The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 12:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Parliamentary Entitlements Amendment (Injury Compensation Scheme) Bill 2016
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Family Measures) Bill 2015
Tax Laws Amendment (Small Business Restructure Roll-over) Bill 2016
Business Services Wage Assessment Tool Payment Scheme Amendment Bill 2016
Tax Laws Amendment (Norfolk Island CGT Exemption) Bill 2016
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Increasing Consumer Choice) Bill 2016
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Continued ill ease at the vulnerability of East Timor was reflected in expressions of concern to the Committee that Australia had failed to treat its northern neighbour fairly in treaty negotiations.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Biological Control Amendment Bill 2016
Given that there is also debate about whether a virus can be considered to be a living entity (as it is neither alive nor dead), the bill also omits the term 'live' from references to agent organisms.
The bill supports this government's strategic approach to farming smarter—
as outlined in the 2015 White Paper on Agricultural Competitiveness, which supports giving farmers better tools and control methods for pest animals and weeds … Biological control is a cost-effective, highly specific and self-sustaining control method, but one that should be used as part of an integrated approach to pest management …
It would be a travesty for Australian democracy if these careful and thought-through reforms were not in place in time for the next federal election. These reforms will significantly strengthen our democratic process …
I believe the children are our future
Teach them well and let them lead the way
Show them all the beauty they possess inside
…this is a grab for money, it's a political statement and I don't like it.
The Government has made it crystal clear that we have no interest in increasing taxes on superannuation either now or in the future.
… a seniors' tax, in the shape of more taxes on super.
The Government undermining Medicare.
... everyone will contribute towards the nation's health costs according to his or her ability to pay—
Basic health care should be the right of every Australian.
... if you withdraw funds from Medicare, you will invariably put up the price of healthcare for all Australians.
… we did think we needed to make savings in pathology. … Now, they didn’t like it, they weren't chanting in the street saying that was terrific, they didn’t like it.
In government, Labor worked with the medical profession to improve the quality and safety of Medicare, and where savings were realised, they were reinvested back into the health system.
Some of those savings did go back into the health Budget, not all of them …
We will put a cap on selected Medicare items from 1 November this year where excessive fees are being charged or where Medicare may be being used inappropriately …
… … …
The Government will also tighten regulations around diagnostic radiology services so that those taking the images hold minimum qualifications. … it will produce savings of $45.8 million over four years.
Without reform and a careful and methodical approach, the system will cannibalise itself. Because in health there is a continuous clamour for more and more funding with no regard to where the money comes from.
Without reform and a careful and methodical approach, the system—
will cannibalise itself. Because in health there is a continuous clamour for more and more funding with no regard to where the money comes from.
Biological Control Amendment Bill 2016
In >100 years of weed biological control, few economic impact assessments of biological control programmes have been undertaken, and all were successes. Yet biological control is still largely paid for by governments, who need proof of the return on their investment. Cost/benefit analyses can also be used to rank biological control against other management methods. A recent economic impact assessment of all weed biological control undertaken in Australia since 1903, including both successes and failures, demonstrated annual benefits of $95.3 million from an average annual investment of $4.3 million (Aus$, 2005 values), a cost/benefit ratio of 23:1. Even with the enormous economic impact of the prickly pear success excluded, the cost/benefit ratio of all other programmes was 12:1. The benefit came from 17 successful programmes: two, which are usually considered failures, in fact returned strongly positive benefits because small reductions in the weed problem nevertheless resulted in considerable cost savings.
The scarcity of economic studies has many causes: long period from commencement to full field results; difficulties in assigning monetary values to biodiversity and social impacts; and difficulties in assessing impacts of biological control. The Australian study demonstrated the economic returns from partial successes, where these reduce the costs of other management methods. It also demonstrated the importance of obtaining baseline economic data before starting biological control and at intervals during the agent release period. Seeking advice from economists at all stages of a biological control programme must become as routine as consulting statisticians.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Territories Legislation Amendment Bill 2016
Passenger Movement Charge Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2016
There is no point in having self-government for self-government's sake. It is now clear to me that the current governance arrangements have met only the most basic social and economic needs of Norfolk residents. For self-government to have my support, it needs to be stable, economically responsible, democratic, sustainable and in the best interests of the people it serves. This is not the case under the current governance model on Norfolk Island. There will be democracy on Norfolk Island under a new arrangement.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Passenger Movement Charge Amendment (Norfolk Island) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a third time.
