2019-12-05 46 1 1 House of Reps 0 1

Thursday, 5 December 2019

The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.

STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 1 STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER Federation Chamber, Parliament House: Security 1 09:31 The SPEAKER 00APG I have to report that the Deputy Speaker has informed me that yesterday the Federation Chamber was adjourned early because of disorder by members on both sides. I understand that following a number of closure motions moved by members on both sides, with consequent unresolved questions, the Federation Chamber was suspended. When the meeting was resumed another closure was moved. In the Deputy Speaker's view and in my view these repeated motions were an abuse of the forms of the House and were disorderly. Members on both sides should be aware of how this conduct reflects on the House and I trust there will be no repetition. If there is, members may simply be denying themselves the opportunity to make the kinds of remarks so many of them would wish to make at this time of the year. Members will know, from the blue, that I also intend to make a statement on the electronic access control system and the code of practice which governs it. This won't be particular news to members of the House of Representatives, who have been making use of the electronic key access to offices now for, I think, about a year. But obviously, as members would expect, there needs to be a code of practice with that, as there is with the closed-circuit television monitoring system. I've been very pleased that members have allowed that to be switched on and really trusted my stewardship of it in the period, but that is not a long-term solution, so we've been discussing matters with the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business, and I'll have something else to say later today and move a motion to that effect. It really is just around privilege. I just thought I'd let members know. I'll probably come back to that prior to question time, in consultation with the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business. MOTIONS 1 MOTIONS Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 1 09:33 Mr BANDT M3C Melbourne I seek leave to move the following motion: That the House: (1)notes that: (a)the Senate voted yesterday to support a government bill to repeal the 'Medevac' law, which was helping sick people get the medical treatment they need; (b)Senator Lambie has repeatedly said she placed a secret condition on her support for the bill, and then told the Senate yesterday that she had secured a deal with the government which led to her voting for the repeal bill, saying 'So I put a proposal to the government, and since then we have worked together really hard to advance that proposal. We've worked to an outcome I believe we both want … As a result of that work, I'm more than satisfied that the conditions are now in place to allow medevac to be repealed.'; (c)the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Cormann, told the Senate the direct opposite, emphatically claiming there was no deal with Senator Lambie, saying 'Let me make the most important point up front: there is no secret deal. Let me repeat that again: there is no secret deal'; (d)the Government gagged debate on the bill, forcing the Senate to vote without knowing the full facts surrounding the agreement that Senator Lambie claims exists; (e)the media reports today that the Prime Minister wrote a letter to Senator Lambie in relation to the passage of the bill; and (f)this secrecy and lack of transparency from the Government fundamentally undermines trust in democracy and this Parliament; and (2)therefore requires the Prime Minister to attend the chamber by 12 noon today to respond to Senator Lambie's statements made in the Senate yesterday, to fully explain the details of all deals, arrangements and understandings with Senator Lambie regarding the 'Medevac' repeal bill and table any associated documents or letters. Leave not granted. Mr BANDT M3C I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Melbourne from moving the following motion immediately: That the House: (1)notes that: (a)the Senate voted yesterday to support a government bill to repeal the 'Medevac' law, which was helping sick people get the medical treatment they need; (b)Senator Lambie has repeatedly said she placed a secret condition on her support for the bill, and then told the Senate yesterday that she had secured a deal with the government which led to her voting for the repeal bill, saying 'So I put a proposal to the government, and since then we have worked together really hard to advance that proposal. We've worked to an outcome I believe we both want … As a result of that work, I'm more than satisfied that the conditions are now in place to allow medevac to be repealed.'; (c)the Leader of the Government in the Senate, Senator Cormann, told the Senate the direct opposite, emphatically claiming there was no deal with Senator Lambie, saying 'Let me make the most important point up front: there is no secret deal. Let me repeat that again: there is no secret deal'; (d)the Government gagged debate on the bill, forcing the Senate to vote without knowing the full facts surrounding the agreement that Senator Lambie claims exists; (e)the media reports today that the Prime Minister wrote a letter to Senator Lambie in relation to the passage of the bill; and (f)this secrecy and lack of transparency from the Government fundamentally undermines trust in democracy and this Parliament; and (2)therefore requires the Prime Minister to attend the chamber by 12 noon today to respond to Senator Lambie's statements made in the Senate yesterday, to fully explain the details of all deals, arrangements and understandings with Senator Lambie regarding the 'Medevac' repeal bill and table any associated documents or letters. This parliament has the right to know about legislation that it has voted on and— 09:37 Mr TUDGE M2Y Aston I move: That the Member be no longer heard. The SPEAKER 00APG The question is that the member for Melbourne be no further heard.

The House divided. [10:41]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 71 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 66 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR (teller) Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rowland, MA Ryan, JC Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

 09:45 The SPEAKER 00APG Is the motion seconded? 09:45 Mr WILKIE C2T Clark I second the motion and I would add that someone in the Senate has misled the Senate— 09:45 Mr TUDGE M2Y Aston I move: That the Member be no longer heard. The SPEAKER 00APG The question is that the member for Clark be no further heard.

The House divided. [09:46]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 71 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 66 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

 09:49 The SPEAKER 00APG The question is that the motion moved by the member for Melbourne be agreed to. Question negatived.

The House divided. [09:49]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 67 AYES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 71 NOES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 0 PAIRS BUSINESS 6 BUSINESS Rearrangement 6 09:57 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That business intervening before notice No. 3, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to. BILLS 6 BILLS Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2019 6

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2019

First Reading 6 Second Reading 6 09:58 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That this bill be now read a second time. It is with great pleasure that I introduce to this parliament a package of legislation that will reduce the costs and delays that thousands of Australian families experience as a result of a split federal family law court system. This legislative package will create greater efficiencies in the federal family law court system and, in turn, assist families navigating the court system during what can be some of the most difficult and distressing times of their lives. The government first introduced this bill package into the parliament in August 2018; it lapsed when the parliament was prorogued. Since then, the government has worked to strengthen and improve the suite of measures to respond to some of the concerns raised, while still fundamentally delivering a structural reform of the federal family law courts that will assist families to have their matters dealt with quickly, efficiently, cheaply and as safely as possible. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill brings together the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia as an overarching, unified administrative structure to be known as the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. The Family Court will continue in existence as the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Division 1), and the Federal Circuit Court will continue in existence as the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Division 2). This bill creates a consistent pathway for Australian families in having their family law disputes dealt with in the federal courts. Under the government's reforms, there will be a single point of entry for the federal family law jurisdiction and, ultimately, a common set of rules, procedures, practices and approaches to case management. The reforms enabled by these bills will improve user experience for those Australian families that unfortunately need the assistance of the courts to resolve their disputes and promote improved practices by both courts and legal practitioners. The structural reforms and legislation to give them effect have been developed and informed by a number of substantial inquiries over the last decade, including the 2008 Semple review, the 2014 KPMG review, the 2015 EY report, the 2017 House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs inquiry, and most recently a 2018 PwC report, and these were all tabled in the parliament when the bills were first introduced. Since the bills were last before the parliament, the government has carefully considered the comments made and issues raised by court users, legal and other professional stakeholders, House of Representative members, the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee and members of the general public. And, while there was disagreement about what approach the government should take, there is widespread recognition that the current structural arrangements in the courts are simply not working to the benefit of Australian families. The government remains committed to resolving these structural failings. To address some of the key concerns identified by stakeholders, the government has made several changes to the package as it was before the last parliament. The government will no longer create a family law appeals division in the Federal Court. The bill, instead, preserves the existing Family Court's appellate jurisdiction within the FCFC (Division 1). While the bill will retain the appellate jurisdiction in the FCFC (Division 1), the bill provides that there will no longer be an appeals division for select judges to be appointed to but, rather, Division 1 judges will be able to hear appeals, both as individual judges and as members of a Full Court. Further, the bill will enable the court to deal with appeals more efficiently, as appeals from decisions of the FCFC (Division 2) will be ordinarily dealt with by a single judge from Division 1. The Chief Justice will have the ability to convene a Full Court to hear an appeal from Division 2, where appropriate. This will provide flexibility for a Full Court to hear appeals involving novel or complex questions of law. Both of these changes reflect the approach taken in the appellate jurisdiction of the Federal Court, which successfully exercises a substantial and diverse appellate jurisdiction. This approach will enhance the courts' ability to resolve family law matters. The bill also now makes much clearer how the single point of entry for first instance family law matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court will operate by providing that all original jurisdiction family law applications should be made to the FCFC (Division 2), with matters able to be transferred to Division 1 as appropriate. Implementing a single point of entry in this way is a significant and long called for reform to improve the user experience with the family law courts and enhance the unified identity of the Federal Circuit and Family Court. Coupled with the harmonisation of rules and case management approaches, it will reduce confusion and create a much simpler pathway for resolving disputes. Another recommendation of the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee was to require judicial appointments to the FCFC (Division 2) to involve consideration of whether the person has the appropriate skills, knowledge, experience and personality to undertake family law matters. The Australian Law Reform Commission made a similar recommendation for the appointment of judicial officers exercising family law to involve consideration of the person's knowledge, experience, skills and aptitude relevant to hearing family law cases, including cases involving family violence. The bill now provides that for a person to be appointed to the FCFC (Division 1) or appointed to the FCFC (Division 2) and expected to deal with family law matters, the person is, by reason of knowledge, skills, experience and aptitude, suitable to deal with family law matters, including matters involving family violence. In addition, the bill now provides for: a time-limited period for the Chief Justice and Chief Judge of the FCFC to be empowered to make rules of court that ensure they are consistent across both divisions. After a period of two years, the power to make rules will revert to the judges of each court or a majority of them; retaining the existing parities between the Family Court of Western Australia and the federal courts; and requiring the legislation to be reviewed five years after commencement. The reforms are consistent with the parliament's powers to create and invest federal jurisdiction in courts other than the High Court under chapter III of the Constitution. No existing court is being abolished as a result of the legislation. Current judicial appointments will continue in the new structure, with no changes to the terms or conditions of existing judges. The bill ensures that the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Division 1) is considered a superior court of record and a court of law and equity, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court (Division 2) is considered a court of record and a court of law and equity. The government, as part of this reform, has also committed to providing: an extra $4 million in funding to the federal courts to review court rules and assist with implementation of the reforms; and an extra $3.7 million over the forward estimates for an additional FCFC judge. However, while the government is committed to ensuring that the courts are appropriately resourced, it is not a good use of taxpayer funds to simply appoint additional judges without first addressing the fundamental structural problems that have existed within the courts. The reforms enabled by the legislation introduced today also build on the measures the government has already taken to improve the family law system, and this government's commitment to ongoing improvements. The reforms in this bill are a valuable and vital piece of family law reform, and will play an important role in providing Australian families with an effective and much improved experience when navigating the family law system. Debate adjourned. Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019 8

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019

First Reading 8 Second Reading 8 10:06 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2019 forms part of the government's package of legislative reforms to the structure of the federal courts which will enhance the experience of Australian families in the family law system. This bill is a companion bill to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2019 (the primary bill). It facilitates the transition for court users from the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court to the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, which will become known as the FCFC, on commencement of the legislation. In February 2019 the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee delivered its report on the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia Bill 2018 and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2018. The report outlined five recommendations. The government paid close attention to the concerns raised by the committee, and the present legislation package addresses the key concerns raised by the committee and stakeholders regarding the 2018 bills, while maintaining the critical objectives of the reforms. The bill repeals and amends substantial parts of the Family Law Act 1975, as these provisions will now be covered by the primary bill. Similarly, the bill repeals the Federal Circuit Court of Australia Act 1999. There are also some amendments to the Federal Court Act 1976to achieve greater consistency between the federal courts and in recognition that the primary bill will provide for the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia to have its own chief executive officer. The bill makes consequential amendments across the Commonwealth statute book to reflect the continuation of the FCFC (Division 1) and the FCFC (Division 2) and to update other references to legislation. The bill also includes a number of contingent amendments to reflect the effect of other bills currently before the parliament that refer to the Family Court or Federal Circuit Court, or judges or officers of the court. The bill also ensures that appropriate transitional arrangements are in place, including for matters before the federal courts at the time of commencement of the primary bill. For example, the bill clarifies the arrangements for situations where matters have not been substantively heard before commencement, and where matters have been substantively heard in whole or part before commencement. The bill will commence at the same time as the primary bill. On behalf of the government I extend my thanks to the dedicated judges and officers of the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court. Their jobs could in no way be described as simple or easy, but we are confident that this package of measures will go some distance to assist them in their task of helping Australian families to resolve their disputes. The government has every confidence that this bill package will help Australian families more easily navigate the federal family court system during some of the most difficult and distressing times in people's lives. I commend the bill to the House. Debate adjourned. Australian Business Growth Fund Bill 2019 9

Australian Business Growth Fund Bill 2019

First Reading 9 Second Reading 9 10:09 Mr FRYDENBERG FKL Kooyong I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill introduces new legislation that authorises the Commonwealth government to participate in forming, and acquiring shares in or debentures of, the Australian Business Growth Fund (BGF), and appropriates $100 million for that purpose. The Australian Business Growth Fund's purpose will be to offer growing, established companies and entrepreneurs patient capital and strategic support to assist them to reach their growth potential. With better access to competitive finance, SME's will be able to grow, fulfil their potential and continue to underpin Australian economic growth and employment. Small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are a key driver of activity and growth in the Australian economy. SMEs generate employment, drive innovation and boost competition in markets. In 2016-17, there were over 2.2 million SMEs (those employing up to 199 employees) in Australia, accounting for around 68 per cent of private sector employment. Furthermore, a culture of innovation in business is a key factor in boosting Australia's productivity over the medium to long term. A challenge for SMEs seeking to grow can be access to capital. In 2018, the Reserve Bank of Australia released a report outlining the difficulties Australian SMEs face in accessing finance. Australia currently lacks a patient capital market for SMEs. Patient capital can provide entrepreneurs the finance needed to expand without relinquishing control of their business. Patient capital equity funds established in the UK and Canada have shown that there is a demand for this type of finance and that patient capital investment can be profitable for investors. The Australian BGF has been modelled on the established UK and Canadian equivalents where a company collectively owned by financial institutions provides long-term capital and business guidance to small- and medium-sized businesses. The Australian BGF will provide long-term patient capital to a number of small- and medium-sized businesses each year. Small businesses will have to demonstrate three years of revenue growth and profitability and a clear growth vision in order to be eligible to receive capital from the BGF. Business seeking support can be from across Australia. Support offered will be both financial and non-financial. Established Australian businesses will be eligible for long-term equity capital investments between $5 million and $15 million, where they can demonstrate three years of revenue growth and profitability and a clear growth vision. The BGF's investment stake will be between 10 and 40 per cent, allowing small business owners to maintain controlling interest, while also allowing the BGF to have sufficient influence to encourage business growth. To facilitate sufficient support for the small business market and using international precedent as a guide, the BGF's initial fund size is anticipated to be around $500 million, with potential to grow to around $1 billion. Its size however will be dependent on the number of financial institutions that participate and the amount they invest and will be subject to further analysis of market opportunity and demand. Last week, I announced that the government had agreed key terms with NAB, CBA, Westpac and ANZ where each of us will invest $100 million and HSBC and Macquarie Group $20 million each. If the parliament passes this legislation, it will allow the government to invest in the Australian Business Growth Fund which will see $540 million invest in Australian small- and medium-sized businesses allowing these businesses to reach their full potential. I would like to acknowledge NAB for leading their work in leading the working group that has bought the parties to this point. Full details of the measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum. Debate adjourned. National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Mandatory Credit Reporting and Other Measures) Bill 2019 10

National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Mandatory Credit Reporting and Other Measures) Bill 2019

First Reading 10 Second Reading 10 10:14 Mr FRYDENBERG FKL Kooyong I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill will implement the government's comprehensive credit reporting regime. It will deliver benefits to lenders and borrowers and drive competition in the lending market while preserving and enhancing important security and consumer protections. This bill will place Australia in line with many other developed nations who already have comprehensive credit reporting regimes in place. Schedule 1 of this bill requires our largest banks—those with total resident assets of over $100 billion—to provide comprehensive credit information to credit reporting bodies from 1 April 2020. By mid-2021 our largest banks will have supplied comprehensive credit information on all consumer accounts to every eligible credit reporting body. The bill will also ensure the security of consumer credit information—an issue of high importance to the government—by strengthening the already strict provisions in the Privacy Act relating to how consumer credit information is handled. The bill requires that credit reporting bodies store credit information within Australia or according to alternative requirements in regulations if established. Schedule 2 of the bill incorporates the results of a review by the Attorney-General into the treatment of financial hardship information, providing the legal certainty required for this information to be shared. Based on this review, the bill establishes a new type of credit information in the Privacy Actthat will indicate consumer credit contracts that are affected by a financial hardship arrangement. The bill also requires government to complete independent reviews of the mandatory regime and the credit reporting provisions in the Privacy Act prior to 1 October 2023. Under the comprehensive credit reporting regime, consumers will have better access to credit and will be able to use their reliable credit history to seek more competitive rates. Those consumers who possess a poor credit rating will be able to demonstrate their creditworthiness through future reliability. Credit providers will have a more complete picture of a consumer's financial situation. This will help them to better price credit and meet their responsible lending obligations. The government has consulted widely with credit providers and consumer groups. The Legislative and Governance Forum on Corporations was also consulted in relation to the bill, as required under the National Credit Agreement 2009. This bill is another example of the reforms implemented by this government that are designed to increase competition in the financial sector. Other initiatives include: - open banking; - strengthening the mutuals sector through implementation of the Hammond review recommendations; and - establishing the $2 billion Australian Business Securitisation Fund to improve funding sources for non-major banks and non-bank lenders who lend to small and medium sized businesses. Our government will continue to support stronger competition in the financial sector by ensuring that the market works effectively for the benefit of all Australians. Full details of the measure are contained in the explanatory memorandum. Debate adjourned. Treasury Laws Amendment (Research and Development Tax Incentive) Bill 2019 10

Treasury Laws Amendment (Research and Development Tax Incentive) Bill 2019

First Reading 10 Second Reading 11 10:18 Mr FRYDENBERG FKL Kooyong I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The government is committed to backing R&D in Australia and the economic opportunities and jobs it creates. In 2019-20 the government's total support for R&D is estimated to be around $9.6 billion. This includes almost $400 million for our Medical Research Future Fund and record funding of over $860 million for Australia's national science agency, the CSIRO. Today the government is reintroducing legislation to reform the research and development tax incentive—reforms that will ensure that the tax incentive remains an effective and sustainable part of Australia's overall support for R&D. The reforms, announced in the 2018-19 budget, are a response to the six-month 'three Fs' review into the incentive, chaired by former Treasury Secretary John Fraser; then Chair of Innovation Australia, Bill Ferris; and Australia's Chief Scientist, Alan Finkel. That review found that the incentive is falling short of meeting its objectives of supporting additional R&D activities that generate broader benefits for the Australian economy. The measures contained in this bill respond to these findings. The key reforms to the incentive are contained in schedule 1 to the bill. Firstly, the existing flat premium available to companies with an annual turnover above $20 million is being changed to one that increases as a company's R&D intensity increases. This will provide an incentive for companies to increase their R&D expenditure. Relative to the bill introduced in the previous parliament, the intensity test has also been simplified, with a three-tier test replacing the previous four-tier system. Secondly, the maximum amount of R&D expenditure eligible for concessional R&D tax offsets will increase from $100 million to $150 million per annum. This gives the largest investors in R&D an incentive to keep their R&D activities in Australia. Smaller companies, with an annual turnover below $20 million, will continue to be supported by the government through fixed R&D support of 13½ percentage points above their company tax rate. To ensure the sustainability of the regime, they will have their annual cash refunds capped at $4 million, twice the amount recommended in the review. Clinical trials are exempt from this cap. Importantly, the start date of the measure has been deferred by 12 months so that the changes apply from income years commencing on or after 1 July 2019. Schedule 2 of this bill will introduce a number of amendments into the income tax law to bolster the integrity of the incentive. These changes will ensure that the concessional treatment available under the incentive is only claimed by those companies undertaking genuine R&D. Schedule 3 of this bill makes a number of changes to the tax incentive regime to improve public accountability and transparency. This includes the public disclosure of claimant details and the R&D expenditure they have claimed. Furthermore, the board of Innovation and Science Australia will have the ability to make public determinations and binding decisions about R&D eligibility, providing greater clarity to claimants as to what is eligible. In better targeting and improving the integrity and sustainability of the research and development tax incentive, the reforms in this bill will ensure that the incentive remains an important part of the government's overall support for research and development in Australia. Full details of these measures are contained in the explanatory memorandum. Debate adjourned. Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Measures No. 3) Bill 2019 11

Treasury Laws Amendment (2019 Measures No. 3) Bill 2019

First Reading 11 Second Reading 11 10:22 Mr SUKKAR 242515 Deakin (): I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill contains a number of measures which improve the integrity of the tax system, ensure existing legislation operates as intended and provide flexibility in completing new financial adviser requirements. Schedule 1 to this bill amends the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to improve the integrity of the taxation of testamentary trusts. Currently, unearned income of minors is generally taxed at higher rates, which discourages adult taxpayers from splitting their income with minors to reduce the overall level of tax that they pay. However, income minors receive from testamentary trusts is taxed at adult marginal tax rates, which access the $18,200 tax-free threshold. Some taxpayers are therefore able to inappropriately obtain the benefit of this lower tax rate by injecting assets unrelated to the deceased estate into the testamentary trust. As announced in the 2018-19 budget, the government is making changes to clarify that the concessional tax rates available for minors receiving income from testamentary trusts will be limited to income derived from assets that are transferred from the deceased estate, or the proceeds of the disposal or investment of those assets. These changes apply from 1 July 2019, and income from assets already in testamentary trusts prior to 1 July 2019 will not be affected by this measure. Schedule 2 to this bill extends transitional deadlines for new requirements for financial advisers. Existing advisers will be required to complete the exam set by the Financial Adviser Standards and Ethics Authority (FASEA) by 1 January 2022, which is an additional year, and meet FASEA's qualification requirements by 1 January 2026, which is an additional two years. This extension will ensure financial advisers have sufficient time to meet the new requirements, balancing the professionalisation of the industry with the need to maintain the ongoing flexibility and affordability of advice. In particular, the extension assists rural and regional advisers and working parents, including parents taking parental leave during the transition period, maintaining a diverse adviser industry. The Legislative and Governance Forum for Corporations was consulted in relation to the amendments to transitional deadlines for financial advisers in schedule 2 as required under the Corporations Agreement 2002. Schedule 3 to the bill, meanwhile, makes a number of amendments to Treasury portfolio legislation to ensure that Treasury laws operate as intended. The amendments clarify the law, correct technical or drafting errors, remove anomalies and address unintended outcomes. The minor and technical amendments process was first supported by a recommendation of the 2008 Tax Design Review Panel, which was appointed to examine how to reduce delays in the enactment of tax legislation and improve the quality of tax law changes. It has since been expanded to all Treasury portfolio legislation. The amendments made by schedule 3 to this bill further the government's commitment to the care and maintenance of Treasury laws. These amendments also reduce regulatory burden and make it easier for Australians to comply with current laws. The Legislative and Governance Forum for Corporations was again consulted in relation to schedule 3 of this bill, as required under the Corporations Agreement 2002. Full details of the measures are contained in the explanatory memorandum. Debate adjourned. COMMITTEES 12 COMMITTEES Public Works Committee 12 Approval of Work 12 10:26 Mr SUKKAR 242515 Deakin I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: HMAS Watson redevelopment, Sydney, New South Wales. The Department of Defence proposes to undertake capital and related infrastructure works at the HMAS Watson naval base located on South Head, Sydney. The capital and associated works form part of the Defence Integrated Investment Program. The project is also required to prevent a reduction in readiness across the Navy and to support current and future Navy capability. Both the 2016 Defence white paper and the 2016 Defence Integrated Investment Program foreshadowed further investment in and upgrading of a number of defence establishments, including HMAS Watson. The HMAS Watson redevelopment project will improve the strategic layout of HMAS Watson and address facilities and base infrastructure deficiencies, including the high-risk base engineering services. The project will redevelop key facilities on the base that directly support Navy capability which have not seen significant investment for 30 years. The estimated cost of the works to be undertaken over seven years from 2019-20 is $430.5 million, not including GST. The committee has conducted an inquiry and recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act, that it is expedient to carry out the project and that Defence ensure that the proposed works at HMAS Watson do not preclude the building of a clifftop track along the eastern perimeter of the base as part of the Bondi-to-Sydney walk. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence by mid-2020 and be completed by mid-2026. On behalf of the government, I'd like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House. Question agreed to. Public Works Committee 13 Approval of Work 13 10:29 Mr SUKKAR 242515 Deakin I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: DFAT—Australian High Commission Property Replacement Project in Tarawa, Kiribati. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade proposes to construct fit-for-purpose office accommodation and residential housing for the Australian High Commission mission located in Tarawa, Kiribati, Pacific Islands. The project will replace the existing chancery annexe, currently one of the staff residences, and three other staff residences and replace them with purpose-built, prefabricated, low-maintenance, sustainable facilities. The 2017 Foreign policy white paper listed Australia's engagement with the Pacific as being one of the highest priorities. Through this project, DFAT's overseas property office is aiming to develop a best practice design and construction model to enable it to undertake similar upgrade and replacement works throughout the Asia-Pacific region. The local community impact of this project is expected to be low as construction will be on land already leased by the Commonwealth. The project will obtain all necessary land development, building and environmental approvals as required. The estimated capital cost of the project is $19.7 million, excluding GST. Costs include the construction of fit-for-purpose office accommodation and residential housing. The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 18 September 2009, and the committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approval, the project is planned to commence in early 2020 and be completed by mid-2021. On behalf of the government, I would like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House. Question agreed to. Approval of Work 13 10:31 Mr SUKKAR 242515 Deakin I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Shoalwater Bay Training Area Remediation Project. The Department of Defence is proposing a remediation project for selected elements of the facilities and engineering infrastructure within the Department of Defence's Shoalwater Bay training area in Queensland. Both the 2016 Defence white paper and 2016 Defence Integrated Investment Program foreshadowed further investments in and upgrading of a number of defence training areas, including Shoalwater Bay. The project will deliver critical infrastructure upgrades to the Shoalwater Bay training area that will improve environmental sustainability and support current and expected increase joint and multinational training activities and continuous amphibious training capacity. The estimated cost of the works to be undertaken over four years from the 2019-20 financial year is $135.4 million, excluding GST. The project was referred to the Public Works Committee on 18 September 2009, and the committee has duly recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approval, the works are expected to commence in early 2020 and be completed by mid-2022. On behalf the government, I'd like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry. I commend the motion to the House. Question agreed to. Approval of Work 14 10:33 Mr SUKKAR 242515 Deakin I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and on which the committee has duly reported to Parliament: Navy Capability Infrastructure Sub-program: Facilities and Infrastructure to Support New Navy Capabilities. The Department of Defence is proposing to provide fit-for-purpose facilities and infrastructure required to support the introduction into service of new government approved naval capabilities: nine Hunter class frigates that will replace the existing Anzac class frigates; and 12 Arafura class offshore patrol vessels that will replace the existing Armidale class patrol boats. The project proposes to deliver public works at HMAS Stirling and Henderson in WA; HMAS Cairns, a yet to be determined location in Cairns, Queensland; HMAS Coonawarra and RAAF Darwin in Northern Territory; and St Kilda Transmitting Station at Osborne in South Australia. The 2016 Defence white paper articulates the government's plan for recapitalisation of the Royal Australian Navy. In support of this, the government launched the 2017 Naval Shipbuilding Plan to establish a sustainable long-term Australian naval shipbuilding enterprise of which the Australian Defence Force is a key partner. The project will deliver facilities to support new capabilities to be developed through this Australian naval shipbuilding enterprise. The estimated total cost of the project is $1.8 billion, including contingency. The proposed facilities and infrastructure involve new works and refurbishment or upgrading of existing facilities and infrastructure at each of the proposed locations. Again, the committee has recommended that the House of Representatives resolve, pursuant to section 18(7) of the Public Works Committee Act, that it is expedient to carry out the project. Subject to parliamentary approval, construction is expected to commence in early 2020 and be completed by early 2027. Again, on behalf of the government, I'd like to thank the committee for undertaking a timely inquiry and I again commend the motion to the House. Question agreed to. Public Accounts and Audit Committee 14 Report 14 10:35 Mrs WICKS 241590 Robertson On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present the committee's report titled Report 480: annual report 2018-19, together with minutes of proceedings. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e). Mrs WICKS 241590 by leave—Since its establishment in 1913, the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has ensured the accountability and transparency of public administration and expenditure and has become an enduring mechanism of scrutiny in the institution of parliament. Uniquely, the committee has the authority to determine its own work program and priorities and does so through a bipartisan approach. This report is presented to the parliament pursuant to section 8B of the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951, Commonwealth, and showcases the work of its predecessor committee, which ceased with the prorogation of the 45th Parliament on 11 April 2019. The final year of the previous committee was busy and productive, with eight reports presented in the parliament, containing 67 recommendations and a total of 18 public hearings being held. While this report outlines the work of the predecessor committee, it also includes a recommendation for the coordination of government responses to the committee reports to bring this practice in line with common practice across government. Specifically, the committee has recommended that a single consolidated whole-of-government response to each of its reports be coordinated and provided to it within given time frames. This approach would enable the committee to consider government responses in a timely and streamlined way. As the newly appointed chair, along with my colleagues, I'd like to take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank the chair and members of the previous committee, and I am looking forward to contributing to the important work of this committee. I commend the report to the House. I move: That the House take note of the report. The DEPUTY SPEAKER M3E The debate is adjourned and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next day of sitting. Reference to Federation Chamber 15 10:38 Mrs WICKS 241590 Robertson I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to. Public Accounts and Audit Committee 15 10:38 Mrs WICKS 241590 Robertson I present executive minutes on reports Nos 472, 475, 476 and 479 of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit. BILLS 15 BILLS Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019 15

Migration Amendment (Repairing Medical Transfers) Bill 2019

Assent 15 Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Bill 2019 15

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Bill 2019

Third Reading 15 Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) Bill 2019 15

Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) Bill 2019

Second Reading 15 10:40 Mr CONROY 249127 Shortland I move: 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 Australia's Official Development Assistance (ODA) investments are an important way of advancing Australia's interests, projecting our values and tackling global poverty; (2) expresses concern that since 2014 Coalition Governments have cut $11.8 billion from the foreign aid budget with the result that Australia's ODA investments are now at a record low as a share of Gross National Income; (3) agrees that active and engaged participation in multilateral institutions, including multilateral development institutions, is essential for advancing Australia's interests in a stable, secure and prosperous international environment; and (4) expresses concern that the Prime Minister's recent public attacks on global institutions are contrary to Australia's interests in an international rules-based order supported by multilateral institutions which promote economic growth, global security and human development". Labor supports the Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) Bill 2019. This bill provides a special appropriation to enable the Australian government to meet its commitments to replenish a range of multilateral development funds over coming years. These multilateral funds carry out essential work in tackling poverty and promoting economic growth and sustainable development in some of the world's poorest countries. The funds also promote better environmental outcomes in areas which must be tackled on a global basis, such as climate change and ozone depletion. Australia has played an active role over many years in supporting these funds. Australia's support for these funds is part of our commitment to being a good international citizen. It is one of the ways Australia contributes to global economic and social developments and to tackling international environmental challenges. Labor is a strong supporter of Australia's international development program. Labor is also a strong supporter of the international rules based system and the multilateral institutions which are at the heart of the system. Foreign aid is needed to help lift people out of poverty, suffering and despair. The challenge of tackling poverty remains urgent, despite remarkable progress over the last quarter of a century. More than one billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty since 1990, yet more than 700 million people around the world still live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than US$1.90 a day, and nearly half the world's population lives on less than US$5.50 a day. As Andrew Mitchell, former UK Secretary of State for International Development, said, there are 'deep discrepancies of opportunity and wealth which disfigure our world and which mean that some people live in grinding misery, fear and poverty, but they know, because of globalisation, that there are other parts of the world where people live in great luxury, wealth and success.' Consider what these levels of grinding poverty and economic underdevelopment mean in human terms. People go hungry every day; diseases which have been all but eradicated in rich countries, like tuberculosis, polio and malaria, remain prevalent; people suffer from illness and premature death because they do not have access to health care; people can't afford the basics of life, such as shelter, accommodation, electricity to power their homes, and access to clean water and decent sanitation; women and children suffer from violence; work can only be found in the informal sector where incomes are a pittance; and people live in daily destitution and despair, without hope for a better future for themselves and their families. Consider the following statistical snapshot of human suffering in the world's poor countries. More than 14,000 children under the age of five die every day, the vast majority of them in developing countries. Around 800 women die in childbirth or from pregnancy related causes every day, the vast majority in developing countries. One in every five preschool children in the world are stunted due to malnutrition. In sub-Saharan Africa, four in every 10 households don't have access to basic drinking water and more than half of all households do not have access to basic sanitation. Around the world, 940 million people live in households that do not have access to electricity. An estimated 438,000 people around the world died from malaria in 2015, more than half them were children under five years old. One in five children in the world live in combat zones. For every one combatant killed in war between 2013 and 2017 five children died. These are horrific figures. Facts and figures like this demonstrate the humanitarian case for aid. Fighting poverty through official development assistance is also in Australia's national interest. Helping developing countries to grow will promote Australia's interests in a prosperous, stable and secure region. Helping developing countries to grow will also create new economic, trade and investment opportunities for Australia. Development assistance helps poor countries to grow faster. The best way to lift people out of poverty and promote economic, social and human development is to foster economic growth in their countries. Fostering economic growth in developing countries, in turn, will be good for the Australian economy. It will directly support jobs and growth in Australia. As developing countries grow and industrialise they will expand markets for Australian exports of goods and equipment they need to power their economy. As the people of developing countries are lifted out of poverty they will expand the markets for Australian exports of goods and services. Two generations ago Australia's developing countries were amongst the poorest in the world. Today there are around 1.5 billion middle class consumers in the region. Australia exports $339 billion a year to Asian countries. Ten of Australia's top 15 export markets today are countries where we once provided foreign aid. Australia provided a total of $1.4 billion in ODA to China from the late 1970s to the mid-2010s. In 2018 alone Australia's exports to China were worth $136 billion. There are similar examples. Australia's ODA to Korea totalled $12 million between 1974-75 and 2004-05. In 2018 our exports to Korea were worth $26.6 billion. Australia's ODA to Singapore totalled $59 million between 1974-75 and 2004-05. In 2018 our exports to Singapore were worth just under $15 billion. Australia's ODA to Malaysia totalled $595 million between 1974-75 and 2017-18. In 2018 our exports to Malaysia were worth $10.1 billion. Research has shown that for every dollar of Australian aid to developing countries in Asia over the last three decades Australia has boosted its exports to those countries by $7. Tackling poverty abroad is also in Australia's interests because it means a more stable and secure region and world. Poverty and social inequalities can generate instability, insecurity and tensions in the international environment. By reducing economic and social disadvantage we tackle the root causes of instability and insecurity. This will not only improve the welfare of people in developing countries but also improve our own security. Poverty can breed security challenges like civil conflict, terrorism, transnational crime and irregular movement of people. Fighting poverty and building international cooperation through development assistance helps avoid these threats. Strategic competition in our region is growing. In that context, we need to engage with developing countries, especially in the Pacific where Australia has strategic interests. Defence investments alone can't keep Australia safe. Diplomacy and development are critical to countering threats before they reach our shores. It is increasingly recognised by our defence community that the economic, human and developmental dimensions of security need to be addressed, as well as military and geostrategic dimensions. As the chief of Australia's Defence Force, General Angus Campbell has said: Our national and regional security includes state and human security. It is inherently linked to the security of health, water, energy, food and economic systems. Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair has said: For policymakers in the West … security and development cannot be seen as separate issues. Development, foreign and security policy initiatives must be interlinked. Australia's former Chief of the Defence Force Air Chief Marshal Angus Houston has said, 'We need a better resourced diplomatic and military diplomatic function, particularly in South-East Asia and particularly out in the Pacific.' We need more aid to support our diplomacy. Over recent years we have been cutting aid again and again. What we need to do in the Pacific is provide aid. Supporting international development is squarely in Australia's interests and cutting aid, as this government has done, is contrary to those interests. Fighting global poverty is also the right thing to do. There is a clear moral case for helping people who are suffering, both at home and abroad. That's true for those who draw their moral framework from their religious faith especially. It's also true for those who take guidance from secular ethical principles. As World Vision has pointed out, the Bible is rich in wisdom about God's love for the poor and about our responsibility to help. The Bible tells us to feed the hungry and to welcome the stranger, to love our neighbour as we love ourselves. There are similar teachings about generosity and charity towards the poor in all the major religions—in Judaism, Islam, Hinduism and Buddhism, amongst others. In recent years, faith based organisations have increasingly been recognised for the important role they play in global poverty reduction. Secular ethical principles also tell us that taking action to reduce pain and suffering and increase welfare and wellbeing in other countries is the right thing to do. The Australian philosopher Peter Singer provided a compelling moral case for foreign aid in a famous article prompted by the plight of refugees from the Bangladesh independence war in 1971. Professor Singer wrote: … if it is in our power to prevent something bad from happening, without thereby sacrificing anything of comparable moral importance, we ought, morally, to do it. Foreign aid and economic development work. They save lives and promote growth, jobs, higher living standards and lower poverty in developing countries. More than one billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty since 1990, as developing economies have grown. Aid has played a part in driving the economic growth that has lifted incomes and reduced poverty. Studies using sophisticated statistical research techniques have consistently found that the provision of foreign aid to a country has a positive long-term impact on its growth. Economic growth is important, but it is not the only measure of the effectiveness of aid. Studies have shown that aid also generates improved educational attainment, with children staying in school longer, especially secondary school; better health outcomes, with positive impacts on life expectancy, infant mortality and public spending on health care; increased investment in infrastructure, like transport, factories, plants and equipment; structural economic change, with growth in manufacturing and service sectors relative to agriculture; and reductions in the numbers of people living in poverty. Aid also contributes to better social outcomes, such as fair treatment of women and children and people with disabilities. It contributes to better governance by building capacity and skills in political, legal and government institutions in developing countries. And, in the case of natural disasters, humanitarian crises, and conflict and violence, aid directly saves lives. Development is an area to which tens of thousands of ordinary Australians donate their time and money to help. Several of Australia's major charities and development NGOs are faith, community and workplace based organisations: churches; service organisations like Rotary and Lions; trade unions, through Union Aid Abroad, which I'm a proud member of; and the aid agencies which are household names in Australia, such as Save the Children, Red Cross, CARE Australia, World Vision, the Fred Hollows Foundation and many others. Some of the strongest Australian supporters of overseas development assistance include religious leaders, leading philanthropic organisations and individuals, and political leaders from both sides of politics—like Menzies, Fraser, Howard and Julie Bishop from the Liberal side; and Whitlam, Hawke, Rudd and Gillard from the Labor side. Australians are generous. In 2018, Australia ranked second, behind only Indonesia, in the CAF World Giving Index—a reflection of the willingness of Australians to help a stranger, donate to charity and volunteer. Helping the world's most disadvantaged people is an expression of Australian values. We are a country committed to the fair go, to extending a helping hand to the vulnerable, the disadvantaged and the dispossessed. Our social policies at home reflect that ethos in policies like Medicare, pensions, family benefits, the National Disability Insurance Scheme and assistance for Indigenous Australians, and so do our aid policies abroad. Through our aid program, we ameliorate suffering, help people in crisis and lift people out of poverty. I agree with the comments by the Minister for International Development and the Pacific, Mr Hawke, who said in a recent interview that Australians want the government to reflect their values and their generous spirit, including in the area of development assistance. Our international development programs and our participation in multilateral development institutions are an expression of our values as Australians: generosity, fairness and decency. That is why Labor supports this bill. Through this bill, the parliament will provide the executive government with a special appropriation from the Consolidated Revenue Fund for the purposes of meeting Australia's commitments to a range of multilateral development funds. I would like to provide the House with some detail about each of the multilateral funds covered by this bill's special appropriation. First, there is the International Development Association. The International Development Association is the World Bank's development arm. The International Development Association reduces poverty by providing loans and grants for people that boost economic growth, reduce inequalities and improve people's living conditions. It is one of the largest sources of assistance for the world's poorest countries and is the single largest source of donor funds for basic social services in these countries. Australia is one of more than 170 shareholding nations in the International Development Association. The International Development Association's 19th replenishment round, to cover the period from 2021 to 2023, is currently underway. I understand the important final replenishment meeting will be taking place in Sweden next month. Labor urges the government to maintain Australia's strong record of support for the World Bank's multilateral development activities in the commitments it makes in the 19th replenishment round. This bill will also support Australia's contribution to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative. These are debt relief arrangements administered by the International Development Association. They were launched by the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank in the mid-1990s and the mid-2000s respectively, with the aim of ensuring that no poor country faces a debt burden it cannot manage. To date, these initiatives have relieved 36 of the world's poorest countries of some US$99 billion of debt. This is helping to put these countries' public finances on a sustainable footing. That will allow their governments to implement reforms to boost their economies and to provide government services to the benefit of their populations. The bill's special appropriation will also support Australia's contribution to the Asian Development Bank's Asian Development Fund. The Asian Development Bank is one of Australia's most important multilateral development partners, because of its focus on the Asia-Pacific region. Its Asian Development Fund provides grants to low-income countries, particularly countries which are at risk of debt distress. These grants support programs which reduce poverty and promote a better quality of life in our region. According to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, in 2016 alone the Asian Development Fund built or upgraded 7,100 kilometres of road; installed 340,000 megawatts of renewable energy; developed irrigation, drainage and flood management on 410,000 hectares of land; provided new or improved educational facilities to 1.6 million students; trained 73,000 teachers; provided 3.5 million female students with a better education; delivered access to microfinance to around 18,000 women; and provided 205,000 households with new or improved water supply and 142,000 households with increased access to basic sanitation. The bill will also appropriate funds for Australia's contributions to two multilateral environmental funds: the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol. The Global Environment Facility is administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development. It was established in the lead-up to the 1992 Rio Earth Summit to help tackle environmental challenges such as biodiversity, land degradation, water management, sustainable management of forests, and climate change. The facility provides funding for developing countries and economies in transition to help them meet the objectives of international environmental conventions and agreements. It plays a significant role in tackling climate change, by helping developing countries to shift towards low-emission and climate-resilient development. The Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol provides funds to assist developing countries to phase out the use of substances which deplete the earth's ozone layer. Australia has supported the six funds covered by this bill for many years—indeed, for many decades in the case of the International Development Association and the Asian Development Fund—and this support has long been bipartisan in nature. Australia's commitment to the World Bank goes back to the international financial architecture adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War and the Chifley government's 1947 decision to support the Bretton Woods institutions. Australia became a founding member of the Asian Development Bank in 1966 under the Holt government. Australia became one of the first countries to ratify the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer under the Hawke government in 1987, and the Howard government committed Australia to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative in the 1990s and to the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative in 2005. Australia's funding commitments to multilateral development institutions are typically renewed every three to four years in replenishment pledges. These replenishment pledges often commit Australia to providing annual funding over several years. In the case of the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, for example, I understand Australia has committed to make annual funding contributions out to 2044. The extended nature of these commitments is why it is appropriate for parliament to make a special appropriation. An ongoing special appropriation will better align with the multiyear time frames of Australia's commitments to these funds than annual appropriations. Accordingly, Labor supports the passage of this bill. However, we wish to take this opportunity to raise our concern about the coalition government's cuts to Australia's aid budget and to raise our concern about the Prime Minister's undermining of Australia's role in multilateral institutions. We have moved the second reading amendment, which: (1) notes that Australia's Official Development Assistance (ODA) investments are an important way of advancing Australia's interests, projecting our values and tackling global poverty; Given the importance of Australia's ODA program, our second reading amendment goes on to express concern that the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison coalition government has slashed Australia's foreign aid budget—shamefully so. Since it came to office in 2013, this government has made massive cuts to Australia's foreign aid, cuts totalling $11.8 billion. Australia's aid spending is now one billion dollars a year lower than it was under Labor. In real terms, it is $1.5 billion lower. That is a national disgrace. And, as a result of these cuts, Australia's ODA is now on track to fall to 0.18 per cent of gross national income over the budget's forward estimates. This will be the lowest share of ODA as a share of gross national income since the Commonwealth started publishing data in 1961. So under Prime Minister Morrison, Australia's international aid is lower as a share of national income than it was under Menzies, Holt, Gordon, McEwen, Fraser and Howard. It is a shameful legacy of the Morrison government. Australia has slid down the international league table of aid donors. Under the former Labor government, Australia's aid budget as a share of GNI was in the middle of the pack amongst OECD countries. Under this coalition government, Australia has become one of the least generous of the OECD member countries, when it comes to ODA as a share of GNI. Australia has fallen from being the 13th-most generous OECD country in 2012 to the 18th spot in 2017, and is set to slide further. This comes as the challenge of tackling poverty is growing more severe, despite remarkable progress over the last quarter-century. As I have indicated, more than one billion people have been lifted out of extreme poverty since 1990, due in no small part to the growth of China and India. Yet more than 700 million people around the world still live in extreme poverty, surviving on less than US$1.90 a day, and nearly half the world lives on less than US$5.50 a day. Conservative governments in the United Kingdom have legislated to deliver ODA worth 0.7 per cent of Great Britain's gross national income. This conservative government in Australia has gone in the opposite direction. It has cut ODA: from 0.33 per cent of GNI, when it came to office, to 0.18 per cent by 2022-23. These cuts have been contrary to Australia's interests in promoting economic development and the prosperity, stability and security that economic development brings. The cuts are harming our international standing and our bilateral relationships. They are at odds with Australia's values as a generous nation, and they are hurting some of the poorest people in the world. Labor's second reading amendment goes on to raise our concerns about the government's undermining of Australia's engagement with multilateral institutions. There is a fundamental mismatch between the reality of this bill and the rhetoric indulged in by the Prime Minister. On the one hand, we have the reality of the bill's provisions, which appropriate funds for Australia's contributions to multilateral development institutions—institutions that further Australia's interests and that have enjoyed bipartisan support for decades. On the other hand, we have the deceptive rhetoric of the Prime Minister about so-called negative globalism and the political attacks on the multilateral institutions by the hard Right of the Liberal Party and the National Party in a shameful, shameful manner. Our second reading amendment notes: (3) … that active and engaged participation in multilateral institutions … is essential for advancing Australia’s interests … Further, the amendment: (4) expresses concern that the Prime Minister's recent public attacks on global institutions are contrary to Australia’s interests in an international rules-based order supported by multilateral institutions which promote economic growth, global security and human development". The gap between the Prime Minister's politically motivated rhetoric and the provisions of this bill exposes Mr Morrison's hypocrisy concerning international institutions. The Prime Minister is out there in the public arena undermining Australia's commitment to multilateral institutions with his rhetoric about negative globalism. At the same time, his government is bringing legislation like this into parliament to support Australia's contributions to those institutions. That is the worst sort of hypocrisy and dishonesty. The split personality of those opposite on multilateralism is not only evident in the contrast between this bill and the Prime Minister's rhetoric; it is evident in the fact that, under this government, multilateralism has become the policy that dare not speak its name. Let me give an example. Many members of this House are familiar with the work of the Global Fund, the multilateral health organisation which fights AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria. The Global Fund mobilises more than US$4 billion a year from governments around the world and from the private sector. This funding is used to support critical health programs run by local experts in more than 100 countries. The Global Fund saves millions of lives. The Global Fund has many supporters in the Australian community and on both sides of parliament. I acknowledge in particular the leadership of the member for Leichardt and the member for Newcastle in their advocacy for the Global Fund. Australia has been a longstanding supporter of the Global Fund, contributing more than $700 million since 2001. The fund's sixth replenishment conference was held in France in October. The replenishment conference secured pledges of US$14 billion over the next three years to step up the fight against these deadly epidemics, epidemics that must be brought under control. The Global Fund does great work saving the lives of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of human beings every year. I understand the member for Leichardt represented the Australian government at the conference. Australia pledged $242 million for the period from 2020 to 2022. I welcome that commitment on behalf of Labor. Yet I find it bizarre that the government doesn't want to talk about this pledge—a $242 million commitment by Australia to support work that will save countless lives around the world, funding that will prevent suffering from AIDS; stop children from dying from malaria; and tackle tuberculosis, which is prevalent in some of our nearest neighbours, such as Papua New Guinea. That's the kind of good news ministers usually want to promote, not hide. Yet the government has not said a word about its new commitment to the Global Fund. The Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for International Development and the Pacific haven't even issued a media release. There hasn't been a tweet or a Facebook post seen by the public. Is it because the government is incompetent or is it because it was politically unacceptable to tell the public that the government was contributing to a multilateral institution called the Global Fund at the same time that the Prime Minister was criticising multilateral institutions and negative globalism? How churlish is that, I ask? It's just another example of the Prime Minister's dishonest approach, playing political games rather than developing plans to tackle the important issues for the future. That's why Labor has moved this second reading amendment: to call out this government's inconsistency and hypocrisy, to hold it to account for its cuts to Australia's aid budget and to highlight the negative impacts of the Prime Minister's attempts to undermine the public support for multilateral institutions. Labor welcomes this bill because it will support Australia's continuing participation in multilateral development institutions. Unlike the Prime Minister, who says one thing while doing another, Labor is proud of Australia's support for multilateral development institutions and we are committed to Australia's foreign aid investments. That's because we know that a strong international development program and active engagement in global institutions will advance Australia's interests in a stable, secure and prosperous international environment. I commend the bill to the House. The DEPUTY SPEAKER DZP Is the amendment seconded? Ms Madeleine King 102376 I second the amendment and reserve my right to speak. Debate adjourned. Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Bill 2019 20

Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment (Sport Integrity Australia) Bill 2019

Third Reading 20 Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) Bill 2019 20

Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) Bill 2019

Second Reading 20 11:10 Mr DICK 53517 Oxley I'm pleased that the Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) Bill 2019 has come before the House today, as it gives both the government and those on this side of the House an opportunity to recommit our pledge to be a team player on the world stage and, in particular, to contribute our fair share to improve the lives of our Pacific neighbours close by. I am disappointed that not one government speaker is bothering to speak on this legislation today, because this is a very important issue. I follow on from the member for Shortland and his very considered remarks today about this issue. As he indicated, Labor supports this bill, which is a special appropriation to enable the government to meet its commitments to replenish a range of multilateral development funds over coming years. I want to outline those to the House today. They include the International Development Association, the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative, the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, the Asian Development Fund, the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, which provides assistance to developing countries in phasing out ozone-depleting substances. These multilateral funds carry out essential work in tackling poverty and promoting economic growth and sustainable development in some of the world's poorest countries. This is an important pillar in Australia's contribution to global economic and social development and to tackling environmental challenges. All of these funds are important, and I'm happy to see the government making strides towards meeting our commitments towards these initiatives. However, despite this, in recent times we've seen behaviour and actions from the government that would indicate that they are not prepared to be a genuine team player on the world stage and, in fact, are slowly eroding Australia's long-held reputation as a leader in the Pacific when it comes to international development. Since this government came to office in 2013, it has cut $11.8 billion from Australia's aid programs. Media reports earlier this year said these cuts were 'a dereliction of duty' towards helping our Pacific neighbours and those less fortunate around the world. As a result, Australian official development assistance is on track to fall to just 0.19 per cent of gross national income. This will be the lowest level of ODA as a share of gross national income since the Commonwealth started publishing the data in 1961. At its highest point, in 2012-13 under Labor, Australian aid reached 0.34 per cent of GNI. But, since then, we've seen cut after cut by this government. Aid is now falling even more quickly than it rose during the scale-up. It means that Australia is now the least generous we have been. Under Prime Minister Morrison, Australia's international aid is lower as a share of national income than it was under Liberal Prime Ministers Menzies, Holt, Gorton, McMahon, Fraser and Howard. Australia's aid budget as a share of GNI has fallen from the middle of the pack of the OECD to one of the least generous amounts ever offered within the OECD Development Assistance Committee member countries. I want to say very clearly to the House today, as someone who represents a large Pacific Islander community in the parliament of Australia, that this is embarrassing for us as a country. I know this because this week I met in person with representatives from the Micah Voices for Justice delegation, who visited Australia and Parliament House in their hundreds to have their message heard that Australia can and must do better. I was pleased to meet with: Reverend James Bhagwan, the general secretary of the Pacific Conference of Churches in Fiji; Reverend Ikani Tolu, the general secretary of the Tongan National Council of Churches; Reverend Sepi, the general secretary of the Anglican Diocese of Polynesia; and Robyn Robertson from Riverlife Baptist Church in my community. Riverlife Baptist Church do amazing work not just here in this country; their outreach across the world should be commended. We spoke about their vision for Australian aid and discussed how the 'Pacific step-up' can prioritise the needs of the region's most poor, vulnerable and oppressed. They were among over 200 Australian Christians, joined by 15 Pacific church leaders, who came to parliament to share their support for Australian aid and discuss what the 'Pacific step-up' means for Pacific people. Their key message was to call on the government to ensure our foreign aid policy empowers local communities in the Pacific to lead their own inclusive and sustainable development as well as recognising the needs of the most vulnerable, though often resilient, members of our Pacific family—women and children. This is reflected in five recommendations from Micah Australia as part of Australia's shifting aid focus to the Pacific: ensure the new aid policy empowers local communities in the Pacific to lead their own inclusive and sustainable development; ensure the new aid policy recognises the needs of the most vulnerable members of our Pacific family, particularly women and children; work with Australian church and Christian development agencies to leverage and amplify the strength of the Pacific church as a key partner for human development; ensure the new aid policy recognises the impact of climate change in the Pacific, including the increasing risk and impact of natural disasters; and ensure the 'Pacific step-up' is not at the cost of 'stepping down elsewhere in the world'. I thank Reverend Bhagwan, Reverend Tolu, Reverend Sepi, Robyn and all the delegates for their commitment, hard work and dedication to this cause. I'm someone who is going to keep fighting for this issue, because our community in this country and right across our region needs to have a stronger voice. I look forward to working with you to advance this and ensure that Australia meets its obligations to our Pacific neighbours and friends. I personally saw the positive impact our contribution makes when I visited the Solomon Islands in 2018. You hear and you read a lot about our Pacific neighbours, but seeing is believing. Sitting there with aid workers, church leaders and members of the community was an eye-opening experience. To see firsthand the poverty, the disadvantage, the violence and the family and domestic violence, in particular, was something that will stay with me for the rest of my life. There's no doubt that a well-funded and strategic foreign aid program definitely works. That's why I and the Labor Party on this side of the chamber are strong supporters of Australia's international development program. I want to acknowledge the work of the member for Shortland, our shadow foreign minister, Penny Wong, and a whole range of Labor frontbenchers who are raising this and keeping this a really strong issue not only in our country but right across the region. In particular, today, I want to acknowledge the work of the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Richard Marles, who has long had a passion and a desire to see these issues raised to front and centre of mainstream issues but who also is a firm believer in strong, deep and lasting relationships with our Pacific neighbours, as is the member for Brand, the shadow trade minister, who has done an enormous amount of policy work in this area. It benefits not only developing countries but also Australia as a nation. Growth in developing countries creates new trade and investment opportunities for Australia that will not only help lift people in developing countries out of poverty but also support Australian jobs. Tackling poverty in developing countries is also in Australia's national interest because it means a more stable and secure international environment in which we may do business and promote tourism. More than this, it is an investment in a better future for our neighbours and our world. Foreign aid improves things like education, health, gender equality, agriculture and economic development so developing countries can trade and compete in the international market. It helps create a significant difference in communities around the developing world, promoting social and economic stability, peace and prosperity, which benefits everyone. Every year, Australian aid improves the lives of literally millions of people around the world. Examples include a 25 per cent increase in the number of trained midwives in Fiji. As the son of a midwife, this is particularly important to me personally. It is also helping 87,000 people get access to safe water and sanitation in countries like Sri Lanka. But, whilst Australia continues to provide a track record in supporting these initiatives, the current Prime Minister continues to undermine our important role in the Pacific and, indeed, on the world stage. On the one hand, Prime Minister Morrison is out in the public area undermining Australia's commitment to multilateral institutions with his rhetoric about negative globalism. At the same time, his government is bringing legislation like this into the parliament to support Australia's contributions to those institutions. Which one is it? Earlier this year, when the Prime Minister was speaking at the Lowy Institute, he said: We should avoid any reflex towards a negative globalism that coercively seeks to impose a mandate from an often ill defined borderless global community. And worse still, an unaccountable internationalist bureaucracy. This bill exposes the Prime Minister's hypocrisy concerning the so-called unaccountable and internationalist institutions. It's another example of the Prime Minister's dishonest approach, the classic ad man tactic: playing political games rather than developing policies to tackle the important issues for the future. No wonder the broader community are saying our Prime Minister is nothing more than an ad man with no plan. On this side of the House we agree that active and engaged participation in multilateral institutions, including multilateral development institutions, is absolutely essential for advancing Australia's interest in a stable, secure and prosperous international environment and that the Prime Minister's recent public attacks on global institutions are contrary to Australia's interest in an international, rules based order supported by multilateral institutions which promote economic growth, global security and human development. I want to remind the Prime Minister and those opposite what our contributions to these multilateral institutions achieve on a global scale. Take, for example, the International Development Association, which is principally mentioned in this bill. Over the past decade, IDA financing has immunised 330 million children, provided access to better water services for 96½ million people, provided essential health services to 769 million people and recruited or trained more than 14 million teachers. So, when the Prime Minister takes pot shots at institutions like this, it's not leadership; it's cheap political pointscoring from an ad man. Our international development programs and our participation in multilateral development institutions are an expression of our values as Australians. That's why Labor supports the bill today. By reducing economic disadvantage, we tackle the root causes of instability and insecurity. This will not only improve the welfare of people in developing countries but also improve our own security. Since being elected to this place, I've had the absolute privilege and honour of visiting the Pacific. As I mentioned earlier in my remarks today, I have visited the Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga and Fiji. I did that because I wanted to have a deeper understanding of the residents that I represent. Over 60,000 people in the Oxley electorate were born in different countries, making it one of the most multicultural electorates in Australia. When I've met with Pacific islander leaders in my community, they've expressed to me their deep attachment and connection to their home countries. I feel that as well after visiting those countries, although briefly. Supporting international development is squarely in Australia's interest, but fighting global poverty is also the right thing to do, as the Christian leaders reminded me in my office this week. Helping the world's most disadvantaged people is an expression of Australian values. We are a country committed to a fair go and to helping the vulnerable and the disadvantaged, both at home and abroad. I commend this bill to the House and, once again, call on the government to continue with these initiatives so that we may truly be a team player on the global stage. 11:25 Mr KHALIL 101351 Wills The Official Development Assistance Multilateral Replenishment Obligations (Special Appropriation) Bill 2019 provides a special appropriation to enable the government to meet its commitments to replenish a range of multilateral development funds over the coming years. Such funds are of increasing importance, as they carry out essential work in tackling poverty and promoting economic growth and sustainable development in some of the world's poorest nations. Their work also plays a role in resolving environmental challenges and working on environmental challenges which require global cooperation. In summary they are: the International Development Association, which is the World Bank's development arm; the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative; the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative, a debt relief arrangement administered by the International Development Association; the Asian Development Fund, which provides development grants to low-income members of the Asian Development Bank; the Global Environment Facility Trust Fund, which is administered by the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development to support sustainable development activities around the world; and the Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol, which provides funds to help developing countries to phase out the use of substances which deplete the earth's ozone layer. Some here would remember that this was an initiative that the Hawke government signed very early on, in 1987. There has been bipartisan support for these multilateral funds for many, many years. Australia's commitment to the World Bank extends back to the international financial architecture which was adopted in the aftermath of the Second World War and the Chifley government's 1947 decision for Australia to join the Bretton Woods Institutions. As I said, we were one of the first countries to sign the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer, under the Hawke government in 1987. The Howard government's commitment to the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries Initiative and the Multilateral Debt Relief Initiative in 2005 demonstrates the level of bipartisanship. Labor understands the importance of development assistance to our national interests and its interrelated importance to humanitarian objectives. In fact, I would argue that they're not mutually exclusive. That's why we support the passage of this bill. However, it is important to articulate or at least express our concern with the Prime Minister's undermining, overall, of Australia's official development assistance and, as a corollary, undermining of our role in multilateral institutions. Since this government came to office in 2013, they've continued to cut the budget for Australia's development assistance program, totalling $11.8 billion. Our international aid and development assistance is now lower as a share of national income than it was under Liberal Prime Ministers Menzies, Holt, Gorton, McMahon, Fraser and Howard, and under Prime Minister Morrison it's at the bottom of the pile. Of course, it's for historians to determine whether he's at the top of the list as the worst Liberal Prime Minister ever, but I would suspect, particularly in this case, he's made a very strong case for that prize. We are one of the least generous nations amongst Development Assistance Committee member countries. Is that how we want to be known? It's important to look at the impacts of cutting $11.8 billion during this period. It has significant and severe impacts. It's harming our international standing and our bilateral relationships. It's at odds with our Australian values as a generous nation, as we've heard from previous speakers. Importantly, there's a demonstrable link between the development assistance program that we deliver and our national interest. A report by Save the Children highlighted a number of statistics that demonstrated that inequality harms economic growth because it is a barrier to sustainable and inclusive growth, that it entrenches discrimination, that it undermines social and political cohesion, and that it creates the conditions for political and social tensions to be exacerbated. Instability and conflict flow from that. So helping these developing countries to grow economically, socially and in their governance actually promotes Australia's national interests. We want to see a prosperous, stable and secure region—that's the purpose of those programs. One example is gender. Labor has consistently articulated a clear vision in relation to the importance of foreign aid and development in addressing gender inequality. Throughout the developing world women are confronted with a plethora of challenges. We have played a role, and play a role, in addressing those challenges, and that includes efforts to promote women's human rights in accordance with the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women. For instance, Australia's foreign aid contribution could have a meaningful impact on promoting women's empowerment by funding educational programs and initiatives aimed at ensuring women have fair and equal access to education, training and employment programs. Labor support eliminating the cultural and economic barriers faced by children—in particular, young girls—attending school: child labour, child trafficking, child marriage, safety to and from school, community attitudes and teaching practices. I've seen this firsthand. On a trip to Myanmar, on a delegation made up of a number of MPs from all sides of politics, we saw the impact of our development assistance program on communities. The women in those communities who took charge of the funds—and, I've got to say this: on average, men are more corrupt—were thinking intergenerationally. There was less corruption. They were thinking about the future of their children and grandchildren in the community. The success stories there were very, very striking. Our development assistance also plays a role in the context of the impact of climate change on our Pacific Island neighbours. In the Pacific the impact of climate change has the potential to actually reverse the reduction in poverty that has been made in the past 30 years. Whilst sea rise of a few centimetres will have an impact for us here in Australia, those same changes are catastrophic and absolutely devastating for the people of Tuvalu, for example. Yet, in the recent OECD report, it was noted that Australia spends less on development supporting climate change than any other OECD countries—13 per cent of Australia's development assistance in 2015 compared to a 26.2 per cent average for the other OECD countries. Conservative estimates indicate that the impacts of climate change will result in more than a hundred million additional people being pushed into poverty by 2030. Unless you're in the coalition government, there's little doubt that climate change and climate change related disasters clearly pose risk to economic growth, poverty reduction, education, health and regional security in the Pacific. Tackling issues such as these through our soft power, our development assistance, generates stability and not only improves the welfare of people in developing countries but also improves our own security. So supporting international development is squarely in Australia's national interest. There are many academics that talk about and have done very important analyses around the impacts of development assistance. Two academics, Betts and Collier, who talk about philosophies behind humanitarian assistance, summarise it as the head and the heart. The heart is the compassion—the moral underpinning of aid programs. You could argue it's intrinsically linked to our Australian spirit, our Australian values, the boundless plains to share and the values that promote egalitarianism and fairness. The head is the logical and evidence based benefits of an effective aid program: trade, security, stability, prosperity. Labor has agreed to improve our aid program, our official development assistance program, because we understand both the head and the heart of development assistance policy. We welcome this bill because it supports Australia's continuing participation in multilateral development institutions. We're committed to strengthening Australia's foreign aid investment because an active international development program will further our national interest in a stable, secure and prosperous international environment. 11:36 Dr LEIGH BU8 Fenner This bill enjoys bipartisan support. It involves increasing Australia's commitment by providing replenishment funds to six multilateral development organisations. But it comes at a time when aid has been savagely cut to the lowest level since records began. Since the government came to office in 2013, it has cut nearly $12 billion from Australia's aid programs. That means aid as a share of national income is lower now than it was under Liberal prime ministers Menzies, Holt, Gordon, McMahon, Fraser and Howard. Those governments recognised the importance of overseas aid, not just in alleviating poverty but also in building trade in our region, and also in ensuring that our region is safer. We used to be a donor that sat in about the middle of the OECD pack, but our generosity has now fallen to the point where we are one of the least generous countries in the OECD. Direct aid to Pakistan has been halved from $39 to $19 million. Aid to Cambodia has dropped from $56 million to $43 million. As former World Vision chief Tim Costello has said, the diversion of aid from countries like Pakistan to fund the 'Pacific step-up' has meant that Australia's international interests are jeopardised. As he said: Aid is soft power and even defence and security people in Australia are starting to speak up and say we've cut aid too much. Aid is now at the lowest level that it has ever been in Australia's history, according to records we have going back. This is a direct threat to Australia's national interest. In real terms, the coalition has cut aid in every one of its budgets since coming to office. In nominal terms, aid was $5 billion and going upwards when Labor left office. Now it's $4 billion and going downwards as a share of national income. This is a travesty. It impacts on Australia's ability to do good in the world. It impacts on Australia's ability to ensure that our values are propagated. When we cut aid to some of the most vulnerable countries, we leave them exposed to the challenges of child malnutrition, infectious diseases and climate change. We leave them exposed to significant risks from violent extremism. Australian aid saves lives. When we cut the aid budget, people lose their lives. It's as simple as that. Tim Costello has estimated that hundreds of thousands of people have lost their lives as a result of Australia's aid cuts. As a child, I lived in Indonesia for three years and in Malaysia for a year. I've seen firsthand the impact that Australian aid had in those communities. My predecessor, Bob McMullan, said that the most rewarding thing that he did during his two decades in politics was to serve as parliamentary secretary under the Rudd government and oversee the disability-inclusive development program in Indonesia. There are now thousands of Indonesian schools that are wheelchair accessible as a result of Australia's aid programs. Where a child in a wheelchair might not otherwise have been able to attend school, they now can do so as a result of Australia's aid program. The strong number of Labor members in the House right now is, I believe, a testimony to the strong support for aid on this side of the House—the pride that Labor has in the aid program, reflected by the willingness of Labor members to be here and speak and recognise the importance of aid. You can see this in the speaking list. The coalition ran out after a speaker or two, but Labor speakers are committed to being here, to speaking about the importance of aid. We understand that foreign aid is vital to Australia's values in the community. Australian aid needs to ensure that we do in the world what we are best at—not just helping out countries in our region but also working in areas such as Mining for Development. I recognise the Gillard government's establishment of the Mining for Development program, putting in place Australia's expertise in ensuring that the resource curse is turned into a resource blessing. There is also dryland farming, where Australia has a role in providing assistance not just to countries in our region but also to countries in Africa, ensuring that their farmers learn from the way Australia has managed to boost our agricultural sector in regions like the wheat belt in Western Australia. Those learnings from mining and agriculture can be powerfully conveyed to other countries, ensuring that their prosperity grows, that those countries provide greater prosperity to their citizens, ensuring that they're able to bring people out of poverty. Australian aid has also been characterised by our success in fragile states. Australia has been successful in the Solomons, where the intervention managed to stabilise a vulnerable country. Our intervention in East Timor marks the best of post-crisis policing and stands in significant contrast to other interventions, in parts of the Middle East. There's much that can be taken from our work in fragile states—much that we can do to help stabilise in a post-crisis environment. Australia does this well. Australia's ability to use a ready smile and gentle community policing has helped to save lives in these vulnerable fragile states. So we ought to look, in our aid program, not just to our region—and of course we support the 'Pacific step-up', but we also need to look to our expertise in mining, in dryland farming and in fragile states. And the 'Pacific step-up' cannot work without a commitment to climate change. When people like the Minister for Home Affairs are making jokes about water lapping around ankles in Pacific atolls, it is impossible for Australia to operate with sufficient credibility in the Pacific region. So long as emissions are rising in Australia and there is no commitment to tackling climate change, Australia cannot fully engage with the Pacific. For the Pacific, climate change isn't someone else's issue; it is a genuine existential threat. As long as Australia fail to act on climate change, as long as we're a country that are unable to cut emissions, as long as we're a country that oversee rising emissions, our engagement with the Pacific will always be second best. Australia needs a stronger aid program. We need to engage with the region through providing the assistance to our region that befits a country of our standing. So often we hear from those opposite the notion that Australia ought to simply step back, that we can't do anything to solve the world's problems. As Ross Garnaut once put it, it's the philosophy that Australia is 'a pissant country', that Australia cannot play a role in tackling world poverty, climate change and natural disasters. But Australia is not a pissant country. Australia sits comfortably within the G20. We were, at one time, the 12th largest economy in the world. We've now slipped a number of places under the coalition; growth has slipped under their watch. But we are still a country that can play a significant role in climate change, in poverty alleviation and in dealing with instability in the world. It was under Labor that Australia took a seat on the United Nations Security Council. It was under Labor that Australia saw the G20 become the pre-eminent body to respond to the global financial crisis. And it was under Labor that that we secured the G20 meetings in Brisbane. Labor recognises that Australia has a powerful role to play on the world stage, and at this time in history it is so disappointing to see the coalition taking a little-Australia approach, seeing Australia having no role to tackle these huge challenges. Manning Clark spoke about two groups in Australian public life: the enlargers and the straiteners. We've seen the straiteners take over under the coalition. The Abbott, Turnbull and Morrison governments have been governments of the straiteners—governments who are unable to see Australia's proud role in the past, unable to recognise that global engagement hasn't just been a story of Evatt and Whitlam, Hawke and Keating, Rudd and Gillard, proud as those records have been. They have failed to recognise that it was Robert Menzies who ensured that Australia's aid program to Indonesia involved a volunteers program, set up by people like Jamie Mackie and Herb Feith, which saw Australia use our soft power in the region. They've failed to recognise that there is a coalition legacy of overseas development assistance—a coalition legacy that recognises the value of providing aid to countries that need it, a coalition legacy that recognises that Australia is at our best when we have inclusive values domestically and when we assist others in the world. There is a lack of vision from the coalition at a time when the world is looking for global leadership. How much more could Australia be doing at a time when the United States is distracted by internal political conflict, impeachment hearings into the President, and a President who takes a more restrictive view of America's role abroad? How much more could Australia be doing at a time when Britain is distracted by Brexit and there is an opportunity for Australia to step up on the world stage—not just a Pacific step-up, but a global step-up? That would require Australia to have a serious aid program. It would require Australia to have an overseas development assistance program which befits the size of our nation, which befits the notion of Australia as a proud country with much to do on the global stage. The role that Australian aid has had in the Asia-Pacific region has changed lives. I still have friendships with my Indonesian schoolmates, which were forged in part because of my parents working on overseas aid programs and recognising the value of dealing with crises in Indonesia. In the wake of the tsunami that hit Indonesia some years ago, my father worked in rebuilding programs in Aceh at a time when Australia's aid program played a significant role. Yes, we should be there for disaster alleviation, but we should also be there for institution-building; we should also be there for providing vaccinations and building schools. As the coalition has pulled these resources out, Australia has failed to do our bit in alleviating global poverty, as with climate change, as with dealing with violent extremism. We can't solve the problem alone, but we are a significant middle power, and we can act in concert with other middle powers in order to help achieve a positive result. Labor has a history of doing this, in establishing the APEC leaders meetings. We did this through putting in place the Cairns Group of agricultural free-trading nations that helped bring a successful close to the last world trade agreement. It has been a long time between world trade agreements and a long time since we had an Australian government that was willing to act on multilateralism. Instead, we have a coalition government committed only to bilateral deals—sometimes deals that produce positive results, and we'll support them when they are there. But the big gains from trade come from multilateral trade liberalisation. That's where we get poverty alleviation. That's where we get the massive benefits to communities. Aid and trade, working together, can bring millions out of poverty. But, under the coalition, Australia's stepped back from that key role on the world stage. We've stepped back from our historic mission to make a safer world—a world in which trade is able to save lives and a world in which aid is able to save lives. I conclude where I started: we welcome this bill, but there is much more to be done, and much more that could be done, if we had a government committed to reducing poverty in our region. 11:51 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That the debate be adjourned. QUESTIONS TO THE SPEAKER 26 QUESTIONS TO THE SPEAKER Member for North Sydney 27 11:58 Mr BURKE DYW Watson Earlier today you read a statement out from the Federation Chamber concerning conduct in the Federation Chamber. I was alerted earlier today that, while the member for Sydney was speaking, the member of the Speaker's panel who was chairing the Federation Chamber, the member for North Sydney, was actively from the chair encouraging members of the government to move that the member be no longer heard. I would ask you to view the video. I have now had a look at the video, and it is completely consistent with the reports I have received that a member of the Speaker's panel was using the position of chair to encourage members of the government to move that a member be no further heard. I ask that you view the video and report back to the House given the seriousness of what this means for the office of chair in this parliament. 11:59 The SPEAKER 00APG I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for raising that matter with me. I will consult with the Deputy Speaker and, obviously, make inquiries of the relevant panel member mentioned. But can I reiterate, since everyone's here, there have been complaints I've received about the Federation Chamber—multiple complaints, involving multiple members from each side. The statement the Leader of the House referred to this morning was, unfortunately, ignored again today. And, whilst he's raised the matter, the Federation Chamber, because of the conduct of members in there, is not sitting and won't sit until next year. So the chances of any poor behaviour occurring in the Federation Chamber are zero between now and February next year. Given the matter's before the House, I'll reflect on it and I'll report back, but it won't be today. BUSINESS 27 BUSINESS Rearrangement 27 12:00 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That business intervening before order of the day No. 17, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. 12:01 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I rise to speak against this motion. There is a program that is given for members of parliament to be able to prepare— 12:01 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That the motion be put. The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the House has moved that the motion be put— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on both sides, for the benefit of all members I need to actually state what has happened, because they don't always hear when there is the level of interjecting we have had. The Leader of the House has moved that the motion be put. The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order. Mr Albanese R36 I refer to page 529 of House of Representatives Practice, 'Closure of member'. It says: With the exceptions stated below, any Member may move at any time that a Member who is speaking 'be no longer heard' and the question must be put immediately and resolved without amendment or debate. It goes on to say: The standing order was introduced at a time when there were no time limits on speeches and, in moving for its adoption, Prime Minister Deakin said— Mr Sukkar interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on my right! Government members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on my right will cease interjecting or they won't be here for what I suspect are impending divisions. The Leader of the Opposition is entitled to raise a point of order, I'm entitled to hear it and I'm going to hear it. Mr Albanese R36 It goes on to quote Prime Minister Deakin, on introducing it. He said: The … new standing order need rarely, if ever, be used for party purposes, and never, I trust, will its application be dictated by partisan motives. Mr Speaker, if you read House of Reps Practice, pages 529 and 530, which I'm sure you will, it provides— The SPEAKER 00APG Can I just say to the Leader of the Opposition— Mr Albanese R36 Which I'm sure you have. The SPEAKER 00APG I have, yes. Mr Albanese R36 I'm sure you have. I'm sure you've read every single word on every page, Mr Speaker, and that shows. It clearly provides scope for the Speaker, in my view, to determine whether the use of this particular method is designed purely to shut down essentially democratic debate in this chamber. It is my view that the government is using this provision to shut down democratic debate in this parliament, and it's an abuse of our democratic processes. The SPEAKER 00APG I think the Leader of the Opposition has raised his point, and I would like to address it. Like me, he's a keen student of the Practice. I know most of you read other books at night, but I certainly read the Practice. I have read that section, and it was of interest to me. It caused me to request the Hansard of that period that's footnoted there, and there are two things there. What the Leader of the Opposition said is accurate from the Practice. That was certainly Prime Minister Deakin's expectation when the standing orders were introduced, and two things happened, according to my memory of reading the Hansard. One was that he said that; the other is that they did introduce time limits as well. They were more significant time limits than we have today and he did make that point. But the point I need to make as Speaker is it turned out that he wasn't right about that and those who opposed him at the time did predict that, if you look at the Hansard. It's been the practice of this House for questions like 'the motion be put' in this way for a long, long period of time. So, whilst I appreciate the historical point the Leader of the Opposition is making, and that he has certainly read all of that, the practice of Speakers hasn't been to go back a century and then rule in a way that might have been preferred back then. Ultimately, these questions are matters for the House and they're a matter for a vote. My duty is to put that question, so that's what I'm going to proceed to do. The question is that the question be now put.

