The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 17 October 2017.
2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 17 October 2017, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 23 October 2017, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to prohibit Commonwealth support for coal-fired power stations, and for related purposes. (Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017)
(Notice given 11 September 2017.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 MR BANDT: To present A Bill for an Act to establish the National Integrity Commission, and for related purposes. (National Integrity Commission Bill 2013)
(Notice given 17 October 2017.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
3 MR HAYES: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that 25 November 2017 is White Ribbon Day (WRD), the United Nations' symbol of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women;
(2) recognises that WRD aims to prevent violence against women by increasing public awareness and challenging attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to continue;
(3) encourages all Australian men to join the 'My Oath Campaign' and take the oath: `I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women';
(4) understands that:
(a) one in three women have experienced physical and/or sexual violence perpetrated by someone known to them;
(b) each week approximately one woman is killed by a current or former partner; and
(c) domestic and family violence is the principle cause of homelessness for women and their children;
(5) acknowledges the high economic cost of violence against women, which is estimated to cost the Australian economy $21.7 billion a year; and
(6) asks all Members to show their support for the principles of WRD by taking the oath and wearing a white ribbon or wristband on the day.
(Notice given 16 October 2017.)
Time allotted — 60minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Mr Hayes — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 12 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MR FALINSKI: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) 15 October 2017 marks the 200th anniversary of the death of Tadeusz Kosciuszko; and
(b) on 22 June 2016 the Polish Sejm (the lower chamber of Polish Parliament) adopted a special resolution proclaiming 2017 'The Year of Tadeusz Kosciuszko', leading to world wide celebrations under the patronage of UNESCO;
(2) recognises Tadeusz Kosciuszko as an indomitable fighter for the universal values of freedom, liberty and equality;
(3) acknowledges the importance of Tadeusz Kosciuszko to the 180,000 strong Polish community in Australia, marked by our naming of the highest mountain on Australian mainland after him; and
(4) recognises the work of Kosciuszko Heritage Inc. whose mission is to promote Kosciuszko in Australia, and to organise activities aimed at commemorating this Polish national hero.
(Notice given 17 October 2017.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits ‑
Mr Falinski — 10minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS BRODTMANN: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the World Endometriosis Conference is held every three years, with this year's conference being held in Vancouver, Canada on 17 to 20 May 2017;
(b) at this year's conference, Australia will nominate to host the 15th World Endometriosis Conference to be held in 2023;
(c) one in ten Australian women have endometriosis, a disease in which the tissue that is similar to the lining of the womb grows outside it in other parts of the body;
(d) there is a lack of understanding in the Australian community about endometriosis and the impact it has on women's lives;
(e) the disease can lead to extreme pain, infertility and other complications related to the bowel, periods, headaches and a variety of other symptoms around the body;
(f) there is a delay in diagnosing endometriosis of up to seven to ten years because the symptoms are variable; and
(g) University of Sydney research has shown that endometriosis costs Australia $7.7 billion each year—two thirds of this is in lost productivity and the rest is in direct healthcare costs; and
(2) calls on the Australian Government to:
(a) support Australia's nomination to host the 15th World Endometriosis Conference to be held in 2023; and
(b) end the silence about endometriosis by raising awareness of the disease and its symptoms across Australia and promoting further research.
(Notice given 9 May 2017.)
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Ms Brodtmann — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 MS FLINT: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the success of the New Colombo Plan (Plan);
(2) recognises that the Plan will have supported more than 30,000 Australian undergraduates to live, study and undertake internships in the Indo-Pacific by the end of 2018;
(3) welcomes the establishment of the Plan's alumni ambassadors program, which will support the Plan's alumnus from across the country to promote the value of engaging with the Indo-Pacific region;
(4) notes that numerous prime ministers, presidents and foreign ministers of the IndoPacfic region have lauded the Plan as evidence of Australia's commitment to building enduring relationships across the region; and
(5) recognises that the Plan is enhancing Asian literacy amongst Australian undergraduates, deepening Australia's engagement in the region and strengthening Australia's international education sector, which is one of our largest services export industries.
(Notice given 17 October 2017.)
Time allotted 30minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Ms Flint — 5 minutes.
