The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Tax and Superannuation Laws Amendment (2014 Measures No. 7) Bill 2014
Excess Exploration Credit Tax Bill 2014
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Project AIR7000 Phase 2B—Maritime Patrol Aircraft Replacement Project.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Project AIR9000 Phase 7—Helicopter Aircrew Training System Facilities Project.
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: Multi-user barge ramp facility—East Arm Darwin, NT.
Australian River Co. Limited Bill 2015
The cost impost on Australian shippers of engaging coastal vessels on coastal trades since the introduction of the Coastal Trading Act in July 2012, as a standalone piece of legislation, is minimal. When compared to the previous Navigation Act 1912 and associated Ministerial Guidelines for Granting Licences and Permits to Engage in Australia’s Domestic Shipping, as originally introduced by the Howard government, it is seen that there has been little cost increase…. The administrative burden of the Coastal Trading Act has slightly raised business administrative costs, however these are not significant.
The decision will cost Australian jobs and tax receipts … Mr Briggs said the company was enjoying record patronage and had been considering building another $30 million cruise ship but was concerned by cabotage reforms he believed had already been made.
He said that a foreign-crewed and Bermuda-flagged cruise ship, the Caledonia n Sky , began operating last year on the Kimberley coast of Western Australia on an itinerary that competed directly with Coral Princess Cruises and a big domestic fleet.
Mr Briggs said changes to cabotage were stupid.
"There will never be another passenger ship built in Australia if there is no certainty on how we can operate," …
That this bill be now read a third time.
Defence Trade Controls Amendment Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Bill 2015
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:
(1) notes that:
(a) whilst this bill is designed to improve regulatory oversight of the sector, it does not address the damage to individuals that has already occurred or propose action to engage with the community to minimise future problems;
(b) the actions of unscrupulous Registered Training Organisations and brokers have had serious impacts on vulnerable individuals;
(c) reports of people being left with large debts and no qualification or useless qualifications must be addressed; and
(2) calls on the Australian Government to:
(a) act with more urgency to ensure the protection of students is prioritised;
(b) immediately seek a consumer protection information campaign by the ACCC, including advice for people who need to seek redress, and consider other mechanisms available to strengthen consumer protections; and
(c) support Labor's call for the Auditor-General to conduct an audit on the use of VET FEE-Help."
The committee has received a number of submissions that highlight concerning reports of aggressive marketing techniques used by private education companies and education brokers.
The committee is concerned about the link between access to government funding and a subsequent increase in targeted marketing, particularly that which de-emphasises the real cost of undertaking VET and misconstrues the costs associated with VET FEE-HELP.
We recommend that ASQA's jurisdiction be extended: a. to ensure that appropriate policies exist in relation to selling techniques, unfair prices and quality. These factors should be taken into account when accrediting a provider, and determining whether accreditation should continue; b. to regulate education brokers and unregistered subcontracted providers; and c. to consider consumer protection issues, including unfair contract terms in private VET provider contracts within the meaning of section 23 of the Australian Consumer Law. Consideration of standard terms and conditions should be an aspect of accreditation.
Tuition fees are not refundable or transferable after the commencement date, except in the case of extreme illness which precludes a student from staying in Australia. This must be supported by a doctor's certificate and the refund of unused tuition fees will be sent to the student's home country. All applications for refund must be in writing and must be received by the Institute no later than three months after the commencement of the course. Applications received after three months will not be granted.
A full refund less a $370 administration fee will be given to students who cancel or withdraw their enrolment in writing within five days of enrolment. If you are studying certificate III-IV in fitness, the student kit will not be despatched until after the five-day cooling off period. No refunds will be given after five days of the date of enrolment, and the student is liable to pay the balance of any fees owing.
We are also concerned that the VET Fee-Help model encourages private VET providers to provide barriers to withdrawal before the census date, being the date they receive guaranteed payment from the government. Students have reported difficulties with withdrawing from courses prior the census dates and being referred to marketing teams that persuade them to continue with or to defer a course that actually does not suit their needs or that they will never complete. Once the census date has passed, there are limited incentives for unscrupulous VET providers to provide ongoing support to students.
