The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business and relating to the consideration of bills introduced 2 December 2019 to 5 December 2019
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 4 February 2020.
2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 4 February 2020, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 10 February 2020, as follows:
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 Mr Georganas: To move:
That the House:
(1) notes with great concern:
(a) Turkey's military operation targeting Kurds in northern Syria;
(b) Turkey's actions which are causing further destabilisation in the region, worsening the humanitarian disaster in Syria, and risk undermining progress against ISIS;
(c) evidence that innocent civilians are being killed and injured by Turkey's military operations and forces associated with Turkey in Syria;
(d) reports of possible war crimes being committed by forces associated with Turkey; and
(e) reports of Turkish intentions to resettle refugees from Turkey into Northern Syria outside of UN-sponsored mechanisms;
(2) recognises that the Kurdish forces in Syria have:
(a) been instrumental in fighting Daesh as an ally of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS; and
(b) lost over 10,000 fighters in the fight against Daesh in Syria; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) urge Turkey to cease its unilateral military operations in Syria; and
(b) support international efforts to hold Turkey to account for its actions.
( Notice given 28 November 2019. )
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Georganas—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 Mr Connelly: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises:
(a) that society is more connected online than ever before in history; and
(b) the importance of keeping Australians safe online; and
(2) notes that:
(a) the Government established the world's first Children's eSafety Commissioner in 2015, and expanded this role to cover all Australians in 2017;
(b) in 2018 the Office of the eSafety Commissioner undertook research to examine some of the challenges faced by young people aged 8 to 17 in Australia online; and
(c) this research indicated that:
(i) 25 per cent of young people have been contacted by strangers/someone they did not know;
(ii) 13 per cent of young people reported receiving repeated unwanted· online messages from someone; and
(iii) 13 per cent of young people reported having lies or rumours spread about them;
(3) further notes the bipartisan support for the work of the Office of the eSafety Commissioner; and
(4) congratulates the Government for this world first initiative.
( Notice given 15 October 2019. )
Time allotted—45 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Connelly—10 minutes.
Next Member speaking—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 Mr Gorman: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the captioned telephone handset, CapTel, is a popular service amongst the Australian deaf and hard of hearing community;
(b) according to the Department of Communications there are approximately 4,000 CapTel handset users in Australia;
(c) the average age of people using the service is 80; and
(d) with an increasing aging population, it can be expected more and more Australians will need to rely on this service to communicate;
(2) acknowledges the distress and loss that CapTel users and their families are experiencing due to the planned discontinuation of the CapTel service in February 2020;
(3) condemns the Government for its decision to:
(a) remove the CapTel service without any consultation with its users; and
(b) purchase an inferior, outdated, and less user-friendly product, forcing often elderly users to learn a new piece of technology or lose the ability to communicate; and
(4) encourages CapTel users and their families to contact their federal member of parliament to explain to them the importance of the CapTel service for the deaf and hard of hearing community of Australia.
( Notice given 3 December 2019.)
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Gorman—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 Mr Sharma: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that Malka Leifer, the former Principal of the Adass Israel Girls School in Melbourne, fled Australia in 2008 as child sexual abuse allegations against her surfaced;
(2) reaffirms the formal extradition request that was filed by Australia in 2014 requesting she be returned to Victoria to face 74 charges of child sexual abuse;
(3) acknowledges the bravery of Ms Leifer's alleged victims—especially Dassi Erlich, Nicole Meyer and Elly Sapper for their tireless pursuit of justice;
(4) further notes that over 5 years have elapsed, and over 60 court hearings have been held in Israel, since this extradition request was first lodged, without any significant progress having been made;
(5) expresses regret and concern at the numerous attempts to prevent and delay Malka Leifer facing justice in Australia; and
(6) calls for the immediate extradition of Malka Leifer to Australia to face 74 charges of child sexual abuse.
( Notice given 25 November 2019. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm
Speech time limits—
Mr Sharma—10 minutes.
