The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Aged Care Amendment (Staffing Ratio Disclosure) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Social Security Commission Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Family Law Amendment (Review of Government Support for Single Parents) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the power of mentoring and its impact in fighting inequality;
(2) recognises the outstanding work of the AIME mentoring program;
(3) notes that:
(a) 15,000 Indigenous high schoolers and 5,000 university students have been through the AIME program since it began in 2005;
(b) the program aims to mobilise a generation of university students to volunteer and mentor disadvantaged high school students; and
(c) the program is helping to close the education gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians; and
(4) calls on the Government to explore how AIME's successful model can be strengthened to help address Indigenous inequality and assist other marginalised Australians.
It's not every day that an idea that can change the world comes across your desk.
That this House:
(1) notes with great relief that the young boys trapped in the caves in Thailand have all been rescued;
(2) congratulates the:
(a) Thai authorities on managing a successful rescue mission; and
(b) international effort to support the Thai authorities and bring the boys out;
(3) especially recognises the Australian support to the rescue mission;
(4) recognises Dr Richard Harris and Dr Craig Challen for their heroic actions during the rescue and their awarding of the Medal of the Order of Australia and the Star of Courage;
(5) further recognises the awarding of the Medal of the Order of Australia and the Bravery Medal to Troy Either, Robert James, Kelly Boers, Benjamin Cox, Matthew Fitzgerald, Justin Bateman and Chris Markcrow for their brave actions during the rescue;
(6) notes with sadness the tragic death of the Royal Thai Navy SEAL veteran during the rescue mission; and
(7) warmly congratulates all involved in the rescue mission and gives thanks for their courage and heroism.
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2018
Treasury Laws Amendment (OECD Multilateral Instrument) Bill 2018
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Integrity and Other Measures No. 2) Bill 2018
Treasury Laws Amendment (APRA Governance) Bill 2018
Treasury Laws Amendment (Illicit Tobacco Offences) Bill 2018
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Powers, Offences and Other Measures) Bill 2018
Underwater Cultural Heritage Bill 2018
Underwater Cultural Heritage (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission Response Part 1 and Other Measures) Bill 2018
Legislation Amendment (Sunsetting Review and Other Measures) Bill 2018
Primary Industries Research and Development Amendment Bill 2017
Public Sector Superannuation Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
Messages received from the Senate returning the bills without amendment.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018
… the results of the … survey show the extent of medicines shortages across Australian hospitals is broad - and worsening -and processes for monitoring are struggling to keep up.
When we cross-referenced the responses with warnings and alerts available that day through government websites, including TGA's Medicine Shortages Information portal, 85 per cent of reported shortages were not listed by their respective companies—
There are … worrying signs beyond the data - anecdotally, many pharmacists contacted SHPA saying they wanted to list additional shortages, but ran out of time.
… a nationwide system for managing and communicating medicines shortages through the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will improve patient outcomes.
The prioritising of medicines used to treat acutely ill patients in hospitals, through the Medicines Watch List—
will reduce the will reduce the amount of time hospital pharmacists spend seeking alternative or replacement medicines.
Hospital pharmacists provide care for the more seriously ill Australians and, by prioritising the visibility of shortages of medicines that are critical to this acute care, pharmacy teams can ensure they are on the front foot managing and resolving shortages before they adversely affect patients.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Home Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a third time.
Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Foreign Media Ownership and Community Radio) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
Nine chief executive Hugh Marks has hinted the media giant will consider closing or selling Fairfax's regional newspapers when it assumes ownership of the business later this year.
… … …
In an investor presentation on Thursday, just hours after the dramatic announcement, Mr Marks was asked what the multibillion-dollar takeover deal would mean for Fairfax's regional papers.
Mr Marks said it would be "no surprise" that Nine would focus "on what we see as the high growth components of what this deal provides".
… … …
Fairfax's regional paper business has shrunk dramatically in recent years, and last year was by far the weakest performing arm.
Country Press South Australia president Ian Osterman, who is editor of the independent Mount Barker Courier, said the merger would remove regional newspapers from the "management epicentre".
"There's always been some criticism of Fairfax in the past that it was city-centric and Sydney-centric, and the regional newspapers in its stable were left out of the decision-making," he said.
"With Channel 9 having a 51 per cent share in this new company, it's going to further remove regional newspapers."
Fairfax has 160 regional publications and community-based websites, including the Newcastle Herald, The Border Mail in Albury-Wodonga, The Courier in Ballarat and the Illawarra Mercury in Wollongong.
Mr Osterman said regional newspapers were going to be a small fraction of the merged enterprise, and that "has some danger signs".
… deal for the biggest assault on the ABC's independence in decades.
The impact of the decision could not be absorbed by efficiency measures alone, as the ABC had already achieved significant productivity gains in response to past budget cuts.
