The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 09:00, (Quorum formed), made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Labor 2013-14 Budget Savings (Measures No. 1) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
… meandering back to surplus—would compound the pressures in our economy and push up the cost of living for pensioners and working people.
… meandering back to surplus—would compound the pressures in our economy and push up the cost of living for pensioners and working people.
… importantly by coming back to surplus we give the Reserve Bank maximum flexibility to cut interest rates, should they decide to do so independently of the Government.
… coming back to surplus is about making sure we help those people sitting around the kitchen table when they're figuring out how they will make ends meet.
… the fact that the real issues with public finances are medium-term ones is not a reason to put off taking decisions to address them. On the contrary, as experience in so many other countries demonstrates, by the time these sorts of problems have gone from being out on the horizon to on our doorstep, they have usually become a lot more difficult to tackle. Early, measured actions that have effects that build up over time are a much better approach than the much tougher response that might be required if decisions were delayed.
… it is quite another thing to exhort vague notions of fairness to oppose any form of reform. If you do that, if you use such an argument to defend what is an unsustainable status quo, what you are doing is consigning Australia to a deteriorating future.
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 ...
Sure we're currently at a very low level relative to the rest of the developed world, but frankly we don't want to find ourselves where the rest of the world is ...
You've got to have a buffer. One of the reasons we came through the global financial crisis so well was because we started with assets ...
If the rate of the increase [in debt], if allowed to go unchecked, would mean that net debt would increase quite rapidly to the point where that fiscal buffer ... would not be available.
We have seen with very great interest, and I think really with great expectations, that they are dealing very directly and decisively with the budget deficit.
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Amendment Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Bill 2014
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: AIR 6000 Phase 2A/B New Air Combat Capability Facilities.
That:
(1) Mr Hayes be discharged from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity and that, in his place, Mrs Elliot be appointed a member of the committee; and
(2) Mrs Elliot be discharged from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement and that, in her place, Mr Hayes be appointed a member of the committee.
Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a second time.
… that existing mining operations, environmental organisations, Indigenous groups and pastoralists with an extant presence on the WPA, should continue to operate under their current access arrangements unless they choose to be administered under the proposed coexistence model.
… appears limited compared to the existing regulation 36 which provides a broader scope of compensation to those persons who 'suffer loss or damage' as a result of the use of regulation 34 and 35.
Corporations Amendment (Simple Corporate Bonds and Other Measures) Bill 2014
Meteorology Amendment (Online Advertising) Bill 2014
Corporations Amendment (Simple Corporate Bonds and Other Measures) Bill 2014
Meteorology Amendment (Online Advertising) Bill 2014
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2014
The Pharmacy Guild has expressed disappointment over a response from Health Minister Peter Dutton to its petition on Simplified Price Disclosure (SPD).
The introduction of co-payments won't be shared equally.
It will particularly affect people who need to use more medical and related services, such as older people and those with chronic health conditions.
… the condition of the budget will not be an excuse for breaking promises?
Exactly right.
The condition of the budget will not be an excuse for breaking promises?
Exactly right. We will keep the commitments that we make. All of these commitments that we make will be commitments that are carefully costed.
Commonwealth spending on health and education now approaches $90 billion a year. Still, any withdrawal of Commonwealth involvement or spending in these areas would rightly be seen as a cop-out.
The message to Australians tonight is: 'if you get sick, you'll pay. If you get old, you'll pay. If you lose your job or acquire a disability, don't expect to get support so easily.'
Sharing the burden is heavily falling on the shoulders of those least able to afford it.
PBS medicines along with the professional advice and support of doctors and pharmacists keep people alive and out of more expensive hospital and residential aged care settings. They keep people productive in the economy, in the paid workforce and caring for family members.
… general co-payments are already quite high by world standards and these are at a level that may discourage use of beneficial medications. They also have the potential to increase downstream costs, for instance, through increased hospitalisations.
PBS expenditure actually fell last financial year and is forecast to rise at a rate lower than GDP growth throughout the current forward estimates, a fact confirmed in Mr Hockey’s latest figures. How it is then suddenly forecast to start increasing by nearly $1billion a year is unexplained.
A 2008 study found that when the Howard Government increased the price of PBS medications for pensioners, pensioners avoided purchasing life-saving medications.
It stands to reason that pensioners will limit their purchase of PBS medications when the co-payment jumps by 13% … This will be aggravated by the increase in the safety-net threshold, which will see a pensioner pay up to $427.80 per year …
The effects are known: budget savings will be made—over $1b a year—off the backs of the poorest and most vulnerable. People who miss out on the safety net will now miss out on care as well.
Clearly, it is consumers, particularly those with chronic diseases … that will feel the pain from these budget measures.
… the effect of the Bill will be to increase the cost of medications for all consumers, including those reliant on social security payments.