Other Members 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
3 MS MCGOWAN: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the planned closure of the regional processing centre on Manus Island in Papua New Guinea (PNG) on 31 October 2017 is creating a highly stressful situation for the 773 asylum seekers who remain on Manus Island;
(b) the Australian Government is seeking to relocate people to East Lorengau or elsewhere in PNG ahead of the deadline;
(c) there will be a withdrawal of current medical and mental health care, torture and trauma support and security services to detainees on 31 October;
(d) a UNHCR survey of the deterioration of the mental health of those on Manus Island and Nauru in May 2016 showed that more than 88 per cent of offshore detainees are suffering serious mental health issues after several years in detention; and
(e) there is enormous pressure on the detainees on Manus Island to relocate in PNG or return to where they fled, ahead of the deadline, whereas the UNHCR says a majority have been recognised as refugees who would qualify for resettlement; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) urgently find viable and humane solutions outside of PNG and Nauru for those remaining under offshore processing arrangements; and
(b) ensure all detainees are settled safely and with appropriate medical support prior to the 31 October closure of the Manus Island regional processing centre.
(Notice given 13 September 2017.)
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Ms McGowan — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MR WOOD: To move—That this House:
(1) welcomes and congratulates the Government for banning the importation of African lion hunting trophies and its participation in helping end the practice of canned hunting;
(2) acknowledges and commends the Government for its elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn ban for products produced after 1975 but recognises that these
bans need to be implemented for all products produced prior to 1975 as well;
(3) notes that elephants and rhinoceroses are facing extinction due to poaching with:
(a) one elephant dying every 15 minutes for its tusks;
(b) one rhinoceros dying every 8 hours for its horn;
(c) less than 400,000 African elephants remaining; and
(d) less than 27,000 rhinoceroses remaining;
(4) notes with concern that we can still buy and sell elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn in Australia, which is part of the problem;
(5) notes the sadistic and cruel method poachers use when harvesting elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn;
(6) recognises that this ban is not about attacking legal hunters, it is about stopping illegal poaching and illegal trading in elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn; and
(7) calls on all governments to help Australia be part of the solution and prohibit the domestic trade of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn, additionally to set up an infringement fine system, offense provisions and penalties.
(Notice given 17 October 2017.)
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Mr Wood 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
5 MR WALLACE: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government's additional $23.5 billion investment in Australian schools over the next 10 years, on top of the 2016 budget, will deliver the real needs based funding that our students need to succeed;
(b) this funding package will ensure that all students and schools are treated fairly and equitably, and that students with the same need in the same sector receive the same support from the Commonwealth; and
(c) in the electoral division of Fisher this action by the Government will ensure that, for example, Glasshouse Christian College will receive an additional $28.5 million, Chancellor State College will receive an additional $24.6 million, and Meridan State College will receive an additional $23.5 million in funding over the next ten years;
(2) congratulates the Government on this major investment in Australia's future and on delivering needs based funding into the school system;
(3) welcomes the Government's action to ensure that this additional funding delivers improved results, through initiatives like the Review to Achieve Educational Excellence in Australian Schools, the Review into Regional, Rural and Remote Education, and the Teacher Performance Assessment; and
(4) encourages the Government to continue its focus on improving educational outcomes and ensuring that school funding is well spent, particularly in regional areas such as the Sunshine Coast.
(Notice given 17 October 2017.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits ‑
Mr Wallace — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices – continued
6 MR CHAMPION: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the important role Holden's workforce has played in Holden Australia's history including when it:
(a) was established in 1856 by James Alexander Holden as a saddlery business;
(b) became the exclusive supplier for General Motors in Australia in 1924;
(c) built the first all-Australian motor vehicle in 1948, the FX Holden;
(d) commenced construction on the current Holden site in Elizabeth, South Australia in 1958; and,
(e) hosted Queen Elizabeth II at the Elizabeth plant in 1963;
(2) congratulates the current Holden workforce for its ongoing professionalism which has ensured the Holden Elizabeth plant remains General Motors' top factory for quality globally; and
(3) acknowledges the role of Prime Minister Chifley and South Australian Premier Sir Thomas Playford in establishing the Australian automotive industry.
(Notice given 14 September 2017.)
