The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That private members' business No. 1 be moved to a later hour this day.
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Amendment (Strategic Assets) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Banking Commission of Inquiry Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this House:
(1) recognises the importance of changing the national culture to make disrespecting women un‑Australian;
(2) welcomes the Government's $100 million Women's Safety Package to combat domestic violence;
(3) supports efforts at the upcoming COAG meeting to engage all levels of government and the broader community on this shared national endeavour;
(4) places on record its deep concern about the use of new technology and in particular smart phone tracking applications by family violence perpetrators to obtain and monitor the location of their victims; and
(5) calls on all governments to consider this as part of their strategy to combat domestic violence and technology facilitated abuse.
That this House:
(1) recognises that 18 August is Vietnam Veterans Day;
(2) notes that:
(a) prior to 1987, Vietnam Veterans Day was referred to as Long Tan Day;
(b) 2016 marks the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, a battle that took place on 18 August 1966; and
(c) at the Battle of Long Tan:
(i) less than 120 soldiers from Delta Company faced over 2,000 soldiers;
(ii) 18 Australian soldiers lost their lives during battle, with 25 more injured; and
(iii) over 245 Vietnamese soldiers also lost their lives;
(3) further notes that:
(a) approximately 60,000 Australians served in Vietnam; and
(b) upon their return to Australia, many Vietnam Veterans struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder and a disregard from an Australian public unsupportive of the Vietnam War;
(4) acknowledges:
(a) the soldiers who fought alongside Australians;
(b) the hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese soldiers and civilians that lost their lives during the Vietnam War;
(c) the sacrifices of the Vietnamese are rarely mentioned in Australia’s collective stories of the Vietnam War; and
(d) that Vietnam Veterans deserve the respect and recognition of all Australian Society; and
(5) recognises the:
(a) bravery and heroism of the soldiers of Delta Company that fought at Long Tan; and
(b) sacrifices made by Australian and former Republic of Vietnam soldiers that fought alongside each other during the Vietnam War.”
The Battle of Long Tan on 18 August 1966 was a savage action in which 108 men from my former Delta Company 6RAR, supported by artillery, fought off an enemy regiment of four regular Viet Cong and NVA battalions. My company sadly lost 17 killed and 23 wounded, but the enemy's casualties were in the order of 500 killed and 800 wounded. The battle was applauded as one of the most savage company actions of Australian involvement and was later selected by the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia as their icon of that war.
Although American intervention failed in Vietnam, it bought time for the rest of Southeast Asia. In 1965, when the US military moved massively into South Vietnam, Thailand, Malaysia and the Philippines faced internal threats from armed communist insurgents and the communist underground was still active in Singapore.
Had there been no US intervention, the will of these countries to resist them would have melted and Southeast Asia would have most likely gone communist. The prosperous emerging market economies of ASEAN … were nurtured during the Vietnam War …
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Foreign Political Donations) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a second time.
Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Amendment (Review) Bill 2016
… concerned the current Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) model is too complex and not always clear about what can be claimed.
… ACFI is prescriptive, inflexible and allows only limited interventions that are passive and not supported by evidence-based practice.
… an independent review of the reforms within five years. This ensures that the momentum is maintained in those areas identified by the Productivity Commission as essential reform foundations.
We want to know what works and we want to know what does not.
Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016
Primary Industries Levies and Charges Collection Amendment Bill 2016
Registration of Deaths Abroad Amendment Bill 2016
Budget Savings (Omnibus) Bill 2016
Corporations Amendment (Auditor Registration) Bill 2016
Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2016
Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco) Bill 2016
Statute Update Bill 2016
That Members be appointed as members of certain committees in accordance with the following list:
Standing Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests—Mr Conroy, Mr Fitzgibbon, Mr Giles and Mr Swan.
Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network—Ms Brodtmann, Ms McGowan, Mr B. K. Mitchell, Ms Rowland and Mr J. H. Wilson.
Standing Committee on Procedure—Mr Perrett.