The marketing of VET Fee-Help loans to disadvantaged and vulnerable students is also worrying. We are particularly concerned about studying now, pay later slogans that fail to highlight the actual costs of study and marketing TAFE Fee-Help loans to students who are unlikely to be able to repay their loans. These sorts of slogans draw upon behavioural biases such as myopia and overconfidence and are more likely to result in students enrolling in courses that are inappropriate to their needs.
Our members often deal with people with quite low skills; they often deal with people with English as a second language, people with literacy difficulties and they've been telling us for a long time that they're just inundated with these kinds of spruikers.…
The spruikers tend to hang out in places where they think marginalised people will be.
RTOs have been in the news recently for all the wrong reasons: think ripping off clients and delivering meaningless 'instant' qualifications to name just a couple. I mention this because the Skills Fund is about to open a new round of funding and NDA would like partner with your organisation in a tender. You can do this with some confidence because:
Governments have an over-riding responsibility to the tax-paying public to be as efficient as possible with the allocation of financial resources.
And companies that lose tenders or contracts will naturally complain that things have not gone their way.
But judging by the growing disquiet around the state government’s 'Smart and Skilled' vocational training reforms, something appears to have gone seriously wrong with a process that is part of a broader, national overhaul of non-university education funding.
As a small business operator it is important that apprentices are well educated and are able to adapt to working in a workshop. However this isn't always the case. From experience I see apprentices arrive at my business not knowing bask mechanical theories. In some cases we are talking about second year apprentices.
The problem, as I see it, is that doubtful debt is a cost to the taxpayer but the universities are essentially controlling what that cost is going to be because the doubtful debt is a direct function of the loans that are outstanding and if the universities control what those fees are then that they will ultimately be controlling the levers that determine what that doubtful debt is and what the taxpayers pay. It is akin to a blank cheque being handed from the government to the universities on the matter of doubtful debt.
As the peak body representing quality private providers, ACPET—
has been a vocal supporter of measures that strengthen the VET system …
… These measures are necessary to protect both students and colleges …
After a necessary and welcome period of consultation by the government, I think we can all agree these reforms are urgent, and must be passed as soon as is practicable.
The legislation is an important step in enabling the regulator to act quickly to address the practices of a few unscrupulous training providers that are damaging the reputation of VET—
The message to all providers is clear: tidy up your act or leave the sector … There’s no place for unscrupulous behaviour in this sector and we fully support the government’s measures to stamp it out.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of: Members of churches and other concerned residents across the electorate of McMillan and other equally concerned individuals, speaking with one voice draws to the attention of the House: Our total opposition to the inhumane treatment of asylum seekers by this and the previous Government.
We therefore ask the House to: Affirm its commitment to the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees of 1951, and particularly to the humane treatment of asylum seekers.
Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives... You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace.
Primary schools are under pressure. Teachers feel that their core business has been devalued and made more difficult as they are expected to provide solutions for a range of social problems. The limited resources available are being stretched to cover increasing responsibilities and demands.
… to load the primary school with every issue that others are unable to solve.
The expected role of primary schools is less clear than it once was as public debate sees strong and conflicting public views about the role of primary schools.
We won't squib it and that's why we are determined to stick with the 1.5 per cent pay arrangements …
… there are a lot of people who attend the doctor, who pay nothing and can afford to pay a bit more and that's where we have to land in this discussion.
Announcing a co-payment at last year's Budget and without any real explanation showed the policy for what it was: all about the money and nothing about quality.
Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (Direct Lending and Other Measures) Bill 2014
The need to put family violence at the centre of the national political agenda in Australia.
… there are about 180 reports to police of domestic violence incidents in Queensland every day.
The violence would consist of him punching me, spitting on me, choking me, depriving me of sleep and threatening others would kill or rape me. I was often left bruised with multiple contusions, black eyes, pain, on occasion concussion and living in great fear for my life …
There is no clearer symbol of continuing gender inequality in our society than the epidemic of violence against women. The biggest risk factor for being a victim of family violence is being a woman.
