's Life Saving Drugs Program;
(3) notes that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee (PBAC) is due to make a recommendation on the use of the drug Soliris (Eculizumab), which has shown to put the disease into remission; and
(4) urges the Minister for Health to carefully consider any favourable recommendation of the PBAC as a matter of urgency.
( Notice given 18 March 2014. )
Time allotted—20 minutes .
Ms Owens — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 Mr Simpkins: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes the increasing instances of Australian citizens taking up arms for foreign military and extremist causes including, but not limited to, the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, representing a threat to good order in international affairs and the safety of Australian citizens;
(2) acknowledges:
(a) that by taking up arms or supporting such causes, those citizens have failed to comply with the pledge they made when they became an Australian citizen, to uphold the laws of Australia; and
(b) those who have taken up arms or supported such causes, and were born Australian citizens but have a second citizenship, have also repudiated their allegiance to Australia; and
(3) urges the Government to amend the Australian Citizenship Act 2007 to allow the revocation of the status of citizen for those who take up arms, or provide material and/or financial support for military/extremist causes, except where such action is at the direction of the Government.
( Notice given 23 June 2014. )
Time allotted—40 minutes .
Mr Simpkins — 5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
5 Ms Vamvakinou: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that 20 July 2014 marks 40 years since Cyprus was divided;
(2) recognises the continuing support of this parliament and successive Australian governments towards achieving a just and fair resolution for the Cyprus problem;
(3) urges the Australian Government to aid the current peace process based on relevant United Nations resolutions, including United Nations Security Council resolutions 2135 (2014) of 30 January 2014 and 1251 (1999) of 29 June 1999 and subsequent resolutions, on respecting the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Cyprus;
(4) notes that any solution to the Cyprus conflict should result in the demilitarisation and reunification of the island for the benefit and welfare of its entire people and peace in the region; and
(5) recognises 50 years of continuing service by the Australian Federal Police in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Cyprus that this House reaffirms.
( Notice given 23 June 2014. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Ms Vamvakinou—5 minutes .
Next Member — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
The Government’s failure to protect Australians seeking financial advice for their hard earned savings.
Audits of a union super fund for meatworkers have uncovered alleged corporate governance failures, conflicts of interest and an alleged failure by a union stalwart … to disclose six-figure "consultancy fees" …
The proposed Bill—
would substantially weaken consumer protections and undermine the original goals of the FoFA reforms: to improve the quality of financial advice and build trust in the financial planning industry.
Conflicted and poor financial advice has cost consumers billions and in too many cases led to people losing their homes and life savings. This is why consumer protections were originally needed and exactly why they should not be removed.
Student Identifiers Bill 2014
Export Legislation Amendment Bill 2014
Export Inspection (Quantity Charge) Amendment Bill 2014
Export Inspection (Service Charge) Amendment Bill 2014
Export Inspection (Establishment Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2014
Family Trust Distribution Tax (Primary Liability) Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014
Fringe Benefits Tax Amendment (Temporary Budget Repair Levy) Bill 2014
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2014-2015
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2014-2015
Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2013-2014
Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2013-2014
Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2014
Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2014
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2014
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2014
The House divided. [16:53]
(Deputy Speaker—Mr Vasta)
That these bills be now read a second time.
That the bills be agreed to.
If there was one budget measure which Labor and the Greens really should have supported, it was the move to reinstate indexation on fuel excise.
After all, it would have been the Coalition—not Labor—that bore the opprobrium, and both sides of politics and the budget bottom line would have benefited from the move.
In what was a too-clever-by-half punt, Labor thought it could get the best of both worlds by counting on the Greens to support the Coalition on the indexation move, thus avoiding any political fallout but gaining the revenue whenever it eventually gets back to government—
despite never having had the courage to make the move on fuel excise itself when it was—
in government.
I can promise you honesty and integrity in Government—
I'd like to have a Government which people can trust.
We will reduce the tax burden. We will put an end to Labor's tax rip-off.
The Government will bring taxes down further—not increase them.
… offer real solutions that will help the forgotten families of Australia with cost of living pressures.
That these bills be now read a third time.
Carbon Farming Initiative Amendment Bill 2014
This will be the most comprehensive emissions trading scheme in the world, broader in coverage than any scheme currently operating anywhere. This world-leading scheme will cover 70-75 percent of total emissions, or almost 100 percent of industrial, energy and mining emissions.