That this House:
(1) reaffirms its commitment to the right of all Australians to enjoy equal rights and be treated with equal respect regardless of race, colour, creed or origin;
(2) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining an immigration policy wholly non-discriminatory on grounds of race, colour, creed or origin;
(3) reaffirms its commitment to the process of reconciliation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, in the context of redressing their profound social and economic disadvantage;
(4) reaffirms its commitment to maintaining Australia as a culturally diverse, tolerant and open society, united by an overriding commitment to our nation, and its democratic institutions and values; and
(5) denounces racial intolerance in any form as incompatible with the kind of society we are and want to be.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Income Tax Relief) Bill 2016
That the bill be now read a third time.
Migration Amendment (Character Cancellation Consequential Provisions) Bill 2016
… the protection of the Australian community and is particularly important in the offshore visa context. In considering whether a non-citizen should be granted a visa to come to Australia, there is an expectation that the non-citizen will not cause or threaten harm to either individuals or the Australian community. Where there is information that suggests that a visa applicant presents more than a minimal or remote risk of causing harm to an individual or the broader Australian community, it is entirely appropriate that the non-citizen’s visa application be considered for refusal under subsection 501(1) of the Act.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the House:
(1) notes that despite the Prime Minister claiming he had heard a “very clear lesson” about his attacks on Medicare, 100 days since the election not one cut to Medicare has been reversed; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to;
(a) guarantee to keep Medicare in public hands as a universal health insurance scheme for all Australians;
(b) guarantee to protect bulk billing so that every Australian can see their doctor when they need to and not only when they can afford to;
(c) reverse his harmful cuts to Medicare by unfreezing the indexation of the Medicare Benefits Schedule;
(d) reverse his cuts to pathology that will mean Australians with cancer will pay more for blood tests;
(e) reverse his cuts to breast screening, MRIs, x-rays and other diagnostic imaging which will mean Australians will pay more for vital scans;
(f) abandon his plans to make all Australians, even pensioners, pay more for vital medicines; and
(g) develop a long-term agreement to properly fund our public hospitals so Australians don’t languish in our emergency departments or on long waiting lists for important surgery.
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 despite the Prime Minister claiming he had heard a “very clear lesson” about his attacks on Medicare, 100 days since the election not one cut to Medicare has been reversed; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to:
(a) guarantee to keep Medicare in public hands as a universal health insurance scheme for all Australians;
(b) guarantee to protect bulk billing so that every Australian can see their doctor when they need to and not only when they can afford to;
(c) reverse his harmful cuts to Medicare by unfreezing the indexation of the Medicare Benefits Schedule;
(d) reverse his cuts to pathology that will mean Australians with cancer will pay more for blood tests;
(e) reverse his cuts to breast screening, MRIs, x-rays and other diagnostic imaging which will mean Australians will pay more for vital scans;
(f) abandon his plans to make all Australians, even pensioners, pay more for vital medicines; and
(g) develop a long-term agreement to properly fund our public hospitals so Australians don’t languish in our emergency departments or on long waiting lists for important surgery.
We have to do more to reaffirm the faith of the Australian people in our commitment to health and to Medicare.
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [13:06]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That business intervening before order of the day No. 3, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
That government business have priority over members’ statements for this sitting.
My own view is that many of our cities could do with better transportation infrastructure. Sydney is amongst those.
In view of the importance of fitness in sustaining the national morale of our youth, and in view also of the outstanding importance of the national code of football to the maintenance of fitness and morale, will the Prime Minister consider inviting to Canberra, Australia’s champion Australian rules football team—Footscray?
The duty of leaders is to pursue freedom ceaselessly, even in the face of hostility, in the face of doubt and disappointment. Just imagine what could be.
Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace and pursue it.
… we won them all, but we did not win the greatest victory that we aspired to: release from the need to win victories.
That the House take note of the statement.
