The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
The report read as follows—
Committee and delegation business and private Members' business
1 September 2021
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair
Hon A. D. H. Smith MP, Speaker
Members
Mr B van Manen MP (Chief Government Whip)
Mr C Hayes MP (Chief Opposition Whip)
Hon D Drum MP (Chief Nationals Whip)
Mr R Broadbent MP
Ms N Flint MP
Ms P Murphy MP
Mr K O'Dowd
Mr R Ramsey MP
Ms J Ryan MP
Ms R Sharkie MP
Ms A Stanley MP
Mr L O'Brien MP, Deputy Speaker
Secretary
Mr J Sherd
Committee support
Mrs L Long
Mr D Pecar
Mrs H Waterhouse
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business
and of private Members' business
1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 31 August 2021.
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, 31 August 2021, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 18 October 2021, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 Mr Wilkie: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918 , and for related purposes. (Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Cleaning up Political Donations) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 15 June 2021. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 Mr C. Kelly: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 , and for related purposes. (Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Amendment Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 24 June 2021. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
3 Ms Steggall: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 , and for related purposes. (PEP11 Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 31 August 2021. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
4 Ms Steggall: To present a Bill for an Act to establish a national climate change adaptation and mitigation framework, and to establish the Climate Change Commission, and for related purposes. ( Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 31 August 2021. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
5 Ms Steggall: To present a Bill for an Act to create duties to consider climate change impacts and to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Act 2021 , and for related purposes. (Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 31 August 2021. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
6 Mr Vasta: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the month of August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month;
(2) notes that:
(a) spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is the number one genetic killer of infants under the age of two in Australia and one in thirty-five people are carriers of SMA; and
(b) the Health Chief Executives Forum has encouraged all states and territories to include SMA in their Newborn Screening Program's following the success of the pilot program in NSW/ACT;
(3) recognises that the Commonwealth Government has invested significantly in the space of genetic testing and SMA treatment due to our strong economic management; and
(4) calls on the remaining state and territory governments to implement SMA testing into their Newborn Bloodspot Program, following the advice from the Health Chief Executives Forum.
( Notice given 11 August 2021. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Vasta — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
7 Ms Stanley: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 15 October 2021 is International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day;
(b) on that day, parents, families, friends and healthcare workers will memorialise babies they have lost through miscarriage, stillbirth and infant death;
(c) infant loss is a tragic and terrible event to go through for families, healthcare workers and friends, and International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day provides an opportunity to mark their shared loss; and
(d) direct support for persons affected by pregnancy and infant loss is difficult at the current time considering the local health environment;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) each year approximately 150,000 women in Australia experience some form of pregnancy or infant loss;
(b) further issues are commonly faced by those close to these tragic events such as depression, anxiety, changes in relationships, development of unhealthy coping mechanisms and post-traumatic stress disorder;
(c) these effects, amongst others, are often underestimated and overlooked by healthcare professionals, friends, and even family members, especially concerning pregnancy loss related bereavement and subsequent grief;
(d) greater research and understanding is required to aide in the creation and establishment of programs, resources and services that support and provide assistance to survivors of baby loss and their families, and enable them to overcome their trauma and integrate their bereavement into their life in a healthy, helpful, healing manner;
(e) services for people affected by pregnancy or infant loss have been continuing, as best as possible, their necessary and significant work during this recent and difficult period; and
(f) further support is required including providing parents who aren't covered by leave entitlements with the same amount of paid leave they would be entitled to if their baby was born alive;
(3) expresses sympathy to all families who have suffered a miscarriage, a stillbirth or infant death; and
(4) commends every person who has supported parents and families through their journey from the loss of a baby.
( Notice given 12 August 2021. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits —
Ms Stanley — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Orders of the day
1 Labour hire companies: Resumption of debate ( from 9 August 2021 ) on the motion of Ms Swanson—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) many Australian workers are being employed by labour hire companies on low wages and without access to entitlements such as annual leave, sick leave and parental leave;
(b) these workers are often working alongside other workers doing the same job, with the same roster who are employed on higher wages and with access to leave entitlements;
(c) the use of labour hire to avoid paying fair wages and conditions by Australian companies is growing, particularly in Australia's mining industry;
(d) the Federal Court of Australia in the Workpac v Rossato case determined that a worker who was defined as a casual employee by labour hire company Workpac was in fact a full time employee working a full time roster and therefore entitled to leave entitlements; and
(e) Workpac have appealed this decision in the High Court of Australia and the Government has intervened in the case to support the submission of Workpac that Mr Rossato is a casual employee and should not receive leave entitlements;
(2) recognises that the increasing use of labour hire companies by employers to avoid paying fair wages and conditions is reducing the incomes of workers and families, and is having a detrimental impact on their livelihoods, particularly in regional Australia; and
(3) calls on the Government to support Labor's policy and legislation in the Parliament that will ensure workers who do the same job receive the same pay.