Next Member speaking—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3. The committee determined that the following referrals of a bill to a committee be made—
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters:
THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
5 February 2020
Australian Crime Commission Amendment (Special Operations and Special Investigations) Bill 2019
Farm Household Support Amendment (Relief Measures) Bill (No. 2) 2019
Special Recreational Vessels Bill 2019
Education Legislation Amendment (Tuition Protection and Other Measures) Bill 2019
Defence Service Homes Amendment Bill 2019
National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Streamlined Governance) Bill 2019
Australian Crime Commission Amendment (Special Operations and Special Investigations) Bill 2019
Treasury Laws Amendment (Prohibiting Energy Market Misconduct) Bill 2019
Aged Care Legislation Amendment (New Commissioner Functions) Bill 2019
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Bill 2019
Farm Household Support Amendment (Relief Measures) Bill (No. 2) 2019
Special Recreational Vessels Bill 2019
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
Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment (Air Pollution) Bill 2019
Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Amendment (Assistance and Access Amendments Review) Bill 2019
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Building on the Child Care Package) Bill 2019
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment (Near-new Dwelling Interests) Bill 2019
Interactive Gambling Amendment (National Self-exclusion Register) Bill 2019
National Self-exclusion Register (Cost Recovery Levy) Bill 2019
Treasury Laws Amendment (Reducing Pressure on Housing Affordability Measures) Bill 2019
(1) the House invite His Excellency Mr Joko Widodo, President of the Republic of Indonesia, to attend and address the House on Monday, 10 February 2020, at 11.30 am;
(2) unless otherwise ordered, at the sitting of the House on 10 February:
(a) the House shall meet at 11.30 am and the Federation Chamber at 4 pm;
(b) private Members' business shall take place in the Federation Chamber only, from 4.45 pm;
(c) the proceedings at 11.30 am shall be welcoming remarks by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and an address by the President of the Republic of Indonesia;
(d) at the conclusion of His Excellency's address the House shall suspend until the ringing of the bells, with the first item of business to be questions without notice; and
(e) the provisions of standing order 257(c) shall apply to the area of Members' seats as well as the galleries;
(3) a message be sent to the Senate inviting Senators to attend the House as guests for the welcoming remarks by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and address by the President of the Republic of Indonesia; and
(4) any variation to this arrangement be made only by an action by the Speaker or by a motion moved by a Minister.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2019-20 Bushfire Tax Assistance) Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the House calls on the government to fund all projects recommended by Sport Australia under the Community Sport Infrastructure program but not funded by the Morrison government.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion:
That the House calls on the government to fund all projects recommended by Sport Australia under the Community Sport Infrastructure program but not funded by the Morrison government.
The House divided. [10:29]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [10:35]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the question be now put.
The House divided. [10:38]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [10:40]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That:
(1) Mr van Manen be discharged from the Standing Committee on Procedure and that, in his place, Mr Vasta be appointed a member of the committee;
(2) Mr van Manen be discharged from the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit and that, in his place, Mr Vasta be appointed a member of the committee.
If we can't get where we need to go to protect people through our regulatory channels, through our legislative process, then unfortunately what we have left is our legal process …
That quote hit … home this week after the shutting down of a $6.7 billion road tunnelling project in Melbourne because workers came across PFAS contaminated soil. That project wasn't halted because a regulator said it couldn't go ahead. It wasn't halted because of legislation. It was instead two of Australia's biggest construction companies who said they were not prepared to put workers at risk. That decision highlights the utter contempt with which both the state and federal government have treated the families in Williamtown—
whose homes and properties are also contaminated.
For more than five years, the federal—
government has said there's not an issue with PFAS contamination still leaking off the Williamtown airbase. Health and environmental bodies in NSW have given residents confusing and—
conflicting advice.
Our political leaders and health and environmental regulators have utterly failed PFAS-contaminated communities like Williamtown. And as Rob Bilott says when that happens you have just one option—
Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response—Protecting Consumers (2019 Measures)) Bill 2019
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:
(a) it has been over 12 months since the Hayne Royal Commission exposed the fact that Aboriginal families have been taken advantage of by the deceptive conduct and the misleading selling of funeral insurance products in Aboriginal communities;
(b) the selling of these products has continued while the Government has delayed the introduction of remedial legislation;
(c) when passed, this bill will present a fundamental challenge to the questionable business model of the marketers of these products; and
(d) if the companies which have promoted those schemes fail, as many as 19,000 policy holders could lose the meagre benefit payments from those policies; and
(2) therefore calls on the Government to work with the Opposition, and representatives of affected communities, to ensure that the policy holders and their families will be protected".
