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, 6 February 2018.
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, 6 February 2018, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 12 February 2018, as follows:
Items for House of Representative s Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon) PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices
( Notice given 6 February 2018. )
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.
( Notice given 6 February 2018. )
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 BUCHHOLZ : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) approximately 16,000 Australians fought in the Boer War in contingents raised by the Australian colonies or the Commonwealth Government (after 1901), or joined British and South African colonial units;
(b) Australians, Lieutenants Harry 'Breaker' Morant, Peter Handcock and George Witton served as volunteers in a South African irregular unit, the Bushveldt Carbineers, under British Military Command;
(c) Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton were found guilty at their courts martial for the death of 12 Boer prisoners even though they pleaded their actions were in accordance with orders of their British superiors; and
(d) Lieutenants Morant and Handcock were executed on 27 February 1902, and Lieutenant Witton's sentence commuted to life imprisonment, but he was released from prison in 1904 after representations from the then Australian Government and British parliamentarians, including Winston Churchill;
(2) acknowledges:
(a) that Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton were convicted of committing a serious crime;
(b) the serious deficiencies in the handling of the legal case against the three men, including the right to appeal their sentences by their legal advocate, Major James Francis Thomas, the opportunity to seek intervention by the Australian Government and to contact their families to inform them of their plight;
(c) the failure of British Military Command to implement the recommendations for mercy made by the courts martial to be applied equally to these men;
(d) the findings of respected legal figures and community leaders who support this assessment; and
(e) the ongoing emotional suffering this case has caused the descendants of Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton; and
(3) expresses:
(a) sincere regret that Lieutenants Morant, Handcock and Witton were denied procedural fairness contrary to law and acknowledges that this had cruel and unjust consequences; and
(b) sympathy to the descendants of these men as they were not tried and sentenced in accordance with the law of 1902.
( Notice given 5 February 2018. )
Time allotted — 20minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Buchholz — 10minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MR CHAMPION : To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the $210 million funding cut to South Australian schools in 2018 and 2019 means that schools will face significant cuts, which the South Australian Government has estimated to include:
(a) $1,315,000 from Adelaide High School;
(b) $882,000 from Craigmore High School;
(c) $1,392,000 from Norwood Morialta High School;
(d) $1,114,000 from Gawler and District College B-12;
(e) $817,000 from Parafield Gardens High School;
(f) $1,226,000 from Paralowie School;
(g) $875,000 from Playford International College;
(h) $512,000 from Nailsworth Primary School;
(i) $731,000 from Glenelg Primary School;
(j) $24,000 from South Australian School for Vision Impaired;
(k) $1,165,000 from Roma Mitchell Secondary College;
(l) $426,000 from Port Noarlunga Primary School; and
(m) $863,000 from Thebarton Senior College; and
(2) calls on the Australian Government to immediately reinstate the funding previously committed to South Australian schools.
( Notice given 6 February 2018. )
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Champion — 5minutes.
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.
5 MR CREWTHER : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that modem slavery continues to devastate the lives of millions of people, with latest estimates of over 40 million people impacted across the world, including over 4,000 people in Australia;
(2) acknowledges that the Government has one of the strongest responses to combat human trafficking and slavery around the world, delivered under the National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking and Slavery 2015-19;
(3) notes that the Government:
(a) remains committed to continuing to improve this response and recognises the importance of partnering with those on the frontline to combat this abhorrent crime;
(b) initiated the inquiry into Australia establishing modern slavery legislation, led by the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, which released its interim report in August 2017 making a number of recommendations and statements of in-principle support, and
(c) following extensive consultation with business and civil society, and taking into account the Foreign Affairs and Aid Sub-Committee's recommendations in its December 2017 final report, will introduce targeted legislation requiring large businesses to report on the actions they are taking to address modern slavery in their supply chains; and
(4) calls on the House to support the Government's modern slavery legislation when it is brought before the Parliament.
( Notice given 5 February 2018. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits —
Mr Crewther — 10minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes 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 MR VAN MANEN: To move—
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the importance of open trade and investment policies in growing the Australian economy and creating local jobs;
(2) commends the Government for leading efforts to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership 11 nation (TPP-11) agreement;
(3) welcomes the recent conclusion of this landmark deal which will eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone with a combined GDP of AUD $13.7 trillion;
(4) notes the significant opportunities offered by new trade agreements with Canada and Mexico and greater market access to Japan, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei;
(5) recognises the importance of the agreement for Australia's farmers, manufacturers and service providers in increasing their competitiveness in overseas markets;
(6) notes indicative modelling by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, which found that the TPP-11 agreement would boost Australia's national income by 0.5 per cent and exports by 4 per cent; and
(7) encourages the Parliament to work co-operatively to ratify the TPP-11 agreement so that Australian exporters can take advantage of the many benefits it delivers.
