The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Ransomware Action Plan) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this House:
(1) notes the Government's commitment to fix the mess the former Government made of aged care and that this is a priority for the Government;
(2) acknowledges the Government's support for a pay rise for Australia's aged care workers as recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety; and
(3) recommits to delivering a better standard of care for Australians in aged care.
That this House:
(1) recognises that 17 September 2022 is the start of National Police Week, which culminates with National Police Remembrance Day on 29 September 2022;
(2) acknowledges the crucial, and often challenging and dangerous, work that the men and women of our state and federal police do on a daily basis;
(3) remembers those police who have lost their lives in the line of duty, and their families who are forever impacted; and
(4) thanks the men and women of our state and federal police for their ongoing dedication to keeping Australian communities safe and maintaining the rule of law.
God of all people, we know it is from you that we have learned what goodness and justice are. You have given us the task of maintaining law and order in our community.
We seek the strength to meet the many challenges encountered in this endeavour.
Give us the courage and the resolution to do our duty at all times, and such a respect and love for justice that neither promise nor threat will ever make us depart from it.
Help us with your guidance to be the Guardian and the Friend of the whole community; a friend to children, an example to youth, a counsellor and adviser to all citizens.
Grant us the skill, and the wisdom, to make us always stronger in protecting and supporting the community.
Guide us in knowing when to enforce and when to relax the letter of the law.
Help us to be a personal example of the honesty, the goodness, and the justice which it is our duty to maintain, and grant that our actions will inspire in our community confidence in its police officers.
We make our prayer to you, confident of your love and your compassion.
Amen
What other job requires you to be in a constant state of hyper vigilance and alertness yet at the same time be a counsellor, a social worker, a lawyer, or a prison warden. What other profession authorizes you to take a person's liberty, or potentially use deadly force, but then mandates that you attempt to save the person's life that has just tried to kill you? What job causes you to wonder whether you will come home to your loved ones after you bid them farewell each and every day as you head off to work?
I died in Walsh street and Russell,
and then at Crescent Head;
I have died before so often,
for sworn oath such I've bled;
I ask no retribution,
no hurtful anger dealt;
Just guard for me my family,
hold my children, such loss now felt;
And of my grieving sweetheart,
comfort for now alone,
explain in words of kindness,
no more will I be home.
Climate Change (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2022
Jobs and Skills Australia Bill 2022
(1) Clause 9, page 4 (after line 16), at the end of paragraph (a), add:
(iv) issues relating to skills and training, and workforce needs, in regional, rural and remote Australia;
(v) pathways into VET and pathways between VET and higher education;
(vi) opportunities to improve employment, VET and higher education outcomes for cohorts of individuals that have historically experienced labour market disadvantage and exclusion;
… if untapped women's workforce participation was a massive ore deposit, we would have governments lining up to … get it out of the ground.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Jobs and Skills Australia (National Skills Commissioner Repeal) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 2) Bill 2022
The House divided. [12:48]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Each of the Parties to the Treaty undertakes to pursue negotiations in good faith on effective measures relating to cessation of the nuclear arms race at an early date and to nuclear disarmament, and on a treaty on general and complete disarmament under strict and effective international control.
The biggest difference was for the kids. Suddenly they had food, they had clothing …
Jobs and Skills Australia Bill 2022
That leave of absence until the remainder of the current period of sittings be given to Ms Murphy and Mr Chester on the ground of public business overseas.
Around 1.2 million Australians want more flexible work … Many of these people are juggling study, parenting or caring responsibilities. Others may have side-businesses, health constraints, second jobs or travel plans. All of these workers value flexibility; many could not work without it.
There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he does not mind who gets the credit.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 2) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Self-Employment Programs and Other Measures) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Claydon ) took the chair at 10:30.