The House divided. [12:20]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Financial Sector Reform (Hayne Royal Commission Response—Stronger Regulators (2019 Measures)) Bill 2019
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that the Government:
(1) has taken more than two years to implement the recommendations of the ASIC Enforcement Review Taskforce; and
(2) chose in December 2019 to prioritise failed anti-union bills instead of legislation to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission".
The House divided. [12:47]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Mandatory Credit Reporting and Other Measures) Bill 2019
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes with concern that:
(1) the retention of hardship information on individuals' credit reports for 12 months is unfair and will discourage people from seeking help from credit providers;
(2) this bill may encourage people to seek out riskier forms of credit, such as high-cost payday loans that are trapping Australians in a cycle of debt; and
(3) it has been over 1,000 days since the Government accepted the recommendations of the independent Review of Small Amount Credit Contracts but the Government is yet to introduce legislation to address these recommendations.
That this bill be now read a third time.
… ensuring young girls don't have to change in their parents cars or out the back of the shed.
SECOND MORRISON MINISTRY
5 Feb 2020
Each box represents a portfolio. Cabinet Ministers are shown in bold type. As a general rule, there is one department in each portfolio. However, there can be two departments in one portfolio. The title of a department does not necessarily reflect the title of a Minister in all cases. Ministers are sworn to administer the portfolio in which they are listed under the 'Minister' column and may also be sworn to administer other portfolios in which they are not listed. Assistant Ministers in italics are designated as Parliamentary Secretaries under the Ministers of State Act 1952 .
Updated 5 February 2020
Listening to people. Respecting people. Putting forward practical suggestions that would make a difference.
That's what I've been focused on. That's what I'll continue to do.
… … …
Authorised by Anthony Albanese, ALP, Canberra
Australia's economic fundamentals remain very strong and they provide a solid foundation for us to be optimistic about our future.
That the House:
(1) notes the Prime Minister:
(a) has repeatedly refused to admit his failings in handling the ongoing bushfire crisis;
(b) has tried to cover up his failings with a series of false claims;
(c) is ignoring the damning report of the independent Auditor-General concerning his corrupt sports rorts scheme, and is instead relying on a secret report by his former Chief of Staff;
(d) refuses to give straight answers to simple questions; and
(e) has no plan for this country, only a marketing plan for himself; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to stop acting in his own interest and start acting in the national interest.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Grayndler from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:
(1) notes the Prime Minister:
(a) has repeatedly refused to admit his failings in handling the ongoing bushfire crisis;
(b) has tried to cover up his failings with a series of false claims;
(c) is ignoring the damning report of the independent Auditor-General concerning his corrupt sports rorts scheme, and is instead relying on a secret report by his former Chief of Staff;
(d) refuses to give straight answers to simple questions; and
(e) has no plan for this country, only a marketing plan for himself; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to stop acting in his own interest and start acting in the national interest.
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [15:10]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [15:13]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the question be now put.
[The House divided. [15:16]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [15:21]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The failure of the Government to provide leadership.
Recent projections of fire weather suggest that fire seasons will start earlier, end slightly later, and generally be more intense. This effect increases over time, but should be directly observable by 2020.
However, with the driver of a changing climate there is growing potential for some natural hazards to occur at unimagined scales, in unprecedented combinations and in unexpected locations.
… milking ADF support to civil agencies fighting bushfires is a clear breach of the (reciprocal) non-partisanship convention applying to both the ADF & Ministers/MPs.
… judged that after having moved twice in quick succession it was appropriate to wait and assess developments both internationally and domestically.
… if all central banks ease similarly at around the same time, there is no exchange rate channel: we trade with one another, not with Mars.
The nation's growth won't lift that much from today's decade low and we don't expect unemployment to drop or wages to accelerate through 2020.
