The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. John Hog g) took the chair at 09:30, read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [09:35]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
The Senate divided. [09:39]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
Tax Laws Amendment (Fairer Taxation of Excess Concessional Contributions) Bill 2013
Superannuation (Excess Concessional Contributions Charge) Bill 2013
Health and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2012
Proceedings under this section shall not be instituted without the consent in writing of the Attorney‑General.
(3) Schedule 1, items 20, 21 and 22, page 5 (line 15) to page 6 (line 26), items TO BE OPPOSED.
The Senate divided. [10:35]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 4, column 1), omit "items 20 to 23", substitute "item 23".
(2) Schedule 1, page 5 (line 14), omit the heading.
Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
The Senate divided. [11:05]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
The Senate divided. [11:08]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Bill 2013
We would feel more comfortable with this legislation if the bill had been subject to a more open process, given the number of entities and officials affected by it and because of the fundamental importance of this legislation.
Some more time for consultation in respect of the draft bill would have been, I think, helpful to increase the awareness of the proposals within it and to bring everyone on board with the new approach. (Time expired)
The Senate divided. [11:24]
(President—Senator Hogg)
Tax Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 1) Bill 2013
Tax Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 2) Bill 2013
Tax Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 3) Bill 2013
Debate resumed on the motion:
That these bills be now read a second time.
The Senate divided. [12:05]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
The Senate divided. [12:10]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
Higher Education Support Amendment (Asian Century) Bill 2013
The best way to build our relationship with China and for that matter Asia is through exchanges of people at every level.
… … …
… exchanges build trust, understanding and long term friendships; they also help to break down ignorance and stereotypes that exist between our people.
… … …
There are few better ways to forge Australia into China and the Asian Century than through student exchanges.
As a country we need to dramatically increase the number of Chinese and Asian students studying in Australian universities, the economic benefits are immense and so are the person to person contacts.
Social Security Amendment (Supporting More Australians into Work) Bill 2013
At the end of the motion, add:
"and the Senate calls on the Government:
(a) to increase Newstart by $50 a week; and
(b) to provide additional financial support to single parents to lift them and their children out of poverty."
The Senate divided. [13:34]
(Acting Deputy President—Senator Bernardi)
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2013-2014
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2013-2014
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2013-2014
The heart of the matter is the way public debt allows the current generation of voters—
to live at the expense of those as yet too young to vote or as yet unborn.
These mind-boggling numbers represent nothing less than a vast claim by the generation currently retired or about to retire on their children and their grandchildren, who are obliged by current law to find the money in the future …
In enormous intergenerational transfers implied by current fiscal policies, we see a shocking and perhaps unparalleled breach of … partnership.
Sugar Research and Development Services Bill 2013
Sugar Research and Development Services (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2013
Sugar Research and Development Services (Consequential Amendments—Excise) Bill 2013
Early Years Quality Fund Special Account Bill 2013
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
I rise today to read the Early Years Quality Fund Special Account Bill 2013 for the second time.
Commitment to early childhood
This Government has a proud record of achievement in early childhood education and care.
Core to our values is giving every child an opportunity to succeed and we have consistently demonstrated throughout the last six years, our commitment to improving the outcomes for all Australian children.
With more Australian children in education and care than ever before and a compelling body of evidence showing that 90 per cent of a child's brain development happens in these critical years, we want to give our children the best start in life.
Australian and international research shows that having educators with higher qualifications is closely associated with improved outcomes for children. More highly qualified staff means a greater understanding of early childhood development so staff are more able to lead activities that inspire youngsters and help them learn and develop.
This Bill acknowledges that commitment by securing for these educators the necessary recognition of their professionalism and to reward them accordingly with higher wages.
At the heart of this Bill is this Government's commitment to quality early childhood education, a commitment to early childhood education that is accessible and affordable and a commitment to having a highly qualified early childhood workforce.
Quality
The Government's commitment to quality early childhood education is evidenced by our leadership in establishing the National Quality Framework for early childhood education and care.
The National Quality Framework is an important reform which delivers a higher standard of care for children in the critical areas of educational development, health and safety and social interactions. It provides clear and comprehensive information for families so they can make informed choices about which service is best for their child.
The National Quality Standard improves quality through improved educator-to-child ratios, stronger educator qualification requirements and a new quality rating system.
Quality early childhood education and care ensures that children are happy, engaged and learning with qualified educators who are nurturing and caring. It means children are in safe and stimulating learning environments. When parents drop off their children, they need to do so with confidence that their child will be cared for and educated in the best way possible.
We have recently seen the first ratings published on the website giving parents more information to help them chose the service that meets their needs.
The NQF is a fundamental and long lasting reform. Ensuring improved quality of early childhood education and care will produce long term improved productivity and economic prosperity for Australia.
The Early Years Quality Fund will support the implementation of the NQF by assisting providers to offer educators higher wages consistent with changes in staff to child ratios and the increased qualification requirements of the NQF.
Affordability and Accessibility
This Government has been working hard to ensure that quality early childhood education and care remains affordable and accessible for all Australians families.
Over the next four years the Government will invest a record $25 billion in early childhood education and care, of which $22.1 billion will be in direct child care assistance to parents, more than triple the investment in the four years prior to 2007, making improvements to the lives of children and families.
But we know that affordability is only part of the story and that accessibility to quality services is critical.
We have recognised that early childhood education and care is not a one-size-fits-all endeavour.
We understand that services must be more responsive to the varying needs of families. That's why Child Care Rebate and Child Care Benefit can be used for a range of flexible approved child care services.
The Australian Government is trialling new ways to make child care more flexible for families, such as extending opening hours in long day care centres.
Our commitment to accessible quality early childhood education and care is also evidenced by the Government's investment of nearly $970 million between 2008 and 2013 to provide all children in the year before school access to a quality pre-school education delivered by a qualified early childhood teacher.
Recent data shows that because of this investment 266,000 four and five year old children were enrolled in a program in the year before full-time school in 2012. This is 60,000 more children enrolled in 2012 than in 2008
In this year's budget, the Government announced a further $660 million to extend the universal access commitment to quality early childhood education in the year before school to the end of 2014.
This brings the total funding to over $1.6 billion to area that was neglected prior to 2007.
It is with pride that I can also say that the early childhood education and care Closing the Gap target will be met this year. In 2008 we pledged to deliver access to early childhood education to all indigenous four-year-olds in remote communities within five years.
This year, 2013, we will meet that target. I am proud to be a part of a Government that not only set ambitious long term goals, but provided the funding and leadership to achieve that goal.
Quality Workforce
Every day thousands of committed and dedicated early childhood professionals help to prepare Australian children for the world around them, providing a nurturing, caring and supporting environment. An environment where every child gets the opportunity to learn, grow and develop at their own pace, with people interested only in helping them be the best they can be.
We know these critical early years mean so much to a child's future learning and we owe it to both the children and families using early childhood education and those that educate and care for them to do all that we can to recognise and reward the important work that they do.
With over 615,000 children in long day care in Australia to the September quarter of last year the benefit to the community is enormous.
And, in addition to the critical work educating children, educators are crucial in upholding the economic stability of the country through increased workforce participation and greater security of employment, especially for women.
I am proud of this Government's record in assisting the early childhood workforce, through programs such as:
Early Years Quality Fund
In bringing this Bill here today, the Government continues this record of achievement in early childhood through securing a professional workforce that will ensure higher quality education and care for Australian children.
To complement the vital work that this Government has done to improve accessibility, affordability and quality of early childhood education and care, this Bill establishes a $300 million Early Years Quality Fund to support quality outcomes for children by assisting the early childhood services to attract and retain qualified hard working professionals in the sector and reduce the numbers of educators leaving the sector overall.
The Fund, which will operate for two years, will enable grants to be paid services to supplement wage increases of all educators and staff assisting in the provision of quality early childhood education and care.
The fund will ensure higher wages across all classification scales, providing an incentive for educators to further their careers by attaining higher qualifications.
This Bill will be the difference between some of the best and brightest in the sector staying in their vitally important profession, or leaving for higher wages in sectors such as retail or administration.
The Early Years Quality Fund will assist with maintaining the affordability of early childhood education, along with the Government's substantial financial assistance to families through Child Care Benefit and Child Care Rebate, while ensuring the high quality of education and care for children.
All Long Day Care centres approved for Child Care Benefit can apply for the funding. Eligible services must demonstrate a commitment to improve quality outcomes for children, including workforce plans to attract and retain qualified staff.
But we know that this Fund is the first step in the increased professional recognition of the early childhood education and care workers. That is why, the Government also announced the establishment of the Pay Equity Unit in the Fair Work Commission
The Pay Equity Unit will undertake research and data collection to inform matters related to pay equity under the Fair Work Act, modern award reviews and annual minimum wage decisions.