Law and Justice Legislation Amendment (Northern Territory Local Court) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a third time.
Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016
(a) the person has been sentenced to death; or
(b) the person has been sentenced to imprisonment for life; or
(c) the person has been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of 12 months or more;
We will decide who comes to this country and the circumstances in which they come.
… from accepted rule of law and procedural fairness standards, and as a result, may adversely affect protection claims made by asylum seekers, in some circumstances risking refoulement .
… visa holders may have their visa cancelled for previous actions or omissions that did not give rise to a cancellation at the time. This gives rise to risk of refoulement of people with a genuine need for protection.
… where a person serving a sentence of imprisonment may have failed to make representations to the Minister or Minister's delegate about the refusal or cancellation of their visa as stipulated in section 501CA, not realising that the failure to do so would lead to their removal pursuant to the proposed amendments to section 198(2A).
… about the use of a broad, discretionary power where the Minister may overturn a decision of a review tribunal. The Minister's power is exempt from the rules of natural justice … and will be exercised to 'trump' the considered decision on the merits of a review tribunal. The ASRC believes that a lawful decision of a Tribunal should be subject only to judicial review, which is an option available to the Minister, rather than a use of a discretionary power. The amendments proposed in this Bill would extend the Minister's cancellation powers even further, and are unnecessary in light of the broad powers which already exist in the Migration Act, which provide for the Minister to cancel a person's visa in the national interest …
The proposed amendments in this Bill would mean that those subject to the Minister's cancellation power could be detained if there is a mere 'reasonable suspicion' that their visa will be subject to cancellation under the Minster's power. Like the amendments ushered in by the Character Act, this section effectively makes a determination that a person has been involved in criminal conduct despite the absence of a criminal conviction. Section 501CA(3) of the Migration Act effectively allows the Minister to assume the role of the court in assessing criminal conduct, replacing a proper criminal court process with an administrative process.
… considers that this does not appear to be a sufficient justification for denying a person in this situation a fundamental aspect of their right to procedural fairness ...
(a) it is not onerous for the Department to provide a detainee with notice of timeframes within which they can apply for a further visa and information pertaining to the duration of their detention, and this would guarantee procedural fairness; and
(b) some detainees may have difficulty in understanding their legal options and rights for various reasons, such as restricted access to information and/or legal advice and representation while in detention, lack of familiarity with the legal system, or unfamiliarity with the English language. This is further compounded by the strict limits on timeframes for applications in detention and lack of access to legal advice.
The committee notes that no specific explanation is provided for why the Bill includes amendments that a noncitizen who has had a visa cancelled by the minister personally under section 501BA does not need to be informed that they may only apply for a visa within 2 working days. Moreover, given the time critical nature of a person's response to cancellation, no justification is provided as to how it is sufficient that such information will have been provided previously in a different context, particularly given the very serious consequences for the individual concerned and given their pre-existing vulnerability as a person in detention.
Given the potentially life-threatening consequences of removal if no other application is lodged, asylum seekers should not be intentionally deprived of information relating to the further options open to them and should have a full opportunity to exercise the rights available to them. It is not onerous for the Department to inform people of their rights: the stated justification in the Explanatory Memorandum is disproportionate to the potential consequences. People in detention must be advised about their rights to apply for any visas, otherwise they may be detained or their detention continued because they were not informed of their options.
These concerns have increased since the introduction of the Character Act. There has been a very significant increase in the number of people being detained as a result of visa cancellations. This has included people on permanent refugee visas as well as on bridging visas, and stateless people, all of whom are now at risk of indefinite detention. As at 31 January 2016, there are 549 people being detained as a result of visa cancellations.