( Notice given 6 February 2018. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr van Manen — 5minutes.
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.
2 MS MCGOWAN: To move—
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) among 15 rural research and development corporations which receive statutory levies partly matched by the Commonwealth, the representation of women is no higher than 44 per cent, is as low as 11 per cent, and averages 26 per cent;
(b) the Australian Institute of Company Directors (Institute) says its quest for 30 per cent female representation across ASX 200 boards by 2018 has stalled;
(c) the Institute's latest gender diversity report shows that as of 31 August 2017 there were 25.4 per cent female directors, only marginally higher than the
25.3 per cent reached at the end of 2016;
(d) at the time of the publication of the Institute's latest gender diversity report, 11 ASX 200 companies had no women on their boards; and
(e) the Institute says that the Government may be forced to intervene with quotas to force companies to appoint more female directors;
(2) acknowledges the Diversity in Agriculture Leadership Program (Program) initiative launched by the National Farmers' Federation and AACo on 15 October 2017, which asks organisations to commit to auditing the gender diversity within their leadership teams and pledge to make 'meaningful change' towards achieving enhanced gender equality; and
(3) calls on the:
(a) Government to support the Program and similar initiatives to ensure that companies appoint more female directors; and
(b) Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources to outline to the Parliament a plan to increase the representation of women to a minimum of 30 per cent on all agricultural boards over which the Government has some level of influence, including rural research and development corporations, agricultural committees, panels and councils.
( Notice given 24 October 2017. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms McGowan — 5minutes.
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.
3 MR WALLACE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 8 million Australians live outside our capital cities; and
(b) while some regions like the Sunshine Coast are experiencing strong economic growth, others are not enjoying the same levels of economic activity;
(2) further notes that:
(a) many regions, including the Sunshine Coast, can supply substantially lower office accommodation costs and lower operating costs;
(b) regions such as the Sunshine Coast can offer a highly educated workforce, high quality business facilities, first class health and transport infrastructure, as well as innovative start-up communities;
(c) regions, including the Sunshine Coast, can offer lifestyle benefits like lower cost housing, short commute times and a family-friendly environment; and
(d) research suggests that highly skilled people are taking increasing account of lifestyle factors when choosing their employer;
(3) welcomes the Government's pursuit of a policy of decentralisation of public sector agencies, and the recent relocation of some parts of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority to Wodonga; and
(4) encourages the Government to continue to explore further options for the relocation of Commonwealth agencies to the regions.
( Notice given 16 August 2017. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Wallace — 5minutes.
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.
4 MS T. M. BUTLER: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Government's short-sighted $2.2 billion in cuts to universities are equivalent to more than 9,500 Australians missing out on a university place in 2018, and again in 2019;
(b) across the country this month, students will be attending university, with orientation periods beginning, and that these students are faced with more uncertainty about how the cuts will affect their student experience; and
(c) the Government's short-sighted cuts will hurt regional and outer metropolitan universities and their students the most; and
(2) calls on the Government to reverse its short-sighted, unfair cuts to universities, which are closing the door of opportunity to thousands of Australians.
( Notice given 6 February 2018. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms T. M. Butler — 5minutes.
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 ZAPPIA: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government has delayed release of the Productivity Commission's review of the GST distribution until after the South Australian state election on 17 March 2018;
(b) the Productivity Commission's draft report recommended changes to the distribution of GST revenue that would see South Australia lose up to $557 million in the first year alone;
(c) South Australia did not receive one new dollar of infrastructure funding in the 2017-18 budget;
(d) education funding to South Australia has been cut by $210 million by the Government; and
(e) the Government's failure to support Holden has resulted in thousands of job losses in South Australia; and
(2) calls on the Government to provide South Australia with its fair share of Commonwealth funding and to release the Productivity Commission's report prior to 17 March.
( Notice given 5 February 2018. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits —
Mr Zappia — 5minutes.
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.