… … …
17 per cent of Australian women have experienced physical or sexual violence by a current or previous partner …
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment Bill 2015
… technical and further education (TAFE) institutes, adult and community education providers and agricultural colleges, as well as private providers, community organisations, industry skill centres, and commercial and enterprise training providers. In addition, some universities and schools provide VET.
These measures are necessary to protect both students and colleges from the harmful impacts of a small number of poor quality providers who undermine the integrity of the entire system …
… After a necessary and welcome period of consultation by the government, I think we can all agree these reforms are urgent, and must be passed as soon as is practicable.
Our members often deal with people with quite low skills; they often deal with people with English as a second language, people with literacy difficulties and they've been telling us for a long time that they're just inundated with these kinds of spruikers … Spruikers hang out in places where they think marginalised people will be … we've had a couple of providers that have gone to our website, copied our whole website … then advertised our courses for VET-FEE-HELP … I just thought they were really misleading and designed to fool people into purchasing a product under false pretences … There were very big letters saying 'zero fees upfront' - no mention at all that the person will be hit with a debt of $10,000 at the end of this program … Now most people who are English as a second language learners … wouldn't know what VET-FEE-HELP was, much less that you'll be saddled with a $10,000 debt.
We've had a couple of providers that have gone to our website, copied our whole website, then pasted our website onto another website, then advertised our courses for VET-FEE-HELP," he said.
"The reason we caught it out is we don't actually have VET-FEE-HELP funding."
The company had to get lawyers involved to get other companies to cease using their name.
It did not stop their reputation being damaged among employers.
They now have to scan the internet every day to check their details have not been stolen.
There has been an explosion in the number of trainers offering Certificate IIIs and diplomas in childcare after the Government made qualifications mandatory.
Childcare centre operators have told the ABC many operate as "tick and flick" organisations where students effectively buy their qualification.
In many cases it has left students, who spent up to $4,500 on courses, unsuitable for employment.
Operators said children also lost out, with young graduates being unable to properly interact with infants during critical formative years.
Students and operators provided the ABC with the names of at least six organisations with questionable training practices.
These include offering the year-long Certificate III course in eight weeks, admitting to monitoring student placements by phone and online courses without sufficient supervision for work placements.
However, all still remain accredited training organisations with the Government regulator …
In 2014 the authority has cancelled the registration of one childcare course provider—the Community Training College in Queensland.
ASQA said it has an ongoing strategic industry review of training for the childcare and early learning sector.
It told the Productivity Commission inquiry into childcare it audited 46 trainers and found four out of five did not meet regulations—
After being given the chance to fix problems, one in five still did not meet the standard.
United Voice said it was time for a national investigation into childcare training.
National secretary David O'Byrne said too many providers ran "tick and flick'' courses where poor training was done at high cost.
He said it was clear ASQA's regulation was not working.
"We want an immediate review across the country of Registered Training Organisations providing training in the early years," he said.
"It's not acceptable every couple of years, or when there's a complaint, to go and investigate a company.
"Families, they want to know when they place their children in these early learning environments that their children are being supported, that they're being educated and cared for.
"A child's brain development is crucial. The early years are the most important years."
Unscrupulous training colleges are targeting people with disabilities and the homeless in order to cash in on government education funding.
The ABC has obtained evidence some colleges are recruiting people with intellectual disabilities to costly diploma-level courses funded with expensive VET-FEE-HELP training loans.
… marketeers have also been spotted outside Centrelink offices and referral services for the homeless and drug addicted.
There are also reports of telephone agents obtaining student details from job websites or disability programs in order to target them for new enrolments.
Students can borrow up to $90,000 under VET-FEE-HELP loans which they start to repay once they earn more than $53,000.
A number of employers in the automotive industry have been disqualified from hiring apprentices, following a Victorian Registration and Qualifications Authority (VRQA) investigation into low quality training.
