The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Scott Ryan) took the chair at 09:30, read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019
… the case has yet to be made that these new offences are necessary and … further justification is required from the Australian Government.
… … …
There is no evidence that the existing laws are incapable of addressing the concerns that motivate the passage of the Bill …
At the end of the motion, add:
", but the Senate:
(a) notes that the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into this bill identified a range of potential unintended consequences that could flow from the operation of new criminal offences contained in this bill; and
(b) calls on the Government to carefully monitor the operation of the new laws to ensure that unintended consequences do not arise, and if they do, urgently introduce any necessary amendments to the new laws."
The Senate divided. [10:51]
(The Acting Deputy President—Senator Gallacher)
At the end of the motion, add:
", but the Senate:
(a) notes that the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee inquiry into this bill identified a range of potential unintended consequences that could flow from the operation of new criminal offences contained in this bill; and
(b) calls on the Government to carefully monitor the operation of the new laws to ensure that unintended consequences do not arise, and if they do, urgently introduce any necessary amendments to the new laws."
The Senate divided. [10:59]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [11:03]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
(1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 4 (after line 13), after paragraph (p) of the definition of primary production business , insert:
(pa) a business of operating:
(i) a wood processing facility; or
(ii) a wood fibre processing facility;
(2) Schedule 1, item 2, page 5 (lines 11 and 12), omit the note.
(3) Schedule 1, item 2, page 5 (after line 12), after subsection 474.46(2), insert:
(2A) In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1), the defendant does not bear an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2), despite subsection 13.3(3).
(4) Schedule 1, item 2, page 6 (lines 9 and 10), omit the note.
(5) Schedule 1, item 2, page 6 (after line 10), after subsection 474.47(2), insert:
(2A) In a prosecution for an offence against subsection (1), the defendant does not bear an evidential burden in relation to the matters in subsection (2), despite subsection 13.3(3).
The unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims.
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Report no. 5 of 2019
1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 11 September 2019 at 6.45pm.
2. The committee recommends that—
(a) the Constitution Alteration (Water Resources) 2019 be referred immediately to the Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan for inquiry and report by 1 November 2020 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(b) the provisions of the Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 7 November 2019 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(c) the provisions of the New Skilled Regional Visas (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 11 October 2019 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(d) the provisions of the Emergency Response Fund Bill 2019 and the Emergency Response Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 10 October 2019 (see appendix 4 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(e) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Amendment Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 10 October 2019 (see appendix 5 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(f) the Product Stewardship Amendment (Packaging and Plastics) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting day in March 2020 (see appendix 6 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(g) the provisions of the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee but was unable to reach agreement on a reporting date (see appendix 7 for a statement of reasons for referral); and
(h) the provisions of the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019 be referred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee but was unable to reach agreement on a reporting date (see appendix 8 for a statement of reasons for referral).
3. The committee recommends that the following bills not be referred to committees:
4. The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:
5. The committee considered the following bills but was unable to reach agreement:
(see appendices 9, 10 and 11 for a statement of reasons for proposed referral).
(Dean Smith)
Chair
12 September 2019
Appendix 1
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Constitution Alteration (Water Resources) 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
THE BILL DEALS WITH A HIGHLY COMPLEX NATIONAL ISSUE WHICH REQUIRE PROPER CONSIDERATION INFORMED BY EXPERT GROUPS AND AGENCIES OUTSIDE THE PARLIAMENT
Possible submissions or evidence from:
As determined by the Committee
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Select Committee on the Multi-Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Basin Plan - Jurisdictional Management and Execution of the Murray Darling Plan.
Possible hearing date(s):
As determined by the Committee
Possible reporting date:
1 November 2020
Appendix 2
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To ensure the bill is fit for purpose, appropriately drafted, does not result in unintended consequences and to allow stakeholders a chance to provide advice on any problems to be fixed or improvements that could be made.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Law Council, various legal services, survivors of child sexual abuse and other victims groups, and other civil society organisations.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
7 November 2019
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Mandatory sentencing
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal advocates and experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
28-29 October 2019
Possible reporting date:
5 December 2019
Appendix 3
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
New Skilled Regional Visas (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Further investigation and consultation with stakeholders on the impact of the legislation.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Australia's universities; unions; employer groups; local governments; state/territory governments
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
11 October 2019
Appendix 4
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Emergency Response Fund Bill 2019
Emergency Response Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
These bills make significant changes to existing arrangements, particularly to the Education Investment Fund, which merits proper investigation of the impacts of the changes.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Department of Finance
Department of Home Affairs
Emergency Management Australia
Department of Education
Universities Australia
Group of Eight
Australian Technology Network
Innovative Research Universities
NUW Alliance
Regional Universities Network
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
10 October 2019
Appendix 5
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation Amendment Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To understand the effect this bill will have on home ownership, property prices and housing stock.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
10 October 2019
Appendix 6
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Product Stewardship Amendment (Packaging and Plastics) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To evaluate the environmental and economic impacts of the Bill
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Packaging and retail industry
Waste and recycling industry
Environment groups
Environmental consultants
Economists
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Environment & Communications
Possible hearing date(s):
November 2019, or February 2020.
Possible reporting date:
March 2020.