Items for Federati on Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS
Notices — continued
6 MR LEESER: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Order of Australia is the highest national honour award and the pre-eminent way Australians recognise the achievements and service of their fellow citizens;
(2) recognises that since being established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, there have been more than 500 recipients of Companion of the Order of Australia, almost 3,000 awarded Officers of the Order of Australia, more than 10,000 inducted as Members of the Order of Australia and more than 23,000 honoured as recipients of the Medal of the Order of Australia;
(3) notes the almost 900 recipients in the General Division of the Order of Australia on Australia Day in 2018, from an array of fields including education, arts, sport, science and social work; and
(4) encourages all Members to congratulate recipients from their electorates on this immense achievement.
( Notice given 5 February 2018. )
Time allotted — 55minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Leeser — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 11 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 MR THISTLETHWAITE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) in 1999, the 30th General Conference of UNESCO proclaimed annual observance of International Mother Language Day (IMLD) on 21 February; and
(b) about 200 different languages are spoken throughout Australia;
(2) acknowledges:
(a) the significance of preserving Indigenous languages as a link to Indigenous culture and histories and as an expression of identity;
(b) the social, cultural and economic benefits of multilingualism to the Australian community; and
(c) that encouraging Australians to learn a language other than English should be a priority for all levels of government; and
(3) calls on the Government to observe IMLD on 21 February across Australia and to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by the people around the world through:
(a) promoting the active participation, revitalisation and maintenance of local Indigenous languages;
(b) continuing the National Library of Australia's collection of oral history and available Alphabets of spoken languages as a means of preserving the multi-lingual inheritance of the people of Australia; and
(c) supporting second language instruction in Australian educational institutions.
( Notice given 5 February 2018. )
Time allotted — 50minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Thistlethwaite — 5minut es.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
8 MR ZIMMERMAN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes the release on 5 October 2017 of the Consular State of Play 2016-17 (State of Play), which provides an overview of the Government's provision of consular assistance to Australians in the last financial year;
(2) acknowledges the hard work and dedication of Australian consular officials who have provided high-quality assistance to Australians in distress in 12,454 cases during 2016-17;
(3) notes with concern that a significant number of Australian travellers are travelling overseas without insurance;
(4) reiterates the Minister for Foreign Affairs' remarks in launching the State of Play that if travellers cannot afford travel insurance, they cannot afford to travel;
(5) acknowledges that the Australian Government will provide consular assistance where possible, while noting there are limits to what it can do to assist Australians in trouble overseas; and
(6) calls on Australians to:
(a) draw on resources such as Australian Government Smartraveller advice to inform themselves about their destination; and
(b) purchase insurance appropriate to their activities and circumstances.
( Notice given 17 October 2017. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Zimmerman — 5minutes.
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.
9 MR ALBANESE: To move:
That this House:
(1) observes:
(a) United Nations World Radio Day (WRD) on 13 February 2018;
(b) this year's WRD theme of 'Radio and Sports' which calls on us to:
(i) celebrate the role of radio in promoting Australian sports and the inspiring stories of our high achieving sportspeople and teams;
(ii) support and promote the grassroots sports that anchor us within our communities;
(iii) be inspired by the stories that challenge gender stereotypes; and
(iv) equally cover both men's and women's sports events;
(2) recognises the:
(a) unique ability of sport to unite and inspire Australians of all backgrounds, and the iconic nature of many Australian sporting events;
(b) power of radio to unite, inform, and entertain Australians throughout the nation and across commercial, public and community broadcasting;
(c) particular importance of publicly funded radio in regional and remote Australia, especially during natural disasters;
(d) critical importance of publicly funded radio for our culturally and linguistically diverse communities through the SBS; and
(e) role of community broadcasters in nurturing new Australian talent including sports broadcasters, journalists and producers;
(3) acknowledges:
(a) the significant disparity between the coverage of men's and women's sports in Australia in radio broadcasting, as well as television, print and online; and
(b) the need to address this disparity to encourage greater participation in women's sports and to recognise the achievements of our women athletes; and
(4) calls for:
(a) commercial, public and community radio broadcasters to cover more women's sports and to ensure there is a diversity of voices in sports commentary; and
(b) greater recognition of the extraordinary achievements of our women's sports teams in the media, including by ensuring equal public funding.
( Notice given 5 February 2018. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 7.30 pm
Speech time limits —
Mr Albanese — 5minutes.
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.