The Early Years Quality Fund and the Pay Equity Unit build on the record of achievement in the Social and Community Services and the Aged Care sectors. The Government has achieved significant outcomes with respect to pay equity, but is committed to do more to close the gender gap and assist workers in low paid sectors, who are usually women, to improve wages and gain the professional recognition they deserve.
The Early Years Quality Fund will give a much needed wage increase to our professional, hard-working qualified early childhood educators, ensuring that they not only feel valued, but that their value to the Australian community is reflected in their pay checks.
The Fund continues the Government's commitment to economic growth and jobs, supporting parents to remain in the workforce, increasing skills across the workforce and building a productive future for our children.
The Senate divided. [14:49]
(The President—Senator Hogg)]
The Senate divided. [14:53]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
Migration Amendment (Temporary Sponsored Visas) Bill 2013
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
MIGRATION AMENDMENT (TEMPORARY SPONSORED VISAS) BILL 2013
The purpose of this Bill is to propose a package of integrity measures that seek to enhance the government's ability to deter sponsor behaviour which is inconsistent with the policy intent of the Subclass 457 visa program and other temporary employer sponsored visa programs. Together with proposed amendments to the Migration Regulations 1994, this Bill presents a comprehensive package of reforms which would balance the interests of Australian workers with the need to strengthen protection for overseas workers.
Importantly, the Bill gives powers to the Fair Work Ombudsman (and Fair Work Inspectors) to monitor and investigate compliance with sponsorship obligations, to ensure workers are working in their nominated occupation and being paid market salary rates.
It will require Subclass 457 sponsors to undertake Labour Market Testing in relation to a nominated occupation, in a manner consistent with Australia's relevant international trade obligations, to ensure that Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible temporary visa holders are given first opportunity to apply for skilled vacancies in the domestic labour market.
The government has always said that the Subclass 457 visa plays an important role in allowing employers to address skilled shortages when skilled local labour is unavailable. It is intended as a vehicle to allow employers to quickly supplement the Australian labour market, including the use of Enterprise Migration Agreements and Regional Migration Agreements, where a genuine skill shortage exists.
It is an important component of our overall non-discriminatory migration program, which is roughly comprised of one third families and two thirds skilled migration. Just over half of the current holders of Subclass 457 visas go on to apply for permanent residence and we think that's appropriate.
Usage of the Subclass 457 visa program has been growing strongly in recent years. The number of primary Subclass 457 visa holders in Australia has risen from 68 400 in June 2010 to 106 680 as at 31 May 2013, an increase of 56 per cent.
Many growing industries including those connected with the resources boom, such as mining, as well as non-resource sector users of the program, such as health care and information and communications technology (ICT), accounted for a large portion of all Subclass 457 visa grants in 2011-12.
However, strong growth has also been recorded in industries in which employment has fallen recently, such as accommodation and food service, and retail trade.
It concerns the government that, at a time when the labour market has been flattening and some sectors and regions have experienced lay-offs and increased unemployment, the Subclass 457 program has continued to grow.
Coupled with this strong growth is a tendency for some employers to source foreign labour through the Subclass 457 program without regard to the Australian domestic labour force.
These trends highlight that current requirements do not commit sponsors to using the Subclass 457 program as a supplement to, rather than a substitute for, the domestic labour force.
In the recently released report of the Migration Council Australia, survey data of Subclass 457 employer sponsors revealed that 15% of employers say that they have no difficulty finding suitable labour locally and yet they sponsor employees from overseas under this scheme.
Further, 7% of primary visa holders surveyed said that they were remunerated differently to their Australian counterparts doing the same work, while 2% stated they were paid well under the minimum salary for a 457 employee which is currently $51,400.
Indeed, the reforms at the heart of this Bill are not unique to the Australian context. As recently as the 7th of May this year, the Canadian Prime Minister, Mr Stephen Harper – a conservative – stated in relation to his country's equivalent of the Subclass 457 scheme:
"Not only has the government indicated for some time that it would be reforming the temporary foreign workers program, but in the budget last year specifically we brought in measures to better match job vacancies with people who are seeking work or in the employment insurance system. We have been very clear. We need to do a better job of matching the demand for employment insurance and the demand for temporary foreign workers. That is precisely what the government has been doing for a year and a half … The minister brought in changes last year to make sure people who are on employment insurance get first crack at jobs rather than temporary foreign workers."
The Canadian Government is taking steps to tighten the provisions of their program to ensure that only genuine skill shortages are being filled by temporary overseas labour.
Likewise, academics from the Law School of The University of Adelaide recently submitted to a Senate enquiry that the 457 scheme had shifted in focus since its introduction in 1996 from a focus on filling high skill jobs in areas of skill shortage to satisfying broader employer demand for labour. It is worth noting that back in 1996, Labour Market Testing was a requirement of the scheme.
The Australian Hotels Association underlines this shift in recently arguing for a lowering of the minimum salary threshold of $51,400, such that employers in their industry could use the scheme more extensively. I remind the Chamber that in the past 12 months the use of 457s in the hospitality industry has doubled – yes, it has doubled in the past year.
This Bill, together with the package of reforms announced in February 2013, seeks to realign the program to ensure a balance between job opportunities for Australian citizens and permanent residents, enabling employers to fill skills shortages, while protecting overseas workers. The measures will be implemented in a manner consistent with Australia's relevant international trade obligations.
The purpose of the Subclass 457 visa program is to address genuine shortages without displacing employment and training opportunities for Australian citizens and permanent residents and without serving as the mainstay of the skilled migration program.
The government has concerns that some employers are turning to overseas workers first, rather than investing in local training and recruitment. There has also been evidence of some sponsors paying overseas workers below the market rate, failing to commit to the training requirements of the program, and using the visa fraudulently to help family and friends migrate.
In February, the Government announced a package of reforms to the Subclass 457 visa program to strengthen its capacity to identify and prevent employer practices that are not in keeping with the intent of the program.
These reforms will build on the Worker Protection reforms of 2009 that introduced a sponsorship framework designed to ensure that the working conditions of sponsored visa holders meet Australian standards and provided certain cost incentives to encourage employers to seek to recruit Australians before looking to sponsor overseas skilled workers. The 2009 reforms also introduced a civil penalty regime, including infringement notices to enhance the powers of the Department to take action against sponsors who fail to meet their sponsorship obligations.
The proposed changes to the Migration Regulations will seek to reduce the risk of nominations for non-genuine positions; strengthen the market salary rate requirement; align the English language requirement with that of the permanent Employer Nomination Scheme; introduce an obligation that sponsors meet the training requirement for the term of sponsorship approval; remove potential for the exploitation of temporary overseas skilled workers; and restore public confidence in the program.
To complement the reforms to the Migration Regulations announced in February 2013, the Bill will enshrine in the Migration Act the kinds of sponsorship obligations which are to be prescribed in the Migration Regulations.
This will ensure that the Migration Regulations include existing sponsorship obligations requiring sponsors to among other things:
as well new and strengthened sponsorship obligations proposed to come into effect on 1 July 2013 to:
Exactly how the new obligations will be spelt out in the Migration Regulations proposed to commence on 1 July 2013.
The Bill will further strengthen the integrity of the Subclass 457 visa program by expanding the government's capacity to detect and take action against sponsors who do the wrong thing and ensure that overseas workers are not used as a substitute for Australian workers.
The government believes that Australian citizens and Australian permanent residents deserve the opportunity to get local jobs on local projects.
The government also announced in February an expansion of the Fair Work Ombudsman and Inspector powers.
This Bill expands the government's capacity to monitor and investigate compliance with the temporary sponsored work visa program by enabling Fair Work Inspectors to exercise powers for the purposes of the Migration Act.
The Bill will make it clear that a Fair Work inspector is also an inspector for the purposes of the Migration Act and is able to exercise all the powers conferred on inspectors by the Migration Act.
The Department currently has 32 active inspectors appointed under the Migration Act to monitor compliance with sponsorship obligations. An expansion of inspector powers to over 300 Fair Work inspectors will significantly increase the government's capacity to monitor compliance with the Subclass 457 visa program and other sponsored visas.
Fair Work inspectors will focus in particular on monitoring a sponsor's compliance with the following obligations:
The Migration Act contains an enforcement framework relating to the sponsor monitoring regime which includes administrative sanctions (to bar or cancel the approval of a person as a sponsor), an infringement notice and civil penalty scheme.
The Bill provides for enforceable undertakings as an additional enforcement option under the Migration Act where a sponsor has failed to satisfy a sponsorship obligation.
Enforceable undertakings are promises enforceable in court which would be agreed between the Minister and a sponsor.
Enforceable undertakings would be used as an alternative to, or work in combination with, barring a sponsor or cancelling a sponsor's approval.
Enforceable undertakings might also avoid the substantial legal costs associated with litigation in the courts. They are designed to be flexible and secure compensation for any loss resulting from contraventions (for example, payment to compensate for underpayment of workers).