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Notices
1 Mr van Manen: To move—That this House:
(1) notes the vital nature of Black Spot Program (BSP) funding in reducing death and serious injury on Australian roads;
(2) recognises that BSP projects target those road locations where crashes are occurring, which are a major cost to Australians every year;
(3) commends the Government for its extensive commitment to road safety through infrastructure investment, by providing $1.1 billion to the BSP from 2013-14 to 2023-24, with an ongoing commitment of $110 million each year following; and
(4) acknowledges research from the Bureau of Infrastructure and Transport Research Economics that the Government's BSP reduces death and serious injury from crashes by 30 per cent, on average at treated sites.
( Notice given 23 June 2021. )
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr van Manen — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day—continued
2 Youth mental health services: Resumption of debate ( from 2 June 2021 ) on the motion of Ms Templeman—That this House:
(1) notes with dismay that suicide is the leading cause of death among Australians aged 15 to 24 years;
(2) recognises that for young people the decision to access mental health care is fragile, and if they do not have a positive experience they may not make another attempt to seek help;
(3) further notes that youth-friendly mental health services are not available uniformly to young people; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) increase access to effective mental health services and supports for young people across all stages of mental ill-health; and
(b) build a youth mental health workforce to meet the current and future needs.
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Notices—continued
2 Mr T. R. Wilson: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) a number of Australian businesses have been impacted by cyber attacks including by ransomware in 2021; and
(b) ransomware is a common and dangerous type of malware employed by cyber criminals that can affect both individuals and organisations, and cause severe damage to reputation, and business bottom lines; and
(2) records its concern at the impact and frequency of cyber attacks on Australian individuals and businesses;
(3) notes the significant investment by the Government of $15 billion in cyber and defence capabilities, including $1.35 billion through the Australian Signals Directorate and the Australian Cyber Security Centre, to keep Australians safe online;
(4) recognises the important work done by ACSC in providing advice and technical support to individuals and businesses affected by cyber incidents;
(5) urges all Australians to implement good cyber hygiene measures across their home and business networks; and
(6) encourages all Australians to visit cyber.gov.au and take the steps to protect themselves, their businesses, their families and Australia's digital sovereignty.
( Notice given 23 June 2021. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Mr T. R. Wilson — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices—continued
3 Mr Wilkie: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that the:
(a) Government has failed to establish a strong independent federal integrity commission, and on 8 September 2021 it will be 1,000 days since the Prime Minister promised to pass legislation to create one; and
(b) Government's proposed Commonwealth Integrity Commission is half-baked, creating the weakest watchdog in the country with hearings for all politicians and public servants held behind closed doors, no transparency on findings and penalties for whistle-blowers; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) abandon its deeply unpopular Commonwealth Integrity Commission proposal which in its current form is beyond effective amendment and should be scrapped;
(b) establish a strong, well-funded, wide-ranging and independent integrity commission through the Australian Federal Integrity Commission Bill put forward by the Member for Indi that can launch its own inquiries into criminal, corrupt and unethical behaviour by politicians and their staff, hold public hearings and make public findings; and
(c) commit to passing such legislation as a matter of urgency.
( Notice given 24 August 2021. )
Time allotted — 45minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Wilkie — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 Mr T. R. Wilson: To move—That this House:
(1) recognises the critical work of the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) in safeguarding Australia's security and national interests;
(2) notes that ASIO Director-General Mr Mike Burgess recently observed that 'Australia's threat environment is complex, challenging and changing';
(3) commends the Government for providing $1.3 billion over ten years in the 2021-22 budget to help further improve ASIO's capabilities; and
(4) thanks the men and women who work in ASIO and our other national security agencies for their dedication to keeping Australians safe from a range of threats and to protecting our national sovereignty.
( Notice given 23 June 2021. )
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr T. R. Wilson — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
5 Mr Perrett: To move—That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) books can be an escape from the worries of everyday life;
(b) reading reduces stress by 68 per cent;
(c) reading makes your world bigger and makes more things possible;
(d) literacy and reading are tools that can help you achieve your goals and help others;
(e) reading helps your mind grow;
(f) by reading other people's stories you can walk in their shoes; and
(g) books build empathy, connection and help you feel less lonely;
(2) notes that:
(a) the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many literary activities;
(b) major writers' festivals have been interrupted;
(c) schools have moved to online learning for weeks at a time; and
(d) libraries and adult education forums around the country closed their doors to in-person attendees; and
(3) acknowledges:
(a) Tuesday, 14 September 2021 is Australian Reading Hour and this year's theme is, Stories that Matter;
(b) Australian Reading Hour is in its tenth year and is a showcase for Australia Reads; and
(c) Australian Reading Hour highlights the importance of reading in transforming lives.
