The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
… we were treated as slaves, beaten and abused, used for their perverted desires. These were terrible years. No love or kindness, no safety or warmth. Always hungry and always frightened.
I felt dirty, and responsible for what happened to me as a child. I have isolated myself … hidden my true feelings. The loneliness I have experienced is overwhelming …
The sexual abuse of any child is intolerable in a civilised society. It is the responsibility of our entire community to acknowledge that children are being abused. We must each resolve that we should do what we can to protect them. The tragic impact of abuse for individuals and through them our entire society demands nothing less.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Measures No. 2) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures No. 2) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-new Dwelling Interests) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2017-2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2017-2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan No. 2) Bill 2017
… corporate tax reform helps Australia’s private sector grow and it creates jobs right up and down the income ladder.
… lowering the corporate rate for smaller businesses … creates an artificial incentive for Australian businesses to downsize.
In worse case scenarios some businesses might actually lay people off to get smaller—and the size based different tax treatment would create a glass ceiling on business workforce growth.
It is a Labor thing to have the ambition of reducing company tax, because it promotes investment, creates jobs and drives growth.
The House divided. [10:33]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [10:40]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the motion for the third reading being moved without delay.
The House divided. [10:48]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [10:51]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [10:53]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
National Health Amendment (Pharmaceutical Benefits—Budget and Other Measures) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enterprise Tax Plan Base Rate Entities) Bill 2017
The House divided. [11:06]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
(1) Schedule 1, item 2, page 3 (line 18) to page 4 (line 13), omit section 23AB, substitute:
23AB Meaning of base rate entity passive income
(1) Base rate entity passive income is assessable income that is any of the following:
(a) a distribution (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) by a corporate tax entity (within the meaning of that Act), other than a non-portfolio dividend (within the meaning of section 317 of the Assessment Act);
(b) an amount of a franking credit (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) on such a distribution;
(c) a non-share dividend (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997) by a company;
(d) interest (or a payment in the nature of interest), royalties and rent;
(e) a gain on a qualifying security (within the meaning of Division 16E of Part III of the Assessment Act);
(f)a net capital gain (within the meaning of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997);
(g) an amount included in the assessable income of a partner in a partnership or of a beneficiary of a trust estate under Division 5 or 6 of Part IIIof the Assessment Act, to the extent that the amount is referable (either directly or indirectly through one or more interposed partnerships or trust estates) to another amount that is base rate entity passive income under a preceding paragraph of this subsection.
(2) However, if an entity has assessable income that is interest (or a payment in the nature of interest):
(a) treat the assessable income as not being interest (or a payment in the nature of interest) of the entity for the purposes of paragraph (1)(d) if:
(i) the entity is a financial institution (within the meaning of section 202A of the Assessment Act); or
(ii) the entity is a registered entity (within the meaning of the Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001) that carries on a general business of providing finance (within the meaning of that Act) on a commercial basis; or
(iii) the entity holds an Australian credit licence (within the meaning of the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009), or is a credit representative (within the meaning of that Act) of another entity that holds such an Australian credit licence; or
(iv) the entity is a financial services licensee (within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001) whose licence covers dealings in financial products mentioned in paragraph 764A(1)(a) of that Act (securities), or is an authorised representative (within the meaning of section 761A of that Act) of such a financial services licensee; or
(v) the entity is an entity of a kind specified in a legislative instrument made under subsection (3); and
(b) treat the assessable income as not being interest (or a payment in the nature of interest) of the entity for the purposes of paragraph (1)(d) to the extent that it is a return on an equity interest in a company.
(3) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, specify one or more kinds of entities for the purposes of subparagraph (2)(a)(v).
That this bill be now read a third time.
Migration Amendment (Skilling Australians Fund) Bill 2017
Migration (Skilling Australians Fund) Charges Bill 2017
If you look at the number of computer science graduates coming out of universities it is actually declining and half of them are foreign nationals who are going to leave the country. So we have a declining population of developers and engineers at a time when we need them more than ever.
The Australian government has gone a long way towards damaging our reputation as a place that people want to come and work globally.
Even before these new ideas have become law, the sentiment that the government has sent globally is that they are almost shouting out that Australia is closed for business.
The House divided. [12:59]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
(1) Schedule 1, item 12, page 6 (line 8), before "The", insert "(1)".
(2) Schedule 1, item 12, page 6 (after line 22), at the end of section 140ZN, add:
(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1) (e), the penalty payable must be a civil penalty not exceeding 60 penalty units.
(1) Schedule 1, page 8 (after line 10), after item 14, insert:
14A At the end of subsection 140GBA(4)
Add "The period must not start earlier than 4 months before the nomination is received by the Minister.".
(2) Schedule 1, item 15, page 8 (after line 24), after subsection 140GBA(6), insert:
(6AA) The Minister must not make a determination under subsection (5) unless the Minister is reasonably satisfied that any advertising of the position undertaken in the determined manner:
(a) will be targeted in such a way that a significant proportion of suitably qualified and experienced Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents would be likely to be informed about the position; and
(b) will set out any skills or experience requirements that are appropriate to the position.