Appendix 7
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
evidence about effectiveness of compulsory income management, impact of compulsory income management on people in NT, extent to which communities have been consulted and involved in decision making,
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Aboriginal Peak Organisations Northern Territory, Tangeria council, Arnhem Land Progress Association, Northern Territory Council of Social Service, Jesuits, St Vincent de Paul Society, Human Rights Law Commission, National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, Australian Human Rights Commission, Anglicare Australia, Dr Elise Klein, Dr Shelley Bielefeld, Dr Janet Hunt, UnitingCare Australia, Accountable Income Management Network, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date:
Nov 28th
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
7 November 2019
Appendix 8
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Need for proper consultation with the sector and the lack of evidence to support drug testing of income support recipients.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Public Health Association of Australia, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, St Vincent de Paul Society, Mission Australia, Australian Council of Social Service, Catholic Social Services Australia, Salvation Army, UnitingCare Australia, Australian Human Rights Commission, Australian Medical Association, St Vincent's Health Australia, Royal Australasian College of Physicians
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date:
Nov 27th
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
11 October 2019
Appendix 9
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Concerns regarding digital and legal rights, including privacy (and compatibility with Privacy Act 1988).
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal and digital rights experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre, Digital Rights Watch, and Electronic Frontiers Australia.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date:
11 October 2019
Appendix 10
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No.1) Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
All counter-terrorism bills will have an impact on human rights, and thus warrant public and Committee scrutiny.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre, and the International Justice Mission.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
18-19 November 2019
Possible reporting date:
5 December 2019
Appendix 11
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Identity-matching Services Bill 2019
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Concerns regarding digital and legal rights, including privacy (and compatibility with Privacy Act 1988).
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Legal and digital rights experts such as the Law Council of Australia, Australian Lawyers Alliance, Human Rights Law Centre, Digital Rights Watch, and Electronic Frontiers Australia.
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
21-22 November 2019
Possible reporting date:
third day of February 2020
That the report be adopted.
At the end of the motion, add, "but:
(a) in respect of the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Income Management to Cashless Debit Card Transition) Bill 2019, the Community Affairs Legislation Committee report by 7 November 2019;
(b) in respect of the Social Services Legislation Amendment (Drug Testing Trial) Bill 2019, the Community Affairs Legislation Committee report by 10 October 2019; and
(c) the following bills not be referred to committees:
Australian Passports Amendment (Identity-matching Services) Bill 2019
Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (2019 Measures No. 1) Bill 2019
Identity-matching Services Bill 2019
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Partner Service Pension and Other Measures) Bill 2019
ANL Legislation Repeal Bill 2019".
In paragraph (a), omit "7 November 2019", substitute "28 November 2019".
In paragraph (b), omit "10 October 2019", substitute "27 November 2019".
The Senate divided. [11:52]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That government business order of the day No. 6, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment Bill 2019 be considered from 12.45 pm today; and government business be called on after consideration of the bills listed in paragraph (a) and considered until not later than 2 pm today.
That the order of general business for consideration today be as follows:
(a) general business notice of motion No. 120, standing in the name of Senator Gallacher, relating to economic policy; and
(b) orders of the day relating to documents.
That general business order of the day relating to the Family Law (Self-Assessment) Bill 2019 be considered on Monday 16 September 2019 at the time for private senators' bills.
That leave of absence be granted to Senator Birmingham today on account of ministerial business.
That the Senate—
(a) recognises that Western Australia's North West Shelf celebrated 30 years of liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports in August this year;
(b) notes the following milestones for the LNG sector:
(i) that Japan was Western Australia's first LNG customer back in 1989, and continues to be Australia's largest LNG customer,
(ii) in 2006, Western Australia became the first jurisdiction in the world to export LNG to China,
(iii) in 2018, Western Australia's LNG sales by volume increased 34% to 44.7 million tonnes from Gorgon, Wheatstone, Northwest shelf and Pluto, and
(iv) in 2019, Australia's total LNG production capacity will reach 88 mtpa, making it the largest LNG producer in the world; and
(c) recognises the important contribution the LNG sector makes to the Western Australian economy, accounting for 17% of total resources and energy exports in 2018, and estimated to be worth $27 billion to the economy.
That the Senate—
(a) acknowledges:
(i) the cost, cause and impact of lengthy delay in case management on children and families with matters before the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia,
(ii) the impact of such delay on the health, safety and wellbeing of children and their families involved in matters before the Family Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to hold a Royal Commission or establish a joint select committee into the family law system to reach a final and comprehensive determination of this contentious area of law, taking into account all prior reviews to reach an outcome for the benefit of Australian families without further delay in a holistic informed process, rather than in a fragmented fashion which has been the hallmark to the present time.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) Traditional Owners have not been given enough time to assess the cultural heritage impact of a plan to raise the wall of Warragamba dam, with just 40 days to respond to a 2000-page report,
(ii) the raised dam would flood world heritage-listed areas of the Blue Mountains and a number of Aboriginal cultural heritage sites, and
(iii) on 16 August 2019, 100 people gathered in the Blue Mountains village of Faulconbridge for a public meeting, organised by the Blue Mountains City Council and the Wollondilly Shire Council, where Traditional Owners spoke about the 'inadequate and rushed cultural heritage assessment' for the Warragamba dam proposal; and
(b) calls on the New South Wales government to give Traditional Owners more time to respond to the report, and to engage in genuine consultation with the community on the Warragamba dam proposal.
