The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
National Disability Insurance Scheme Savings Fund Special Account Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Consistent Treatment of Parental Leave Payments) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Tax Laws Amendment (Tax Incentives for Innovation) Bill 2016
That the bill be now read a second time.
Customs and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Corporations Amendment (Auditor Registration) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Financial System Legislation Amendment (Resilience and Collateral Protection) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Transport Security Amendment (Serious or Organised Crime) Bill 2016
As the Australian-based industry and associated employment demands continue to grow, the employee profile of many companies is changing and more foreign workers, generally operating under 457 visa arrangements, are being engaged.
As is the case internationally, the ability to effectively vet potential employees, either through company recruitment processes, Maritime Security Identification Cards (MSICs), passport or 457 visa related checks is essentially limited to basic character style assessment and cannot operate as a genuine security clearance process. These limitations need to be understood and reflected in other and wider complementary security arrangements.
… there are features of FOC registration, regulation and practice that organised crime syndicates or terrorist groups may seek to exploit.
Reduced transparency or secrecy surrounding complex financial and ownership arrangements are factors that can make FOC—
flag-of-convenience—
ships more attractive for use in illegal activity, including by organised crime or terrorist groups.
This means that FOC ships may be used in a range of illegal activities, including illegal exploitation of natural resources, illegal activity in protected areas, people smuggling, and facilitating prohibited imports or exports.
The harm is seen clearly at the borders, where serious and organised crime constantly challenges the Australian government's right to control imports and exports. By doing so, organised crime compromises biosecurity, evades taxes and introduces items that the community wishes to exclude from the country. The level of harm is hard to quantify.
There's an ongoing and increasing concern about links between terrorism and organised crime in Australia … These include for instance, terrorist or insurgent groups like the Afghan Taliban or the Colombian FARC, who produce or ship drugs that are consumed in Australia The recent situation in Syria and Iraq, and changes to terrorist recruiting and financing methods, have made such links more prominent over the past year.
The maritime environment poses the highest risk in relation to the importation of prohibited goods into Australia, as the bulk of illicit imports enter Australia through the sea cargo environment. Serious and organised crime groups seek to increase the likelihood of a successful importation by concealing larger quantities of illicit good within or amongst large items, such as machinery, in the cargo stream.
Disrupting the ice supply chain through seizures and arrests of key players in importing and trafficking networks remains a critical part of the response to ice. ... An enhanced focus on the supply chain is required, particularly offshore... It is also necessary to remove any potential for infiltration of air and sea ports by organised crime…
The Commonwealth Government should continue to protect the aviation and maritime environment against organised crime by strengthening the eligibility criteria for holders of Aviation Security Identification Cards and Maritime Security Identification Cards; and establishing a legal mechanism to enable compelling criminal intelligence to be used in determining suitability of workers to hold such a card.
Despite the best efforts of officers on the ground, law enforcement efforts have actually failed to halt the supply of ice even though there have been increased seizure and arrests rates.
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Registration of Deaths Abroad Amendment Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Legislation Amendment (Repeal Day 2015) Bill 2015
The House divided. [12:53]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Goodenough)
The House divided. [13:01]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Goodenough)
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 2), omit the table item. [superannuation guarantee charge]
(2) Schedule 1, page 3 (line 1) to page 11 (line 4), omit the Schedule. [superannuation guarantee charge]
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Welfare Payment Integrity) Bill 2016
I think the best way of doing good to the poor, is not making them easy in poverty, but leading or driving them out of it. In my youth I travelled much, and I observed in different countries, that the more public provisions were made for the poor, the less they provided for themselves, and of course became poorer. And, on the contrary, the less was done for them, the more they did for themselves, and became richer.
Though slothful by nature, Orinoco is capable of some surprising acts of moral and physical courage.
(Time expired)
… I'm quite passionate about it, because I think that's one of the things that is holding the Australian economy back.
… the government has returned the Budget to surplus three years ahead of schedule and ahead of any other major advanced economy …
By the middle of 2013, our budget will be back in surplus …
Bracket creep is seeing Australians on average earnings move into the second-highest tax bracket. That is not right. … Isn't that a problem that we should address? … Well, of course, it is.