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Mr Champion — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 MS BANKS: To move—That this House:
(1) welcomes the announcement by the Minister for Foreign Affairs at the United Nations General Assembly on 22 September 2017 of the Women's Leadership Initiative (Initiative);
(2) notes that the Initiative is a five year program to support emerging women leaders in the Pacific and to help participants—selected from Australia Awards scholars—to fulfil their leadership potential and drive ideas and reforms in their communities;
(3) further notes that the Initiative is part of Australia's partnership with Pacific Island countries to meet shared challenges and support a stable, secure and prosperous Pacific region;
(4) acknowledges that the Initiative will deepen our long standing relationship with our Pacific neighbours and see Pacific women mentored by successful female leaders, including Australian Indigenous leaders, private sector representatives and pioneering leaders from the Pacific; and
(5) recognises that the empowerment of women and girls is a priority for Australia's development assistance and is fundamental to our increased engagement in the Pacific.
(Notice given 17 October 2017.)
Time allotted — 45minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Ms Banks —10 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
8 MS CLAYDON: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 15 to 21 October 2017 is National Carers Week and that it is estimated that there are 2.7 million carers who provide care and support to a family member or friend with a disability, mental illness, chronic condition, terminal illness, or who is frail aged in Australia; and
(b) the theme for National Carers Week is 'Carers Count';
(2) acknowledges the significant contribution that carers make to the Australian community, saving the nation an estimated $60 billion per year; and
(3) recognises the incredible sacrifices carers make and the challenges they face including fewer employment options and a restricted capacity to participate in community life.
(Notice given 14 September 2017.)
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits ‑
Ms Claydon — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
9 MR MORTON: To move—That this House: (1) notes that:
(a) illicit drugs can cause untold harm in our communities and on our streets; and
(b) the Government:
(i) is committed to targeting the supply, demand, and harm caused to our communities by the scourge of illicit drugs; and
(ii) has made significant investments in our law enforcement agencies to do all they can to keep drugs off our streets;
(2) acknowledges that Australian law enforcement officers continue to confront Australia's drug market and combat the criminal syndicates that peddle illicit drugs; and
(3) calls on all Members to promote greater awareness of the harmful effects of illicit drugs on individuals and communities across Australia and support our law enforcement agencies in keeping drugs off our streets.
(Notice given 17 October 2017.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 7.30 pm Speech time limits ‑
Mr Morton 5minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Competition Policy Review) Bill 2017
That the amendment be agreed to
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan Base Rate Entities) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
Proceeds of Crime Amendment (Proceeds and Other Matters) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
That in accordance with section 10B of the Health Insurance Act 1973 , the House approve the Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Determination 2017 made on 15 August and presented to the House on 4 September.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 6) Bill 2017
That the Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 6) Bill 2017 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 1) Bill 2017
First Home Super Saver Tax Bill 2017
The number of investors with multiple properties has grown relative to those with a single property … Indeed, the number of investors with five properties grew by 7½ per cent in that one year, compared with average growth of 4½ per cent over the previous nine years.
They don't understand that if two bidders, for example, at an auction—because this would be available to more than one person—come to that auction and said, 'We've got access to our superannuation, so we're going to bid higher', they're going to bid against each other, and they're going to bid the price up. The only winner in that scenario is the vendor, who can get more for their house. The actual person who purchases the house, having used some of the money that was set aside for their retirement income, is no better off. The person who missed out on the house is no better off. The person who is better off is the vendor, and that is making housing affordability worse. Whether it's an auction or whether it's just sold in the normal fashion through a real estate agent, the laws of economics are the same.
The material home represents the concrete expression of the habits of frugality and saving "for a home of our own." Your advanced socialist may rave against private property even while he acquires it; but one of the best instincts in us is that which induces us to have one little piece of earth with a house and a garden which is ours; to which we can withdraw, in which we can be among our friends, into which no stranger may come against our will.
… that the Australian Government appoint a Minister for Housing and Homelessness, with the portfolio to be located in a central agency such as the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet or the Treasury, or in the Department of Infrastructure with formal links to the central agencies.
A measure of the housing crisis is the number of people around the country on waiting lists for social housing: 217,000 families in 2014. Moreover, for those several million Australians on Centrelink benefits, only 1 per cent of private rental properties are affordable. Reflecting this, more than 157,000 households in Australia are paying over 50 per cent of their income in rent, and therefore live in severely unaffordable housing. The most recent estimate is that there are 875,000 households in Australia that are experiencing housing stress.
As at 2011-2012, 90 per cent of government expenditure on housing policies (direct expenditure and tax concessions such as capital gains tax exemptions) was received by homeowners (about $36 billion each year) and residential property investors ($6.8 billion). This compares to federal and state/territory governments spending around $5 billion on social housing.