Significant concerns so far raised include:
… it is becoming clear that the government—
is utilising ministerial discretion to cancel visas on character grounds to a greater extent than was the case under the former Labor government.
Melbourne's annual Moomba Festival descended into carnage as hundreds of rival gang members brawled in the CBD … Armed with knives and guns, about 200 members of the Apex and Islander 23 gangs—
were heard chanting "f**k the police" before launching an all-out brawl that turned Federation Square and surrounding streets into a riot zone.
Police were forced to use batons and pepper spray to break up the warring street gang youths as they punched and beat each other.
A number of people were treated for injuries in the city and taken to hospital after the clash …
In Sydney, a bloodthirsty brawl erupted outside popular CBD concert venue the Metro Theatre …
The Daily Telegraph reports that two women were seen shoving each other and screaming "f *** the police, f*** them dogs" as they were being subdued.
… many of them—
would be better off if the Australian government sent them back to South Sudan.
… the best way to help them is actually to consider deporting most of these kids, that are there to cause problems for themselves, their parents and the community at large, and wider Australian community.
Because everyone wants to be in peace. Everyone wants to—no-one wants to be assaulted, no-one wants to be in trouble. Everyone want to go home when they come from work, go home and sleep—not being assaulted.
You're saying that if there are young south Sudanese men who are causing problems they should be deported?
DENG ADUT: Yeah.
… … …
It is harsh, but what is, what is there for them, what is life is it there for them? Being in jail every now and then? Go to jail every two months, every three months, every six months, every seven months?
Some of these spend last at least, least 10 years going before the court, so what's the point of keeping these kids here? What's the point?
They're not adding anything to this economy, they're not helping their parents, and they're not helping anyone. And my opinion is basically—it is not working.
I had to wait until I became an Australian citizen to know that I belonged. As an Australian I am proud that we have a national anthem. It's ours and to hear it played and sung is to feel pride, pride that we are a nation of free people.
Australia opened the doors of its schools and universities.
Australia educated me. How lucky I became. How lucky is any person who receives an education in a free land and goes on to use it in daily life.
… … …
I was lucky. You are too. Freedom from fear is about acceptance of our common identity. For we Australians in 2016 freedom from fear is almost taken for granted. We had better take care to keep it.
More than 1000 foreign-born residents, including bikies and organised crime figures, have been ordered out of Australia in the past 15 months.
Italian crime figure Francesco Madafferi has also lost his residency status and will be deported, as will a former Iraqi refugee after a criminal case against him relating to a $6 million drug smuggling ring is concluded.
There is no greater responsibility of any government than to protect the community. The public is acutely aware of the criminal threat that outlaw motorcycle gang members pose. They are violent thugs that peddle drugs and misery for a profit, and Australians are sick of it. If foreigners come to our country, join bikie gangs and commit serious crimes and think they can remain here, they are wrong.
That this bill be read a third time.
I have been working with TB for over 20 years. I have worked in prisons in Russia, in Siberia, and many other high-burden countries and in the most difficult of circumstances therefore nothing generally shocks me.
However, I was absolutely shocked and felt despair from what I saw in Daru, which was far worse than what I have ever experienced and the TB burden is horrific. Having said that, what is most despairing is the fact that with the right application this situation can be quite easily addressed.
It means if you're getting bullied or teased just ask someone you trust, maybe a parent or teacher or friend, and don't be afraid to speak up about your problems.
In respect of departmental costs for media events and photo opportunities in 2014-15, what (a) date was each event held,
(b) location was each event held at,
(c) sum was spent on each event,
(d) announcement and/or issue did the event relate to, and
(e) was the expenditure for.
The Department of Health undertook two media events in 2014-15. Neither event involved a minister.
1. Media Conference – Hepatitis A and Frozen Berries
(a) 18 February 2015
(b) Department of Health, Woden, Canberra
(c) No costs beyond normal operations.
(d) Hepatitis A concerns with frozen berries - Media conference
(e) n/a
2. Media Conference - Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority
(a) 1 April 2015
(b) Department of Health, Woden, Canberra
(c) No costs beyond normal operations.
