The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 12:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Fair and Sustainable Pensions) Bill 2015
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That this bill be now read a second time.
We were not big earners but we were prepared to go without in our younger days so that we could live with some comfort in our later years. Now we are to be penalised for our thrifty ways. We are not millionaires by any stretch of the imagination. We do not want to reduce our cash reserves because we want that for any emergency—such as health problems where we might need expensive medication. Home repairs are also something that might be needed as well. We are already drawing down on our superannuation in order to live comfortably. Perhaps that is what you want—all pensioners living below the poverty line.
Changing retirement rules for people in middle Australia who have already retired is unfair and wrong—particularly when the big end of town still avoids paying its fair share of tax. While the dream of experiencing many of the things we put off over the past 20 years so that we could save for our retirement appears to be over, there is still one thing we can do—we still have a VOTE which no government of the day can control.
… when the Government commits to exposing the richest in our society to their fair share of pain, a commitment they have singularly failed to make. This will have the effect of immediately relieving suffering from those with the least, while supporting the general thrust towards making the pension system more sustainable.
… increasing the taper rate for part-pensioners from $1.50 to $3.00 per $1,000 of assets, while also increasing the threshold at which the asset test starts to apply, would require a couple to save around $120,000 more for a comfortable retirement, requiring a super balance of $630,000. This will have a greater impact on single retirees, who will need to save $180,000 more in superannuation or a total balance of $610,000.
The Coalition, supported by the Greens, has turned its back on middle Australia with the passage of its $1 billion-a-year pension cuts through the Senate last night.
The Coalition’s victory will ring hollow for the several hundred thousand older Australians who have saved and gone without for decades only to see the rules change at retirement,”...
It is disappointing that these cuts have been sold to the public on the pretext of ending welfare to millionaire retirees in Sydney Harbour homes.
It is this single old woman living in a little house with moderate savings who will be hit hardest.
All the experts confirm this. On current deeming rates, her yearly income will be well under $20,000 or several thousand dollars less than that of a full age pensioner.
The Australian Greens have sold out women and low to middle income workers by agreeing to the Abbott Government's cuts to the age pension this week.
Analysis by respected research firm Rice Warner and superannuation experts Industry Super Australia shows those hit the hardest by the Greens - Abbott deal are ordinary workers on low to middle incomes earning $75 000 or below.
In fact, the research reveals that around 80 per cent of single women retiring in 2055 will be disadvantaged.
Even with current superannuation, pension payments and other savings combined, nearly 63 per cent of single women will not be able to retire comfortably through to 2055. These cuts will make this situation even worse.
Single men will also be adversely affected by the cuts, including those currently aged: 55 to 59 years who are earning between $52,000 to $160,000; 45 to 49 years who are earning between $56,000 to $183,000; and 25 to 29 years who are earning around $27,500 to $143,000.
Combined with the Abbott Government's decision to freeze the 0.5 per cent increase to the superannuation guarantee at last year's Budget, these new measures will deepen social inequity.
That this bill be now read a third time.
… I think the Prime Minister is serious about reform. We had a meeting of state and territory leaders at the last COAG, and we had a I think a very good discussion about the need for each of us to step up and exercise the function of leadership.
In May 2010, Federal Labor introduced tough new people smuggling offences. They included penalties of up to 20 years imprisonment and mandatory minimum terms of up to eight years.
…. it’s only a discussion paper.
We’ve been asking them to canvas the broader range of options.
There’s a broad debate going on about Commonwealth/state relations, which is a good thing.
As a business owner, I have found the government's initiatives a fantastic move.
My June turnover has been bolstered by the incentive.
Labor believes our Constitution and Federation need to be modernised to resolve the funding and administrative problems that have prevented government effectively dealing with the challenges of today.
Labor believes our … Federation—
to be modernised to resolve the funding and administrative problems that have prevented government effectively dealing with the challenges … today.
… with respect to prioritising applications on the basis of quality, the department was 'over thinking' the process.
The tax concessions for superannuation are … justified … they help boost our pool of savings …
It is indefensible to suggest we can leave superannuation tax concessions for another day.
In fact it is completely irresponsible.
Labor is the party of superannuation … we’re the only party interested in growing the retirement savings of hardworking Australians.
Labor’s policy development process … has been like the proverbial duck, calm on the surface while paddling like hell underneath. So watch this pond.
The Government cutting funding for health and education.
Commonwealth spending on health and education now approaches $90 billion a year …
Most of it is not directly authorised by the constitution other than via specific-purpose grants … Still, any withdrawal of Commonwealth involvement or spending in these areas would rightly be seen as a cop out.
The Commonwealth would no longer provide funding for public hospital services and would have no role in setting operational targets for public hospitals …
The Commonwealth would no longer provide funding for public hospital services and would have no role in setting operational targets for public hospitals …
… the opposition would be kidding itself if it didn't recognise there were challenges in the budget and that savings needed to be found.
There is no area that is going to be exempt. We have to look across the board.
On May 22, Opposition education spokeswoman Kate Ellis told the media that "Tony Abbott and Christopher Pyne, rather than improving Australian schools, have announced $30 billion in cuts to our schools".
Funding will be increasing in accordance with the existing Labor plan until 2018.
The Government did not cut $30 billion from schools in the May budget.
The Government did not cut $30 billion from schools in the May budget.