That the House:
(1)notes that:
(a)when the Prime Minister deposed the Member for Warringah, he promised new economic leadership for Australia—
(b)The Prime Minister promised a significant tax reform agenda. The Turnbull government—
That the House:
(1)notes that:
(a)when the Prime Minister deposed the Member for Waringah, he promised new economic leadership for Australia;
(b)the Prime Minister promised a significant tax reform agenda; and
(c)the Turnbull Government has said the entire reason for its tax reform agenda was to deliver personal income tax cuts for Australians; and
(2)notes that in the chaotic six months since the Prime Minister deposed the Member for Warringah, the Turnbull Government has:
(a)floated and then shelved plans for an increased GST;
(b)floated and then shelved plans for dealing with what the Government described as the excesses in negative gearing;
(c)backflipped on superannuation tax concessions;
(d)attacked Labor’s responsible plan for tobacco excise but now plans to adopt some or all of it; and
(e)floated and then shelved personal income tax cuts for Australians;
(3)notes that the only policies the Government has kept on the table are extreme cuts, including from the 2014 Budget, including plans for $100,000 university degrees, cuts to family payments, cuts to pensions, cuts to Medicare, and cuts to schools and hospitals; and
(4)condemns the Government and the Prime Minister for failing to meet their own tests, including failing to:
(a)provide new economic leadership;
(b)respect the intelligence of the Australian people;
(c)deliver any tax reform; and
(d)deliver a stable and competent Government but instead leading a Government wracked by chaos and dysfunction.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Maribyrnong from moving the following motion forthwith—
That the House:
(1)notes that:
(a)when the Prime Minister deposed the Member for Waringah, he promised new economic leadership for Australia;
(b)the Prime Minister promised a significant tax reform agenda; and
(c)the Turnbull Government has said the entire reason for its tax reform agenda was to deliver personal income tax cuts for Australians; and
(2)notes that in the chaotic six months since the Prime Minister deposed the Member for Warringah, the Turnbull Government has:
(a)floated and then shelved plans for an increased GST;
(b)floated and then shelved plans for dealing with what the Government described as the excesses in negative gearing;
(c)backflipped on superannuation tax concessions;
(d)attacked Labor’s responsible plan for tobacco excise but now plans to adopt some or all of it; and
(e)floated and then shelved personal income tax cuts for Australians;
(3)notes that the only policies the Government has kept on the table are extreme cuts, including from the 2014 Budget, including plans for $100,000 university degrees, cuts to family payments, cuts to pensions, cuts to Medicare, and cuts to schools and hospitals; and
(4)condemns the Government and the Prime Minister for failing to meet their own tests, including failing to:
(a)provide new economic leadership;
(b)respect the intelligence of the Australian people;
(c)deliver any tax reform; and
(d)deliver a stable and competent Government but instead leading a Government wracked by chaos and dysfunction.
The House divided. [15:20]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
Well, I do,—
and I'm quite passionate about it, because I think that's one of the things that is holding the Australian economy back.
If we make any changes in tax it will be to deliver lower taxes in other areas particularly for those who are working hard and out there earning a living.
The government has made it crystal clear that we have no interest in increasing taxes on superannuation either now or in the future.
I'm quite passionate about it, because I think that's one of the things that is holding the Australian economy back.
If we are going to do anything in that area it has to be to give people who are going out there and working and earning for a living a better deal on their income tax.
The big challenge for the ALP will be convincing the electorate that it can run the economy almost as well as the Coalition. “Almost”, because the belief that right-wing parties are better economic managers is so pervasive in developed democracies that few can hope to topple it from opposition.
… the Government has returned the Budget to surplus three years ahead of schedule and ahead of any other major advanced economy …
The Budget is now projected to return to surplus in 2012-13—three years ahead of schedule. This will make us the first advanced economy in the world to return to surplus.
By the middle of 2013, our budget will be back in surplus—three years ahead of schedule. We also have the lowest debt and deficit of any major advanced economy.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Welfare Payment Integrity) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a third time.
Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2016
Australia has a worldwide reputation for producing superior quality, premium food. Australian food producers are committed to providing the highest international standards of quality management and food safety.
In the pioneering days of Australia's history, technology and innovation were used to overcome the obstacles faced by farmers trying to make a living off impoverished soil and very dry land.
Since then, we see farmers making use of technology and innovation to remain viable players in a keenly competitive international market, while ensuring the sustainability of their social, economic and biophysical environments. Into the future, rural R&D will continue to help the agricultural sector meet the challenges associated with the rising cost of agricultural inputs, declining commodity prices, climate change and meeting the increasingly discerning needs of consumers.
For example, pests that cause damage to crops might also blight backyard gardens, and hence efforts by producers to prevent or limit pest outbreaks may be beneficial to others in the community. In the other direction, the provision of high quality food can generate health benefits for consumers — and insofar as this encourages them to buy more fresh produce, benefits may flow back to producers. Indeed, in many ways, benefits to producers and benefits to the community are heavily intertwined.
This will have multiple benefits such as improved disease management and prevention, improved extension services, more targeted communication and policy.