(d) Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority – Media conference regarding a ruling by the Australian Football League's Anti-Doping Tribunal
(e) n/a
In respect of ministerial costs for media events and photo opportunities in 2014-15, what (a) date was each event held, (b) location was each event held at, (c) sum was spent on each event, (d) announcement and/or issue did the event relate to, and (e) was the expenditure for.
To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of ministerial costs for media events and photo opportunities in 2014-15, what (a) date was each event held, (b) location was each event held at, (c) sum was spent on each event, (d) announcement and/or issue did the event relate to, and (e) was the expenditure for.
Launch of Health Star Rating campaign by Minister Nash.
(a) 6 December 2014
(b) Canberra
(c) Nil
(d) Launch of the campaign to support the Front of Packaged Food labelling system
(e) Not applicable
Did the Minister host any conferences in 2014-15; if so (a) on what date(s) did each conference occur, and at what location(s), (b) what total sum was spent on each conference, and of this, what sum was spent on (i) meals and accommodation, and what are the details, (ii) travel, and what are the details, and (iii) social events, and what are the details, (iv) travel, and what are the details, and (c) what outcomes were achieved at each conference.
To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of catering and hospitality by the Minister in 2014-15, (a) what total sum was spent, (b) for what functions was the catering and hospitality, (c) on what date(s) did each function occur, and at what location(s), and (d) for each function, what sum was spent on (i) meals, (ii) drinks, (iii) hospitality staff, and (iv) other costs.
To attempt to provide this level of detail would involve an unreasonable diversion of resources.
In respect of the $29,887.00 tender to the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (CN3287028):
(a) what did this training entail;
(b) what were the objectives of the training; and
(c) how many:
i. departmental staff, and
ii. Ministerial staff, received this training.
In respect of the $29,887.00 tender to the Australian and New Zealand School of Government (CN3287028):
(a) The Australian and New Zealand School of Government Executive Fellows Programme has been tailored to the Australian public sector environment and combines theory, case studies and practical exercises which are delivered by leading public management academics and public sector practitioners over three weeks.
(b) This programme develops the capacity of Senior Executive Staff to lead public sector organisations effectively in challenging times.
(c) i. One.
ii. None.
What sum did the department and agencies within the Minister's portfolio spend on the supply of alcoholic beverages in 2014-15, and for what purpose(s) was the alcohol purchased.
The amount spent on the supply of alcoholic beverages across portfolio agencies and the department in 2014-15 was $8,822 (GST exclusive). The purposes for the purchases include rewards and recognition, gifting for guest speakers and official hospitality.
(1) Can the Minister's department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Stay Smart Online initiative, including (a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and (b) on which dates and at which times these were seen.
(2) What is the target audience for each campaign, and was it determined by market research; if so, can the Minister's department provide a copy of this research.
(3) Has the Minister's department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so, (a) when were they undertaken, and (b) what were the results.
(4) Can the Minister's department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including (a) what promotional material was procured, (b) where the material was distributed, and (c) the aim of the material.
(5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
1 Advertising activities associated with Stay Smart Online have not fallen within the Department of Finance definition of 'Campaign' under the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth Agencies.
Paid advertising, to the extent in the table below, occurred in association with Stay Smart Online Week 2015 which ran from 12-16 October. There was no paid advertising in 2013‑14 or 2014‑15.
1 (a) (b) Media outlets and publication dates
2 Target audiences are the general public and small businesses who access the internet with 93 per cent1 of the Australian population using the internet, and 94.7 per cent2 of businesses accessing the internet. The Department engaged Essence Communications in June 2015 to undertake research into the small business sector to better understand the issues facing that audience. A copy of the research findings is available at the Table Office.
3 (a) (b) No formal evaluation research was conducted in relation to 2014 Stay Smart Online Week. In 2015, no studies were undertaken of the audience for each advertorial, however tracking research with a sample of 306 small businesses was conducted by Essence Communications immediately following Stay Smart Online Week 2015 which found no substantial difference in small business activity as a result of the Week's communications.
