The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Scott Ryan) took the chair at 09:30 read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020
The university must be a place of pure culture and learning, a training school for the professions, a liaison between the academician and the 'good practical man', the home of research, a trainer of character, a training ground for leaders, and a custodian of the unfettered search for truth.
I was just bewildered and lost and I didn't know how to navigate the system.
Countless studies indicate the employability of arts and humanities graduates will increase as employers seek out students who can critically engage with dynamic problems.
We need our brightest kids studying the humanities.
Total revenue for most disciplines the Government wishes to grow such as engineering, nursing and agriculture will decrease, but revenue in other disciplines the Government considers less important such as law, business and humanities, will be increased.
New data on university research shows the fastest rate of growth is happening in regional and smaller universities, a finding University of Wollongong vice-chancellor Paul Wellings says should reprioritise budgetary thinking.
Universities such as Curtin in Western Australia, Deakin in Victoria, Griffith in south-east Queensland and Newcastle and Wollongong in NSW are "snapping at the heels" of giants such as Melbourne, Sydney and Queensland in the growth rate of research citations.
Increasing the participation of RRR—
students will directly and positively contribute to the economic and social development of RRR areas.
Australia has been shaped by many forces over the years, so it's not remarkable that the structure of universities and the way they operate have constantly evolved to align with the needs of the country.
History has shown that interventions into higher education policy by the Commonwealth Government have often been part of moves to safeguard the country's prosperity when a black swan swoops. The crucial role in coronavirus recovery that universities play at present can be likened to the aftermath of World War II.
The Commonwealth Reconstruction Training Scheme of the 1940s assisted thousands of returned servicemen and women to enter higher education, with a focus on medicine, dentistry, engineering, veterinary science, agriculture and science.
The Senate divided. [11:42]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [11:49]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That—
(1) On Thursday, 8 October 2020:
(a) the routine of business from 11.45am shall be:
(i) placing of business;
(ii) notices of motion;
(iii) consideration of a report of the Selection of Bills Committee,
(iv) formal motions; and
(v) consideration of the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020;
(b) if by 12.45pm the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020 has not been finally considered, the questions on all remaining stages shall be put without debate;
(c) paragraph (b) of this order shall operate as a limitation of debate under standing order 142;
(d) following the conclusion of consideration of the bill, the Senate shall return to the routine of business;
(e) divisions may take place after 4.30 pm until 7.30 pm;
(f) at 5.30 pm, consideration of a message relating to the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020;
(g) the sitting of the Senate shall be suspended after consideration of the message listed in paragraph (f) till 8pm;
(h) at 8pm, Budget statements and documents – party leaders and independent senators to make a response to the statement and documents of no more than 30 minutes each; and
(i) immediately after the conclusion of the responses referred to in paragraph (h):
(i) if the Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 has not yet been passed—the sitting of the Senate shall be suspended till 9 am on Friday, 9 October 2020, and the routine of business shall be as provided in paragraph (2); or
(ii) otherwise, the question for the adjournment shall be proposed. (2) The routine of business on Friday, 9 October 2020 shall be as follows:
(a) from 9 am, consideration of the Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 only;
(b) if by noon the Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COV1D19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020 has not been finally considered, the questions on all remaining stages shall be put without debate;
(c) paragraph (b) of this order shall operate as a limitation of debate under
standing order 142;
(d) the Senate shall adjourn without debate after it has finally considered the
bills listed above, or a motion for the adjournment is moved by a minister, whichever is the earlier.
Earlier this week Govt gagged debate on the Higher Ed Bill which meant few of us got to speak. … This is not democracy.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [12:21]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [12:25]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [12:33]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works be authorised to hold a private meeting otherwise than in accordance with standing order 33(1) during the sitting of the Senate today from 1pm.
That—
(a) the following government business orders of the day be considered from 12.45 pm today:
No. 4 Sport Integrity Australia Amendment (World Anti-Doping Code Review) Bill 2020
No. 5 Family Law Amendment (Risk Screening Protections) Bill 2020;
(b) government business be called on after consideration of the bills listed in paragraph (a) and considered till not later than 2 pm today; and
(c) general business notices of motion no. 825, standing in the name of Senator Siewert relating to the coronavirus, and no. 828, standing in the names of Senators Lambie and Patrick relating to the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics be considered during general business today
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
REPORT NO. 9 OF 2020
1 . The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 7 October 2020 at 7.26pm.
2. The committee recommends that—
(a) the Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020 be referred immediately to the Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 4 November 2020 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral);
(b) the provisions of the Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Provider Category Standards and Other Measures) Bill 2020 bereferred immediately to the Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 27 November 2020 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral); and
(c) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (Technical Amendments) Bill 2020 bereferred immediately to the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 5 November 2020 (see appendix 3 for a statement of reasons for referral).
(d) contingent upon introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020 bereferred immediately to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee but was unable to reach agreement on a reporting date (see appendix 4 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:
(Dean Smith)
Chair
8 October 2020
Appendix 1
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date :
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: Defence Legislation Amendment (Enhancement of Defence Force Response to Emergencies) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
To ensure the intent of the legislation is met, without unintended consequences, including with respect to proposed immunity provisions as well as assurances from the Government that the Bill does not expand or alter existing authorities to deploy the Australian Defence Force.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
The Department of Defence Attorney-General's Department Emergency Management Australia Law Council of Australia Defence Reserves Association Australia Defence Association
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date: 9 November 2020
Appendix 2
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: Higher Education Legislation Amendment (Provider Category Standards and Other Measures) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Investigate the implications of the Bill on universities maintaining their university status.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
To be determined by the committee
Possible reporting date: November 27, 2020
Appendix 3
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment (Technical Amendment) Bill 2020
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: 5 November 2020
Appendix 4
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration: to examine the impact of prolonged Cashless Debit Card trial sites on people's health and wellbeing and the impact of having the Cashless Debit Card rolled out to First Nations peoples in the Northern Territory.
Possible submissions or evidence from: ANU, Consumer Action Law Centre, Dr Elise Klein, ACOSS, National Social Security Rights Network, Anglicare, Aboriginal Peak Organisations NT, Australian Human Rights Commission, Danila Dilba Health Service, Dr Shelley
Bielefeld, The Say No Seven, North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, Professor Jon Altman and Dr Francis Markham
Committee to which bill is to be referred: Community Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date: 1 December
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020
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: 26 November 2020
Appendix 5
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Committee consideration of this Bill as it seeks to expand Extended Supervision Orders as requested by the Minister of Home Affairs.