(1) That the Senate notes that—
(a) Paladin – the small company registered to a beach shack on Kangaroo Island, which was awarded a $523 million contract without a proper tender process – has been fined over 1,000 times in 18 months for failing to provide contracted services;
(b) the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs Senator Cash told the Senate on 10 September 2019 that these fines "often related to relatively minor administrative failures"; and
(c) documents produced under order of the Senate revealed that the total abatement could have totalled $11 million, if not for monthly penalty limits.
(2) That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Home Affairs, by no later than 12.20 pm on 16 September 2019:
(a) an unredacted copy of each performance management report, which details the aforementioned fines, relating to Paladin's contract to provide services on Manus Island; and
(b) a copy of the full report prepared by the Independent Health Advice Panel for the second quarter of 2019, in accordance with section 199E of the Migration Act 1958 .
Family Law (Self-Assessment) Bill 2019
That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act creating a system of mandatory self-assessment of family law matters, and for other purposes. Family Law (Self-Assessment) Bill 2019 .
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
FAMILY LAW (SELF-ASSESSMENT) BILL 2019
SECOND READING SPEECH
The Bill seeks to help speed up the resolution of relationship property and parenting disputes both for couples who cannot afford to go to court or for those who can.
Approximately 390,000 Australians have been forced to endure the pitfalls of our hugely dysfunctional divorce system since the time of the last election. Delays inside courts are up to six years in some instances. Delays outside courts average 23 months.
Part 2 of this Bill creates a new obligation on divorcees to disclose their financial affairs online and to divide their lifetime wealth by paying up minimum incontestable sums, promptly. Compliance under this Bill applies to Australians regardless of wealth or a trip to the Family Court. A statutory timetable and a series of minimum payment obligations are created.
The Bill deploys the same broad method of financial self-assessment that former Treasurer Paul Keating invented in relation to income tax, and which former Treasurer Peter Costello perfected in relation to GST. The Bill requires that each spouse self-assess a just and equitable division of the couple's relationship wealth and pay up front to the extent they are not in conflict, rather than when all matters are finally resolved.
Separating couples will have obligations to shrink their dispute to 10% of their relationship wealth and put the residual money in a joint bank account while they negotiate or mediate. The disclosures are to occur online at no cost to government.
Mediation on financial matters would thus become compulsory in much the same manner as mediation on parenting matters is compulsory under current law as a result of the reforms enacted by all Parliamentarians in 2006. Research shows that compulsory mediation already works to resolve eight out of nine property relationship disputes.
Introduction of this reform is the economic equivalent of: one, appointing 26 new federal circuit judges; two, on average giving back to separating couples 450 days of their lives currently taken up with payment delays; and three, quadrupling the effectiveness of Relationships Australia for middle class Australians.
Reducing financial tension in this manner would have more real-world impact on the number of instances of reported family violence disputes than all of the laws passed, and all of the funding approved, by this Parliament in this parliamentary term.
This Bill will help to restore the original intent of family law legislation, that is, to ensure that calmness, rationality, low cost and speed prevail. This Bill does not change the Family Law Act . It just makes the law applicable to all by flipping the compliance burden from the State onto the shoulders of the financially stronger spouse.
Part 3 of this Bill will require spouses to each abide by the existing laws on shared parenting. It will require parents who do not wish to comply with shared parenting to explain their reasons why and to mediate, regardless of going to court.
The existing exemptions for family violence remain in place and are bolstered by a number of other more robust exclusions to assist Legal Aid organisations to be more effective.
Residential parents with reasons to deny standard shared parenting contact hours must state these reasons in a Parenting Self-Assessment notice. Residential parents, and that most often means the mother, who have no reason and simply use courts to delay the inevitable will be subject to fines, as applies in some other jurisdictions.
The economic consequence will be a marked reduction in parenting disputes. This Bill will thus enable cases with real domestic violence issues to get priority in the courts. The time for talk about good intentions is over, and the time to act is now.
Where there are real issues of conflict, the Bill requires attendance at an anger management program. These programs are widely used in New Zealand and do a much more effective job than standing around aimlessly in court foyers. More education, and less litigation, is in the best interests of everyone impacted by separation, in particular the children.
This Bill will also place a limit on legal fees which often absorb all the assets of separating couples. This Bill will deregulate legal advice, as was recommended by the Productivity Commission report commissioned some years ago.
Family law has long been one of my priorities. In summary, this Bill does not seek to change the policy of the Family Law Act 1975 , but rather to ensure it works the way that was envisaged– that is, quickly and rationally.
Nothing in the Bill precludes a person from then exercising a legal right and going to court. But in most cases, there will simply be no need to do so. This Bill proposes the adoption of methods which have been shown to work in other countries.
I commend this Bill to this Senate.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) the resources industry is critical to the Queensland economy, contributing 1 in every 8 jobs in Queensland and $4.3 billion in royalties shared across the state of Queensland,
(ii) the New Acland coal mine has been seeking approvals for their Stage 3 expansion since 2007, which would extend the mine's life until 2031 and increase production from 5.2 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes per annum,
(iii) the New Acland coal mine is vital for the Oakey economy, currently employing 300 workers with dozens more servicing the needs of the mine site, and
(iv) recently, the mine has reduced its staff from 300 to 150, due to 12 years of delays in receiving the necessary approvals; and
(b) calls on the Queensland Government to not allow its approvals process to be delayed because of judicial activism.
The Senate divided. [12:13]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That the Senate notes that:
(a) on 10 September 2019, in relation to general business notice of motion no. 105, the Australian Labor Party indicated it does not like long, detailed motions; and
(b) the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 is ineffective at regulating habitat loss and is failing to prevent species extinction.