Minister for Training and Skills Steve Herbert said the disqualifications followed an investigation of 115 employers in the automotive industry that checked whether 160 apprentices were being properly supervised and trained. The quality of training plummeted under the former Liberal Government’s cuts to the vocational education and training (VET) system.
Eight employers in Dandenong, Burwood, Albion, Campbellfield, Mitcham, Preston, Sunshine North and Glen Iris were disqualified from hiring apprentices. 60 training contracts between employers and apprentices were cancelled and a further 39 contracts were voluntarily cancelled.
The apprentices were all enrolled with a common training provider and those wanting to continue their apprenticeship have been offered support to continue their training with another provider.
Problems uncovered by the VRQA investigation included:
The Andrews Labor Government’s recently announced Review of Quality Assurance in Victoria’s VET System will recommend a new framework, so all training providers that deliver government-funded training meet quality standards. This will feed into the Mackenzie Review which will recommend a model of sustainable, high quality training across the training sector.
I think anything that is going to make these training organisations more accountable will be of benefit to young people. I'm sure there are plenty of young people who are still in Mitchell's situation that because no one jumped up and down about it for them, they are stuck not being able to look at changing to study something they are more likely to get a job in.
The legislation is an important step in enabling the regulator to act quickly to address the practices of a few unscrupulous training providers that are damaging the reputation of VET. TDA looks forward to this legislation being supported in both Houses.
It's not all strictly ballroom for this multi-tasking mum of three. The qualified lawyer also squeezes in a Masters of Business Administration degree, cooking, sewing, philanthropy—all while whipping up Cup Day winning garments.
Although a hesitant contender, Garth has already attracted a huge following from St Vincent's hospital staff. Having managed the oncology unit for six years, he will need to swap his safe hands for jazz hands.
This lovable publican manager is a footloose favourite at weddings, parties, anything.
Ashleigh is no stranger to being in front of the camera and the local girl is bound to be a popular entrant. But is swing her thing?
Someone had to have the chutzpah to brave the pole. The best-dressed man at the council will remain in pants at least for his pole dancing debut.
Despite claiming she has 'two left feet' our high-profile mayor is the one to beat when it comes to attracting interest and donations via social media. A few weeks into a personalised fitness regime … Cr Dowell could really 'turn on the tap' in May. Look out.
We don't know if Jessica can dance but we think she is capable of anything. Prior to her reincarnation as an announcer she worked in the air force as both a linguist, and as an airborne electronics analyst on AP-3C Orion aircraft. She toured Iraq, travelled 40 countries, speaks three languages fluently and is a keen runner. Surely belly dancing should be a breeze.
If it's murder on the dancefloor, Lismore police believe Laleynya to be the number one suspect.
As a mum of two and a police officer with 13 years experience, she reckons it would be a crime to pass up the opportunity.
What this pocket-rocket journo—
lacks in height she makes up in the courage to let herself look like a goose. This former Lismore High School girl once made a lion jump over her head for a story, so who knows what she'll do on stage.
… it is difficult reading for both sides of politics.
… the fact that time limits have blown out under this Government is a reflection on the fact that through most of 2014 the Government basically shut up shop in terms of processing people in an act of petulance because they couldn't get their temporary protection visa regulation through the Senate.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of Grandmothers Against Detention of Refugee Children, and their friends, draws to the attention of the House, the issue of children in detention.
We therefore ask the House to ensure that Australian law and practice conforms in every respect with
(a) the UNHCR Refugee Convention (1951) and
(b) the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989).
Conformity with these Conventions, to which Australia is a signatory, will ensure the release of refugee children out of detention and into suitable living conditions.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Hon. BC Scott ) took the chair at 09:29.
We have a simple vision for health nationally. It is to stop people getting sick—preventative health is vital as we move into the next generation, but of course, importantly, once they are sick to have been cared for in a first class setting. Put simply, with rural and regional health my vision is to close the gap.
In our extensive collective international experience, it is our firm view that enacting retrospective legislation to alter the rights and obligations to avoid any lawfully executed contract will incur large direct and indirect costs to the State of Victoria and Australia as a whole.