… in reality there is just too much uncertainty for this long-term estimate to be used as a reliable measure for cuts or savings.
Ms Ellis is spouting rubbery figures.
A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.
… although [what he had said] was indeed simple, clear and straightforward … the precise correlation between the information [he had] communicated and the facts … is such as to cause epistemological problems of sufficient magnitude as to lay upon the logical and semantic resources of the English language a heavier burden than they can reasonably be requested to bear.
You told a lie.
Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a second time.
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a second time.
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a second time.
Excise Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015
Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015
Rural roads owned and operated by local councils are important for local economic activity, and are an important part of the nation's transport network, providing the 'first and/or last mile' of many land-based supply chains. There is evidence of a maintenance deficit across many of these roads. This is a particular issue for local governments in rural areas with large road networks and declining income bases.
They'll become unsustainable. It's a very, very serious problem and I can't stress that enough. To take away the indexation is just crazy. It is just crazy.
We applaud the Opposition's focus on local government and their recognition in this policy initiative of local government's important role in developing local economies and creating jobs through projects funded through the Roads to recovery program. This initiative is particularly welcome at a time when local government is under financial pressure following the decision to freeze the indexation of Financial Assistance Grants, costing councils an estimated $925 million in the period to 2017-18. Local Government faces a huge task in managing our local roads infrastructure, which is more than 670,000 km in length and valued at more than $165 billion. This infrastructure plays an essential role in sustaining local economies by connecting freight networks across regions. The proposal underlines the continued commitment of the ALP and, in particular, of Anthony Albanese, Shadow Minister for Infrastructure and transport, and Julie Collins, Shadow Minister for Regional Development and Local Government, to the Local Government sector.
Rural roads owned and operated by local councils are important for local economic activity, and are an important part of the nation’s transport network, providing the ‘first and/or last mile’ of many land-based supply chains. There is evidence of a maintenance deficit across many of these roads. This is a particular issue for local governments in rural areas with large road networks and declining income bases.
Rural roads owned and operated by local councils are important for local economic activity, and are an important part of the nation's transport network, providing the 'first and/or last mile' of many land-based supply chains. There is evidence of a maintenance deficit across many of these roads. This is a particular issue for local governments in rural areas with large road networks and declining income bases.
Mark Castagna … from Tanami Transport—
said the money would not go far.
"I can't see too much bitumen coming out of it," he said.
"I think they'll have to re-look at it and get a bit more money."
Mr Castagna said the road funding was a good start and admitted he was biased because he had been "carting on these mongrel roads for 35 years".
"We need to prioritise the Tanami and the Plenty Highway," he said.
"That is where most of the tourists want to go and most cattle come through those two roads."
But Mr Castagna said "a man will be grey and pushing up daisies before it happens".
He said the Northern Territory stock routes were the only place you could drive about for a week and not see a grader.
If this funding is not extended in the May federal budget, state council road programs will be trashed …
As it only affects South Australia, it would mean the federal government is making a conscious decision to strip funds from our state while every other state retains the status quo.
… underlines their capacity, even in Opposition, to put Local Government at the centre of policy initiatives aimed at enabling councils to deliver essential infrastructure for their communities, create jobs and contribute to productivity improvements across the nation. Councils across Australia will be appreciative and thankful to the Shadow Ministers for this great initiative.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Fuel Indexation) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a third time.
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Special Account Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a third time.
Fuel Indexation (Road Funding) Bill 2015
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits) Bill 2015
In respect of fuel price regulation, (a) what arrangements are in place for when the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's (ACCC's) Oilcode regulations cease on 1 April 2017, (b) have the Oilcode regulations resulted in a reduction of disparate fuel pricing between regional/rural and urban areas, (c) is the Government considering other plans to reduce fuel price asymmetry between regional/rural and urban areas; if so, can he outline them, (d) is the Government seeking to legislate in the area of fuel terminal gate pricing or have this remain within the legislative realm of the states and territories; if the former, will the Government consider implementing fuel terminal gate pricing (or a similar scheme), and (e) how will the ACCC better monitor fuel pricing (in accordance with his recent statement), and will this include the ability to stop higher pricing in rural/regional areas.
(a) The Australian Government has regulatory requirements to undertake a review of the Competition and Consumer (Industry Codes–Oilcode) Regulation 2006 ('the Oilcode') ahead of its scheduled 'sunsetting' on 1 April 2017. As part of the review, consultation started on 11 December 2014..
(b). The Oilcode establishes terminal gate pricing ('TGP') arrangements (i.e. publishing the price at which wholesale suppliers are prepared to sell tanker loads of fuel to wholesale customers at seaboard terminals or refineries on a spot basis), fuel re-selling agreement provisions, and provides a dispute resolution scheme between wholesalers and retailers.
(c) In December 2014, the Government issued a new direction under section 95ZE of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 ('the CCA') to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission ('the ACCC') to monitor prices, costs and profits relating to the supply of unleaded petroleum products in the petroleum industry in Australia for the next three years.
(d) The Oilcode establishes only publication of a terminal gate pricing ('TGP'). It does not set the TGP.
(e) Monitoring reports will now be produced quarterly to be more informative, responsive and able to identify areas of market concern or heightened interest for the community. . If the ACCC finds evidence of anti-competitive conduct, it can investigate and take action under the current provisions of the CCA.