The Bill also provides for electronic monitoring of people by the Australian Federal Police. These issues should be considered by the Committee.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date: March 2020
Appendix 6
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Economic Recovery Package (JobMaker Hiring Credit) Amendment Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Senate needs to consider:
Youth and general unemployment
Wages and conditions
Aggregate demand, stimulus and job creation
Integrity and whether it will provide genuine employment additionality
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Treasury & ATO
Department of Education, Skills and Employment
Economists and Academics
ACTU
BCA
COSBOA
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Economic References Committee
Possible hearing date(s): 2-27 November
Possible reporting date: 4 December
Appendix 7
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act Amendment (Streamlining Environmental Approvals) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date: 11 November 2020
Appendix 8
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill: Sport Integrity Australia Amendment (World Anti-Doping Code Review) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Committee consideration of a further piece of legislation in on area that recently been the subject of multiple complex pieces of legislation.
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Sport Integrity Australia,
Nikki Dryden (former Olympic athlete and lawyer)
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Community Affairs Committee
Possible hearing date(s):
Possible reporting date: 30 November 2020
Appendix 9
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
Proposal to refer a bill to a committee
Name of bill:
Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Given over $50 billion of tax cuts contained within, Senate needs to consider:
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Senate Economics Legislation Committee
Possible hearing date(s): 2-26 November
Possible reporting date: 1 December 2020
That the report be adopted.
At the end of the motion, add "and in respect of the:
(a) Export Market Development Grants Legislation Amendment Bill 2020, the provisions of the bill be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 4 November 2020; and
(b) the following bills, the bills not be referred for inquiry and report:
(i) Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (High Risk Terrorist Offenders) Bill 2020;
(ii) Economic Recovery Package (JobMaker Hiring Credit) Amendment Bill 2020;
(iii) Sport Integrity Australia Amendment (World Anti-Doping Code Review) Bill 2020;
(iv) Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020; and
(v) National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Strengthening Banning Orders) Bill 2020".
Omit subparagraph (b)(ii) and add, at the end of the amendment:
(c) Economic Recovery Package (JobMaker Hiring Credit) Amendment Bill 2020, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 6 November 2020.
Omit subparagraph (b)(iv) and add, at the end of the amendment:
(d) Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 December 2020.
At the end of the motion, add "and, in respect of the Social Security (Administration) Amendment (Continuation of Cashless Welfare) Bill 2020, the Community Affairs Legislation Committee report by 26 November 2020".
At the end of the motion, add "and, in respect of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Streamlining Environmental Approvals) Bill 2020, the bill be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 11 November 2020".
The Senate divided. [12:46]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020
(1) Schedule 4, page 44 (line 18), omit the heading.
(2) Schedule 4, item 40, page 44 (line 19) to page 45 (line 18), to be opposed.
(3) Schedule 4, Division 2, page 45 (lines 19 to 31), to be opposed.
The Senate divided. [12:53]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (after table item 8), insert:
(2) Clause 2, page 2 (before table item 9), insert:
(3) Schedule 1, item 14, page 15 (table item 5), omit "$13,500", substitute "$13,250".
(4) Page 45 (after line 31), after Schedule 4, insert:
Schedule 4A—Up - front payment discount
Higher Education Support Act 2003
1 At the end of Subdivision 36 - D
Add:
36 - 50 Provider must not accept up - front payments of more than 90% of student contribution amounts
A higher education provider must not accept, from a person who:
(a) is enrolled in a unit of study with the provider; and
(b) is entitled to *HECS-HELP assistance for the unit;
*up‑front payments in relation to the unit totalling more than 90% of the person's *student contribution amount for the unit.
Note: For entitlement to HECS-HELP assistance: see Division 90.
2 Paragraph 90 - 1(f)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(f) the student either:
(i) *meets the tax file number requirements (see section 187-1); or
(ii) pays, as one or more *up-front payments in relation to the unit, 90% of the student's *student contribution amount for the unit; and
3 Subsection 93 - 15(1)
Omit "all or".
4 At the end of section 93 - 15
Add:
(3) A payment made in relation to a unit of study for which a person is liable to pay the person's *student contribution amount is not an up - front payment in relation to the unit to the extent that:
(a) the payment; or
(b) if other such payments have already been made in relation to the unit—the sum of the payment and all of those other payments;
exceeds 90% of the person's *student contribution amount for the unit.
Note 1: For when the Commonwealth pays one‑ninth of the up‑front payments made in relation a unit of study, see sections 96-2 and 96-3.
Note 2: It is a condition of grants under Part 2-2 that a higher education provider not accept, from a student who is entitled to HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study, up-front payments in relation the unit totalling more than 90% of a student's student contribution amount for the unit: see section 36-50.
5 Section 96 - 1 (at the end of the heading)
Add "-no upfront payment of student contribution amount".
6 Section 96 - 1
After "education provider", insert "and no *up-front payments are made in relation to the unit".
7 After section 96 - 1
Insert:
96 - 2 Payments to higher education providers—partial up - front payment of student contribution amount
Up - front payments made for one unit of study only
(1) If:
(a) a student is entitled to an amount of *HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study (the relevant unit ) in which the student is enrolled with a higher education provider; and
(b) one or more *up-front payments have been made in relation to the relevant unit; and
(c) both of the following apply:
(i) the amount of that up-front payment, or the sum of those up-front payments, is less than 90% of the student's *student contribution amount for the relevant unit;
(ii) the amount of that up-front payment, or the sum of those up-front payments, is $500 or more; and
(d) either:
(i) the student is not enrolled with a provider as a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to any other units of study that have the same *census date as the relevant unit; or
(ii) if the student is so enrolled in relation to one or more such other units of study, no up-front payments have been made for any of those units;
the Commonwealth must pay the amount of HECS-HELP assistance for the relevant unit in accordance with subsections (3) and (4).