Can I go back to what you already alluded to? You said you can call it a tax.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring:
(1)on Tuesday, 11 October 2016 the Federation Chamber to meet from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm, in addition to its scheduled hours of meeting;
(2)on Thursday, 13 October the adjournment debate in the Federation Chamber to commence at 1 pm and continue for 30 minutes;
(3)on Monday, 17 October the hours scheduled for private members' business in the Federation Chamber from 4.45 pm to 7.30 pm to be allocated to government business;
(4)on Tuesday, 18 October the Federation Chamber to meet from 12.30 pm to 1.30 pm, in addition to its scheduled hours of meeting;
(5)on Wednesday, 19 October the meeting of the Federation Chamber to continue until 1.30 pm and then suspend until 4 pm;
(6)on Thursday, 20 October the adjournment debate in the Federation Chamber to commence at 1 pm and continue for 30 minutes; and
(7)any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2016-2017
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2016-2017
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2016-2017
That Members be discharged and appointed as members of certain committees in accordance with the following list:
Joint Standing Committee on the Parliamentary Library—Mr Broadbent, Mr Ramsey, Mr van Manen and Mr Zimmerman be appointed members;
Standing Committee on Procedure—Mr Perrett be discharged and Mr Dick be appointed a member; and
Publications Committee—Ms M. M. H. King and Ms Stanley be appointed members.
Migration Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a third time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2016-2017
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2016-2017
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2016-2017
Public final spending didn't grow at all. Public investment spending fell by eight per cent …
The Victorian Police and the general public recognise the loss of life of two young constables, Steven Tynan, 22, and Damian Eyre, 20, who were murdered at 4.50 am on 12 October 1988 in Walsh Street, South Yarra, responding to an incident which was nothing short of an ambush. The current security environment is just as volatile now as it was then, nearly 28 years ago.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Coulton ) took the chair at 10:30.
They don't want our agreement; they simply want to be able to do it.
That's a little bit frightening to people.
That this House:
(1) notes that the International Day of the Girl Child:
(a) will be celebrated globally on 11 October 2016; and
(b) is an international day of observance that promotes girls' human rights, highlights gender inequalities that remain between girls and boys and addresses the various forms of discrimination and abuse suffered by girls around the globe;
(2) recognises that:
(a) the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals include key targets for gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls by 2030;
(b) achieving these targets will require increased investment by national governments, national aid agencies, and global companies and foundations; and
(c) increased investments in gender equality are vital if the world is to achieve sustained, inclusive and equitable economic growth and development;
(3) calls on the Australian Government to work towards the longstanding internationally agreed aid targets in order for Australia to contribute its fair share to international development and aid the empowerment of all women and girls under the Sustainable Development Goals; and
(4) urges all Members to be leaders in their community and in Parliament, to act on the advancement of gender equality.
… help galvanize worldwide enthusiasm for goals to better girls’ lives, providing an opportunity for them to show leadership and reach their full potential.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Australia is a prosperous nation with a high standard of living and low levels of poverty by international standards;
(2) recognises that despite our national prosperity, poverty remains an issue for some Australians;
(3) notes that 11 to 17 October is Anti-Poverty Week, a week where all Australians are encouraged to organise or take part in activities to highlight and overcome poverty in Australia and overseas;
(4) understands that the main aims of Anti-Poverty Week are to:
(a) strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship; and
(b) encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments; and
(5) commends the organisers and sponsors of Anti-Poverty Week for their ongoing efforts to raise awareness and take action to address poverty.
I worry that the language of social justice has become too soft, that we must speak more clearly about poverty and stark, indefensible and growing inequality.
… … …
Despite 25 years of continuous economic growth, inequality in Australia is at a 75-year high, and … More than 2.5 million of our fellow Australians live below the poverty line
That this House:
(1) notes that National Police Remembrance Day is observed on 29 September;
(2) acknowledges the significant role police make to our local communities and the high degree of risk and personal sacrifice that comes with their duty;
(3) honours the courage and commitment of the men and women who serve in our state and territory police forces together with the Australian Federal Police, and who dedicate their careers to protecting and serving our community;
(4) remembers the ultimate sacrifice that has been made by police officers who have been killed in the course of their duty, and honours their lives;
(5) commends the good work of Police Legacy, who look after the loved ones of police who have died as a result of their duties; and
(6) reaffirms our support for the nation's 56,000 police officers, and honours their efforts to make a difference, defend our way of life and safeguard the peace and security of our communities.