Cleaning workers on certain government contracts are likely to experience a reduction in wages at the end of their current contracts.
I want to make it absolutely crystal clear that no cleaner's pay is reduced.
We will be back in the black by 2012-13, on time, as promised.
The alternative—meandering back to surplus—would compound the pressures in our economy and push up the cost of living for pensioners and working people.
But there is a better way of operating a health system and the change should hardly hurt at all … the ideal model involves a small co-payment—not enough to put a dent in your weekly budget, but enough to make you think twice before you call the doc.
Corporations Amendment (Simple Corporate Bonds and Other Measures) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a third time.
Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2014
l am sure you would agree this is a nasty tax; nothing for the rich, a burden for the poor. Yet Hockey promotes it as right and proper for the rich to pay; no mention of the burden on the poor.
If both policies were introduced, the average annual extra cost to a patient, which increases with age, would be A$36 for children up to $122 for people 65 and older.
A young family of four would expect to pay $170 in co-payments for GP visits and tests, plus $14 for medications — $184 more annually.
A self-funded retired couple without Commonwealth concession cards could expect to be up for an average of $189 in co-payments for GP visits and tests, plus $55 for medications — totalling $244 more.
An age pensioner couple with concession cards would pay an average $140 in co-payments for GP visits and tests plus $59 for medications — $199 extra.
The research comes as the Medicare co-payment faces defeat in the Senate …
… … …
They found that more than one-quarter of adult GP consultations involved at least one test, which would make for a minimum out-of-pocket cost for the consultation of $14 in co-payments. About 3% of adult GP consultations involved imaging and pathology — making for a minimum $21 in co-payments.
Different people use health services at different rates, with the average number of GP visits made by the Australian population who visited a GP in 2012-13 being 6.6. The rate increases substantially with age, from an average of 4.5 for children to 10.5 for people 65 and over …
"Therefore, the introduction of co-payments will not have an equal impact across the population. It is the high users, usually the older, sicker people in our community who will be the most affected," the report said.
"Compared with other OECD countries, Australia already has one of the highest levels of out-of-pocket health costs. Through introduction of the co-payments the government aims to 'ensure health services are sustainable and used efficiently'.
However there is no evidence that any modelling was performed to assess the effect of co-payments on deterring people from seeing a GP, or the flow on effect on hospital emergency department attendances."
In 2012-13, 5.8% of people delayed or did not see a GP because of cost, and this was a greater barrier for those from disadvantaged areas.
"Discouraging people from using primary care health services flies in the face of all international evidence.
"It is likely that the increased costs due to these policies would deter more people from seeking early treatment or from taking necessary medications. This is a concern when areas in Australia already have 13% of their population delaying or not seeing a GP due to cost, and 15% doing the same for prescriptions.
"Overseas studies have shown that there is little evidence of health care cost reduction from introducing co-payments. The evidence suggests that long term health costs will be higher due to patients deferring necessary care, resulting in increased hospitalisation and progression of disease," the study said.
"International evidence overwhelmingly suggests that the most efficient, effective and equitable health systems have a strong primary care focus.
"We believe that if Australia is to maintain an efficient and equitable health care system, general practice requires investment, not reductions."
As highlighted by CHF’s 2013-14 Federal Budget Submission, rising expenses for both government and individuals have underlined the need for new approaches to pay for healthcare that will result in more effective, targeted treatment, and reduced out-of-pocket costs.
Costs present a considerable barrier to access to health services for some consumers as the COAG Reform Council’s recent report showed with findings that the proportion of people who delayed or did not see a GP due to cost has increased—
from 6.4 percent in 2009–10 to 8.7 percent in 2010–11, along with other evidence of financial barriers in access to specialists, dentists, prescriptions and diagnostic tests.
These barriers are greater for consumers from lower socioeconomic groups—
Australia is also comparing increasingly poorly internationally.
Delaying or reducing access to treatment will not only have implications for individual consumers. There could be major long-term budget implications, particularly if a person’s health deteriorates and they need to access care in the acute system.
It is the high users, usually the older, sicker people in our community who will be most affected.
… …
There is sufficient evidence that the introduction of a co-payment will change patterns of health service use, and that there will be different impacts for different patient groups.
The average annual additional cost increases with age from $36.27 for children to $122.17 for patients aged 65+.
Overall, there is little difference in the average additional amount that general and concessional patients would have to pay over a year … The only real difference would be among patients aged 65 years or more — as concessional patients would have their co-payments for services capped at $70, while general patients would not.
It is likely that the increased costs due to these policies would deter more people from seeking early treatment or from taking necessary medications. This is a concern when areas in Australia already have 13% of their population delaying or not seeing a GP due to cost, and 15% doing the same for prescriptions.