The amendment will also allow the Minister to publish enforceable undertakings on the Department's website. This is an important tool to encourage compliance by all sponsors and a means of providing transparency to the Australian public on the monitoring of sponsors.
A key objective of this Bill is to strengthen the government's capacity to manage the Temporary Sponsored Work visa program (in particular, the Subclass 457 visa program). It will seek assurance from employers that they are only utilising the 457 visa program in circumstances where there is a genuine skills shortage in Australia. To enable this outcome, the Bill introduces a requirement that sponsors must undertake Labour Market Testing in relation to nominated occupations, in a manner consistent with Australia's relevant international trade obligations.
In recognition that the Subclass 457 visa is the primary visa that delivers our World Trade Organization and Free Trade Agreement obligations for the Movement of Natural Persons, the Bill ensures that Australia continues to meet our obligations not to Labour Market Test certain categories of persons.
The Bill allows the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship to determine by legislative instrument how to give effect to relevant categories of persons for whom international obligations are owed. The legislative instrument will reflect the relevant commitments with respect to Labour Market Testing under Australia's international trade agreements.
The labour market testing requirement will be met if the Minister is satisfied that a suitably qualified Australian citizen, Australian permanent resident or eligible temporary visa holder is not readily available to fill the nominated position. An eligible temporary visa holder is defined as a person who, at the time the application for the nomination is made, holds a Work and Holiday (462) visa or a Working Holiday (417) visa and who is lawfully employed in the agricultural sector by the sponsor (or an associated entity of the sponsor).
It is proposed that the Labour Market Testing requirement will initially require a sponsor to demonstrate that they have sought to find a suitably qualified Australian citizen or Australian permanent resident anytime within the four months prior to submission of an application for nomination approval. There has been some misinformation regarding the time period; so I reiterate, labour market testing can be undertaken anytime within the four months prior to application for nomination approval, it is not required to be undertaken for four months. This will provide a balance between giving Australians the opportunity to apply for jobs, and ensuring that Australian businesses do not experience undue delays in filling skilled labour shortages which would negatively impact on their businesses. As part of the evidentiary requirement, a sponsor may include research on labour market trends generally and in relation to relevant occupations that was released in the four months prior to a sponsor lodging a nomination.
In addition, the Bill proposes a mandatory requirement for sponsors to provide information if one or more Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents were made redundant or retrenched from positions in the nominated occupation in a sponsor's business or associated entity in the four months prior to lodging a nomination.
If there have been redundancies or retrenchments, labour market testing must be undertaken by the sponsor after those redundancies and retrenchments.
In relation to the evidentiary requirements for sponsors, the Bill proposes that it be mandatory for a sponsor to provide information about their attempts to recruit suitably qualified and experienced Australian citizens or Australian permanent residents to the position and any similar positions. Sponsors must also provide details of any advertising (paid or unpaid) of the position, and any similar positions, commissioned or authorised by the approved sponsor, and fees and other expenses paid (or payable) for that advertising.
If the approved sponsor elects to provide evidence and information other than evidence of advertising and fees, or payment of fees, to support their claim to have tested the labour market, the Minister may take that evidence into account. The nomination will not, however, be treated less favourably if the approved sponsor elects not to provide such additional evidence or information.
The Bill proposes a delayed commencement for the Labour Market Testing requirement to allow sufficient time for the implementation of Labour Market Testing and ensure that sponsors are given a period of time to undertake Labour Market Testing.
Further, the Bill includes an exemption to the Labour Market Testing requirement in the event of a major disaster, natural or otherwise, in order to assist disaster relief or recovery.
This exemption will give the government flexibility to respond to situations of national or state emergency and would facilitate the speedy entry of overseas skilled workers without the delay caused by requiring a sponsor to undertake labour market testing.
The Bill allows for skill and occupational exemptions to the labour market testing requirement to apply to specific occupations, by legislative instrument, within Skill Levels 1 or 2 as currently described in the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations. The legislation will however, require that nominations made by approved sponsors requiring either or both experience or a qualification in engineering (including shipping engineering) or nursing cannot be exempt from labour market testing.
At present all primary Subclass 457 visa holders are subject to visa condition 8107 which provides the visa holder must not cease employment for 28 consecutive days. If a visa holder does not comply with this condition there are grounds to cancel their visa.
This Bill amends the Migration Regulations 1994 to extend the period from 28 days to 90 consecutive days, enabling a more socially just outcome for visa holders as they will have more time find an alternative job with an employer sponsor or to arrange their personal affairs at the conclusion of sponsored employment.
This amendment is in line with recommendations of the 2008 Deegan review of the Subclass 457 visa program and the Migration Council Australia in its report of 11 May 2013.
Lastly, to ensure that the views of relevant stakeholders are considered in any regulatory changes to the Subclass 457 visa program, and in recognition of the advisory function of the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration, the Bill proposes the inclusion of the requirement that the Minister must take all reasonable steps to ensure that, at all times, there is in existence the Migration Advisory Council on Skilled Migration, a body which includes representatives of unions, industry and State and Territory governments and other members if any nominated by the Minister, and that meets at least on a quarterly basis. Without limiting the functions, the Ministerial Advisory Council on Skilled Migration is to provide advice to the Minister in relation to the temporary sponsored work visa program.
The Government intends to review the efficacy of these reforms within three years of their implementation to ascertain whether further refinements are required. We have some major changes in our labour market over recent years and it is appropriate that we re-examine these policy settings.
The totality of the Government's reforms will close loopholes in the current legislative and policy settings to ensure that the program can only be used by appropriately skilled persons and to fill genuine skills shortages as was intended. Put another way, they aim to ensure the program better meets its overarching intent of acting as a supplement to rather than a substitute for the Australian labour market, in a manner consistent with Australia's relevant international trade obligations.
The government is confident that the revised legislative and policy settings for the Subclass 457 program will achieve this balance, and will further enhance an already successful program.
I commend the Bill to the Senate.
The Senate divided. [15:04]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
The Senate divided. [15:08]
(The President—Senator Hogg)
That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees as follows:
Cyber Safety—Select Committee—
Appointed—Senators Bilyk, Stephens and Pratt
Community Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Economics Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Environment and Communications Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Finance and Public Administration Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Gambling Reform—Joint Select Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
National Broadband Network— Joint Standing Committee
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Conroy and Ludwig
Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority Amendment Bill 2013
International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Amendment Bill 2013
Aged Care (Living Longer Living Better) Bill 2013
Sex Discrimination Amendment (Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity and Intersex Status) Bill 2013
Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013
Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013
Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013
Homelessness Bill 2013
Homelessness (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013
Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2013
That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time.
That these bills be now read a second time.
GRAPE AND WINE LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (AUSTRALIAN GRAPE AND WINE AUTHORITY) BILL 2013
The Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 creates the Australian Grape and Wine Authority. The new Authority will commence its operations on 1 July 2014. It will take the roles and functions of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and the Wine Australia Corporation.
This is a reform that has been raised and discussed a number of times over the last twenty years, and it is with great pleasure that I introduce this Bill to make the reform a reality.
The government agreed to merge the two wine statutory corporations following an industry proposal from the Winemakers' Federation of Australia and Wine Grape Growers Australia.
The proposed merger is widely supported by industry. A single wine industry statutory authority will support the industry by providing links between the investment initiatives and functions of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and the Wine Australia Corporation. The merger will provide further benefits through improving administrative efficiency and service delivery to the industry.
The merger aligns with the Australian Government's 2012 Rural Research and Development Policy Statement. In particular, the statement noted that combining research and development and marketing functions in one organisation can lead to administrative savings as well as synergies.
On 19 June 2013 the government introduced the Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 to implement the Policy Statement. Once this Bill has been considered by parliament the government will amend the Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill to ensure consistency between the two pieces of legislation.
The merger of the two statutory authorities is in also accordance with a broader policy goal to reduce the number of government statutory corporations.
This Bill proposes amendments to the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980 to establish the new authority and renames the Act as the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013.
Although the Bill amends the existing Wine Australia Act, these amendments are significant and the merger is not a takeover of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation by Wine Australia. This is a strategic merger of the two statutory corporations.
This Bill is divided into two schedules.
Schedule 1 amends the Wine Australia Act to create the Authority.
Schedule 2 covers matters arising from the transition from two statutory corporations to the Authority. It covers matters such as the transfer of staff to the Authority.
Schedule 1 is divided into two parts.
Part 1 of Schedule 1 commences on the day after Royal Assent. This part amends the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980 to establish a selection committee to select and nominate to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry possible members of the board of the Authority. The Bill gives the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry an alternative option of appointing a first board of the Authority for a 12 month period without reference to the selection committee.
Part 2 of Schedule 1 commences on 1 July 2014. This part provides amendments to the Freedom of Information Act 1982 and the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980. This Part establishes the Authority and provides the governance framework for its operation.
Schedule 1 provides the research and development functions, including provisions for the Commonwealth to match research and development levy funding dollar-for-dollar.