The House divided. [12:07]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 73 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 67 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

 12:10 The SPEAKER 00APG The question now is that the motion moved by the minister be agreed to.

The House divided. [12:10]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

73 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 67 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

 BILLS 30 BILLS Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019 30

Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity) Bill 2019

Second Reading 30 12:11 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That the question be put. The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the House has moved that the question be put. All those of that opinion say aye, to the contrary no. I think the ayes have it. Division required? Ring the bells for one minute. A division having been called and the bells being rung— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on both sides! Member for McMahon, there is still time for me to invoke standing order 94(a). A division having been called and the bells having been rung— Mr Hill interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Bruce will not have his argument through me. I need to try and maintain order. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on my left! The member for Bruce will contain himself. Mr Albanese R36 Mr Speaker— Mr Hill interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Bruce will cease interjecting. I'm going to respond to the Leader of the Opposition. I can only administer the rules as they are. I appreciate members have strong feelings on the matter, but there is no point in the member for Bruce shouting at me to try and get a legislative outcome. He well knows I'm the umpire. I have the rules. The rules are there. The House has agreed to them. The Leader of the House is acting within the rules. I understand the passions of those on my left, but shrieking at me in an uncontrollable fashion, asking me to do something, is patently absurd. You are asking me to break the rules. I can operate only within the rules that are there. The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order? Mr Albanese R36 Yes, Mr Speaker. I respect the views that you have put, and they are correct, and you are not responsible for this. However, this very institution exists so that people will have a voice. Mr Porter interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG No, he is responding absolutely within the conventions while the division is taking place. Mr Albanese R36 This parliament exists, and democracy exists, so that people will have a voice—not just majority voices, but the people, such as those who voted to send people to this chamber, representing Grayndler or Watson or Brand, get a voice, as well as the crossbenchers. This is not a totalitarian state. Opposition members: It's getting very close. Mr Albanese R36 It's getting very close, and this undermining of democracy in this chamber by this government is unprecedented. Mr Burke DYW On a point of order, Mr Speaker, referring to the comments that you made from the chair earlier: your role and your office, we respect, as it says in Practice, as 'an essential feature of the parliamentary system'. We don't have a parliamentary system if there is no debate, by definition, and the normal mechanisms that you would have, as the chair, to throw people out, are actually irrelevant if they're not allowed to make speeches anyway. The precedent that is happening now is not a debate management motion but a complete silencing of anything other than the government voice. There is no precedent in the Menzies government. There is no precedent in the Howard government. What is happening right now is a change in the role of this House as to whether it is a parliamentary debating chamber or whether it is here only for the voice of the Prime Minister and his chosen ministers. The SPEAKER 00APG As I've said to both the Leader of the Opposition—indeed, to all members of the House—and as they've acknowledged, I can operate only within the standing orders, and the Leader of the House is operating within the standing orders. I understand the frustration of members on my left, but to ask me to act in any other way—of course, I cannot do. Mr Albanese R36 Point of order: we are being asked now to vote to put legislation which I don't have. There are no copies anywhere. I haven't seen it. How can we possibly do that? Is it within standing orders for us to be voting on legislation—I don't know what it is, substantial or not. There has been no second reading amendment. There is no speech from the government today. Is it appropriate for us to be voting on this without having copies of it? The SPEAKER 00APG As I said yesterday— Ms Catherine King interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Member for Ballarat, do you wish me to address the point of order from the Leader of the Opposition? I addressed this issue yesterday, and what is required is that there are sufficient copies of the legislation. That is always done. As I also said, it's never been the practice or the convention of the House that there are enough copies at a given point in time for every member. Indeed, as I said yesterday, if members want to have a very strict ruling on that, I'd be compelled to have strict rulings on all sorts of other matters, including how questions are asked. So it's been the convention of this House that we're governed by the standing orders and the Practice. Mr Albanese R36 I understand that, Mr Speaker. There are none—zero. The SPEAKER 00APG Well, I'll just check with the clerks. Mr Albanese R36 There are none—not a single one. The SPEAKER 00APG You've raised your point of order. I'm consulting. I'm advised now that there aren't copies there. What I said yesterday was that there needed to be sufficient copies of the legislation, not enough for 150 people but that they be there and they be replenished. It is the case—and I urge members to hear me out on this point—that, on occasion, Speakers have said it's sufficient that there are copies on the APH website. I myself, whilst I have made that point, haven't been comfortable with that, because I don't think that it's sufficient when you're in a debate to be looking at legislation on a phone or a tablet. So what I am going to rule is: there need to be copies there. I thought the copies that were there were the copies of the legislation. The Manager of Opposition Business. Mr Burke DYW Given that the motion before us right now is that the question be put and, if that is carried, the House will be compelled to immediately vote on the second reading of a bill which is not present in the chamber, I think we are now in the situation, given the ruling you've just given, where the House cannot proceed. If we resolve that a question be put and under standing orders it can't be, then I don't see how we can go forward without the House adjourning for a period. The SPEAKER 00APG I just say to the Manager of Opposition Business: I've got no intention of suspending the sitting. I've now been advised there were some copies on the table. I'm going to be very practical and note—can we be straightforward about it? I'm trying to be as clear as I can. I said yesterday I thought there needed to be sufficient copies and they be replenished. I was advised there were some but they've been taken. I'm not going to proceed further until there are more copies. Now, the difficulty we have is we're in a division and the doors are locked. That's the position we have. Mr Burke DYW But the additional problem is the motion that's before us allows no time, if it's carried, for those copies to be then spread around the chamber, where people are meant to be immediately casting a decision on this bill. The SPEAKER 00APG I'm just going to reflect on that point. Mr Dreyfus interjecting— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG No, I'm sorry, that was my error. That was my error. We're in a situation where the doors are locked. The division hasn't been reported yet. As Speaker, what I require is that there be copies of the legislation there. So, in order to proceed, that needs to be facilitated in some way. Mr Porter 208884 There were copies tabled upon introduction yesterday. There were further copies presented yesterday. There were copies tabled today. They were taken out of the chamber by members opposite. Mr Dreyfus HWG No, there weren't. Mr Porter 208884 There were 10 copies taken out of the chamber by members opposite. Mr Dutton interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The Minister for Home Affairs is warned. In a point of order from the Leader of the House, I'm not going to have the Minister for Home Affairs barking at me in the way the member for Bruce was. This is obviously a matter of contention. I have received updated advice that 60 copies had obviously been provided when the bill was before the House yesterday, and another 10 this morning. That's what I'm being advised. They were here in the House. Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG No. You can say you haven't got one. That doesn't mean they weren't here, member for Gorton. Mr Burke DYW Point of order, just on what you were saying: I'm not aware of any bills being available on the table during the time that we have been debating this legislation. The SPEAKER 00APG I'm in the hands of the House. As you can see, I'm trying to find a resolution to this problem. I'm not seeking that the government not act within the standing orders. I'm not doing that at all. We've spent a lot of time on this now and, obviously, the government is seeking to move quickly. I think it's reasonable there be copies of the legislation here, notwithstanding the motions that have been moved. That's what I think. I don't think it's satisfactory to proceed with a bill when there are no copies here. That's my view. The Leader of the House, on a point of order? Mr Porter 208884 With respect to your view, Mr Speaker, I would move the suspension of the House for 15 minutes while the copies are retrieved and placed on the table. The SPEAKER 00APG The Manager of Opposition Business? Mr Burke DYW If you want leave to call off this division so that the Leader of the House can move that way, leave will be granted. The SPEAKER 00APG I think that's what we require, because we're in a division. Given the point of order from the Leader of the House, we can do one of two things. The important thing is we get the copies of the legislation in here. The Leader of the House has suggested that the House suspend for 15 minutes, and it's within my power to do that. What we should do is call the division off first. But, while those copies are being obtained—it might be 15 minutes or it might be shorter, as they might be out there, I'm not sure—rather than suspending, I just put it to the House that once the division is called off we could go back to the bill that was there— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG You don't wish to do that? Okay. In that case, we'll call the division off. Given the area we're in with standing orders and Practice, I'll put that as a motion. All those of that opinion say aye; to the contrary no. The division is off. The doors can be opened. It being 12.30 pm, the sitting is suspended until the ringing of the bells. Sitting suspended from 12:30 to 13:01 The SPEAKER 00APG I just say to members, obviously, the clerks, the attendants—everyone was in a difficult position because the points of order that were made, with respect to the number of copies of the bill, were made during the division, which meant no-one could move, as the Manager of Opposition Business pointed out when the Leader of the House was coming to speak to me, at my request. I have been able to ascertain some facts. I realise that emotions are running high. I can report, notwithstanding the view—and it seemed a very passionate view—that there were no bills present, that wasn't correct, and I have checked. There were bills present. I'm not going to have an argument about this, because I'm not going to— Government members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Those interjecting on my right are not helping. I am just going to work on the basis that that was a genuine belief. Anything else on the matter doesn't matter, because there were, prior to the ringing of the bells, I think, 25 or 22 copies. Some had been taken while the bells were ringing. I've seen that myself, and now I'm going to ask the Serjeant to bring in, I think, about another 40 or 50 copies. I am just going to make clear: that is more than is the case on every other occasion, and there are more being printed now. They will continue to come forward. That is all I can do. I'm not going to entertain any debate on the matter, on that subject, any further. We now can proceed with where we were, and I will again put the question that the motion be put.

The House divided. [13:07]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 73 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 67 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

 13:10 The SPEAKER 00APG The question is that the bill be now read a second time.

The House divided. [13:10]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 75 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharkie, RCC Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Steggall, Z Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 64 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.
Bill read a second time.

 Third Reading 36 13:11 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the motion for the third reading being moved without delay. The SPEAKER 00APG The Manager of Opposition Business, on a point of order? Mr Burke DYW This is a government of double standards. It's a born-to-rule government of double standards. The SPEAKER 00APG The Manager of Opposition Business will resume his seat. Mr PORTER 208884 I move: That the question be put. The SPEAKER 00APG The question is the motion moved by the Leader of the House be agreed to.

The House divided. [13:13]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 73 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 67 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

 13:15 The SPEAKER 00APG The question now is that the motion moved by the minister be agreed to. The Manager of Opposition Business? Mr Burke DYW This is unprecedented— The SPEAKER 00APG No, no. I'm now actually putting the motion. Mr Burke DYW I know, but you gave me the call, so I gave it a go. We don't get many chances here anymore. The SPEAKER 00APG You'd better resume your seat. The question is that the motion moved by the Leader of the House be agreed to.

The House divided. [13:16]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 73 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 67 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

13:17 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That this bill be now read a third time. 13:17 Mr BURKE DYW Watson You would have thought members of parliament were allowed to make speeches. It's not that outrageous. 13:18 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That the question be now put. The SPEAKER 00APG The question is that the motion be put.

The House divided. [13:19]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 73 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 67 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

13:20 The SPEAKER 00APG The question is that this bill be now read a third time.

The House divided. [13:21]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 75 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharkie, RCC Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Steggall, Z Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 65 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.
Bill read a third time.

MOTIONS 41 MOTIONS Morrison Government 41 13:22 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I seek leave to move the following motion: That the House: (1) notes that: (a) moments ago, this government sought to prevent any debate on the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity No.2) Bill 2019; (b) this is a chamber made up of people's representatives and it is constituted for the purposes of discussion, scrutiny and debate of legislation and other important matters; (c) preventing any debate on a bill proposed for passage through this House is anti-democratic; (d) this is a prime ministerial tantrum with the Prime Minister of Australia behaving like a juvenile schoolyard bully just because he didn't get his way last week. (2) Therefore the House condemns the Prime Minister for: (a) his petulance, intemperance, contempt for democracy and disdain for anyone who disagrees with him; (b) thinking none of the usual rules of integrity and accountability apply to him. Leave not granted. Mr BURKE DYW I move: That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Manager of Opposition Business from moving the following motion immediately: That the House: (1) notes that: (a) moments ago, this government sought to prevent any debate on the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Ensuring Integrity No.2) Bill 2019; (b) this is a chamber made up of people's representatives and it is constituted for the purposes of discussion, scrutiny and debate of legislation and other important matters; (c) preventing any debate on a bill proposed for passage through this House is anti-democratic; (d) this is a prime ministerial tantrum with the Prime Minister of Australia behaving like a juvenile schoolyard bully just because he didn't get his way last week. (2) Therefore the House condemns the Prime Minister for: (a) his petulance, intemperance, contempt for democracy and disdain for anyone who disagrees with him; (b) thinking none of the usual rules of integrity and accountability apply to him. He believes in every other Australian being silent. That's what this mob are about. Born to rule— 13:25 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That the Member be no longer heard. The SPEAKER 00APG The question is that the Manager of Opposition Business be no further heard. The SPEAKER 00APG We're in another inelegant part where we've got to 1.30. The question that was before the House has been resolved. We went past 1.30 a minute or so ago, so what we'll need to do now is go to members' 90-second statements. Later in the day, we'll resume.

The House divided. [13:29]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)

 73 AYES Alexander, JG Allen, K Andrews, KJ Andrews, KL Archer, BK Bell, AM Broadbent, RE Buchholz, S Chester, D Christensen, GR Conaghan, PJ Connelly, V Coulton, M Drum, DK (teller) Dutton, PC Entsch, WG Evans, TM Falinski, JG Fletcher, PW Flint, NJ Frydenberg, JA Gee, AR Gillespie, DA Goodenough, IR Hammond, CM Hastie, AW Hawke, AG Hogan, KJ Howarth, LR Hunt, GA Irons, SJ Joyce, BT Kelly, C Laming, A Landry, ML Leeser, J Ley, SP Littleproud, D Liu, G Marino, NB Martin, FB McCormack, MF McIntosh, MI McVeigh, JJ Morrison, SJ Morton, B O'Brien, LS O'Brien, T O'Dowd, KD Pasin, A Pearce, GB Porter, CC Price, ML Ramsey, RE (teller) Robert, SR Sharma, DN Simmonds, J Stevens, J Sukkar, MS Taylor, AJ Tehan, DT Thompson, P Tudge, AE van Manen, AJ Wallace, AB Webster, AE Wicks, LE Wilson, RJ Wilson, TR Wood, JP Wyatt, KG Young, T Zimmerman, T 67 NOES Albanese, AN Aly, A Bandt, AP Bird, SL Bowen, CE Burke, AS Burney, LJ Burns, J Butler, MC Butler, TM Byrne, AM Chalmers, JE Clare, JD Coker, EA Collins, JM Conroy, PM Dick, MD Dreyfus, MA Elliot, MJ Fitzgibbon, JA Freelander, MR Georganas, S Giles, AJ Gorman, P Gosling, LJ Haines, H Hayes, CP Hill, JC Husic, EN Jones, SP Kearney, G Keogh, MJ Khalil, P King, CF King, MMH Leigh, AK Marles, RD McBride, EM Mitchell, BK Mitchell, RG Mulino, D Murphy, PJ Neumann, SK O'Connor, BPJ O'Neil, CE Owens, JA Payne, AE Perrett, GD Plibersek, TJ Rishworth, AL Rowland, MA Ryan, JC (teller) Sharkie, RCC Shorten, WR Smith, DPB Stanley, AM (teller) Steggall, Z Swanson, MJ Templeman, SR Thistlethwaite, MJ Thwaites, KL Vamvakinou, M Watts, TG Wells, AS Wilkie, AD Wilson, JH Zappia, A 0 PAIRS

Question agreed to.

