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
1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 26 October 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, 26 October 2021, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 22 November 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 mus t be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 Mr Leeser: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to telecommunications, and for related purposes. ( Telecommunications Reform (Telstra, NBN and Other Providers) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 26 O ctober 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 Mr Albanese: To present a Bill for an Act to give Australian workers the right to same job, same pay, and for related purposes. ( Fair Work Amendment (Same Job, Same Pay) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 26 October 2021. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Deb ate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
4 Ms Sharkie: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Customs Act 1901 , and for related purposes. (Customs Amendment (Banning Goods Produced By Forced Labour) Bill 2021 (No. 2) )
( Notice given 26 Octo ber 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 Mr Vasta: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the Government's support for child care helped Australian families during the height of the coronavirus pandemic and continues to support families as our economy grows;
(2) further notes that the latest data shows more than $3 billion has been provided through the pandemic to keep services viable, staff in work and children in care;
(3) recognises that women's workforce participation has reached a record high of 61.8 per cent; and
(4) further recognises that the Government is investing more than $10.3 billion in the child care system this year, helping more than 1.2 million families.
( Notice given 23 June 2021.)
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Vasta—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committe e determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 Mr Husic: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that 2021 marks 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Australia and the Philippines;
(2) celebrates the strength of the bilateral diplomatic relations between Australia and the Philippines over those 75 years;
(3) reaffirms the strong relationship between Australia and the Philippines; and
(4) acknowledges the importance of effective diplomatic relations with the Philippines, which are underpinned by our shared history and deep enduring relationship.
( Notice given 21 June 2021.)
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits—
Mr Husic—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 m inutes. 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 (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Orders of the day
1 International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People : Resumption of debate (from 25 October 2021—Mr Sharma, in continuation) on the motion of Mr Hayes—That this House:
(1) notes that 29 November 2021 is the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People as declared by the United Nations in 1977;
(2) recognises the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including their right to self determination and a future built on peace, dignity, justice and security;
(3) acknowledges the obstacles to the ongoing peace process, particularly the need for urgent action on issues such as settlements, Jerusalem, the Gaza blockade and the humanitarian situation in the occupied Palestinian territories;
(4) further recognises that the ongoing humanitarian situation in Palestine is far-reaching, with many in the Australian community affected by this ongoing conflict; and
(5) calls on the Government to ensure Australia is working constructively to support security and human rights in Palestine, in advance of a just and enduring two-state solution in the Middle East.
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
All Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of thi s should continue on a future day.
Notices
1 Mr van Manen: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes the Government's ongoing commitment to improving road safety through the establishment of the Road Safety Program (RSP);
(2) recognises that the RSP supports the fast roll out of lifesaving road safety treatments on rural and regional roads and greater protection for vulnerable road users, like cyclists and pedestrians, in urban areas;
(3) commends the Government for its funding in the recent budget to provide $3 billion over three years from 2020-21; and
(4) acknowledges the 'use it or lose it' provision as part of the funding, requiring states and territories to use their funding within each six month tranche in order to receive their full allocation of funding for the next tranche, unless exceptional circumstances exist.
( Notice given 23 June 2021.)
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr van Manen—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 Ms Ryan: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) over the past eight years of this Government, infrastructure funding to areas of growth has been neglected;
(b) as revealed in September's Final Budget Outcome there has been another 12 months of broken infrastructure promises from the Government, with infrastructure spending totalling $656.5 million less than was promised; and
(c) over eight long years of this Government, its infrastructure broken promises now total an incredible $7.4 billion;
(2) recognises that this lack of funding has resulted in fewer roads, fewer public transport upgrades, longer commutes, less time at home and fewer jobs for Australians who need them; and
(3) calls on the Government to provide adequate funding to infrastructure projects and build the roads and rail that Australians actually need.
( Notice given 25 October 2021.)