The Authority will be required to spend research and development levy money and government matching funds on research and development activity. Industry has highlighted the importance of this issue for the new Authority. It is also important to the government to ensure that Australian government money appropriated for research and development is used for this purpose.
The Bill does not include any changes to the structure or the amounts of the levies that currently fund both statutory corporations, or to the existing regulatory, marketing and compliance roles of the Wine Australia Corporation.
The Bill transfers definitions of research and development from the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1981.
It establishes an Authority with a skills-based board of five to seven directors selected and nominated by a statutory selection committee and appointed by the Minister.
The board is led by a Chair appointed by the Minister following consultation with industry.
The Authority is required to prepare a five-year Corporate Plan to outline the Authority's strategies, policies and priorities to achieve the objectives.
The Authority is also required to prepare an annual operation plan but this plan unlike those of the two statutory corporations, is not required to have the Minister approval.
Schedule 2 provides for the transition of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and Wine Australia to the Authority, including that the operations, assets, liabilities and staffing conditions are transferred to the Authority.
Of particular note is that Schedule 2 provides that the Minister may engage consultants to assist with preparations for establishing the Authority, and preparations to appoint a chief executive for the Authority.
The Bill allows the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to appoint the first board after Royal Assent. The board will commence on 1 July 2014. Between the date of appointment and 1 July 2014, the Minister can engage the future board directors as consultants to prepare for the Authority's commencement and to assist it in becoming fully operational on 1 July 2014.
Before 1 July 2014 the future directors, in their role as consultants, could not make decisions that would bind the Authority. However, it can be expected that any recommendations they make would be ratified by the board at its first meeting.
The costs of the consultants will be met by the Commonwealth through the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. Once the Authority commences any and all Commonwealth funding provided for the purpose for engaging consultants will be refunded by the Authority.
As the consultants are the future board directors acting in the interests of the Authority, it is reasonable for the Authority to reimburse the Commonwealth for the costs of the consultants.
The Bill ensures that all employees of the Grape and Wine Research and Development Corporation and Wine Australia are transferred to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority along with all employee entitlements.
The Bill also provides for a number of amendments to be made to outdated sections of the Wine Australia Corporation Act 1980 and also introduces modernised language to bring it up date with current terms.
The wine industry has a unique regulatory structure with the Wine Australia Corporation enforcing the Label Integrity Program, licensing exporters and maintaining Australia's wine geographical indications system. These important roles are not affected by the merger.
The Australian Grape and Wine Authority will therefore have a strong focus on controlling exports and developing domestic and international markets for Australian grape products, along with investigating, coordinating and funding grape and wine research and development. The Authority will be responsible report on these to the Parliament or Minister and representative organisations.
The Government has introduced amendments to the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997 and the Financial Management and Accountability Act 1997.
If these amendments are passed, this Bill will be amended to ensure consistency with the new legislation before being reintroduced following the election.
The merger of the wine industry statutory corporations is being undertaken at the request of industry and continues to have the support of industry. This is a reform that will help the industry to function better, it will improve linkages between marketing and research and development and achieves these benefits at no additional cost to winemakers and grape growers.
Two companion bills are being introduced alongside this Bill proposing minor amendments to the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 and the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 to enable levies collected to be paid to the new Authority.
I commend the Bill to the Senate.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (CUSTOMS) CHARGES AMENDMENT (AUSTRALIAN GRAPE AND WINE AUTHORITY) BILL 2013
The Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 is a companion Bill to the Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013.
The companion Bill provides consequential amendments to replace references to the Wine Australia Corporation in the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 with 'Australian Grape and Wine Authority' to reflect the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 that will govern the new authority.
The change will allow for levies collected to be paid to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.
The Bill also repeals clauses that provided for Wine Australia, following an annual general meeting, to make recommendations to the Minister about the levy rate. The Australian Government has a process for consulting with industry about levy rates that provides for consultation, a vote of industry and an objections process. The Bill provides that the process for changing wine industry levies is consistent with other industries.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (EXCISE) LEVIES AMENDMENT (AUSTRALIAN GRAPE AND WINE AUTHORITY) BILL 2013
The Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 is a companion Bill to the Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013.
The companion Bill provides consequential amendments to replace references to the Wine Australia Corporation in the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 with 'Australian Grape and Wine Authority' to reflect the Australian Grape and Wine Authority Act 2013 that will govern the new authority.
The change will allow for levies collected to be paid to the Australian Grape and Wine Authority.
The Bill also repeals clauses that provided for Wine Australia, following an annual general meeting, to make recommendations to the Minister about the levy rate. The Australian Government has a process for consulting with industry about levy rates that provides for consultation, a vote of industry and an objections process. The Bill provides that the process for changing wine industry levies is consistent with other industries.
RURAL RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2013
Since Federation, industry and government have worked in partnership to support the productivity of rural industries and improve the reputation of Australian exports abroad. Government support developed in an ad hoc manner until, in 1989, John Kerin and the Hawke Government had the foresight to establish the research and development corporation model. The research and development corporations, or 'RDCs', were established under the Primary Industries and Energy Research and Development Act 1989 (the Act). For 24 years, our investment in the RDCs has boosted the productivity and sustainability of rural industries. This bill will make improvements to the existing RDC model and ensure it remains responsive and adapted to our needs.
There are 15 RDCs providing services to a diverse range of rural industries. RDCs provide the mechanism for industry to invest collectively in research, development and extension. Government assists by establishing and collecting a levy if an industry requests this. After recovering costs, the government returns levy funds to the relevant RDC. To encourage this investment, the government matches the RDC's eligible research and development (R&D) spending up to legislated limits. In the next financial year almost $250 million will be invested by the government in rural innovation in this way. Our collaborative model is unique, viewed with envy overseas and benefits all Australians by encouraging profitable and sustainable rural industries.
There are many challenges facing our rural industries. These include climate change, the vagaries of the global economy and increasing populations to feed. There are also opportunities such as increasing exports of Australian agricultural products, particularly to Asia. To ensure our own food security, economic stability and the health of our agricultural resources, the RDC model needs to be updated in line with our changing needs.
Our rural research and development model has proven results, with Australian rural productivity increasing at more than double the rate of other Australian industries over recent decades. The high level of industry engagement and the strong support the RDC model enjoys from all sectors make it unique among research funding models around the world. Research, development and extension have a vital role in preparing Australian rural industries for the future challenges and opportunities we face together.
In 2011, the Productivity Commission and the Rural Research and Development Council reviewed the rural research, development and extension system in Australia. Consultation meetings around Australia were held with all interested stakeholders. The ideas and issues raised by stakeholders fed into the government's response: the Rural Research and Development Policy Statement. Ultimately both the Productivity Commission and the Council acknowledged the strong foundations of the existing system. Both recommended improvements to the system.
This bill and its companion bills, the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013 and the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013, implement the commitments made in the policy statement that require legislative change. They will commence concurrently.
Marketing activities
Of the 15 RDCs, 9 are industry-owned companies and can already carry out marketing for the benefit of their industry. This bill will give the statutory RDCs the same ability to undertake marketing, if the relevant industry proposes a marketing levy and the government agrees to collect it. Government matching funding will not be used for marketing, only for research, development and extension services.
There is great enthusiasm for allowing statutory RDCs to undertake marketing. The prawn industry has already started down the path of establishing a marketing levy. We have well established processes to guide industries through the consensus-building process for a levy proposal.
Permitting statutory RDCs to undertake collective marketing will allow industry to educate consumers about the safety and nutritional value of Australian products, the origin of our food and fibre, and the ecological sustainability of our resources.
Matching of voluntary contributions
Primary industries understand that our R&D model is unique and generates benefits far exceeding its cost. This model creates a healthy return on a modest investment. As a result, some businesses in the rural sector are willing, and are able, to make additional voluntary payments to conduct R&D.
The bill will encourage voluntary contributions by making arrangements for the contributions to be matched by government. Currently some RDCs can receive this matching funding and the bill will extend access to matching funding for voluntary contributions to all RDCs. Overall matching funding will continue to be limited by a cap based on each industry's gross value of production. However, RDCs may be able to maximise the R&D they fund by strategically using voluntary contributions to top up R&D spending. Voluntary contributions also allow supply chain partners to work with an industry on issues of joint interest.
Funding agreements
Over the last 10 years, funding agreements between the government and industry-owned RDCs have been used to manage governance and performance matters. This bill extends funding agreements to the government relationship with statutory RDCs. Funding agreements will create a flexible mechanism, which can be more readily modified to reflect the changing needs of the parties.
Funding agreements will be used to promote transparency and accountability. The agreements will be tabled in Parliament and contain requirements relating to corporate governance and performance. These agreements will also allow government to provide guidance to RDCs regarding the research priorities and needs of the broader Australian community. The bill allows until 1 July 2014 for the statutory RDCs and government to enter into funding agreements.