That this House:
(1) notes that in Government, the Coalition invested significantly in research and development, including an estimated $4.3 billion in 2020-21 through the education portfolio;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) Australia stands internationally as one of the highest performing contributors to foundational research, being responsible for 2.7 per cent of the world's scientific output, compared to being home to 0.34 per cent of the world's population; and
(b) in terms of research translation and commercialisation, Australian does not meet the same high performing reputation;
(3) further notes that the previous Government:
(a) agreed in February 2022 to a ten-year Research Commercialisation Action Plan to drive greater utilisation of research and collaboration with industry; and
(b) budgeted $2.2 billion to support its Research Commercialisation Action Plan to boost Australia's economic recovery, including:
(i) $1.6 billion for Australia's Economic Accelerator to establish a stage-gated program to support translation and commercialisation in the six National Manufacturing Priority Areas;
(ii) $243 million for the Trailblazer Universities Program to select universities to partner with industry to work on research; and
(iii) $296 million to support greater collaboration through 1,800 industry-focused PhDs and 800 industry fellowships over ten years; and
(4) calls on the Government to commit to implementing the Coalition's Research Commercialisation Action Plan in full and on-time, first with introducing legislation to establish Australia's Economic Accelerator.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) many veterans struggle to find work when they transition to civilian life, which can lead to other problems, such as mental illness, homelessness, incarceration and even suicide; and
(b) some veterans can experience stigma and discrimination in the job market;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) the Government will deliver a comprehensive $24 million veteran employment program to provide greater support to defence personnel as they transition to civilian life; and
(b) this will aim to help veterans into good quality jobs by doing more to boost recognition of their skills and experience, and provide support for further education and training for veterans wanting to move into the civilian workforce; and
(3) welcomes a number of outcomes from the recent Jobs and Skills Summit to support veteran employment and training, including:
(a) a one-off income credit so that veteran pensioners who want to work can earn an additional $4,000·over this financial year without losing any of their pension; and
(b) improved access to jobs and training pathways for veterans and other disadvantaged groups, through equity targets for training places, 1,000 digital apprenticeships in the Australian Public Service, and other measures to reduce barriers to employment.
Why employ a veteran?
Veterans come from diverse backgrounds and bring sought-after qualifications, skills, experience and an ability to work collaboratively under pressure
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) there are around 2.5 million families with dependent children aged under 15 in Australia;
(b) Australia has one of the least generous paid parental leave schemes in the OECD;
(c) McKinsey & Company found that in Australia, participation in early childhood education is lower and costs over 40 percent more than the OECD average; and
(d) perinatal discrimination is the top discrimination complaint in Australian workplaces;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) Australia lags developed countries in the provision of best practice, evidenced-based policies that support families and children;
(b) at the Jobs and Skills Summit there was broad agreement from trade unions to the Business Council of Australia, and advocacy groups that improving paid parental leave and childcare were essential to improving women's workforce participation; and
(c) there is significant economic benefit to Australia from increasing female workforce participation, gender equity and outcomes for children; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) provide for at least 26 weeks of paid parental leave with a use it or lose it provision to incentivise shared use of leave where there are two carers;
(b) set 1 January 2023 as the start date for lower the cost of early childhood education for all families; and
(c) improve access to paid carers' leave for parents of sick children.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day is on 15 October 2022;
(b) this day is an opportunity for parents, families, friends and healthcare workers to mark their shared loss, whether through miscarriages, stillbirth, and infant death; and
(c) it is also a day that increases awareness about preventative measures to reduce perinatal mortality;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) losing a baby at any time in pregnancy, birth or the neonatal period is devastating to families;
(b) each year, 20 to 30 percent of women who are pregnant experience a miscarriage;
(c) stillbirths and perinatal death rates are a combined 9.4 in every 1000 births, these figures have not changed for over 20 years;
(d) stillbirth occurrence is higher in Aboriginal and culturally diverse communities;
(e) these families go through further issues after experiencing such a tragic event, such as depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, changes in relationships and anxiety that may be underestimated by healthcare providers, friends and family; and
(f) further research is required to support the creation of programs that help lower the overall mortality, and to provide support to those families that have experienced the loss of a baby as well as help them overcome their trauma in a healthy and meaningful manner;
(3) commends the Government for providing $6.8 million funding to assist families dealing with the grief of stillbirth;
(4) expresses sympathy to all families who have suffered a miscarriage, a stillbirth or infant death;
(5) further commends each and every person who has supported parents and families through the loss of a baby; and
(6) thanks support groups like Red Nose, Still Aware, SANDS, and Miracle Babies for the work they do to support families.
Stillbirth and pregnancy is never easy. It's hard to find the words to support the families - how do you tell them that life is going to be ok when they are walking in the saddest days of their lives. We help them make choices to celebrate the life of their much-loved baby. We take on some of their sorrow - and wish we could give them back the life they have lost. We remember their baby's birthdays forever. We are always honoured to share that journey with them - despite the hurt that we share a small part of. I take a part of these families with me always - they forever hold a special place in my heart.
