The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 12:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Medicare Levy Amendment (Excess Levels for Private Health Insurance Policies) Bill 2018
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
That the amendments be agreed to.
Health Insurance (Approved Pathology Specimen Collection Centres) Tax Amendment Bill 2018
That the amendment be agreed to.
Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2018
Aged Care (Single Quality Framework) Reform Bill 2018
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018
Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2018
It would appear there is a limited, but perhaps increasing, number of medical specialists turning our veterans away once they become aware they are DVA clients. The Council understands the concern regarding accepting DVA clients stems from the fact that the MBS fees have been frozen for many years.
The remuneration gap between seeing veterans versus private patients from the general community or Defence members is now so significant that clinical providers are prioritising other clients over DVA referrals. In some cases, providers are refusing to accept clients with DVA white or gold cards because of the poor remuneration offered.
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 with concern that the Government has undermined veterans' access to health services".
… the indexation freeze is clearly having an impact on access to care for veterans and this will only get worse over time … The continuation of the indexation freeze puts a significant question mark over the future viability of the DVA funding arrangements and the continued access to quality specialist care for veterans.
It would appear there is a limited, but perhaps increasing, number of medical specialists turning our veteran away once they become aware they are DVA clients. The Council understand the concern regarding accepting DVA clients stems from the fact that MBS fees have been frozen for many years.
Under the current DVA payment scheme, the majority of the expected community health care team are poorly remunerated for their hard work supporting the veterans. As a centre that specialises in the care of veterans, GO2 Health is keenly aware of the financial hardship taken on by practitioners who choose to serve the veteran community.
A man who is good enough to shed his blood for his country is good enough to be given a square deal afterwards.
It would appear there is a limited, but perhaps increasing, number of medical specialists turning our veterans away once they become aware they are DVA clients. The Council understands the concern regarding accepting DVA clients stems from the fact that MBS fees have been frozen for many years.
The remuneration gap between seeing veterans versus private patients from the general community or Defence members is now so significant that clinical providers are prioritising other clients over DVA referrals. In some cases, providers are refusing to accept clients with DVA white or gold cards because of the poor remuneration offered.
A mandatory code of conduct would address problems arising from the large imbalance in bargaining power and information that exists between dairy farmers and processors.
Currently, processors can impose milk prices and other terms of milk supply contract terms—
that are heavily weighted in their favour—
Some milk supply contracts also contain terms that restrict farmers’ ability to change processors for a better offer.
The chaos of the government's energy policy causing power prices to rise for Australians.
… we've made mistakes in both the design of our policies and their presentation … In hindsight, it's also clear to most that the carbon price introduced under the Clean Energy Act was too high …
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.
… if you believe in lower power prices, if you want to see Australian households $550 a year better off, if you want to see the wholesale price down by 20 per cent, if you want to be side by side with the big employers across the country, you get behind the National Energy Guarantee …
The result of this uncertainty has been delays in investment and consequent increasing electricity prices …
A lack of robust or bipartisan energy policy means there is a lack of investment confidence, which means there is more risk to be managed, and this in turn leads to higher prices …
I am appalled that my home state no longer has secure, reliable and affordable power. We have suffered an internationally unprecedented blackout and we are now facing, nationally, unprecedented high power prices. South Australian residents and businesses can no longer rely on a secure, affordable electricity supply. Families cannot afford to pay their skyrocketing power prices; pensioners and the elderly cannot afford heating or cooling; businesses must now lurch from contract to contract, pushing up the already climbing cost of living. This is the sad reality of energy security in South Australia, and my residents in Boothby and across the state are dealing with this reality every single day.
The new climate religion, recruiting disciples every day, has little basis on fact and everything to do with blind faith.
Electricity prices for most regional customers will fall in 2018–19. The typical customer on the main residential tariff (tariff 11) will see a decrease of 1.3%, and the typical customer on the main small business tariff (tariff 20) will see a decrease of 3.4%.
Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Cross-examination of Parties) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Cashless Debit Card Trial Expansion) Bill 2018
That the amendments be agreed to.