Overseas studies have shown that there is little evidence of health care care cost reduction from introducing co-payments. The evidence suggests that long term health costs will be higher due to patients deferring necessary care, resulting in increased hospitalisation and progression of disease.
… these proposed policies will create a larger price signal than that suggested in the media to date.
In general, the higher people's incomes and education, the healthier they are—a phenomenon often termed the 'social gradient of health'.
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [16:23]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Vasta)
The House divided. [16:30]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Vasta)
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [17:59]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Randall)
The House divided. [18:05]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Randall)
That, so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the motion for the third reading being moved without delay.
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [18:22]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Randall)
The House divided. [18:30]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Randall)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [18:32]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Randall)
The House divided. [18:36]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Randall)
Meteorology Amendment (Online Advertising) Bill 2014
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Stronger Penalties for Serious Failures) Bill 2014
I guess our country owes its existence to a form of foreign investment by the British Government in the then unsettled or scarcely settled great south land.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 09:30.
To be clear, there is undoubtedly a burst of bad news coming down the pipeline.
… be present in community with an integrity of being that assures all those whose lives we touch that we are there alone for their wellbeing; that we are constantly and consistently committed to peace with justice, mercy and inclusion.
John Mac had this incredible ability to blend into the social fabric of our local community without being "seen" as a priest or a "do-gooder". He knew how to feel the pulse, the pain, the suffering as well as the strength and resilience of our local people and community. He became "one" with the people and their struggles rather than someone who "had all the answers" and told you what you needed to know and do.
We still have not had one single dollar from the Federal Government to help Alcoa workers find another job.
… a brilliant bloke to know and work with, who was loyal to the core and would do anything for his mates. He was a consummate professional and a dedicated soldier. Lance Corporal Chidgey was one of the hardest working members of the Regiment, who never sought recognition or reward.
Todd was the kind of soldier and person who would do anything for his mates.
Todd was a dedicated and committed Commando, who served his country, his unit and the Australian community. We should celebrate his service, his life and his contribution to ensure a better world and keep this in our minds as we mourn his passing.
Lance Corporal Chidgey died while in the service of our nation in an operational theatre, and today we are honouring this service as we grieve his passing … Chidgey's mates now mourn his loss alongside his mother, father, brothers and partner. He will be missed but never forgotten by the 2nd Commando Regiment, and wider Special Operations command community.
He died while in the service of our nation in an operational theatre, and today we are honouring this service as we grieve his passing.
That further proceedings be conducted in the House.
Defence Legislation Amendment (Woomera Prohibited Area) Bill 2014
Corporations Amendment (Simple Corporate Bonds and Other Measures) Bill 2014
Meteorology Amendment (Online Advertising) Bill 2014
Perth is enduring a mosquito plague as a by-product of the La Nina weather pattern that has blighted Australia …
Populations of mosquitoes throughout the city have been boosted by the high tides triggered by La Nina, bringing misery to many.
The extreme tidal conditions have increased the inundation of tidal salt marshes where the insects breed …
In and about Perth, the water owing to the force of the incoming seas at the mouth of the river presented a scene of a great lake, all the jetties were submerged, the high roads to Fremantle covered, and passage traffic rendered impossible quantities of sandalwood lying along the banks of river were washed away, and the inhabitants of the suburban villas on the slopes of Mount Eliza obliged to scramble up the hill sides to get into Perth.
The people of the Mill Point area [South Perth] were in dire need of practical assistance ... During the night no fewer than fourteen houses situated in Suburban Road between Scott Street and the Point, were invaded by the rising waters . Two houses in Stone Street and one in Melville Terrace were also flooded ... Along the whole road to Mill Point, from the Scott Street intersection as far as eye could see, water flowed— not dully and placidly, but actively, in high surging currents flecked with foam and breaking here and there into waves. A yacht in full sail went up Suburban road ...
It felt like the blast of a heated oven.
But even this heat was judged far to be exceeded in the latter end of the following February, when the north-west wind again set in, and blew with great violence for three days. At Sydney, [the temperature] fell short by one degree of what I have just recorded—
but at Rosehill—
it was allowed, by every person, to surpass all that they had before felt, either there or in any other part of the world. Unluckily they had no thermometer to ascertain its precise height.
An immense flight of bats driven before the wind, covered all the trees around the settlement, whence they every moment dropped dead or in a dying state, unable longer to endure the burning state of the atmosphere. Nor did the perroquettes —
though tropical birds, bear it better. The ground was strewn with them in the same condition as the bats.
… from the numbers [of dead bats] that fell into the brook at Rose Hill—
the water was tainted for several days, and it was supposed that more than twenty thousand of them were seen within the space of one mile.
Trends in tropical cyclone activity in the Australian region (south of the equator; 90–160°E) show that the total number of cyclones appears to have decreased…