( Notice given 23 August 2021. )
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Perrett — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 Mr Simmonds: To move—That this House notes that:
(1) membership of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) Cadets:
(a) gives young people the opportunity to be members of a team, develop their skills as leaders and develop an individual's capacity to contribute to society; and
(b) fosters an interest in Defence Force careers, and is important in developing ongoing support for Defence; and
(2) ADF Cadets contribute greatly to the community and Australian society.
( Notice given 23 June 2021. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 7.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Mr Simmonds — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
1 September 2021
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent:
(1) the Prime Minister moving a motion in relation to the ANZUS Treaty and speaking for 10 minutes;
(2) the Leader of the Opposition speaking in reply for 10 minutes;
(3) the Deputy Prime Minister, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Minister for Defence and the Member for Gorton speaking to the motion for 5 minutes each;
(4) debate on the motion then being adjourned, and resumption of the debate being made an order of the day for a later hour; and
(5) any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.
That the House:
(1) notes that today marks the 70th anniversary of the alliance between Australia and the United States of America under the ANZUS Treaty;
(2) reaffirms the commitment of Australia to that alliance, recognising its fundamental importance to our nation's security, sovereignty and prosperity, and to meeting the opportunities and challenges of our time;
(3) acknowledges that the alliance has underpinned peace, stability and freedom in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond, and that American leadership remains indispensable to the global rules-based order;
(4) acknowledges that next week marks the 20th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, in response to which the ANZUS Treaty was invoked;
(5) places on record its profound gratitude to the servicemen and women of both our nations who have served together over more than a century; and
(6) acknowledges that the enduring friendship between our nations is underpinned by shared liberal democratic values and principles, and these have been embraced by our peoples across generations.
There is a contract between Australia and America. It is a contract based on the utmost goodwill, the utmost good faith and unqualified friendship. Each of us will stand by it.
… one truth must rule all we think and all we do. … The unity of all who dwell in freedom is their only sure defense.
… if our debt as a nation to the people of the United States in the darkest days of World War II means anything, if the comradeship, the friendship and the common bonds of democracy and a belief in liberty, fraternity and justice mean anything, it means that the ANZUS Treaty applies …
… liberty is not an inevitable state, and there is no law which guarantees that once achieved it will survive.
Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response No. 2) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Remote Engagement Program) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
WE THE PEOPLES OF THE UNITED NATIONS DETERMINED
… … …
to reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and
to establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained …
Biosecurity Amendment (Enhanced Risk Management) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Amendment (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
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: Christmas Island Stormwater, Landslide and Rockfall Mitigation Works Project.
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: Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Construction of National Collections Building, Black Mountain Science and Innovation Park, ACT.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Bill 2021
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 the Government has not committed to implementing all the recommendations of the second anniversary review of the National Redress Scheme; and
(2) calls on the Government to listen to survivors and:
(a) increase the cap on payments to $200,000, as recommended by the Royal Commission;
(b) end the indexation of prior payments;
(c) fix the assessment matrix and properly recognise the impact of abuse;
(d) make sure funder of last resort arrangements are in place so survivors do not miss out;
(e) guarantee that offers of redress will not be reduced on review; and
(f) provide ongoing counselling and support".
These are institutions which know they have been named in applications and yet they have chosen to shirk their responsibility to finally do the right thing by these survivors.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021
The first Australian women to train alongside men in the army arrived at Kapooka last night.
Two buses, one from Sydney and one from Melbourne, delivered 48 new recruits who will go through an intensive training period for the next 11 weeks.
The women, whose average age is 18, will undergo virtually the same training as the men. The only difference is that hand grenade throwing has been completely ruled out—because that is combat related—and there are slight variations on physical requirements.
Next week the new recruits will rise at 5.45am to start training drills, field and bush exercises and weapon handling.
The Kapooka recruits form Delta Company and yesterday's arrivals will be known as 31 Platoon. Recruits have come from all over Australia and have signed for three or six-year terms.
The first busload from Melbourne arrived at 5.50pm and the girls shuffled out to prepare for their first taste of army life—standing at attention during a roll call. The second busload arrived from Sydney at 7.20pm. After the roll-call the women dragged heavy suitcases to the barracks, their new home for the next 11 weeks. That period will not be easy one, according to Royal Australian Army ordinance corps Major Bob Antonis.