On May the 26th 2020 I woke at 2am in spontaneous labour at 38weeks gestation with my first pregnancy. A pregnancy that was uncomplicated and problem free.
After arriving at the hospital my baby was found to be in the breech position which was not detected throughout my pregnancy. An emergency caesarean was called. Moments later the fetal heart rate began to drop to an alarming level. A Code blue was called. I was rushed to the theatre - my husband was taken back to the maternity ward to wait as I was put under a general anaesthetic.
At 5.50am Amelia Maree Butler was born still.
What felt like moments later I woke in the recovery room, my husband at the end of the bed & hospital staff around me. I remember looking at a nurse - asking "where is my baby". The next words changed my life forever.. "She didn't make it".
Whilst under the anaesthetic an amazing team of obstetricians, nurses & paediatricians delivered my baby girl but it was already too late. Amelia was born with her umbilical cord around her neck. The very thing that fed her life during my pregnancy, took her life. Even with CPR & intervention, Amelia was gone.
Nathan & I returned to the maternity ward - a ward that I had previously worked on as a Midwife. We were taken into a birth room I knew very well was the baby loss room. A space that women were admitted to when their babies had not survived. Amelia was waiting for us. She was perfect. Beautiful. A head of dark brown soft, silk like hair. 10 fingers, 10 toes. A perfect baby that I held in my arms, was lifeless. Nathan & I were fortunate to have the beautiful Sheridan from Heartfelt photography capture a few precious moments that would be for a life time. With the support of the wonderful midwives, we bathed Amelia, dressed her, held her - knowing too well we would have to say goodbye & I would never hold her in my arms again.
The next few days followed as such.
Instead of learning how to breastfeed my baby, - my family & I planned a funeral.
Instead of leaving the hospital with Amelia, we left with empty arms to return home to an empty nursery.
A nursery full of baby clothes, nappies, toys that would never be used by Amelia.
A private funeral was held with just Nathan & I. We stood together, watching as a very tiny coffin was lowered into the ground.
The months to follow we were faced with running into people - seeing their faces, having to explain why our baby was gone. Nights I cried myself to sleep with an empty bassinet next to me.
I was faced with returning to the hospital not just as a patient but also as a nurse. I struggled for months (still do) any time I heard a code blue, walking down certain corridors, or collecting a patient from the recovery room.
Now two & half years on I still remember that day clearly. I still cry, I still feel an emptiness I don't think will ever leave me. I imagine each day what Amelia would be like & picture the little girl she would have grown into.
Since Amelia, my husband & I have tried to give Amelia a sibling. We have since experienced 3 miscarriages. We have undergone many investigations and tests.
4 babies keeping each other company while Nathan & I learn to live without them.
Prior to my own baby loss I worked on a surgical ward as a nurse & had a portfolio & a passion in Pregnancy Loss. In this ward we cared for many families experiencing early pregnancy loss. It was my passion to make their experience as supported as possible. I strived for changes at a ward level to improve their care.
Now having experienced multiple losses myself & connecting with many others that have I am beginning to realise how common baby loss is & how little we talk about it.
I love to talk about Amelia & my little ones. For me it is a way of keeping her spirit alive.
This painting shows a strong, tall kangaroo who is looking back at his past and time spent in prison. He is ready to move forward with the support of all the brothers he met on his journey and family on the outside. He knows in his heart this time he will succeed!
That this House:
(1) notes that on 16 August 2021 soldiers from the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment, along with other military attachments, were deployed to Afghanistan to rescue Australian passport holders and those who supported our nation throughout the war on terror;
(2) acknowledges
(a) the brave soldiers who put themselves in harm's way to rescue more than 4,100 people from the chaos;
(b) that when the Taliban took back Kabul, the soldiers returned to the belly of the beast to evacuate thousands of civilian men, women and children; and
(c) that the Afghan people may have lost their city and country, but our Australian Defence Force heeded the call to ensure that they did not lose their lives;
(3) honours the brave, selfless actions of those deployed; and
(4) calls on the Government to honour the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment with the appropriate battle honours to highlight the unique operation that was conducted in the most hazardous, chaotic and challenging circumstances.