Up - front payments made for more than one unit of study
(2) If:
(a) a student is entitled to an amount of *HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study (the relevant unit ) in which the student is enrolled with a higher education provider; and
(b) one or more *up-front payments have been made in relation to the relevant unit; and
(c) the student is enrolled with the provider as a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to one or more other units of study that have the same *census date as the relevant unit; and
(d) one or more up-front payments have been made in relation to one or more of those other units; and
(e) both of the following apply:
(i) the sum of the up-front payments made in relation to the relevant unit and those other units is less than 90% of the sum of the student's *student contribution amounts for the relevant unit and those other units;
(ii) the sum of the up-front payments made in relation to the relevant unit and those other units is $500 or more;
the Commonwealth must pay the amount of HECS-HELP assistance for the relevant unit in accordance with subsections (3) and (4).
Payment of loan amount
(3) The Commonwealth must:
(a) as a benefit to the student, lend to the student an amount equal to the difference between the amount of *HECS-HELP assistance for the relevant unit and the *HECS-HELP discount for the relevant unit; and
(b) pay to the provider the amount lent in discharge of that amount of the student's liability to pay the student's *student contribution amount for the relevant unit.
Payment of discount amount
(4) The Commonwealth must, as a benefit to the student, pay to the provider an amount equal to the *HECS-HELP discount for the relevant unit in discharge of that amount of the student's liability to pay the student's *student contribution amount for the relevant unit.
HECS - HELP discount
(5) The HECS - HELP discount for a unit of study is an amount equal to one‑ninth of the *up‑front payment, or the sum of all of the up‑front payments made, in relation to the unit.
Example: Robert is required to pay a student contribution amount for a unit of study of $2,745 by 31 January 2021, and makes an up-front payment in relation to the unit of $900 on 20 January 2021.
Robert is entitled to HECS-HELP assistance for the unit of $1,845 ($2,745 minus $900), which the Commonwealth must pay to the higher education provider.
The up-front payment in relation to the unit exceeded $500 so there is a HECS-HELP discount of $100 (one-ninth of $900). The Commonwealth lends to Robert the remainder of the HECS-HELP assistance in relation to the unit, an amount of $1,745 ($1,845 minus $100).
96 - 3 Payments to higher education providers—full up - front payment of student contribution amount
If:
(a) a student is entitled to an amount of *HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study in which the student is enrolled with a higher education provider; and
(b) one or more *up-front payments have been made in relation the unit; and
(c) the amount of that up-front payment, or the sum of those up‑front payments, is equal to 90% of the student's *student contribution amount for the unit;
the Commonwealth must, as a benefit to the student, pay to the provider the amount of HECS-HELP assistance for the unit in discharge of that amount of the student's liability to pay the student's student contribution amount for the unit.
Note: The student does not incur a HECS-HELP debt in relation to the amount of HECS-HELP assistance paid by the Commonwealth to the provider under this section.
8 Subsection 137 - 5(1)
After "section 96-1", insert "or 96-2".
9 Paragraph 193 - 1(5 ) ( b)
Omit "for the unit have been made totalling 100%", substitute "in relation to the unit have been made totalling 90%".
10 Paragraph 193 - 5(1 ) ( d)
After "to the unit,", insert "90% of".
11 Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1
Insert:
HECS ‑HELP discount has the meaning given by subsection 96‑2(5).
12 Application of amendments
The amendments made by this Schedule apply in relation to an up‑front payment made in relation to a unit of study that has a census date on or after 1 January 2021.
(5) Page 46 (before line 1), before Schedule 5, insert:
Schedule 4B—Student learning entitlement
Higher Education Support Act 2003
1 At the end of section 3 - 10
Add:
Chapter 3 also deals with a person's Student Learning Entitlement.
2 After paragraph 36 - 10(1 ) ( c)
Insert:
(d) if the course of study is a course of study other than an *enabling course—the unit is *covered by the person's Student Learning Entitlement; and
3 At the end of subsection 36 - 20(3)
Add:
; or (c) section 36-24BA applies in relation to the provider in relation to the unit.
4 After section 36 ‑24B
Insert:
36 - 24BA Providers to repay amounts—person ' s SLE amount re - credited in special circumstances
(1) This section applies if:
(a) a person has been enrolled as a *Commonwealth supported student with a higher education provider in a unit of study; and
(b) the person's *SLE amount has been re-credited under section 79-1 with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of the unit.
(2) The provider must:
(a) pay to the person an amount equal to the payment, or the sum of the payments, that the person made in relation to the person's *student contribution amount for the unit; and
(b) pay to the Commonwealth an amount equal to any *HECS-HELP assistance to which the person was entitled for the unit.
5 Section 65 - 1
Omit:
This Chapter provides for 4 kinds of assistance that the Commonwealth provides to students.
Note: The Commonwealth meets all or part of the higher education costs of students who are enrolled in places funded under Part 2‑2.
substitute:
This Chapter deals with a person's Student Learning Entitlement and provides for 4 kinds of assistance that the Commonwealth provides to students.
Note: The Commonwealth meets all or part of the higher education costs of students who are enrolled in places funded under Part 2‑2.
A person may be entitled to HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study for which the person is a Commonwealth supported student if, among other things, the unit is covered by the person's Student Learning Entitlement. Part 3‑1 deals with a person's Student Learning Entitlement.
6 Before Part 3 - 2
Insert:
Part 3 - 1—Student Learning Entitlement
Division 70—Introduction
70 - 1 What this Part is about
A person may be entitled to HECS-HELP assistance for a unit of study for which the person is a Commonwealth supported student if, among other things, the unit is covered by the person's Student Learning Entitlement.
Broadly speaking, a person will start with an SLE amount that is equivalent to 7 years of full‑time study. However, the person's SLE amount may be added to for the purposes of certain courses of study or in certain circumstances.
A person's SLE amount is reduced as the person undertakes units of study as a Commonwealth supported student. The person's SLE amount may also be re‑credited in certain circumstances.
70 - 5 The Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines
*Student Learning Entitlement is also dealt with in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines. The provisions of this Part indicate when a particular matter is or may be dealt with in these Guidelines.
Note: The Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines are made by the Minister under section 238-10.
Division 73—Student Learning Entitlement and SLE amount
73 - 1 Student Learning Entitlement and SLE amount
(1) A person's Student Learning Entitlement is an entitlement that consists of:
(a) *ordinary SLE that the person has; and
(b) any *additional SLE that the person has; and
(c) any *lifelong SLE that the person has.