He said training and night study will mean a 17-hour day for the new recruits and there wouldn't be "time for them to fraternise".
Although the women will be billeted in a barracks less than 50 metres from male soldiers, a "hands off" warning has been issued. An officer spoken to last night would not specify what punishments would be carried out for those disobeying the warning but agreed guilty male soldiers could be in a great deal of trouble.
Senior army officers did not allow us to speak to the recruits when they arrived last night. However, one recruit spoken to in Melbourne yesterday was enthusiastic about her new career.
Helen Jones, 20, from the Victorian town of Portsea, signed on for six years. Recruit Jones has had 18 months experience in the Army Reserve. "I realised I wanted more after being in the Army Reserve," she said.
… … …
Delta Company will be under the command of Lieutenant Jill Curry and 31 Platoon leader is Sergeant Gail Legge.
After the 11-week training period the recruits will decide which army trade they will undertake.
The next batch of recruits, 32 Platoon, will arrive in four weeks.
This is important, because if somebody has a pending infringement hanging over them for months or, potentially, longer then it can impact, certainly, their morale and that of the rest of the unit, and their ability to attend promotional courses and other training activities as well. So it's really important that we get in and deal with infringements quickly when they occur.
… there was a process where aged care workers would get vaccinated first. We had tens of thousands of them in NSW who hadn't been offered the vaccine. We're playing catch-up now.
Ultimately, everything is a state matter …
The failure of the government to manage the economy in the interests of working people and small business.
… the Prime Minister's comparison was "amateurish" and "ludicrous" and demonstrated the inherent danger in measuring changes from rates of figures close to zero.
Defence Legislation Amendment (Discipline Reform) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a third time.
National Health Amendment (Decisions under the Continence Aids Payment Scheme) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
We will need at least 17,000 more direct aged-care workers each year in the next decade just to meet basic standards of care.
Continence is the ability to control your bladder and bowel. Incontinence is the involuntary loss of bladder and bowel control.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Amendment Bill 2021
NACCHO has been disappointed in the cursory approach to engagement undertaken in the review. It is NACCHOs view that the National Indigenous Australian Agency (NIAA) has lost a valuable opportunity to not only demonstrate its commitment to the new process of partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership as set out in the priority reform areas of the new National Agreement on Closing the Gap.
The main criticism we have of the process with the review of the CATSI Act is that all we have had is consultation and there has been no clear and systematic engagement with senior Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander leadership in the process of the review and in the decision making in relation to the drafting and the preparation of the exposure draft.
That debate be adjourned, and resumption of the debate be made an order of the day for a later hour this day.
That order of the day No. 5, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
For me, South Australia is first, second, third, fourth and fifth. I do not care who I have to advocate for or argue against. Whether it is in my own party, in the opposition or in the government ranks, I will be putting South Australia first, I will be putting South Australian jobs first, South Australian economic opportunities first, and South Australian small businesses first.
The whole of like is but a moment of time. It is our duty, therefore to use it, not to misuse it.
A lifetime on the road in my working life and capacity as a TWU official has made me aware of the ever-present dangers that each Australian faces every day when they drive their vehicle. I have a real passion for road safety. Our country's prosperity is reflected in our love affair with the motor vehicle. The freedom and mobility achieved by owning a car are tempered with the sickening human and economic cost of vehicle accidents.
I have always believed that we should adopt the Swedish model of Vision Zero, which requires a move from traditional thinking. Vision Zero starts with this statement:
We are human and we make mistakes. Our bodies are subject to biomechanical tolerance limits and simply not designed to travel at high speed. Yet we do so anyway. An effective road safety system must always take human fallibility into account.
Senator Gallacher was a straight-talking, no-nonsense, and hardworking man prepared to speak truth to power to support workers.
So when your eulogy is being read, with your life's actions to rehash, would you be proud of the things they say about how you lived your dash?
An honest man here lies at rest,
As e'er God with His image blest:
The friend of man, the friend of truth;
The friend of age, and guide of youth:
Few hearts like his, with virtue warm'd,
Few heads with knowledge so inform'd:
If there's another world, he lives in bliss;
If there is none, he made the best of this.
Peter … has made a personal tragedy into a campaign for road safety. He has done a fantastic job in bringing greater awareness of road safety.
Drive as if my loved ones are on the road ahead;
Remove distractions, and never use my smartphone while at the wheel; and
I will be aware of, and take care of, vulnerable road users around me.
Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Amendment Bill 2021