Time allotted—50 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Ryan—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 Dr Allen: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Australia is continuing to display international leadership on the issue of HIV/AIDS by co-facilitating the 2021 United Nations General Assembly High Level Meeting on HIV and AIDS;
(b) this meeting took place from 8 to 10 June and covered the progress which had been made in reducing the impact of HIV since the last High Level Meeting in 2016;
(c) the High Level Meeting coincides with a meeting of public health and political leaders in Australia on 17 June to discuss Agenda 2025: Ending HIV transmission in Australia;
(d) testing and treatment services combined with successful leadership from governments and civil society mean that progression from HIV to AIDS is now relatively rare in Australia;
(e) action is still needed to address rising HIV transmission among First Nations, trans and gender diverse people, and other emerging high-risk population groups;
(f) gay and bisexual men continue to bear the burden of Australia's HIV epidemic and ongoing health education among this population group is needed, and;
(g) further bipartisan political action and leadership is required to meet our national target of ending HIV transmission in Australia.
(2) recognises and acknowledges:
(a) the Agenda 2025: Ending HIV transmission in Australia strategy outlines the commitments needed to make Australia one of the first countries to eliminate HIV;
(b) the journey that people have made through their diagnosis, treatment and experiences of living with HIV;
(c) the tremendous efforts of peer educators, healthcare professionals, researchers and scientists in developing treatment and prevention regimes that have improved the lives of people living with HIV;
(d) the success of a bipartisan approach in Australia's health response; and
(e) the tireless community advocates, civil society organisations and support groups that actively tackle stigma associated with HIV.
( Notice given 18 October 2021.)
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits—
Dr Allen—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. 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 (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices—con tinued
4 Dr Freelander: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that the early years are some of the most important in a child's life, in terms of their cognitive and social development;
(2) notes that a child's health outcomes can be heavily influenced from the period of preconception, and the lives and lifestyles of both biological parents;
(3) commends the work of Australian medical professionals who champion the First 1000 Days framework, a model that is aimed at improving the physical and mental health of parents from pre‑pregnancy and up until a child reaches two years of age; and
(4) implores the Government to adopt a national approach to the First 1000 Days initiative, to improve health outcomes in our future generations.
( Notice given 2 5 October 2021.)
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Dr Freelander—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 futur e day.
5 Mr Goodenough: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes with concern the long standing religious persecution of members of the Baha'i Faith in Iran;
(2) expresses alarm at the raids on Baha'i homes and businesses and the increase in court cases against Baha'is since the beginning of the coronavirus pandemic;
(3) further calls on the Iranian Government to ensure that Baha'is enjoy the same rights as other citizens and that their belief and practice are not criminalised;
(4) supports the 16 December 2020 resolution of the United Nations General Assembly which called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to uphold the human rights of all its citizens;
(5) condemns the recent Iranian court judgments upholding the confiscation of homes and lands belonging to 27 Baha'is in the village of Ivel; and
(6) calls on the Iranian judicial authorities to ensure that these lands and homes are restored to their rightful owners, and that no other Baha'i citizens have their properties confiscated due to their religion.
( Notice given 23 June 2021.)