The decision would make it very difficult for the ABC to meet its charter requirements and audience expectations.
Stable, adequate funding is essential if we are to continue to deliver for Australian audiences.
The removal of all media-specific foreign ownership and control limits is consistent with the BSA’s object to facilitate the development of an efficient, competitive and responsive broadcasting industry in Australia. The repeal of the restrictions will achieve this by improving access to capital, increasing the pool of potential media owners and acting as a safeguard on media concentration. Removing the foreign investment constraints will open up the capital market for television broadcasters and print media, improve access to technology and managerial expertise, and, particularly in print media, increase the possibility of greater diversity through new market entrants. Compliance costs will be reduced through simplification of regulation and through removing the need to monitor foreign interests for the purposes of compliance with the BSA.
The absence of those legislative barriers, in the media free-for-all the Turnbull government is permitting, will, because of the broadly maintained power of those outlets, result in an effective and dramatic close down in diversity and, with it, opinion.
An increased Renewable Energy Target of 50% by 2030 will increase the cost of electricity for manufacturing and ordinary households while being a poor tool to reduce Australia’s overall global warming emissions.
… the rush away from coal and gas-fired electricity power stations to renewables is a little unseemly in its haste because we are potentially crucifying hundreds of thousands of manufacturing workers.
… she would support the construction of a new coal-fired power station.
I think there's big economies right through the Asian continent who would be, I think, worthwhile for us to talk to.
Trade is good for our farmers, our regional communities and the national economy as a whole.
… the member for Blair has asked for his first briefing on Operation Sovereign Borders from my department.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Foreign Media Ownership and Community Radio) Bill 2017
(1) [local programming requirements for regional commercial television broadcasting licensees]
(2) Schedule3—Local programming requirements for regional commercial television broadcasting licensees
Broadcasting Services Act 1992
1 Section 61CU
Insert:
combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence area means the area that consists of the licence areas of the designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences.
combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting local area means the area that consists of the local areas of the designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences.
designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence means a commercial television broadcasting licence for any of the following licence areas:
(a) Geraldton TV1;
(b) Kalgoorlie TV1;
(c) South West and Great Southern TV1.
2 Section 61CU (at the end of the definition of local area )
Add:
Note: See also section 61CYA (modifications relating to designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences).
3 Section 61CU (at the end of the definition of material of local significance )
Add:
Note: See also section 61CYA (modifications relating to designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences).
4 At the end of subsection 61CX ( 1 )
Add:
Note: See also section 61CYA (modifications relating to designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences).
5 At the end of subsection 61CY ( 3 )
Add:
Note: See also section 61CYA (modifications relating to designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences).
6 At the end of subsection 61CY ( 5 )
Add:
Note: See also section 61CYA (modifications relating to designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences).
7 At the end of subsection 61CY ( 7 )
Add:
Note: See also section 61CYA (modifications relating to designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences).
8 After section 61CY
Insert:
61CYA Modifications relating to designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences
Scope
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a trigger event for a designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence (the relevant licence ) occurs on a particular day; and
(b) that event is the first or only trigger event for the relevant licence; and
(c) immediately before that event, the designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences were under common control; and
(d) a period (the relevant period ) satisfies the following conditions:
(i) the period began at the time of that event;
(ii) at all times during the period, the designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences are under common control.
Note: Section 61CYB defines when licences are under common control.
Material of local significance
(2) During the relevant period, in determining, for the purposes of this Division, whether material is material of local significance in relation to the local area of the relevant licence:
(a) material that relates directly to the combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting local area is taken to be material that relates directly to the local area of the relevant licence; and
(b) material that relates directly to the combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence area is taken to be material that relates directly to the licence area of the relevant licence.
Points system
(3) During the relevant period, the table in subsection 61CY(3) has effect, in relation to the relevant licence, as if:
(a) a reference in the table to the local area were a reference to the combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting local area; and
(b) a reference in the table to the licensee’s licence area were a reference to the combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence area.
(4) During the relevant period, the provision of the local programming determination that was made for the purposes of paragraph (d) of item 1 of the table in subsection 61CY(3) has effect, in relation to the relevant licence, as if a reference in that provision to the local area were a reference to the combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting local area.
(5) During the relevant period, subsection 61CY(5) has effect, in relation to the relevant licence, as if a reference in that subsection to the licensee’s licence area were a reference to the combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence area.
(6) During the relevant period, paragraphs 61CY(7)(a) and (b) have effect, in relation to the relevant licence, as if a reference in those paragraphs to the area were a reference to the combined designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting local area.
61CYB When designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences are under common control
(1) For the purposes of section 61CYA, if, at a particular time, a person controls each designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence, the designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licences are under common control at that time.