4 Marketing and Promotional Material
4 (a) Promotional materials produced include wall posters, bookmarks and pamphlets.
4 (b) Materials were distributed to Stay Smart Online partners and other Australian Government agencies for display purposes and to distribute to their clients.
4 (c) The posters are used to explain:
1. common online safety and security terminology
2. the increase in cybercrime and the small business sector's response to it
3. how to protect online accounts
4. how to protect children online
5. how to secure a mobile device
6. how to secure your desktop or laptop
7. online buying and selling security
8. where to find additional information about online security.
The bookmarks addressed items 3 – 8 above with additional information.
The pamphlet promoted the 2015 Small Business Guide which is a resource tool for small business to understand the relatively simple steps to take to improve the online security of their business.
5 In some cases material sources have been exhausted, however a representative selection is available at the Table Office.
1 Internet World Stats. Internet Usage Stats and Telecommunications Market Report 2014
2 ABS Business Use of Information Technology 2014
(1) Can her department provide an itemised account of costs associated with advertising and marketing campaigns for the Health Star Rating, including (a) the media outlets which listed/broadcast the advertisements, and (b) on which dates and at which times these were seen. (2) What is the target audience for each campaign and was it determined by market research; if so, can her department provide a copy of this research. (3) Has her department undertaken any studies to determine whether this advertising is reaching its intended audience; if so, (a) when were they undertaken, and (b) what were the results. (4) Can her department provide an itemised account of costs associated with marketing and promotional material for these campaigns, including (a) what promotional material was procured, (b) where the material was distributed, and (c) the aim of the material. (5) Can an image or description of the material be provided.
(1) (a) The Health Star Rating (HSR) campaign has had two phases of media activity. The media buy for both phases was planned and booked through Dentsu Mitchell's, the Australian Government's master media buying agency.
Phase one of the HSR campaign was launched on 6 December 2014 and ran until 31 January 2015 with an online media buy to the value of $230,000.
The second phase of advertising activity ran from 11 June through to 31 August 2015 to the value of $2.079 million and included online, print (newspaper and magazine) and out-of-home advertising in shopping environments nationally.
(b) It is not possible to list the broadcast times for online advertising.
(2) The target audiences for the campaign are:
o Consumers (grocery buyers 18+ years), in particular the main grocery buyer responsible for choosing foods for the household.
o Industry (retailers and food manufacturers).
Targeting priorities for the campaign were informed by the qualitative and quantitative formative research guiding the development of the HSR system and campaign. This research is published on the HSR website: www.healthstarrating.gov.au
(3) (a) The Department has engaged a market research consultancy to evaluate the performance of the HSR campaign. Consumer surveys were conducted in September 2014 (benchmark), April 2015, and September 2015.
(b) Results from this research are published on the HSR website: www.healthstarrating.gov.au
(4) (a) The promotional materials procured for the HSR campaign were:
Fact Sheets:
Posters:
Pull-up Banners: (4)
The total cost for the production, printing, fulfilment and distribution of these materials was $6,273.14 (GST incl.)
(b) The fact sheets and posters were distributed upon request of state and territories for health promotion initiatives and events that are related to the HSR campaign.
(c) The HSR campaign developed a series of fact sheets and posters for consumers, stakeholders and industry audiences to raise awareness about the HSR system and provide information on how to use the system when purchasing packaged foods.
(5) The promotional material can be found on the campaign resource page of the HSR website at: www.healthstarrating.gov.au
(1) Has the Minister established an Advisory Council; if not, why not.(2) If the Minister has established an Advisory Council, (a) on what date, (b) who are the members, (c) what are its functions and purpose (mission/charter), (d) how often has it met and what were the outcomes, (e) for each meeting, will the Minister's department provide the following, the (i) date, (ii) name of the host city/town, (iii) attendance record, (iv) venue and why it was chosen, (v) details of allowances paid to Advisory Council members for expenses, including but not limited to travel and accommodation, (vi) itemised details of hospitality and catering, including but not limited to the cost of meals, beverages and any other costs associated with food and beverages, and (f) has the Minister's department provided any equipment to Advisory Council members, including but not limited to (i) business cards, (ii) personalised pens and stationery, (iii) mobile phones, (iv) laptops, (v) tablet devices, and (vi) email addresses; if so, can an itemised breakdown of these costs be provided.