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Goodenough—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 Ms Sharkie: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) a delegation from the Regional, Rural and Remote Communications Coalition (RRRCC) has approached Members of the 46th Parliament via a virtual delegation to highlight priorities for improving regional telecommunications;
(b) the RRRCC is a group of 21 like-minded organisations and advocacy bodies which have joined together to highlight their collective concern about the lack of equitable access to reliable and quality telecommunication in regional Australia;
(c) telecommunications is an essential service in a modern world, supporting social connectivity, business activity, and the delivery of health and education services;
(d) every Australian, irrespective of where they live or work, should have access to quality, reliable, and affordable voice and data services with customer support guarantees; and
(e) there is ongoing inequity in the access to telecommunications experienced by Australians living in regional, rural, and remote areas, compared to their urban counterparts; and
(2) calls upon the Government to ensure that regional, rural, and remote Australia is best positioned to retain people and grow in the long term, by:
(a) establishing a rural, regional and remote communications fund to resource ongoing investment in regional telecommunications through the Mobile Black Spot Program, Regional Connectivity Program and through state and territory co-investment programs;
(b) continuing its commitment to expanding the mobile network in regional Australia through the Mobile Black Spot Program or a similar program, (such programs must continue to promote competition by requiring open access for all networks and the criteria for such programs reflect changing technologies and commercial circumstances);
(c) ensuring no mobile network user is disadvantaged by the switching off of the 3G network;
(d) having the Australian Communications and Media Authority investigate and monitor widespread mobile outages in regional and remote Australia, and the reliability of mobile infrastructure;
(e) ensuring there are adequate upgrade plans and pathways for regional Australians using ADSL services that provide access to higher quality or equivalent fixed broadband services;
(f) bringing about further enhancements to NBN Sky Muster in order to reflect consumer and small business needs, including more affordable plans, and a mobility product;
(g) legislating telecommunications as an essential service in all states and territories, recognising telecommunications providers as 'essential users' in natural disaster areas, and ensuring the rollout of NBN Disaster Satellite Services appropriately complement MBSP 5A upgrades to power supplies at base stations;
(h) ensuring any alternative technologies for voice service delivery be proven to have greater reliability and performance quality for regional, rural, and remote consumers;
(i) creating appropriate minimum service guarantees and performance benchmarks for connection, fault repair and appointment keeping timeframes for NBN and other statutory infrastructure providers, (these obligations and timeframes must support maximum connectivity during natural disaster events and customers must be adequately compensated when baseline timeframes are exceeded);
(j) introducing adequate performance quality metrics for all services, including NBN Sky Muster, monitored against independent benchmarks;
(k) committing to funding the regional tech hub service beyond the current one-year funding period, and working with the RRRCC and state and local governments to identify and deliver digital capacity building needs beyond the remit of the regional tech hub project;
(l) creating a targeted, concessional NBN broadband service to support low-income residents in regional, rural and remote areas, and reconfiguring the existing telecommunication allowance to meet the needs of low-income, mobile-only consumers;
(m) supporting remote communities, in particular Aboriginal and Torres Strait communities, to have access to affordable telecommunications equipment so they can maximise access to services such as medical services; and
(n) requiring retail service providers to be transparent about the limitations of the more affordable services they provide to low-income consumers.
( Notice given 25 October 2021.)
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Sharkie—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.
7 Mr Connelly: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the benefits a career in the Australian Defence Force provides through skills, education, training and experience;
(2) notes:
(a) the Australian Defence Force's objective to protect Australia and that those recruited to deliver on this objective put their lives on the line for our country; and
(b) that Defence recruits the best and brightest and offers varying pathways for individuals to join and serve our nation; and
(3) acknowledges the sacrifice our personnel and their families make for a career in the Australian Defence Force and our nation's eternal gratitude for all those who have served past and present.
( Notice given 18 October 2021.)
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm.
Speech time limits—
Mr Connelly—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 11 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
27 October 2021
Treasury Laws Amendment (Enhancing Superannuation Outcomes For Australians and Helping Australian Businesses Invest) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
Corporations Amendment (Improving Outcomes for Litigation Funding Participants) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (Funders of Last Resort and Other Measures) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
That the House:
(1) notes the legal action taken in the Federal Court of Australia by ClubsNSW against Mr Troy Stolz, known as Registered Clubs Association of New South Wales v Stolz ;
(2) notes the report of the Standing Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests on its inquiry into whether the legal action raises issues of parliamentary privilege or contempt such that the House should formally claim privilege and intervene in the court proceedings to assert the protection of parliamentary privilege;
(3) considers that email communications relating to ClubsNSW between the office of the Member for Clark and Mr Stolz, between 17 December 2019 and 1 December 2020, are likely to fall within the definition of 'proceedings of Parliament' under subsection 16(2) of the Parliamentary Privileges Act 1987 (the Act);
(4) notes the restrictions placed by subsection 16(3) of the Act on the treatment of proceedings in Parliament;
(5) acknowledges that interpretation of the Act, and therefore determination of the application of parliamentary privilege in court proceedings, is a matter for the courts; and
(6) authorises the Speaker to take steps to ensure that the interests of the House are represented in this matter before the courts, such that parliamentary proceedings are appropriately protected as provided by the Act.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business orders of the day relating to the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2021 and the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2021 standing in the name of the Member for Warringah being called on immediately, debated together and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the private Members' business orders of the day relating to the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill 2021 and the Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2021 standing in the name of the Member for Warringah being called on immediately, debated together and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House.