The Senate divided. [12:18]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) community members are in Parliament this week to meet with members and senators to talk about their lived experiences of being on income support,
(ii) many have recounted the stress, trauma and poverty they experience engaging with the income support system and living below the poverty line,
(iii) Newstart and Youth Allowance have not had an increase in real terms for over 25 years,
(iv) recipients of these income support payments are unable to cover basic living costs such as housing, food, transport, healthcare and utilities, and
(v) income inequality and poverty has significant negative effects on individuals' physical and mental wellbeing and society; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government and all members of Parliament to listen to the lived experiences of those on income support, and make it a priority to help address poverty in Australia by raising Newstart and Youth Allowance immediately.
The Senate divided. [12:27]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) since 2001, more than 230 Australians have died in quad bike-related accidents,
(ii) multiple stakeholders have called for action on quad bike safety, including the National Farmers' Federation, the Rural Doctors Association of Australia, the Royal Flying Doctor Service, the National Rural Health Alliance, the National Rural Women's Coalition, the Country Women's Association of Australia, and the Australian Workers' Union, and
(iii) since 2013, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has regularly issued public warnings on quad bike safety, and has recommended a mandatory safety standard to the Assistant Treasurer, including requiring operator protection devices for general use models; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to act to prevent future deaths by adopting the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's recommendations in full.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) 28 August 2019 was Unequal Pay Day, marking the 59 additional days from the end of the previous financial year that women must work, on average, to earn the same amount as men earnt in 2018-19,
(ii) the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) annual data, released on 15 August 2019, shows that the gender pay gap in Australia is still unacceptably high at 14%,
(iii) men earn $25,717, or 21.3%, more than women each year on average, in full-time work across all jobs, including overtime and bonuses (total remuneration),
(iv) financial and insurance services remains the industry with the highest total remuneration gender pay gap at 24.4%,
(v) professional, scientific and technical services is the industry with the second-highest gender pay gap at 24.3%,
(vi) in May 2019, the gender pay gap was 17.3% in the private sector and 10.7% in the public sector,
(vii) in 2018, the gender pay gap amongst managers was 25.7%, with an average total remuneration dollar difference of $50,370 – WGEA attributes this gap as due to more discretionary pay and less reliance on awards and collective agreements among non-managers,
(viii) the WGEA, KPMG Australia and Diversity Council of Australia paper, She's Price(d)less: the economics of the gender pay gap , estimates that gender discrimination is the largest single contributor to the gender pay gap, at 39%,
(ix) WGEA data shows that 70% of workplaces have a formal policy and strategy in place to support flexible working arrangements for employees, yet less than 2% have set targets for men's engagement in flexible work, and
(x) 47.8% of organisations reporting to WGEA provide primary carer's leave, and 41.8% provide secondary carer's leave, in addition to the Federal Government's paid parental leave scheme; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to:
(i) increase the resourcing for WGEA, strengthen its powers, and require all large employers to publicly report their gender pay gap,
(ii) prohibit the use of pay gag clauses in private employment contracts, which disguise the gender pay gap in the private sector,
(iii) set gender pay equality as an objective of awards and the Fair Work Act,
(iv) introduce measures to ensure appropriate classification and pay for work in traditionally low paid industries where the majority of workers are women and/or migrants, and
(v) expand the coverage of WGEA to include the public sector.
That Senator Whish-Wilson replace Senator Rice on the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for the committee’s inquiry into the Product Stewardship Amendment (Packaging and Plastics) Bill 2019, and Senator Rice be appointed as a participating member.
Water Amendment (Indigenous Authority Member) Bill 2019
Bill received from the House of Representatives.
That this bill be now read a second time.
WATER AMENDMENT (INDIGENOUS AUTHORITY MEMBER) BILL 2019
The Australian Government is committed to implementing the Basin Plan. We are committed to doing so in ways that deliver the best outcomes for the Basin, its environment and its many industries and communities.
Water lies at the core of the Basin. Water supports the diverse and complex ecology that exists throughout the Basin. Water drives agricultural production and the associated wealth supports regional communities and the nation. Water is at the heart of the spiritual and cultural traditions of Basin Indigenous communities.
At the Murray-Darling Basin Ministerial Council meeting in December 2018, Basin States made a commitment, in agreement with the Australian Government, to establish a position on the Murray-Darling Basin Authority for a standing Indigenous Authority member. This Bill delivers on that commitment.
It also continues the work of the Government in developing programs and opportunities for Indigenous communities in the Basin, to enable them to maintain their spiritual and cultural connection to the river, as well as developing viable economic opportunities.
Aboriginal people are the traditional custodians of the Murray-Darling Basin. While a great deal of work has been undertaken by the Government to improve engagement with Indigenous communities in the Basin, there is more that we can do. The establishment of the standing Indigenous position on the Authority continues this work, by improving Indigenous involvement in the management of Basin water resources and recognising the knowledge and expertise that Indigenous communities can bring to the Authority.
The Bill provides that the Indigenous Authority member will be an Indigenous person and that they will be appointed on the basis of their high level of expertise regarding Indigenous matters relevant to Basin water resources. They will not be appointed to represent particular regions or organisations, but to represent the interests of Indigenous communities across the Basin.