The introduction of this legislation is an important step in empowering industry representative organisations.
Once passed, these amendments will enable peak bodies such as SCA—
to identify the industry issues and priorities of the levy payers we represent through better engagement with them and therefore empower us to oversight levy expenditure more effectively.
Anything that happens once will never happen again. Anything that happens twice will surely happen a third time.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Price ): took the chair at 09:30.
Once completed, this information will inform future regional and local planning by providing updated information on the location of resources.
The North Coast also includes areas of the Clarence-Moreton Basin, which has potential coal seam gas resources that may be able to support the development and growth of new industries and provide economic benefits for the region.
So you used a reference to tolls. That would be part of what Infrastructure Australia would work out, not one size fits all, but I've got no doubt that as we build new physical assets, which create value over time, there will be a return for private sector investors…
True love lies beyond the grave,
My strength comes from the love you gave.
Although we have been torn apart,
You will always dwell deep in my heart.
My thoughts are with you every day,
You did not die, you went away.
… her detention, the proceedings against her and her sentence appear to be punitive measures used to suppress her right to free and peaceful expression.
… what then is the alternative to the vicious cycle of bloodshed we have witnessed in recent months? What is a legal and justified response to actions by Israel that the international community agrees are illegal? In my view, non-violent means of protest are and must be seen as legitimate. It is notable that both Israel and the US approve of boycotts and sanctions against other states such as Iran and Brunei …
But only advocates of tyranny could support the literal outlawing of the same type of activism that ended apartheid in South Africa merely on the grounds that this time it is aimed at Israeli occupation (some of Israel’s own leaders have compared its occupation to apartheid).
Israel's right-wing leaders are attempting to silence liberal Israeli groups across the board. The vague charge of "incitement," long brought against Palestinians, is now being applied to Israeli citizens who defend Palestinian rights.
We lived on the hill around the reservoir. I remember all the land with cattle, and the creek at the bottom of that hill … Bracko will always be very special to me.'
The more evidence that was received about the role of smart ICT in infrastructure, the more the committee recognised the possibilities inherent in new technologies and systems.
In BIM processes, these intelligent, 3D project models serve as the principal means for communication between project activities and collaboration between project teams, as well as the foundation for advanced analytics, simulation and visualization to optimize designs to achieve desired outcomes.
This model can be shared between the design team (architects, surveyors, civil and structural engineers), then handed to the main contractor and subcontractors, and finally the owner/operator. Each team adds discipline-specific data to the project model.
That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.
In respect of reports to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of adverse events following immunisation, what action does the TGA take beyond registering the event on a database.
For a vaccine to be marketed in Australia, a sponsor must submit an application to the TGA accompanied by scientific and clinical data to support the quality, safety and efficacy of the vaccine for its intended use. The TGA undertakes thorough evaluation of the data and will usually seek the advice of an independent expert advisory committee, before making a decision to approve or reject a new vaccine. Gardasil has been approved for marketing in Australia under this process.
Once approved, the TGA undertakes a number of means to provide independent assurance of the safety of vaccines. This includes ongoing review and monitoring of batches of vaccines (and laboratory testing where appropriate), as well as post-market monitoring of approved vaccines. The primary focus of this work is to capture and investigate safety issues and to ensure vaccine sponsors have appropriate mechanisms in place to identify safety concerns that may arise once a vaccine is marketed in Australia.
The TGA is responsible for post-market vaccine safety surveillance as part of their overall function of monitoring the safety of medicines in Australia. Effective systems for the identification, reporting, and evaluation of adverse events following immunisation are essential to ensuring public confidence in major vaccination programs.
A key way to inform post-market safety and monitoring is the TGA's adverse event database. This information is used by the TGA to help identify potential safety concerns. Where the TGA identifies any possible safety concerns, it undertakes a detailed evaluation to establish any potential issues around the possible role of vaccines or other therapeutic goods. Depending on the outcome of such reviews, this can inform any subsequent regulatory action as appropriate.
The TGA also seeks advice from the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Vaccines (ACSOV), which advises and makes recommendations to myself and the TGA on the safety, risk assessment and risk management of vaccines. This includes any possible risk mitigations or activities required (such as education and improved information) to support the safe and effective use of vaccines.
The TGA also works with state and territory health authorities, and with the Immunisation Branch of the Office of Health Protection, Department of Health, who have a responsibility for the National Immunisation Programme. The TGA shares adverse event information contained in the adverse event database with these groups, and this information is made publicly available (http://www.tga.gov.au/database-adverse-event-notifications-daen). The TGA also publishes information regarding any identified vaccine safety issues on the TGA website.