Being the first platoon in country, we had little to no idea what the situation was to look like on the ground despite orders given in as high detail as possible, but we'd all seen the mayhem on the news.
Once in country we learned immediately that it was the wild west with sounds of constant gunshots either being warning shots around the entrance points to the airport or contacts happening locally. My shifts at the North Gate were the most memorable. Looking out upon terrified suffering, helpless men, women and children, surrounded by gunfire, razor wire, Taliban, Death, newly made corpses, and the complete feeling of helplessness became common place.
On one of my section's shifts I had noticed a man standing in a crowd of crouched civilians waving at the gate's general direction, roughly 40 to 50 metres from the entrance point and where I was standing.
He was dressed in black body armour, had a heavily modified AK and no recognisable patches. It became obvious he was Taliban.
Almost as soon as I'd worked out who he was, he unloaded a burst point blank into the crowd he was standing over, hitting at least 3 men with rounds, one of those 3 men receiving a round directly to his head.
As there was an enormous crowd of people between me and him, there was little I could do and I was helpless to act.
As we were working on Abbey gate I remember pulling a family up from the canal. They were covered in whatever mess was in the water.
The mother and 3 girls were completely dehydrated, barely able to stand by themselves. When I checked their paperwork and accepted they were good to go, I walked them up from the gate to our Australian checkpoint about 300 metres away.
Carrying their bags and a child in each arm, while the third held my hand and kept kissing it saying 'thank you' over and over again, will be something I will remember for the rest of my life.
Myself and another guy found this girl, about 8 or 9, wandering around very close to the Taliban-run checkpoint down the side of the canal.
Once we asked where she was going, she replied in the most purely Australian accent that her and her mother were Australian and she needed help getting there.
She told us her mother was back at home so she had to phone her and tell her to make her way to the gate.
After several hours of waiting, the little girl was being so polite and patient, as she waited for her Mum.
Fast-forward, her mum made it to the gate, and we pulled her out about 12 hours later. I hope they are living their best life in Australia.
It was extremely mentally fatiguing operating within that environment.
Thousands of people shouting, babies getting crushed and young people getting injured, people getting shot.
It's a little known fact that our guys were involved in a contact when a suspected vehicle-borne improvised explosive device—
rammed the North Gate.
Our combat medics were treating multiple casualties with everything from heat illness, gunshot wounds, respiratory injuries from the non-lethal ammunition fired by coalition partners, and crush injuries to name just a few.
We also had the heartbreak of having to tell family members that although some of them qualified to come to Australia, other family members did not.
Having to explain that and watch the families say their perhaps final goodbyes to loved ones.
Some of those family members begged us to shoot them then and there rather than go back outside the gates to the Taliban.
All of this has left a big hole in our hearts and a large moral injury on the young men and women that served in Kabul.
As we remember the fall of Kabul to the Taliban, today we mark a year since the deployment of a brave contingent of Australian Defence Force personnel for the evacuation operation.
… … …
Despite the images of chaos being beamed around the world—pictures of men, women and children clinging to aircraft trying to escape the Taliban, and the ever-present threat of terrorist attack—our men and women answered the call to service without question.
The selfless actions of those who deployed enabled the rescue of 4100 people—Australian citizens and refugees—
from a life of oppression at the hands of an illegitimate government. While the Afghan people may have lost their city and country, our ADF ensured that they did not lose their lives.
This was no ordinary deployment. In the face of extreme danger, brave soldiers from Townsville's 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment, along with other attachments, put themselves in harm's way to rescue others.
We were over there to help those who had helped us significantly – the work was really rewarding.
They just came up to me, gave me a big hug and shook my hand.