To be eligible to be appointed to, or to act in, the Indigenous member position, a person will need to meet the definition of Indigenous person contained in section 4 of the Water Act. Section 4 definesIndigenous person as a person who is a member of the Aboriginal race of Australia or a descendent of an Indigenous inhabitant of the Torres Strait Islands. The person will be appointed using the same appointment process that applies to the other part-time members of the Authority and will be subject to the same terms and conditions of employment. This includes remuneration and the requirement not to be a member of the governing body of a relevant interest group at the time they are appointed to the Authority.
The appointment of an Indigenous person to the Indigenous Authority member position does not preclude another Indigenous person being appointed to a different position on the Authority.
The creation of the standing Indigenous Authority member position builds on the government's strong track record in engaging Indigenous people and communities in the management of Basin water resources. In 2016, a number of amendments were made to the Water Act 2007 to improve Indigenous community engagement in relation to the Basin's water resources. The amendments also sought to better recognise the importance of water to the cultural, spiritual and social aspects of Indigenous communities.
Amendments that were made in 2016 included adding "Indigenous matters relevant to Basin water resources" as a field of expertise that may qualify a person for appointment to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority. The amendments also mandated that the Basin Community Committee, which reports on community concerns and issues around Basin Plan implementation, must include at least two Indigenous persons with expertise in Indigenous matters relevant to Basin water resources.
Further amendments included that the preparation of water resource plans must have regard to social, spiritual and cultural matters relevant to Indigenous people. The Authority will only be able to recommend that the Minister accredit a water resource plan if this requirement is met. It was also clarified that one of the functions of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority is to engage with Indigenous communities on the use and management of Basin water resources.
All of the amendments made in 2016 have been effective in increasing engagement with Indigenous communities in the Basin. Indigenous community groups, for example, are currently being consulted by state governments and the Authority as water resource plans are developed and assessed.
The government recognises that work remains to be done to improve Indigenous engagement in the Basin. This need for further progress has been identified, for example, in the recent Productivity Commission assessment report into the Basin Plan.
In 2018 the Government took further steps to ensure that Indigenous communities are able to participate in the economic and cultural life of the river system.
The government has committed $40 million over four years for the Murray-Darling Basin Aboriginal Water Entitlements Program. This Program is intended to support Basin Indigenous communities' investment in cultural and economic water entitlements, and to increase their involvement in water planning and management. This program is supported by amendments that were made in 2018 to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 to enable the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation to purchase water, as well as land.
In 2018, the Authority was directed to report publicly on how Indigenous values and uses are considered in environmental water use. Indigenous involvement in that work must now be reported on annually by the Authority. The Authority is also currently working with New South Wales and Queensland to identify water that could be allocated to Indigenous communities through water resource plans.
Funding has been provided to support Basin Indigenous organisations for additional project officers in both the southern and northern Basin. This support will help these organisations to translate the findings of the National Cultural Flows Research Project into practical and effective ways forward. The National Cultural Flows Research Project, a project driven by and for Aboriginal people, established a national framework for cultural flows. The framework, released in 2018, provides the first guide and method for future planning, delivery, and assessment of cultural flows.
As part of the delivery of the northern Basin environmental works program local stakeholders, including Indigenous groups, will be consulted as part of the development and implementation of toolkit measures. Priority will be given to Indigenous and local suppliers in the delivery of those works.
Ultimately the Bill's amendments are important to ensure that an Indigenous voice is clearly represented amongst the Authority's members. The Australian Government is committed to continuing to improve engagement with Indigenous communities in the Murray-Darling Basin. This Bill is the next step in that process and is an important milestone in Australia's history, recognising the role of Indigenous Australians as the traditional custodians of the Murray-Darling Basin. The Government would like to thank all Basin Water Ministers for their cooperation in unanimously seeking to ensure an Indigenous person is a member of the Murray Darling Basin Authority.
Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment Bill 2019
That this bill be now read a third time.
Criminal Code Amendment (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019
(d) the offender is reckless as to whether:
(i) the trespass … could cause detriment to a primary production business that is being carried on on the agricultural land.
The committee divided. [13:44]
(The Temporary Chair—Senator Brockman)
That the bill be now read a third time.
The Senate divided. [13:50]
(The Acting Deputy President—Senator Brockman)
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Overseas Welfare Recipients Integrity Program) Bill 2019
… all imputations of improper motives and all personal reflections on those Houses—
members or officers shall be considered highly disorderly.
There is not one shred of evidence—here or overseas—that shows compulsory drug testing works to help someone on a path to beating their drug problem in the long term.
… this policy would be counter-productive because it stigmatises people. We know stigmatisation is one of the biggest barriers to people asking for help. Any increase in stigma and anxiety for people with substance-use disorders will exacerbate their addiction rather than help them.
That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Wong) moving a motion relating to consideration of matter, namely a motion relating to an explanation from the Minister representing the Prime Minister.
… there should have been concerns when she was being chosen to stand … and I believe those concerns were ignored.
I'm not going to comment on operational matters involving the Australian Security Intelligence Organization or any security matters.
The Senate divided. [15:31]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
We know that people that are on welfare—
are denying themselves the best opportunity to be able to take advantage of the jobs that are being created.
That the Senate take note of the answers given by ministers to questions without notice asked by Opposition senators today.
Gladys Liu's association with Chinese figures who were deemed a security risk was the subject of an ASIO investigation even before she entered Parliament or became a Liberal Party candidate.