Identity-matching Services Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Black Economy Taskforce Measures No. 1) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Road Vehicle Standards Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Road Vehicle Standards (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Road Vehicle Standards Charges (Imposition—General) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Road Vehicle Standards Charges (Imposition—Customs) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Road Vehicle Standards Charges (Imposition—Excise) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 1) 2018.
That Ms Ley and Ms Henderson be discharged from the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs and that, in their place, Mr Entsch and Mr Falinski be appointed as members of the committee.
Imported Food Control Amendment Bill 2017
'We should have proper country of origin labelling,' Mr Joyce said. 'Maybe other countries are not as concerned about food safety as we are.' Mr Joyce urged Australians to seek out locally made products. He said, 'Buy Australian and save yourself a pain in the guts.'
… labels were needed 'that clearly identifies unambiguously, as soon as you pick up a package, whether it is from our country with our strong ... sanitary requirements'.
'That is making sure that faecal contamination, which is a very polite word for poo, is not anywhere near your food, not going to be put in your mouth,' he added.
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that the Turnbull Government has failed to implement effective policies in a timely manner to ensure that Australian agriculture is achieving its full potential".
That the Imported Food Control Amendment Bill 2017 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2017
Subject to the preceding recommendations, Labor Party senators recommend that the bill be passed.
…the average length of detention is 442 days, with 22 per cent of the detention population spending more than two years in detention.
While the number of children in onshore detention facilities has significantly dropped, there is still no legislation to prevent the detention of children, resulting in concerns that what this bill is seeking to implement can and will impact children.
… ministers now exercise power that is mostly beyond the review of judges. Such power should be exercised humanely and in accordance with morality, not absolute law … The law and its practice is now unjust. It is un-Australian.
Those decisions are not made in a transparent way in accordance with fair processes; rather, the Minister is empowered to an alarming degree to make decisions based upon his whim, with scant regard for due process.
Search and seizure powers available at immigration detention facilities should be enhanced to (a) prevent the entry of illegal drugs into immigration detention centres and (b) detect illegal drugs which have entered immigration detention centres.
… strip searches and draconian search provisions without search warrants, does not demonstrate the Australian values of decency and respect. It denies people who have fled to us for peace and safety, any sense of wellbeing and risks further traumatising them.
By introducing dog searches, warrantless searches and possibly depriving interns of mobile phones and medication, the bill allows the further traumatising and terrorising of innocent men, women and children. The behaviour which would be permitted under this legislation, apparently with no judicial oversight, is akin to the torture of innocent people.
The thought of living like this for another eight years terrifies me.
We who live in free market societies believe growth, prosperity and, ultimately, human fulfilment are created from the bottom up, not from the government down.
Investment in infrastructure is critical in growing the economy, generating new jobs and supporting sustainable and vibrant communities.
That further statements on indulgence on the death of Ronald Joseph Walker AC, CBE be permitted in Federation Chamber.
Why not adopt the measure to quarantine negative gearing losses offset against income from just that investment?
Well, I've never accepted that view, and I think it would be disastrous in the current environment.
Politically disastrous or economically disastrous?
No, economically disastrous to do anything on negative gearing and indeed, that's what the—
Review says.
… it's a Labor thing to have the ambition of reducing company tax, because it promotes investment, creates jobs and drives growth.
The reduction in the company tax rate is expected to increase GDP by 0.4 per cent in the long run. Together with the resource tax reforms, this will lead to a long run increase in GDP of around 0.7 per cent and increase real after tax wages by 1.1 per cent. Over time this will lead to an increase in investment. This in turn will flow through to higher real wages for Australians.
It has great potential to drive job-creating growth across the Australian economy.
That the resolution of appointment of the House Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation be amended to replace "final report no later than 28 February 2018" in paragraph 13 with "final report no later than 31 May 2018".
The government cutting billions of dollars from Australian schools.
I write to reiterate in the strongest possible terms, the commitment of the Nick Xenophon Team in relation to the implementation of the Gonski funding model … we stand by full implementation and full funding of Gonski. In particular we support the current system of indexation—
and will oppose any moves to change it.
I look forward to working with you and your members to ensure Gonski funding is defended and maintained for the future of Australia's children.
RMIT ABC Fact Check takes a deep dive into the figures.
The verdict
Ms Plibersek's claim is misleading: the Government is not cutting $22 billion from schools.
Commonwealth budgets set out spending over a four year period.