The Minister for the Environment has not established an Advisory Council.
The Minister for the Environment has a number of existing advisory bodies across the Portfolio that he refers to for advice, including:
The Minister for the Environment also appointed a Threatened Species Commissioner and four expert advisers on threatened species:
(1) Has the Minister established an Advisory Council; if not, why not.(2) If the Minister has established an Advisory Council, (a) on what date, (b) who are the members, (c) what are its functions and purpose (mission/charter), (d) how often has it met and what were the outcomes, (e) for each meeting, will the Minister's department provide the following, the (i) date, (ii) name of the host city/town, (iii) attendance record, (iv) venue and why it was chosen, (v) details of allowances paid to Advisory Council members for expenses, including but not limited to travel and accommodation, (vi) itemised details of hospitality and catering, including but not limited to the cost of meals, beverages and any other costs associated with food and beverages, and (f) has the Minister's department provided any equipment to Advisory Council members, including but not limited to (i) business cards, (ii) personalised pens and stationery, (iii) mobile phones, (iv) laptops, (v) tablet devices, and (vi) email addresses; if so, can an itemised breakdown of these costs be provided.
1. Has the Minister established an Advisory Council; if not, why not?
The Deregulation Minsterial Advisory Council was established in 2014 by the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, the former Minister for Education. The council was ceased in February 2016 by the Hon Luke Hartsuyker MP, the former Minister for Vocational Education and Skills.
2. If the Minister has established an Advisory Council:
(a) on what date
10 April 2014.
(b) who are the members
Mr Stephen Baker, Emeritus Professor Joan Cooper, Mr Stephen Elder and Professor Fred Hilmer AO.
(c) what are its functions and purpose (mission/charter)
The Deregulation Ministerial Advisory Council provided advice on opportunities to reduce unnecessary regulation in education and feedback on the progress of regulatory reform in the portfolio.
(d) how often has it met and what were the outcomes
The Deregulation Ministerial Advisory Council met twice and provided advice to the Minister on regulation reform in the portfolio.
(e) for each meeting, will the Minister ' s department provide the following, the:
i. date
ii. name of the host city/town
iii. attendance record
iv. venue and why it was chosen
v. details of allowances paid to Advisory Council members for expenses, including but not limited to travel and accommodation
vi. itemised details of hospitality and catering, including but not limited to the cost of meals, beverages and any other costs associated with food and beverages, and
See attached table.
(f) has the Minister ' s department provided any equipment to Advisory Council members, including but not limited to:
i. business cards
ii. personalised pens and stationery
iii. mobile phones
iv. laptops
v. tablet devices, and
vi. email addresses; if so, can an itemised breakdown of these costs be provided.
No.
Response to Question 2.(e)
* Figures include sitting fees ($429 per day) and transportation costs (including flights).
Did the Foreign Investment Review Board have any role in respect of the leasing of the Port of Darwin; if so, (a) what was its role, and (b) did it provide any advice to the Government about the lease.
The Foreign Investment Review Board, including through its secretariat, examine proposed investments in Australia that are subject to the Government's Foreign Investment Policy, the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 (the Act) and supporting legislation, and make a recommendation to myself and other Treasury portfolio minsters on these proposals.
The Foreign Investment Review Board and the Treasury secretariat were involved since late 2014 with the broad process of the lease of the Port of Darwin. This included ongoing consultation with the Northern Territory Government and other key government agencies, including the Department of Defence, security agencies and Attorney-General's to help map out a process that would apply to foreign investment applications for the Port and to take steps to ensure that Australia's national interest was properly accounted for in any transaction.