The ABC understands ASIO Director-General Duncan Lewis advised that then-prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, based on the guest list, should not attend a 'meet and greet' organised by Ms Liu in the Victorian electorate of Chisholm for Chinese New Year in February 2018.
The Morrison Government is under pressure to launch a full-blown investigation into Chinese-Australian MP Gladys Liu's links to Beijing, with even its own parliamentarians voicing concerns.
A handful of Liberal MPs last night told The West Australian they wanted a full probe into their colleague to ensure her loyalties were not divided between China and Australia.
Additional estimates 2018-19—Community Affairs Legislation Committee—Additional information received between 2 April and 31 July 2019—Health portfolio.
Budget estimates 2019-20—Community Affairs Legislation Committee—Additional information—
Department of Human Services.
Health portfolio.
Social Services portfolio.
Dear Mr President
I write with regard to a question I took on notice from Senator Green during Question Time on Thursday, 11 September 2019 on the matter of a meeting between Ms Fredericks and the Prime Minister.
I can advise that the Minister for Home Affairs will receive the petition through the normal petitions process through the Parliament.
I have copied this letter to Senator Green.
Kind regards
Mathias Cormann
Minister for Finance
Combatting Child Sexual Exploitation Legislation Amendment Bill 2019
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Police Powers at Airports) Bill 2019
Treasury Laws Amendment (2018 Superannuation Measures No. 1) Bill 2019
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Partner Service Pension and Other Measures) Bill 2019
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.
COMBATTING CHILD SEXUAL EXPLOITATION LEGISLATION AMENDMENT BILL 2019
The Combatting Child Sexual Exploitation Legislation Amendment Bill 2019 is another example of the steps this Government is taking to protect children from all forms of sexual exploitation.
It is an unfortunate reality that sexual predators seek to target the most vulnerable members of society. These practices are vile and we must constantly review our laws to ensure they are well suited to targeting any emerging forms of child sexual abuse.
The Bill will increase the protection of children by:
responding to key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, and
addressing operational difficulties the Australian Federal Police, Australian Border Force and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions are facing in investigating and prosecuting new trends in child exploitation.
Failing to report and failing to protect
In December 2017, the Royal Commission released its Final Report which detailed too many instances of people, who had been entrusted with looking after Australia's children, doing too little to protect those children from unimaginable harm. When vulnerable people were being subjected to sickening abuse, these people knew of the harrowing circumstances and did nothing. Rather than reporting to police and taking protective action, they turned a blind eye or even took actions to conceal the abuse.
In line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission, this Bill will introduce two new offences into the Criminal Code to criminalise Commonwealth officers who exercise care, supervision or authority over children and fail to report child sexual abuse, or negligently fail to reduce or remove the risk of child sexual abuse to those children.
These reforms send a clear message: the safety of our children should always be put first. The Commonwealth has zero tolerance for child sexual abuse and expects all Commonwealth officers who are charged with caring and supervising children to fulfil their obligations to protect those children.
Persistent child sexual abuse overseas
This zero tolerance extends to the actions of Australians while they are overseas.
It is common for sexual deviants to travel to foreign jurisdictions where criminal laws and child protection frameworks are weak, and opportunities to exploit vulnerable children are abundant.
In response to other recommendations of the Royal Commission, the Bill strengthens the laws in the Criminal Code for persistent child sexual abuse committed overseas by removing difficulties associated with prosecuting repeated instances of abuse.
The Royal Commission highlighted that it is often the worst forms of offending – the repeated, regular and ongoing sexual abuse of children – that are the most difficult to prove. This is because child victims of this kind of sustained exploitation commonly have difficulties distinguishing between particular occasions of abuse.
The amendments address these difficulties by reducing the number of occasions required to prove the offence. This helps to ensure perpetrators of persistent sexual abuse against vulnerable children overseas are not evading justice.
Defence for overseas child sex offences and forced marriage
In another effort to hold Australians predators more accountable for sexual crimes against children overseas, the Bill restricts the ability of offenders to escape culpability by claiming they were legally married to the child. Closing this loophole is crucial, as some countries permit girls as young as 10 to marry.
The Bill will also strengthen the existing forced marriage offences to ensure they explicitly capture all marriages involving children under 16. Child marriage is a pernicious practice that seriously harms the development and wellbeing of victims, with disproportionate impacts on girls and young women. Children trapped in early marriages are often subject to physical and mental abuse, rape and forced pregnancy. The Bill sends a clear message that this morally reprehensible practice will not be tolerated.
Child abuse material, child pornography material and child-like sex dolls
The Bill also strengthens the Commonwealth framework of offences to ensure a comprehensive, technology-neutral and future focused response to all forms of child pornography material and child abuse material. In particular, the Bill will clarify the law to ensure that the abhorrent new trend of child-like sex dolls, used to simulate sexual intercourse with children, is clearly and robustly stamped out in Australia.
The Bill will also introduce two new offences for possessing or controlling child pornography or child abuse material in the form of data stored on a computer or data storage device. Every single time child abuse material or child pornography material is viewed, the child portrayed in that material is re-victimised and their trauma compounded. We must strive to ensure our laws protect children from the dangers posed by abusers who operate online.
These offences will ensure that child sexual abuse is appropriately criminalised and penalised at a Commonwealth level, and will help to achieve better, more consistent outcomes for Australian survivors.