 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS 44 STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction 44 13:31 Mr WATTS 193430 Gellibrand Last weekend, while pondering the sitting before Christmas, I tweeted about the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction's first speech in this place and his dispatches from the front line on the war on Christmas. The response was unexpected. It was a cautionary tale straight from Aesop's Fables that summed up the minister's career to date. You could call it The Boy Who Cried Wolf. Here's how it goes: once there was a grasslands boy who wanted to be Prime Minister. One day, for no comprehensible reason, the boy who wanted to be Prime Minister shouted, 'Wolf! Wolf! Wolf! There's a wolf trying to steal Christmas!' But when people looked, there was no wolf. Later, the boy who wanted to be Prime Minister sang out again, 'A man from Yass! A man from Yass! A man from Yass! A man from Yass asked me to protect my grasslands from meddling environmental regulation!' But, when the people looked, there was no man from Yass. Later, the boy who wanted to be Prime Minister sang out again, 'A junketeering mayor! A junketeering mayor! A junketeering mayor spending millions of dollars on flights!' But, when the people looked, there was no junketeering mayor. One day, the boy who wanted to be Prime Minister was lying in his grasslands when Strike Force Garrad came upon him. The boy who wanted to be Prime Minister shouted, 'A smear! A smear! A smear!' But, when the people looked, there was no smear. One day, the boy who cried wolf will tell the truth. That bit hasn't happened here yet, but if you believe in fairytales maybe one day it will. Murray-Darling Basin 44 13:33 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee I would like to acknowledge the farmers and irrigators from across the basin that have been in Canberra this week to express their democratic right to protest about the Murray-Darling Basin Plan. I'm aware that people from my electorate travelled great distances from Mildura, Swan Hill, Cohuna and a number of other areas. The demonstration highlights the importance of Mick Keelty's role as the interim Inspector-General of Murray-Darling Basin Water Resources. This role is aimed at building trust between the federal government, basin states and our farmers and irrigators. Although we all agree that the plan is not perfect, scrapping the plan is not the answer to this complex challenge. The National Party recognises more must be done, and that is why we have agreed that we must find a way to release 50 per cent of environmental water for use for farming in these severe drought conditions. It is abhorrent that weeds should be growing in forests during drought while farmers are walking off their properties and worse. With the cooperation of the basin state governments, we will develop solutions that will enable us to move forward with a plan into the future. We must work collaboratively to get through this drought and water crisis to ensure the long-term health and prosperity of our nation. Veterans: Suicide 44 13:34 Ms WELLS 264121 Lilley On behalf of the five RSLs in my electorate of Lilley, on the north side of Brisbane—RSLs that have earned and deserve a voice in this parliament and deserve to be heard—I call on the government to listen to them and establish a royal commission into veteran suicides as soon as possible. We cannot wait; we cannot risk more lives. This week, the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare revealed that the suicide rate amongst male veterans who had left the armed services was almost one-fifth higher than Australian men in the general population. Four hundred and nineteen serving, reservist and ex-service men and women took their own lives between 2001 and 2017. Two hundred and twenty-nine of those men and women had left the Defence Force at the time. These are deeply troubling statistics and reveal nothing short of a crisis. The shocking rate of suicide deaths amongst veterans has to be addressed. We need to identify what services, what education and what opportunities we are not supplying. We need to listen to veterans who have struggled with their own mental health or have lost mates, and we need to find out what they need. Families are worried about their loved ones who are away and serving. They shouldn't have to be worried when their loved ones are back home as well. As elected representatives, we need to investigate why so many veterans are taking their own lives and determine what measures are needed to stop these tragic deaths. I call upon the government to establish a royal commission now. Fisher Electorate: Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club 44 13:36 Mr WALLACE 265967 Fisher Today is International Volunteer Day. I want to send a huge shout-out to all volunteers, particularly the rural fireys who are out there as we speak doing some great work in protecting our homes and protecting our businesses. Thank you so much. But it goes beyond the rural fireys, of course. Our community is built on the actions of volunteers, whether it be in the tuckshop or on the sporting fields. I want to particularly send out huge thanks to members of patrol team 3 at the Alexandra Headland Surf Lifesaving Club. To the vice-captains, Ami Bateman and Dave Birch, thank you so much for filling in for me when I'm often here or on parliamentary business. I send out huge thanks to them. I thank Rob Matchett, who is always in the tower. I thank Pete Duffy, who has been the president of the club for around 12 or 13 years. Thanks for your work, Pete. I thank Scott Howarth, and Cheryl and Steve Ling. Jess and Harry Ling, you are terrific young people. I thank Jonathan Last, Brad Graver, Gavin Lewis, Kail Willis, Karl Bateman and Richard Short, as well as former members, Paul and Caroline Campbell, Dale Kleinschmidt, Lyn and Gary Roberts, and Brett Fellowes. And to the unmistakable Glen Garrick, who started patrol team 3, thank you for your leadership over the last 15 years. Member for Lalor: Netball Injury 45 13:37 Ms RYAN 249224 Lalor When the member for Cooper was elected in the Batman by-election, the former Leader of the Opposition rightfully crowned her the 'hero of Batman'. Yesterday, the member for Cooper became the hero of the netball courts. While many rumours may have spread around the building about my injury, I can confirm that the former nurse, who was starting to hit her straps on the court, selflessly dragged herself away from the court, got back on the tools and administered first aid, in collaboration with security officers at Parliament House. Thanks also to Alison Byrnes for her help yesterday morning in keeping the parliament netball squad up to date on the WhatsApp throughout the day. I thank all the netball players for their messages—and for adding the 'Here if you need'! And to the wonderful team at Canberra Hospital, thank you for your care and speedy treatment, from the amazing doctors and nurses in the emergency department to the caring team in ward 5B and surgeons Ed and Justin. I thank you for the work that you did for me yesterday. It was truly exceptional. Chief Minister Andrew Barr can and should be very proud of that public hospital. To paraphrase our Prime Minister: How good are our healthcare professionals! Robertson Electorate: Christmas Card Competition 45 13:39 Mrs WICKS 241590 Robertson Students from across the electorate of Robertson have submitted their designs to my annual Christmas card competition and they've done so in record numbers this year. The competition has been growing every year, and this year there were over 1,000 entries at my office from 24 different schools across the coast. It's always amazing to be able to look at all of the incredible and unique designs that we receive. Every student's design is turned into a Christmas gift tag pack as a way of recognising and acknowledging their efforts in creating their own designs. On Sunday, we gave out over 1,000 of these gift tag packs to members of the community at the annual Christmas fair at Mt Penang parklands in Kariong. My congratulations go to 11-year-old Edith from Green Point Christian College, who was awarded first place this year. Edith's design is beautiful, and it represents the theme of this year's competition: the joy of Christmas. Lauren from Copacabana Public School received second place, and Lillian from Gosford Public School was awarded third place. Well done to all of you. Congratulations also to Lauren from Holy Cross Catholic School; Codie from Green Point Christian College; Bridie and Edith from St John the Baptist Catholic Primary School; Willow from Umina Beach Public School; and Grace from Avoca Beach Public School. They all received highly commended awards. I look forward to meeting all of the award winners and their families at our annual presentation afternoon tea next week. It is always a great opportunity to hear directly from the students on what inspired their designs and drawings. I wish all residents in my electorate a very happy and safe Christmas. (Time expired) Dams 45 13:40 Mr BRIAN MITCHELL 129164 Lyons The Central Highlands and the east coast of Tasmania are facing very difficult conditions and have not seen much needed rain for many months. In the Central Highlands town of Bothwell, for example, farmers are destocking and hand feeding their sheep. This area relies heavily on fodder crops, but the lack of rain and cost of irrigation means farmers are having to buy in grain for feed. One local farmer, Will Bignell, says that it seems like 'Bothwell has run itself dry. The Central Highlands might not get the same attention as some of the mainland towns, but the farmers in my electorate are feeling it hard. He has being buying in feed which is, at peak market prices, more than $10,000 a truckload. Like many farmers, Will has had to destock up to 30 per cent of his sheep to help keep his business going and keep the income coming in, but it does not augur well for the future. It is a similar story on Tasmania's east coast. Alan and Tracey Johnston also have a sheep farm at Cranbrook. They're good, solid people, just trying to make a living out of the land. They rely on the Swan River for their water for stock, household use and firefighting. Swan River is nearly dry. It supports 12 other farmers and it's running dry as we sit here in Canberra today enjoying ice cold water, filtered and readily available. We need dams. We need dams in my electorate. We need dams across Tasmania. Dams provide water storage and water security. Next time a petition comes up to a cafe counter that says don't build this dam, ignore it. We need dams. Water is life. Bennelong STEM Challenge 46 13:42 Mr ALEXANDER M3M Bennelong I rise to inform the House about the Bennelong STEM Challenge happening tomorrow. It's a particularly important local initiative I started several years ago. As many members of this House are aware, science, technology, engineering and maths are four of the critical skills needed by our workforce to propel our economy into the future. Australia must increasingly rely on higher order technical skills, so nurturing talent in STEM is essential. Our education system provides students with excellent formal training in the technical STEM skills but often students lack an opportunity to apply those skills, creatively, independently and critically in a project of their own. This is why I began the Bennelong STEM challenge in 2017, I wanted to provide students in Bennelong with an opportunity to engage with STEM problems and think creatively about how to overcome them. Last year we were fortunate to partner with Re-Engineering Australia, led by Dr Michael Myers, to run the competition. This year Dr Myers and Re-engineering will once again be hosting the Bennelong STEM challenge for dozens of students across the electorate to participate this Friday. Each team will submit a design for a medical hub on the surface of Mars, which will be rendered into a 3D virtual reality. Every year I am astounded by the quality and ingenuity of our students. I greatly look forward to seeing what they create again this year. Mayo Electorate 46 13:43 Ms SHARKIE 265980 Mayo Christmas is approaching, and I wish all Australians the joy of the season. I thank those who will work over Christmas in our health and emergency services, our essential services and, of course, many small businesses. I thank volunteers who will care for the vulnerable, manning the fire trucks and watching over families on our beaches. I have five surf life saving clubs in my electorate: Goolwa, Chiton Rocks,Port Elliot, Normanville and Aldinga Beach. They do an amazing job. Equally amazing are the several thousand CFS volunteers from the 150 plus CFS brigades in Mayo who will be on alert this fire season. Christmas is also a time to remember those who are alone. Sadly, approximately 40 per cent of people living in residential aged care have no visitors 365 days a year, including Christmas. This is heartbreaking. This season I would like to ask all Australians to think of an elderly relative or old neighbour who is now in care and consider giving them a gift of a visit. Merry Christmas to all, particularly all of my constituents in Mayo. I wish everyone a happy and prosperous new year. Higgins Electorate: International Volunteer Day 46 13:44 Dr ALLEN 282986 Higgins On this International Volunteer Day, I rise to honour the many thousands of volunteers in my electorate of Higgins. When I was a child growing up in Albury, there were many more stay-at-home mums than there are today. These women in country towns were the backbone of community and volunteer organisations. These days, with more women participating in the workforce in Australia each and every year, the competition for someone's volunteer hour has only become greater. Volunteerism now accounts for about 745 million unpaid working hours across Australia, the far-reaching value of which is immeasurable. I seek leave to incorporate the names of 41 people and their organisations in Higgins who were awarded special honours at this year's Higgins Community Service Awards that I presented recently at the Malvern Town Hall. Leave granted. The names read as follows— Mr Doug Sloan, Blind Sports & Recreation Victoria Mrs Margaret Badge, Carnegie Church of Christ Ms Eleni Karamihos, Caulfield Bears Junior Football Club Miss Hadas Belfer, Chabad Malvern Miss Moussia Cooper, Chabad Malvern Miss Rachel de Winter, Chabad Malvern Ms Moran Dvir, Do Good Volunteers - Twelve and Thirteen Rabbi Reuvi Cooper, Do Good Volunteers - Twelve and Thirteen Ms Lauren Ch'ng, East Malvern Junior Football Club Ms Lindy Francou, Glen Eira Football Club Mr Jan Gnatt, Glen Iris Junior Football Club Mr Stephen Prossor, 1st Glen Iris Scout Group Mr Lefteris Patlamazoglou, Inclusion Melbourne Ms Pam Elias, JoCare Mr John Finemore, Malvern Bowling Club Mrs Diane Foster, Malvern Historical Society Inc. Mr Glenn Meredith, Malvern Lacrosse Club Mr Mark Huggins, Malvern Marlins Masters Swimming Club Mr Darren Trevaskis, 13th Malvern Scout Group Mrs Susan Banks, Malvern Special Needs Playgroup Mr Peter Schneider, Rotary Club of Prahran Mr Geoff Wenham, Mecwacare Mr Karl Hieser, Prahran Cricket Club Mr Keith Gove, Reconciliation Stonnington Ms Linda Hughes, Rotary Chadstone East Malvern Mr Ian Kirk, Rotary Club of Toorak Ms Jan Sigley, Rotary Club of Toorak Ms Holly Brick, Samarinda - Residential Lodge Ms Shelley Lampier, Samarinda - Quality, Risk & Strategy Team Mr Glen McKay, Samarinda - Elsie Salter House Mr Chris Rodier, Samarinda - Social Support Ms Glenda Watts, Samarinda - Ashy Op Shop Mr Robert Wilkinson, Samarinda - Meals on Wheels Mr William Logie, St James' Anglican Church Glen Iris Mr James Gallus, St Mary's Salesian Amateur Football Club Mrs Kerry Ennis, St Oswald's Anglican Church Mrs Carol Harrison, St Oswald's Anglican Church Mr Michael Doble, St Kevin's Football Club Dr Aaron Sudholz, Stonnington City Brass Mr Michael Delanis, VICSES Malvern Unit Vietnamese Senior Cultural Association Dr ALLEN 282986 It was a wonderful night where we honoured volunteers from across a huge and diverse range of community organisations in Higgins, including sporting groups, Scouts, Rotary, churches and temples, aged-care facilities and state emergency services. Friends and families were there to celebrate the wonderful work of these dedicated volunteers in giving back to the community. We know they didn't volunteer in order to be recognised, but recognising and celebrating them we must, as it also recognises and celebrates the great work of their volunteer organisations. I congratulate them all, and I wish them all a very merry Christmas. Coalition Government 47 13:46 Mr BURNS 278522 Macnamara Government should be here to do great things. Government has the power to do great things. And what does this mob use government for? To shut down debate in this chamber, to shut down the parliament's ability to scrutinise legislation—not new legislation, but the legislation that this parliament defeated only two weeks ago. What a disgrace this government is. If arrogance and smugness is the defining feature of this government, they have it in abundance. They don't have a plan for our economy. They don't have a plan for wages. They don't have a plan for working parents who are struggling with the rise in the cost of living. They don't have a plan for energy. Their last energy plan got thrown out with Malcolm Turnbull. They don't have a plan to reduce our emissions. That's hardly surprising, given the state of the energy and emissions reduction minister, who is becoming a complete joke in this place. They don't have a plan to bring this country towards a more renewable future. They don't have a plan to fix our failing education system. What they have is arrogance and smugness, led by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the House. Yesterday the Leader of the House stood in this place and lectured everyone, arrogantly and smugly, saying that no-one should be intervening against the minister for energy and the New South Wales police commissioner's investigation. Yet that man stood and listened to the Prime Minister on the phone to the New South Wales police commissioner. This government is a disgrace. They have no plan for our country. The only thing they do is shut down democracy in this place, and Australians are all the worse for it. Menzies Electorate: Bushfires 48 13:48 Mr ANDREWS HK5 Menzies Be fire ready now. That's the important message to all Victorians and indeed all Australians, and I say that especially to my constituents in the suburbs of Warrandyte, Eltham, Research, Kangaroo Ground and surrounding areas. Be fire ready now. We are facing a very hot summer. Experts tell us it could be the most dangerous season in Victoria for a long period of time. For those suburbs that I mentioned, where bushfires have afflicted them in the past, it's important that residents be ready to do what they can to ensure that there are no fires affecting them or their property. And they should put in place, I suggest, their safety checklist and, most importantly, talk to their household about what they will do if there is a fire danger. The decision of when to leave is the most important decision that anybody can make, that any household can make, in relation to a fire. Please talk about it—with family, with friends, with neighbours—so that you've got in place a decision-making process should a fire come along. And then there are the ordinary things like keeping the grass short, getting rid of dry grass, pruning shrubs, making sure there are no overhanging trees, ensuring that gutters and roof areas are clear and of course removing excess material around the home. Be fire ready now—an important message for all Australians at this time of year. Australian Public Service 48 13:49 Mr STEPHEN JONES A9B Whitlam A few moments ago the Prime Minister sacked five departmental heads. He sacked Daryl Quinlivan, a fine public servant from the department of agriculture and water resources. He sacked Kerri Hartland, formerly of ASIO and most recently the head of employment and skills. He sacked Renee Leon, human services department, who won a Public Service Medal a few years ago for outstanding public service to public administration and law. He sacked Mike Mrdak from the department of communications, who won an Order of Australia in 2016 for distinguished service to public administration through executive roles in infrastructure, transport and logistics. He sacked Heather Smith, a Public Service Medal winner in 2015 who won that medal for outstanding service during the G20, from the department of industry. On 1 February these fine Australian public servants, most of whom have served both sides of politics, are going to be out of a job. As they leave the building, the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction is still going to have his job. So, the question Australians are asking is: why are these fine public servants, who have been doing an excellent job serving the Australian community, losing their jobs while the most hopeless, the most pathetic, minister on the front bench has still got his job? It's a disgrace. Royal Australasian College of Surgeons: Global Health Pacific Island Program 48 13:51 Mrs ARCHER 282237 Bass In July of this year a group of medical professionals from the Launceston General Hospital marked 10 years of working as volunteers for the Pacific Islands program run by the Australasian College of Surgeons global health and funded by DFAT. The program, which launched in 1995, strengthens specialised clinical services, clinical governance, specialist education training and workforce development across the Pacific region, which over the course of two decades has seen more than 600 volunteer medical teams visit 11 Pacific Islands countries, providing over 60,000 consultations and 16,000 procedures. In the community of Bass we are fortunate to have a wonderful group of medical professionals who have been part of this program. And, though they will undoubtedly cringe from the recognition, I believe that it's incredibly important to recognise their work in the specialty area of orthopaedic surgery in Vanuatu. Under the guidance of the team leader, Dr John Batten, until his retirement in early September, the team focused on running a prosthetic program for children born with clubbed feet. Seven children in every thousand are born with club foot compared to one in every thousand here in Australia. Thank you to the following staff who beyond performing necessary operations have been capacity building, educating and clinically training the local staff at the Vila Central Hospital, and more recently at Santo hospital: John Batten, Roger Butorac, Henning Els, Kate Taylor, and Paul Van Nynanten and JeanVan Nynanten. Australian Defence Force: Mental Health 48 13:52 Mr GOSLING 245392 Solomon This Christmas over 400 veterans' families will have empty seats at their tables either because theirs was one of at least 419 serving or former serving veterans who have taken their lives since 2001 or because their loved ones are lost in some other way. As we, members and senators in this place, enjoy Christmas with our loved ones, we should offer more than thoughts and prayers to those too many serving members and veterans we have lost to suicide. We can do more than thoughts and prayers; we can give them the hope that the Christmas season promises. A royal commission into veteran suicide can give hope to so many who are lost or hurting by shining a light on this national crisis. The Labor Party wholeheartedly supports families and veterans' calls for such a royal commission. Prime Minister, you can help to give them that hope, and we stand ready to support you in a bipartisan manner. I'll personally support you in doing this. This isn't a political issue; this is a moral issue. It is the right thing to do. It's what the families and the veterans from around our nation are asking for and it's the least we can do for them. Lung Cancer 49 13:54 Ms BELL 282981 Moncrieff November was Lung Cancer Awareness Month. I attended a morning tea hosted by the Lung Foundation Australia to help build awareness and reduce the stigma of lung cancer. Sadly, lung cancer claims the life of one Australian every hour—a terrible statistic. As part of the morning, we heard from a local patient Michel I'Tel about his lung cancer journey and the impact it had on his life. What I learned about that morning was the stigma that surrounds lung cancer, the sentiment that lung cancer is self-determined. Michel is a non-smoker. Because of the symptoms, which are little known, it is truly a silent killer. It is estimated that, in 2019, 12,800 Australians have and will be diagnosed with lung cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Australian men and women. On the Gold Coast, 351 people are diagnosed and 245 people, sadly, lose their battle, each year. The morning tea hosted at Nerang Bicentennial Community Centre was a good opportunity to discuss a number of issues for cancer sufferers, including the need to improve access to early diagnosis, reduce the stigma for people living with lung cancer and improve psychosocial support. The Morrison government has recently announced funding of $960,000 and added three more medications to the PBS which assist in lung cancer treatment. This disease also has a traumatic effect on the lives of patients' families and friends. I would like to send my best wishes to all those people suffering lung cancer, and to their families. I wish them time with their family over Christmas, and a safe New Year. Prime Minister 49 13:55 Mr MARLES HWQ Corio This Prime Minister says that economic growth is going up. It's going down. He says that emissions are going down. They're going up. He said Labor voted against defence housing. We voted for it. He said that he's spending $7 billion on the drought—not even close. He falsely impugned former Prime Minister Gillard and did not have the ticker to come in and stand up there and say sorry. Facts are irrelevant. The truth is incidental. Democracy is an inconvenience. Reality is suspended. But, whenever this Prime Minister is challenged, he is the man from the land of double-down. When his slow-moving minister engages in a playground fight against a local mayor and rubs up against the law, this Prime Minister doubles down and makes a call directly to the New South Wales police commissioner—about an active investigation into one of his ministers. And, when his bill attacking the rights of working Australians fails in the Senate, he doubles down and rams it through this House without a single word of debate. This is a Prime Minister who will always double-down in his own political interests but never double-down in the national interest—an economy which is stagnant, a drought which is ravaging our country. This is a weak Prime Minister. Nothing has changed. The 'everyday man' is a fraud. Valedictory 49 13:57 Mr BROADBENT MT4 Monash Next year will be my 21st year as a servant of the people in this parliament. It's hard to be on the wrong side of every leadership spill for 21 years, but I've done it! Lyn Barlin was the Clerk of the House when I first came here, and Claressa Surtees and Catherine Cornish had not arrived. But I give them a big shout-out today to thank them, because without them, in all those years, I couldn't have done what I've done. Thanks also to our amazing Parliamentary Library and our parliamentary dining staff and all that goes with that—so, Clerk, if you would take those messages back to them. I also give a shout-out to the member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, and to the member for Corangamite, Libby Coker, for their help on asbestos; and to the member for Calwell, Maria Vamvakinou, for our successful Parliamentary Friends of Multiculturalism. I thank you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas, including you, Prime Minister. Morrison Government 49 13:58 Ms MURPHY 133646 Dunkley At a time when trust in our democracy is at dangerously low levels, today we witness a government shutting down democracy. I came to this place to represent the people of Dunkley. I came to this place so their voices could be heard. Today, a so-called ensuring integrity bill was rammed through this parliament without a word of debate—with no chance for any single person in the electorate of Dunkley to talk to me about their views on this bill, and no chance for me to stand up and put their views to this place. This government is supposed to be a Liberal government. It's supposed to stand up for traditions, for conventions, but it just trashes them. We need better democracy in this place. There are real, important, serious issues for the future that young people want us to address, and we can't when we have a government that doesn't care about democracy. It just cares about winning and being in power. It is sad for the future of this country when this government isn't brave enough to defend itself. If you don't like the motions that the Leader of the Opposition puts forward, why don't you mount a defence? Is it because you don't have one? This is a disgrace to democracy, and it is something that we should be ashamed of in this country—that we have a government that won't stand up and debate. The SPEAKER 00APG It being 2 pm in one second, in accordance with standing order 43 the time for members' statements has concluded. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE 50 QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE Morrison Government 50 14:00 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I'm pleased that question time, at least, is happening. My question is to the Prime Minister. Now in its seventh year, the government has got to the point where it won't support freedom of the press, won't support the freedom to protest and won't support freedom of association—and now it won't support debate in Australia's parliament. When the Prime Minister talks about 'quiet Australians', doesn't he actually mean 'silent Australians'? 14:00 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook On the night of the election I thanked all those Australians who go about their lives honestly, decently, with their aspirations. They're the Australians that our government spoke directly to. Those Australians endorsed the agenda, the objectives and the work program of this government. That program was to ensure that we kept our economy strong to guarantee the essential services that Australians rely on. Those Australians have grown completely tired of the games that are played in Canberra and the confected drama that the Leader of the Opposition has spent a career in politics pursuing. This is a Leader of the Opposition who's more interested in the drama and theatre of politics in Canberra than he is— Ms Catherine King interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Ballarat will cease interjecting. The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order. Mr Albanese R36 It goes to relevance. The question I asked was about the ramming through this parliament, without a single word of debate, without one— The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the Opposition well knows he mentioned a number of things in the question, including a very wide-ranging question in the final sentence. The Prime Minister is in order. Mr MORRISON E3L What those Australians and their decent and honest aspirations wanted was a government that backs them in, believes in them and isn't going to engage in the tawdry political games and the toing and froing in this place. This is a Leader of the Opposition who has spent his political career focused on the bubble of this place, not on the issues of economic management and national security. Mr Dreyfus interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Isaacs is warned. Mr MORRISON E3L He spent a couple of months on the NSC and the ERC in government— Mr Albanese interjecting— Mr MORRISON E3L I did not say that at all. I said the Leader of the Opposition did not spend any time on an ERC that produced a budget, and he didn't. He spent a couple of months there, and he has shown himself interested only in the tawdry drama of Canberra, not in the hard work of policy which guarantees a strong economy, which ensures we can protect national security. We saw this yesterday in this parliament, where once again, under the direction of the Leader of the Opposition—he said, 'Vote again to keep our borders soft.' That's what the Leader of the Opposition stands for. The Leader of the Opposition, at the last election, did not get the message from the Australians he speaks about. They said no to the $387 billion of higher taxes, but he continues to keep them. They said no to Labor's lax policy on border protection; he has decided to keep it. There is no difference between this Leader of the Opposition and the former one. They are birds of the same feather. They cannot manage money and they cannot protect national security, and the Australian people know it. Mr Conroy interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Petrie, on a point of order? Mr Howarth 247742 Just on reflecting on members. The member for Shortland should withdraw the comments he made about the Prime Minister then. The SPEAKER 00APG I ask the member for Shortland whether he made an unparliamentary remark. Mr Conroy interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Shortland, having acknowledged he did, will withdraw. Mr Conroy 249127 I withdraw calling the Prime Minister a liar. The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Shortland will leave under standing order 94(a). The member for Shortland then left the chamber. Morrison Government 51 14:04 Mr STEVENS 176304 Sturt My question is to the Prime Minister: We live in the best country in the world, and I am confident about Australia's future. Will the Prime Minister advise the House how the Morrison government is getting on with the job of securing Australia's future? 14:05 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook When I went to the Governor-General earlier this year and called the general election, what I said was that we would create another 1¼ million new jobs over the next four years. Since that election in May, almost 70,000 new jobs have been created. When I went to the Governor-General and stood before the Australian people, I said we will maintain budget surpluses without increasing taxes and pay down the debt. This year the budget is in surplus, and that is the first time that has happened in 12 years. We are committed to keeping it that way so we can reduce the debt and not put the burden of the current generation on future generations. That is the legacy we inherited from the former Labor government, and we have spent the last six years cleaning up their fiscal mess. And now, after six years, we have been able to bring the budget back to surplus. That means that we can pay down the debt and ensure that we do not put that burden on future generations. I said we would deliver tax relief to the Australian people, and we have—and we have done so in spades. I said that I wanted Australians to keep more of what they earn, and that is what we have delivered in these first six months alone. I said we would give small business support and, through the deregulation work done by the Treasurer and the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet, we are delivering on those deregulation targets and, in particular, removing the regulation that enables a sole operator to employ their first person. Our government is about jobs and our government is delivering on jobs. We are removing the burdens that get in the way, that prevent small businesses employing people. I said that we would keep Australians safe, and that is what we have done with record funding to our security agencies and record funding to our defence industries, backing them up with laws dealing with everything from countering foreign interference to ensuring that we're protecting children from child abuse. I said we would do that and we would keep our borders secure, and yesterday we kept that promise to the Australian people. And we learned of the Labor Party, which has learned absolutely nothing from the Australian people and the last election, when the people said they will have no truck with a party that will not keep the borders secure, and that's why Labor were rejected. I said we would guarantee increased funding—record funding—for hospitals, schools and disability services. All of this has been delivered in a surplus budget without the need to increase taxes, as those opposite proposed to do, and we could do so while reducing debt at the same time. That's what I promised to do when I went to the election in May, and that's what our government is delivering. Prime Minister 51 14:08 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler My question is to the Prime Minister. Why has the Prime Minister failed to bring on legislation arising from the banking royal commission that he voted against 26 times but instead today broken all precedent by ramming through this House, without a word being spoken, this extreme anti-union legislation which was rejected by the parliament only last week? 14:08 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook As Treasurer, I introduced the law to this parliament which not only ensured banking executives who do the wrong thing get prosecuted but saw, as a result of the prosecutions that took place under my watch, the biggest corporate fine ever delivered to a company in this country. I introduced laws which meant that banking executives who do the wrong thing should be punted from the banking industry forever. That's what I did on the banks, and those opposite sought to frustrate it. Now those opposite don't want union thugs who attack women being called to account and kicked out of their jobs. We stand up for what we believe on this side of the House, and we believe ugly, militant unionism should have no place in this country. Clearly, by the way he has acted in this place and frustrated and sought to oppose this bill, the Leader of the Opposition believes that it does. I'll ask the Treasurer to add to the answer. 14:09 Mr FRYDENBERG FKL Kooyong When we released our implementation plan to the royal commission, we said that, by the end of this year, more than 20 commitments would either be implemented or before the parliament, and I'm pleased to tell the House that it is actually 24. The speed at which we have responded to the banking royal commission is in stark comparison to the record of those opposite when they had the Cooper review, which was provided to them in 2010. The first piece of legislation was introduced in the parliament in November 2011, 16 months after the completion of the review. And, with FOFA, it took them almost 23 months from when the PJC tabled its report to when the legislation was introduced. I'm pleased to say that last week I introduced into the House an omnibus bill that would extend the unfair contract terms to insurance contracts, ensure adequate consumer protection provisions apply to funeral expense policies, introduce a best-interest duty requirement for mortgage brokers and reform mortgage broker remuneration. Only this side of the House can be relied on to implement the recommendations out of the royal commission. Infrastructure 52 14:11 Mr LLEW O'BRIEN 265991 Wide Bay My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development. I am confident about Australia's future. Will the Deputy Prime Minister outline to the House how the Morrison-McCormack government is working to make it even better by delivering $100 billion of infrastructure? Is the Deputy Prime Minister aware of any alternative approaches? Mr Fitzgibbon 8K6 Mr Speaker, I take a point of order under standing order 98(d)(i), around expressions of opinion. It's very clear that the Deputy Prime Minister doesn't have any opinion on anything. The SPEAKER 00APG That is a frivolous point of order, as the member for Hunter well knows. He will leave the chamber under standing order 94(a). The member for Hunter then left the chamber. 14:12 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina Well, the average IQ of the chamber just went up! See you, Joel. Have a nice Christmas, mate! The SPEAKER 00APG I'm just going to ask the Deputy Prime Minister to withdraw that remark. Mr McCORMACK 219646 I withdraw. The SPEAKER 00APG You have the call for the time being, Deputy Prime Minister. Mr McCORMACK 219646 I thank the member for Wide Bay. As we do approach Christmas, I want to thank the member for Wide Bay for his advocacy for road safety. I'm sure the shadow infrastructure minister would also agree that, as we lead up to Christmas, road safety is important, and what we do in the infrastructure space plays a lot into the aspect of ensuring that our roads are safer and that people get home to where they need to be sooner and safer. We certainly want everybody to drive safely over the Christmas period. I agree with the member for Wide Bay that we are confident about our nation. We are confident and we believe our best days for this country are indeed ahead of us. We know that, when you spend $100 billion on infrastructure, whether it's road, rail, aviation or water infrastructure—all being invested and delivered through record infrastructure spending—the best days of the nation must surely be ahead. ABS data has shown that we posted a record $21.1 billion trade surplus in the September quarter. That's largely on the back of what we've done in the infrastructure space, making sure that products can get to port and therefore to markets sooner. Our $100 billion pipeline of investment includes the $9.3 billion for the Inland Rail, and I know how delighted the member for Groom is—and other members as well, like the member for Parkes. That was a significant day last week when the Queensland government signed up to that intergovernmental agreement for Inland Rail. There's been no greater champion than the member for the electorate of Wide Bay for section D of the Bruce Highway from Cooroy to Curra. He certainly advocated for it. He has delivered it. We're delivering on projects right now from the Pilbara to the east coast. The duplication of the Pacific Highway in New South Wales is almost complete. On the Princes Highway in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia, there have been upgrades from one end to the other. Outback Way, Australia's longest shortcut, is getting on with more infrastructure spend that will benefit Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland. There's the Great Northern Highway in WA. Of course, we've mentioned the mighty Bruce. There's the Toowoomba second range crossing. Again, for the member for Groom, that's so, so important. There's the Echuca-Moama bridge in the electorates of the members for Nicholls and Farrer. They know how important this bridge is to ensuring that product gets to where it needs to be. There's the Merrylees bridge at Carrathool. I could go on. I'm asked about alternatives. Those opposite only wish they had as much money to spend on infrastructure when they were in government as we do now. Prime Minister 53 14:15 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler My question is again addressed to the Prime Minister: Why did the Prime Minister prevent any member of the opposition or crossbench from speaking on his flawed union-bashing bill when he rammed it through this House today? Why does this Prime Minister not respect the democratic process? 14:16 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook This bill, this matter, this issue of dealing with thuggish, militant unionism is something the Australian people wanted us to address. And I will stand up for them in this place and ensure that we do not back down from the intimidation that has come in seeking to thwart our efforts to ensure that we can bring safety to workplaces by ensuring the thugs get given the punt. That's what we're seeking to do. We stand up for what we believe in. This matter has been through this place before. It's been in the Senate before. It went through some 15 or 16 hours of debate in the other place. Everybody's position on this is known. We are not going to play the games of the Labor Party, seeking to delay getting union thugs off workplace sites, where they abuse women, where they abuse other fellow Australians. We will not put up with that. The Australian people will not put up with that. We will ensure there is integrity in the workplace to ensure that Australians are kept safe. We know of cases in Queensland where even union officials would not go on to the sites of other union officials because they would be intimidated by other union officials. The Leader of the Opposition's and the Labor Party's eyes are completely closed to the thuggishness that they support. The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the Opposition on a point of order? Mr Albanese R36 Yes. The question went directly to the antidemocratic and authoritarian behaviour of this Prime Minister in not allowing any debate whatsoever— The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the Opposition can resume his seat. The question asked the Prime Minister those questions, and his answer is being relevant to the questions. Mr MORRISON E3L From the very first day I was sworn in as a minister to this day I have always sought to protect Australia from thugs. One of my first actions as the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection was to ensure that Rebels bikie gang leader Alex Vella never returned to Australia. I will stand up against thugs; the Labor Party stands up for thugs. Mr Brendan O'Connor interjecting— Mr Perrett interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Gorton is now warned, as is the member for Moreton. Education 53 14:19 Dr HAINES 282335 Indi My question is to the Minister for Education. Our future workforce needs university educated employees, particularly across aged care, health care, education and disability, and nowhere more so than in regional, rural and remote Australia. Yet rural and regional Australians obtain these qualifications at a lower-than-average rate. Forty-four per cent of Melburnians hold a bachelor's or higher degree, compared with only 11 per cent in Albury-Wodonga and eight per cent in Mildura. There is huge, untapped potential for rural and regional Australians to meet these skills shortages. The government's Napthine review provides the blueprint for doing this. Will the government commit the funding to implement the review's recommended actions? 14:19 Mr TEHAN 210911 Wannon I thank the member for Indi for her question. It's a very important question because we do have to lift the attainment rates in regional and rural areas. I know that, like her, the members for Grey, Forrest, Barker, Murray, Parkes, Gippsland, Durack and all the regional and rural members on this side of the House want to lift that attainment rate. That is why we commissioned the former Premier of Victoria, Denis Napthine, to undertake his review. He has handed down an incredibly comprehensive review with seven key recommendations: first, improve access to tertiary study options for students in regional, rural and remote areas; second, improve access to financial support to support greater fairness and more equal opportunity; third, improve the quality and range of student support services; fourth, build aspiration—and I know that's something all of us want to see when it comes to regional and rural students; fifth, improve participation and outcomes for regional, rural and remote students from equity groups, including low SES students; sixth, strengthen the role of tertiary education providers in regional development and grow Australia's region; and, finally, establish mechanisms to coordinate the implementation effort and support monitoring of the strategy. The Morrison government has agreed to all of these recommendations and will over time begin implementing. Opposition members interjecting— Mr TEHAN 210911 Those opposite laugh. They have no interest in this subject whatsoever, and we have started. I say to all members of the House, especially those on this side that are interested in this subject, that nominations close on Friday 13 December for the next round of our regional university centres. I know there will be one going into Wangaratta. I say to all members that we extended the deadlines for those nominations because of droughts and fires and to give communities an extra couple of weeks to be able to apply. To all the regions and all the areas who want greater higher education participation, please get your nominations in for this very important recommendation. Over $500 million has already been provided since 2016 to lift participation for regional and rural higher education in our regions. We want to continue delivering. That's why we put in place a new scholarship program to lift students going from other places to regional and rural areas to study, to bring international students to regional and rural areas to study. We have an ambitious agenda to improve higher education attainment in regional and rural Australia, and we will deliver on it. Economy 54 14:22 Mr LAMING E0H Bowman My question is to the Treasurer. We are confident about Australia's future, so I ask the Treasurer to outline to the House how the Morrison government is working to make it even better through strong budget management and by paying down, down, Labor debt down; is the Treasurer aware of any alternative approaches? 14:23 Mr FRYDENBERG FKL Kooyong I thank the member for Bowman for his question and acknowledge his extensive experience as a medical professional before he came into this place. In his electorate more than 60,000 taxpayers will get the benefit of the tax cuts that we have passed through this parliament, and more than 16,000 small businesses will be able to access the instant asset write-off, which we passed through the parliament. I inform the House that yesterday the national accounts were released, which showed that the Australian economy is enjoying its 29th consecutive year of economic growth. We can be confident about Australia's economic future, with household disposable income having its fastest increase in a decade. We have a current account that is in surplus for the first time in 40 years. We have welfare dependency that is at its lowest level in 30 years. We have the biggest tax cuts in 20 years and we have the first balanced budget in 11 years. We have more people in work than ever before. That is what this government has helped achieve. Through this year we have taken legislation through the parliament to ensure $158 billion of tax cuts, abolishing a full tax bracket—the 37c in the dollar tax bracket—and we'll see 94 per cent of taxpayers pay a marginal rate of no more than 30c in the dollar. We've extended the instant asset write-off to companies with a turnover of up to $50 million and we've extended it to $30,000. We've also backed small businesses with a $2 billion securitisation fund. We're also ensuring that consumers will be able to get better deals on their banking services, their energy and their telecommunication, with the Consumer Data Right being passed through the parliament and the protecting your super legislation, which will deal with excessive fees as well as unwanted or unnecessary insurance and super. Our priorities going forward include restoring the budget back into the black, with the first surplus in 12 years, and paying down Labor's debt; cutting red tape in the deregulation agenda, which will make it easier to employ people as well as getting faster approvals for major projects; infrastructure spending—$100 billion, a 10-year pipeline of infrastructure spending, the largest this country has ever seen as well as guaranteeing essential services. It's all about creating more jobs and cutting taxes, and we know the Labor Party, with its $387 billion of higher taxes, will always see fewer jobs and lower wages. We, on this side of the House, will create more jobs. Economy 54 14:26 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler My question is again addressed to the Prime Minister, who this year promised to make a strong economy even stronger. That didn't happen, did it, Prime Minister? Hasn't the Prime Minister given Australians weaker economic growth, weaker wages growth, lower business investment, higher unemployment and underemployment, and the worst labour productivity growth on record? 14:27 Mr FRYDENBERG FKL Kooyong The Leader of the Opposition asked about productivity. Under the coalition, multifactor productivity has averaged 0.7 per cent above its 20-year average of 0.5 per cent and is more than double the average under the previous Labor government of just 0.3 per cent. We know that when we came to government unemployment was at 5.7 per cent; today it's 5.3 per cent. We've got more women in work, more seniors in work and more young people in work, with more than 1.4 million new jobs having been created. When it comes to debt, the Labor Party were the gold standard of lifting debt. Debt was growing— The SPEAKER 00APG The Treasurer will pause. The question made no reference to debt. The Treasurer has the call. Mr FRYDENBERG FKL When it comes to creating more jobs and boosting the economy, the coalition can be trusted to make the Australian economy stronger for future generations. Illicit Drugs 55 14:28 Mr HASTIE 260805 Canning My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs. We are all confident about Australia's future. Therefore, will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government is working to make it even better by keeping Australians safe, including by cracking down on illegal drugs? And is the minister aware of any alternative approaches? 14:28 Mr DUTTON 00AKI Dickson I thank the honourable member for his question. All of us on this side of the House want to make sure that we can put more investment into the Australian Federal Police and into our agencies otherwise within the Home Affairs portfolio, because we want to keep Australians safe. In the last budget, we put an additional $615 million into the AFP, specifically with a mandate of trying to stop those importations of drugs, particularly ice, which is a life-destroying drug. In many regional towns across the country now I want to say to mums and dads and community leaders who are living with this scourge every day: we are doing more than ever to try and clean up this problem, particularly in regional areas but in our capital cities and outer metropolitan areas as well. I'm pleased to advise the House that the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Border Force have executed 13 search warrants on premises, vehicles and persons across Victoria and so far have arrested three Australians. The activity in relation to this operation is Australia's largest ever onshore ice seizure and the largest heroin seizure for over two years. Together, the AFP and the ABF have prevented over 1.6 tonnes of ice and heroin from reaching the Australian community. They've seized 1,594 kilos of ice, with an estimated street value of $1.1 billion, and 37 kilograms of heroin, with an estimated street value $18.5 million. So, are we doing all that we can to make sure that young Australians have a brighter future? Absolutely we are. We want to make sure there is awareness, that there's health support for people that are addicted to drugs. We want to make sure that, where communities need support, we will provide that support. So the attack on the scourge of drugs by the Morrison government is something that is taken up by every department of this Commonwealth. Not only do we want to make sure that we can help the police stop these importations taking place and stop these drugs getting into the bodies of young teenagers and Australians of all ages; we want to make sure that we invest across the education space, which is important, and in health as well. I want to commend all of the officers from the Australian Federal Police, the Australian Border Force and the agencies otherwise—Victoria Police and others—who would have been involved in this investigation. This investigation is ongoing. It's one of many that the AFP has control of at the moment. I want to send a very clear message to those people, particularly outlaw motorcycle gang members, who are the biggest distributors of ice and amphetamines in our country, that the Morrison government will make sure we do everything to keep Australians safe, to make sure that the future of this country is as bright as it humanly can be, and we are determined to continue to support the Australian Federal Police. (Time expired) Economy 55 14:31 Dr CHALMERS 37998 Rankin My question is to the Prime Minister. This year the Prime Minister pledged to 'build an even stronger economy', but that hasn't happened, has it, Prime Minister? Don't we have a weakening economy, reduced investment, flat wages and rising unemployment? 14:32 Mr FRYDENBERG FKL Kooyong The shadow Treasurer referred to investment. I can confirm that, under the coalition, investment outside the mining sector has increased by 34 per cent since we've come to office, or over five per cent per year. Under the Labor Party, investment outside the mining sector fell by 10 per cent during their time in office, including an 8.5 per cent fall in their last year. As I said, when we came to government, unemployment was 5.7 per cent. Today it's 5.3 per cent, and more than 1.4 million jobs have been created. Don't look at what Labor says, look at what Labor does. When it comes to delivering lower taxes and more jobs, only the coalition can deliver that to the Australian people. Environment 56 14:33 Mr SHARMA 274506 Wentworth My question is to the Minister for the Environment, and I share the confidence my colleagues expressed in Australia's future. Will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government is working to make this future even better through its plans for a cleaner environment and its approach to waste reduction, and is the minister aware of any alternative approaches? 14:33 Ms LEY 00AMN Farrer It's a pleasure to take a question from the member for Wentworth, who's very credentialed to deliver that message of confidence in our economy. Australia's iconic environment is part of our national identity but can only be protected and preserved through a strong economy. It's only possible with the investment that this government is delivering. Our 2019-20 budget and our plan for a cleaner environment will support practical, meaningful action through a range of commitments, including our $100 million Environment Restoration Fund, which supports major projects that deliver long-lasting conservation benefits: river restoration, threatened species safe havens and targeted funding to recover species at risk. Our Communities Environment Program provides $150,000 for each electorate. We're extending this program to Labor; there are no other policies from Labor to support and protect the environment. We've included them in the Communities Environment Program—and we know that you're very thankful, backbenchers, for that. Just this week we celebrated the 60th anniversary of the Antarctic Treaty, and I announced a further $58.8 million towards the construction of a paved runway at the Davis research station. This reaffirms our $2.2 billion commitment to our Antarctic Program. How could that possibly be delivered without the strength of the economy that this government presides over? We've extended the number of Indigenous protected areas from 75 to 87, and those Indigenous protected areas deliver important environmental, economic, social and cultural outcomes. Our Recycling Investment Plan is all about generating a circular economy within Australia, remanufacturing, driving investment and creating new jobs, because, for every 10,000 tonnes of waste, you create at least nine new jobs. I haven't even touched on landcare, on marine parks and on threatened species and turning around the trajectory of some of our endangered species. From a perspective of alternative policies— Opposition members interjecting— Ms LEY 00AMN The Labor Party are very noisy. From a perspective of alternative policies, we've had to go way back to cash for clunkers, to the green start loans—loans that never happened—to a $50 reward card that was never delivered to any business. It's beyond the memory of most of the Labor Party members sitting in this House, but there is no policy for the environment from them. We're supporting our conservation volunteers. We're supporting our farmers. We're supporting our cutting-edge environmental scientists. We're protecting the environment, strengthening the economy and building a better Australia. Aged Care 56 14:36 Ms KEARNEY LTU Cooper My question is to the Prime Minister. Eighty days ago I asked the Prime Minister, 'How many registered aged-care facilities do not have a registered nurse on site 24 hours a day?' The Prime Minister said he would give me an answer, but he never did. Why can't the Prime Minister be truthful? 14:37 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook I thank the member for a reminder about this matter, and I will take that matter up and ensure that we get an answer back. In those past 80 days, as the member will know, the government received the interim report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety— Mr Albanese interjecting— Mr MORRISON E3L I take the interjection from the Leader of the Opposition. What was reported in that report is very distressing. As that report reflected, this deals with issues that have been endemic in the aged-care sector over a very long period of time. The government are seeking to address the challenges in aged care, which are significant and substantial. We are seeking to do that in a bipartisan way in this place and to work with all members, who I'm absolutely sure will understand the sensitivity of looking after our parents and our elderly loved ones as they go in to aged-care facilities. In our response to that aged-care interim report, we have done three things. We have addressed the very issues that they have raised. We have increased the number of places for in-home aged care. We have not just increased them through an increased funding response with almost half a billion dollars but reformed the very system that delivers in-home aged-care places. We have also addressed the issue of chemical restraints that are used in aged-care facilities, and I commend the Minister for Health for the work that he is doing with the sector and also with the pharmaceuticals industry and with the Pharmacy Guild. This is a very important issue, and they will continue to address those matters. Thirdly was addressing the very real issue of young people who are going into aged-care facilities. The truth is that that figure has fallen under our government. It's fallen, I think, by about 600 from when we came to government. That is important, and we are reducing the flow of young people going into aged-care places. We're doing that by making sure we can get the investment into proper accommodation facilities for those young people. I note those interjecting and screaming out—they're an angry lot today—but this is a very serious issue. If the opposition are prepared to work with the government to ensure we address the reforms coming out of the royal commission then we're very happy to do that. We certainly did that with the Labor Party when they were in government, when they were addressing very important aged-care reforms. We supported them. I would invite them to engage with us on this issue rather than dealing with it in a partisan way. Mr Perrett interjecting — The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Moreton has been warned. That's his final interjection. Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme 57 14:40 Dr ALLEN 282986 Higgins My question is to the Minister for Health. I'm certainly confident about Australia's future. Will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government is working to make it even better through its plan to secure essential medicines for all Australians? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches? 14:40 Mr HUNT 00AMV Flinders I want to thank the member for Higgins, because I'm confident, too, that we are making life better for Australians through the provision of essential services and, in particular, essential medicines. I do absolutely say 'making life better', because, as the member knows as well as anybody here, there was a time when a previous government, not that long ago, stopped the listing of essential services, stopped the listing of medicines. As the budget of the day said: 'Due to fiscal circumstances, the government will defer the listing of some new medicines until fiscal circumstances permit.' The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Macarthur on a point of order—and he'll need to state the point of order. Dr Freelander 265979 Thank you, Mr Speaker—on relevance. Is the minister aware that, at the present time, there is a complete— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Macarthur will resume his seat. A point of order can't be stated and then a question asked. Mr HUNT 00AMV And those medicines which were deferred—as the member for Macarthur, amongst others, would well know—included medicines for endometriosis and IVF, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma, schizophrenia and severe skin conditions. But things have changed, including the pace at which these medicines are being listed. There has been a 40 per cent reduction, I'm advised by the department, in the time to list new medicines under this government. This year there have been 334 new and amended medicines on our watch, in our time, making a difference to patients. Over the course of the life of this government, there have been 2,285 new and amended medicines. That includes where we started this year, with the Prime Minister: the listing of Tagrisso, a medicine that would otherwise have cost over $88,000, for genetic based lung cancer, for over 400 patients, and medicines such as Opdivo for melanoma, which would have cost over a quarter of a million dollars, and Ibrance for metastatic breast cancer, a life-saving, life-changing medicine that will help over 3,000 women save over $55,000 a year. Perhaps the thing of which I am most proud during the course of this year is what, as a government, we've been able to do to assist patients with cystic fibrosis, with medicines such as Orkambi and Symdeko, which would otherwise cost over $250,000 a year, or Kalydeco, at $300,000 a year. Those three medicines together will help over 1,400 patients, many of them beautiful children who would otherwise never have had the opportunity to live the rich, full life which is now before them. That's what essential services are about. That's what a strong economy is about—so we never again face the alternative of denying people medicines which are fundamental, essential, life-supporting. That is the difference as to why a strong economy matters. Mr Bowen interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for McMahon is warned! Mr HUNT 00AMV That is the difference in terms of what we actually deliver, and that is why we do what we do. Vocational Education and Training 58 14:44 Ms PLIBERSEK 83M Sydney My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said, 'We really want to lift the status of vocational education in Australia.' But the Prime Minister cut TAFE and training funding by $326 million in just one year. Why does the Prime Minister keep saying things that just aren't true? 14:44 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook The member would be aware that funding for TAFE is provided by the states and territories— Ms Plibersek 83M This is federal funding. The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Sydney will not interject. Mr MORRISON E3L As the member would know, funding for TAFE is provided by state and territory governments, and they make all decisions about how much they're funded by. The member can't come and simply say things that aren't true. It was the member who was part of a government that cut funding for the apprenticeship scheme, ripping money out of apprentice incentives in this country, which ensured that those who were looking for apprentices couldn't get the support. The member for Sydney is a serial offender at coming and making smears at the dispatch box about things she knows to be untrue. The SPEAKER 00APG Has the Prime Minister concluded his answer? The Prime Minister has concluded his answer. The member for Sydney is seeking to table a document, I think. Ms Plibersek 83M I seek leave to table the report from the NCVER that shows $325.8 million, a 10.6 per cent decrease in Commonwealth funding to TAFE and training. Leave not granted. Employment 58 14:46 Mrs WICKS 241590 Robertson My question is to the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology. I too am very confident about Australia's future, so will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government is working to make it even better through its plan to create jobs for Australians? Is the minister aware of any alternative approaches? 14:46 Mrs ANDREWS 230886 McPherson I thank the member for her question. I share her optimism about the future and so does everyone on this side of the House. We are going to back in Australian businesses, Australian industry and Australian workers. Because we have got strong and stable leadership and we have shown responsible economic management, we have set up the industry conditions that businesses need to be able to grow and to create the jobs for the future. There's been great news today. The October figures show that total manufacturing exports are up compared to the same time the year before, not just by a little bit but by a huge amount. Total manufacturing exports in October were up almost $1 billion compared to the year before. That is close to 10 per cent. That is a huge increase. Let me tell you that it is so disappointing that those opposite cannot applaud Australian industry and Australian manufacturing when they have come up with outstanding work and outstanding effort. It's just shameful. Do you know why? I know why they can't do it: because they've lost touch with the Australian people and the Australian workers. The Morrison government is the government for small businesses and the Australian worker. I was asked about alternative approaches, and what I can say is that there are actually no alternative policies coming from those opposite—not one. There's not one policy. There is no way that they can continue to maintain and claim that they support Australian workers, because the evidence is really clear that they don't. All you took to the election was a policy that was going to tax the Australian worker more than they already were. We actually took policies to the election and we have been implementing those policies now to make sure that we grow the economy and we create the jobs of the future. We will continue to support businesses. We will continue to grow the economy. We will continue to create jobs while those opposite could not grow weeds in a greenhouse. Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on both sides! The member for Paterson. The member for Fremantle and the member for Chifley, your deputy leader is waiting for you to cease interjecting. Prime Minister 58 14:50 Mr MARLES HWQ Corio My question is to the Prime Minister. Why does the Prime Minister believe that he shouldn't be subject to the normal rules of integrity and accountability, demonstrated by his failure to answer questions about why he prevented any member from speaking on his union-bashing bill today, why he has repeatedly misled the parliament, why he interfered in a New South Wales police investigation into one of his own ministers, why he was sacked as CEO of Tourism Australia and why he invited his mentor Brian Houston to the White House? 14:50 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook I reminded members during the course of question time earlier this week that this is question time; it's not smear time. And, for the member to come in the way that he has and just seeks to cast— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The Prime Minister will pause for a second. The level of interjections is ridiculously high. A number of members have been mentioned and warned. Just to be very clear about it, I won't allow a wall of noise to interrupt question time. I'm issuing a general warning. What that means, for those who haven't experienced it before, is that I'll exercise my authority under standing order 94(a) without a warning. It also means that, if I move to name someone, the warning is now. The Prime Minister has the call. Mr MORRISON E3L Thank you, Mr Speaker. I reject the smears that have been put by those opposite in framing that question and I would invite them to put questions about matters of policy—matters of aged care, as we already have had from one of the members, which I'm happy to take. I think that was a very important issue for the member to raise. If all this Leader of the Opposition has is smears and accusations and dramatising in this parliament, if that's all this Leader of the Opposition has— Honourable members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order? Mr Albanese R36 On relevance, Mr Speaker. It was a very direct question about a range of issues that this Prime Minister has had. The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. With the range of topics covered in the question and the nature of the question going to the Prime Minister, I can't at all see how he's not being relevant to the question. You simply cannot ask a question like that, which is very broad in nature, and then try and insist that there be a very narrow answer. The Prime Minister is in order. Mr MORRISON E3L Thank you, Mr Speaker. So, if all the Leader of the Opposition has got is grubby smears, and if that's how he wishes to define himself as a Leader of the Opposition, then I think the Australian public will see this Leader of the Opposition for what he is. All this Leader of the Opposition is demonstrating to the Australian people is that he's like those who would seek to glue themselves to buses and trucks and various things. If you want to know what those who just seek to disrupt the ordinary, everyday activities of Australians look like when they grow a little older, you only need to look at this Leader of the Opposition. The protest T-shirt may be a little tighter than it was many years ago, but this is just a very angry man. Mr Albanese interjecting— Mr Dreyfus interjecting— Ms Catherine King interjecting— Mr MORRISON E3L There he goes. Come on, 'Captain Angry'. The SPEAKER 00APG The Prime Minister will resume his seat. The members for Isaacs and Ballarat will leave under standing order 94(a). The Leader of the Opposition is seeking my call? Mr Albanese R36 Yes, Mr Speaker. The Prime Minister is making a number of personal accusations against me. He's the one who shut down the parliament earlier today. The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the Opposition will resume his seat. Unfortunately, I think what the record will show is the question made a number of accusations and the Prime Minister's making some in return. That tends to happen. The Prime Minister has the call. Mr MORRISON E3L I understand the Leader of the Opposition is very angry. He's very angry because the government is standing up for those who do not want to see thuggery and bullying, particularly against women, as part of their workplace. The Labor Party like to talk big about these issues, but, when it comes to calling them to account and asking them to outlaw thuggish and bullying behaviour in this country, this is their reaction—smears, accusations and even attacking people's faith. I'm not intimidated by the Leader of the Opposition or any of the Labor Party members— Opposition members interjecting— Mr MORRISON E3L That's what you did. The SPEAKER 00APG The Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order? Mr Burke DYW On a point of order, Mr Speaker: the Prime Minister just made a jibe against the opposition and against individual members of the opposition that is deeply personal. He should be above that one and it should be withdrawn. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Order, members on my left! Mr Brian Mitchell interjecting— Ms Coker interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Lyons will leave under standing order 94(a), as will the member for Corangamite. The member for Lyons then left the chamber. The member for Corangamite then left the chamber. The SPEAKER 00APG Manager of Opposition Business, as strong language as it was, because of the nature of it I was listening very carefully and what I have to say is that, whilst that was very strong language—and I know the Manager of Opposition Business has asked for that to be withdrawn—I can't think of an example where an accusation like that, as strong as it was, has been withdrawn. I can't. But I'm happy to hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. Mr Burke DYW Mr Speaker, you will find instances where, for the dignity of the House, a Speaker has given someone the opportunity that it would assist the House if they withdrew, and I can assure you it would assist the House if the Prime Minister withdrew. The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the House? Mr Porter 208884 The question went directly to the issue of the Prime Minister's faith by nominating the name of the church leader— The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the House will resume his seat. Mr Burke interjecting— Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The Manager of Opposition Business and others interjecting does not help. I didn't hear the last part from the Leader of the House, so I want to hear from the Leader of the House. Mr Porter 208884 The question specifically contained an inference with respect to faith because it nominated someone who is a church leader of a particular faith. The SPEAKER 00APG In my consideration of this matter, I don't agree that that inference was there. The statement the Prime Minister made was a very general one, where he said people had questioned his faith. The difficulty I'm in— Dr Aly interjecting— Mr Burke interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG No, I don't need the member for Cowan, nor the Manager of Opposition Business. I'm not in a position to judge whether no-one's questioned his faith. I'm not in a position to judge that. I agree it was very, very strong language. I'll hear from the Manager of Opposition Business. Mr Burke DYW Mr Speaker, there are two issues. The first is in terms of what the question went to. The question went specifically to areas where the Prime Minister has failed to answer questions. Then it gave a list of examples. All of those are well and truly in the public domain. Secondly, it would assist the dignity of the House if the Prime Minister were given the opportunity to withdraw. The SPEAKER 00APG Obviously on a very robust day like this there are instances where— Mr Hawke HWO Ask a nasty question— The SPEAKER 00APG The minister's not helping. I listened very carefully to the Prime Minister, and the Manager of Opposition Business is right that there have been occasions where people have been told it would assist the dignity of the House to withdraw. There have been a number of occasions today where, if things hadn't been said, it would have assisted the dignity of the House—or if they'd been withdrawn. I'm not going to require a withdrawal. I am going to say there are other means open to members, including, if they think that is a misrepresentation, to take that. But I can think of many, many examples of very tough language like that—and I will say it was tough—that have occurred. Had it been the case that it was very personalised and went directly to the person, that would be a different matter, and on that I caution all members speaking. The Prime Minister has concluded his answer? He's got 22 seconds. Mr MORRISON E3L On the matters he's raised, the reason I won't withdraw this is that those opposite have been engaged in that tactic against me as Prime Minister for some time now. I will stand up for what I believe in and I will stand up for my beliefs. Workplace Relations 61 15:00 Mr THOMPSON 281826 Herbert My question is to the Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations. I too am confident about Australia's future. Will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison government is working to make it even better, through its plans to protect Australian workers; and is the minister aware of any alternative policies? 15:01 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I thank the minister for his question. The other group of people that we will stand up for are people who are routinely bullied, harassed and intimidated on construction sites around Australia. The ensuring union integrity bill is specifically designed to protect the people, who have included female inspectors, health and safety inspectors, apprentices, stubbies, contractors, small-business people, who have been bullied, harassed and intimidated. These people deserve the protection of an appropriate legislative scheme, which is what is contained in the ensuring integrity bill. We've heard members opposite today—great champions of democracy that they are—criticise this government for dealing with this issue by moving the legislation through this parliament. And yesterday the shadow minister tried to move a motion which would have had the effect of banning this parliament from dealing with the ensuring integrity bill until the date 1 July 2022. He tried to move a motion that, for 2½ years, would have banned this parliament from dealing with a bill which is meant to protect people on worksites. Now, that doesn't sound terribly democratic, does it? In fact, what they did yesterday was give the clearest indication that they had no interest in debating a bill which seeks to protect people on worksites across Australia, because they wanted to ban the parliament from dealing with it at all, in any way, for 2½ years. What a strange thing for a member of parliament to do—to try and move a motion to ban parliament from dealing with a bill. Why on earth do you think that that might happen? The answer is that this bill goes specifically and directly to the behaviour of the CFMMEU—specifically and directly to the behaviour of an organisation that has racked up $16 million worth in fines for over 2,200 offences. What is also notable about the CFMMEU is that they have given $14 million to the Labor Party. The outrage that we saw this morning—that's what it's all about. The more the outrage is shown, the more the money flows into the Labor Party. The more you try to ban parliament from dealing with this problem by banning parliament from dealing with the bill that will solve the problem, the more the money flows. Ultimately, that is what it is all about. And a big wad of that money comes from the Victorian branch of the CFMMEU, led by a man who has committed contempt of court, assault, assault of police, wilful trespass, resisting arrest, coercion—and you always seem to have room to take his money. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The Attorney's time has concluded. The member for Solomon will leave under standing order 94(a). The member for Solomon then left the chamber. Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction 61 15:04 Mr BUTLER HWK Hindmarsh My question is to the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction. How can the minister expect this House to believe that he downloaded a fraudulent document from the City of Sydney website, when we all know he's been misleading this House since the day he arrived, and falsely claimed he went to university with Naomi Wolf and that she hates Christmas? The minister has always known this was false, so why won't he just do the decent thing and correct the record? 