Appointment process for statutory RDC board directors
Current procedures for appointing directors to statutory RDC boards have proved expensive and time-consuming, diverting scarce resources away from statutory RDCs' core functions – providing R&D for their industries. Amendments in the bill will streamline the selection process. Selection committees will be limited to five members and the committee will be established for up to three years to cut the expense of establishing a committee for each selection process. A 'reserve list' will be created that can be used to fill unplanned board vacancies for 12 months. If a candidate with the necessary skills is not available from the list, the process must begin again.
The presiding member must have regard to equity and diversity when recommending members to the selection committee of a statutory RDC. Similarly, the selection committee must do the same when recommending candidates for the board of a statutory RDC. Diversity of skills and background can broaden and enhance the board's skill base to ensure an effective statutory RDC board.
Fisheries research and development
The Fisheries RDC receives most of its funding through the Commonwealth, state and territory governments. The farmed prawn industry is the only individual fishery with a statutory R&D levy.
The bill creates a new class of fisheries R&D levy that can be matched by the government without having to form part of jurisdiction's contribution. The amendments will permit new, individual fishery-sector levies to be collected and matching public funding provided up to a cap specific to that fisheries sector.
Each separately levied fishery will be subject to existing eligibility rules for matching funding. In effect, the fisheries sectors which so choose, will be able to invest in specific R&D and marketing by proposing a levy for that purpose.
Minor amendments
To reduce unnecessary red tape, this bill provides that statutory RDCs will no longer have to seek Ministerial approval for their annual operating plans. This has become an avoidable burden for both RDCs and the government. Ministerial oversight will focus on strategy rather than day-to-day management. Annual operating plans will be required, but ministerial approval will not.
Minor amendments will remove redundant parts of the legislation. For example, energy is no longer part of the agriculture, fisheries and forestry portfolio, so all references to 'energy' will be removed from the Act . References in the Act to R&D Councils and Funds are obsolete and will be removed, making the Act easier to understand and administer.
Other minor amendments encourage consistent treatment of RDCs, including standardising requirements to comply with Ministerial directions and standardising delegation powers. 'Scientific and technical capacity building' will be added to the objects of the Act.
Conclusion
The changes in this bill will make RDCs more flexible and responsive to deal with the new realities they face. The governance processes for RDCs will be streamlined, promoting certainty and consistency for levy-payers and other stakeholders. We will retain a strong focus on transparency, accountability and effectiveness.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (CUSTOMS) CHARGES AMENDMENT BILL 2013
This bill is part of a package of bills, referred to in the previous second reading speech, to commence concurrently with the Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 and the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013.
This bill removes maximum research, development and marketing charge rates from the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Act 1999 (the Act). The bill provides that charge rates set by regulations must be the subject of a recommendation from relevant industry bodies, who must consult with charge payers. The bill provides that the regulations will not be able to set a charge rate higher than the highest rate recommended by industry. This will safeguard against arbitrary charge increases.
PRIMARY INDUSTRIES (EXCISE) LEVIES AMENDMENT BILL 2013
This bill is part of a package of bills streamlining rural research and development legislation to ensure it remains responsive and adapted to industry and national needs. It will commence concurrently with the other bills in that package, the Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013 and the Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013.
The Australian agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries have asked government to impose levies to collaboratively fund essential industry services. These include research and development (R&D), extension and in some cases marketing, through the 15 research and development corporations (RDCs).
This bill removes maximum research, development and marketing levy rates from the Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Act 1999 (the Act). The bill provides that levy rates set by regulations must be the subject of a recommendation from relevant industry bodies, who must consult with levy payers. The bill provides that the regulations will not be able to set a levy rate higher than the highest rate recommended by industry. This will safeguard against arbitrary levy increases.
Proposals for levy increases can occur in response to market changes or seasonal conditions. If an industry wishes to increase its levy rate above the legislated maximum, it is currently a time consuming and costly process. This will often result in levy increases taking effect much later than is desirable, given the circumstances to which they respond. Eliminating the need to amend the Act will streamline this process, reducing the time between a rate increase proposal and the change coming into effect.
The removal of maximum levy rates was recommended by the Productivity Commission following a review of the RDC model. Industry stakeholders and the RDCs were consulted on the changes during and after the review. There is broad support for the removal of maximum rates.
New consultation requirements in the bill provide greater detail and consistency regarding who must be consulted when setting rates, and how to consult levy-payers if there is no declared representative body.
Conclusion
This bill encourages primary industries to control their investment in R&D, extension and marketing. The levy setting process will be easier and more responsive to industry needs. Robust consultation and consensus requirements ensure that levy setting remains industry's responsibility.
HOMELESSNESS BILL 2013
This Bill is aimed at increasing recognition and awareness of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
It is not acceptable in Australia, a relatively wealthy country, that so many Australians are homeless.
A home is the foundation on which a person builds their life. Without stable homes, people struggle to live healthily, stay in training or education, and find and keep jobs.
This Labor Government has made homelessness a national priority. Our White Paper, The Road Home, outlines how we intend to reduce homelessness – through a program that will require sustained effort by governments, business and the broader community.
We have set clear targets – to halve the rate of homelessness by 2020, and to provide supported accommodation for all rough sleepers who seek it.
These targets will be achieved through a significant boost in spending, new agreements with the states and territories, and an overhaul of the existing legislative framework.
Already, we have seen progress, including through early intervention to prevent homelessness.
The community-based early intervention service, Reconnect, has helped more than 67,000 young people to get back with their families and into school or training.
The Household Organisation Management Expenses Advice Program has given advice and assistance to many families – struggling with rent and mortgage payments during times of personal or financial crisis – helping them to stay off the streets.
We have seen our Personal Helpers and Mentors Program prevent people with mental illness from becoming homeless – by giving them support to build social networks, gain employment, and learn to manage their illness and live independently.
We have moved towards integrating mainstream and specialist homelessness services by improving the responses from 'first-to-know' agencies and providers – such as Headspace, working with young people with mental health issues, and Job Services Australia, providing tailored assistance to homeless job seekers.
These are just some of the ongoing practical initiatives that will help break the cycle of homelessness for vulnerable people.
The homelessness legislative framework was the subject of a comprehensive inquiry during 2009 by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Family, Community, Housing and Youth. The committee's report, Housing the Homeless, has been vital in shaping this Bill introduced today.
With the exception of a legislative right to housing, which is outside current Government policy and, in practice, would be significantly dependent on the actions of the states and territories (which are responsible for housing), the Committee's recommendations have been incorporated into this Bill to the best extent possible.
This Bill complements a broader reform process to reduce homelessness, incorporating substantial co-investment with states and territories to expand and implement a range of practical measures to support, and improve outcomes for, Australians facing homelessness. The Bill underpins the need to sustain this effort into the future.
The Bill draws national attention to the experience of homelessness, and voices the aspiration that all Australians have access to appropriate, affordable, safe and sustainable housing. This is in line with the objective expressed within the National Affordable Housing Agreement between the Commonwealth, states and territories, and local government.
The Bill acknowledges the direct relationship between addressing homelessness and social inclusion. It sets out a range of service delivery principles to which the Commonwealth is committed, and the strategies we see as necessary to reduce homelessness.
The Bill also confirms the Commonwealth's commitment to cooperation and consultation in reducing homelessness, and promotes the human rights of people facing homelessness.
This legislation that is introduced today has been strengthened through a two month public exposure period in mid-2012 – and we express our gratitude to those many people who lodged written submissions on the exposure draft of the Bill.
All suggestions made have been carefully considered, and the Bill has been refined as a result. In particular, the definition of homelessness has been improved in light of comments from stakeholders.
We have now clarified that people staying in crisis accommodation (such as a refuge or shelter) cannot be ruled out of the definition through any concept of 'choice' – we know all too well that people do not choose homelessness by living in crisis accommodation.
The definition of homelessness now also recognises that safety must be recognised as a vital element in a person's living circumstances. Some people may be homeless because they have no safe place to live, even if they have a usual address. for example, a person who is living temporarily with friends or relatives and cannot return home safely because of domestic violence will now be recognised by the legislation as experiencing homelessness. this preserves an element of the previous legislative definition particularly valued by stakeholders.
Stakeholder feedback has also been reflected in the bill in important matters such as the range of factors recognised as contributing to homelessness, and in the commonwealth's aspiration for all Australians to have access to appropriate, affordable, safe and sustainable housing.
This new legislation will replace the Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994, which set out important principles and guided the Commonwealth's response to homelessness in Australia for many years.
That Act recognised people who are homeless as one of the most powerless and marginalised groups in society. It made clear the Parliament's view that support should be provided in a way that respects people's dignity as individuals, enhances their self-esteem, is sensitive to their social and economic circumstances, and respects their cultural backgrounds and beliefs.