(2) A person's SLE amount at a particular time is the sum of the following amounts:
(a) the amount of *ordinary SLE that the person has under subsection 73-5(3);
(b) the amount of any *additional SLE that the person has under subsection 73-10(3);
(c) the amount of any *lifelong SLE that the person has under subsection 73-15(3);
taking into account any reduction that has occurred before that time under Division 76 and any re-crediting that has occurred before that time under amount Division 79.
73 - 5 Ordinary SLE
Persons who have ordinary SLE
(1) If a person is an *eligible person on 1 January 2022, the person has, on that day, ordinary SLE.
(2) If a person becomes (by birth or otherwise) an *eligible person on a day after 1 January 2022, the person has, on the earliest such day, ordinary SLE.
Amount of ordinary SLE
(3) The amount of *ordinary SLE that the person has on the day referred to in subsection (1) or (2) (as the case may be) is an amount equal to 7 *EFTSL.
Eligible person
(4) An eligible person is:
(a) an Australian citizen; or
(b) a citizen of New Zealand; or
(c) a *permanent visa holder.
73 - 10 Additional SLE
(1) A person has additional SLE if:
(a) the person is enrolled in a *course of study with a higher education provider; and
(b) the course is specified, or is a course of a kind specified, in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines for the purposes of this paragraph; and
(c) the person meets any other requirements specified in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.
(2) The person has *additional SLE on the day that the person enrols in the *course of study.
(3) The amount of *additional SLE that the person has on that day is an amount (expressed in *EFTSL) worked out in accordance with the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.
73 - 15 Lifelong SLE
(1) A person has lifelong SLE in the circumstances specified in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.
(2) The person has *lifelong SLE on the day specified in the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.
(3) The amount of *lifelong SLE that a person has on that day is an amount (expressed in *EFTSL) worked out in accordance with the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines.
73 - 20 Student Learning Entitlement is not transferable
A person's *Student Learning Entitlement cannot be transferred to, or used by, another person.
73 - 25 Ceasing to be an eligible person
(1) A person ceases to have *Student Learning Entitlement if the person ceases to be an *eligible person.
(2) If a person who ceased to be an *eligible person at a particular time (the cessation time ) becomes an eligible person again at a later time, the person has, at that later time, the same *SLE amount (if any) that the person had at the cessation time.
Division 76—Reduction of a person ' s SLE amount
76 - 1 Reduction of a person ' s SLE amount
(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary's behalf, reduce a person's *SLE amount at a particular time if:
(a) the person enrolled in a unit of study as part of a *course of study with the provider; and
(b) at the end of the *census date for the unit, the person remained so enrolled; and
(c) the person is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to the unit; and
(d) the unit is not:
(i) an *ineligible work experience unit for the person; or
(ii) a *replacement unit; and
(e) the person has, on or before the census date for the unit, completed, signed and given to an *appropriate officer of the provider a *request for Commonwealth assistance in relation to:
(i) the unit; or
(ii) where the course of study of which the unit forms a part is undertaken with the provider—the course of study.
Note: A person's SLE amount must be re‑credited in certain circumstances: see Division 79.
(2) The amount of the reduction is an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of the unit of study.
(3) The reduction takes effect immediately after the *census date for the unit of study.
(4) If a higher education provider reduces a person's *SLE amount at a particular time under subsection (1), the provider must, in accordance with the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines and on the *Secretary's behalf, reduce any one or more of the following amounts to take account of the reduction under that subsection:
(a) an amount of *ordinary SLE (if any) that the person has at that time;
(b) an amount of *additional SLE (if any) that the person has at that time;
(c) an amount of *lifelong SLE (if any) that the person has at that time.
(5) If a higher education provider is unable to act for the purposes of subsection (1) or (4), the *Secretary may act as if any one or more of the references in that subsection to the provider were a reference to the Secretary.
Division 79—Re - crediting a person ' s SLE amount
Subdivision 79 - A—Re - crediting a person ' s SLE amount in special circumstances
79 - 1 Re ‑crediting a person ' s SLE amount if special circumstances apply to the person
(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary's behalf, re-credit a person's *SLE amount at a particular time with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of a unit of study if:
(a) the person has been enrolled in the unit with the provider; and
(b) the unit would, if completed, form part of a *course of study undertaken with that provider or another higher education provider; and
(c) the unit is not:
(i) an *ineligible work experience unit for the person; or
(ii) a *replacement unit; and
(d) the person has not completed the requirements for the unit during the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit; and
(e) one or more *up‑front payments have been made in relation to the unit and the amount of that payment, or the sum of those payments, is equal to 90% of the person's *student contribution amount for the unit; and
(f) the provider is satisfied that special circumstances apply to the person (see section 79-5); and
(g) the person applies, in writing, to the provider for the re‑crediting of the person's SLE amount; and
(h) either:
(i) the application is made before the end of the application period for the application under section 79‑10; or
(ii) the provider waives the requirement that the application be made before the end of that period on the ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the application to be made before the end of that period.
Note: It is a condition of a grant to the provider under Part 2-2 that the provider repay certain amounts relating to the unit: see section 36-24BA.
(2) If a higher education provider re‑credits a person's *SLE amount at a particular time under subsection (1), the provider must, in accordance with the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines and on the *Secretary's behalf, re‑credit any one or more of the following amounts to take account of the re-credit under that subsection:
(a) an amount of *ordinary SLE (if any) that the person has at that time;
(b) an amount of *additional SLE (if any) that the person has at that time;
(c) an amount of *lifelong SLE (if any) that the person has at that time.
Note: A refusal to re‑credit one or more of those amounts is reviewable under Part 5-7.
(3) If a higher education provider is unable to act for any one or more of the purposes of subsection (1) or (2), or section 79-5, 79-10 or 79-15, the *Secretary may act as if any one or more of the references in those provisions to the provider were a reference to the Secretary.
79 - 5 Special circumstances
(1) For the purposes of paragraph 79-1(1) (f), special circumstances apply to a person who made an application under paragraph 79-1(1) (g) for the re-crediting of the person's *SLE amount if, and only if, the higher education provider receiving the application is satisfied that circumstances apply to the person that:
(a) are beyond the person's control; and
(b) do not make their full impact on the person until on or after the *census date for the unit of study in question; and
(c) make it impracticable for the person to complete the requirements for the unit in the period during which the person undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.