(2) For the purposes of subsection (1), a person controls a designated Western Australian commercial television broadcasting licence if, and only if, the person:
(a) holds the licence; or
(b) is in a position to exercise control of the licence.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Space Activities Amendment (Launches and Returns) Bill 2018
Morgan Stanley estimates that the revenue generated by the global space industry will increase to $1.1 trillion or more in 2040, up from $350 billion in 2016.
For over 60 years space has played an important role in national affairs and our international relations. The Australian economy and the lives of every day Australians are underpinned by space-based technologies. Space derived data and services provided by a combination of government and privately owned systems have increasingly become embedded into the fabric of modern life providing the communications, geolocation and timing services upon which millions of individuals and businesses rely each day. These data and services are parts of the critical infrastructure which enables our modern society to function. They include satellite positioning and communication services, as well as satellite earth-observation and astronomy capabilities.
Without space technologies:
More than a year after the legislative proposal paper was released by the DIIS, the Space Activities Amendment (Launches and Returns) Bill 2018 received its second reading in the House of Representatives on May 30, 2018, with little fanfare or coverage.
Despite the lengthy period of consultation and the initial statements that an entirely new act would be drafted, this is a revision of already existing legislation. It does little to inspire confidence in the government's approach to the Australian commercial space industry.
As noted above, the changes to the Act are dwarfed by the content that is merely left in place. Operators previously complained of an Act that is vague, difficult to navigate, and with prohibitive compliance costs.
Most of the changes embodied within the bill are merely in name only. A "Space Licence" becomes a "Facility Licence" with the only substantive reduction in pre-licence compliance being that the licence is no longer restricted to corporations.
The "Overseas Launch Licence" is renamed the "Overseas Payload Permit", but is not matched with any substantive changes. This would see an Australian who wishes to launch a rocket overseas need a payload permit to launch their rocket.
Further, and of significant concern to commercial operators considering whether they should base their operations in Australia or move offshore, is the requirement for all permits to "include a strategy for debris mitigation".
It is not clear what form this should take or how stringently this must comply, for example, with standards such as Space Debris Mitigation Guidelines of the United Nations Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
This collaboration promotes the exchange of knowledge and expertise. NASA is benefitting from Woodside's experience in remote operation in harsh environments and Woodside is benefitting from NASA's experience in automation and the human robot interface.
Not since humans first walked on the Moon have we seen the global space industry undergo such rapid reinvention.
The Bill will commence on either the day of proclamation, or 12 months from the date of Royal Assent. The delay in commencement is to provide time for the subordinate legislation to be drafted thereby aligning commencement of the full regulatory package.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That Ms MMH King be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and that, in her place, Ms Swanson be appointed a member of the committee.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Sector Regulation) Bill 2018
… more accurately described as persistent marketing and brand activity designed to promote a blizzard of barely differentiated products and 'white labels'.
It is nothing but a populist whinge from Bill Shorten.
We have got to stop the banks and our financial services sector being used as political football.
… … …
… this is essentially a regrettable but necessary action.
I would be staggered if the coalition proposes a bank royal commission, that is rank socialism …
Schooling should be socially just, so that students’ outcomes from schooling are free from the effects of ... differences arising from students’ socio-economic background or geographic location.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Buchholz) took the chair at 10:30.
… big backlog of the boat arrivals from three or four years ago, which are now coming through …
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that Saturday, 25 August 2018 marks one year since close to 700,000 Rohingya—mostly women and children—were forced to begin fleeing their homes in Rakhine State, Myanmar;
(b) that the Government of Bangladesh leads the humanitarian response and has kept its borders open to Rohingya refugees while the Bangladeshi people of Bangladesh continue to show tremendous generosity and hospitality in the face of a massive influx;
(c) that since September 2017, Australia has contributed $70 million to the Rohingya crisis response and continues to have an important role calling for an outcome which allows Rohingya people to fully exercise their human rights;
(d) Australia's support for the implementation of recommendations from the report of the Kofi Annan-led Advisory Commission on Rakhine State; and
(e) the Australian community's generosity in providing financial support to the crisis; and
(2) urges the international community to:
(a) support Bangladesh to provide an appropriate, principled humanitarian response to the needs of displaced and affected communities;
(b) ensure humanitarian aid is delivered where it is needed in accordance with fundamental human rights; and
(c) work with all parties in the pursuit of inclusive peace and reconciliation, and to implement the recommendations of the Kofi Annan-led Advisory Commission on Rakhine State.