According to the 2017-18 budget handed down on May 9, Commonwealth schools funding will continue to rise every year.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Banking Executive Accountability and Related Measures) Bill 2018
Treasury Laws Amendment (Banking Measures No. 1) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a third time.
Migration Amendment (Prohibiting Items in Immigration Detention Facilities) Bill 2017
The House divided. [16:48]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [16:55]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2017
Confirmation of the aggregate spend on new medicines confirms the $1.8 billion in savings negotiated by the sector—
and supposedly set aside to fund new listings, is gone.
It actually remains unclear whether the $1.8 billion really existed in the first place given the Budget papers released in May shows it was used as a savings to improve the government's bottom line.
That the National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2017 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan Base Rate Entities) Bill 2017
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:
(1) is of the opinion that with Government debt soaring ever higher, it's time the Turnbull Government abandoned its plan to give big business a multi-billion tax cut;
(2) notes that the Government is debating legislative fixes that are a result of its slapdash approach to policy making; and
(3) calls on the Government to commit to a post-implementation review of this measure".
He ran around the pitch like Bambi on ice. It was very, very embarrassing to watch.
The assumptions were set several months ago, and the analysis done late last year, well before Labor announced its policy. Therefore the assumptions do not align with Labor's policy.
Voters should be asking themselves whether a responsible government would rely on this sort of nonsense in a public policy debate.
In the long term, increases in taxation on rental property could have a relatively modest downward impact on property prices.
I didn't agree with them …
Chevron will pay more than $300m to the ATO proving the govt's program of tax avoidance funding and new measures is working
In terms of the $4 billion that you announced was raised on 23 August for the last financial year, I'm interested in knowing how much of that is directly attributable to the multinational anti-avoidance law?
The answer is nil. The multinational anti-avoidance law only came in in 2016. The $4 billion concerned audits that went back as far as 2008 …
References in the media this morning to modelling being released today by the Parliamentary Budget Office are incorrect. The analysis reported in the media this morning was not conducted by the PBO.
Tax time has been plunged into chaos by uncertainty over which companies are eligible for the lower tax rate of 27.5 per cent but the nation's biggest accounting bodies are split over what should be done.
Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand is demanding the Turnbull government end the uncertainty with a legislative fix when Parliament returns next week.
"Because Australia's tax system is based on self-assessment, it is up to taxpayers and their advisers to lodge tax returns based on what they think they should be paying," Chartered Accountants' tax leader Michael Croker said.
"But without clarity we will see differing tax calculations for taxpayers in similar circumstances, impacting their tax, franked dividends and accounts."
Reports today that the Australian Taxation Office … has broadened the interpretation of company tax cuts are premature.
The Turnbull government has been forced into urgent action to close a … loophole that could have opened a tax windfall for wealthy families … saying it may have no choice but to introduce new legislation.
The ATO does not take dictation from politicians. There is a mountain of tax cases that support the ATO's interpretation of the measures that ushered in the tax cuts.
Since 2015, the federal government has reduced the company tax rate for smaller companies … Mr Sloan says the legislation that introduced the tax cuts was "too broad" to exclude passive family investment companies.
The ATO is actually acting in good faith here, and applying the law as it is currently drafted.
If the law doesn't work, the government will have to fix it. That could mean having to change the tax measures as they stand through changes to the tax cut legislation. The government can try to bend the tax office on this, but they can't snap them in half.
I mentioned, before, the matter of competence, which is something that leaves the Labor Party plenty to talk about … In relation specifically to corporate tax and the legislation before the House, we have seen very considerable confusion over recent weeks about the government's approach: which businesses are eligible; the contrasts between active trading businesses; companies holding passive investments. You would have thought that, on the centrepiece of economic policy which was announced in last year's budget, the government could've got the detail right. But here we have, in this case, the minister for revenue playing desperate catch-up, saying: 'Oh, no, you've misunderstood the law. That's not what we mean.' Well, there are plenty of experts out there who will point out that the legislation, in their reading of it, has a different impact from the one that the minister for revenue and the government would assert it has. So it goes to the heart of the competence of the government—let alone their wrong priorities—that they have not been able to get that policy detail right.
Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016
It is not unusual for online child exploitation matters prosecuted by the CDPP to involve victims who are not witnesses in the proceedings. This is because the commission of the crime can often be proved by digital means, without recourse to sworn evidence from a child. In other cases the child (for example, an infant) is not of an age where evidence could be given, or is overseas or is not otherwise available to give evidence.