(2) The Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines may specify circumstances in which a higher education provider will be satisfied of a matter referred to in paragraph (1) (a), (b) or (c). A decision of a higher education provider under subsection (1) must be in accordance with any such guidelines.
79 - 10 Application period
(1) If:
(a) the person who applied under paragraph 79-1(1) (g) for the re-crediting of the person's *SLE amount with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of a unit of study has withdrawn the person's enrolment in the unit with a higher education provider; and
(b) the provider gives notice to the person that the withdrawal has taken effect;
the application period for the application is the period of 12 months after the day specified in the notice as the day the withdrawal takes effect.
(2) If subsection (1) does not apply, the application period for an application made under paragraph 79-1(1) (g) is the period of 12 months after the end of the period during which the applicant undertook, or was to undertake, the unit of study.
79 - 15 Dealing with applications
(1) If:
(a) an application is made to a higher education provider under paragraph 79-1(1) (g) before the end of the application period for the application under section 79-10; or
(b) a higher education provider waives the requirement that an application made to the provider under that paragraph be made before the end of that period on the ground that it would not be, or was not, possible for the application to be made before the end of that period;
the provider must, as soon as practicable, consider the application and notify the applicant of the decision on the application.
(2) The notice must include a statement of the reasons for the decision.
Note: Refusals of applications are reviewable under Part 5-7.
Subdivision 79 - B—Re - crediting a person ' s SLE amount if the person ' s HELP balance is re - credited
79 - 20 Re - crediting a person ' s SLE amount if the person ' s HELP balance is re - credited
(1) A higher education provider must, on the *Secretary's behalf, re-credit a person's *SLE amount at a particular time with an amount equal to the *EFTSL value of a unit of study if the person's *HELP balance is re‑credited under any of the following provisions with an amount equal to the amount of *HECS-HELP assistance that the person received for the unit of study:
(a) subsection 97-25(2) (which deals with the main case of re-crediting a person's HELP balance);
(b) subsection 97-27(1) (which deals with the re-crediting of a person's HELP balance if the person does not have a tax file number);
(c) subsection 97-42(1) (which deals with the re-crediting of a person's HELP balance if a higher education provider defaults);
(d) subsection 97-45(1) (which deals with the re-crediting of a person's HELP balance if a higher education provider completes a *request for Commonwealth assistance);
(e) subsection 97-50(1) (which deals with the re-crediting of a person's HELP balance if the person was not entitled to assistance).
(2) If a higher education provider re‑credits a person's *SLE amount at a particular time under subsection (1), the provider must, in accordance with the Student Learning Entitlement Guidelines and on the *Secretary's behalf, re-credit any one or more of the following amounts to take account of the re-credit under that subsection:
(a) an amount of *ordinary SLE (if any) that the person has at that time;
(b) an amount of *additional SLE (if any) that the person has at that time;
(c) an amount of *lifelong SLE (if any) that the person has at that time.
(3) If a higher education provider is unable to act for the purposes of subsection (1) or (2), the *Secretary may act as if any one or more of the references in that subsection to the provider were a reference to the Secretary.
Division 82—Unit of study covered by a person ' s Student Learning Entitlement
82 - 1 Unit of study covered by a person ' s Student Learning Entitlement—person ' s SLE amount not exceeded at enrolment
Person enrolled in one unit of study only
(1) A unit of study is covered by a person ' s Student Learning Entitlement if:
(a) the person enrolled in the unit (the relevant unit ) as a part of a *course of study with a higher education provider; and
(b) at the time of that enrolment, the person had not enrolled in any other units of study as a part of that course, or as a part of another course of study, with that provider or with another higher education provider that have *census dates that will occur after that time; and
(c) the *EFTSL value of the relevant unit does not exceed the person's *SLE amount as at that time; and
(d) if:
(i) the person's SLE amount as at that time includes an amount of *additional SLE in relation to a particular course of study; and
(ii) the EFTSL value of the relevant unit exceeds the amount worked out by subtracting that amount of additional SLE from the person's SLE amount as at that time;
the person enrolled in the relevant unit as a part of that particular course of study.
Person enrolled in more than one unit of study
(2) A unit of study is covered by a person ' s Student Learning Entitlement if:
(a) the person enrolled in the unit (the relevant unit ) as a part of a *course of study with a higher education provider; and
(b) at the time of that enrolment, the person had also enrolled in one or more other units of study as a part of that course, or as a part of another course of study, with that provider or with another higher education provider; and
(c) those other units have *census dates that will occur after that time; and
(d) the person is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to each of those other units; and
(e) the sum of the following does not exceed the person's *SLE amount as at that time:
(i) the *EFTSL value of the relevant unit;
(ii) the sum of the EFTSL values of each of those other units; and
(f) if:
(i) the person's SLE amount as at that time includes an amount of *additional SLE in relation to a particular course of study; and
(ii) the EFTSL value of the relevant unit exceeds the amount worked out by subtracting that amount of additional SLE from the person's SLE amount as at that time;
the person enrolled in the relevant unit as a part of that particular course of study.
82 - 5 Unit of study covered by a person ' s Student Learning Entitlement—person ' s SLE amount exceeded at enrolment
(1) This section applies if:
(a) the person enrolled in unit of study (the relevant unit ) as a part of a *course of study with a higher education provider (therelevant provider ); and
(b) at the time of that enrolment (the enrolment time ), the person had also enrolled in one or more other units of study as a part of that course, or as a part of another course of study, with the relevant provider or with another higher education provider; and
(c) those other units have *census dates that will occur after the enrolment time; and
(d) the person is a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to each of those other units; and
(e) the sum of the following exceeds the person's *SLE amount as at the enrolment time:
(i) the *EFTSL value of the relevant unit;
(ii) the sum of the EFTSL values of each of those other units.
(2) The relevant unit is covered by a person ' s Student Learning Entitlement if:
(a) the person notifies an *appropriate officer of the relevant provider that the person does not wish to be a *Commonwealth supported student in relation to one or more of those other units of study (the excluded units ); and
(b) the sum of the following does not exceed the person's *SLE amount as at the enrolment time:
(i) the *EFTSL value of the relevant unit;
(ii) the sum of the EFTSL values of each of those other units that are not excluded units; and
(c) if:
(i) the person's SLE amount as at that time includes an amount of *additional SLE in relation to a particular course of study; and
(ii) the EFTSL value of the relevant unit exceeds the amount worked out by subtracting that amount of additional SLE from the person's SLE amount as at that time;
the person enrolled in the relevant unit as a part of that particular course of study.