By introducing these offences into the Criminal Code, the Bill will also give Commonwealth prosecutors the tools they need to bring perpetrators to justice for the full range of their online offending. This can include anything from obtaining child abuse images via the internet, to storing those images locally or remotely, to sending material onto third parties.
Conclusion
I urge my colleagues to support the passage of this critical legislation. Together we can demonstrate we are committed to ensuring children can grow up free from the evil of sexual abuse and exploitation.
CRIMES LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (POLICE POWERS AT AIRPORTS) BILL 2019
The Government is committed to ensuring that our police can continue to protect the thousands of Australians that transit through the airport network every day.
It is clear that Australia's airports remain an attractive target for terrorists and other nefarious criminal actors. While Australia already has strong and comprehensive aviation security, we need to remain ahead of this very real and evolving threat.
The Crimes Legislation Amendment (Police Powers at Airports) Bill will help to ensure that Australia's aviation network remains among the safest in the world. This Bill will give police broader powers to conduct identity checks at major Australian airports, and issue a move on direction where it is reasonably necessary to safeguard the public and safe operation of the airport.
With the amendments contained in the Bill, a person on the premises of a major airport may be issued with a direction to provide evidence of identification only where a constable or Australian Federal Police protective service officer:
This new power is based on advice from the Australian Federal Police that the current requirement to suspect that a person is about to commit, or has committed, a criminal offence before conducting an airport ID check is no longer fit-for-purpose. Police intelligence or observations that a person is behaving suspiciously in the airport – for example, by taking photos or videos of security screening points – will not always meet the necessary threshold. This is not satisfactory in today's threat environment.
The Bill will also empower police officers to direct that a person leave the aviation environment, or not take a flight, for up to 24 hours.
The new move-on power will only be available to police in a limited range of circumstances, including where it is reasonably necessary to prevent or disrupt serious criminal activity at airports or on a flight, or to safeguard the public order and safe operation of these airports. A person may also be directed to move on where they fail to comply with an identity check or a police direction to stop.
Finally, the Bill will create new criminal offences for failing to comply with an identity check, move-on or stop direction, punishable by a fine of up to $4,200. To ensure there are appropriate safeguards on the use of these powers, the Bill will also contain requirements for police officers to comply with certain duties in exercising the new powers – including appropriately identifying themselves and informing a person that failure to comply with a direction may constitute an offence.
A patchwork of Commonwealth, State and Territory laws currently apply across Australian airports. The Bill will address some of this complexity by giving state and territory police and Australian Federal Police officers, including protective service officers, consistent and appropriate powers to manage risks that are unique to the aviation environment.
The new powers will be available in all Australian capital city airports, as well as Alice Springs, Gold Coast, Townsville and Launceston airports, and any additional airports that the responsible Minister determines into the future. In practice, the decision about additional airports at which the new powers may be exercised will be based on operational advice from the Australian Federal Police. The Australian Federal Police has already indicated that Cairns Airport is also intended to be covered by this scheme.
The Bill was considered in detail by several parliamentary committees before Parliament was prorogued. In particular, I would like to thank the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security for its contributions, and confirm that the Bill has been amended to implement the recommendations of this Committee.
These amendments are also consistent with the views expressed by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights and the Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills as part of their inquiries into the Bill. The Bill has clearly been considered in detail and, as a result, represents a balanced approach to amending the powers of our law enforcement agencies, while recognising the evolving threat environment at Australia's major airports.
In particular, the Bill now includes an explicit statement that the new identity checking and move-on powers are not intended to interfere with the right to peaceful assembly and do not give police the ability to disrupt or quell a protest that is peaceful and does not affect the public order and safe operation of the airport. The Bill also ensures that a person subject to a move-on direction will be notified of their right to apply for judicial review or an interlocutory order, including the procedure for urgent or expedited applications.
This Bill is further evidence of the Government's commitment to keeping the travelling public safe and secure and ensuring Australia is a world-leader in aviation security. It will provide our law enforcement agencies with the tools and powers they need to do their job effectively – protecting Australia's airports and its citizens from serious criminal and security threats.
TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (2018 SUPERANNUATION MEASURES NO. 1) BILL 2019
The Coalition Government is introducing safeguards to ensure the integrity of the superannuation system and streamline compliance with the Superannuation Guarantee.
The Bill introduces an employer shortfall exemption certificate for certain employees with multiple employers. Currently, employees can inadvertently breach the concessional contributions cap from compulsory contributions where they have multiple employers.
This measure will allow certain employees to avoid this outcome by applying to the Commissioner of Taxation for an exemption certificate in relation to at least one of their employers. A certificate will mean that their employer does not have to make Superannuation Guarantee contributions for them for up to one year. It will also mean that employees are not forced to breach their concessional cap. Instead, these employees can choose to negotiate with their employer to receive the higher remuneration.
To be eligible for a certificate, an employee must be likely to have excess concessional contributions for the financial year and have a least one other employer who is required to make superannuation guarantee contributions for them in that year. This targets the measure to those employees likely to breach the concessional cap because they have multiple employers. It also ensures that employees still receive Superannuation Guarantee contributions from their employment.
The Bill introduces reforms to further support the operation and integrity of the Superannuation Taxation Reform Package announced in the 2016-17 Budget. These measures ensure our superannuation system is fair, sustainable and used for its core purpose. The amendments improve confidence in the system by reducing the extent of tax minimisation and estate planning in superannuation.