That the Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017
Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes the failure of the Government to protect local jobs by failing to legislate strict labour market testing".
We try our hardest to come up with what is a reasonable estimate of this fund and in this case it's particularly challenging. There were a lot of policy changes going on at the same time so it was difficult …
The level of funding may change due to the number of visas that are issued and the number of levy fees that are paid from time to time.
In the absence of real transparency and firm commitments from the federal government about guaranteed levels of VET funding, the measures proposed by these bills will simply never be enough.
Being Australian, I want to make sure Australia can become a global tech hub. I think we can, but it does involve trying to bring some of the best and brightest people from around the world to work here.
From 2018-19, amounts available to the States from the Skilling Australians Fund will be determined by the revenue paid into the Fund.
… revenue for the fund will be highest when skilled migration is highest, and lowest when employment of locally skilled workers is highest. That means the revenue stream for the fund will be counter-cyclical to the purpose for which it was established: to increase the proportion of locally trained workers and to lessen the reliance on temporary skilled migration visas.
… akin to asking employers to walk through wet cement—it is time consuming through the requirement (i) to advertise even when the employer knows through past experience there is no skilled worker suitable to meet their business need—
… Avalon put forward a proposal that did not safeguard Australia and Geelong's interests.
It is hardly prudent to grant international status in the abstract, because opening up another door to our country, in Geelong's backyard, carries with it many risks that cannot be managed without this information.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Coulton ) took the chair at 10:00.
We who live in free market societies believe that growth, prosperity and, ultimately, human fulfilment are created from the bottom up, not the government down.
Trust the people. This is the one irrefutable lesson of the entire post-war period, contradicting the notion that rigid government controls are essential to economic development.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Banking Measures No. 1) Bill 2017
On bills like this, the government always seems to have talking points—and perhaps the next honourable member to speak might go there—which say that the previous Labor government did nothing. That's often what's in the talking points.
Imported Food Control Amendment Bill 2017
Consideration resumed of the motion:
That this bill be now read a second time.
to which the following amendment was moved:
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that the Turnbull Government has failed to implement effective policies in a timely manner to ensure that Australian agriculture is achieving its full potential".
The Bill will:
… under the NT licence system, consumers prefer local NT seafood over Australian seafood, which is in turn preferred over imports.
The overwhelming impression Gordon left—with both his byline and his presence—was of decency, integrity, fairness and balance. Even when he was working at the epicentre of influence, he held himself outside the media pack.
It was no surprise that key players on all sides of politics talked to him willingly. His sources were impeccable because he treated them impeccably.
The overwhelming impression Gordon left—with both his byline and his presence—was of decency, integrity, fairness and balance. Even when he was working at the epicentre of influence, he held himself outside the media pack. And his compassion shone through as he fought to give voice to the underdogs. He was the first Australian journalist to gain access to the detention centre on Nauru; he spent time in remote communities listening to our first peoples, and won a Walkley for his coverage of Indigenous affairs in 2003.
Have you ever been hugged by Michael? I have!
I had just delivered an address that began.
"I did not choose this path. This path chose me."
Halfway through the hug…….I realised I was being hugged by the generations of those who believed in the right, the fair, the truth.
The hug that lingers has its DNA reproduced in the articles that flow out of the pen that creates the picture and emotions that linger on after reading. Michael's best compliment.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017
Despite the evidence of the last few decades that 'trickle-down' economics doesn't work, big business and its apologists in the media are calling for a company tax cut to stimulate investment. The reality, however, is that increased investment is principally in response to increasing aggregate demand. The required increase in aggregate demand in turn requires less inequality and faster wage growth, not bigger business subsidies.
If the income share of the top 20 percent increases by 1 percentage point—
GDP growth is actually 0.08 percentage point lower in the following five years, suggesting that the benefits do not trickle down. Instead, a similar increase in the income share of the bottom 20 percent (the poor) is associated with 0.38 percentage pointhigher growth.
Rising inequality by 3 Gini points, that is the average increase recorded in the OECD over the past two decades, would drag down economic growth by 0.35 percentage point per year for 25 years: a cumulated loss in GDP at the end of the period of 8.5 per cent.
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.
Governments make up shortfalls [from corporation tax cuts] by levying higher taxes on other, less wealthy sections of society, or by cutting back on essential public services, so tax 'competition' boosts inequality and deprivation.