… on the Government to honour the 1st Battalion Royal Australian Regiment with the appropriate battle honours to highlight the unique operation that was conducted in the most hazardous, chaotic and challenging circumstances.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Senate Environment and Communication References Committee with the support of the Labor Senators recommended to the 46th Parliament that the Commonwealth initiate a judicial inquiry, with the powers of a Royal Commission to investigate the concentration of media ownership in Australia;
(b) according to the Public Interest Journalism Initiative, 255 media outlets across the country closed down between the beginning of 2019 and March 2022, nearly 70 per cent in regional Australia;
(c) the transfer of ownership of APN led to 112 local print newspapers being shut down;
(d) according to a comprehensive international study of international media ownership and concentration by Columbia University, only Egypt and China have greater concentration of newspaper ownership of the countries studied;
(e) one company has a 59 per cent share of the metropolitan and national print media market by readership and the second 23 per cent;
(f) 3,000 journalists had lost their jobs in the decade to 2018 and more since then;
(g) unlike the United Kingdom there is no longer a 'fit and proper person' test in the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 ; and
(h) the public interest test does not apply to cross-media mergers; and
(2) supports and calls on the Government to:
(a) initiate a judicial inquiry, with the powers of a Royal Commission, to investigate and report on the state of media diversity in Australia with the following powers, to:
(i) call witnesses and require the production of documents and information equal to those afforded the Royal Commission into the banking system;
(ii) seek expert advice and make recommendations to broaden media diversity, especially in rural, regional and suburban Australia; and
(iii) seek expert advice and make recommendations on the state of self-regulation of media in generally available in Australia, in particular, whether the Australian Press Council and the Australian Communications and Media Authority are fit for purpose;
(b) commit to the long-term and adequate funding of Australia's only independent newswire, Australian Associated Press;
(c) establish an independent and permanent trust to assist emerging news ventures, especially in regional areas, including the funding of journalism traineeships; and
(d) abide by the independent process for appointments to the boards of the ABC and SBS.
The committee recommends the establishment of a judicial inquiry, with the powers of a royal commission … It is clear that the current regulatory framework is not fit for purpose and significant changes are required.
The committee heard significant evidence that Australia's system of media regulation is not effective … including lack of oversight for digital media. The committee heard extensive evidence that the complaints processes for traditional media are insufficient and slow. There was clear evidence that the self-regulation model for print media through the Australian Press Council is woefully inadequate. Equally, the Australian Communication and Media Authority's (ACMA) oversight of broadcast media is slow, complex, onerous for complainants and often inconclusive.
Public interest journalism is essential to a democracy. Active citizenship requires access to reliable information, and democracy cannot flourish without a diversity of media sources …
Public interest journalism is essential to a democracy. Active citizenship requires access to reliable information, and democracy cannot flourish without a diversity of media sources and a regulatory regime that protects consumers against the spread of misinformation.
The concentration of media ownership is inherently corrosive of democratic practice because it places control over the sources of information and opinion in far too few hands.
It appears news literacy in Australia is quite low. One study—
found that only 51% of Australian news consumers 'understood that the ABC is free of advertising and funded by taxpayers'. This study also suggested that 'news consumers with higher literacy can distinguish humour from other types of fake news such as poor journalism, political spin and advertising'.
… it's time to implement a program of work that is principles-based, evidence-informed, expert-led and consultative—one which delivers.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the European Union (EU) is Australia's second largest two-way trading partner of goods and services worth over $74 billion; and
(b) with a high-income population of almost 450 million people, the EU represents an incredibly significant market opportunity for Australian exporters;
(2) acknowledges the significant work undertaken by the former Government to pursue an ambitious and comprehensive free trade agreement with the EU; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) prioritise the negotiation and completion of the Australia-European Union Free Trade Agreement; and
(b) deliver a commercially significant agreement with liberalised access that is in the national interest.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the increasing costs in the construction industry are creating significant strains on Australian building companies;
(b) rising costs are creating serious delays and further exacerbating substantial housing shortages in many communities across the country; and
(c) these shortages are perpetuating the current rental crisis;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) union lawlessness is on the rise in the commercial construction sector following the Government's announcement to abolish the construction industry watchdog, the Australian Building and Construction Commission (ABCC); and
(b) this lawlessness is further undermining the housing industry and compounding the strains felt across the sector; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) implement measures to reign in rising costs, assisting businesses, renters and Australians who are building or have bought their own home;
(b) move to curtail the underhanded and illegal actions of the Construction Forestry Maritime Mining Energy Union (CFMMEU) throughout the commercial construction sector; and
(c) reinstate the ABCC in its role as the construction industry watchdog.
… the Coalition presided over worsening labour productivity in construction, but re-establishing the ABCC accelerated the decline significantly.
… to provide an improved workplace relations framework for building work to ensure that building work is carried out fairly, efficiently and productively, without distinction between interests of building industry participants, and for the benefit of all building industry participants and for the benefit of the Australian economy as a whole.