15:05 Mr TAYLOR 231027 Hume Of course I recall seeing and meeting Ms Wolf at New College in Oxford during my time there. She began her studies there in the mid-eighties and she finished at Oxford only a couple of years ago. Now, my speech to the parliament six years ago did not say she was involved in the war on Christmas. But I want to say this: her accusation of anti-Semitism is wrong and deeply offensive to me and my family. Mr Speaker, my grandmother was Jewish, and my belief in Judaeo-Christian values is deeply held. I call on Ms Wolf to apologise for these unsubstantiated and outrageous accusations. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on my left! Mr TAYLOR 231027 The fact that the Labor Party has attached itself to anti-Semitic accusations shows you just how low they're prepared to go. The SPEAKER 00APG The Leader of the Opposition, on a point of order? Mr Albanese R36 Yes. From where it came is beyond me, Mr Speaker, but this minister just accused us of being anti-Semitic. He's got to withdraw it. Opposition members interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG Members on my left! The Leader of the House has the call. Mr Porter 208884 No point of order has been nominated. What standing order is he seeking to raise? The SPEAKER 00APG He wasn't raising a point of order. That last statement does need to be withdrawn. I call the minister. Mr TAYLOR 231027 I withdraw. Drought 62 15:07 Dr WEBSTER 281688 Mallee My question is for the Minister for Water Resources, Drought, Rural Finance, Natural Disaster and Emergency Management. I join my colleagues to declare that I, too, am confident about Australia's future. Will the minister outline to the House how the Morrison-McCormack government is working to make it even better through its plan to support farmers experiencing drought and by backing Australian agriculture? And is the minister aware of any other alternatives? 15:08 Mr LITTLEPROUD 265585 Maranoa Can I thank the member for Mallee for her question. The electorate of Mallee has been severely impacted by this drought that has spread like a cancer, starting up in Queensland, right down the east coast into Tasmania and now into WA. That's why our government's national drought strategy has three pillars. It is about delivery, real delivery, to people on the ground. The first pillar is around the here and now: putting money into farmers' pockets, understanding they need support right now. And that comes through the farm household allowance, giving them the dignity and respect they deserve to be able to buy household items, but also complementing that with Regional Investment Corporation loans to allow people to refinance up to $2 million from their financial institution to the Regional Investment Corporation, taking interest and repayments out of the banks' pockets and putting it back into farmers' pockets—with nothing to pay in interest or repayments for two years—but also the opportunity to recover, when it does rain, to restock and replant as quickly as they can, because it takes time for cash flow to recover. That's complemented by rural financial counsellors, in the here and now, on the ground helping them fill out the paperwork. Our second pillar is about the community, understanding the drought extends past the farm gate into these communities that support them. In our last package of drought support, we put over $400 million in additional stimulus to get tradies going, and to procure the materials out of local hardware stores, and to make sure that, when the funding and the spending from farmers dries up, the government is there to stimulate those economies. It's also about ensuring and understanding that it flows into those other workers in those communities who are doing it tough. We have the Drought Community Support program that's putting in $3,000 to help people, particularly at this time of the year through Christmas, through the Salvation Army and Vinnies. The third pillar is about the future. We're the first government that's looking to the next drought, because the next drought starts the first day after it rains again. We've done that already with over $500 million a year in support through farm management deposits and tax write-offs, and now with the Future Drought Fund—a $5 billion fund—giving a $100 million dividend every year. The plan for that fund will be placed in parliament in the coming months, also with respect to building water infrastructure. Today, to make sure that the delivery of all these programs, totalling more than $8 billion in commitments, is done properly, we're extending the amazing work that Shane Stone has done in respect of the north-west Queensland floods; we're now extending his and his team's expertise to making sure that we deliver this for the drought. This will not just be having people in Canberra; this will be having people out on the ground, making sure that the over $8 billion the Australian taxpayers have put in to support our farmers is spent properly—and holding the states to account for their responsibility. We have confidence in Australia; we have confidence in regional and rural Australia to get through this drought, because this government and this nation will stand with them to make sure that we get there when it rains. The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Shortland has returned after his one-hour suspension. I require him to withdraw his last comment unreservedly. Mr Conroy 249127 I withdraw. Public Service 63 15:11 Ms ROWLAND 159771 Greenway My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that today he sacked five departmental secretaries that kept the disgraced Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction in his job? 15:11 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook I'm happy to address the first part of that question. The second part of that question, again, just contained another ugly smear from the opposition. This is what they have done all day. Today they have shown themselves to be an angry rabble. They have remained angry since 18 May, and the people they're most angry at are the Australian people, because the Australian people rejected them at the last election for their higher taxes, their soft policies on border protection and their lack of faith in the Australian people to get on and keep more of what they earn. What I did today, in announcing a restructure of the Australian Public Service, is to make sure the Public Service are focused on Australians, that they are focused and have a clear line of sight between the work they do and the needs of Australians on the ground. It is true: I reduced the number of departments from 18 down to 14. It was, in fact, Bob Hawke who did something similar when he also knew that the Public Service had to be more focused on the delivery of services to the Australian people. They're the sorts of reforms this country needs, because I respect and value the excellent work of our Public Service. I want to give them the right structure that enables them to deliver on the services that are needed right across this country. Whether it's providing services in the drought—and the minister has just outlined the outstanding work of the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency, which will now be given a broader charter and responsibility in the recovery and assisting farmers and rural communities through the drought. The other thing we've done is we've connected education, skills and employment, so we have whole-of-life training, whole-of-life education and understanding that the equipping we give to people in this country, of whatever age, through our education or vocational or in-work training system is all designed to get them into a job and keep them in a job at whatever age they're at. And we're ensuring that our communications are linked with our infrastructure program, and particularly ensure that it's connected to our regional development agenda. We're ensuring that our Department of Human Services, as it was formerly known, is part of the broader Social Services portfolio and, through the work of the Minister for Government Services, that we can get those services to people on the ground. It's important that we have a public service that is supported by the government to get the job done. That's why I took the decisions I took today. I expect our government to work for the Australian people—and we do—and I'm ensuring the Australian Public Service is lean and mean and focused on the job of delivering for Australians. Morrison Government 63 15:14 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay My question is to the Prime Minister. Australia is the best country in the world. How is the Morrison government working to make it even better to secure Australia's future? 15:15 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook I thank the member for Lindsay for her question and I share her optimism and confidence, like all the members on this side of the House, because I know the Australian people are optimistic and I know they're confident about their future— Ms Kearney interjecting— The SPEAKER 00APG The member for Cooper will leave under standing order 94(a) The member for Cooper then left the chamber. Mr MORRISON E3L I know that because they have decent, honest aspirations, and we are backing them to achieve those aspirations. That's what we took to the Australian people at the last election. Every day our government goes to work to back in Australians who are quietly going about their business, and they will continue to get our support. They're not interested in the Canberra games. They're not interested in the drama and all the other nonsense that can happen in this place. What they're interested in is a government that's getting on with the job. Under our government, Australians have been getting jobs: 202,700 new jobs to date in this calendar year alone, 251,800 jobs over the past year and more than 1.4 million jobs since we first came to government. Australians have been earning more and they're keeping more of what they earn, because we believe in lower taxes and we have delivered those lower taxes. We are acting to reduce carbon emissions in our economy. Our emissions are coming down and our emissions are lower than they were at any time under the previous Labor government. We are cleaning up the environment with practical, meaningful action to protect our land, to ensure that Australians who depend on the land—on our seas, on our fisheries, on our waterways—can get the support they need to go about their business. Our veterans are receiving $11½ billion in services and support this financial year. Our investment in essential medicines has led to the listing of over 2,200 new or amended items on the PBS, at an overall cost of $10.7 billion. We are delivering on our $100 billion infrastructure program, having just brought forward $3.8 billion into the forward estimates, and $1.8 billion into this year and next year alone, to ensure we are investing in the economy. But next year I'm looking forward to passing the ensuring integrity bill in the other place, ensuring that union thugs have no place in our workforce. I'm looking forward to following through on the funding commitments that we have given, which are fully funded in our budget. In health that includes an extra $31 billion through the 2020 National Health Agreement and expanding support to some 500,000 participants through the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I'm absolutely looking forward to ensuring we have a religious discrimination act that protects the beliefs of Australians, whatever faith or nonfaith they have, in this country. I'm looking forward to continuing to engage our partners around the world to put Australia's national interest first. Getting our spending to two per cent of GDP and ensuring the stable and certain management of our economy means— (Time expired) Mr Morrison E3L On that note, I ask that further questions be placed on the Notice Paper. DOCUMENTS 64 DOCUMENTS Presentation 64 15:18 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings. BUSINESS 64 BUSINESS Leave of Absence 64 15:18 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce I move: That leave of absence be given to every Member of the House of Representatives from the determination of this sitting of the House to the date of the next sitting. Question agreed to. COMMITTEES 64 COMMITTEES Government Response 64 15:19 The SPEAKER 00APG For the information of honourable members, I present a schedule of the status of government responses to committee reports as at 4 December 2019. Copies of the schedule are being made available to honourable members and it will be incorporated in Hansard. The schedule read as follows— SPEAKER ' S SCHEDULE OF THE STATUS OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO COMMITTEE REPORTS (as at 4 December 2019) SPEAKER ' S SCHEDULE OF THE STATUS OF GOVERNMENT RESPONSES TO COMMITTEE REPORTS The Speaker's schedule to the House of Representatives on the status of government responses to committee reports is presented at six monthly intervals, usually in the last sitting weeks of the winter and spring sittings. The schedule presents a list of committee reports that contain recommendations requiring a government response. The last schedule was presented in the House on 4 July 2019. Government responses received during the period are included in the schedule and the report it relates to is then removed from subsequent schedules. The timeframe for government responses to committee reports in this schedule is determined by the resolution adopted by the House on 29 September 2010, in which government responses to House and Joint committee reports are required within a six month period from the presentation of the report in the House. The Senate has resolved to require government responses to Senate and Joint committee reports within three months of a report being tabled.A This schedule does not list reports that do not require a government response. In the past, the practice was to include all reports tabled in the House in the Speaker's schedule. However, the intent of this schedule is to provide an update to the House on the status of government responses to committee reports. The schedule does not include advisory reports on bills introduced into the House of Representatives unless the reports make recommendations that are wider than the provision of the bill and would therefore be the subject of a government response. The Government's response to bill inquiry reports is apparent in the resumption of consideration of the relevant legislation by the House. Also not included are reports from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, the House of Representatives Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests, and the Publications Committee (other than reports on inquiries). Government responses to reports of the Public Works Committee are usually reflected in motions for the approval of works after the relevant report has been presented and considered. The Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights' regular scrutiny reports on the human rights compatibility of bills and legislative instruments are not listed, as the timeframe for a response is specified in correspondence to the relevant minister. Reports of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit primarily make administrative recommendations but may make policy recommendations. A government response is required in respect of such policy recommendations made by the committee. Responses to administrative recommendations are made in the form of an Executive Minute provided to, and subsequently tabled by, the committee. Agencies responding to administrative recommendations are required to provide an Executive Minute within six months of the tabling of a report. Executive Minutes are included in this schedule. A This practice has arisen from a Senate resolution of 14 March 1973, in which the Senate declared its opinion that the government should provide a response to committee reports within three months of tabling. Successive governments have affirmed their commitment to providing such responses. The table below provides a summary of received (since tabling of the last schedule on 4 July 2019) and outstanding government responses spanning the last four parliaments. Table of responses received (since tabling of the last schedule on 4 July 2019) and outstanding (as at 4 December 2019): Notes 1 The date of tabling is the date the report was presented to the House of Representatives or to the Speaker, whichever is earlier. In the case of joint committees, the date shown is the date of first presentation to either the House or the Senate or to the President or Speaker (if presented earlier out of session). Reports published when the House (or Houses) are not sitting are tabled at a later date. 2 If the source for the government response date is not the Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives or the Journals of the Senate, the source is shown in an endnote. 3 For reports up to the end of 42nd Parliament, the time specified is three months from the date of tabling. The Government has undertaken to respond to committee reports within a six month period—see House of Representatives Standing Orders, resolution of the House of Representatives of 29 September 2010. This resolution also puts in place additional steps for reports not responded to within that six month period. The period from when the 44th Parliament was prorogued on 9 May 2016 to the commencement of the 45th Parliament on 30 August 2016 is not included in the response period. The period from when the 45th Parliament was prorogued on 11 April 2019 to the commencement of the 46th Parliament on 2 July 2019 is not included in the response period. MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE 70 MATTERS OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE Morrison Government 70 15:19 The SPEAKER 00APG I have received a letter from the honourable the Leader of the Opposition proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The failure of this Government to deliver its promises and develop a plan for Australia's future. I call upon those honourable members who approve of the proposed discussion to rise in their places. More than the number of members required by the standing orders having risen in their places— 15:19 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler One of the songs of those great Queenslanders the Regurgitator is 'I Like Your Old Stuff Better than the New Stuff'. We certainly like the old stuff, in terms of what this Prime Minister said he would do, better than the new stuff, what he is actually doing as Prime Minister in this government. That song also had the line, 'You're nothing like you used to be.' This Prime Minister is nothing like he pretended to be prior to this election. Remember that prior to the election he said that he wanted to speak up and stand up for quiet Australians? We now know that what he meant is silent Australians. He wants everyone to just listen to him and for no-one else to have a voice. He wants no-one else to have a say. He put the ensuring integrity bill through all three stages in this House without a single word being spoken. That never happened under John Howard, Menzies, Hawke, Keating, Abbott or Turnbull. This is the greatest jackboot administration that we have seen. Today, in sacking five departmental heads, what they have also done is centralise power. If you have multiple cabinet ministers with a single department, what you have is no co-ords about the issues, even when there is conflict. All power gets centralised to the Prime Minister and Cabinet. The fact is that this government regards democracy as an inconvenience, one that can just be dismissed at any time. What this Prime Minister—arrogant, shouty and full of hubris—has done is travel the land and in here on a victory lap since May, as if he received 100 per cent of the votes. Well, we're not a one-party state; we're a democracy. We're entitled to actually have proper debate in this place. But when the Prime Minister loses a vote, as he did last week in the Senate, what he does is throw all the toys out of the cot. That's what we've seen today. We've seen him abuse Senator Hanson and abuse Senator Lambie—all of them out there. That's a great way to persuade them to change their minds on the anti-union legislation: tell them that they don't tell the truth and abuse them. That's what we've seen. The fact is that at the same time as they crunch through the anti-worker legislation, they can't even keep the commitment that was made to bring in legislation arising from the banking royal commission. We shouldn't be surprised by that. They voted against it on 26 occasions. This government doesn't support freedom of association. We know that they don't support freedom of the press. When the raids occurred on the ABC and on News Limited, remember the Prime Minister, at the time in the United Kingdom, saying, 'Well, these processes have to take place.' There was not a word of concern for that. We also know that they don't even support freedom to protest, because they regard all of that, anyone having a say, as being a secondary boycott. The fact is that this government, when it changed those departments today, had no consultation with those departments. Those departments found out from a phone call yesterday afternoon. They found out they'd lost their jobs. That is this government's approach to proper processes. At the same time as they sacked those five departmental secretaries, we have a minister who sits there, Angus Taylor, who has kept his job. First we saw the watergate event: an extraordinary amount of money paid for water, which apparently didn't purchase any. Then we saw 'grassgate', where the minister sat in meetings and dragged the Treasurer into the scandal. We don't see any response from the government about that. It was, 'Nothing to see here'. Then, of course, 'Angus horribilis' came into full bloom, with the clear mislead about the document that is clearly forged. It doesn't even make sense, that the mayor and her nine councillors in the City of Sydney could spend $1.4 million per head in one year. What we've had is something that this minister could have cleared up on day one and he wouldn't have been in this strife over this issue—there would have been others but not this issue. Yet, what he did was obfuscate. He still continues to insist that the document was downloaded from the website even though all the metadata is quite clearly there. No wonder the appropriately named Strike Force Garrad has been set up. Today's performance really did top it all. I was wondering earlier today, with everything that happened, whether Naomi Wolf would get up on TV tonight. I think she might. There was the extraordinary attack on Naomi Wolf, who was in New York and was not a roomie at college in the United Kingdom at that very time. In that very year she had the No. 1 bestselling book in the world. This wasn't someone obscure. What did he do? He ripped into her: 'Nothing to see here'. She should apologise to him—to him! He is, once again, a victim. This Prime Minister continues to run a protection racket for this bloke. Mr Brian Mitchell 129164 It's the 'witless protection program'. Mr ALBANESE R36 It is the 'witless protection program' that this man has. The fact is that when this Prime Minister is held to account he talks of a bubble. What's a bubble like? It's all surface and no substance. It's see-through. It's full of hot air. If there's a bubble boy in this place, he sits there during question time, because this Prime Minister just runs from any scrutiny whatsoever. He doesn't want scrutiny from the media. He doesn't want any scrutiny or processes in the parliament. When gets questions he says things like, 'That's just in the bubble' or 'That's just gossip.' When you raise questions legitimately about why he won't give straight answers to questions, he smears and he says, 'You're saying something untoward about me and who I am.' Well, we're not. What we are simply saying very clearly is that, when you are the Prime Minister of the nation, you are accountable to that nation. You can't regard democracy and these processes as just an inconvenience, and that's precisely what this government does. At the same time as they had this, they introduced the legislation and crunched it all through today. What is their actual agenda for 2020, the new decade? They don't have an economic plan for wages, for dealing with productivity, for dealing with consumer demand and retail spending, for dealing with growth. They don't have a plan for energy and for dealing with climate change. They don't have a plan to deal with aged care, where the royal commission is showing an absolute crisis. They don't have a plan to deal with robodebt where they got knocked over in the courts last week. They don't have a plan for the nation. All they have is a plan for themselves. They think that, if they just sit there with the born-to-rule mentality that they have and tell everyone else to just keep quiet, it will all be okay. Well, it won't be. I'll tell you what we've been doing in that meantime. We dusted ourselves off and picked ourselves up after May. We've had our review and now we're looking forward. In two days time I will be giving the third vision statement in the series, following on from jobs and the economy. Ironically, I'm going to have to rewrite it after today because it's about democracy, it's about our process, it's about scrutiny and how we increase participation and ownership over the direction of the country, over the future of the country. You can't have ownership if we're a one-party state and if everyone just keeps quiet. There are big challenges that this country has. The government think that if they just stand up and get people asking Dorothy Dixers and say, 'We're very confident and everything is hunky-dory,' those challenges will go away. They won't. The problem for this government is it's scared of the present but terrified of the future. It won't address the future challenges that are very serious. We will hold them to account. We have done that today and we've done that in this parliament. When we come back, we will continue to hold the government to account, but we'll also be pursuing our positive agenda for the nation because this nation needs a Labor government. 15:29 Mr COULTON HWN Parkes If members opposite are ever wondering why they're sitting on that side of the chamber and not this side, the contribution in the last 10 minutes by the Leader of the Opposition is a pretty good example of that. If that contribution were played on SBS, there would need to be someone there with a grey beard explaining to the wider Australian public what it all meant. He was critical of the Prime Minister's support for quiet Australians. Quiet Australians are the people out there in Australia. They're not the union officials. They're not in the Canberra inner circle that we're seeing here. If the Labor Party wonder why they are sitting there after 18 May, it's because they didn't speak to the quiet Australians. They didn't have the conversations that I was having with people in Bourke, in Moree and in every other part of Australia. People were coming up to me, whose lifelong family connections to the Labor Party are well known, and were terrified of the Labor Party's policies. They were coming to me and telling me that they didn't understand how the Labor Party had lost its way. That great party that was formed in regional Australia on the sweat of shearers and was born to represent the working class of Australia has lost its way and now has no connection with those people. It's the people on this side that represent the areas in the bush. They are representing those people, because those people have lost complete faith in the Labor Party. The people on this side are all people with real life experience. None of these people on this side, I believe, got here by being union officials. Hands up if you were a union official before you came into this place. I'm sorry, we're not representatives like you are over there. So the Australians looked to the coalition, and they liked what they saw. They wanted to have someone to represent them that kept taxes low. They wanted someone that could balance the budget. They wanted someone that could build infrastructure for the future. They wanted someone that could manage a strong economy and create jobs. They wanted some who could balance the budget. This year, the budget has returned to balance for the first time in 11 years. I have been around here for a while. Opposition members interjecting— Mr COULTON HWN You might want to listen there up in the backbench, because I was sitting over there for six years while I saw the great largesse of the Howard government fritted away on school halls that wouldn't fit any students. Mr Perrett HVP You voted for it! Mr COULTON HWN We may have voted for it, but we did not implement it. It was the worst implemented scheme that we have ever seen in the history of the Commonwealth. By contrast, Labor, in that time, racked up six record deficits totalling $240 billion. They haven't delivered a surplus since that great iconic leader—the well-respected and late Prime Minister Robert Hawke. Dr Freelander 265979 And union official! Mr COULTON HWN I'm glad the member for Macarthur is paying attention. I was worried that he might not have been listening. I thought he might have nodded off there for a while. I'm pleased he's still here. We have delivered a further $158 billion of tax relief going into the pockets of everyday Australians through their personal tax plan. It's the biggest simplification of income tax systems in the 1990s, abolishing an entire tax bracket and making income tax lower. The corporate tax plan reduces the burden on SMEs—small businesses, the backbone of Australia. Do you know how the Labor Party thinks you get a small business? Mrs Marino HWP You get a big business. Mr COULTON HWN You get a big business and vote for Labor, and that's how you get a small business. We saw plenty of that after 2007, though, didn't we? Plenty of big businesses became small businesses. We support small businesses. They are the greatest employers in Australia. We have created more than 1.4 million jobs since September 2013, and more than 55 per cent of these have been full-time jobs. Over 837 of these jobs have been for women. Labor's high-tax plan for Australia would have decimated the economy and cost jobs. The Australian people knew that. That's why they kept the ALP over there. That's what they kept saying to me. They didn't want to not vote for the Labor Party; they just could not vote for them. They had lost confidence. On this side we have been increasing trade. One of the great privileges I've had in the 12 years I've been in this place has been— Mr Perrett interjecting— Mr COULTON HWN I actually had an increased margin, member for Moreton. Mr Perrett HVP Didn't your primary vote go down? You forget that. Mr COULTON HWN I got over the line; that's the main thing! We all know that. I'm here and, while I'm here, I've been expanding Australia's interests overseas through trade, supporting Australia through trade agreements that have been absolutely life-changing for our exporting industries. They are agreements like the TPP-11, which is for 11 countries around the Pacific. Just recently I have been involved in the implementation and the support that came through this House for the Indonesia, Hong Kong, the Peru free trade agreements. Seventy per cent of our exports now are through free trade agreements—agreements that give our exporters a benefit over our competitors. Money is going into everyday Australians' pockets. Our exports continue to grow and are expected to reach a record $470 billion in 2018-19, up from $307 billion six years ago. We've posted for the 2018-19 financial year a record yearly trade surplus of $49.89 billion, which is more than three times larger than the previous record. Australia now has a current account surplus for the first time since 1975. But we do have a plan for the future—a plan for Australians, as someone who proudly looks after regional Australia; a plan for Australians who live in the regions. We are decentralising government. We are putting the people who serve communities in those communities. It doesn't mean we're moving whole departments. Members in the Canberra area don't need to be in a state of high anxiety. To have someone who works for the Murray-Darling Basin Authority living in Menindee? You can't tell me that that's not a good idea. People that are working for the infrastructure department and building the Inland Rail living in Moree? Those are jobs right across regional Australia. Commonwealth employees will be working with the communities and the people that they are serving. We have some massive infrastructure projects in our $100 billion pipeline. The Inland Rail, a project that's close to my heart, a project the member opposite would have heard about 12 years ago listening to my first speech here, where I mentioned my support for the Inland Rail. If you go out into western New South Wales now, you will find hundreds of people now laying rails, earthworks—all the work associated with Inland Rail. It is creating not only 16,000 jobs through construction but an opportunity to build a corridor of commerce right through western New South Wales, into Victoria and up into Queensland, giving an opportunity for those communities to have connection not only to Melbourne and Brisbane. Every capital city in Australia, for the first time in the history of this country, will be connected by a standard-gauge rail. It is taking trucks off the road, saving on greenhouse gases and making it safer on our highways. This is a transformational project. It's important that we represent and we support all aspects such as more doctors to the bush. We're developing and implementing a strategy for a remedy so that more medical professionals will be encouraged to go work in regional areas and to find out that working there is an advantage. It is a positive prospect for your future; it is not a second-class opportunity. We will continue to implement those policies. Next week I have the privilege of turning the first sod on the first of the projects for the Murray-Darling Medical Schools Network, a $74 million project that will train end to end medical professionals in regional areas so that they will service regional areas. This government is delivering. It does support all Australians and will continue to do so into the future. (Time expired) 15:40 Mr STEPHEN JONES A9B Whitlam We now know why the government want to close down debate. It's not because they're afraid about what we're going to say; it's because they're petrified about what their own members might say! What an absolutely pathetic performance—almost as pathetic as during question time, having speaker after speaking getting up and parroting a prepared statement about how confident they are in the future of Australia. Well, Australians can be confident about the future of this country, but they can have no confidence in the ability of this government to do the right thing or to put in place a plan to manage the future of the economy. The evidence for that is clear. They had the opportunity today to suspend all of the business of the parliament and prioritise things that Australia really needs to focus on. None of us on this side of the House are surprised that No. 1 on their list was a bill to bust unions, because the only consistent thing between the first conservative government and this woeful, pathetic government today is their inbuilt hatred of unions. That is the only thing that ties this woeful display of a conservative government together today. But what was surprising were the things that weren't on their list of priorities. There wasn't a bill to introduce a royal commission into veteran suicides. There wasn't a bill to respond to the interim recommendations of the aged-care royal commission. There wasn't a plan tabled to deal with a weak economy that is getting weaker. And, most extraordinary of all—given that today marks 308 days since the handing down of the Hayne commission into the banking and finance sector, which gave 76 recommendations to government—there was no bill in the House today to introduce the recommendations of the Hayne royal commission. I ask you this: of the 76 recommendations that we have had for over 300 days, how many do you think they have introduced? Do you think it is half? Let's not get ahead of them. Do you think they've introduced 30, 36 or 37? What about 26 or 27? If they'd busted their gut, maybe 15. Not 15, not 14 and not 13; not even 10. They have introduced six of the recommendations of the royal commission. They voted against the royal commission 27 times and they are working hell for leather to delay the implementation of that royal commission. What are the recommendations that they are delaying? How about the fact that there are no protections against unfair terms in insurance contracts? What about families who are suffering claims-handling issues? We're coming to the bushfire season, as well as hailstorms, floods and other natural disasters. We hope that nobody suffers the terrible results of any of those disasters, but you'd have to say that, on average, it's going to happen somewhere. The claims-handling procedures were exposed by the royal commission as woefully inadequate. They were supposed to introduce legislation on their own low-ball target, and there is nothing in the House today—no plan to deal with it. Their priorities were somewhere else. They want to give the industrial regulator more power to deal with shutting down unions, but what about giving the finance sector regulator more powers, which not one, not two, not three but four reports have said are woefully inadequate? You'd think that would be a priority, but it wasn't. Instead of considering a bill that would provide ASIC with the stronger enforcement powers that they need to protect Aussies over the Christmas break from shonks, the government drop-kicked this critical legislation to next year in favour of its union-busting bill. The truth is that, if they were looking for something to drop-kick, it should have been that woeful dropkick who sits over there—the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction—because, if there is a low performer in this woeful government, it's him and he doesn't deserve to hold his seat. This government's priorities are all wrong. (Time expired) 15:45 Mrs MARINO HWP Forrest The previous speaker spoke about the things that the government hasn't done, and he is actually right: we didn't put $387 billion of new taxes on the Australian people. That's what we didn't do and that's what Australians are particularly pleased about. We know there have been 1.4 million new jobs in our time, including 70,000 since the election in May. That's what's happened. We are bringing the budget back into surplus and back into balance for the first time in over 11 years. Those of us in business understand how important this is. It will enable us to pay down debt. We have delivered tax relief to individuals and to business, and Australians are keeping more of what they earn. We can look at the record funding for our security agencies to keep Australians safe, something that is an expectation of government and something that I'm particularly proud that this government does, and our commitment to protecting children from child abuse. Often it's the smaller measures— Ms Thwaites interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 218019 The member for Jagajaga is warned! Mrs MARINO HWP To find fault with legislation dealing with child abuse is appalling from that side. I'd say to the member: that's an inappropriate issue to interject on. Ms Thwaites interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 218019 The member for Jagajaga will remove herself under 94(a). The member for Jagajaga then left the chamber. Mrs MARINO HWP Combating child sexual abuse and exploitation legislation— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 218019 The member for Moreton on a point of order? Mr Perrett HVP Deputy Speaker, I'd ask the speaker to withdraw that slur that she's made on the Labor Party about not supporting protecting children. For the dignity of the House, I'd ask her to withdraw that. Mrs MARINO HWP Mr Deputy Speaker, the member interjected at a time when I was talking about a commitment to protecting children from child abuse. That is an appalling interjection. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 218019 I must say to the member for Moreton: all I heard was that she said it was an inappropriate time to interject, which it was. Mrs MARINO HWP It was an inappropriate time to interject. I'm talking about something that's very close to my heart, as someone who has delivered over 450 cybersafety presentations, about e-safety for kids in— Mr Perrett interjecting— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 218019 The member for Moreton! Mrs MARINO HWP Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. And there was the legislation we introduced to protect farmers from the unlawful actions of animal activists, to deter those who incite this type of behaviour. It didn't seem much to a lot of people, but these people are my neighbours and they're people right next to me. Yes, these actions did have a massive impact. I'm proud that that was one of the first things that this government did—understanding exactly what that means on-farm. I look at those same people in relation to the new free trade agreements—for Peru, Hong Kong and Indonesia—that have recently come through the parliament. At the time we came into government, 26 per cent of our goods were covered by free trade agreements. Now it's 70 per cent. The other night we had our national Export Awards, and I saw those wonderful people who are the most amazing, most successful exporters in Australia—the finalists. I want to speak about Brad and Jodee Adams, of Ocean Grown Abalone in Augusta, who were Western Australian finalists. They have a world-first green-lit commercial abalone branch in Flinders Bay. They are doing just amazing work and exporting from that little area of Augusta. The other thing I think we've done particularly well is the 2,285 new, amended medicines on the PBS. This is what matters to people in my electorate and around Australia, especially in the cystic fibrosis area—I know there's a very young family in my electorate who are particularly pleased about the listing of Orkambi and Kalydeco—and for the women who will be able to get better treatment for metastatic breast cancer. And there is our work on endometriosis—there are a lot of members who understand the importance of the investment in this space. In finishing, we're heading into Christmas and I want to encourage all Australians to be safe. Whether they're on the roads or whether they're on water, when they take their festive break, I encourage them to give themselves plenty of time to get where they need to be, and to look after each other and be able to get into the new year with their families safe and well. 15:50 Mr WATTS 193430 Gellibrand I'm delighted to speak on this motion about the lack of an economic plan from those opposite. Since the last federal election, Australia has seen a new experiment in economic policymaking in this country—not Keynesian, not Chicago School economics; what we are seeing from those opposite is 'crash-test dummy' economics. The way it works is this: you strap yourself into the car, take your hands off the steering wheel, close your eyes and ears to all external stimuli, and just head straight at the wall in front of you. The Prime Minister promised at the last election that his government would 'make a strong economy stronger'. But, while the government continues on oblivious, ignoring all external input, the economic warning signs are getting urgent. They're getting more regular and they're getting more concerning. Let's take a sample: economic growth has slowed since the election, slowed since Prime Minister Morrison became the leader and slowed since the Liberal Party has come into office. Unemployment has increased, with almost two million Australians now looking for work or looking for more work. Wages growth is slowing, with record lows: this government is presiding over the worst wages growth on record and wages are growing at one-fifth of the pace of profits. Household spending is growing at its slowest pace since the global financial crisis. And retail trade, important in the lead-up to Christmas, has recorded its worst result since the 1990s recession. The sad truth underlying all of this is that household living standards for regular Australians have declined under this government, with real household median income lower now than it was in 2013. How's that for making a strong economy stronger? How good is that?—as this Prime Minister puts it. But those opposite have no plan to address this. Their only plan is denial. They don't care about the data. They don't care about warnings from people like the Reserve Bank governor. They don't care about the reality facing Australian families. All they care about is their political strategy—their political plan. Those opposite are obsessed with the 'Canberra bubble'. It's easy to see why the Prime Minister talks so much about the Canberra bubble: it's because that's the only place where it makes sense for this bloke to be the Prime Minister. It's the only place where his actions make any sense. All those opposite care about is politics, and we've seen it in this last sitting week in this parliament. Those opposite could have brought an economic plan to this parliament to address these challenges that the nation is facing. But when we come into question time we see their agenda clearly. How many times did those ministers answering Labor questions in question time mention skills in the last fortnight? Eleven times. Wages? Eleven times. Productivity? Four times. How many times did they mention the Labor Party? 148 times. Physically, those opposite are on the government benches, but in their hearts this third-term coalition government is still in opposition. They're much more comfortable obsessing about the Labor Party than they are thinking about the lives of ordinary Australians and trying to come up with a plan to improve the Australian economy. They've got no policy agenda. All we've seen this week is union bashing and denying medical care to refugees. Great. That's going to break the productivity recession. That's going to create jobs. Well done. All they care about is political gimmicks, and we've seen probably the most inane one today: a procession of government backbenchers standing up to deliver their dorothy dixers after being handed a new, cult-like mantra. Those opposite are not allowed to speak any more without starting their comments with: 'I am confident in the future of Australia'. I'm disappointed that there weren't cult robes distributed to everyone before we came into the chamber today—I'm sure that the Kool-Aid is being distributed in the party room at the moment. It's just bizarre. And, in this, we start to see the real Prime Minister: a bloke who's changed his signature three times in the last three years; a bloke who's changed his footy team four more times in the last three years; and a bloke who markets himself as 'just a daggy dad' for the cameras while his own colleagues background newspapers that they are worried that he is starting to behave like an emperor. He is a bloke whose smirk is quickly wearing thin, as Australia's economic conditions deteriorate, oozing condescension, mouth sneering with contempt at anyone with the impertinence to question him, whether they be journalists or opposition members in this parliament. One thing has been clear over the last two weeks: while the Prime Minister conducts himself like an emperor, this emperor has no clothes. 15:55 Dr ALLEN 282986 Higgins I rise in this place to reject the Leader of the Opposition's statement and will take the opportunity to remind him of the successes of the Morrison government, because the government hasn't wasted a day—not one day—in ensuring that Australians continue to live in the best country in the world. When I was doorknocking in Hughesdale, someone said to me, 'Katie, I'm voting for you. I'm voting Liberal.' I said, 'That's very nice. Tell me why that is.' Do you know what he said? He said, 'The Liberal Party is the party of the half glass full'. The Labor Party by comparison— Dr Freelander 265979 The glass half full. Dr ALLEN 282986 Thank you for the correction—it's the party of the half glass empty. I'm always being corrected by my children, so it's very appropriate over there. Dr Freelander 265979 You've had a few glasses, have you? Dr ALLEN 282986 If only I'd had a few glasses! The point I'm making is that the Liberal Party is the party of aspiration and opportunity. It's the party of getting ahead—those of having a go getting a go. The Labor Party, on the other hand, is the party of moaning, whining and worry. They remind me, from this conversation that we've been having, of my children in the back of the car, saying, 'Where is your plan and where are you going?' When, in actual fact, if they listened just a bit more carefully, they'd hear that we do have a plan and that we are delivering. In fact, our plan is for a strong economy because we care about an economy that's driven by low taxes, not an economy that's driven by higher taxes. That is the proposition that just six months ago was taken to the election, and I got a resounding sense within my electorate of Higgins that people are not just positive about the Morrison government; they're relieved that they didn't get the opposition. They're relieved that they didn't get the alternative government, because they fundamentally understood that what was on offer, from an economic management point of view, was going to be strong, certain and stable and they could feel confident that they had a government that was in charge of their economic prosperity. I'm delighted to be part of the Morrison government, which is delivering. A strong economy's not just about words. It's not just about what we're delivering. It's a strong economy because we want to deliver outcomes for all Australians. We need to deliver for health and education. We need to deliver for infrastructure. I'm delighted that our strong economy is already delivering so much for the Australian people. We hear frequently from the Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, who I believe is the best health minister we've ever had, that our strong economy is delivering on 2,200 new drugs being listed on the PBS. That wasn't the case with the previous Labor government. We are delivering a strong and certain economic future that allows us to deliver drugs on the PBS. What is also really important is that we're getting an increase in Medicare bulk-billing, and that has increased significantly since we have been in government. It's increased from 82 per cent under Labor to 86 per cent today. Importantly, from my point of view, we're also taking a very strong and active approach to plans for mental health. We're expanding the headspace network. Thirty-three new headspace centres are going to be opened, and I'm delighted to say there will be one in Higgins. We're also delivering a whole lot more when it comes to record school funding. We've had a 62 per cent increase over the last decade with an additional $37 billion as part of the government's Quality Schools package. I'm very fortunate in the seat of Higgins because we've had a significant set of commitments, which is something that my local constituents are very pleased about. That includes Glenloch, a wonderful low-cost rental accommodation centre for pensioners who cannot easily access affordable rental accommodation in the area. We're investing in them by increasing the opportunities for age pensioners within Higgins. It's a wonderful opportunity for them. We're also investing $4 million in the Murrumbeena Park community hub, which will enable new change rooms and facilities for the people of Murrumbeena and surrounds and for the footy players down there. There are going to be new girls change rooms, and it's going to be a wonderful outcome for my local community. I'm also very proud of the fact that we're investing $400,000 in the Melbourne Yarra bike trail, because, for me, keeping healthy and fit is incredibly important, and it's part of the bigger idea that the Morrison government is delivering for all of us. 16:00 Ms PAYNE 144732 Canberra I'm really pleased to speak on this matter of public importance—a plan for Australia's future—because Australians have reason to be concerned about the state of our nation and the state of Australian democracy, as this government has a complete disregard for both. Today the Prime Minister announced major changes to the Australian Public Service, out of nowhere—four departments axed and merged into others, and five departmental secretaries sacked, and they found out by email last night. These are leaders of our Public Service. These are people who've spent most of their lives serving our nation, working hard, working long hours and providing frank and fearless advice to both sides of government, and this is the sort of treatment they receive. I, for one, would like to thank those people for their service to our nation and note that this is a disgraceful way for them to be treated. They had no opportunity to brief the Prime Minister on how this would affect their departments. I've worked in the Public Service, and my father was a career public servant. The professionalism that I see in him and that I saw in the people I worked with, and the commitment to the best outcomes for our nation, leave this government for dead—those people going to work every day wanting to get the best outcomes for our environment, for delivering services to people, to get our economy right, to provide the advice that enables governments of both colours to deliver policy that improves our nation, to deliver services and to implement programs. But this is a government that's not into frank and fearless advice. They don't want it. They're not interested in sound policy advice, evidence or science. They're interested in ideological crusades. I cannot see how these changes will not lead to job losses. It just seems that when you go from 18 departments to 14 there will be job losses. Also, we all know that machinery-of-government changes are extremely disruptive to the Public Service, and this is going to cause huge problems. Right before Christmas, people in my electorate are going into Christmas worried about their jobs. This government has no respect for our Public Service, and Canberra-bashing suits their agenda of cuts. The other day we had the member for Goldstein with a perfect example when he said that the basis of the Canberra economy is literally government, which he defines as 'the raiding of taxpayers hip pockets for the benefit of the few'. Well, that's not how I see the Australian Public Service. It suits this Prime Minister to dismiss Canberra as a bubble and to dismiss issues as Canberra bubble issues whenever he doesn't want to talk about them. To those who think cuts to the Public Service are bubble issues, I'd say: how much of a Canberra bubble issue is ensuring that pests don't get past Customs and decimate farmers' crops? How much of a Canberra bubble issue is supporting our drought-affected farming communities? How much of a Canberra bubble issue is 55 million 'engaged' tones on the Centrelink helpline for people trying to access services? And how much of a Canberra bubble issue is a year-long wait for a medically approved walker for a three-year-old girl on the NDIS? These are really important issues, and these are what our Public Service is trying to work on. These secretaries have lost their jobs while the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, who has admitted that he has falsified documents, remains in his. This is a government of double standards, and we saw this writ large this morning with unprecedented abuse of this parliament and this democracy when the government tried to ram through the latest version of the union-bashing 'ensuring integrity' bill without us being able to debate on it at all or even see the updated bill. This is a government that doesn't want the scrutiny of this parliament. Each of us here was elected to represent the views of those in our electorates who elected us, and we were robbed of that opportunity today to voice those concerns about this bill that seeks to attack working people and the unions that represent them. This is a Prime Minister who thinks he is above questions. He likes to talk about union thugs a lot, but who are the real thugs? Who are the people stealing wages? Who are the people forcing people to work in unsafe workplaces? He talks about the 'quiet Australians' when, really, what he wants to do is drown out any dissent. He demonises unions. He demonises protesters. The government ignore the advice of scientists. Theirs is an agenda of division to demonise anyone who questions their agenda, which serves the few, not the many. 16:05 Mr LEESER 109556 Berowra Sitting here listening to members opposite, I've realised that the Labor Party puts on the best show in town. We've seen some wonderful performances this afternoon, performances that would rival the greats. Olivier, Gielgud, Streep—none of them are as good as what we have seen from the political theatre of the Labor Party! No-one does better confected outrage than the Labor Party. Give them the Golden Globes! Give them the Academy Awards! Give them the Logies! As actors, they are world-class. But, at running the country or coming up with a plan for our future, any of the community theatre groups in the Berowra electorate could do a better job. I'm delighted to speak today about who's got the better plan for the future. Six years ago, the Leader of the Opposition was in a public contest with the member for Maribyrnong for the leadership of the Labor Party. It was an occasion for both men to outline their vision for the future. The Leader of the Opposition lost that contest and the member for Maribyrnong won. The Leader of the Opposition never hid his ambition to one day lead the Australian Labor Party. So you'd think, over the six years that he was not the leader, he would have come up with a plan for the future of Australia, a plan for the Labor Party and a plan to do things differently. Expectations were high, but the reality has proven different. The Leader of the Opposition, since he's taken the reins of the Labor Party, has had nothing but parliamentary tactics. We have seen the famous 'bitch and fold', where they argue against particular proposals and then decide at the end of the day that they will vote for them when their amendments don't pass. We saw that with the tax cuts. We saw it with the drought funding. We saw it with terror exclusions. We keep seeing it everywhere. Only on legislation dealing with unions do they fight to the death like Kilkenny cats. This shows that this is effectively the same old Labor Party, with no plan for the future, no plan for ordinary workers, just a plan to protect union privilege. I've been reading the very interesting 2019 Labor election review, and it's got some very important things in it for the Labor Party. Two great Labor leaders, Craig Emerson and Jay Weatherill, said this—you don't have to go very far; it's on page 8—about Labor's policy formulation: Labor's policy formulation should be guided by the national interest, avoiding any perception of capture by special interest groups. But what is the Labor Party, fundamentally? The Labor Party is the political wing of the most corrupt and difficult special interest group in the country—the trade union movement. On every single chance they have to put workers and productivity ahead of union privilege, they favour union privilege. The smart move for the Labor Party to get in touch is to actually go back to representing the workers that they're supposed to represent. Still on page 8 of the review, it says: Working people experiencing economic dislocation caused by technological change will lose faith in Labor if they do not believe the Party is responding to their needs, instead being preoccupied with issues not concerning them or that are actively against their interests. A grievance-based approach can create a culture of moving from one issue to the next, formulating myriad policies in response to a broad range of concerns. But, all the while, they are ignoring ordinary working people. Labor clearly are not on the side of working people because, despite the review, despite all the noise, they continue to cling to their $387 billion of new taxes, including the retiree tax and the housing tax. The Leader of the Opposition has talked today on this MPI about the Prime Minister throwing out the toys, but we've had a fortnight of those opposite throwing out the toys. We've had quorum calls. We've had divisions called. We've had nothing but a continual smear against the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction and against Brian Houston. It would be nice to hear from the Labor Party about their plans for the future. We, on the other hand, have very strong plans for the future. We have the tax cuts of up to $1,080 for ordinary working Australians, providing a pathway to 2024-25 so that 94 per cent of Australians pay nothing more than 30c in the dollar. On safe borders, we repealed the terrible medevac bill yesterday, and that has restored our border integrity. There are the infrastructure investments—$100 billion right across the country in projects like NorthConnex in my electorate. There are the free trade agreements which mean that 70 per cent of all exports are now under free trade agreements. The opportunities under the leadership of the Morrison government are expanding Australia, giving us a plan and giving us hope for and confidence in the future. 16:10 Ms WELLS 264121 Lilley It sounds like I have to break a bit of news here, which is that the debate this afternoon is actually about the government's plan for the future, not a wild, wandering romp on various obsessions of members on the other side of the House. It really has got to a point where it's a bit weird. Why are you so obsessed with us? Why can you not defend your own record? We have given you an hour to talk to us and inform us of your plans for the future, and you have just taken an hour to talk about us. When I was reflecting on your plans for the future, it made me think of all the schoolkids who were here today and who had to witness the most outrageous desecration of our democracy, the breaching of decades of convention and the trashing of all civility and protocols. They had to witness that. Our littlest citizens, who come here to educate themselves about the tenets of our Australian democracy, faced all that instead. You should all be absolutely ashamed of yourselves. When they get to the part of their tour of the parliamentary building where they recreate the conventions of the parliament, some of these nine-year-olds will sit on the government side of the House and some will sit on the opposition side of the House. They'll say, 'Let the parliament convene.' The nine-year-old Leader of the House will stand and say, 'I move that the member no longer be heard,' and then he will sit down. Then the nine-year-old opposition leader will stand and start to speak, and the Leader of the House will stand again and say, 'I move that the motion be put.' Instead of practising their democracy and learning the art of parliamentary debate, they will have about four minutes to cover everything. That is the new standard that those opposite have set. Again, I think you should all be highly embarrassed. Our littlest citizens deserve an awful lot better than you lot. This government will not tolerate freedom of speech and the freedom to protest, and now it will not even tolerate debate in the parliament. The member before me, the member for Berowra, talked about how we are wasting our time on things like procedure, upholding conventions or seeking—God help us!—to debate in the parliament. How tedious, how tiresome, to have to deal with 74 other elected representatives who each come here to represent 105,000 of their constituents! Why did you all run for parliament—through you, Deputy Speaker; I'm sorry. Why did you choose to leave your families and spend 20 hours a day campaigning for the right to come into this chamber and move that the motion be put? Don't you have anything brighter, anything bolder, any bigger plans to offer the country? This is your one shot to create a brighter future, and this is what you are doing with it. How embarrassing! How dare you short-change our littlest citizens watching on like this! I rise today to speak about the lethargy of this government in their failure to address the significant policy challenges awaiting our coming generations. Economic growth has now been slow for a decade, Australia's population is ageing, climate change looms and the burden of these changes fall mainly on the young. Young people face real concerns about housing affordability, stagnating wealth and income inequality. Under these neoliberal policies of deregulation, privatisation and austerity—such as they are; there is not very much, if we are being honest—this is a government that now takes better care of banks than of people. People have lost their jobs, their benefits and much of the safety net that used to make those losses less frightening. People see a future for their kids that looks even more foreboding than their precarious present. Millennials are earning about 20 per cent less than their parents did at the same age. Younger Australians are much less likely to own a home than their parents were at the same age. The wealth of households aged under 35 has barely moved since 2004. That is 15 years. Youth unemployment is around double the national average. In my home state of Queensland it is now as high as 25 per cent. Yet today in question time we heard 90 minutes of smug congratulations from backbencher to frontbencher about what a great job all these people are doing. How embarrassing! You should be ashamed of yourselves that you continue to parade about like emperors without their clothes, pretending that everything is fine, when your own constituents are screaming out to you, asking for help. We on this side of the House will not stand for it. We will hold you to account, because at the end of the day it costs Australian taxpayers $800 million for the parliament to operate—$800 million each year for this parliament to convene and to run and to debate and to pass laws to make this country better. What value are Australian taxpayers getting from your governance? Nothing, Absolutely nothing. What have the 74 electorates in this country who elected members to parliament who are not Liberal coalition members of government got out of you lot? Nothing. (Time expired) 16:15 Mr PEARCE 282306 Braddon I listened to the member for Lilley and I actually took on board what she said about what the Australian public really think by seeing this interlude in this place. I tend to agree with her on that point, but that's about as far as it goes. Out of my peripheral vision I look at the topic for discussion—that is, matters of public importance. Where I come from, this particular subject means a lot to a lot of hardworking people. When it comes to telling people about what the government's doing in my patch, I want to tell you about the great state of Tasmania and what we're doing down home. In order to do that and as reference material for that, I go to the latest mail-out that we've put out from the electorate office on exactly what we've been doing, delivering and achieving throughout the electorate. As far as small business is concerned, which is obviously the engine room and the backbone of the Braddon community, the State of the States report that was handed down recently sums up the north-west coast of Tasmania very well. It rated Tasmania, in fact it rated Braddon, as No.1 in business confidence throughout the nation. That business confidence has led to capital investment in businesses and money starting to flow, and people are now seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, which is a stark contrast to where we were in the last years of Labor in our state. In fact, in the last years of Labor in Tasmania more than a thousand people left our shores for good. I can only imagine the conversations that took place around the kitchen table before those big moves took place. But, luckily, last year 2,250 came to make Tasmania their home. They see Tasmania as a shining light, a place that is growing, a prosperous place. They are confident, just like we have tried to demonstrate today that we are indeed confident, and we share that confidence with our electorates. We've worked hard on freight equalisation and trying to level the playing field on that expensive piece of water between Tasmania and our mainland states. We've worked hard on transfer of irrigation projects so that we can eliminate risk from our agricultural operations throughout the coast. We've delivered water to farmers, which has actually doubled production throughout the agricultural regions of my electorate. We've worked on and delivered irrigation systems like the Duck, the Mersey and the Scottsdale. We've supported processors like Simplot, Agronico and Tasmanian Quality Meats. Biosecurity infrastructure is being put in place. We've worked hard on health. We've introduced—and I actually delivered—an MRI machine to Devonport, the first one we've seen on the coast. A second LINAC for treating specific cells within cancer patients has been delivered to Burnie. Headspaces have been funded, supported and nurtured and have prospered throughout Devonport, Burnie and Circular Head. Small business has seen an increase of the instant asset write-off. We've lowered the 32.5 per cent small business tax rate to 30 per cent, meaning 94 per cent of taxpayers pay no more than 30c in the dollar. We've introduced a small business growth fund of $540 million, which was backed by a further $100 million from civil banks. We've worked hard on trying to underwrite Marinus, the interconnector between Tasmania and the mainland, which is progressing well. We're ticking all the boxes in Tasmania for being totally renewable by the year 2022. That will mean that Tasmania can not only produce its own renewable, sustainable and dispatchable energy but we can also deliver that through project Marinus, through the mainland, gleaning an income for decades to come—a stark difference from what we saw from Labor, when those thousand people left our shores, with no concept of what could happen further on down the track. We've also worked hard in schools and we've, again, been able to produce and to deliver funding which has been unprecedented within our education systems. We've produced many fine results when it comes to agricultural exports. In fact, our agricultural exports within Tasmania have grown 3.86 per cent, which is almost double the national average. This is a contribution between our transfer irrigation, capital investment, government support and businesses having the confidence to buy those big-ticket items which cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. And the list goes on. There are so many things that we've delivered but so little time to tell you about them. The SPEAKER 00APG The time allotted for the debate has concluded. MOTIONS 80 MOTIONS Parliament House: Security 80 16:20 The SPEAKER 00APG Before we proceed, I have a statement to make and a motion I'm going to table, which the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business are aware of. It relates to the electronic access control system, EACS. For those of you focused on other things, that's the electronic swipe at your door and elsewhere around the building. As members would be well aware—well, certainly members who were here in the last parliament would be well aware—it was progressively installed through the last part of 2018, with a few teething problems. But it's obviously operating very smoothly for the new members; you don't know offices with a key. It was one of the many recommendations of the review that was done here in 2014. That was the security review following the raising of the threat level after the attack in the Canadian parliament in October of that year. It is a part of large security works that enable lockdown capabilities in the event of an emergency incident and also an enhanced system of identity verification to assist in mitigating the risk of unauthorised access to and within the private areas of Parliament House. Obviously, it can also be used to investigate or respond to a security or emergency incident or breaches of the private area access policy. I'm tabling a motion that is already with the clerks and I will read that motion in a second. The reason for it simply is that, with the agreement of the Manager of Opposition Business and the Leader of the House, back then at the time and with information to members, we rolled this out so that we could ensure that the House had this capacity as soon as it possibly could. Obviously, in the future—it's been quite a period of time—there should be a code of practice that deals with all of these issues, and that's something we've been working with the Senate on, but the purpose of this motion simply is to state here in the House the important issues and protections around parliamentary privilege. I propose to read the motion, ask the Manager of Opposition Business to make a contribution—we've obviously worked closely on this on behalf of the House—and then put that resolution. The motion that is there at the table is: That the House: (1) note: (a) the importance of ensuring that Australian Parliament House is a safe place to visit and work; (b) longstanding security arrangements in Parliament House have evolved in recent years and that further changes are proposed, in particular the operation of Closed Circuit Television Systems (CCTV) and the new Electronic Access Control System (EACS); (c) that these systems, like other security and information systems, are managed by the Department of Parliamentary Services, under the authority of the Presiding Officers, on behalf of the Parliament; and (d) that, under the Parliamentary Precincts Act 1988, the powers of the Presiding Officers to manage and control the precincts apply subject to relevant orders of the Houses, which means that the administration of these security and information systems is constrained by the powers, privileges and immunities of the Houses and their members; (2) affirm that the collection, management and dissemination of information about Members and their staff is to be managed such that parliamentary privilege is protected absolutely; (3) in the absence of the House agreeing to alternative arrangements, consistent with paragraph (2), the release of CCTV and EACS material which may involve matters of privilege can only occur where the Speaker, having consulted the Clerk, then consults with the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business; (4) also note an EACS and CCTV Code of Practice will be reviewed regularly and it is also timely that the Memorandum of Understanding between the Australian Federal Police and the Parliament be updated; and (5) notwithstanding anything in this resolution, the powers, privileges and immunities of the House are maintained. I call the Manager of Opposition Business before putting the motion. 16:25 Mr BURKE DYW Watson Thanks, Mr Speaker. Most people think of your role in terms of the management of the chamber when debate takes place. This goes quite directly to your role, in fact, as one of the shared custodians of the building with the responsibility of keeping people who are here safe. We would all wish that security arrangements could be as they were when some of us first arrived, but, particularly given the events in some international parliaments, we needed to significantly improve the quality of security and that gave rise to new forms of security that, by definition of what they are, accumulate data. We need to make sure that the rules of privilege can be extended in different ways to that data. I thank the Speaker for the engagement. It's been constructive. I know from conversations with the Leader of the House, it's been constructive for the government, and it's certainly been constructive for the opposition. I thank you for the engagement on how the new electronic access control system interacts with privilege. In the area of safety within the building, it really is vitally important to have bipartisan agreement, and we have that right now. There's nothing more important, in terms of making sure that this place can function, than parliamentary privilege remaining protected as well. The place doesn't work without it. It doesn't work without a few other things, but that's not for this speech. The implementation of the system is a very important upgrade to the security capabilities in the building. As you've said, this motion reiterates the principles underpinning how the security system works, while making sure that it does not interfere with the important principle of privilege. The code of practice, which is pending, will give further clarification on how the system will operate and how it should be governed. The resolution, of course, also refers to the need to update the memorandum of understanding between the parliament and the Australian Federal Police. I welcome the resolutions being put to the House in this way. I thank you for your work. 16:27 The SPEAKER 00APG I thank the Manager of Opposition Business. I will conclude by saying, very briefly, that the draft code of practice has been in contemplation between the houses for some time. The resolutions here, and there's been one in the Senate, are obviously important but, notwithstanding that, it's imperative that a code governing the management of EACS be agreed as quickly as possible. Members have agreed to enable this to be rolled out, trusting me with its administration. But, even so, it's not sustainable in the long term to not have a code. Without one, those with the responsibility of managing the system and the data collected by it really don't have a framework in which to make decisions. I stress the importance of the code. I am very hopeful we'll have a code within a few months, but I just give members the assurance, as Speaker, that my role is to act on your behalf. I do that by liaising with the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business. If, for some reason, there were a delay in that code, my intention would be for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Appropriations and Administration, as the oversight committee, to work with me, the Manager of Opposition Business and the Leader of the House for a code as it applies to you as members. Without further ado, I put the motion in my name. Question agreed to. Mr Burke DYW I let you know that, while I'll stop in 10 seconds for the negation of the adjournment, I do wish to raise a matter of privilege. ADJOURNMENT 81 ADJOURNMENT 16:34 Mr GEE 261393 Calare I require the question to be put immediately without debate. Question negatived. The SPEAKER 00APG Before I call the Manager of Opposition Business, I do just want to say one more thing. I thank the House for its confidence in passing that resolution. It is a very, very important matter. Generally, there has obviously been a lot going on today, without going to the politics of it. Both the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business have been very busy. That's the nature of their jobs. I want to thank both of them for working with me through this. We were determined that it happen today. The Manager of Opposition Business is here. I personally want to thank him and his staff for their work through this when it would have been very easy for other political priorities to get in the road. Having said that, the Manager of Opposition Business now has a matter of privilege. Let's go back to where we were. PRIVILEGE 82 PRIVILEGE 16:30 Mr BURKE DYW Watson I wish to raise a matter of privilege under standing order 51. The SPEAKER 00APG The Manager of Opposition Business may proceed. Mr Burke DYW The matter concerns whether the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, the member for Hume, has deliberately misled the House on six occasions. On the evening of 23 October 2019, TheGuardian reported the minister had used false travel figures that allegedly came from the City of Sydney annual report 2017-18, in official ministerial correspondence to the Lord Mayor of Sydney. The next day, on 24 October, the minister told the House in relation to the document allegedly containing the false travel figures: 'The document was drawn directly from the City of Sydney's website. It was publicly available.' Since then, the minister has affirmed that previous statement in various forms to the House on no fewer than five separate occasions. Despite the passage of more than 40 days since the 23 October report, and the minister being given multiple opportunities in the House, he has failed to provide any evidence to substantiate his statement to the House on 24 October and his subsequent affirmation to that statement to the House. In contrast, the City of Sydney has released metadata which shows both the word and the PDF versions of the annual report 2017-18 have not been altered since they were published on the City of Sydney's website on 27 November 2018. All available public internet archives of the City of Sydney's website show both the Word and the PDF versions of the annual report 2017-18 that were published on the City of Sydney website have been published in one form only, without the false travel figures that the minister claims appeared in a document downloaded directly from the City of Sydney's website. I submit these circumstances present a prima facie case that the minister has deliberately and repeatedly misled the House. The minister has had the opportunity of the final two sitting weeks of the year to correct the record to the House. I am raising this matter at the earliest opportunity after which it became clear that the minister does not plan to correct the record before the House rises for the year. To assist you in considering this matter, I provide you with a number of documents. I also note that, contrary to the House resolution on the Register of Members' Interests, the minister has failed to properly disclose interests in Jam Land Pty Ltd and GFA F1 Pty Ltd. In relation to this matter, I understand the member for Hindmarsh has, in accordance with practice, referred the matter directly to the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests. I ask you to consider giving precedence to a motion to refer to the Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests whether the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction deliberately and repeatedly misled the House such as to constitute a contempt of the House. As you know, it is important that the House protects itself against all acts or omissions which obstruct or impede the House in the performance of its functions. I thank you for your consideration of this serious matter. The SPEAKER 00APG I thank the Manager of Opposition Business for alerting me prior to raising the matter. As the Manager of Opposition Business would expect, I will consider the matter in the usual way and report back. Given this is the last sitting day of 2019, I can assure the Manager of Opposition Business I will report back on the first sitting day of next year. BILLS 82 BILLS Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment (Air Pollution) Bill 2019, Education Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2019 82

Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment (Air Pollution) Bill 2019

Education Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2019

Returned from Senate 82 COMMITTEES 82 COMMITTEES Treaties Committee 82 Membership 82 16:35 The SPEAKER 00APG I have received a message from the Senate acquainting the House that Senator Bilyk had been discharged from attendance on the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, and Senator Ciccone had been appointed a member of the committee. BILLS 83 BILLS Aged Care Legislation Amendment (New Commissioner Functions) Bill 2019 83

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (New Commissioner Functions) Bill 2019

First Reading 83 Second Reading 83 16:36 Mr GEE 261393 Calare I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today I am proud to introduce the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (New Commissioner Functions) Bill 2019, which builds on this government's commitment to ensure older Australians in the aged-care system are better cared for. This bill gives additional regulatory functions and powers to the independent Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, fulfilling the government's 2018-19 budget announcement. The government established the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1 January 2019, bringing together the functions of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner. The commission's initial responsibilities for complaints resolution and the accreditation, assessment and monitoring of aged-care services will now be expanded. From 1 January 2020, the commissioner will be responsible for: the approval of aged-care providers, regardless of whether the care they provide is delivered in a residential aged-care home or in an individual's home; compliance and enforcement actions in relation to the care being provided to care recipients; and the administration of the responsibilities of approved providers to report assaults. These additional functions build on the existing functions of the commissioner and ensure the commission is the primary point of contact for senior Australians and their families to raise concerns and ask questions about the quality of their aged care, knowing the commission is empowered to respond. The transfer of these regulatory functions from the Secretary of the Department of Health to the commissioner is a fundamental strengthening of the regulation of the aged-care sector. The commissioner will now have the ability to approve providers' entry into aged care, stronger powers to monitor the quality of the care they provide and a broader remit to oversee and enforce their compliance with all aged-care responsibilities. If a provider is not providing the care required and expected of them, the commissioner will be empowered to impose sanctions to protect care recipients, including revoking their approval to participate in the Commonwealth subsidised market. The amendments in the bill also streamline the process for the commissioner to impose sanctions on aged-care providers found not to be complying with their responsibilities and failing to make a sufficient response to the identified noncompliance. Providers will continue to be expected to cooperate with the commission, and officers of the commission will be able to seek a warrant in order to exercise their powers where providers fail to cooperate. The commission will also have additional powers to seek information from providers related to their suitability to provide aged care and how they look after the funds that care recipients contribute to the cost of their care. At the same time, the bill ensures the secretary and the department have the necessary powers to continue to administer funding arrangements which will remain under the Aged Care Act from 1 January 2020. Although the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is still underway and we cannot anticipate any recommendations that will come from it, these reforms provide a basis upon which to consider them and demonstrate that the government is listening to concerns being raised. These reforms are the second stage of our direct response to Ms Kate Carrell and Professor Ron Paterson's findings and recommendations of the Review of National Aged Care Regulatory Process undertaken in 2017. The first stage occurred on 1 January this year with the establishment of the commission and appointment of Ms Janet Anderson as commissioner. I would like to thank Janet for the work she and her team have done this year to protect and enhance the safety, health, well-being and quality of life of people receiving aged care by implementing the government's reforms, and building the new commission. But there is more to do. There continues to be failures of care and older Australians deserve to be safe and well looked after in their homes, whether that's in residential aged care or their own home. We should rightfully expect that those responsible for failures will be held to account. This bill demonstrates the government's commitment to continue to strengthen the aged-care regulatory framework in response to these challenges. 16:41 Ms COLLINS HWM Franklin by leave—As the minister has outlined, the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (New Commissioner Functions) Bill 2019 does provide for the transfer, function and powers from the Department of Health to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Unfortunately, the minister has said that it confers new powers; it does not. The department already holds these powers, and it is actually a missed opportunity not to give the new commission that started on 1 January this year some additional powers. Specifically, we think that the government should have done more to ensure transparency around funding and to ensure more around the complaints mechanisms and outcomes of complaints and give the commission more powers to arbitrate when people make a complaint about what is happening in aged care in Australia today. This government has continually said that it is doing things to fix the aged-care system, but it has been very, very slow and is certainly not good enough. The report that recommended some of these things the government is moving in this bill is more than two years old. It is not good enough for the government to come in here and say: 'We've done enough. We've got a royal commission on, and we're not going to do anything else'. We need to implement the royal commission's interim recommendations which the government says it's done, but of course it only provided 10,000 new home-care packages when we still have 120,000 older Australians waiting on that waitlist. We know that the government could be doing more in terms of all the other recommendations that it has sitting on its desk today. We know that major reform is going to be required when we get the final recommendations from this royal commission. It was quite difficult to sit and listen to the Prime Minister in question time today, trying to pretend that we have said no to bipartisanship. I've been offering bipartisanship now for more than three years when it comes to aged care. Unfortunately, this government is not doing enough. We are not going to let older Australians down on this side of the House by sitting back and letting the government get away with not doing enough. We are not going to sit here quietly and be quiet, if the government is not doing enough because that will be failing older Australians. I'm not going to sit by and allow the government to continually fail older Australians. Whilst we support this bill, we wanted to see more from the government. There should've been more from the government, and here we are on the eve of the parliament getting up for the year, more than two years after the government had this report. I sincerely hope it doesn't take them more than two years to implement the royal commission's recommendations. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time. Third Reading 84 16:44 Mr GEE 261393 Calare by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time. VET Student Loans (VSL Tuition Protection Levy) Bill 2019 84

VET Student Loans (VSL Tuition Protection Levy) Bill 2019

Consideration of Senate Message 84 16:45 Mr GEE 261393 Calare I move: That the requested amendments be made. Question agreed to. Higher Education Support (HELP Tuition Protection Levy) Bill 2019 85

Higher Education Support (HELP Tuition Protection Levy) Bill 2019

Consideration of Senate Message 85 16:46 Mr GEE 261393 Calare I move: That the requested amendments be made. Question agreed to. Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Bill 2019, Health Legislation Amendment (Data-matching and Other Matters) Bill 2019, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Single Treatment Pathway) Bill 2019, Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Assistance and Access Amendments Review) Bill 2019, Interactive Gambling Amendment (National Self-exclusion Register) Bill 2019, National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2019, Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Building on the Child Care Package) Bill 2019, Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures) Bill 2019, Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-new Dwelling Interests) Bill 2019 85

Communications Legislation Amendment (Deregulation and Other Measures) Bill 2019

Health Legislation Amendment (Data-matching and Other Matters) Bill 2019

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Single Treatment Pathway) Bill 2019

Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Assistance and Access Amendments Review) Bill 2019

Interactive Gambling Amendment (National Self-exclusion Register) Bill 2019

National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2019

Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Building on the Child Care Package) Bill 2019

Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures) Bill 2019

Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-new Dwelling Interests) Bill 2019