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2017
Will the Government honour all 2016 election funding commitments promised to the electoral division of Richmond.
The Australian Government is honouring all its election commitments.
In respect of the $28,616.50 contract to Peppers Manor House (CN3384440) for hotels and lodging and meeting facilities,
(a) for what purpose was the venue hired,
(b) how many staff members attended the function for which the venue was hired, and
(c) what is the itemised breakdown of the costs associated with the contract.
In respect of the $28,616.50 contract to Peppers Manor House (AusTender Contract Notice 3384440) for hotels and lodging and meeting facilities:
(a) The venue was hired as the accommodation and training facility provider for a module of the Senior Executive Service Band 3 leadership programme. The programme is run by the Australian Public Service Commission on behalf of the Australian Public Service. It is attended by employees from a number of agencies. The module ran for five days in November 2016.
(b) Thirteen Australian Public Service employees and two programme facilitators attended.
(c) The itemised breakdown of the costs associated with the contract is:
Accommodation including breakfasts $14,027.40 inclusive of GST
Provision of training facility, equipment $12,470.00 inclusive of GST
and catering
Total cost $26,497.40 inclusive of GST
Is it a fact that an Executive Level 1 staff member within the Office for Women is eligible for a salary that is $10,000 lower than an equivalent staff member within the general Social Policy Division of his department; if so, what steps has the Prime Minister or anyone within his department taken to address this pay disparity.
Prior to 1 August 2017, PM&C administered terms and conditions of employment for employees under ten different enterprise agreements. This resulted in a difference in salary amongst equivalent classifications within the department, including Executive Level 1 staff members engaged within the Office for Women.
The difference in salary between the Office for Women and other parts of PM&C dates back to 2013 when the Office for Women was moved from the Department of Families and Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, with pay and conditions preserved under section 24(3) of the Public Service Act 1999.
PM&C's new Enterprise Agreement (EA) that came into effect on 1 August 2017 moves towards pay parity across all classifications. Under this EA, all staff will be transitioned to a unified pay scale and conditions by the end of the third year of the agreement. This transition will see all current staff in PM&C at the top of the new primary pay scale four years from the commencement of the new EA, therefore addressing pay disparity.
Any employees newly engaged with PM&C into the Office for Women, or any employee who is promoted internally, will be entitled to the higher pay rate under the primary pay scale.
(1) In light of the recent Government announcement that the ASC is to be split into three separate companies, can the Minister confirm that current workplace conditions and agreements for the ASC workforce will remain unchanged.
(2) Has the Government, through the Minister for Employment or any other Minister, directed the ASC to enforce its Public Sector Workplace Bargaining Policy on ASC workers; if so:
(a) who,
(b) on what basis, and
(c) why.
The Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service is not a bargaining representative for ASC Pty Ltd (ASC).
As outlined in the announcement of 11 October 2016, the separation of ASC will not impact ASC employees' current terms and conditions.
The Australian Government's Workplace Bargaining Policy 2015 applies to Commonwealth public sector entities, including Government Business Enterprises such as ASC.
ASC will bargain enterprise agreements that suit its operational needs, in accordance with Government policy.
I am advised that the Department of Finance has informed ASC that the Government's policy applies to it.
(1) Is it the Government's official policy to accept and accede to the claim made by the English College of Arms that it possesses 'official heraldic authority' over Australia; if so,
(a). when was this policy determined,
(b). when and how was it made public,
(c). is there an official Commonwealth record of this policy decision being determined, and
(d). was it determined by a decision
(i) of the Parliament,
(ii) of the Cabinet, or
(iii) by some other authority.
(2) If the above is not the official policy of the Government, has the Government delegated heraldic authority to the sovereign of the United Kingdom or any of her officers; if so,
(a). when was this delegation made,
(b). when and how was it made public,
(c). is there an official Commonwealth record of this delegation being made, and
(d). was it made by a decision
(i) of the Parliament,
(ii) of the Cabinet, or
(iii) by some other authority.
(3) Is the Government aware that Canada and South Africa have established their own heraldic authorities independent of the English College of Arms.
The practice of the College of Arms in England granting armorial bearings to Australians is well established as one way Australians can obtain heraldic insignia if they wish to do so. There is nothing preventing any person or organisation from commissioning a local artist, graphics studio or heraldry specialist to design and produce a coat of arms or identifying symbol. Those arms would have the same standing and authority in Australia as arms prepared by the College of Arms in England.