…the share of people who have debt and who have a positive effect on their cash flows when interest rates fall more than outweighs the effect on consumption from the people whose incomes have been reduced somewhat.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Productivity Commission Response Part 2 and Other Measures) Bill 2019
The House divided. [18:22]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the House:
(1) notes that the Health Minister:
(a) has attempted to influence independent Therapeutic Goods Administration processes to secure the review of a ban of a DIY flu-testing device in order to benefit a Liberal Party donor;
(b) denied ever meeting representatives of Ellume, the maker of the device, when in fact he had his photo taken with the son of the Chairman in Parliament House in September 2017;
(c) has a history of using his position to benefit the Liberal Party, including awarding lucrative MRI licences to a Liberal Party Vice President and donor; and
(d) has to date failed to explain or account for his conduct; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Minister to make a statement to this House, explaining why his behaviour makes him fit to be the Minister in charge of our nation's health system.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for McMahon from moving the following motion immediately:
That the House:
(1) notes that the Health Minister:
(a) has attempted to influence independent Therapeutic Goods Administration processes to secure the review of a ban of a DIY flu-testing device in order to benefit a Liberal Party donor;
(b) denied ever meeting representatives of Ellume, the maker of the device, when in fact he had his photo taken with the son of the Chairman in Parliament House in September 2017;
(c) has a history of using his position to benefit the Liberal Party, including awarding lucrative MRI licences to a Liberal Party Vice President and donor; and
(d) has to date failed to explain or account for his conduct; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Minister to make a statement to this House, explaining why his behaviour makes him fit to be the Minister in charge of our nation’s health system.
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [18:36]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [18:42]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [18:48]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Combating Illegal Phoenixing) Bill 2019
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent:
(1) the Federation Chamber meeting for the following times tomorrow, 6 February: from 9.45 am until 1.30 pm; and
(2) the Prime Minister's motion of condolence on the Australian Bushfires to be the only item of business.
Australian Business Growth Fund Bill 2019
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 the Government's lack of adequate public consultation in relation to the Australian Business Growth Fund; and
(2) further notes that the Government has failed to support the economic climate faced by small and medium sized businesses, with the economy deteriorating well before the bushfire crisis and the coronavirus outbreak hit".
I'm not sure it's going to make a material change in the overall growth of the SME sector.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Goodenough) took the chair at 09:45.
It's 530pm in the afternoon. Just got home from work. The fire pager goes off. Large grass fire some 1hr drive from home. Called to assist local brigade in that area. Turnout and assist. Get home 2am in the morning. Go back to work 7am in the morning.
2 days later … Traffic Crash. Two people trapped. Called to assist with extraction of patients. Attend and return home about Midnight. Back to work 7am …
These events are factual and … a regular occurrence in the life of a volunteer fire fighter. Our current fire season, to use the word that has been used many times is "unprecedented". It has pushed the Volunteer to the limits and beyond. But you know what, we keep standing up day after day. Why? To help and protect the community. The seasoned fire fighters in the service have not seen such volatile conditions before. The brigade has been to Mount Barney to Cunninghams Gap to Esk to Binna Burra to Bundaberg and everywhere in between and beyond. We have sent personnel interstate to the ACT and NSW and this still continues as we speak. Sent away from families for 5 days at a time. Going into territory that is not familiar. Working on vehicles that are different to their own. Not knowing what they are getting into. Dangerous conditions. 12 to 16 hour days. All this but satisfied in the knowledge we are doing it for someone we don't know. Just a fellow human being who needs our help. Emotions can be raw. From the elation of saving someone's property to the devastation of not being able to. Saving that little animal but watching another pass due to it's injuries. Standing in front of heat hot enough to melt the plastic on a truck. All these things happen and are very real.
How do we Cope? How do we deal with it?
What we do is a very dangerous business and can takes it's toll. It takes dedication and an ability to learn from those of us who have been in it a long time. A big part of the service is to offer a duty of care to everyone involved. The Rural fire fighter has around them a team of people that are like family. A shoulder to lean on. Sometimes cry on. Just to talk about what they have seen, done and achieved. Within their own personal family, they have to have that support for the "all hours of the night" call out. It isn't for everyone.
Family and Work come first. You need both to survive. Family is the most important thing. When I say family, I don't just mean your immediate family. The brigade is a family. Close knit and there for us when we need them.
How do we keep going……..we do it for the community. It's that simple.
The fires have to be the biggest wakeup call the country has ever had.
My family do a lot to limit our carbon footprint: we commute by bike, we have solar panels on our roof … But without a sensible national policy, these personal actions, especially in light of the recent bushfires, seem insignificant.
Deep and impactful policy that tackles climate change on multiple fronts is the only way we can avert further environmental degradation and extreme weather events.