Returned from Senate 85 STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE 86 STATEMENTS ON INDULGENCE Valedictory 86 16:47 Mr GEE 261393 Calare As we head into this Christmas period, it is a time to reflect on all that this parliament has achieved over the last 12 months—and there have been many achievements of this government, although it's not the purpose of my contribution this afternoon to recount and go into all of those achievements. But it's also a chance to look into the future and what this next period—what we might call the holiday season—holds. For our country communities, it holds concerns. We are very concerned about this ongoing drought that continues to creep across country Australia and strangle our country communities. Many of our communities have not had significant rain now for years. Many either have run out of water or are on the verge of running out of water. As we head into this Christmas season, we are met with a great deal of concern from people in country New South Wales and country Australia. It is shaping up to be a very long, hot, dry summer. We reflect on the strain that has already been put on our emergency services personnel. One of the great things that Australians do when times are tough and the chips are down is that we come together and support each other, and we're particularly good at that in country Australia. So, as we head into this Christmas season, I would just like to wish all of our country communities, particularly our farmers and our farm related businesses, the best, and let them know that the thoughts of this House are with them. I would particularly like to let all of our emergency services personnel know that they have the thanks and appreciation of our communities, because in New South Wales, I know, and all over Australia they have been contributing to the recent bushfire efforts. It has been inspirational. So I wish them a quiet Christmas, although with all fear that it may not be so. To all of those hardworking men and women out there, our first responders, can I just wish you all the best and pass on the heartfelt thanks of a grateful community and a grateful country. 16:50 Mr MORRISON E3L Cook Between this time last year and this time this year, a lot's happened. Of course, we had the general election, and the people of Australia had their opportunity to make the most important decision they make every three years, in terms of who comes into this place and represents them and forms government. Once again, this year, they exercised their judgement. All of us who were returned to this place came back with a great sense of humility and gratefulness for the opportunity we have to serve in this place—first and foremost, as the member for our electorates. Whether in my own in Southern Sydney, the electorate of Cook—taking in the southern parts of St George and Sutherland shire—or elsewhere around this country, our first opportunity, our first privilege, our first duty is to all of those in our electorates, and we say a very grateful thanks to all of them for returning us to this place to represent them and do our very, very best. Since that general election, the government has been hard at work, as I've mentioned in various responses and statements in this place and others, and I don't intend to go over those matters, because this afternoon is about something very different. I did, however, want to acknowledge the great challenges that Australians have faced, particularly natural disasters. The year began with the devastating bushfires in Tasmania and Victoria, and it went through to the unprecedented flooding in North Queensland. None of us can—and I certainly can't—get out of our heads the image that was displayed of that railway line up in North Queensland, where we saw the water, over a 48-hour period, deluge that part of our continent. But in what must have felt like a heartbeat, in the space of just 24 hours, those wonderful Australians went from the relief and joy of seeing rain fall to tears and devastation as they saw generations of their efforts literally washed away. Of all the things that have happened this year, and there have been so many—we've walked onto firegrounds and sat with those who have been affected by these terrible fires across the year—it is very hard for me to get out of my mind being up there in North Queensland with those families. We have them still in our thoughts and in our actions today, and we continue to stand with them as they rebuild. In the great natural disasters that we see in this country we always see the greatness of Australians—their resilience, their tenacity, their care and their love for each other. At the worst of times, we see the best of Australians, and we saw that in North Queensland. We have seen one of the worst droughts on record, impacting some 40,000 farming families in rural districts across the country. This fire season alone, six Australians have already, tragically, lost their lives to fires that have torn through millions of hectares across four states and claimed hundreds of homes. These events remind us that, while 'the lucky country' remains the lucky country, it's no passive moniker. It is one that is built and earned by the strength, character and resilience of our fellow Australians. Our first defence in everything is the strength and character of our people, our brave and selfless firefighters, our emergency services personnel. Indeed, today is International Volunteer Day. We reflect on those and we thank them very much for their wonderful service to our country. We think of our service men and women, who also turned up in support of their fellow Australians through all of these disasters, and our communities: the businesses who let their staff go and volunteer. For a business owner in a regional area of the country, in a rural area of the country, it's tough enough, but they're the ones also who have to carry the burden, carry the weight and enable their staff to go and be there for their community, and they are equal in their service for providing for that. We have seen neighbours coming together—strangers coming together and acting as neighbours—and now they count each other as friends, as they've come through fire and flood and drought. Everyone has played their part. As well, with Christmas almost upon us, we remember those who, for whatever reason, are doing it tough. The Leader of the Opposition and I were at the Kmart Salvos event just outside my office recently, and the Leader of the Opposition, rightly, referred to those who are going through terribly difficult times for economic reasons, or those who are affected by homelessness, or those who are affected by domestic violence. Any number of reasons will mean that, as we go into this Christmas season, once again, there are many Australians for whom this will be a very difficult time. Again, it'll be those fellow Australians who reach out to them and seek to provide them with support as they work through their terrible difficulties. There'll be those who'll be alone or will be bereaved. There'll be those for whom there will be a missing place at the table, and that will be tough. They will reflect on wonderful memories, hopefully, of those times that they were able to share together. That's what families and friends do: they help each other deal with the challenges of life. There will be those who will be confined to hospital, those struggling on farms, those who battle difficulties that are insurmountable, it would seem. I ask every one of us—and it's an appeal I make to all of us—to look out for those who are less fortunate and to look out for one another, particularly over this summer season, and to keep safe on the roads, to exercise patience and care. You don't need to get there as quickly as you often think you do. We can get very busy at these times, and we know what can occur on our roads and the terrible tragedies that can unfold. So, I would ask everyone, as we go about what hopefully is a very happy time and one of reunion with many family and friends, that we all make sure that we turn up safely and enjoy that experience. To Lifeline and all our other great services and volunteers who know they'll be reaching out on Christmas Day, because they do it every year: thank you for serving up that Christmas cheer. Thank you also, from all Australians, to the surf lifesavers who'll be on our beaches—looking after not just Australians but also the many visitors who'll be here and are often put at so much risk, unaware and unfamiliar with the dangers that can be in our waters—and to doctors, nurses, the ambos and the emergency and essential services workers who will give up their family time on Christmas Day and beyond to ensure that the rest of us can have a happy and safe holiday period. In particular, as we come together with family, let us also reflect with gratitude on the serving men and women of our defence forces—some 1,500—who are around the world serving in so many different capacities, separated from their loved ones by the call of duty and because of their passion and love for their nation, whether at sea, in the air or on land, in Afghanistan, the Middle East or the many missions in other parts of the world, or keeping our borders safe closer to home, and those serving in our diplomatic service. We thank them, and we wish them a very merry Christmas. We stand by our veterans community, also, remembering the depth of their sacrifice and responding to it with respect and strong and ongoing support. It is also fitting at this time of year to extend to the Leader of the Opposition and his family my very best wishes for Christmas and the holiday season, whether he'll be watching re-runs of old footy games and things like that—who knows, but I do hope he has a wonderful Christmas and holiday period with his family and a bit of time of rest. We'll all be back here again next year and ready to serve our constituents and play and perform the important roles that we do in this place. So, I hope he has a great break. I also want to acknowledge his predecessor, the previous Leader of the Opposition, the member for Maribyrnong, who served in that role. I wish him, Chloe and all of their family a very happy Christmas and a safe and pleasant new year. Menzies would often say of Curtin and Chifley, 'opponents but not enemies', and I believe this is true. That is the spirit in which these messages are sent. To all the members of the opposition: I wish you all the best for a happy and successful break. To my own team: when you leave this place and go home to your families, you can be immensely proud of everything that you've achieved this year. You have my grateful thanks. When I took on the role of leadership of the parliamentary Liberal Party and then, together with the Deputy Prime Minister, stood before you, I said, 'You've asked me to lead and I've asked you to follow,' and you've paid me the greatest honour in your decision to follow. Together we have been able to achieve something quite extraordinary, but, as I said on election night, the victory was not ours; the victory was of those Australians who put their great faith in us. My proudest moment, though, was the day after, because it meant we got to get on with the job, and that's what we'll continue to do. I also particularly want to extend my best wishes and appreciation to my Deputy Prime Minister and my coalition partner, Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack, and his wife, Catherine. They are great friends, and he's not a bad cricketer either—based on his own report! It has been a true joy to be able to lead a government together with a man as decent as Michael, and I wish him and Catherine well. They have been together for such a long time and they're such an example to us all. Indeed, as I look forward to my 30th wedding anniversary in January, I think you and Catherine have been such a wonderful blessing. You are on 33 years, so I don't know if we'll ever catch you, but we'll get close every year! To my tremendous deputy, Josh Frydenberg, deputy leader of the parliamentary Liberal Party and Treasurer: thank you very much, Josh. Bringing down a budget—your first budget—is a very significant thing to do. For all of those who have had the great privilege of standing at this dispatch box to set out the expenditures of the government, its fiscal settings and the things you're able to achieve through strong financial management, it is a great honour. For Josh—the member for Kooyong, I should say, but with some indulgence from you, Mr Speaker. For the Treasurer to be able to come and to do that this year and do it in such fine style, I know he is looking forward to the next one more, having achieved a first surplus and able to announce another one. I know you'll do a tremendous job. To the deputy leader of the National Party, Senator Bridget McKenzie— Mr Frydenberg interjecting— Mr MORRISON E3L There he is. His ears were burning! To the deputy leader of the National Party, Senator McKenzie: I thank you also, Bridget, for the tremendous guidance and support you have given to our leadership team, your passionate support for regional Australia and for ensuring we are always very familiar with the challenges that are being faced in rural and regional Australia. To our newly minted Leader of the House: thank you for saying yes when I asked you to take this job. There he is. We honoured the previous Leader of the House—largely at his own direction!—when we put his picture up on the wall. I haven't checked to see if he is still standing there in front of it admiring it, but he certainly did for some time the other night! And so he should, because he was an adornment to this House. For the new Leader of the House, I also want to thank Christian for the enormous workload he takes on as our Attorney-General and Minister for Industrial Relations. That of itself is an extraordinarily large task and, for backing that up with the incredible work that is required to move the government's business through this place and to ensure we can continue to deliver for Australians, I thank him very much for his great service both to our government and to our parties. I also thank, of course, our leadership team in the Senate, Senator Cormann and Senator Birmingham. Senator Cormann has got quite a high strike rate when it comes to ensuring the passage of the government's legislation, and I thank him for the way that he's engaged with crossbench members and wish all of them also the very best, as I do the crossbench members here, for the Christmas season. I thank them for their dedication. To my own team: I thank my chief of staff, John Kunkel. Thank you for your support, John, and the great work that is done by you. Thank you for your leadership of all of my team, which is so important to the running of the government. I want to thank all the hardworking and committed staff of coalition members, and we had the opportunity to thank them all last night. But can I also say to the opposition members and all of their staff that I wish them, also, all the best for Christmas and the holiday period. Can I thank the Chief Government Whip and the deputy whips for ensuring we stay on track, but not just for that. I'm sure the Leader of the Opposition would know, from the role of their own whip, that they play such an important part and work closely together between opposition and government to ensure not just the smooth running of this place but the pastoral care that is provided to members of this parliament on both sides of this House. I want to thank the whips and their deputies, both from the government side and from the opposition side, for the great work they do. To the Clerk of the House: congratulations on your appointment. It's wonderful to see our first female clerk here—not just that, but someone of immense capability. We loved those earrings yesterday, and these ones are just as good; they're right in the Christmas spirit! We wish you, your family, the Deputy Clerk and all the clerks' assistants who support them well. To the Serjeant-at-Arms, James Catchpole, our thanks also go to you. From my own department, thank you to David Belgrove, Anne O'Connor and Sue Klammer who work in the legislative team and who have been a great help to me and my staff. To the House Parliamentary Liaison Officer, Charlie Higgins, and the rest of the team in the Table Office and the First Parliamentary Counsel, Peter Quiggin PSM and his team, our deep thanks. I'd like to make special mention of Debbie Arnold, who is leaving us as the Senate Parliamentary Liaison Officer and has been instrumental in helping my staff and me to program the government's agenda in the other place. Other long-serving staff who retired this year, as we noted, are: David Elder, the former Clerk here for 38 years; Trish Bicket from the Table Office, 34 years; Laura Gillies, 34 years; James Rees, 28 years; Onu Palm, 23 years; and Anthony, over 17 years. It is clearly a vocation, and one taken very seriously by those who serve this parliament, and we thank you. Thanks also to all the attendants in this place. To Luch and the whole mob: thank you very, very much. You're always a great encouragement and have been over many years. Whichever side of the House you sit on, there's always the great warm smile and friendly attendance that we get from you. We also thank, of course, all the Federal Police, security, those in catering, Library, Hansard and support staff who make the institution run so smoothly. Mr Speaker, we thank them, through you, for their great work. In last year's valedictory, I mentioned Luzia, Ana and Maria, who are the three cleaners from my own office who have been working in this building for a very long time. They really do have a way of just lighting us all up. Ana and Maria are sisters. At this time last year, it was very tough. They had just lost their mum. But recently we were able to share together a much brighter moment—a wonderful morning tea celebration for Luzia's 30th anniversary of service in this building to many Prime Ministers over a long period of time. I know she would have been held in as much affection by my predecessors as by me and my own team. It was lovely to meet Luzia's husband, Marcelo, their children, Marian, Lucia and Isobel, and their grandchildren as well. It was a wonderful day. Next year we will be celebrating Ana's 30th anniversary milestone as well. She's a wonderful personality. She's the only person in the world who I understand called Mr Howard 'Pumpkin'. I want to, again, congratulate all of them and thank them. On a sadder note, this year was a year we lost two of our nation's finest leaders and statesmen. It was a privilege to join with the Monash Foundation in honouring the scholarships that were awarded in their honour. To the late Bob Hawke and to the late Tim Fischer, and to all of their families, we want to acknowledge your great service to our country. Our country is so much better for their extraordinary contribution that they were able to deliver in their service, and they have set a standard for us all to seek to attain. Their passing reminds us of what politics is truly all about—serving honourably and courageously the Australian people. Finally to you, Mr Speaker, Pam and all the family, have a wonderful Christmas. You continue to serve us and keep this show on the road in this parliament with great dignity, and you do it with a wit and a candour and an affection for which I think people around the country have got to know you well over many years now in this role. There have been many great Speakers, Mr Speaker, and I have no doubt you are one of them. I think, over the course of your time as Speaker, you will certainly stand out amongst them, if not above them all. It's a great privilege every time I see you in that chair, because I was so pleased to support you going into that chair and you have not let this House down on one occasion—not on one occasion. We thank you very much for all the work you do to maintain the spirit of this House and its important work. Along with all of those good wishes, Mr Speaker, of course, it has been an adventurous year, it has been a dramatic year, it has been a year of a general election, it has been a year of achievements, it has been a year of disappointments for some, but it has been a year in which the great Australian spirit has showcased itself again: to itself and to the world. This really is the greatest country in the world in which to live, and whatever difficulties are before us or whatever challenges are in front of us, the one thing we can always say with a full heart is: it's great to be an Australian. Merry Christmas, everyone. 17:11 Mr ALBANESE R36 Grayndler I join with the Prime Minister in farewelling the parliamentary year in the usual fashion with a valedictory. It has indeed been a very eventful year. It's been a very eventful year in my life, and certainly not one I saw coming as I was here last year, in a number of ways. I thank the Prime Minister for his speech, and I wish him and his family all the best for Christmas and, similarly to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Leader of the National Party and, indeed, to everyone on the other side of this chamber. I thank you, Mr Speaker, for your guidance, your wisdom and, it must be said, your patience throughout the year. I understand that that last quality is especially important for Carlton supporters! I also thank you for the times when you have communicated your thoughts to us with nothing more than a raised eyebrow. In this building, this is a superpower possessed only by yourself and Senator Penny Wong. I thank also your able supporting cast. This includes one of my tennis opponents, the member for Page—and I visited the fire-affected area in his electorate with him just in the last month—and he certainly is someone who's very passionate about representing his community, as is the second Deputy Speaker, the member for McEwen, who represents our side on the Speaker's panel. Thank you very much to all the whips and their teams, to Chris Hayes, Jo Ryan and Anne Stanley. As long as Christopher stays off the motorbike, he'll continue to be able to do a fantastic job on behalf of the party, and the work with the whips on the other side is also important in keeping things going. To my fantastic deputy and friend, Richard Marles: it has been a great privilege to work with you so closely and to really get to know each other on a much deeper level, and to have your loyal support and commitment has been quite extraordinary. I thank Penny Wong, the Senate leader, a formidable force of nature. It's always easier, in shadow cabinet or in other processes that we're not allowed to talk about, just to agree with Penny—because you will eventually, so you may as well. I thank Kristina Keneally, who has entered the leadership team and has brought her experience, her passion and her commitment—and every leadership team should have at least two South Sydney supporters on it, which is an important component! I thank my shadow minister assisting me as Leader of the Opposition, Don Farrell. Don plays one of those pastoral roles in our party. He is someone who has been incredibly supportive and a real source of advice. As the leader of the party, I'm very blessed to be able to have them. I do want to single out the member for Maribyrnong, Bill Shorten. It is, as I'm finding out, an onerous task to be Leader of the Opposition. You don't have that much staff and support—there's no department to give you advice. It's a tough job. Bill Shorten worked each and every day for six years with the commitment that he has to our party and, indeed, to our movement to make things different—not just to change the government but because he wanted to change things in favour of working people. He has our party's respect. We respect our former leaders, and I thank him for his ongoing contribution. I now go to his former deputy and my long-term friend Tanya Plibersek. We were talking the other evening about when we met. She was still at school. I was at uni, I think, by then. Tanya is a formidable representative. She's my neighbour, as the member for Sydney. It was fantastic that she celebrated her 50th birthday on Monday. Ms Plibersek 83M Rubbing it in! The SPEAKER 00APG Did I throw you out on Monday, Member for Sydney? Mr ALBANESE R36 I'm now arguing we're the same age, because when you get past 50 you can count in decades! I say to Tanya, on her passion for education, in particular, and for representing the rights of women, I think we are very lucky to have her in our team. Likewise, I thank my entire parliamentary team. I think this is an outstanding team, particularly those people, if I can single them out, who have come in and instantly played a part in our movement—the class of 2016 and the class of 2019. You do have to renew yourself as a movement. From the front bench right through to the back bench, we're united. After going through such a devastating defeat—call it what it is—in May, when we expected to win, if you look at the past, and I've been here for a bit, the truth is that, after 2001 and after 2004, we were nowhere near where we are now six months after that defeat—united, committed, determined and looking forward. We've had our review. It's done and dusted. We are now looking forward. We're determined to hold the government to account, but we're also determined to put forward a positive vision. I thank my fantastic staff. Tim Gartrell is my pretty experienced campaign director. He was campaign director in 2007, the last time we won, and the campaign director for the marriage equality 'yes' campaign just a short time ago. In between those times, he is someone who has worked for the private sector and someone who has worked to advance reconciliation. He is also someone who was my campaign director for Grayndler in 1996. It is fantastic to have someone in that role who is a dear friend. I thank him. I think his partner, Kerry, who also worked for me many years ago, for letting him come and work for me! I thank him for taking the pay cut, too, that that required. I thank Sabina Husic and Jeff Singleton, my deputies and my entire team, including my electorate office, led by the formidable Sue Heath. I thank, indeed, all the families of members and staff. They sign up in a different way. It's not always an easy life. Our families carry the absences, the long hours and the pressures. Through their sacrifice and their generosity, they make so much of our democratic system possible. I'd like to thank the former Clerk, David Elder. I wish him nothing but happiness in his retirement after years of service. I congratulate the new Clerk, Claressa Surtees, and the new Deputy Clerk, Catherine Cornish—an all-female team is an extraordinary thing. To the people who look after us in this place, Luch and the attendants team, thank you for your patience and for what you all do. Then there are the Hansard staff. They don't miss a word in this place. Not only do we owe them our thanks; we owe them our sympathy as well because, from time to time, it must be quite difficult to decipher what is happening in this place. I thank the keepers of knowledge in the Parliamentary Library; the staff of the Department of the House of Representatives; you can't acknowledge the important personnel in this building without talking about Dom and the team at Aussies, who bring character to the place; as well as everyone who works at the coffee cart and the staff cafeteria—when people call it 'the trough', they do it with love; it's a sign of affection. Can I say this: if you want an example of how the public sector often does it better than the private sector, just ask anyone who was here when it was privatised—it is much better now that the Speaker and the President of the Senate have brought it back into the department, and that is a good thing. I thank all the staff in Parliament House. It is a big building and it takes a lot to run it. If you haven't been down to Old Parliament House—I've been to two dinners there in the last fortnight—it still has all its charm. I worked in that building; it has its power and it has its ghosts, but, compared to this building, it does feel like one of the miniatures at Cockington Green, just down the road. I want to say a big thankyou to the hardworking cleaners who look after us and are so much a part the soul of this place, and to the Comcar drivers who get us around on time, particularly my Sydney drivers, Greg and Suzanne. Thank you to FCM Travel Solutions, who help to keep us moving, and to the AFP and security staff, who keep us safe. To the press gallery: I'm reliably informed that the last of the press gallery who was at our drinks on Tuesday night has now left the caucus room, which is good, because tonight we've got the caucus party. You play an absolutely critical role, and no democracy is worthy of the name without a robust, fair and free media. We will defend your right to report on what happens in this place. I do want to single out—she is going to be embarrassed here—Kym Smith. This is her last day. She has worked here for 15 years. She loves KFC, she's got that killer smile and she's one of the hardest working photographers in the building. Well done, Kym. She's a passionate Bulldogs supporter, which is fine—as long as she's not a Roosters supporter, that's okay! Well done, and I think all of us wish you well in your future endeavours. This place is the heart of democracy. It's important we don't take it for granted, and I will have more to say about that on Saturday. We don't have to look far beyond this place, to the pall of smoke in the sky, to be reminded of just whose debt we are in. To all of our firefighters, who have done such a remarkable job up to now, and will do over what has been a very early beginning to the summer: we thank you. You head into harm's way to protect us and to protect property, and you do things that are beyond comprehension for those of us who have never done it. They have no illusions about what they're up against, and yet they continue to go. We think of those people who are facing this Christmas without their homes, which have recently been lost. We think of other people who are homeless, who are destitute and for whom Christmas is a really difficult time, and our heart goes out to them. This Christmas I will be helping Bill Crews at the Exodus Foundation in my electorate. He is a remarkable Christian leader who does great things at what he describes as the church for outsiders. The homeless, people with drug problems, people who are on the margins of society are all welcome at Ashfield. It was my intention, it must be said, to spend Christmas Day with our defence forces overseas. We tried to put that together over the last couple of months, but it wasn't possible. But I did want to go, and I think it is remarkable when our serving men and women give up their Christmas overseas, particularly at this time of the year. However, I hope to do that at some time in the future. There were practical reasons why that could not be arranged by the government. We do think of those people who are working in our hospitals, our nurses and all the people in emergency services. We hope they're getting their penalty rates as well, it must be said, because they give up an enormous amount during this Christmas period. We think at this time, too, of the people—and a shout-out to the people in the trade union movement—who work each and every day to make Australia a better place and ensure that their fellow workers get a fair go. To my team, which combines with the Christmas colours, the South Sydney Rabbitohs: I am always hopeful at this time of the year—I'm very confident we'll win in 2020. We'll see how that goes. To my son Nathan, I say: every year is our year, and I look forward to spending more time with you over the summer period. You make me proud each and every day. As we go from here and return to the very people we have the privilege to represent, let us go with a renewed sense of purpose. I thank my electorate of Grayndler once again for sending me here to represent you. I don't take your support for granted, and I treat every voter and the electorate as a marginal seat each and every day. I think that we do our best in this place as individuals. We must remain worthy of the trust that our fellow Australians place in us. So, as Naomi Wolf would say: have a wonderful Christmas! I thank the House. 17:27 Mr McCORMACK 219646 Riverina As we draw to the end of this parliamentary year, we all look to those who continue to suffer hardship, including those affected by bushfire, drought and indeed floods across this sunburnt country. Not that long ago when the Prime Minister was speaking, we had 14 members of the Tullamore Central School visiting Parliament House. I put to them: what would you like Santa Claus to bring you for Christmas? Each and every one of them said rain. Think of that—kids hopeful of a present under the Christmas tree, and you ask them: 'What do you want for Christmas?' Each and every one of them, straight back at me, said: 'Rain.' That's significant. That's powerful. We are with them, as we are with everybody who is suffering from drought, who is suffering from bushfires, who is suffering generally. The government, and indeed the opposition and the parliament, are with those people whether they're homeless, whether they've lost their home through a fire or whether they've lost everything through no fault of their own—we're with them. We know that drought conditions may well worsen through the summer, especially in the west of New South Wales and through the Darling Downs in Queensland. As bushfires also continue to rage throughout your country, spare a thought for the first responders, the volunteers—today being of course volunteer day. Many of them will give up their Christmas and do it free of charge. They won't ask for any recompense. They'll do it. They'll be there to save their neighbours. Sometimes they do it when their own house is in a fire-affected area. No words can truly convey our gratitude. I say again: if you are in the path of fire, if you are at risk of ember attack, please listen to the authorities, follow their advice, respect their directions. We can always replace buildings. We can always replace belongings and homes. We cannot restore life, and we want everybody to be safe as this fire season continues. A special thank you—I know the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader have also paid tribute—to our serving Australian Defence Force personnel here and abroad, and also, of course, our veterans. Speaking of the ADF, as the member for Grayndler has said, the service is about to be joined by popular press gallery photographer Kym Smith. We wish her well. We thank her for her 16 years. I'm not sure I thank her for the picture on the front page of The Australian yesterday—but, anyway, thank you for a job well done. Excellent work. An honourable member: She was doing her job. Mr McCORMACK 219646 She was doing her job. I know, as a journalist, that's what you want—you want those images to capture the moment, and she has certainly always done that. The parliament's loss and the press gallery's loss is the ADF's gain. Thank you, Kym. Christmas is a time for giving, and there can be no greater gift than supporting regional Australians, who can do little but wait for drought conditions to ease. I urge and encourage all Australians to back them in by supporting farmers through buying Australian food and fibre—put it on your Christmas luncheon menu on your table—and by supporting small businesses by visiting regional areas over the holidays. Consider a visit to Quilpie dinosaur museum or consider going to the member for Calare's electorate. They're in drought, and there are some great places in regional Australia to visit. Whilst they're doing it tough, many of those tourist destinations are open for business and they want to see your support. And buy regional. I encourage everyone to buy at least one Christmas gift from a regional business this year. The investment and the encouragement means a great deal. You just cannot imagine the great deal it means to the community you will be supporting. Consider the many initiatives to support regional businesses, such as Go Country for Christmas, established by colleague Hollie Hughes, which provides a directory of regional businesses and gift ideas. Go on the website; it's a great concept. If you're near beaches or waterways cooling off in the great Aussie summer, make sure you slip, slop and slap, obviously, but don't drink and swim. Stay between the flags and watch out for others. Whether you're cooling off in the ocean or whether it's a dam, lake, lagoon, pool, river, creek or whatever the case might be, they can be very dangerous places, particularly in country areas; rivers and creeks change. Always check before you dive in. I say it every time we have a citizenship ceremony and we have new Australians; I always implore them in Wagga Wagga to check the conditions of the Murrumbidgee River. It's like any other river—it mightn't be as large as some of the other rivers in this great nation, but those underwater logs and submersible objects can and do claim lives. Please take care and caution. As many of us set out on the road this holiday, I implore everyone behind the wheel to drive safely. If the driver's not driving safely and you're a passenger, tell them, 'Please, don't speed.' Drive to conditions and don't touch your mobile—it's just madness. Make alternative arrangements if you're drinking alcohol, and wear your seatbelt. They're pretty simple things, but they can save a life. Our emergency services personnel have already seen enough trauma this year. Don't be a danger to yourself or others on the road. Think about your family gathered around the Christmas table without you there, if you need a reminder of what's at stake. This year, we established the Office of Road Safety. It's working to improve leadership and coordination across governments to reduce deaths and serious injuries on the nation's roads. I know this is a bipartisan thing. There's more work to do in this space next year, but we are, as a parliament, making good progress. Beyond important safety reminders, please take care over the Christmas season. Stay safe, relax and recharge, and enjoy the company of your family and friends. They mean the most to you. On a quick indulgence, I want to thank the outstanding public service across the department, including the new secretary, Simon Atkinson, and Dr Stephen Kennedy, the outgoing secretary—the infrastructure department's loss is Treasury's gain—for their dedication, advice and support to my office and me, and their fine service to the Australian community. I wish them every success as we roll out our infrastructure blueprint for this nation. I also want to thank my diligent staff in my ministerial office and my electorate offices in Wagga Wagga and Parkes, who always put people first, as they should. A special shout-out to my conscientious chief of staff, Damian Callachor, and my very organised diary manager, Amy Ladner. Amy needs to be organised. It's a big, big country and I get around all of it, and she organises and arranges my trips very well. Thank you to my family: my wife of 33 years, Catherine, and my children, Georgina, Alexander and Nicholas and their partners, for their support and guidance this year. I want to thank and pay special tribute to the leadership Scott Morrison has shown to this country, and to his wife, Jenny, and children, Abbey and Lily. I want to say well done. You have been a great example this year and a true friend and certainly somebody who's going to be one of the great modern-day prime ministers. I want to also thank my deputy leader, Bridget McKenzie, for the job that she's doing as Australia's first female agriculture minister. I thank all my Liberal and Nationals colleagues for their support. I want to pay tribute to the opposition as well, and to the crossbench. To the opposition, to Anthony Albanese and to his deputy, Richard Marles: enjoy a happy Christmas. And I wish Anthony Albanese a long, long time as opposition leader! An opposition member interjecting— Mr McCORMACK 219646 Even Joel Fitzgibbon—I wish he was here! He's a good bloke. We get on very well. I wish a happy Christmas to everybody in this chamber and in the other place, and to all who work to assist us in our parliamentary duties: our staff, our staff in the parliament: the catering teams, special constables, parliamentary clerks, cleaners—particularly Ana Jancevska and Luzia Borges, who clean my office. They're great ladies, always there with a smile, they never ever fail to say hello and they're always upbeat—no matter what state the offices might be left in! Thank you to both of them. I know the cleaners do a fantastic job, as do the many others who help keep this place running smoothly and efficiently. I would also like to particularly thank our constituents for their support and trust and wish them a happy and holy Christmas. Remember the reason for the season. And let's look forward to an even better, brighter, and wetter 2020. As a final note, I know the Labor Party are going to party tonight. As I understand it—if I have read The Australian correctly and it's true; that great column by the wonderful Alice Workman—they've got somebody from GANGgajang singing. Of course, that band has a special place in the National Party, too, because the song 'Sounds Of Then (This is Australia)' was written on the back porch—the patio—of none other than the late, great Paul Neville in Bundaberg. So it's got a special place in the heart of the National Party. It's going to have a special place in the heart of the Labor Party tonight, and I know all the Libs love GANGgajang as well. It truly is a great song, and truly has some great messages: 'This is Australia.' 17:37 Mr MARLES HWQ Corio The last time Labor won government from opposition was 2007. It's a year that we remember very fondly. But it wasn't only memorable for the election that year. I'm a very big fan of sport. I follow Tiger Woods and, of course, I'm a fanatic of the Geelong Football Club. And 2007 was a year which was characterised by Tiger winning one of golf's four major championships and by Geelong ending a 44-year drought and taking out the AFL premiership. So this time last year—when the polling was strong for Labor and, after a finals campaign followed up by an active trade season, it looked like Geelong was going to make another tilt at the premiership, and Tiger had just won his first professional golf tournament in five years—I thought that maybe 2019 would be the year where the universe would come into harmony once more. And, as the year started, our polling was strong. We went through our very first month as the Geelong Football Club undefeated. And then, remarkably, in April of this year, Tiger—at the age of 43—won the US Masters. And that's pretty well where the year peaked. This has been a very interesting, up-and-down year for all of us. No more so than for the member for Paterson, who I was talking to last night about her concern in relation to her own house being threatened by bushfire right now. It's a reminder that we are about to go into the most dangerous season of the year on this continent, a season characterised not just by bushfire but also by cyclones—and it's a season which, in an unprecedented way, is of course well under way. Let me start by turning my thoughts and giving my thanks to all the firefighters and emergency service personnel and all the volunteers who have been fighting fires across the country already this season—and, in doing so, putting their own lives at risk and often their own properties at risk. They deserve our nation's thanks. In giving them that thanks can I, in advance, also give our thanks to all those who will be engaged in emergency work during the course of the summer. These are tragic moments, but the service that they provide has an inspiration about it which speaks to the character of our nation. This has been a year, of course, characterised by drought as well. All of our thoughts are with those who are suffering through one of the worst droughts on our record. It was an election year, and that was a very significant moment—one which looms with a different character in the minds of those depending on what side of the House you are now sitting. But there was one other event this year that I would reflect upon, which was not in this country, but had a connection to us: the Christchurch massacre. It was an appalling moment, made more appalling from an Australian point of view by the fact that an Australian was the perpetrator. I mention it because, in the aftermath of that—in fact, the following Sunday, by chance—it was Open Mosque Day in Victoria, maybe around the country. I visited the Geelong mosque on that Sunday. It's an event I've been to previously where during the course of six or seven hours you might get a couple of hundred people going in, out of curiosity and to have a look at what the mosque looks like. On the Sunday this year, thousands came through in a way which was truly inspiring about the kind of nation that we are. It was multicultural Australia at its best. Whilst it was initiated by the most appalling set of events, one couldn't help but feel a sense of being heartwarmed by the response that Australians gave it. I think it says so much about the nation that we are all so proud to be a part of. As we leave this place, I would like to acknowledge my leader, the member for Grayndler, Anthony Albanese. I've known Anthony for quite a while now but, in the last six months, in difficult circumstances, I've obviously gotten to know him a lot better. He's a fantastic person and, in what has in many ways been a very difficult year, one of the great joys for me has been to get to know Anthony better. I think his persistence, his staying the course, his patience, his humour and his goodwill in the midst of all of this has been an inspiration to all of us. I acknowledge Senators Penny Wong, Kristina Keneally and Don Farrell, and thank them for the friendship and support that they have given me during the course of this year. It is greatly appreciated, and it is also a joy to work with them amongst the leadership of the Parliamentary Labor Party. This time last year our parliamentary leaders were the member for Maribyrnong and the member for Sydney, and I would like to pay tribute to both of them, who have led our party for six years. I've known the member for Maribyrnong all of my adult life and, during that time, we have been very close. I know how difficult 18 May was for all of us, and was for him. The dignity with which he dealt with that and has carried himself since says everything about the person that he is. We owe Bill and Tanya a debt of gratitude. I acknowledge the Prime Minister, the Deputy Prime Minister and all the members of the government. For those of us who have participated in government, we're all busy in this building, but we particularly know how busy you are. We hold you to account in this place and in the public domain, but, as a citizen, I thank you for your service. I hope that all of you get an opportunity to spend a well-earned moment with your families over the course of Christmas and over the course of the summer. It was, of course, a very successful year for you and you deserve our congratulations. I acknowledge you, Mr Speaker, and the member for Page, the member for McEwen and all those on the Speaker's panel. You and I have known each other for a very long time. As I said earlier this year, it genuinely is one of the joys for me of being in this place to watch you blossom in the role that you are performing in, in the most difficult of circumstances. Today, in fact, was probably as difficult as any of them. You do a wonderful job. The comment that the Prime Minister made earlier about your standing amongst the Speakers that this country has had is absolutely right. I acknowledge the crossbenchers. Those of us in the major parties sometimes forget how hard it must be to represent the voices of thousands of Australians in this place without the backup of a party apparatus, and we certainly acknowledge what you do. I acknowledge the Manager of Opposition Business and the member for Hindmarsh and all those on the tactics team. You certainly guide us in this place in a very professional way, and we are very grateful. I acknowledge the Chief Opposition Whip and the members for Lalor and Werriwa. You certainly keep us in line, and we thank you for everything that you do. I acknowledge all of my caucus colleagues. I grew up in a boarding school, and this place has a certain boarding-school character to it. The friendships that we have in here are actually what sustain us through long hours and sometimes difficult hours. So, to everyone that I have had a coffee, a lunch, a dinner or a beer with, thank you for your friendship and your camaraderie. It has been a difficult time, but it is to the credit of, I think, both the member for Maribyrnong and the member for Grayndler that we have managed to get through this year and find ourselves at the end of it with just a bit of a spring in our step—and that is, I think, in the context of what happened on 18 May, a remarkable achievement. I'd like to acknowledge the many people who keep us functioning here in this building, starting with Dom and those at Aussies, and all of the caffeine traffickers in this building. I'm certainly grateful for your product! I thank all the Comcare drivers. I thank the gardeners, Graham Gosling and his team, who do such an incredible job on the Reps side of this House; the rose gardens are something to behold. To the cleaners of my office, Chanmala, Joy and Rosalba: thank you for your work. I thank all the attendants, the clerks, Hansard, the security guards, the IT and communications staff, the librarians and researchers, the building and heritage staff, the tour guides, the parliamentary gift shop and others who interact with public, and those involved in catering. I acknowledge the press gallery. The member for Grayndler made a very significant point: the press gallery play a critical role in our democracy, and it is so important that they are supported in what they do, going forward. I thank my staff. I thank my chief of staff, Lidija Ivanovski and, through her, all those who work with me—and they won't mind me singling out one of them, Saverina Chirumbolo. Saverina is 50 per cent Sicilian, she's 50 per cent Calabrian and she's 100 per cent scary! Next year will be the 20th year that we have worked together, and my life doesn't work without Sav. Whenever Sav goes, that's when I go as well. I thank those who work with me in the Labor team in Geelong: the new member for Corangamite—it's great to see you here—and, at a state level, Christine Couzens, Darren Cheeseman, John Eren, Lisa Neville and Gayle Tierney, who all represent Labor in the town of Geelong. I thank the constituents of Corio for returning me here at the last election. I certainly do not take that for granted. As we head towards Christmas, I'd like to acknowledge all our serving men and women, particularly those on deployment around the world. They do an incredible job, and it is an enormous privilege for me as the shadow minister for defence to get a glimpse of the sacrifice and the service that they provide to our nation. They are our nation's finest. There is something about putting on the uniform and the sacrifice that goes on with it in that moment which is unlike any other job in the land. I thank them, as I thank all veterans who have served. In the same breath, let me also acknowledge the defence minister, who of course is a veteran herself. I thank her for her friendship as we now find ourselves working in the same space. Finally, of course, I'd like to thank my family: my wife, Rachel; and my children, Sam, Bella, Harvey and Georgia. And, in thanking them, I acknowledge the families of everyone here. They are not volunteers; they are conscripts in what we do. The hardest part of this job is being away from them, and I don't get to do what I do but for their support. As much as I love doing what I do here, and I love this job, it is not the most important thing in my life; they are, and I love them very much. This has been a rollercoaster year for everyone in this building. There have been more twists and turns, more ups and downs, than perhaps we would even normally have liked. But Kim Beazley once said, in a year when Labor had also lost, that to be returned to this parliament and to have an office in it in any capacity is of itself a success. It speaks to the fact that, for all of us here, just being here and being the voice of thousands of people in the way in which this country runs is an enormous privilege. We are lucky to do it, and being their voice in the most sincere way is indeed a noble pursuit. On that note, I wish every member of this House and every member of the Senate the very happiest of holidays and the very merriest of Christmases. STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 95 STATEMENT BY THE SPEAKER 17:50 The SPEAKER 00APG Before the Leader of the House moves the required motion, I just want to make some brief remarks—very briefly. I want to associate myself with all the remarks that have been made by the Prime Minister, the Leader of the Opposition, the Deputy Prime Minister and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. They have all been remarks that I concur with absolutely. Obviously as Speaker I want to thank all members of the House. I particularly want to thank the staff of the House, led by Claressa Surtees, our first-ever female Clerk of the House, and all of the staff of the Department of the House of Representatives—obviously all of the staff you see here in the chamber, but also the staff who are working very hard behind the scenes as well. The former Clerk, David Elder, was mentioned, and of course I want to place on record my thanks to him for all his help in the first half of the year. To my personal staff, led by Cate Clunies-Ross, and all of my advisers and staff, who work very hard, I thank them for all of the work that they've done. I want to single out one staff member, who retired after the election, and that is Denise Jeffs. She was a servant of this parliament, a servant of the party I represent. She started working for Bob Halverson, the member for Casey, after the 1984 election, and she served through that entire time, including during his speakership. She came back to work for me after the 2007 election, which obviously were very difficult days for us, and became my office manager. I made a lot of promises at the last election, which I'll keep, and she made one, that this was her last election—and she certainly kept it! I don't blame her at all. She did a wonderful job and I wish her and her partner a wonderful retirement. To the Prime Minister, thank you so much for your remarks. As you pointed out, we've been friends for a long time, and indeed you were a very enthusiastic supporter of me becoming Speaker, and I want to acknowledge that; I really do. We'd met many, many years before you were elected to parliament and then, again after the 2007 election, became colleagues. To the Leader of the Opposition—I'll surprise people here—we only met when I was elected as a member of parliament. We had a few run-ins at the committee level but, funnily enough, became good friends during that time. To the Deputy Prime Minister, who I've known for a long time, thanks for your friendship as well. I'll just say, your microphone works well! I'll just make that point before Christmas. But thanks so much. To the Deputy Leader of the Opposition—he's mentioned our friendship many times. I mentioned it when becoming Speaker, and some on my side seemed quite shocked that I was friends with someone on the other side. But, Prime Minister, I know you've forged friendships on the other side through your time. I think that's healthy, provided that it's genuine. In the case of the member for Corio, the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, and I, it is very genuine. I'm meant to refer to members by their correct titles—I'm always admonishing people—but Richard, we've known each other for a third of a century. We really have. We met in 1986. Don't for a minute think that we agree on everything—or sometimes even anything! That's not the case. We always had a way of understanding each other's differences while trying to do what we thought was best for democracy. That was really the point. Certainly, on campus, without me becoming political—you wouldn't want me to do that—sometimes we had co-opponents, if I could put it that way. That's the most polite way I could put it. I can only recall one occasion where you became really angry with me, and I think that probably was my fault; I really do, looking back on it. Just to a couple of others on a personal level: to the Deputy Leader of the Liberal Party and the Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, who's a great friend, I just admire your never-ending energy. You see that here in the chamber. I'll get messages from Josh all through the day on various things and, when the working day is done, they don't stop. It's 11 o'clock at night, and I think: what's Josh texting me about? And it's something to do with the Carlton Football Club's draft. I really, really admire your passion for all of that. Finally, just a special call-out to the new members. It really is an honour and a privilege to be elected to this House, absolutely. You've been through an election. You've been through the opening of the House. This is the end of your first year, and you should take the time to cherish it, have a break, no matter what anyone tells you to do. You should be very proud, and I wish you and your families all of the best. Thank you so much for all of your help and assistance throughout the year—some more than others, I have to say, in all candour. Despite what some people think outside this place, this is a debating arena and what occurs here is vigorous debate at times. Finally, I do want to thank both the Leader of the House and the Manager of Opposition Business. They have big jobs—very, very big jobs, indeed. Without the two of them, the House wouldn't function. So thank you, everybody, and I wish you all a safe and happy Christmas. ADJOURNMENT 96 ADJOURNMENT 17:57 Mr PORTER 208884 Pearce (): I move: That the House do now adjourn. I believe we've reached an agreement to forgo the adjournment debate. So, as I move the requisite motion, I just thank you and the leader of opposition business, who's not in the chamber at the moment. I listened very intently to the Deputy Prime Minister's speech. There are a lot of differences in this place, but I think one thing that we can all agree on is that it is a fantastic way to end the year with the Deputy Prime Minister naming every single waterway in Australia capable of receiving the human body for the purposes of swimming. I counted 22 different waterways. It was absolutely awesome. It was like the guy in Forrest Gump talking about the ways you can eat shrimp—it was just sensational! Question agreed to. House adjourned at 17 : 58 NOTICES 96 NOTICES

Thursday, 5 December 2019

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Zimmerman) took the chair at 10:00.

CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS 97 CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS Foodbank 97 09:59 Ms ROWLAND 159771 Greenway Australia's worsening drought and its social, health and financial implications are being felt right across Australia. As a member representing an outer metropolitan electorate, I've been touched by the number of local residents who've contacted me for advice about how they can support our Australian farmers during this worsening drought. It's a core part of our national identity to pitch in and lend a hand when people are doing it tough. Ordinarily, I organise an annual Christmas morning tea for local seniors, which is a huge event attracting hundreds of people to have some festive fun and join in the Christmas spirit. But, given the recent bushfires and worsening drought, I've decided to do something different this year. I'm donating the usual cost—around $1,000—of organising and hosting the event, which I pay for myself, to Foodbank's drought program, and I'm encouraging local Greenway residents to do the same. I had the privilege of visiting Foodbank NSW and ACT's processing centre in Western Sydney last week to see these community heroes in action. I want to pay tribute to the wonderful staff and volunteers of Foodbank, who make such a difference to so many lives. In particular, I pay tribute to my good friend John Robertson, who is the Chief Operating Officer of Foodbank New South Wales and ACT. I also want to single out what Foodbank has been doing; in particular, how its emphasis has shifted, unfortunately, to regional areas and people who are directly and indirectly affected by the drought. Foodbank is the pantry for Australia's charity sector. Seventy per cent—a staggering statistic—of all rescued food provided to Australians in need last year was collected by Foodbank. They are making serious strides in tackling food insecurity. One in five Australians were food insecure at some point in the last 12 months—one in five! Given the financial pressures caused by the drought, rural and regional Australians are now, unfortunately, more likely to slip into food insecurity. Foodbank is doing incredible things, particularly for drought affected communities. This year Foodbank shipped out 15,000 hampers to drought affected communities, and 16,000 hampers will be delivered to Australians in need this Christmas. These hampers include staple items and hygiene products—essentials that will at least partially relieve some of the pressures facing Australian farmers. On a final note, I want to thank Greenway residents for their support of Foodbank and this initiative. Let's spread some Christmas cheer to our farmers, who are really doing it tough. I wish all of my constituency and all of Foodbank's beneficiaries a very merry Christmas and a happy new year. Watson, Mr Sam, Bouchard, Mr Ron, Brisbane Electorate: Christmas Card Competition 97 10:02 Mr EVANS 61378 Brisbane Brisbane Indigenous activist Sam Watson— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 Order! I call the member for Werriwa. 10:03 Ms STANLEY 265990 Werriwa I move: That the Member be no longer heard. A government member: On a condolence motion! Ms STANLEY 265990 Is it a condolence motion? I'm at your discretion, Mr Deputy Speaker. Can I withdraw the motion? The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 The Speaker made some observations about the Federation Chamber this morning. I note what happened yesterday when a member of the opposition was speaking on a condolence motion and the Chamber agreed to allow that member to continue. You might want to reflect as to whether you want to proceed with your motion, but that is your decision. Ms STANLEY 265990 Well, I've just asked if I can withdraw it. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 Yes, you may withdraw it. 10:03 Mr EVANS 61378 Brisbane Brisbane Indigenous activist Sam Watson, sadly, passed away last week. He was a strong voice for Aboriginal rights in our community in Brisbane. He was an author, an academic and a filmmaker. While our political views were different, I pay a serious and sombre tribute to him for his dedication to his life's work and the sacrifices he made as a community leader. I also want to pay tribute to the Lion Ron Bouchard, who passed away last week. I had the honour of meeting Ron a few times around our community, and his tireless work with the Ashgrove-The Gap Lions, and for other causes, is to be commended. I know he will be sorely missed. After reflecting on the sadness and the hole in our local community that both of those community leaders will leave, I want to report how some future and emerging community leaders, in the form of high-achieving students, also deserve some special recognition for their work in our community at this time. I want to congratulate all of the hundreds of local students from across Brisbane who participated in my annual Christmas card competition. This year's young artistic talent around Brisbane continues to impress. I'm very pleased to announce that the overall winner was Emily Williams, in year 6 at Wilston State School, whose colourful design of Brisbane's Story Bridge now sits on the front of my 2019 Christmas card, being sent out to every household in Brisbane. The prep/year 1 category winner was Leona Sharma in year 1 at Newmarket State School. The year 2 winner was Stephanie Tull of Windsor State School. The year 3 winner was Meadow Cruden of Wilston State School. The runners up were Georgia Keating in prep at Our Lady Help of Christians School in Hendra, William Moore in year 2 at Holy Spirit Catholic School New Farm and Eliana Gale in year 3 at Wilston State School. Centrelink 98 10:05 Ms RISHWORTH HWA Kingston Many Australians, at some point in their life, receive support from Centrelink—whether they're young, studying, doing it tough between jobs or raising a family, or whether they're sick, have a disability or receive a pension after making their contribution to our country. Centrelink provides essential payments that are often a safety net or extra support that people need, for vulnerable families, for those facing unforeseen hardship and, of course, just to help with the cost of living. It has been incredibly disappointing that the Morrison government has taken a very cruel approach when it comes to support from Centrelink. We've seen mismanagement and a complete disregard for people on Centrelink, even to the point where we've seen the government demonise people receiving Centrelink payments. Their lack of empathy is demonstrated by their unlawful robodebt scandal, which targeted low-income earners, by the way that they have let Newstart stagnate below the poverty line, and by the childcare subsidy system glitches, which have left many families with a huge amount of debt. Even this week, we've seen their approach to cutting off pensioners from support. The minister at the helm has shown complete contempt for people who need support through Centrelink, including pensioners. Minister Ruston said herself she believes the pension is 'generous'! This is despite pensioners coming to me and saying they are struggling to make ends meet. I am really not sure what she's talking about when she says how lucky pensioners are. Maybe she's thinking they've never had it better. Of course, there is also inadequate resourcing of Centrelink by the government. They have let Centrelink, and the support that comes from Centrelink, dwindle. As I regularly say, this is not the staff of Centrelink's fault. They have been underresourced and not given the support that they need. The most recent wait-time data show that there have been significant blowouts in processing times, by 14.1 per cent. One of my constituents, Stephen from Hackham West, came to my office for help out of sheer desperation. This is not an isolated case. He had applied for sickness allowance after he broke his ankle. While he had a job to go back to, his injury meant he had to take some time off work. He was struggling financially and he had nowhere else to turn. This is a sign of a system that is broken. It is time the government took a different approach to income support and a different approach to supporting people when they need it. They need to actually resource Centrelink properly, get those wait times down, get those processing times down and give support when it's needed. Road Safety 98 10:09 Mr CHESTER IPZ Gippsland I rise to raise my genuine fear that people will die on the unduplicated section of the Princes Highway this year because of the state government's inaction— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 Order. The member for Werriwa? 10:09 Ms STANLEY 265990 Werriwa I move: That the Member be no longer heard. Question unresolved. Sydney Electorate: Rail 99 10:10 Ms PLIBERSEK 83M Sydney I want to take this opportunity to raise the need for an additional metro stop to be situated in the Green Square area of my electorate, positioned on the track that is currently being built between Waterloo and Sydenham stations. I have been told by the New South Wales minister for transport— 10:10 Mr GEE 261393 Calare I move: That the Member be no longer heard. Question unresolved. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 I call the next speaker. According to my list, the member for Calare was going to seek the call. Tick-borne Illness 99 10:10 Mr GEE 261393 Calare I recently held my annual community Christmas function in Bathurst. It was there that I caught up with Micah Phillips. Micah is a terrific young bloke who has experienced his fair share of knocks in his 27 years. He lives in the wonderful town of Tarana in my electorate, and he has had a pretty tough run in life. Shortly after moving there in 2008, at the age of 15, Micah was on a camp with his local TAFE class in the Lidsdale national park. During that camp, he was bitten by two ticks—one on his leg and the other on his head. This is when Micah's life changed forever. For 12 years, he has lived with chronic pain and debilitating headaches, and he is often wheelchair bound. What started out as flulike symptoms and rashes soon escalated. At the time, he was told by doctors that the symptoms would pass and to go home. 'You'll be right,' they said, but Micah wasn't right. Micah recounts that he was subsequently misdiagnosed with suspected motor neurone disease and told there was nothing more that could be done to help him. Micah did not accept this diagnosis and told me that he was even admitted to a psychiatric facility on two separate occasions during the early period of his illness, with doctors and specialists convinced his pain and symptoms were purely psychological. As I said, it has been a tough time for Micah. He told me that, when his sister moved to Queensland for university, she read about someone who suffered from a tick-borne illness with similar symptoms to Micah's. Convinced he might have found an answer to his mysterious illness, he went on a waiting list to see a tick-borne illness specialist, and, after exhaustive testing, his results came back positive for tick-borne sickness. Micah also recounts that he shared this information with a local hospital, and it was again proposed that he be admitted to a psychiatric facility for believing he suffered from tick-borne illness such as Lyme disease. Lyme disease, or an Australian version of it, is not formally recognised by medical authorities in Australia. Unfortunately, what happened to Micah is an all too common story among those suffering from tick-borne illnesses. As a final report of a 2016 Senate inquiry found: What is clear, however, is that potentially infectious pathogens are being transmitted by Australian ticks, and treatment for the ensuing illnesses is currently suboptimal. The inquiry went on to say, 'People are sick and they must be helped.' Micah and other sufferers would certainly agree with that. There needs to be more funding for research, including clinical trials, and better education amongst the medical profession and the wider community about tick-borne illnesses and how to treat them. Above all, there needs to be compassion and understanding shown to sufferers of these illnesses, particularly from those who are turned to for help, support and treatment. Sufferers deserve nothing less. I know I join our community in offering Micah and the many other sufferers of tick-borne illnesses our support and best wishes for their treatment and recovery. New South Wales: Bushfires, Hawkesbury Show 99 10:13 Ms TEMPLEMAN 181810 Macquarie I rise to speak about bushfires affecting my community. Twenty per cent of the Blue Mountains World Heritage area has been burnt already this fire season. More of it burns every day, and it's only the first week of December. How anyone can kid themselves that this isn't being fuelled by climate change is beyond me. It was pretty obvious back in 2013, in the mountains fires where so many of us lost their homes, that we are seeing atypical fire behaviour. We have to respond to the facts on the ground and the science that tells us we are going to see more of this without strong action. Let us look at the facts for Macquarie, which covers the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury. It is week 6 of the Gospers Mountain fire and it has claimed two houses. When I listen to long-term firefighters describe what they're seeing, they say the ground has never been as dry and the fire behaviour is really unusual. One seasoned former captain told me he had never seen anything like it before. The neighbouring Three Mile fire, sadly, claimed one home at Wisemans Ferry last night. The mountains have had the Woodford fire. Lightning strikes have led to the Ruined Castle fire, which has a really long way to run. There have been dreadful losses of lives and properties in northern New South Wales. The South Coast is now under attack, as are Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and WA. We know this is unprecedented, and it's not over. Can we please not pretend that any single agency could have had the resources on the ground or in the air that people would love to see tackling something on this scale. We cannot sufficiently thank the RFS staff and volunteers, the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service, Fire and Rescue, the SES and all the associated volunteer, government and council workers for their efforts. The fact that in the Hawkesbury in particular so few homes have been lost, and no lives, is the result of their extraordinary and intelligent efforts in battling these blazes. But clearly there's more we can and should do as a result of this experience, and there will be more lessons to learn as summer goes on both at a climate policy level and at a health policy level—and, I should think, at an economic level as well, because there are going to be huge economic impacts on our communities and also on how we resource firefighting and firefighters. I'd like to look at how we could have a permanent firefighting aircraft fleet based at RAAF Base Richmond. Let's embrace technology and science even more in helping us find a way to adapt to these conditions and do all we can to ensure that heat, winds and drought don't make this the new normal. I'd also like to congratulate the winner of the award for Hawkesbury Showgirl for 2020. The Hawkesbury Show is the largest agricultural show in New South Wales outside the Royal Easter Show, and we're very proud of it. It's a big deal to be Miss Hawkesbury Showgirl, and the winner this year is Eliza Babazogli, who has taken out the top sash. She will be a fantastic representative for the Hawkesbury. Tenni, Hon. Martin James, OAM 100 10:16 Mr ENTSCH 7K6 Leichhardt It's with great sadness that I rise here today to pay tribute to a giant of politics in Far North Queensland who recently passed away. Martin Tenni will be fondly remembered by those who knew him and the broader community as a leader and a person who used his political career to get things done. Martin was born in Cairns in 1934 and, after attending state schools in the region, he underwent national service training in 1952 before entering the hardware business, eventually managing his own company. Martin married the love of his life, Dawn, in the Cairns Presbyterian Church on 3 March 1956. They remained married for nearly 65 years, until his passing. Martin was first elected to the Mareeba Shire Council in 1970 as a councillor, a role that he remained in for three years before being elected as chairman. In 1974, Martin was elected to the Queensland parliament as the National Party member for Barron River. He served under the Queensland Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen and later premiers Mike Ahern and Russell Cooper. In 1983 he was promoted to the frontbench as Minister for Environment, Valuation and Administrative Services. During his time in the parliament, he served as the Minister for Water Resources and Maritime Services, Minister for Mines and Energy and Minister for Northern Development, so he was there right at the forefront of our northern Australian initiatives. Martin Tenni is widely regarded as one of the people who helped shape our region. He delivered the Captain Cook Highway to Port Douglas, a road that was recently voted as one of the most scenic drives in the world. Martin, along with the member for Kennedy, Bob Katter, was instrumental in helping get electricity into the islands throughout the Torres Strait. He also secured the land for James Cook University and funding to build the Smithfield State High School, both of which remain there today. He also secured funding for many primary schools, including those in the Daintree and Mount Molloy, and significant hospital upgrades at Mareeba, Mossman and Cairns. Martin retired from politics in 1989 but remained very much active in the community that he loved. In June this year, Martin was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his services during his lifetime to the people of Far North Queensland. Martin is survived by his beloved wife, Dawn, two children, four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. May he rest in peace. He was a man who did a hell of a lot of work during the time that he was there. He made an outstanding contribution to Far North Queensland in so many ways. He was very much an old-style politician but one who was very much valued and loved within the community. We'll certainly miss him. Racism 100 10:20 Mr PERRETT HVP Moreton I love the Christmas season. There's excitement in the air. Plans are afoot for get-togethers with family and good friends. The sparkle of lights and brightly lit Christmas trees is everywhere. In my community—the vibrant, multicultural community of Moreton—there is an added sparkle, as the diverse mix of cultures that call Brisbane Southside home celebrate the festive season in their own way. I love that about my community, and I'm looking forward to sampling many festivities in the coming weeks. If I were to make one wish for my community this Christmas, it would be that everyone—no matter their skin colour, their religion or their politics—is treated with respect, whether they are the fifth generation to be born in Australia, they've just arrived or they're First Nations people. Sadly, that is not always the case. It is up to everyone, every day, to demonstrate that respect and kindness. It is especially incumbent upon those of us who have a public profile to set an example. I was shocked this week to see a video of some young Liberal National Party members in a staged video spruiking horrid racist rhetoric. It was shocking for several reasons. One: these are young Australians living in one of the most successful multicultural countries in the world. Two: these young people are members of a mainstream political organisation, the party that occupies government benches in this House. Three: these young people are very connected to the Liberal and National parties in Queensland and federally. One of them is the Gold Coast Young LNP chairman; another is the Gold Coast Young LNP vice-chair. They and some of the others in the video have appeared on social media with the Queensland opposition leader Ms Frecklington, former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, the federal member for Petrie, the federal member for Dickson and the Prime Minister himself. Their conduct was appalling, and it cannot be condoned. It should be condemned. People may try to make excuses for them—that they're young and stupid and that they'd been drinking—but their behaviour should be called out, especially by political leaders. We shouldn't make excuses for blatant racism ever. When young adults like those in the video—and I don't know what their individual circumstances are, but they're likely from relatively privileged backgrounds—puff out their chests and proudly display such brazen racism, it needs to be called out by those in a position to do so. I congratulate Queensland minister Leeanne Enoch for immediately calling it out for what it was—racism. We haven't seen an apology from the Queensland Liberal National Party's state leader so far. I'm sure that will be coming. I hope that will be coming! We haven't seen an apology from the Prime Minister or any of the other Liberal or National party members in this House who are closely connected with these Young LNP members. When it comes to racism, we're judged by the behaviour that we're prepared to walk past, and none of us—none of us—should walk past this sort of racism and let young people get away with it. We should call it out every single time. Health Care 101 10:23 Dr ALLEN 282986 Higgins I rise to talk about the very important issue of preventive health. We really do have one of the best healthcare systems in the world. It's a wonderful balance between public and private—public, because we can provide a safety net for all; private, so that we can provide choice for those who can afford it. But we can always do better. We know that in this country, just like in other developed countries all around the world, there is an increasing ageing population and a narrowing tax base, so our tax dollar is going to have to work harder in the healthcare system. We know it's about 30 per cent of our budget at the moment, but it is at risk of ballooning if we don't take steps to make sure we can contain the costs of our health care. We need to make our healthcare dollar work better. What better way than in preventive health? We know that a dollar spent on preventive health can save dollars much further down the line. We also know it can save and protect lives. We need to make our taxpayers' dollar work harder and we need to move resources from the bottom of the cliff to the top of the cliff. We can no longer have a healthcare system that is like the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff, waiting for patients to fall over. I know, as a paediatrician who has been working in the area of preventive health for my entire life, that there is so much we can do that is cost-effective. We know, as paediatricians, that immunisation is incredibly powerful in preventing health costs and health problems. But we also know that there are a whole lot of other things we can utilise here and now. So preventive health is going through this massive transformation, based on two very important issues, actually. The first is the issue of digitisation. We know there are now so many apps out there that can help people to get healthy—to help improve their diet or to get active, or to help with things like yoga and meditation, stopping smoking or avoiding using drugs. We also know that genetics is transforming the way that we can do health care. In my previous life, I worked very hard in genetic health to prevent genetic discrimination, particularly in the area of haemochromatosis. If you give blood, you will not actually develop the disease, and so, by having a knowledge about genetic mutations for haemochromatosis and giving blood, you will never develop the disease. What a great genetic prevention tool that we can use! But, more than that, we need to take steps to prevent, to ensure that our kids of the next generation have the healthiest start to life. I'd like to congratulate the government on its national preventive health policy, which is under development at the moment and is for update next year. But I would like to call for the establishment of a preventive health and health promotion mechanism to guide strategic directions, prioritise action and help allocate resources. We have the MBS. We have the MBAC. We need to have an independent body that will allow resources to be better allocated, because prevention is a long-term game and we need to make sure that we do better in this area. I'm proud to have established the Parliamentary Friends of Preventive Health. (Time expired) South Australia: Health Care 102 10:26 Ms FLINT 245550 Boothby I just want to report to the House today a very exciting announcement by the Marshall Liberal government in South Australia—that they will be investing $86 million in southern health care in my local area. They— The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 The member for Werriwa? 10:26 Ms STANLEY 265990 Werriwa I move: That the member be no longer heard. Question unresolved. ADJOURNMENT 102 ADJOURNMENT Access to Justice 102 10:27 Mr KEOGH 249147 Burt Before entering into this place, I was a lawyer, President of the Law Society of Western Australia and the chair of Law Access Western Australia. These were privileged positions, where I worked to make justice more accessible for all Australians. The court system in Australia is the backstop for justice. If the courts are not accessible then they are not effective as a way of enforcing legal rights. Access to justice encapsulates notions of equality, equity and fair access based on the principle that justice is not just a commodity for sale; rather, it is a right. If our justice system is inaccessible, it cannot provide justice. Our court system is a Rolls-Royce system—it's of a very high standard—but generally, due to cost, it is unavailable to all but a few. Legal aid, community legal centres, legal assistance services and Aboriginal legal services are significantly underfunded and, as such, can only assist the most disadvantaged in our society, leaving justice for the many in the middle out of financial reach. In particular, not only are those caught up in the criminal justice system often unable to get assistance; there is virtually no assistance on civil matters. It means that many engaged in bitter family disputes, serious commercial disputes or workplace disputes are disincentivised and are unable to afford to enforce their rights through the courts. Yet a 2009 study by PricewaterhouseCoopers looking at the economic value of legal aid in the context of the family law system estimated a cost-benefit ratio of between 1.6 and 2.25 for every dollar invested in a legal aid system. When I was the vice president of the Law Society of Western Australia, I presented to a Productivity Commission hearing on our access to justice here in Australia. In 2014, five years ago Tuesday just gone, the Productivity Commission released their report Access to justice arrangements. They made a number of observations and recommendations, including: A well-recognised entry point or gateway for legal assistance and referral would make it easier to navigate the legal system. Most parties require professional legal assistance in more complex matters. …   …   … Disadvantaged Australians are more susceptible to, and less equipped to deal with, legal disputes. Governments have a role in assisting these individuals. Numerous studies show that efficient government funded legal assistance services generate net benefits to the community. The nature and predictability of funding arrangements constrain the capacity of legal assistance providers to direct assistance to the areas of greatest benefit. This needs to change and, in some cases, funding should be redirected. It is now five years since the Productivity Commission recommended that the federal government commit an additional $200 million in funding for civil legal assistance services. Five years has passed, and this government has done nothing about this recommendation. To be frank, at the last two elections, Labor hasn't committed to this either. Action has to be taken, because it is absolutely pitiful we have not yet done this as a country. The commission estimated the $200 million was needed to: better align the means test used by LACs with other measures of disadvantage maintain existing frontline services that have a demonstrated benefit to the community allow legal assistance providers to offer a greater number of services in areas of law that have not previously attracted funding. It is now five years that individuals and families who need it most have been left out in the cold by this system, which has been set up to best service those who can most afford it rather than those who most need it. In fact, over the last five years, the situation has only gotten worse for legal aid and legal assistance service funding. Last year the Law Council of Australia released the final report of the Justice Project, which outlined numerous recommendations as to how access to justice can be made accessible and affordable for all Australians. The Law Council report found that there were significant societal ramifications when people did not get access to the justice they needed and deserved. When people can't access justice that they need, there are personal, community, social and economic costs. These in turn have broader ramifications across the community in areas such as health, housing, social services, welfare, child protection, families, corrections and policing. Increasing funding for legal aid, community legal centres, Aboriginal legal services and other legal assistance services is critical. It should have been done five years ago. Justice that can't be accessed, just like justice delayed, is justice denied. (Time expired) Drought, Lindsay Electorate 103 10:32 Mrs McINTOSH 281513 Lindsay Australians know that when times are tough we band together and show just how determined and resilient we can be. We support each other. We help a neighbour, a friend or even a stranger to get back on their feet. We know that they might be down, but they're not out. This drought has tested so many Australians. As the nature of the drought changes, the Morrison government is advancing its response. We're listening to those on the frontlines of the drought so we can deliver tailored support in areas of need. People right across our country care about our fellow Australians impacted by the drought, including in my electorate of Lindsay. That's why I've asked the minister for drought, David Littleproud, to join me for a drought forum. While my community is far from the worst affected, people continue to ask me what we're doing to help our farmers and how they can help. I want our community to hear about what the Morrison government is putting in place to support our farmers and drought affected communities to get through these tough times. I thank Minister Littleproud in advance and I look forward to welcoming him to my electorate of Lindsay next week. The government is responding to the drought in the here and now for the farmers and the broader drought affected communities facing these harsh conditions as well as looking ahead to deliver better water storage projects to have us better prepared to face drought in the future. We're delivering a significant boost to farmers and communities hit by the drought with the Morrison government's $709 million drought relief package. We're making sure money is flowing through these economies as they go through the drought and as these communities get stronger, supporting farmers, jobs and local businesses. We're protecting jobs, so that they can bounce back when they're ready, by providing businesses dependent on agriculture with interest-free loans of up to $500,000. Recently, registrations also opened for the Morrison government's Drought Community Support Initiative. This initiative will deliver one-off payments of up to $3,000 so that people in eligible, drought affected communities can cover their groceries, car maintenance, energy bills, medical expenses and other day-to-day living expenses. This comes on top of the farm household allowance. It is so people in the hardest hit communities can stay on top of their bills in this difficult time. The drought doesn't stop at the farm gate. We're backing 122 councils and shires in drought affected areas, delivering $1 million to invest in projects that support local jobs. We're building long-term resilience with the $5 billion Future Drought Fund, and $1.48 million has already been committed to 21 important water infrastructure projects, including dams, weirs and pipelines. These projects will make us more resilient when there are future droughts, but there is more to be done. Minister Littleproud is just one of the ministers I've invited to Lindsay since being elected. The reason I do this is to make sure we are connecting with our community—to make a difference to the lives of the people who live in my community and to ensure they're being listened to. This year I welcomed the Prime Minister and the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to hear from families and participants about their experiences with the NDIS. The Minister for Health, Greg Hunt, joined me to launch the Lindsay Healthy Active Living Network. With higher than average levels of obesity in both children and adults in Lindsay, it's really important that we address these issues. In Lindsay we also have levels of mental illness that are higher than the state average. This is an issue—the health and wellbeing of people in my community—that's really important to me. The Minister for Education, Dan Tehan, came to Penrith to launch the Lindsay Jobs of the Future Forum. Through the forum we can collaborate with local educational institutions and businesses to make sure the local kids of today are being educated and trained in the jobs of the future that will coming to us in Western Sydney with the aerotropolis—jobs in the space industry, advanced manufacturing and agribusiness. I recently welcomed the Minister for Indigenous Australians to Lindsay to listen to our local Aboriginal community in an open forum where we talked about education and making sure that we're engaging our local Aboriginal children in education, because that is what will get them jobs and give them a strong future. I will continue to bring ministers to Lindsay so we can make local voices heard and have the conversations that matter to people in my community. As we approach Christmas—to go back to the drought—I encourage people in my community and across Australia to support jobs and businesses in drought affected communities by going country for Christmas. Buying your Christmas presents for friends and family can support someone's income and their business. I encourage you to go country for Christmas and find a country based business that you can support. Morrison Government 104 10:37 Mr BRIAN MITCHELL 129164 Lyons As parliament draws to a close for the year, it seems fitting to reflect on the past 12 months, and 2019 has been a year of missed opportunity. Shamefully, Australia still does not have an effective policy to tackle climate change. Even in the face of catastrophic bushfires, the Prime Minister continues to argue there is no direct link between Australia's greenhouse gas emissions and the record season of early bushfires we have had so far. The fire danger has reached extreme levels on Tasmania's east coast and in the midlands in the past few weeks. The Bureau of Meteorology directly links such extreme conditions to long-term trends in global temperatures as a result of global heating from human-driven climate change. The climate emergency is the defining issue of our times, yet the Morrison government continues to sit back and do nothing. We see the same attitude towards the increasingly troubling state of our national economy. If things are as great as the Treasurer says, why is it so damn hard for Australians to make ends meet? This government has broken all the records this year, but the records are not the kind you want to be breaking: the lowest level of economic growth since the GFC; stagnant wages; a doubling of the national debt; an unemployment rate higher than those of the US, Britain, New Zealand and Germany; and official interest rates at the lowest in our history. These economic indicators should be enough to prompt any responsible government to action, but we get nothing but spin and politics. Standards of living are flatlining. Working Australians are worried for their families. They know they cannot trust this government with their wages or job security and they are holding on to their money. For example, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries reported just yesterday that in November new vehicle sales in Australia fell for the 20th successive month. That is not a sign of confidence in the economy. Retail figures paint a grim picture, with no evidence that interest rate cuts and tax cuts are prompting the consumption we need. ABS statistics for September show that retail sales volume fell by 0.1 per cent for the quarter, against market expectations of a 0.2 per cent increase. It's going the wrong way. CommSec Chief Economist Craig James says that it's the weakest retail spending in 28 years. Maybe it has something to do with power prices going through the roof or with insurance costs going through the roof. They're all running out of control. The cost of living is out of control. Low wage growth is the biggest impediment for the retail sector, yet we have a Minister for Finance boasting that ultralow wages growth is a deliberate design feature of our economic architecture. It may be a deliberate design feature of his, but it's certainly not Labor's. It's no wonder that working Australians feel like they just can't get ahead. This government has created a perfect storm of low wage growth, soaring power prices, and housing prices out of the reach of many, particularly young homebuyers. Low wages—and, of course, we saw penalty rates cut under this government—are one small part of this government's new normal, where the quiet Australians are told to sit down and shut up. It's why the government are so intent on passing their union-bashing bill. This government wants workers defenceless, unable to stand up and fight back when it goes after their wages and conditions. We have not seen any real plan or direction since the election six months ago—just more of the same dysfunction, missed opportunities and an obsession with fighting Labor and refighting the last election. Although it may not sound like it, I do remain optimistic for the future because I know Australia is full of opportunity. I see opportunity in last week's defeat of the ensuring integrity bill. It was a strong signal to the government that it has no mandate for its attacks on the union movement. I see opportunity when I hear the Leader of the Opposition talk about Labor values and an alternative vision for this country that is based on fairness, on social mobility, on creating wealth and on the fairer distribution of that wealth. Labor is prepared to take on the challenge of creating the conditions that we need to prosper in our changing and dynamic world. It is with a hopeful eye to the future and the opportunities before us that I wish everyone here in this chamber, this parliament and this great nation a very merry Christmas and a happy and safe new year. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 I thank the member for Lyons and wish him a merry Christmas too. City of Canada Bay Men's Shed 105 10:42 Dr MARTIN 282982 Reid Recently I visited the City of Canada Bay Men's Shed in the lead-up to International Men's Day on 19 November. In November we observed Men's Health Awareness Month, which is a great opportunity to bring attention to men's health issues that might not otherwise be raised in our community—issues such as anxiety, depression, prostate cancer, testicular cancer and, of course, men's suicide. While men's sheds are now an international phenomenon, the movement started here in Australia in order to improve the health and wellbeing of older men. Tragically, in Australia death by suicide among males occurs at a rate three times greater than that among females. This is largely because men are less likely to reach out when they need to. Many are unaware that the symptoms and experiences they are having are, in fact, psychological and linked to their mental health. For others, the stigma makes it difficult for them to seek help. Loneliness is one of the significant challenges to mental health in the 21st century, so it's especially important that organisations like our men's sheds exist to encourage connection and outward social focus. The City of Canada Bay Men's Shed, known locally as Harry's Shed, was founded in 2013 and is one of the largest men's sheds in our area. The men are not shy in talking about the issues that impact them. The most important aspect of Harry's Shed is the way it encourages men to talk openly about their mental and physical health and to create lifelong friendships. During my visit, the founder and vice president of Harry's Shed, Mr Norm Tate, said to me, 'Men don't talk face to face; they talk shoulder to shoulder.' This is the essence of what the men's shed movement is all about. I heard firsthand experiences from members of Harry's Shed who told me that they were able to take action to improve their mental health through the friendships formed at the workshop. When they were doing it tough, there were friends to turn to. The shed also sets up guest speakers on a variety of topics to hold discussions with members about the ways they can improve their health and wellbeing. Some of the members told me that a recent talk on prostate cancer raised awareness and helped break down the stigma of talking about this particular issue. The organisation also contributes to community through charitable projects. Some are local, but others are global in their focus. Members work with Concord hospital to create rehabilitation equipment for patients who need to regain fine motor skills after a stroke. When I visited, the men's shed were restoring the Concord Public School's original school bell. They also showed me the beautiful handcrafted toys they send to children in villages across South-East Asia, building relationships across nations and borders. It is not just our community that benefits from this fantastic project. We know that volunteering and contributing to charitable causes increases our sense of wellbeing and connection with others. For many older men, who may be retired, giving back to the community through these projects renews their sense of purpose. It allows them to use their skills to make a big difference in their lives and the lives of other people, and, through this process, they reduce their own feelings of isolation. I am so impressed with the work of the City of Canada Bay Men's Shed and all of its members. They are improving our community but also the health and wellbeing of men involved in the shed. These men are leading by example in their communities and families. It is fitting to acknowledge their work, having recently marked International Men's Day. The DEPUTY SPEAKER 203092 I thank the member for Reid, and I warn the member for Bowman about the use of photography inside the chamber. Fraser Electorate: Melbourne Airport Rail Link 105 10:46 Dr MULINO 132880 Fraser I would like to speak today in relation to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, which is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to provide a transport link for the people of Melbourne's west and more broadly to Melbourne's airport; to provide a transformative opportunity for the development of a precinct for education, employment and health services in Melbourne's west; and to provide for economic development opportunities for Melbourne and for the national economy more broadly. The Melbourne Airport Rail Link will pass through my electorate. Most of the route is in the electorate of Fraser, and I want to provide a speech today which passes on many valuable insights from stakeholders in my electorate as to how this important piece of national infrastructure should be delivered so as to provide the maximum benefit for the west of Melbourne and for our nation more broadly. The context of this project is very important. This is a project that has been on the table since the 1960s. It's long overdue. Since that time, Melbourne has grown dramatically. Melbourne is, in fact, going through a period of dramatic population growth as we speak. Australia is one of the fastest growing economies in the OECD in terms of population—not in terms of the economy, which is a matter for another day. But, in terms of population, we are one of the fastest-growing nations in the OECD, and Melbourne and Victoria are particularly fast-growing within that context. Melbourne has been growing at more than two per cent for some time now, and Melbourne's north and Melbourne's west are rapidly growing, with many of the fastest-growing LGAs in our country. This is reflected in patronage growth at the airport, which is projected to soar from 39 million per annum today to over 70 million per annum in 20 years time. We need to build infrastructure today that can accommodate that dramatically higher patronage in the future. We also see, of course, road congestion increasing, in terms of both those wanting to travel to the airport and those in the growing suburbs of Melbourne's west and north who are trying to share those very same roads to get to and from work. That's the context in which we find the Melbourne Airport Rail Link so sorely needed. It is very good to see that this project now has real traction. It should be delivered as soon as possible. But I want to make some comments today to stress that it needs to be done in a way that integrates as effectively as possible with existing transport links in the area. The Melbourne Airport Rail Link will be developed in such a way as to provide a superhub at Sunshine, with Sunshine becoming the major interchange between Melbourne's metropolitan rail services and Victorian regional rail services. Sunshine train station will become one of the busiest train stations in the whole of Victoria. Indeed, it will eventually become the busiest train station outside of the CBD. In turn, this will create an opportunity to create a precinct around Sunshine that is built around employment opportunities, health services and education services. Indeed, the Joan Kirner Women and Children's Hospital, recently opened, is already one of the busiest women's hospitals and one of the busiest hospitals for births in Victoria. And over $1 billion is being invested in Footscray Hospital. So the area surrounding the Sunshine transport hub will become a major employment and health services hub. In addition, VU and VU Polytechnic, with major campuses, including services for many of the young in Melbourne's west, are providing courses for the jobs of the future in cybersecurity and many related fields. So we have not just a transport hub but a precinct, and we must design this precinct in a way that maximises the effectiveness of those health, education and employment opportunities. It is important to note that the Melbourne Airport Rail Link should be developed in such a way that it dovetails with the Western Rail Plan, which itself is focused on full separation of regional and metropolitan services and additional tracks between Sunshine and the CBD. This is a long-term plan that is about maximising the effectiveness of metropolitan services within Melbourne's rapidly growing west and north. In addition, it needs to dovetail effectively with the Regional Rail Revival, a $1.7 billion investment in upgrades to all regional lines. Many commentators have recently indicated that we need to get the design of the MARL right. For example, Steve Bracks said that the MARL needs to get commuters to the airport 'in a superior time to any other form of travel', and I agree with that. The Committee for Melbourne has said that the MARL must enable the untangling of Melbourne's metropolitan and regional lines. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity. It is a wonderful opportunity for Melbourne's west, and we need to get it right. Aged Care 106 10:51 Ms LIU 282918 Chisholm Looking after and respecting older Australians is in the DNA of this government and is very close to my heart. Establishing the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was one of the first decisions the Prime Minister made upon taking office. Yes, some of the stories that came out of the commission were very distressing. The interim report has brought to light the fact that all providers, all governments and, more broadly, the community can do more. Together, we need to ensure that elderly Australians are provided with a safe environment and high-quality care during their twilight years. However, I want to point out to this Chamber that not all the stories out of the aged-care sector are negative. In fact, in the last few months I had the privilege of visiting Elizabeth Gardens in Burwood; Highwood Court Aged Care, also in Burwood; Nellie Melba Retirement Village in Wheelers Hill; and AdventCare in Nunawading. All these outstanding facilities are run by caring staff and volunteers. Their commitment to high-quality care was very clear from what I observed and from the conversations I had with residents. The interim report of the aged care royal commission identified three priority areas: home-care packages, chemical restraints and younger people in residential aged care. The coalition government has responded strongly to the recommendations of the interim report with a $537 million investment. This includes, firstly, investing $496.3 million to deliver an additional 10,000 home-care packages. This investment will take the number of home-care packages in 2019-20 to more than 150,000. I remind the Chamber that, under Labor, in 2012-13 only 60,308 packages were available. This represents a 149 per cent increase. Secondly, it will create new restrictions on the use of medication as a chemical restraint. This includes providing $25.5 million to improve medication management programs to reduce the use of chemical restraints and delivering $10 million for additional dementia training and support for aged-care workers and providers. This investment in aged care builds on the government's strong support to treat and find a cure for dementia. In 2019 there are an estimated 447,000 Australians living with dementia. Without a medical breakthrough, this figure is expected to grow to more than one million by 2058. Sadly, dementia is the leading cause of death among Australian women and the second-leading cause of death among Australians. In 2015 the federal government provided an additional $200 million for dementia research over five years. This investment boosted the funding for Australia's dementia research sector to more than $60 million per year. Thirdly, we are investing $4.7 million to help remove younger people with disability from residential aged care. As a former speech pathologist working with young Australians with disability, I understand the importance of assisting these young people to develop skills to increase their self-confidence and optimise their opportunities. Organisations like Alkira Centre in my electorate of Chisholm do incredible work in this field. Only the coalition can provide the strong economic management necessary to deliver record investment in aged care. I am proud to be a member of this government—a government that is committed to delivering for all Australians. Bowman Electorate: Roads 107 10:56 Mr LAMING E0H Bowman A condolence motion for the people of Russell and Macleay Islands: both of those communities live on Moreton Bay islands on almost completely unsealed side roads. There are about 270 communities around Queensland with populations of more than 500 people, but only these two live on unsealed roads. It's a quirk of history that, back in the seventies, a very smart property developer dropped a flyscreen onto these islands, subdivided them into small lots and managed to flog them off in the open market—mostly to unaware interstate buyers. A lot of these blocks were underwater. It's a convoluted history that brings us to this point, where a relatively small council, Redland City Council, is now responsible for the sealing of hundreds of kilometres of roads on completely unsewered islands. We're not talking about Brisbane, with a population of over a million people; Queensland is famous for big councils, but Redland is not one of them. It bears the entire burden of sealing the roads on these islands, and it's not an easy task. The current mayor has invested well over $10 million to ensure that that occurs. That has sealed about 42 kilometres of road. It's called green sealing, and it's a very efficient way of ensuring that the silica based materials that are typically used on these sorts of roads are covered up. It has a big role. There are very windy conditions at Moreton Bay, and a lot of the silica basically blows off the top into the gutters, and, ultimately, onto verandahs and into people's homes. We're discovering only now just how concerned we all should be about silica in an occupational sense. Here are people living just metres away from heavy vehicles, like garbage trucks, as well as cars—often speeding—going around corners and covering these houses in silica dust. Imagine how disappointed I was to learn that, just as the federal government is for the first time making significant investments over and above the payments we give to the local government to seal the roads on those islands, the Redland City Council overruled the mayor and blocked all green sealing on those islands. That's a catastrophe. It's a common stunt, of course: often a councillor for a particular area will vote for something, but the others will collude to ensure it doesn't happen. I suspect that's what happened here. Mainland councillors, all of whom live in leafy surrounds with sealed roads, are basically killing off the green seal program run by the council and the last hope of these residents to live the life that the rest of Australia enjoys—a sealed road, for goodness sake, that doesn't cover their lives in silica dust. Ross Byrne spoke on radio yesterday; he gave an interview with Steve Austin pointing out the incredible injustice that is being perpetrated on these islands. The state government, which ultimately has these councils as body corporates of its own operation, is not giving a cent to seal the roads. The way we seal these roads will be slow but assiduous, through a level of government funding to make sure the job gets done. There's no point arguing over history; we've just got to get it done, and it's not happening at the moment. I encourage those at state level—Kim Richards, the state Labor MP—to fight hard, work with the mayor and reinstate the green seal program. Currently it's only the coalition government that is sealing the roads on those islands. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 11:00   QUESTIONS IN WRITING 108 QUESTIONS IN WRITING South Australia: Commonwealth Law Courts, High Court (Question No. 213) 108 213 Mr Zappia HWB asked the Attorney-General, in writing, on 15 October 2019: (1) Does the Government own or lease the Commonwealth Law Courts Building in Adelaide?(2) How many square metres of floor space of the building are occupied solely by the High Court of Australia, and what is the annual cost of that floor space?(3) On how many days did the High Court sit in Adelaide in: (a) 2016; (b) 2017; and (c) 2018? Mr Porter 208884 The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows: 1. The Department of Finance owns the Commonwealth Law Courts building in Adelaide, the Roma Mitchell Building. 2. The High Court of Australia occupies two chambers and has access to one court room in the Roma Mitchell Building in Adelaide, totalling 225 square metres. Given the judicial nature of the space within a Special Purpose Property, the space is classified as Non-Office Area, and the High Court does not pay rent. 3. (a) The High Court did not sit in Adelaide in 2016. 3. (b) The High Court sat for four (4) days in Adelaide in 2017. 3. (c) The High Court did not sit in Adelaide in 2018. Questions Without Notice: Additional Responses 108