(6AB) A duration determined for the purposes of paragraph (6)(d) must be at least 4 weeks.
Labour market testing is critical to this whole debate. The fact of the matter is the government opposed labour market testing up hill and down dale until April 2017, when they suddenly were converted to the idea of labour market testing.
… quite frankly, given the government's history on labour market testing, why would you trust this government to implement a serious regime of labour market testing? We just don't.
The "backroom buffoonery" of factional warlords has left the Labor Party's members with fewer rights than any comparable movement in the world …
… … …
Continuing to practise the old ways of machine politics will see trust in the Labor Party continue to wither away.
I'm proud to say that the Hodgman Liberal government are also undertaking their responsibilities …
Is there any funding for the construction of the Yeppen Floodplain in the forward estimates?
We are really questioning whether we should bother with any of the other implementation of the plan if it's being treated like this. The hard work that's been done bringing communities along for the difficult conversations—to then have it just thrown onto the scrap heap like this, I don't know whether we'd want to be in a position to put our communities through that again.
The decision to disallow the Northern Basin amendment by the Greens and the federal Labor Party raises serious concerns about the future of the Murray-Darling plan. We will be assessing our position on the plan as a result of this decision and we will have further discussions with New South Wales. The Senate has created huge uncertainty about whether the plan can be delivered.
The Trans-Pacific Partnership trade deal brought one of Labor's biggest difficulties into sharper focus. Every time a new deal is approved, the unions immediately oppose it.
To follow the unions from which Labor descended, and which bankroll Labor's election campaign, is almost an automatic reaction.
I don't blame Clare. Labor was caught by surprise with its pants no further up than its ankles.
Labor will still have to outline a detailed response. You can filibuster and obfuscate for a while but eventually Shorten will have to say yes or no. If he says yes, the trade unions will react angrily.
ChAFTA is the worst trade agreement that an Australian government has ever signed and attempted to impose on the Australian public.
He might have scraped through if he was regarded merely as untrustworthy. Being tricky as well as weak could well be the political death of the Labor leader.
There are irrefutably excellent results, for example 40 per cent of people on the trial indicated they are smoking or drinking or drugging or gambling less and most of the results are on those lines. It was particularly encouraging—it has improved people's lives and improved the situation for children. It is the best initiative I have seen in this field and it has made our community safer, particularly for families and drinkers.
Look, a lot of poor women in this country, a large proportion of whom are Aboriginal, are used as cash cows, right?
If a person's sole source of income is the taxpayer, the person, as a condition of benefit, must have contraception. No contraception, no benefit.
… Recognise, is the officially sanctioned propaganda arm of the Australian Government.
Australia is sucking in too many of the wrong type of immigrant … There is no doubt many Australians have considerable misgivings about Muslim immigration and the ability of many to fit in.
… we know for a fact that renewable energy is a cause of the blackouts.
The message that charities should not be involved in advocacy is akin to saying 'you can plant a tree but you can't protect a forest'.
The advocacy voice of charities and not-for-profits is not only the voice of the various organisations—it is the voice of every Australian who donates, volunteers or is a member of a charity. When the voice of charities and not-for-profits are threatened, so is our democracy.
Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016
That this bill be now read a third time.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment (Authority Governance and Other Matters) Bill 2017
Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2017
Australian Capital Territory (Planning and Land Management) Amendment Bill 2017
… our public discourse have become noticeably angrier.
…politicians cannot claim ignorance and must not be allowed to walk away from the effects of their actions.
… bigotry and divisiveness has no place in our society and it certainly has no place in our parliament.
It is the responsibility of our entire community to acknowledge that children are being abused… The tragic impact of abuse for individuals and through them our entire society demands nothing less.
… politics should be about doing the right thing, making good wrongs and helping the vulnerable.
NAB has an important role to play in the orderly transition to a low carbon economy.
The Sensational Hank Van Stuivenberg was a much loved and well respected member of the Illawarra Mercury and its photographic department.
In the Merc's photographic department Hank was our elder statesman and Kid Eager rolled into one.
Possessing an amazing news sense, Hank was always keen to get out the door to take pictures. Countless times arriving at breaking news events before the emergency services.
Hank possessed the ability to communicate with anyone from any walk of life. Politicians, academics, the well heeled or the famous were equal to emotionally broken victims of crimes or people doing it tough on struggle street in Hank's eyes. Hank could strike up a chat and have a conversation with anyone.
Hank was an awesome work colleague and a dear friend. His lost has impacted on many in the Illawarra community. He just had such a positive outlook on life.
He gave so unconditionally of himself to people. He didn't judge people. And time for friendship was a huge thing for Hank. He was 'what you see is what you get'.