Can he give affected communities his assurance that the proposed changes to the types of aircraft able to access (a) Sydney Airport, and (b) Adelaide Airport, during curfew hours will not increase the (i) noise burden on residents, or (ii) number of flights.
The Government has introduced stricter noise requirements for any aircraft added to the lists of light jet aircraft permitted to land at Sydney and Adelaide airports during curfew hours. From 2022, only aircraft which meet stricter noise limits for all small jet aircraft will be able to operate during the curfew. Section 15 of the Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995 requires all aircraft operating during curfew to take off or land using the runways that direct movements over Botany Bay. Noise abatement procedures apply at Adelaide airport to direct aircraft over Gulf St Vincent wherever possible. The Government has requested the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development to monitor the implementation of new aircraft curfew requirements at Sydney and Adelaide and report to the Sydney Airport Community Forum and Adelaide Airport Consultative Committee respectively.
(1) In respect of the vacancies on the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC), (a) were they publicly advertised; if so (i) when, and (ii)where; if not, why not; (b) how many applications were received, and (c) did publically- available merits based criteria apply to the selection of appointments; if so, (i) what were the criteria, and (ii) where are they published; if not, (iii) why not, and (iv) how is this consistent with the Government's merits based policy regarding the selections of appointments to Government bodies. (2) Were the individuals appointed to the AMC recommended as preferred candidates by (a) the bureaucracy, or (b) any member of the Government; if so, who.(3) Have any of the members of the AMC made a donation or raised funds on behalf of any branch of the Liberal Party, or entity related to the Liberal Party fundraising.(4) Was any consideration given to the conflict of interest arising from the fact that AMC member Mr Vasan Srinivasan, founded the Victorian Multicultural Liberal Business Club; if so, what was the assessment process and what was the outcome.(5) Is he aware of the views of the AMC Chair, Dr Sev Ozdowski, on section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act 1974; if so, did this influence the decision to appoint Dr Ozdowski to the AMC.(6) Who made the decision to appoint the successful candidates to the AMC, and was (a) he, and (b) the Prime Minister, briefed on this decision.
(1) (a) No, Ministerial advisory councils and committees are not routinely advertised.
(b) N/A
(c) N/A
(2) (a) No.
(b) Yes, the Hon Kevin Andrews MP.
(3) The Department did not seek this information from the members.
(4) Mr Srinivasan was appointed on the basis of his knowledge and expertise of multicultural communities.
(5) Dr Ozdowski OAM was appointed on the basis of his knowledge and expertise of multicultural affairs.
(6) The appointments were made by the former Minister for Social Services,
the Hon Kevin Andrews MP, following consultation with the Prime Minister.
(1) what are the key performance indicators for, or key outputs expected from, the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC).(2) What is the annual base salary or daily sitting fee payable to each member of the AMC.(3) Are members of the AMC entitled to use of a COMCAR.
(1) The Terms of Reference of the AMC can be found at www.amc.gov.au.
(2) Members are remunerated equivalent to the Category 1 Level daily sitting fees as set out by the Remuneration Tribunal of Australia (RTA).(3) No.
(1) Have the new members of the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC) convened a formal meeting; if so, will he provide a copy of the minutes.(2) How many times is the AMC scheduled to meet in the next 18 months, and on what dates.(3) How many staff in his department are tasked with the functioning of the AMC.
(1) The inaugural meeting will be held on 25 March 2015.
(2) This will be finalised at the inaugural meeting.
(3) Estimated 0.75 FTE to provide Secretariat support to the AMC.
(1) Does the Australian Multicultural Council (AMC) have a travel allowance; if so, what sum is it worth per financial year, and if it varies according to location, what is the schedule of rates.(2) If members of the AMC fly at the Commonwealth's expense, are they entitled to fly business class.
(1) AMC members are entitled to travel allowances equivalent to Departmental arrangements for Senior Executive Service (SES) officers.(2) Members are entitled to fly equivalent to Departmental arrangements for Senior Executive Services (SES) officers.