Our very strong view is, we were the initiators of an emissions trading scheme, and we believe in a market-based approach, and Malcolm Turnbull as Environment Minister actually put in the framework for an emissions trading scheme.
Let's not forget it was the Opposition—
that first proposed an emissions trading scheme when we were in government. The idea that somehow the Liberal Party is opposed to an emissions trading scheme is quite frankly ludicrous.
By leading on solutions to the issue of climate change, the new generation of Liberals—
can demonstrate that they believe progress is in the interests of the party and the country …
The Grattan Institute pointed to published analyses—
Which suggest that 'the target cannot be achieved with the allocated funds, given assumptions of emissions projections, abatement costs and budgetary allocation'.
… from what we know of the ERF the scale, duration and carbon prices of deals likely to be on offer will not provide sufficient incentive for investors to participate. We think the banks will take a similar view.
That all words after 'That' be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
'whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading the House notes:
(1) the Government’s poor record on environmental and climate change issues;
(2) that payments from the Emissions Reduction Fund need to be financed from the federal budget, and paid for by taxpayers rather than big polluters;
(3) the need to fully examine the range of changes proposed to the CFI and the impact this will have on the existing land sector projects;
(4) the lack of robust and defensible assurance from the Government about the ability of the CFI amendment and the Emissions Reduction Fund to achieve Australia’s emissions reduction target;
(5) that since the 2013 election Australia’s international reputation on climate change action has been damaged by becoming the first nation to move backwards on climate change while the rest of the world, including China and the US, is moving forward; and
(6) the need for the Government to pass an Emissions Trading Scheme to place a cap on carbon pollution and drive a clean energy future for Australia.'
… the de-industrialisation of the developed countries—
in favour of developing countries led to a displacement of the pollutant activities towards the developing countries without a similar reduction of manufactured goods consumption in developed countries.
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [18:39]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Ross Vasta)
The House divided. [18:45]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Ross Vasta)
The House divided. [18:48]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Ross Vasta)
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the motion for the third reading being moved without delay.
The House divided. [18:52]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Ross Vasta)
That this bill be now read a third time.
The House divided. [18:54]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Ross Vasta)
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment Bill 2014
The Bill would impose a far more onerous regime for officers of registered organisations than what applies to directors of public companies.
If the proposed criminal penalties and proposed massive financial penalties for breaches of duties are included in the act, this would operate as a major disincentive to existing voluntary officers of registered organisations continuing in their roles, and would deter other people from holding office.
… was good for wages, it was good for jobs, and it was good for workers. And let’s never forget that.
Work Choices wasn't all bad.
Mr Lawler found that: "In all the circumstances and particularly given there is no statutory definition of corrupt conduct in the Northern Territory, it would be inappropriate for me to make a finding of corrupt conduct against any person as a result of the inquiry's work."
Mr McCarthy, who was lands minister at the time, acted in accordance with the provisions of the Crown Lands Act in granting the lease.
But … the offer was "arguably unreasonable—
But Mr Lawler found the offer was “arguably unreasonable ... and would be susceptible to challenge before the Supreme Court on that basis”.
“Minister McCarthy’s conduct was not accountable, responsible or in the public interest,” Mr Lawler said.
Ms Lawrie, a former lands minister, treasurer and deputy chief minister, was found to have “acted with bias over many years, forming a view in 2009 that Unions NT should be exclusively granted a lease over the site without an expression of interest process”.
“Minister Lawrie may have genuinely believed that granting the site exclusively to Unions NT was in the public interest (but) the way she involved herself in the process was not proper and was unfair to the public and other community groups.”
… I have prevailed to ensure that this country is made stronger and smarter and fairer …
… don’t lack the guts, don’t lack the fortitude, don’t lack the resilience …
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Whiteley ) took the chair at 09:36.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of residents and visitors to Valla and Valla Beach draws to the attention of the House: The Valla Community has a population of over 2000 people {comprising Valla Beach and Valla Rural). A community pharmacy would ensure the timely access to medication for all members of this community and further improve access to primary health care.
A pharmacy in Valla would provide continuity of care; address the lack of sufficient public transport in the community and the need to travel to surrounding towns for medication and pharmacy services.
Due to the current pharmacy approval rules Valla is not eligible to have a pharmacy to serve the needs of locals and visitors.
For a pharmacy to open in Valla it is essential that we convince the Minister for Health to exercise the Discretionary Power of approval. We must convince the Hon Peter Dutton MP that approving a pharmacy is in the public interest and that the Valla community is being left without reasonable access to Pharmaceutical Benefits.