That:
Mr Broad be discharged from the Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy and that, in his place, Mr Gee be appointed a member of the committee, and
Ms Ley be discharged from the Standing Committee on Indigenous Affairs and that, in her place, Dr McVeigh be appointed a member of the committee, and
Ms Ley be discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network and that, in her place, Mrs Prentice be appointed a member of the committee.
Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2018
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 with concern that the Government has undermined veterans' access to health services".
It would appear there is a limited, but perhaps increasing, number of medical specialists turning our veterans away once they become aware they are DVA clients. The Council understands the concern regarding accepting DVA clients stems from the fact that MBS fees have been frozen for many years.
The remuneration gap between seeing veterans versus private patients from the general community or Defence members is now so significant that clinical providers are prioritising other clients over DVA referrals. In some cases, providers are refusing to accept clients with DVA white or gold cards because of the poor remuneration offered.
It would appear there is a limited, but perhaps increasing, number of medical specialists turning our veterans away once they become aware they are DVA clients. The Council understands the concern regarding accepting DVA clients stems from the fact that MBS fees have been frozen for many years.
The remuneration gap between seeing veterans versus private patients from the general community or Defence members is now so significant that clinical providers are prioritising other clients over DVA referrals. In some cases, providers are refusing to accept clients with DVA white or gold cards because of the poor remuneration offered.
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes with concern that the Government has undermined veterans' access to health services".
It would appear there is a limited, but perhaps increasing, number of medical specialists turning our veterans away once they become aware they are DVA clients. The Council understands the concern regarding accepting DVA clients stems from the fact that MBS fees have been frozen for many years.
The remuneration gap between seeing veterans versus private patients from the general community or Defence members is now so significant that clinical providers are prioritising other clients over DVA referrals. In some cases, providers are refusing to accept clients with DVA white or gold cards because of the poor remuneration offered.
While the Department of Veterans' Affairs … may report no decline in the total number of occupational therapists treating veterans, OTA is aware of the changing make-up of that number and the potential repercussions of this change.
However, DVA fees are significantly lower, and there has been a fee freeze for psychologists since 2014, creating a disincentive for experienced and skilled clinicians to see veterans. If DVA would match the fee schedule provided by Medibank Health Solutions or that recommended by the APS, this would increase the number of psychologists willing to see veterans and would increase the delivery of gold-standard interventions which have high success rates in treating mental disorders.
The House divided. [18:21]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That Mr L. S. O'Brien be discharged from the Selection Committee and that, in his place, Mr O'Dowd be appointed a member of the committee.
Tobacco Plain Packaging Amendment Bill 2018
… plain packaging is achieving its aim of improving public health in Australia and is expected to have substantial public health outcomes into the future.
… the 2012 packaging changes resulted in a "statistically significant decline in smoking prevalence …
The evidence suggests that plain packaging is severely restricting the ability of the pack to communicate and create appeal with young people and adults.
For those who worked long and hard to make Australia a world leader in tobacco control, it is deeply disappointing that political complacency in recent years has both led to lack of action and allowed distractions to dominate the public and policy arenas.
We should have reinforced and capitalised on the early impact of plain packaging and reinforced the impacts of tax increases … but action over the past 6 years has stalled, at a time when it should have accelerated. … … …
First, crucially and inexplicably, there have been no national media campaigns since 2012. The federal government gets more than $11 billion a year in revenue from tobacco taxes. Spending $40 million on media campaigns would be less than 0.4% of this.
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) notes that progress on lowering smoking rates has stalled following the Government's cuts to tobacco control measures; and
(2) calls on the Government to re-invest in lowering smoking rates".
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mrs Wicks) took the chair at 16:00.
… the only real organisation outside the political sphere which can or is willing to do anything for the working class.
… I haven't got the time to be stuffed around by an antiquated Constitution drafted 100 years ago.