All the new rules mean the firies have to sit on the break and wait for the main front to come to them before they can put it out.
… that fire eventually jumped into the council area, and because we could not back-burn that Wednesday evening it created another two days of extra work to stop the fire on the western end.
Bushfire and drought are the traditional nightmares of bush life. A bushfire driven by a high wind through dry summer forest is an appalling spectacle: a wreathing cliff of flame moving forward at thirty miles an hour, igniting treetop after treetop like a chain of magnesium flares.
In respect of Contract Notice CN3627312 published on Austender on 12 September 2019:
(1) What components for information technology or broadcasting or telecommunications will Accenture Australia Pty Ltd provide to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) under this contract.
(2) How many units or items of each type of component will be provided.
(3) How will these components support DFAT's activities.
(1) This contract relates to services provided by Accenture for the provision of a managed services relating to a cloud-based platform.
(2) As this is a managed service, this question is not applicable.
(3) DFAT does not have the internal capability to manage the cloud-based platform and as such, this has been outsourced to Accenture.
In respect of Contract Notice CN3627825 published on Austender on 16 September 2019 by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT):
(1) What software is being provided by Digital Transformation Agency ICT under this contract.
(2) What functions does the software perform.
(3) What DFAT activities or operations will utilise this software.
(4) Did DFAT's publication of this contract notice on 16 September 2019 breach the requirement in paragraph 7.18 of the Commonwealth Procurement Rules for agencies to report contracts on Austender within 42 days of entering into a contract valued at or above the reporting threshold; if so, why were the Commonwealth Procurement Rules breached.
(5) Why was this procurement carried out by limited tender from another Commonwealth entity rather than by open tender.
(6) How did the DFAT officials responsible for the procurement satisfy themselves that it achieved a value for money outcome.
(1) This procurement activity relates to the whole-of-government Microsoft Volume Sourcing Arrangement (VSA4).
(2) Microsoft provide DFAT with Microsoft Common Cloud Commitment (Microsoft 365 E3) Enrolment License Software Assurance.
(3) Microsoft 365 is part of the DFAT Standard Operating Environment.
(4) No.
(5) DTA have mandated that non-corporate Commonwealth entities must use the Microsoft Volume Sourcing Arrangement (VSA4) when buying Microsoft products.
(6) DTA negotiated on behalf of the whole of Commonwealth volume discounts not available under individual agency agreements.
In respect of Contract Notice CN3625405 published on Austender on 3 September 2019:
(1) What are the details of the market research to be provided by Hall and Partners Pty Ltd.
(2) What subject matters will the market research cover.
(3) What methodologies will be used in the market research.
(4) Why has the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade commissioned this market research.
(5) If the market research relates to a government advertising campaign, what are the details of that campaign and what phase of the campaign will the market research support.
(6) Why were these services procured by limited tender rather than open tender.
(7) How did the department satisfy itself that the procurement would achieve a value for money outcome.
In respect of Contract Notice CN3625405 published on Austender on 3 September 2019:
(1) What are the details of the market research to be provided by Hall and Partners Pty Ltd?
The Government's Guidelines on information and advertising campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities requires the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) to commission benchmarking, tracking and evaluation research services for development of phase V of the Smartraveller advertising campaign.
(2) What subject matters will the market research cover?
The research will measure awareness, attitudes and behavioural changes as a result of campaign advertising. It will test and monitor the campaign's ongoing effectiveness.
(3) What methodologies will be used in the market research?
Hall and Partners will use a combination of quantitative and qualitative online surveys to gauge key attitudes and behaviours and to assess reach and response to the creative.
(4) Why has the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade commissioned this market research?
To ensure compliance with the Guidelines on Information and Advertising Campaigns by non-corporate Commonwealth entities .
(5) If the market research relates to a government advertising campaign, what are the details of that campaign and what phase of the campaign will the market research support?
DFAT manages the Smartraveller campaign to help Australians make informed decisions about their security, safety and wellbeing when travelling overseas. The campaign has been ongoing since 2003, and is currently in Phase V.
(6) Why were these services procured by limited tender rather than open tender?
Hall and Partners is the mandated single whole-of-government provider for benchmarking and evaluation of advertising campaigns with total budgets above $250,000 per financial year.