(3) A notice under paragraph (2) (a) must be given:
(a) in writing; and
(b) on or before the *census date for the relevant unit.
7 Subsection 169 - 5(4)
After "this Act", insert "(including the person's *Student Learning Entitlement)".
8 At the end of subsection 169 - 10(5)
Add "(including the person's *Student Learning Entitlement)".
9 Section 206 - 1 (before table item 1B)
Insert:
10 Section 206 - 1 (note 1)
Before "1B,", insert "1BA, 1BB,".
11 Subsection 238 - 10(1) (after table item 8A)
Insert:
12 Subclause 1(1) of Schedule 1
Insert:
additional SLE means additional SLE that a person has under subsection 73-10(1).
covered by a person ' s Student Learning Entitlement has the meaning given by subsections 82-1(1) and (2) and 82‑5(2).
eligible person has the meaning given by subsection 73-5(4).
lifelong SLE means lifelong SLE that a person has under subsection 73-15(1).
ordinary SLE means ordinary SLE that a person has under subsection 73-5(1) or (2).
SLE amount has the meaning given by subsection 73-1(2).
Student Learning Entitlement has the meaning given by subsection 73-1(1).
13 Application of amendments
(1) The amendments of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 made by items 2, 3 and 4 of this Schedule apply in relation to a unit of study that has a census date that is on or after 1 January 2022 (whether the unit of study is part of a course of study commenced before, on or after that day).
(2) Divisions 76, 79 and 82 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 , as inserted by this Schedule, apply in relation to a unit of study that has a census date that is on or after 1 January 2022 (whether the unit of study is part of a course of study commenced before, on or after that day).
(6) Schedule 5, page 48 (after line 6), after item 9, insert:
9A Subparagraph 137 - 10(2 ) ( b ) ( i)
Omit "30 September 2020", substitute "30 June 2021".
9B After subparagraph 137 - 10(2 ) ( b ) ( i)
Insert:
(ia) for a unit of study with a census date on or after 1 July 2021—an amount equal to 120% of the loan; or
(7) Schedule 5, item 16, page 49 (lines 13 to 17), to be opposed.
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
Statement of reasons: why certain amendments should be moved as requests
Section 53 of the Constitution is as follows:
Powers of the Houses in respect of legislation
53. Proposed laws appropriating revenue or moneys, or imposing taxation, shall not originate in the Senate. But a proposed law shall not be taken to appropriate revenue or moneys, or to impose taxation, by reason only of its containing provisions for the imposition or appropriation of fines or other pecuniary penalties, or for the demand or payment or appropriation of fees for licences, or fees for services under the proposed law.
The Senate may not amend proposed laws imposing taxation, or proposed laws appropriating revenue or moneys for the ordinary annual services of the Government.
The Senate may not amend any proposed law so as to increase any proposed charge or burden on the people.
The Senate may at any stage return to the House of Representatives any proposed law which the Senate may not amend, requesting, by message, the omission or amendment of any items or provisions therein. And the House of Representatives may, if it thinks fit, make any of such omissions or amendments, with or without modifications.
Except as provided in this section, the Senate shall have equal power with the House of Representatives in respect of all proposed laws.
Amendment (4)
The effect of this amendment is to insert proposed sections 96-2 and 96-3 into the Higher Education Support Act 2003 which will require the Commonwealth to pay an amount to a higher education provider in discharge of part of a student's liability to pay the student's student contribution amount for a unit of study. It is covered by section 53 and will increase a proposed burden on the people because it will increase the amount of expenditure out of the Consolidated Revenue Fund under the standing appropriation in section 238-12 of that Act.
Statement by the Clerk of the Senate pursuant to the order of the Senate of 26 June 2000
Amendment (4)
If the effect of the amendment is to increase expenditure under the standing appropriation in section 238-12 of the Higher Education Support Act 2003 then it is in accordance with the precedents of the Senate that the amendment be moved as a request.
The Senate divided. [13:01]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
(7) Schedule 5, item 16, page 49 (lines 13 to 17), to be opposed
(1) Schedule 4, page 44 (before line 19), before item 40, insert:
39A Subparagraph 19 - 45(1)(c)(i)
Repeal the subparagraph, substitute:
(i) under subsection 36-12(2), paragraph 36-13(2)(b) or subsection 36-20(1); or
39B Paragraph 19 - 45(4)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) under subsection 36 12(2), paragraph 36 13(2)(b) or subsection 36-20(1); or
39C Paragraph 19 - 50(1)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) under subsection 36-12(2), paragraph 36-13(2)(b) or subsection 36-20(1); or
39D Paragraph 19 - 50(2)(c)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(c) under subsection 36-12(2), paragraph 36-13(2)(b) or subsection 36-20(1)); or
39E Subsection 19 - 60(1)
Omit "subsection 36-12(2) or 36-20(1)", insert "subsection 36-12(2), paragraph 36-13(2)(b), subsection 36-20(1) or".
(2) Schedule 4, item 40, page 45 (lines 16 to 18), omit paragraph 36-13(2)(b), substitute:
(b) in respect of which the provider is satisfied that special circumstances apply in relation to the student (see subsection (3)).
(3) Schedule 4, item 40, page 45 (after line 18), at the end of section 36 13, add:
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), special circumstances apply in relation to the student in respect of a unit of study if, and only if, the higher education provider is satisfied that circumstances apply in relation to the student that:
(a) are beyond the student's control; and
(b) do not make their full impact on the student until on or after the *census date for the unit of study; and
(c) make it impracticable for the student to complete the requirements for the unit during the period during which the student undertook, or was to undertake, the unit.
(4) The Administration Guidelines may specify circumstances in which a higher education provider will be satisfied of a matter referred to in paragraph (3)(a) or (b).