The amendments address the possibility of self‑managed superannuation fund members' circumventing the cap on tax-free retirement phase assets through limited recourse borrowing arrangements or non-arm's length expenditures.
The Bill includes the outstanding value of limited recourse borrowing arrangements – or LRBAs - in the Total Superannuation Balance of SMSF members who are at particular risk of entering into certain tax minimisation strategies. This measure will stop those members using LRBAs to circumvent the $1.6 million limit on non-concessional contributions.
The Bill also extends the existing non-arm's length income rules to capture non-arm's length expenses. This will ensure that superannuation funds cannot circumvent the contribution caps by using non-arm's length expenditure to inflate their overall income, for example, by borrowing money from a member at a reduced interest rate.
Full details of the measures are contained in the Explanatory Memorandum.
VETERANS' AFFAIRS LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (PARTNER SERVICE PENSION AND OTHER MEASURES) BILL 2019
I am pleased to introduce the Veterans ' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Partner Service Pension and Other Measures) Bill 2019 . The Bill is designed to improve outcomes for former partners of veterans, and separately, extend benefits available to Australian Defence Force (ADF) members who served on Submarine Special Operations.
As the Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel, I recognise the Australian community has a clear expectation that veterans and their families will be well looked after, and of course, as a Government, we are absolutely committed to putting veterans and their families first.
Schedule 1 of this Bill will improve financial outcomes for the former partners of veterans. Schedule 2 of this Bill extends benefits available to ADF members who served on Submarine Special Operations. Schedule 3 of this Bill is a technical amendment to align marriage related definitions in veterans' legislation with the definition of marriage made by the Marriage Amendment (Definition and Religious Freedoms) Act 2017 (the Marriage Amendment Act).
The amendments to the Veterans ' Entitlements Act 1986 (VEA) under Schedule 1 align all of the Partner Service Pension provisions for former married and non-married partners to ensure equity in treatment. This will ensure a modern legislative provision that recognises the differences in relationship types and removes any discrimination. Once this Bill is passed, all eligible former partners of veterans will remain on Partner Service Pension after separation from their veteran partner for a period of up to 12 months.
Additionally, where special domestic circumstances apply, including domestic abuse, legislative instrument amendments will allow all former partners to remain eligible to receive Partner Service Pension until they enter into a new relationship. This preventative measure, part of the Government's Fourth National Action Plan to Reduce Violence against Women and their Children , will assist partners to leave a violent relationship by providing them with financial support.
The amendments to the VEA under Schedule 2 will extend the benefits available to ADF members who served on Submarine Special Operations. Operations between 31 December 1992 and 12 May 1997 will be recognised as operational and qualifying service, giving access to the Disability Pension and assessment of claims for treatment and compensation, as well as eligibility for the Service Pension at age 60 and the Gold Card at age 70.
Once this Bill is passed, for those veterans involved in Submarine Special Operations between 31 December 1992 and 12 May 1997, their service will be recognised as operational and qualifying service under the VEA. This will allow access to the Disability Pension and assessment of claims for treatment and compensation, as well as eligibility for the Service Pension at age 60 and the Gold Card at age 70.
Further, the period between 13 May 1997 and 30 June 2006 will not require legislative change, and will be subject to future determinations of non-warlike service, providing further support to eligible ADF members involved in Submarine Special Operations.
Schedule 3 is a technical amendment arising from the changes to the definition of marriage made by the Marriage Amendment Act.
The Marriage Amendment Act amended the Marriage Act 1961 (Cth) to remove the restrictions that limit marriage in Australia to the union of a man and a woman and allowed two people the freedom to marry in Australia, regardless of their sex or gender.
These amendments will mean better outcomes for veterans and their families.
I commend this Bill.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) economic growth is the slowest it has been since 2008 when Labor navigated Australia through the global financial crisis,
(ii) wages growth has hit record lows,
(iii) 1.8 million Australians are looking for work or for more work to combat the rising cost of living and increasing pressures on their household budgets,
(iv) living standards and productivity are going backwards, and
(v) the Morrison Government has no plan to deal with the domestic economic challenges, leaving us unnecessarily exposed to global shocks, and to support Australians struggling to meet their weekly costs; and
(b) calls on the Federal Government to properly outline an economic plan that supports the floundering economy and better safeguards it from global risks, done in a fiscally-sustainable way, which could include:
(i) delivering more infrastructure spending now to maintain jobs and stimulate economic growth,
(ii) bringing forward part of the income tax cuts scheduled to commence on 1 July 2022,
(iii) reviewing and responsibly increasing Newstart to put more money in the pockets of those most likely to spend it in the economy,
(iv) implementing the Australian Investment Guarantee to incentivise and boost business investment, and
(v) developing an urgent and comprehensive plan to boost wages, starting with restoring penalty rates.
… the Morrison Government has no plan to deal with the domestic economic challenges—
leaving us unnecessarily exposed to global shocks—
and to support Australians struggling to meet their weekly costs …
The Bureau of Meteorology is responsible for the Outcome:
Where interests are held in a private holding company, then all subsidiary companies and any subsidiary companies held by those subsidiary companies should be named.
All parliamentarians are required to disclose private interests to the parliament.
Ministers must declare and register their personal interests, including but not limited to pecuniary interests, as required by the Parliament from time to time.
… … …
Failure to declare or register a relevant and substantive personal interest as required by the Parliament constitutes a breach of these Standards.