The new legislation preserves the best features of the 1994 Act. The Homelessness Bill 2013 gives us the opportunity to retain in law the important statements about homelessness, the partnerships, effort and strategies that are needed to tackle it, and the treatment and support that vulnerable Australians deserve.
The 1994 Act was primarily a vehicle for providing funding to states and territories to administer the Supported Accommodation Assistance Program. However, new arrangements were introduced in 2009 under the federal financial relations framework, superseding the funding mechanism under the 1994 Act.
This current funding framework for Commonwealth, state and territory efforts to reduce homelessness – with funding provided through Commonwealth state mechanisms such as the National Partnership on Homelessness and the National Affordable Housing Specific Purpose Payment – will continue. That funding framework is the vehicle for the practical steps Australia is taking in support of its international obligation to realise progressively the right to adequate housing.
This Bill is therefore complementary to the comprehensive funding arrangements already in place, and is not a funding instrument in itself. The Gillard Government continues to work with states and territories on the best possible funding outcomes under the existing framework and the substantial measures that flow from it.
Similarly, the Bill is just one part of a bigger policy program of support to people who are homeless or at risk of it.
The issue of service quality is being pursued by working with states and territories to develop a non-legislative Homelessness National Quality Framework. This framework is being developed with the benefit of consultations and workshop sessions with service providers and stakeholders and individual interviews with homeless people. The framework will be the primary strategy for the White Paper goal of ensuring quality services.
The Australian Government has committed around $5 billion in new funding since 2008 to provide support services and programs to help people who are homeless or at risk.
Under the National Partnership Agreement on Homelessness, the Australian Government, together with the states and territories, has committed $1.1 billion to provide new and better integrated accommodation and support services. The agreement is delivering over 180 new or expanded services across the country to tackle homelessness, as well as 600 homes under the A Place to Call Home initiative.
Increasingly, we are in a position to assess progress against the homelessness targets – using tools such as robust census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics and information collected by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.
These data will be supplemented by the first national longitudinal study of homelessness in Australia, Journeys Home, and research supported by our $11 million investment on the Homelessness Research Agenda to help drive the development and implementation of evidence-based policy – looking at matters including the experiences and needs of particular vulnerable groups such as families, children and victims of domestic violence, the effectiveness of homelessness programs, and how to end rough sleeping in cities around the country.
The Australian Government remains committed to improving outcomes for people experiencing or at risk of homelessness. Ensuring that people receive high quality services and get every chance to move out of homelessness, or avoid it altogether, is key to the Government's policy agenda in this area.
The welfare and safety of our fellow Australians matter a great deal. There can be no more worthy cause than doing all that we can to help reduce homelessness, and this Bill is a clear statement of our commitment and values in this vital policy agenda.
HOMELESSNESS (CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS) BILL 2013
This is a companion Bill to the Homelessness Bill 2013, which is aimed at increasing recognition and awareness of people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
The Homelessness Bill draws national attention to the experience of homelessness, and records the principles underpinning the Commonwealth's effort to address homelessness.
The new legislation will replace the Supported Accommodation Assistance Act 1994.
This Consequential Amendments Bill repeals the Supported Accommodation Assistance Act to make way for the new legislation.
A consequential amendment is also made to the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918. This is to replace the definition of homeless person that applies in the provisions about including itinerant electors in the Electoral Rolls.
A person in Australia, who is not entitled to be enrolled in any electoral subdivision because he or she does not live in any subdivision or is a homeless person, may nevertheless apply for enrolment and be enrolled in a suitable subdivision. The inclusion of these provisions in 2010 supported a commitment in the Australian Government's White Paper on homelessness, The Road Home, to increase civic participation and voting by people experiencing homelessness.
At present, the definition of homeless person partly relies on concepts drawn from the Supported Accommodation Assistance Act. That element of the definition needs to be removed because of the repeal of that Act.
The new definition of homeless person will ensure that these provisions will continue to apply simply and clearly so that people who are homeless can still effectively participate in electoral activities in the Australian community.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS AMENDMENT BILL 2013
The key to our intellectual property system is striking the right balance between encouraging innovation and providing equitable access to new technologies.
A well-balanced IP system advances the interests of Australian innovators, by lowering business costs and by making it easier to access export markets.
It also allows Australians to provide assistance to developing countries when it is needed most.
And to ensure that the balance is maintained, it is a system that has safeguards to ensure that intellectual property rights cannot be used to unduly restrict the community's access to new technologies.
The Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2013 contains a package of measures that will make the Australian IP system more responsive to the needs of consumers, more efficient for Australian entrepreneurs, and more supportive of other countries facing health emergencies.
The bill amends the Patents, Trade Marks, Designs and Plant Breeder's Rights Acts through a number of Schedules, to which I turn now.
Schedule 1 – Crown use
Crown use is an important, but rarely used, safeguard that allows governments to access patented inventions without the consent of the owner.
It is necessary for a government to have the power to be able to make use of patented inventions to serve the interests of the community.
Similarly, a patent holder should not be able to indefinitely frustrate the needs of the community, for example, by denying access to an important health technology.
This bill will amend the Patents Act to clarify the scope of Crown use and its operation.
It adopts recommendations of the Productivity Commission Inquiry Report into Compulsory Licensing of Patents, which found there was uncertainty around the scope of current Crown use provisions, particularly in the context of healthcare.
The review was one element of the Government's strategy to monitor the impact of gene patents in the community, and to make sure that such patents do not lead to Australians being denied reasonable access to essential healthcare technologies.
Let me now mention the main changes.
Schedule 1 to the bill makes it clear that Crown use can be exercised when any Australian, State or Territory government has the primary responsibility for providing or funding the provision of a service.
This allows governments to authorise private service providers to use an invention in areas where governments have primary responsibility, such as health.
It strengthens governments' capacity to use this safeguard to address unreasonable patent holder conduct.
If the Government deems it necessary and appropriate to intervene to address unreasonable patent holder conduct that could result in patients being denied reasonable access to healthcare, it would be willing to invoke these refined Crown use provisions.
The bill also introduces a number of measures to improve transparency and accountability in the exercise of Crown use.
First, it will require government agencies to attempt to negotiate with the patent owner before invoking Crown use.
Second, it will address current ambiguity around which bodies are considered to be the Crown for the purposes of the provisions. This lack of clarity may limit the use of the current provisions, or result in the provisions being inappropriately used. The bill introduces Ministerial oversight to ensure that Crown use is being appropriately exercised.
Third, it will require the Government to give patent owners the reasons for any decision to invoke Crown use.
In an emergency, such as a pandemic, the requirements for prior negotiation and a statement of reasons before use are waived to enable a timely Government response.
Under the current provisions there is no basis for determining the remuneration to be paid to affected patent holders when Crown use is invoked. Lastly, the bill will introduce a benchmark to reassure patent owners that they will receive a fair price for the use of a patent.
The bill provides important balance − for industry in protecting patents, while enhancing the Government's ability to ensure that the community's access to technology is not restricted.
Crown use will remain an important safeguard to address exceptional circumstances. However, these amendments will ensure that there is clarity and accountability in its scope and operation.
Schedules 2 and 3—TRIPS Protocol interim waiver and TRIPS Protocol: later commencing amendments
The next two Schedules will enable Australian laboratories to manufacture generic versions of patented medicines under specific conditions and export these medicines to address health crises in developing countries.
Developing countries face enormous medical challenges. They are often unable to manufacture essential medicines themselves and cannot afford to purchase them through normal commercial means.
The United Nations estimated that in 2010 approximately 260 million people were infected with malaria, HIV/AIDS or tuberculosis, resulting in 3.6 million deaths that year.
Australians expect that the IP system will enable them to provide assistance where it is needed in the world and the Gillard Government is responding.
The bill delivers on the Government's commitment to the Protocol amending the World Trade Organization Agreement on Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights, also known as the TRIPS Protocol.
The changes proposed by the bill enable manufacturers of generic pharmaceuticals to apply to the Federal Court for a compulsory licence to make and export a patented pharmaceutical product.
The Federal Court will have the power to grant compulsory licences, set conditions of use and amend the quantity of medicines required in the event that a health problem intensifies.
Patent holders will receive adequate compensation to ensure that they are not disadvantaged by the arrangements.
The proposed scheme is open to all developing countries provided they meet specified criteria. The scheme is designed to be as easy to use as possible, while complying with Australia's treaty obligations.
Schedule 4 – Plant Breeder ' s Rights Act 1994: Federal Circuit Court
Schedule 4 to the bill will make amendments to the Plant Breeder's Rights Act to extend the jurisdiction of the Federal Circuit Court, formerly known as the Federal Magistrates Court, to include plant breeder's rights.
At present, civil proceedings under the Plant Breeder's Rights Act may only be commenced in the Federal Court and are appealable to the High Court. This can be a very expensive path.
This amendment will deliver on a Government commitment to provide rights holders with the option of a more speedy, cost-effective and less formal alternative for considering less complex plant breeder's rights matters.