… there is almost no effort within high-level policy thinking at the federal level that is dedicated to constructing and articulating a systematic conceptual understanding of the links between housing policy objectives, housing policy instruments and mechanisms, and their effect on the economics of housing systems or economic productivity.
Doctors would judge me and make insidious comments about my sexuality. I wish Australian students and women were educated about the disease and spoke openly about the mental and emotional implications associated with endo.
This hidden disease has turned my body into a torture chamber that has impacted my ability to be a leader. Often, I am incapacitated for one or two weeks a month and require hospitalisation or codeine to reduce the pain, which in most cases doesn't work.
… to all the little girls who are watching this: never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.
I don't think anybody can guarantee a price reduction.
The most effective policy for investment certainty in the energy sector is bipartisanship.
… we believe it is time to put an end to the 'climate wars' …
… Labor calls on the Government to work with us in a bipartisan approach …
I don't think anybody can guarantee a price reduction.
Under this scheme, the wholesale price would be expected to be lower relative to today and lower compared to a certificate-based scheme.
It's significant and it's a serious issue for the whole community—
but in the context of public hospitals it has a material impact on our budget in this current financial year.
Farmers across the country—dairy farmers, fruit and vegetables producers, irrigators—are hurting from spiralling electricity prices and unreliable power supplies.
The failures of the government to tackle poverty and inequality in Australia.
Being unemployed is the strongest overall predictor of poverty, with higher rates of poverty amongst this group than any other group.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 1) Bill 2017
First Home Super Saver Tax Bill 2017
The combination of capital gains tax rule changes in 1999 and negative gearing has strongly increased the demand for investment properties. Investors compete directly with potential homebuyers, particularly for established houses. This makes it harder for first home buyers to secure a property.
There is some logic to encouraging older people to downsize their residence. But to suggest that allowing older Australians to tip some of their multimillion-dollar capital gain into tax-free superannuation accounts is an effective or equitable way to help young people buy or rent a house is yet another cruel hoax.
The House divided. [16:44]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
First Home Super Saver Tax Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 6) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Tax Integrity) Bill 2017
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Vacancy Fees) Bill 2017
That all the words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill and related bill a second reading, the House notes that any housing affordability package that does not include reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax is a sham".
"whilst not declining to give the bill and related bill a second reading, the House notes that any housing affordability package that does not include reforms to negative gearing and capital gains tax is a sham".
The most obvious thing the Commonwealth Government could do is reduce the capital gains discount and abolish negative gearing. It wouldn't solve the problem but it would help.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Vacancy Fees) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a third time.
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2017
Mandatory sentences actually make it harder to prosecute criminals, by removing the incentive for anyone to plead guilty or to provide information to the police. There is every incentive to fight on and appeal against convictions.
… careful attention to maximum penalties will almost always be required, first, because the legislature has legislated for them; secondly, because they invite comparison between the worst possible case and the case before court at the time; and thirdly, because in that regard, they do provide, taken and balanced with all of the other relevant factors, a yardstick …
In Elias v The Queen, former Chief Justice French of the High Court, and Justices Hayne, Kiefel, Bell and Keane said: 'the administration of the criminal law involves individualised justice'.
… the imposition of a just sentence on an offender in a particular case is an exercise of judicial discretion concerned to do justice in that case.
It is both unusual and in general, in my opinion, undesirable that the court should not have a discretion in the imposition of penalties and sentences, for circumstances alter cases and it is a traditional function of a court of justice to endeavour to make the punishment appropriate to the circumstances as well as to the nature of the crime.
... there may exist wide differences in the degree of culpability of particular offenders, so that in principle there is every reason for allowing a discretion for the judge at trial to impose an appropriate sentence not exceeding the statutory maximum' and that mandatory sentencing 'would lead to results that would be plainly unreasonable and unjust'.
It is a breakdown of the rule of law and sentencing, where the court determines what is appropriate.
It is unrealistic, therefore, and unjust, to prescribe a penalty or minimum penalty that must be imposed for any serious offence before it has been committed or is even in contemplation (or can even be foreseen by Parliament), before all the facts and circumstances are known and without knowing anything of the offender; and experience has shown that such measures do create injustice. Justice requires proper consideration of all the circumstances of the offence and the offender.