Australian police have been sacrificing their lives in the line of duty for more than two centuries. And we've all seen and felt for ourselves just how heartrending those losses are, to shattered families, to grieving friends, to stunned colleagues, even sometimes to strangers.
Of course, when violence and hate and cowardice are behind the loss of our mates, the grief is made all the worse.
Acts of barbarism add so many layers of pain and anger and infuriation.
Ultimately, it becomes such an important task to keep every fallen member in the consciousness and the hearts of the living.
I know that through the wall-to-wall ride for remembrance you as a collective are determined to do that.
This place has become the spiritual home of police in Australia. It is here that we are all reminded of the magnitude and gravity of what we are called to do on a day to day basis. This place means so much to those who have been called to the vocation of policing. We are here because we know it could happen to any one of us.
… a police officer has died as a direct and conclusive link to a personal injury causing or substantially contributing to the death. An illness or disease may be classed as an injury if arising from an external physical cause or contracted in the course of duty.
National Police Remembrance Day is about recognising the incredible courage of those officers who've lost their lives while serving the community of New South Wales. It is with great sorrow that we pause to remember two of our beloved policing colleagues; Curtis Cheng and Sergeant Geoffrey Richardson. … The tragedy of their passing is a sober reminder of the continued dangers that thousands of brave men and women face each day in service to the community, where there's no way of knowing what potential risk they may face. Our deepest sympathies go out to the Cheng and Richardson families; today we honour the memory of their loved ones and reflect on the dedicated service and bravery of all police officers.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges and supports the deployed Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel currently serving overseas;
(2) recognises that:
(a) there are currently well over 2,000 ADF personnel serving overseas; and
(b) these men and women are playing a critical role in supporting Australia's national interests by contributing to international security operations; and
(3) notes the Government's ongoing support for our deployed ADF personnel and the $910.7 million provided in the 2015 budget to support major overseas operations including Okra, Highroad, Manitou, Accordion and Resolute.
We would like to let them know that they are doing an outstanding job and that they are certainly making us proud of them. It really doesn't matter what their jobs are; we can honestly say we are so proud of them. They are a true credit not only to their parents here at home but also to all Australians.
Over the past 6 years, we have certainly met many of our young defence personnel. They certainly have always shown us so much respect, and we would like to thank them for that indeed. We are not only talking about us, but we can certainly mention other families that have lost their sons over in Afghanistan, and they all say the same."
… there has been a lack of clear communication about the rate of outflows from the Murray-Darling Basin Authority, the body responsible for deciding the rate of outflows from Lake Hume.
The Canberra-based institution declines to predict its day-to-day release levels from Lake Hume, saying they can vary and the forecasts may not match reality.
Waiting and
Time, what are they? What do
they mean? They are a lot alike
but they are different. They
are like an hourglass and
a clock, both represent time,
and both can represent waiting.
Waiting and time can be repre-
sented by a person as well,
the older they are, the longer
they've lived and the more they've
waited. Waiting and time, they
are the start and the end of
everything. Forever the spectator of life.
Very clever poem, original both in form and language, philosophical and well-observed. Congratulations Manni!
That this House:
(1) recognises the vital role the Bruce Highway plays in connecting communities all the way from Brisbane to Cairns;
(2) acknowledges that the Australian Government is investing $6.7 billion into upgrading the Bruce Highway;
(3) notes that:
(a) the Australian Government has approved $6.4 million to fund a planning study into upgrading the Bruce Highway between Pine Rivers and Caloundra Road; and
(b) the Queensland Government is not planning to finalise the planning study until the middle of 2018;
(4) calls on the Queensland Government to expedite its work on the planning study so that much needed upgrade works to the Bruce Highway can start as soon as possible; and
(5) congratulates the Australian Government for approving the supplementary study into upgrading the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Motorway and the Maroochydore Interchange.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) penalty rates:
(i) continue to be a fundamental part of a strong safety net for Australian workers, enabling those in low income and highly casualised industries to share in the nation’s economic prosperity; and
(ii) are not a luxury—they pay the bills and put food on the table for up to 4.5 million Australians relying on them; and
(b) reducing the penalty rates of low-paid workers will negatively impact the economy as a whole;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) hospitality workers are in the bottom 30 per cent of Australian income earners;
(b) along with hospitality and food services, retail has the largest proportion of low paid workers in Australia; and
(c) women comprise a disproportionate share of workers in both the retail and hospitality sectors, accounting for 55 per cent of all employed;
(3) condemns the Government’s failure to protect penalty rates, particularly given continued record low wage growth; and
(4) calls on the Government to protect penalty rates by joining with the Opposition in making a submission to the Fair Work Commission, arguing strongly that penalty rates should not be cut.