Volunteering is about dedicating a portion of one's life, no matter how big or small, to make a difference to the life of another without expecting anything in return. It is the acknowledgement that no one person is worth more or deserves more than another. Whether it is spending a gap year in a remote African village or one hour a week at the local St Vinnie's, it is the act of contributing rather than consuming. A volunteer is the epitome of compassion, generosity and selflessness, and the volunteer feels happy and fulfilled to be genuinely appreciated. Time is the most valuable possession and the greatest gift an individual can give. Volunteers have the heart to give even when pressed for time. We can make a living by what we get, but we can make a life by what we give. As Anne Frank said, 'How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.'
… try to imagine that moment between getting offered early release and turning it down.
Try to imagine it was you. Imagine how loudly your most basic, primal self-interest would have cried out to you in that moment, and all the ways you could rationalize accepting the offer. Can you hear it? If so, would you have refused to go?
You simply can't know for sure. None of us can. It's hard even to imagine the pain and fear in that moment, much less to know how you'd react.
But, see, we do know how this man reacted. That he chose to spend four more years there, in a dark box, alone, tapping code on the walls to the others, rather than violate a Code.
… encourage us to stay true to who we are at our best … and to remind us just how much is at stake.
Australia fought alongside us in wars, including losing over 500 brave Australians in the Vietnam War, which some of us remember. This, in my view, was an unnecessary and, frankly, harmful open dispute over an issue which is not nearly as important as United States/Australian cooperation, working together, including training of our Marines in Australia and other areas of military cooperation and intelligence.
He's not a war hero. He was a war hero because he was captured. I like people who weren't captured.
You will not agree with all of the president's decisions. Neither will I. But I am fully committed to doing whatever I can to help my country and my president succeed in the world. And I would beseech all of you to join me and help me.
John was, above all, a man with a code. He lived by a set of public virtues that brought strength and purpose to his life and to his country.
… America's greatest strength comes from the values of our society, values we share with Australia—our commitment to truth over falsehood, fairness over injustice, freedom over oppression, and the immortal spirit of humankind.
No ma'am, he's a decent family man, a citizen that I just happen to have disagreements with on fundamental issues …
John McCain and I were members of different generations, came from completely different backgrounds, and competed at the highest level of politics. But we shared, for all our differences, a fidelity to something higher—the ideals for which generations of Americans and immigrants alike have fought, marched, and sacrificed. We saw our political battles, even, as a privilege, something noble, an opportunity to serve as stewards of those high ideals at home, and to advance them around the world. We saw this country as a place where anything is possible—and citizenship as our patriotic obligation to ensure it forever remains that way.
… one of America’s oldest friends and staunchest allies. We are united by ties of family and friendship, mutual interests and common values, and shared sacrifice in wartime.
I can't tell you the times he would tell me about what an incredible experience it was for him and the hospitality of the Australian people and the great affection and respect back then he had for the Australian military.
Without any inhibitions of any kind, I make it quite clear that Australia looks to America, free of any pangs as to our traditional links or kinship with the United Kingdom.
What better way to honor John McCain's life of service than, as best we can, follow his example?
To prove that the willingness to get in the arena and fight for this country is not reserved for the few, it is open to all of us, that in fact it's demanded of all of us, as citizens of this great republic?
That's perhaps how we honor him best—by recognizing that there are some things bigger than party, or ambition, or money, or fame or power. That there are some things that are worth risking everything for. Principles that are eternal. Truths that are abiding.
At his best, John showed us what that means. For that, we are all deeply in his debt.
May God bless John McCain, and may God bless this country he served so well.
The new man at the helm is counting on voter amnesia. He insists "the curtain has come down on that Muppet Show".
We must choose to guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on.
The bottom line of landmark tax reform. Finally: a fair dinkum share, ScoMo's GST fix levels playing field …
GST fix: Treasurer delivers on promise to change formula to help WA
Queensland will have the strongest economic growth of all the states in each of the next four years, with growth never falling below 3.5 per cent.
Queensland's booming economy came to a shuddering halt in the June quarter, producing the worst growth of all the states …
The slump in the data … was blamed on a virtual shutdown of government spending on infrastructure …
The slowing in growth in the second quarter is due almost entirely to a sharp slowdown in the public sector.