Campaigners have launched a legal challenge to try to prevent billions of pounds of taxpayers' money being spent on a huge road-building programme, which they say breaches the UK's legal commitments …
The House divided. [10:42]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Facilitation) Bill 2021
Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021
I think people need to know their own history. They need to know the truth of what happened in their neighbourhood and around Australia. Then they need to get to work to make it a better place.
Don't be afraid of hard work and know your own story.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a third time.
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Bill 2021
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Consequential Amendments) 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 urges the Government to improve the bill as recommended by Government Senators on the Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee, and to ensure safety for workers and benefits for local communities".
Of all the serious sceptics in Australia, we have helped and supported just about all of them …
The importance of legislating net zero emissions by 2050.
The likelihood of Joyce getting endorsement from his party room to agree to net zero is zero. That's where the net zero lies.
The Committee recommends that the Bills not be passed.
Labor members support the need for the Australian Government to adopt a commitment of achieving net zero emissions by 2050 …
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Customs Amendment (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2021
Customs Tariff Amendment (Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement Implementation) Bill 2021
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure Bill 2021
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Regulatory Levies) Bill 2021
Offshore Electricity Infrastructure (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2021
To neglect the opportunity to become a clean energy export powerhouse would be an unparalleled public policy failure, consigning current and future generations to economic destitution. It would leave Australians picking up the scraps of the greatest economic change since the industrial revolution, at a premium.
… in ten years' time, offshore wind will be powering every home in the country …
… provide the opportunity for these workers to transition into the important work of delivering Australia's clean energy future.
… into account the imperatives of a just transition of the workforce and the creation of decent work and quality jobs in accordance with nationally defined development priorities, …
As we look ahead to publishing our comprehensive net zero strategy and hosting COP26 in the autumn, we must focus on how we invest in the UK's most important asset—our workforce—so that people have the right skills to deliver the net zero transition and thrive in the jobs it will create.
… we are taking the first steps to ensure that green jobs are good quality, that they can be accessed by people of all backgrounds and in all parts of the country, and that workers in sectors and industries undergoing change can reapply their skills and expertise towards this new challenge.
It is so at the margin it barely is worthy of a mention.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Llew O'Brien ) took the chair at 10:00.
1. Amend the Air Services Act 1995 to free Airservices Australia from its regulatory capture by the aviation industry and ensure it protects the human and natural environment, community amenity and residential areas from the effects of the operation and use of aircraft.
2. Review to what extent the ministerial approval granted in 2007 relied on flawed and misleading data, with a view to revoke the approval of the current aviation airspace management plan for Brisbane Airport.
When my grandfather landed in this country, he had nothing but the clothes on his back and eight dollars in his pocket. He had fled Yugoslavia's communist regime. For him, freshly 18, Australia was a welcoming, kind "golden country," full of promise, hopes and dreams for his future family.
I am now two months away from turning 18, and 53 years after my grandfather landed, have my own dreams for Australia. In 20 years, I envision a country that presents everyone with the opportunities of the "golden country."
I see equitable access to education, healthcare and careers that spans gender, race and sexual orientation.
I see us upholding our international responsibilities: Doing our fair share on climate change. Treating those fleeing their homes with kindness and respect. To remember we have "boundless planes to share."
Our generation's call to action is on climate. We must not see net zero as a threat, but an opportunity. We have an abundance of natural resources. 20 years gives us the chance to become a green energy powerhouse, to create jobs in green energy.
We must "maintain [our] rage and enthusiasm," for gender equality. For racial equality. For climate justice. For refugees. For our "golden country."