DFAT engaged Hall and Partners through a limited tender in accordance with the Commonwealth Procurement Rules .
(7) How did the department satisfy itself that the procurement would achieve a value for money outcome.
DFAT had previously conducted benchmarking and evaluation services and was able to assess the procurement value against the services provided. DFAT also consulted with the Department of Finance to ensure value for money would be achieved.
In respect of Contract Notice CN3635253 published on AusTender on 18 October 2019, what components for information technology or broadcasting or telecommunications is the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade procuring from Talent International Pty Ltd under this contract.
This procurement was for ICT Personnel for a Citrix Administrator, engaged under Talent International Pty Ltd.
In respect of pages 1 to 6 of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Humanitarian Aid Quality Check for West Africa Ebola Emergency Response 2014 report, what were the overall rating numbers determined by the department for this investment's: (a) relevance; (b) effectiveness; (c) efficiency; (d) monitoring and evaluation; (e) connectedness; (f) protection; (g) gender equality; (h) risk management; and (i) innovation.
The overall Humanitarian Aid Quality Check rating numbers for the West Africa Ebola Emergency Response 2014 are:
Relevance 6
Effectiveness 5
Efficiency 4
Monitoring and Evaluation 4
Connectedness 4
Protection 4
Gender equality 4
Risk management 6
Innovation 4
A rating of 6 is defined as "Very good; satisfies criteria in all or almost all areas".
A rating of 5 is defined as "Good; satisfies criteria in most areas".
A rating of 4 is defined as "Adequate; on balance satisfies criteria; does not fail in any major area".
In respect of Note 1.1E to the department's 2018-19 financial statements, (Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade: Annual Report 2018-19, page 151), for each act of grace payment that was an expense in 2018-19: (a) when was the application for the payment made; (b) when was the decision to authorise a payment made; (c) what was the amount of the payment; (d) was the payment made to an individual, a company, an organisation or another entity; (e) what are the details of the circumstances which made it appropriate to authorise the payment.
a) The application for an act of grace payment was made on 6 January 2017.
b) The Minister for Finance approved the act of grace payment on 10 April 2019.
c) The amount of the payment was $3,902,830.77.
d) The payment was made to an individual.
e) The payment was authorised by the Finance Minister who holds the power to authorise an act of grace payment under section 65 of the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 .
With reference to Contract Notice CN3640615 published on AusTender on 14 November 2019:(1) What actuarial services will the Australian Government Actuary provide to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade under this contract.(2) To what Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade program, measure or project do these services relate.(3) How do these services relate to the subject of development finance.
(1) The Australian Government Actuary is engaged to value the department's leave liabilities in accordance with Australian Accounting Standard Board (AASB) 119.
(2) The service relates to preparation of the financial statements and is reported under program 1.1 Foreign Affairs and Trade Operations.
(3) This contract is for actuarial services and is not related to development finance. The contract description has been updated accordingly.
In respect of Contract Notice CN3643527 published on AusTender on 27 November 2019:(1) What are the details of the market research to be provided by Sapere Research Group.(2) What subject matters will the market research cover.(3) What methodologies will be used in the market research.(4) Why has the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade commissioned this market research.(5) If the market research relates to a government advertising campaign: (a) what are the details of that campaign; and (b) what phase of the campaign will the market research support.
(1) As part of the Australia European Union (EU) Free Trade Agreement negotiations, the EU has asked Australia to protect a list of terms known as geographical indications. The market research is to analyse the extent to which terms on the EU's list are being used in the domestic market or are being exported by Australian based entities.
(2) Geographical indications.
(3) Analysis of available product data, including direct source information from producers, industry groups and other relevant intermediaries or sources.
(4) To inform the Department of the extent to which the EU geographical indications terms are being used in the domestic market or are being exported by Australian based entities to inform our EU FTA negotiations.
(5) The market research does not relate to a government advertising campaign: (a) nil response; and (b) nil response.
In respect of Contract Notice CN3643519 published on AusTender on 27 November 2019, what are the details of the building construction, support, maintenance and repair services to be provided under this contract and to which buildings, facilities, properties or assets will these services relate.
The contract awarded is to construct a new chancery in Washington DC.
(1) Does the Government have any role or control over the operation of the Bomana Detention Centre in Papua New Guinea.