To remove judicial discretion in such a vital area of the liberties of the subject is tantamount to a vote of no confidence in the judiciary … The assertion by the elected politicians of the right, in effect, to impose particular sentences for particular crimes, as a response to immediate political exigencies is a significant interference with traditional and well settled principles of the separation of powers.
Laws that impose mandatory minimum terms of imprisonment are inconsistent with Australia's international human rights obligations, including obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR).
Teenage years can often be marked by rash decisions and regrettable mistakes. A blunt instrument like a mandatory minimum sentence will not take this into account.
Mandatory sentencing is always likely to trigger unintended consequences that are at odds with the intention of the laws and fundamental principles of justice.
Mandatory sentences actually make it harder to prosecute criminals, by removing the incentive for anyone to plead guilty or to provide information to the police. There is every incentive to fight on and appeal against convictions.
For example, a 15 and 17-year-old might be sharing sexual images with each other in a consensual relationship, yet the day the older partner turns 18, under this legislation that 18-year-old would be looking at an automatic five-year sentence.
An 18 year old boy and a 15 year old girl are in a relationship and constantly exchange intimate images. The boy has previously been convicted for a child sexual abuse offence.
When you take away the ability of a judge to take into account the seriousness of the offence, the degree of culpability of the offender, their personal circumstances or the explanation for offending, you generate disproportionate and, often, unconscionable outcomes.
Our work has shown that across many decades many institutions failed our children. Our child protection, criminal and civil justice systems let them down. Although the primary responsibility for the sexual abuse of an individual lies with the abuser and the institution of which they were part, we cannot avoid the conclusion that the problems faced by many people who have been abused are the responsibility of our entire society.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Price ) took the chair at 10:00.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017
That's all just a long way of saying that the small business tax bonanza the Government is selling is largely illusory. In the bigger picture, 45 years of trickledown experiments, promising that the rivers of money which have flowed to corporations and the rich will turn into 'jobs and growth' for all, have delivered one clear outcome: a massive and sustained increase in income and wealth inequality.
When businesses make decisions about where to locate—the tax rate does presumably matter, but so does the business environment, the institutional framework, the rule of law, the macro-economic outlook and where the resources are. There's a broader business environment to consider and those advantages haven't gone away.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 6) Bill 2017
… a well designed and proportionate legal and regulatory regime will support user confidence in, and therefore growth of, innovative payment systems such as virtual currencies.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017
There's no upfront cost for enabling courses and those students will be treated exactly the same as their peers doing other courses at university where the student loan program applies.
When businesses make decisions about where to locate—the tax rate does presumably matter, but so does the business environment, the institutional framework, the rule of law, the macro-economic outlook and where the resources are.
There's a broader business environment to consider and those advantages haven't gone away.
Personal income tax receipts are projected by the PBO to increase by 1.6 per cent of GDP over the medium term, from 11.1 per cent of GDP in 2016-17 to 12.6 per cent of GDP in 2027-28 (Figure 1). Once the tax 'cap' is reached, personal income tax receipts are projected by the PBO to continue to rise as a per cent of GDP as company tax receipts decline from 2023-24 as a result of the Government's Enterprise Tax Plan . The PBO projects that the average tax rate on personal income will rise from 22.7 per cent in 2016-17 to 25.9 per cent in 2027-28.
In addition to the effect of nominal income growth, average tax rates are projected to increase due to policy changes, most notably the policy decision to increase the Medicare Levy from 2019-20.
Company profits have surged to record highs at the same time wages suffered their sharpest decline in eight years, new figures show, as the Turnbull government prepares to argue the case on Tuesday for a $50 billion company tax cut.
The three months to December 2016 saw a 20 per cent jump in profits, while wages fell 0.5 per cent - the largest decline since mid-2009, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics Wage Price Index. Over the course of 2016, company profits rose 26 per cent.
Being unemployed is the strongest overall predictor of poverty, with higher rates of poverty amongst this group than any other group.
We used to talk about wages policy … and considering the current backdrop. I think maybe the time has come again to think about that.
When businesses make decisions about where to locate – the tax rate does presumably matter, but so does the business environment, the institutional framework, the rule of law, the macro-economic outlook and where the resources are.
There's a broader business environment to consider and those advantages haven't gone away.
Australians are relying more than ever before on technology to stay connected, to be informed, and to do business, so it is critical that consumers are able to rely on the services they sign up for. While it is necessary to acknowledge the role of the national broadband network in driving significant change in Australian telecommunications, complaints have increased across the board. Complaints about services delivered over the national broadband network have more than doubled.