We recognise that the challenges facing Rakhine State and its peoples are complex and the search for lasting solutions will require determination, perseverance and trust. Nevertheless, there are steps that can be taken immediately …
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) tuberculosis was declared an emergency in 1993 by the World Health Organization and causes more deaths than any other infectious disease—of the more than 10.4 million infected with tuberculosis in 2016, 1.7 million people died; and
(b) drug resistant tuberculosis is one of the most common and deadly forms of all antimicrobial resistance in the world, accounting for a significant number of antimicrobial resistant deaths globally;
(2) recognises:
(a) the United Nations General Assembly is holding the first ever high-level meeting on tuberculosis on 26 September 2018, during the 73rd session of the General Assembly in New York; and
(b) Australia has supported global actions to reduce tuberculosis, including through contributions to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, its support to tuberculosis programs in Papua New Guinea and Kiribati, and through the Indo-Pacific Health Security Initiative in our support to Product Development Partnerships and research grants; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) ensure Australia has senior representation at the United Nations high-level meeting on tuberculosis in September; and
(b) commit to support countries in the Indo-Pacific in their efforts for the elimination of tuberculosis.
Fair Work Amendment (Restoring Penalty Rates) Bill 2018
That this House:
(1) notes that the Parliament recently passed the Government's Personal Income Tax Plan;
(2) further notes that:
(a) this legislation gives everyone who works a cut in their income tax bill; and
(b) the effect of this legislation means that over the next seven years 94 per cent of Australians will not face a tax rate of higher than 32.5 cents; and
(3) congratulates the Government for supporting working people and providing the economic leadership our country needs.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) in the 2013 federal election, the then Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, promised no funding cuts to the ABC;
(b) since 2014 the Government has announced cuts of $338 million in funding from the ABC, comprised of:
(i) $254 million since 2014; and
(ii) $84 million over three years as announced in the 2018 budget;
(c) these funding cuts are privatising the ABC by stealth;
(d) many members of the Government are former staffers and/or members of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA);
(e) the IPA has advised the Government to privatise the ABC and has published Against Public Broadcasting :Why We Should Privatise the ABC and How to Do It ;
(f) on 7 October 2008 Senator Fifield, now Minister for Communications, gave a speech entitled Fiscal Contraception: Erecting Barriers to Impulsive Spending in which he stated that 'Conservatives have often floated the prospect of privatising the ABC and Australia Post and there is merit in such proposals.';
(g) strong and independent Australian public broadcasting is important to Australian culture and the quality of our country's democracy;
(h) the Liberal Party of Australia's 2018 Federal Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the 'full privatisation of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, except for services into regional areas'; and
(i) no Government ministers present at that Federal Council spoke against the motion during the debate; and
(2) calls on the Government to reverse the funding cuts it has imposed upon the ABC since 2014.
Conservatives have often floated the prospect of privatising the ABC and Australia Post. There is merit in such proposals.
Conservatives have often floated the prospect of privatising the ABC and Australia Post. There is merit in such proposals.
That this House notes:
In particular, our proactive surveillance will substantially reduce across the sectors we regulate, and, in some cases, it will stop.
Some examples of the changes in our consumer cluster are the deposit takers, credit and insurance team. There will be reduced proactive surveillance. As a result, they will focus on activity by entities that have the greatest market impact at the expense of smaller entities that have a smaller customer basis.
… the Prime Minister down to the Treasurer and Financial Services Minister, used every trick in the book to avoid a royal commission.
ASIC has the powers of a Royal Commission and in fact it has greater powers than a Royal Commission.
Hi Justine
We are at our wits end and don't know who to contact next.
My father was diagnosed with Parkinson's 8 years ago and sadly has been given a terminal diagnosis of Lewy Body Dementia.
Dad has been assessed for a level 4 Home Care Package and has been waiting in the system for over twelve months.
My mother is his 24/7 sole carer.
Dad has been receiving an emergency level 2 Home Care Package for the last year.
This provides three twenty-minute showers a week. Two hours of respite care on a Monday and a Wednesday.
I have made numerous calls to My Aged Care and the only response I receive is, 'He's on a priority list but it will be another twelve month wait.'
Things are now at a crisis point. My father and mother live alone in Ulverstone.
I live on the Gold Coast and travel back and forth to help when I can.
Sadly on Thursday, I received a call from my parents' neighbour saying she'd popped in to check on mum and dad, as she does each morning.
She found my mother lying on the floor sobbing, saying she just can't keep going on like this.
I have brought them to Queensland to stay with me, but they can't stay forever.
I've hired lift chairs, toilet frames, shower chairs just to get us by.
We have found a carer up here to give mum some respite, but at a cost of $30 per hour, and Dad is still not in his own home.
Dad requires 24/7 care.
He cannot feed, dress, shower, get out of a chair, or get out of bed without assistance. He can't even sit on a toilet by himself.
He is solely reliant on my mother for his everyday living.
My mother doesn't want to put him into a nursing facility as they both want to stay at home together.
Dad just wants to live what's left of his life in his own home.
When will his level 4 package be approved by the government? When it's too late?
I don't know where to turn next or what to do. I would give anything to see the both of them able to live the rest of the t ime they have together with the help and support they deserve .
Live Sheep Long Haul Export Prohibition Bill 2018