Schedule 5 – Australia New Zealand Single Economic Market
Schedule 5 to the bill allows for a single trans-Tasman patent attorney regime and single patent application and examination processes for Australia and New Zealand. These are part of a suite of intellectual property initiatives proposed under the trans-Tasman Single Economic Market agenda, and complementary New Zealand legislation is expected to be enacted in due course.
Currently, most patent applications filed in New Zealand are also filed in Australia, but subject to separate examination processes in each country.
Under the single examination model, patent applications for the same invention will be examined by a single examiner in either country. The regime will take account of the separate national laws and will lead to two separate patents for Australia and New Zealand.
A single patent application process will remove duplication, drive efficiencies and reduce costs, making it easier for businesses to protect their intellectual property in both countries.
The change will be good for Australian innovators and exporters, and avoiding a second examination process could save applicants hundreds or even thousands of dollars in professional advice costs.
I understand that this is the first time that two countries have agreed to operate in this way anywhere in the world.
The bill will also facilitate a single trans-Tasman regulatory framework for patent attorneys across Australia and New Zealand.
The Australian Government has worked closely with New Zealand to establish a new framework that will include a single trans-Tasman register of patent attorneys, common qualifications for registration, a single Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Board and a single Trans-Tasman IP Attorneys Disciplinary Tribunal.
This is a logical and sensible step as the majority of Australian and New Zealand patent attorneys are registered in both countries. A single regulatory body will provide economies of scale, saving time, money and effort for the profession as a whole.
Standardised accreditation for patent attorneys will also give inventors confidence that they are receiving the same high quality, informed advice on both sides of the Tasman.
Removing barriers for patent attorneys and encouraging competition are key elements for productivity, innovation and industry growth for both countries.
I understand that this is the first time that a profession will be jointly regulated across the Tasman in this way. This is a small but significant step forward for our economic relationship with an important trading partner.
These amendments will accelerate and strengthen trans-Tasman regulatory integration as part of the broader Single Economic Market agenda and build on our long term commitment to create a seamless trans-Tasman business environment.
I thank the New Zealand Government for its support in this endeavour.
Schedule 6 (Part 1) – Document disposal
Finally, Schedule 6 deals with two minor matters. Part 1 makes minor administrative changes to the Patents, Trade Marks and the Designs Acts to repeal unnecessary document retention provisions.
The retention and disposal of these documents is already comprehensively governed by the Archives Act 1983 and the records disposal authorities issued by the National Archives of Australia and the amendments will reduce government expense in maintaining warehouse facilities for documents that are no longer required.
Schedule 6 (Part 2) – Technical amendments
Part 2 of Schedule 6 makes a number of technical amendments to the Patents Act to address minor oversights in the drafting of the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Act 2012. The Raising the Bar Act introduced a wide range of IP reforms designed to help Australian businesses and researchers.
Conclusion
In all, this bill represents an important package of improvements to Australia's intellectual property system.
It offers practical help for global health emergencies, advances our commitment to achieve a streamlined business environment between Australia and New Zealand, and clarifies and improves the transparency of an important patent safeguard.
That the debate on the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2013, the Homelessness Bill 2013 and the Homelessness Bill (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013 be now adjourned.
(1) Grape and Wine Legislation Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013, Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013 and Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment (Australian Grape and Wine Authority) Bill 2013
(2) Rural Research and Development Legislation Amendment Bill 2013, Primary Industries (Customs) Charges Amendment Bill 2013 and Primary Industries (Excise) Levies Amendment Bill 2013
(3) Homelessness Bill 2013 and Homelessness (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2013
Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Service Providers and Other Governance Measures) Bill 2013
Social Security Legislation Amendment (Disaster Recovery Allowance) Bill 2013
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards (Registration Fees) Bill 2013
Water Efficiency Labelling and Standards Amendment (Registration Fees) Bill 2013
Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2013
Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2013
That the Senate, at its rising, adjourn till Tuesday, 20 August 2013, at 12.30 pm, or such other time as may be fixed by the President or, in the event of the President being unavailable, by the Deputy President, and that the time of meeting so determined shall be notified to each senator.
That leave of absence be granted to every member of the Senate from the end of the sitting today to the day on which the Senate next meets.
That Senator Boswell be granted leave of absence for today, 28 June 2013, for personal reasons.
That Senator Boyce be granted leave of absence for today, 28 June 2013, for personal reasons.
Standing Committee on Appropriations and Staffing—annual report for 2012-13
Department of the Senate—register of Senate senior executive officers' interests incorporating notifications of alterations of interests of Senate senior executive officers lodged between 28 November 2012 to 26 June 2013
Government's response to the President's report of 29 November 2012 on government responses outstanding to parliamentary committee reports
Superannuation Laws Amendment (MySuper Capital Gains Tax Relief and Other Measures) Bill 2013—replacement revised explanatory memorandum
Schedule of special purpose flights paid by the Department of Defence for the period 1 July to 31 December 2012
GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO PARLIAMENTARY COMMITTEE REPORTS
RESPONSE TO THE SCHEDULE TABLED
BY
THE PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
ON
29 NOVEMBER 2012
Circulated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
27 June 2013
A Certain Maritime Incident (Senate Select)
Report on a Certain Maritime Incident
The government response is being considered.
Agricultural a nd Related Industries (Senate Select)
Pricing and supply arrangements in the Australian and global fertiliser market—Final report
The government response was presented out of sitting on 6 June 2013 and tabled on 17 June 2013.
Australia ' s Food Processing Sector ( Senate Select )
The government response is being considered.
Community Affairs Legislation
Social Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Income Support and Other Measures) Bill 2012 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2012)
The government response is being considered.
Low Aromatic Fuel Bill 2012
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Community Affairs References
The effectiveness of special arrangements for the supply of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines to remote area Aboriginal Health Services
The government response is being considered.
Commonwealth contribution to former forced adoption policies and practices
The government response was tabled on 21 March 2013.
The role of the Therapeutic Goods Administration regarding medical devices, particularly Poly Implant Prothese (PIP) breast implants
The government response is being considered.
The factors affecting the supply of health services and medical professionals in rural areas
The government response is being considered.
Palliative care in Australia
The government response is being considered.
Corporations and Financial Services (Joint Statutory)
Inquiry into aspects of agribusiness managed investment schemes
The government response is being considered.
Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
The government response is being considered.
Access for small and medium business to finance
The government response is being considered.
Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
The government response was tabled on 7 February 2013.
Inquiry into Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Corporations Amendment (Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2011 and Corporations Amendment (Further Future of Financial Advice Measures) Bill 2011
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Report on the 2010-11 annual reports of bodies established under the ASIC Act
The government response is being considered.
Inquiry into the collapse of Trio Capital
The government response was presented out of sitting of 26 April 2013 and tabled on 14 May 2013.
Inquiry into the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Stronger Super) Bill 2012 and the Superannuation Supervisory Levy Imposition Amendment Bill 2012
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Inquiry into the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Bill 2012; the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (Consequential and Transitional) Bill 2012; and the Tax Laws Amendment (Special Conditions for Not-for-profit Concessions) Bill 2012
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Inquiry into the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Further MySuper and Transparency Measures) Bill 2012
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Inquiry into the Corporations Legislation Amendment (Derivative Transactions) Bill 2012
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Inquiry into the Personal Liability for Corporate Fault Reform Bill 2012
The government response is being considered.
Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission
There are no recommendations contained in the report.
Economics Legislation
Food Standards Amendment (Truth in Labelling Laws) Bill 2009
The government response is being considered.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2010)
The government response is being considered.
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2011)
The government response was tabled 14 March 2013.
Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Corporations Amendment (Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Corporations Amendment (Further Future of Financial Advice Measures) Bill 2011 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2012)
The government response is being considered.
Corporations Amendment (Phoenixing and Other Measures) Bill 2012
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Coastal Trading (Revitalising Australian Shipping) Bill 2012 [Provisions] and related bills
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Clean Energy Amendment (International Emissions Trading and Other Measures) Bill 2012 [Provisions] and related bills
The government response is being considered.
Economics References
Consenting adults deficits and household debt—links between Australia's current account deficit, the demand for imported goods and household debt
The government response is being considered.
Access of small business to finance
The government response is being considered.
Competition within the Australian banking sector
The government response is being considered.
The post-GFC banking sector
The government response is being considered.
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Legislation
Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Transition to Fair Work) Bill 2011 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Higher Education Support Amendment (Streamlining and Other Measures) Bill 2012 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Education, Employment and Workplace Relations References
Provision of childcare
The government response is being considered.
Higher education and skill training to support agriculture and agribusiness in Australia
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The shortage of engineering and related employment skills
The government response is being considered and will be tabled in due course.
The adequacy of the allowance payment system as a support into work and the impact of the changing nature of the labour market
The government response is being considered.