This includes an increase in complaints about connection delays and reliability issues such as faults. The increase is somewhat to be expected given the accelerated rollout of the NBN, but is still a concerning trend.
Because of their broader scope, average and effective corporate tax rates are better indicators of a company's incentives to invest in a particular country than is the statutory corporate tax rate.
… average and effective corporate tax rates are better indicators of a company's incentives to invest in a particular country than is the statutory corporate tax rate.
When businesses make decisions about where to locate – the tax rate does presumably matter, but so does the business environment, the institutional framework, the rule of law, the macro-economic outlook and where the resources are.
There's a broader business environment to consider and those advantages haven't gone away.
(1) Question
Why are there no targets for the Veteran's Employment Program (VEP).
(2) Question
Will his department provide outcomes for the VEP; if not, why not; if so, when.
(3) Question
How is the success of the program currently being measured.
(1) Answer
The Industry Advisory Committee on Veterans' Employment (IAC), established under the Prime Minister's Veterans' Employment Program, is considering an appropriate target to set for the employment of veterans by businesses who want to participate in the Program. The Department of Defence and Department of Veterans' Affairs are fully supporting Industry in the development of the program.
(2) Answer
Progress on the implementation of the various initiatives under the Program has been and will continue to be reported on the Program's website at www.veteransemployment.gov.au.
(3) Answer
The Program aims to raise awareness of the skills and experience that veterans can bring to the civilian workplace and increase their employment opportunities. To date, the IAC has been established with strong interest from the business community. Information and tools for veterans seeking employment is now available on the jobactive and APSjobs websites. For example, more than 1600 jobs flagged as Defence Force experience desirable have been advertised on jobactive to date.
(1) The Australian Government understands the importance of telecommunications services during an emergency or power outage. It is important to remember that no communications technology – fixed line or mobile – is completely resilient to power outages. Following the South Australian power outages, the Australian Government, through the Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN), brought together interdependent sectors to identify lessons learnt and consider how governments and industry could better work together to improve cross-sectoral collaboration and information sharing with jurisdictions in emergency situations.
(a) The Energy Sector Group of the TISN will run a cross sectoral exercise with representatives from the communications, energy and transport sectors in October 2017.
(b) The Communications Sector Group of the TISN is considering how to model the redundancy of mobile communications (including mobile phone tower back up power) as it relates to public safety communications and will provide recommendations to the Australia-New Zealand Emergency Management Committee early in 2018.
(c) The Department of Communications and the Arts has established an industry notification protocol to support the communications sector to report significant service disruptions as they unfold. These reports will then be shared with the relevant emergency services and the Australian Government Crisis Coordination Centre.
Together, these additional measures will assist with information sharing across government and industry during events such as wide-scale power outages.
(2) Mobile network operators take their responsibilities to support emergency response efforts and enabling communities' access to emergency services seriously. Mobile carriers are responsible for planning for, and investing in, arrangements for the continuity and restoration of mobile services in response to all hazards, including bush fires. The complex and dynamic nature of risks to communications critical infrastructure means that applying uniform compliance standards may be difficult (for example, it may not be safe or possible to access some base stations during or immediately following a fire) and may also inhibit the flexibility and innovation that is central to enhancing the resilience of critical infrastructure services and organisations.
The Government did introduce measures to incentivise mobile carriers to provide increased auxiliary power to mobile base stations under round two of the Mobile Black Spot Program. This program is delivering 765 mobile base stations around Australia in total, and the Government gave additional weighting to proposals for new base stations which included additional backup power. However, it should be noted that battery backup can add a significant cost to the operation and maintenance of base stations, particularly in remote areas where base stations are often commercially unviable.
(3) Under the Copper Continuity Obligation (CCO) of the Telstra Universal Service Obligation Performance Agreement (the Agreement), Telstra is required to maintain the existing copper network until 2032 in satellite and fixed wireless areas.
In respect of the National Land Transport Act 2014 s(5) criteria for a road to be added to the National Land Transport Network, specifically a road which connects a capital city and a major centre of commercial activity, will he define "major centre of commercial activity".
There are a variety of factors taken into account when determining a 'major centre of commercial activity', such as economic and population significance and strategic trading importance of individual links and export gateways.