(5) A higher education provider will be satisfied of the matter referred to in paragraph (3)(c) in relation to a unit of study if the provider is satisfied that any of the following circumstances apply in relation to a student:
(a) the student's medical condition changed or worsened to such an extent that the student was unable to complete the requirements for the unit;
(b) a member of the student's family died and it is unreasonable to expect the student to have completed the requirements for the unit;
(c) a member of the student's family had a serious medical condition and it is unreasonable to expect the student to have completed the requirements for the unit;
(d) financial difficulties experienced by the student, or a member of the student's family, are such that it is unreasonable to expect the student to have completed the requirements for the unit;
(e) the student's employment status or arrangements changed such that the student was unable to complete the requirements for the unit;
(f) changes made in relation to the unit by the provider, or another higher education provider, disadvantaged the student;
(g) it is unreasonable to expect the student to have completed the requirements for the unit because of a natural disaster, or other emergency, that occurred in Australia;
(h) any other circumstances that the provider considers relevant;
(i) any other circumstances specified in the Administration Guidelines for the purposes of this paragraph.
(6) Without limiting paragraph (5)(i), the Administration Guidelines may specify circumstances relating to a matter mentioned in subsection (5).
(7) If the Administration Guidelines specify circumstances for the purposes of subsection (4) or paragraph (5)(i), a decision of a higher education provider under this section must be in accordance with those guidelines.
(8) If a higher education provider is unable to act for the purposes of this section (other than subsection (1)), the *Secretary may act as if one or more references in this section (other than subsection (1)) to a higher education provider were a reference to the Secretary.
(4) Schedule 4, Division 1 of Part 2, page 45 (before line 19), at the end of the Division, add:
40A Section 206 - 1 (before item 1A)
Insert:
40B Subsection 209 - 1(2) (note 1)
Omit "subsection 36 12(2) or 36 20(1)", insert "subsection 36 12(2), paragraph 36 13(2)(b), subsection 36 20(1)".
40C Paragraph 238 - 1(2)(a)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(a) under subsection 36 12(2), paragraph 36 13(2)(b) or subsection 36 20(1); or
40D Subsection 238 - 10(1) (table item 1)
Before "section 36 21;", insert "section 36 13;".
The Senate divided. [13:09]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
Sport Integrity Australia Amendment (World Anti-Doping Code Review) Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a third time.
Family Law Amendment (Risk Screening Protections) Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the Treasury Laws Amendment (A Tax Plan for the COVID-19 Economic Recovery) Bill 2020, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.
That this bill be now read a second time.
This Bill implements the Morrison Government's tax plan for Australia's economic recovery from COVID-19 announced last night by the Treasurer.
The Bill delivers lower taxes for individuals and businesses. It will stimulate demand, support investment, boost economic growth and most importantly, create jobs.
These measures are central to the Government's JobMaker Plan.
First, we are lowering taxes for more than 11 million individuals who pay personal income tax.
These tax cuts support low and middle-income Australians, with the majority of the benefit in 2020-21 being received by those on incomes below $90,000. In 2020-21, low and middle-income earners will receive tax relief of up to $2,745, for singles, and up to $5,490, for dual income families, compared with 2017-18 settings.
Over the next 12 months, personal income taxes will be cut by $12.5 billion. Taxes will be cut by $17.8 billion over the next four years. With more money in their pockets, Australians can spend more in our economy, boosting demand and jobs.
Personal income taxes will be cut by bringing forward the second stage of the Government's Personal Income Tax Plan by two years to this financial year. This involves increasing the top threshold of the 19 per cent bracket from $37,000 to $45,000 and increasing the top threshold of the 32.5 per cent bracket from $90,000 to $120,000. Under stage two, the low income tax offset increases from $445 to $700, which will deliver more money into the pockets of some of the lowest income earners.
The Government will also provide an additional low and middle income tax offset, worth up to $1,080, in 2020-21 that would have been removed under stage 2.
It all forms part of our plan that ensures that by 2024-25, around 95 per cent of Australian income earners pay no more than 30 cents in the dollar, on every dollar they earn.
Not only do we need more Australians with more money in their pockets out spending, we also need to back businesses that have a go.
The COVID-19 economic recovery will be driven by the private sector. Eight out of ten jobs are private sector jobs.
That is why our Economic Recovery Plan includes substantial incentives for businesses to invest. This Bill will provide 99 per cent of businesses access to temporary full expensing until 30 June 2022. This will reward business for bringing forward investment. Businesses with a turnover of up to $5 billion will be able to deduct the full cost of eligible depreciable assets of any value in the year they are first installed. Whether it is a farmer investing in a tractor, a café in a new coffee machine, a manufacturer in new machinery or a services business in IT software, these investments will boost their productivity and boost our economy. With more investment, there is more work to do and with that comes more jobs along the supply chain.
We know that there are many businesses, which were sound businesses before COVID-19, are now in a loss making position. Under this Bill, companies with a turnover of up to $5 billion will be able to apply their losses against profits taxed in a previous year as far back as the 2018‑19 income year. This temporary measure will be available until 2021-22. It will allow these companies to access cash by using their losses now, to stay in business, rebuild and invest, rather than waiting until they return to profit.
Also in this Bill, the Morrison Government will invest a further $2 billion in Research and Development through the Research and Development Tax Incentive. Business investment in R&D is central to the development of new products, processes and services that will help make Australia more competitive. Investing in R&D provides jobs now and jobs for tomorrow.
The Bill implements measures contained in existing legislation before this Parliament, with several enhancements. The enhancements increase the tax offset rates for all claimants of the R&D Tax Incentive compared to the 2019 Bill, remove the $4 million cap on annual cash refunds, streamline the intensity test from three to two tiers, and defer the start date of the changes to 1 July 2021.
And we know small business is the engine room of our economy. Under this legislation businesses with an aggregated annual turnover between $10 million and $50 million will, for the first time, have access to up to ten small business tax concessions.
This will cut their red tape, improve their cash flow and allow them to spend more time on their business than with the tax office. The changes are estimated to support around 20,000 businesses and their employees.
These tax cuts and business incentives are all about delivering money into people's pockets, getting the economy going as we recover from the unprecedented impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and getting people back into jobs.
Treasury estimates measures in this Bill will create an additional 100,000 jobs by the end of 2021-22.
Full details of the measure are contained in the Explanatory Memorandum.
A national anti-racism strategy is necessary to protect the unity, safety and security of our society and to ensure our citizens and diaspora communities are protected from racial discrimination and race hate.
We want to see women rise. But we don't want to see women rise only on the basis of others doing worse.