Electoral Matters (Joint Standing)
Implications of the Parliamentary Electorates and Elections Amendment (Automatic Enrolment) Act 2009 (NSW) for the conduct of Commonwealth elections
The government response is being considered.
The 2010 Federal Election: Report on the conduct of the election and related matters
The government response is being considered
Report on the funding of political parties and election campaigns
The government response is being considered.
Review of the AEC analysis of the FWA report on the HSU
The government response is being considered.
Electricity Prices ( Senate Select )
Inquiry into electricity prices
The government response was tabled on 20 June 2013..
Environment a nd Communications Legislation
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Emergency Listings) Bill 2011
The government's response will be progressed as part of a broad package of reforms to national environmental law. The timing of introduction of the bill is subject to completion of the drafting and subject to the scheduling of government business.
Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Excessive Noise from Wind Farms) Bill 2012
The bill is no longer before the Parliament and therefore a further government response will not be responding.
Environment a nd Communications References
Sustainable management by the Commonwealth of water resources
The government response was presented out of sitting on 31 May 2013 and tabled on 17 June 2013.
The koala—saving our national icon
The government response is being considered.
Operation of the South Australian and Northern Territory container deposit schemes
The government response was tabled on 20 June 2013.
Environment, Communications and t he Arts References
The impacts of mining in the Murray-Darling Basin
The government response is being considered.
Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts Standing
Conserving Australia–Australia's national parks, conservation reserves and marine protected areas
The government response is being considered.
Finance and Public Administration Legislation
Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2008
The government response is being considered.
Annual reports (No. 1 of 2012)
The government response was tabled on 16 May 2013.
The performance of the Department of Parliamentary Services—Interim report
The government response was tabled on 7 February 2013.
The performance of the Department of Parliamentary Services—Final report
The government response was tabled on 7 February 2013.
Finance and Public Administration References
Staff employed under Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984
The government response is being considered.
Medicare funding for hyperbaric oxygen treatment
The government response was presented out of sitting on 22 May 2013 and tabled on 17 June 2013.
Finance and Public Administration Standing
Annual reports (No. 2 of 2008)
The substantive recommendation in this report was overtaken by amendments to the Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act 1986 in 2011, and consequently the government does not intend to make a response to the report.
Foreign Affairs, Defence a nd Trade (Joint Standing)
Inquiry into Australia's trade and investment relations with Asia, the Pacific and Latin America
The government response was presented out of sitting on 20 December 2012 and tabled on 5 February 2013.
More than just talk―Australia's human rights dialogues with China and Vietnam
The government response was tabled on 20 June 2013.
Review of the Defence annual report 2010-2011
The government response was tabled in the House of Representatives on 14 February 2013 and in the Senate on 25 February 2013.
Australia's overseas representation―Punching below our weight?
The government response was tabled in the House of Representatives on 3 June 2013 and in the Senate on 17 June 2013.
Foreign Affairs, Defence a nd Trade Legislation
Autonomous Sanctions Bill 2010 [Provisions]
The government response is being considered.
Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Preliminary report
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Defence Trade Controls Bill 2011 [Provisions]—Final report
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Gambling Reform ( Joint Select )
Third report―The prevention and treatment of problem gambling
The government response was presented out of sitting on 9 May 2013 and tabled on 14 May 2013.
Fourth report―National Gambling Reform Bill 2012 and related bills
The government response was presented out of sitting on 22 May 2013 and tabled on 17 June 2013.
Law Enforcement (Joint Statutory)
Inquiry into Commonwealth unexplained wealth legislation and arrangements
The government response was presented out of sitting on 21 February 2013 and tabled on 25 February 2013.
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation
Crimes Amendment (Fairness for Minors) Bill 2011
The government response was tabled on 16 May 2013.
Migration Amendment (Removal of Mandatory Minimum Penalties) Bill 2012
The government response was tabled on 28 February 2013.
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) Bill 2012 [Provisions]
The government response was tabled on 16 May 2013.
Legal and Constitutional Affairs References
The road to a republic
The government response is being considered.
Prospective marriage visa program
The government response is being considered.
Detention of Indonesian minors in Australia
The government response was tabled on 16 May 2013.
Migration (Joint Standing)
Immigration detention in Australia—A new beginning—Criteria for release from detention—First report of the inquiry into immigration detention
The government response is being considered.
Immigration detention in Australia—Community-based alternatives to detention—Second report of the inquiry into immigration detention
The government response is being considered.
Immigration detention in Australia—Facilities, services and transparency—Third report of the inquiry into immigration detention
The government response is being considered.
National Broadband Network (Senate Select)
Another fork in the road to national broadband—Second interim report
The government response is being considered.
Third report
The government response is being considered.
Fourth interim report
The government response is being considered.
Final report
The government response is being considered.
National Capital and External Territories (Joint, Standing)
Etched in stone? Inquiry into the administration of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928
The government response is being considered.
Public Accounts and Audit (Joint Statutory)
Report 417: Review of Auditor-General's reports tabled between February 2009 and September 2009
The government response is being considered.
Report 423: Review of Auditor-General's reports Nos 39 (2009-10) to 15 (2010-11)
The government response is being considered.
Report 430: Review of Auditor-General's reports Nos 47 (2010-11) to 9 (2011-12) and reports Nos 10 to 23 (2011-12)
The government response was given by Executive Minute.
Report 431: Review of Auditor-General's reports Nos 24 to 32 (2011-12)
The government response was given by Executive Minute.
Report 434: Annual public hearing with the Commissioner of Taxation - 2012
The government response is being considered.
Public Works (Joint Standing)
Public works on Christmas Island
The government response is being considered.
Report 6/2012―Referrals made May to September 2012―Proposed new National Archives Preservation Facility and refurbishment of the existing Mitchell facility for the National Archives of Australia at Mitchell, ACT―Proposed Defence Logistics Transformation Program―Proposed upgrade of on-base housing for Defence at Larrakeyah Barracks, Darwin, Northern Territory― Proposed upgrade of on-base housing for Defence at RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory
Recommendations in the report were superseded by Report 1/2013.
Regional and Remote Indigenous Communities (Senate Select)
Final report 2010
The government response is being considered.
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation
Air Navigation and Civil Aviation Amendment (Aircraft Crew) Bill 2011—Qantas Sale Amendment (Still Call Australia Home) Bill 2011
As the Bills were examined though a Legislation Committee, separate government response is not considered necessary.
Aviation Transport Security Amendment (Screening) Bill 2012 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012 [Provisions]
The government response was given during the debate on the bill.
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References
Implications for the long-term sustainable management of the Murray-Darling Basin system—Final report
The government response was presented out of sitting on 31 May 2013 and tabled on 17 June 2013.
The possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the Government's decision to relax import restrictions on beef—First report
The government response is being considered.
The possible impacts and consequences for public health, trade and agriculture of the Government's decision to relax import restrictions on beef—Final report
The government response is being considered.
Management of the Murray Darling Basin—The impact of mining coal seam gas on the management of the Murray-Darling Basin—Interim report
The government response is being considered.
Operational issues in export grain networks
The government response is being considered.
Management of the Murray-Darling Basin―Second interim report: the Basin Plan
The government response was presented out of sitting on 31 May 2013 and tabled on 17 June 2013.
Examination of the Foreign Investment Review Board national interest test―Interim report: Tax arrangements for foreign investment in agriculture and the limitations of the Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Act 1975
The government response is being considered.
Treaties (Joint Standing)
Report 128—Inquiry into the Treaties Ratification Bill 2012
The government response is being considered.
Report 130―Treaty tabled on 14 August 2012
The government response is being considered.
Report 131―Treaties tabled on 21 August, 11 and 18 September 2012
The government response was tabled on 16 May 2013.
Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee (Senator Stephens) to present additional information received by the committee relating to its inquiry into Export Finance and Insurance Corporation Amendment (New Mandate and Other Measures) Bill 2013 [Provisions]
Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee (Senator Eggleston) to present additional information received by the committee relating to its inquiry into Australia's overseas development programs in Afghanistan
Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories (Senator Pratt) to present the following reports:
Visit to the Indian Ocean Territories 21 to 25 October 2012
Inquiry into the provisions of amenity within the Parliamentary Triangle
Deputy Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services (Senator Boyce) to present report—Financial sector reform in China
Government Whip (Senator McEwen) to present the report of the Australian parliamentary delegation to Vietnam, Singapore and Indonesia, from 7 to 19 April 2013
Senator Boyce to present the 126th report of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly to Kampala, Uganda and bilateral visits to Kazakhstan and Hungary, 28 March to 20 April 2012
Senator Stephens to present:
126th report of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Kampala, Uganda and bilateral visits to Kazakhstan and Hungary, 28 March to 21 April 2012.
127th report of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly to Quebec City, Canada and a bilateral visit to Argentina, 13 to 28 October 2012
128th report of the Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly to Quito, Ecuador and a bilateral visit to Paraguay, 21 March to 7 April 2013