We therefore ask the House to remedy this lack of reasonable access to pharmaceutical benefits for the Valla community in the Nambucca Valley by requesting the Minister for Health to exercise the Discretionary Power to approve the proposed pharmacy at shop 3, 35-39 Valla Beach Road, Valla Beach NSW 2448.
These amendments will turn back the clock on the gains made by the Closing the Gap campaign and in the name of reconciliation. In short, racial discrimination will be viewed as acceptable and systemic racism will increase.
One of the greatest joys of Brian's parish work was the nurturing of children in the church from baptism through confirmation to adulthood and marriage. Testament to his capacity as a spiritual leader was his ability to build numbers within congregations, especially young family units.
(1) Since 1 January 2009, what was the total number of
(a) humanitarian/refugee, and
(b) family, stream migrants born in English Proficiency group 3 and 4 countries who settled in
(i) each local government area in metropolitan Sydney,
(ii) the Hunter and Illawarra regions,
(iii) rural New South Wales,
(iv) each local government area in metropolitan Melbourne,
(v) rural Victoria,
(vi) Queensland,
(vii) Western Australia,
(viii) South Australia,
(ix) Tasmania,
(x) the Australian Capital Territory, and
(xi) the Northern Territory.
(2) What research, if any, has the Government commissioned on the factors that influence the initial settlement location of humanitarian/refugee stream migrants and their subsequent movement patterns.
(1) The total number of humanitarian/refugee and family stream migrants in English Proficiency group 3 and 4 countries who have settled in each of the requested areas since 1 January 2009 are presented in the tables at Attachment A.
(2) The Government has commissioned the Building a New Life in Australia longitudinal study of humanitarian migrants. The objective of the study is to better understand the factors that aid (or hinder) the successful settlement of humanitarian migrants in Australia. The study commenced in 2013 and is being conducted over five years. The study includes asking respondents why they chose their current home and respondents will be followed if they move.
Attachment A
Family and Humanitarian settlers born in English Proficiency group 3 and 4 countries who arrived between 1 January 2009 and 4 May 2014
Please note definitions and caveats at the end of this attachment.
(i) Each local government area in metropolitan Sydney
(ii) the Hunter and Illawarra regions
Hunter region
Illawarra region
(iii) rural New South Wales
(note: All regional LGAs are provided)
(iv) each local government area in metropolitan Melbourne
(v) rural Victoria,
(note: All regional LGAs are provided)
(vi) Queensland
(vii) Western Australia
(viii) South Australia
(ix) Tasmania
(x) the Australian Capital Territory
(xi) the Northern Territory
Definitions and Caveats
All data is sourced from the Department's Settlement Database (SDB).
Data Capture
SDB collects data concerning settlers who have been granted a permanent (or provisional) visa.
SDB data is compiled from a number of sources including Department of Immigration and Border Protection (DIBP), other Commonwealth agencies and service providers.
English Proficiency
English Proficiency Group 3 contains countries, from which Australia has received settlers in the last 5 years, where 57.5% to 84.5% of these settlers reported that they spoke English only or Good English at the last Census.
English Proficiency Group 4 contains countries, from which Australia has received settlers in the last 5 years, where less than 57.5% of these settlers reported that they spoke English only or Good English at the last Census.
Local Government Areas (LGAs)
Abbreviations as defined by the Australian Bureau of Statistics are: (A) Area; (AC) Aboriginal council; (DC) District Council; (R) Regional Council; (RC) Rural City; (S) Shire; (T) Town.
Data Limitations
SDB includes settlers who were:
SDB has not been adjusted to reflect settlers who are deceased, have permanently departed Australia or who have had their grants cancelled.
SDB includes some duplicate settler records.
SDB includes only the settler's latest known residential (or intended residential) address. Address information is only updated if the department is notified. Some settlers have no address details recorded.
SDB location data is based on the 2011 Australian Standard Geographic Classification (ASGC).
SDB includes only the latest permanent (or provisional) visa for a settler.
Reporting Limitations
Reports including numbers of settlers in specified locations may be inaccurate due to limitations in address data. This is particularly problematic for regional/rural locations.
Settlers with an existing permanent (or provisional) visa may appear in different reporting categories over time if they are granted a subsequent permanent (or provisional) visa.
Reports including numbers of settlers of 5 or fewer have been suppressed (indicated by an asterisk*) for client confidentiality.