During this period, it became clear that the structure of the sale of the Port of Darwin meant that only foreign government investors required foreign investment approval. This was due to an exemption under the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975 for asset sales by state and territory governments. The transaction had two parts: the lease of the Port, which included the land assets, was exempt as it was acquired directly from the Northern Territory Government; and the related acquisition of the Port Operator company was exempt as its assets were valued at less than the $252 million threshold.
Throughout the process, Treasury undertook a robust assessment of the implications of the privatisation of the Port of Darwin and provided advice to the Government regarding the lease of the Port, including that private foreign investors would be exempt from notification under the Act. Treasury also provided advice related to foreign government bidders that required approval.
In respect of the installation, use and disposal of domestic and small commercial energy storage systems, what steps are being taken to (a) develop comprehensive national safety standards; and (b) align Australian and international standards.
While the deployment of battery storage systems connected to domestic solar photovoltaic (PV) panels is currently low, there is significant potential for widespread uptake of this emerging technology, driven by technological developments and lower costs.
Coinciding with this emerging area of technology deployment, the industry, led by the peak renewable energy industry body, the Clean Energy Council (CEC), is working with Standards Australia to develop a formal national safety standard for battery installations.
In addition, the CEC is developing best practice guidelines and an industry accreditation program for installers of domestic and commercial scale storage technology. The CEC has also issued a Battery Storage Consumer Safety Guide, which includes the promotion of qualified and accredited installers for battery systems and appropriate regular maintenance of systems and the areas in which they are housed.
As part of its project with the CEC, the CSIRO reviewed relevant domestic and international standards for battery storage installation, battery storage location, and battery storage training and maintenance. The CSIRO did not identify any existing international standards which deal with these issues.
The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) Energy Council has agreed to a strategic program of work to ensure regulatory frameworks are ready to cope with the effects of emerging technologies such as batteries and in particular, that officials work with industry and other authorities to fast‑track battery safety standards as a priority.
State and territory regulation also covers electrical safety, the installation of battery systems under building codes and regulations and safe disposal or recycling of batteries under environmental protection regulation.
In respect of the ABC studio in (a) Karratha, and (b) Broome, Western Australia, in each studio, how many full-time equivalent staff (i) were approved in 2013, and (ii) are currently on active duty.
The ABC has advised that in 2013, there were 9.2 full-time equivalent staff in the Broome office and 7.2 full-time equivalent staff in the Karratha office.
In 2016, there were 9.0 full-time equivalent staff in the Broome office and 6.3 full-time equivalent staff in the Karratha office.
The staffing change in the Broome office occurred in order to accommodate a request by a staff member to reduce their work hours to four days per week.
The staffing change in the Karratha office occurred as a staff member relocated to elsewhere in regional Western Australia. The Karratha office has, however, retained both a news reporter and a rural reporter to cover stories in the region.
(1) Has the Minister been briefed on the extent of the relationship between the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporations (ORIC), Mr Anthony Beven, and the former Chief Executive Officer of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC), Mr Steven Mavrigiannakis.
(2) What role will Mr Bevan play in:
(a) the conduct of the current investigation by the ORIC into the GAC and related entities, and
(b) assessing the report that is prepared following the investigation.(3) What period of time will be examined in this investigation.(4) In light of the perception of a conflict of interest because of Mr Beven's alleged relationship with Mr Mavrigiannakis, will the Minister direct Mr Beven to not involve himself in any way in the investigation or the subsequent report; if not, why not.
(1) The Minister for Indigenous Affairs has been briefed on allegations concerning the relationship between the Registrar of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island Corporations (the Registrar), Mr Anthony Beven, and the former Chief Executive Officer of Gumala Aboriginal Corporation (GAC),
Mr Steven Mavrigiannakis.
My Minister has referred the matter to the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet for advice.
(2) My Minister has informed me that he has received advice from the Registrar that:
(3) My Minister has also informed me that he has received advice from the Registrar that the examination will cover the period of time from July 2013
to the date the examination commenced (December 2015).
(4) In relation to Question 4, I refer to my answer to Question 2.