(2) Have there been any Australian public servants involved in the operation of Bomana; if so, how many.
(3) Have any contractors or subcontractors involved in the operation of Bomana been paid by the Government; if so, how many, broken down by category.
(4) Has the Government paid for training of any Bomana staff; if so: (a) how many people have been trained; (b) what is the total number of participant hours of training; and (c) what was the total value of that training; if not, why not.
(5) Can a copy be provided of the agreement or agreements made between the Australian and Papua New Guinean governments regarding Bomana; if not, why not.
(6) Did the Australian Government contribute to the: (a) construction of Bomana; and/or (b) ongoing operational costs of Bomana; if so, how much (in tabular form by financial year, including projected costs over the forward estimates).
(7) Is the Government aware that multilateral and not-for-profit organisations have been denied consistent access to Bomana; if so, has the Government made any representations to the Government of Papua New Guinea to encourage access; if not, why not.
The operation of the Bomana Immigration Centre is a matter for the Government of Papua New Guinea. Questions relating to Australian engagement with the Bomana Immigration Centre are matters for the Minister for Home Affairs.
1. Is the Minister aware that all states and territories have mainstream interpreters that provide for a vast array of international languages, however the quality and supply of interpreters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages varies significantly across the states and territories.
2. Given the important role that language interpreters play in ensuring culturally and linguistically diverse people have full access to vital information when receiving health care and social support, why are Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters not available on the national Translating & Interpreting Service.
3. Does the Government have any plans to add Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages to the national Translating & Interpreting Service; if not, why not.
4. What progress has been made in working toward a national framework, since a draft national framework aimed at improving the supply of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander language interpreters and increasing the demand for their services was prepared with a long term goal of an integrated national arrangement with a single phone line and cross-border arrangements and was taken to the Council of Australian Governments, but was not implemented due to a lack of consensus among jurisdictions.
5. Given that the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet wrote to the Northern Territory and other jurisdictions to reopen discussions to progress the framework in September 2016, why is it that three years later this national framework still does not exist.
6. Given that The National Indigenous Languages Survey Report 2005 states that a lack of equality in providing interpreting services for Aboriginal people can have 'life threatening consequences in health care', why are some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians being denied face-to-face and/or free translation services, in particular during the provision of health care.
7. In respect of the Commonwealth Ombudsman's 2011 report, Talking in Language – Indigenous Language Interpreters and Government Communication in response to complaints to the Ombudsman's office that Aboriginal language interpreters were not always used when they should have been, what has the Government done to ensure that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander interpreters are being used where necessary.
1. The Department of Home Affairs has noted the recommendation in the 2016 Commonwealth Ombudsman's Accessibility of Indigenous Interpreters Report, that agencies should co-operate, where possible, with other agencies and non- government organisations to share resources and coordinate their use of, and support for, interpreter services.
Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS National), in the Department of Home Affairs is working with the two largest interpreting services assisting the indigenous community in Australia, the Aboriginal Interpreter Service in the Northern Territory, and Aboriginal Interpreting WA, to develop resources and links for TIS National's website that provides greater visibility of indigenous interpreting services available.
2. Commonwealth translating services began in 1947 as a result of the post-World War II migration program. As new migrants settled in Australia the need for language services emerged. In response, the Red Cross and the Commonwealth government began performing translation functions to fill this need.
These services were consolidated into the Commonwealth government language services in December 1958 when the Department of Immigration and Border Protection (known then as the Department of Immigration), took responsibility for these functions. Today this service is known as TIS National.
TIS National's mission is to connect government, business and communities, through the provision of credentialed, cost-effective and secure language services addressing the needs of migrants. Therefore it has never been the remit of TIS National to provide support to indigenous communities.
3. The Government encourages agencies to engage indigenous interpreters from two organisations:
The National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI) is responsible for assessing Translating and Interpreting credentials in indigenous languages. Its 2018/19 annual report notes that NAATI awarded 97 credentials in 30 indigenous languages that year.
4. Question 4 Should be referred to Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, the Minister for Indigenous Australians
5. Question 5 Should be referred to Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, the Minister for Indigenous Australians
6. Question 6 Should be referred to Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, the Minister for Indigenous Australians
7. Question 7 Should be referred to Hon Ken Wyatt AM MP, the Minister for Indigenous Australians