If you cut penalty rates then people won't come into my store. The very people that I serve in my restaurant are the very people who also earn penalty rates. So therefore they have the disposable income to come into my restaurant.
I believe that it is the role of government to reduce the number of employees who are being forced to become contractors instead of working for a boss.
To me, after hours, overtime and minimum hours for weekend work are the most important and crucial payments I receive. It helps with my mortgage and helps provide the food I put on the table to feed my growing family as I have a wife and three children, with another on the way. I have been both on a salary and wage and found the salary meant that I was working long hours with no bonuses and hardly got to see my family, with no extra benefit but to the company I worked for. Now I am back on a wage with all the penalties, giving me the option to work weekends and after hours with the incentive of more pay and allowing me to have some extra money that I can spend on my family and also helping make ends meet—for example, paying our ever increasing energy bills. I believe these penalties are a great reward for the sacrifice of giving up my time that could be better spent with my family.
That this House:
(1) notes the Government's abject failure in higher education policy, including:
(a) repeated attempts to introduce a United States style, user pays approach to tuition fees which will leave young Australians with $100,000 degrees;
(b) a continued policy to slash 20 per cent from Commonwealth Grants Scheme funding; and
(c) the short-sighted 2016-17 budget decision to remove 40 per cent of funding to the Higher Education Participation Program by 2019-20; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) recognise that two in every three jobs created in the future will require a university degree;
(b) acknowledge that investment in human potential is critical to boosting productivity and driving innovation; and
(c) immediately work to improve access to higher education and stop putting barriers around our universities through massive debt burdens.
That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) World Mental Health Day (WMHD) will take place on 10 October; and
(b) Mental Health Week will take place in Australia from 9 to 15 October;
(2) seeks to encourage help-seeking behaviour, reduce the stigma associated with mental issues and foster connections through communities;
(3) acknowledges the importance of WMHD and other campaigns including R U OK? Day in Australia, and World Suicide Prevention Day that help:
(a) build community awareness about mental health issues and around suicide prevention; and
(b) to encourage people to have regular and meaningful conversations with family, friends and colleagues;
(4) recognises the efforts of dedicated individuals and organisations working to address mental health issues and suicide prevention;
(5) notes with concern that suicide rates remain unacceptably too high—in Australia:
(a) suicide is the leading cause of death for men and women between the ages of 15 and 44;
(b) each day seven people die by suicide, and 30 attempt it;
(c) higher rates of suicide exist among vulnerable groups including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, young people and people from lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex communities;
(d) the annual number of deaths by suicide is around 2,500;
(e) each year it is estimated that 65,000 people attempt suicide; and
(f) the annual suicide toll is now twice the annual road toll; and
(6) calls on the Government to show leadership around suicide prevention, including working in a bipartisan approach to adopt the National Mental Health Commission's target to reduce suicide by 50 per cent over the next 10 years.
In respect of the Government's election commitment to allocate $200,000 to restore koala habitat on the Tweed Coast, will these funds be allocated in the 2016-17 budget; if so,
(a) from which funding program will they come, and
(b) what additional funding requirements will be imposed upon the funding recipient for them to receive the funding.
The commitment to restore koala habitat in the Tweed Coast is part of the $24 million Improving Your Local Parks and Environment Program. The program will support communities to undertake local actions to improve parklands, restore rivers and rehabilitate coastal areas, ensuring communities have better and more accessible green spaces.
I expect to progress this commitment through the 2016-17 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook and my Department is working through implementation details.