I mean, you don't go out of your way to do things so you'll get recognised and get a reward. It's not like that at all. You do it because you like to do it and you want to work with the community, whether it is the Maltese community or the community in general. You just want to help.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Vamvakinou ) took the chair at 10:00.
For service to business, the arts and the community, and to raising the profile of Australia internationally with significant benefit for tourism and employment.
Crimes Legislation Amendment (International Crime Cooperation and Other Measures) Bill 2016
Victims and witnesses are often reluctant to give evidence, as they or their families may have been subjected to, or threatened with violence.
… enhance Australia's position globally in the fight against crime, making improvements to our international crime cooperation arrangements and our ability to assist international courts and tribunals.
The benefits of past AFP-POLRI cooperation have been felt largely in the transactional dimension of crime fighting, but the police-to-police relationship benefits other government agencies and the broader bilateral relationship too. Benefits have also accrued to the community and businesses in both countries, and the police-to-police relationship has promoted Australian and Indonesian interests in Southeast Asia.
(1) Schedule 8, item 15, page 111 (after line 28), after subsection 40P(2), insert:
(3) If the regulations make provision in relation to a matter by applying, adopting or incorporating a matter contained in a standard as referred to in subsection (2), the Commissioner must ensure that the text of the matter applied, adopted or incorporated is readily available, free of charge, to each AFP appointee.
(4) Subsection (3) does not apply if the text cannot be made so available without infringing copyright.
(2) Schedule 8, item 20, page 113 (lines 3 and 4), omit the item, substitute:
20 Subsections 30A(6) and (7)
Repeal the subsections, substitute:
(6) If one or more notices under subsection (2) have been given to the AFP employee in relation to the notice of resignation, the Commissioner may, by written notice to the AFP employee, substitute a day as the day on which his or her resignation is to take effect.
(7) The Commissioner may give a maximum of 2 notices under subsection (6) to the AFP employee in relation to the notice of resignation.
(8) To be effective, the first notice given under subsection (6) in relation to the notice of resignation must:
(a) specify a day no later than 30 days after the day specified in the most recent notice given under subsection (2) in relation to the notice of resignation; and
(b) be given to the AFP employee before the day specified in the most recent notice given under subsection (2) in relation to the notice of resignation.
(9) To be effective, any second notice given under subsection (6) in relation to the notice of resignation must:
(a) specify a day no later than 30 days after the day specified in the first notice given under subsection (6) in relation to the notice of resignation; and
(b) be given to the AFP employee before the day specified in the first notice given under subsection (6) in relation to the notice of resignation.
Note: The effect of subsections (2) to (9) is that the latest day that may be specified in a notice given under this section is the day 150 days after the day specified in the notice of resignation.
(10) On or before the day specified in the most recent notice given under this section in relation to the notice of resignation, the Commissioner must:
(a) accept the AFP employee’s notice of resignation; or
(b) terminate the AFP employee’s employment under section 28.
(11) If the Commissioner accepts the notice of resignation under paragraph (10)(a), the AFP employee’s resignation takes effect on the day on which the Commissioner communicates acceptance of the resignation to the employee.
(12) The Commissioner must:
(a) cause a review of the operation of this section to be undertaken as soon as practicable after the fifth anniversary of the commencement of this subsection; and
(b) give the Minister a report of the review.
The economic benefits of the corridor are clear. From 2024 to 2040, north-south rail will add $44.7 billion in benefits to the economy, reaching $3.6 billion per year by 2040.
There can be no doubt that a north south rail solution is crucial to the sustainable development of the Western Sydney Growth Corridor and its future as a smart city.
(1) What will the Government do to encourage Cambodia to return to democracy and improve its human rights record
(a) bilaterally,
(b) through its newly acquired United Nations Human Rights Council membership, and
(c) at the Australian-ASEAN Special Summit in March 2018.
(2) Has the Government contacted the Indonesian and French co-chairs of the Paris International Conference on Cambodia to see whether there is interest in reinvigorating the mechanisms under the Paris Peace Agreements; if not, why not; if so, was there any such interest.
(3) Has the Government considered attaching conditionality to its bilateral aid program with Cambodia in respect of seeking improvements in Cambodia's democracy and human rights record.
(4) Are Australian Government arrangements with the Cambodian Government concerning asylum seekers hampering efforts to encourage democracy and human rights in Cambodia; if so, how is the Government overcoming this obstacle.
(1) (a) The Australian Government will continue to raise our concerns, through diplomatic channels, about the political situation in Cambodia.
(b) Australia made interventions to express our concerns at the 36th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) in September 2017. We will continue to raise human rights concerns through the HRC, the Universal Periodic Review process, and the UN General Assembly Third Committee.
(c) The ASEAN-Australia Special Summit is an opportunity to discuss the full range of cooperation between Australia and ASEAN member states.
(2) No. This is a matter for the UN Secretary-General.
(3) Australian aid supports the Cambodian people, and is directed to support sectors, such as agriculture and health, where there is significant need.
(4) No.