That divisions may take place on Friday, 9 October 2020.
That the Senate take note of the answers given by the Minister for Families and Social Services (Senator Ruston) to questions without notice asked today by Senators McCarthy, Keneally and O'Neill relating to the budget.
However, there are reasonable criticisms of the amount allocated to the fund, the uneven way it was distributed and the adoption of a first-come-first-served policy. This process favoured the union.
I've worked a total of 35 years for Australia, and my last position was for 22 years. I've worked 30 of those 35 years in factory work so it was physical labour and your body can only take that for so long. In 2016, I was made redundant. The factory I worked at closed in November of that year, and I was made redundant in July. I went to Centrelink to be told that I had to live on my redundancy for 18 months, which I did. After that they put me on Newstart.
So to say that going from a paid job to Newstart is a shock to the system is a bit of an understatement because budgeting is impossible. There's just no money to budget. There's just not enough money to go around.
I've followed all the instructions from Centrelink and my job provider to the letter. I've had my payments suspended five times so far this year due to no fault of mine, and that's stressful. … When you get a text message—actually, on Wednesday I reported and, when I got to the end of my report, it said: your payment has been suspended. So I had to get out of that, ring my job provider and ask, 'What's going on?' It just happens all the time…
My medical scripts cost about $80-plus a month. I've used all my redundancy. I have very few savings left. Frankly, I'm scared about what's going to happen to me when my car rego and my insurance et cetera come in because there are no savings left—that's what I've been living on. I mean: am I going to have be forced to live in my car? It makes me very sad, and it's demeaning when our Prime Minister says that Newstart recipients are a blight on the Australian economy.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister representing the Prime Minister (Senator Cormann) to a question without notice asked by Senator Hanson-Young today relating to the arts and entertainment industry.
That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees as follows:
Autism—Select Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Bilyk
Participating member: Senator Marielle Smith
Economics Legislation Committee
Appointed—
Substitute member: Senator Paterson to replace Senator Brockman for the consideration of the 2020-21 Budget estimates from 19 October 2020 to 2 November 2020
Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Bilyk
Participating member: Senator Marielle Smith
Environment and Communications References Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Bilyk
Participating member: Senator Marielle Smith
Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Chisholm
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology—Select Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Kitching
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Implementation of the National Redress Scheme—Joint Select Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Pratt
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Publications
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Farrell
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Tobacco Harm Reduction—Select Committee
Appointed—
Senators Sheldon and Urquhart
Participating members: Senator Ayres, Bilyk, Brown, Carr, Chisholm, Ciccone, Dodson, Farrell, Gallacher, Gallagher, Green, Keneally, Kitching, Lines, McAllister, McCarthy, O'Neill, Polley, Pratt, Sheldon, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Urquhart, Walsh, Watt, Wong.
Treaties—Joint Standing Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Kitching
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Trade and Investment Growth—Joint Standing Committee
Discharge—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Ciccone
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith.
That the Senate record its deep regret at the death, on 27 September 2020, of the Honourable Susan Maree Ryan AO, a former Senator for the Australian Capital Territory and Minister for Education, Minister assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women and Special Minister of State in the Hawke Government, places on record its appreciation for her service to the Parliament and the nation, and tenders its profound sympathy to her family in their bereavement.
Why are individuals leaving paid work at 60, or often earlier, rather than 70? Even if they are more likely to live to 100 instead of 150 … Age discrimination in employment is a huge barrier preventing older Australians from continuing in the workforce.
… all those older than 65 are in need of substantial and growing public support—
I felt from the youngest possible age that it was unfair, intolerable really, that females were regarded as second-class citizens. That was going to be the big thing that I wanted to change.
After being elected in 1975, I joined four women who had already been in the Senate for a short period, Liberal Senators Guilfoyle and Martin, and Labor Senators Coleman and Melzer. Senator Walters from Tasmania was also elected in 1975. So there were six … Across Kings Hall in the House of Representatives there were no women … There was no woman leader or minister in any state parliament … Margaret Guilfoyle became the first, and sole, female cabinet minister in the Fraser Government.
I struggle with post-modernism in architecture, literature and literary criticism and I think that post-feminism is uncalled for.
I am in some senses an unlikely candidate as an advocate for homosexual law reform. As a young heterosexual woman coming of age in post war Australia, educated in a strict and conservative catholic environment, I really didn't know much about homosexuality until well into adulthood. In fact we were not taught much about sexuality in general (our own or anyone else's). In this sense I was very much the product of my generation.
I am by temperament quite gregarious, but the combination of my gender and my politics meant that the position I occupied most often was that of a shag on a rock.
But what really stood out was our shared memories of her warmth and her sense of fun and mischief. At social events, she moved seamlessly from singing a hymn to singing The Internationale. She was a committed Australian republican and was also an Irish republican. Whenever we met, she would cheekily address me as "Comrade Ryan, my favourite Irish Unionist", (her knowing full well that 'Unionist' has a very different meaning in Australia to Ireland). My own late Mother having shared her name, I would retort "Hello there—my 2nd favourite Susan Ryan".
That the Senate take note of the report.
That the Senate take note of the report.
That the Senate take note of the report.
BUDGET DAY STATEMENT
Presented in the Senate by Senator Matt O ' Sullivan
Wednesday, 7 October 2020, after 5.00 pm
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit
2020-21 Draft Estimates for the Australian National Audit Office and the Parliamentary Budget Office
On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present this statement on the draft budget estimates of the Australian National Audit Office—the ANAO—and the Parliamentary Budget Office—the PBO.
The Committee is required, under the Public Accounts and Audit Committee Act 1951 and theParliamentary Service Act 1999 , to consider the draft budget estimates of the ANAO and the PBO, and make recommendations including to both Houses of Parliament regarding these estimates.
The respective Acts of the Auditor-General and the Parliamentary Budget Officer, as well as the Committee's own legislation, require each of those officers to provide all the information necessary for the Committee to consider their budget estimates.
With regard to the Parliamentary Budget Office, the Committee has been informed that the PBO has sought supplementation in the 2020-21 Budget.
The Committee understands that, since the COVID-19 pandemic, the PBO has focused its research on publications relevant to the current fiscal situation, reflecting a heightened level of interest in publications that inform the Parliament and the public about fiscal matters.
Accordingly, the PBO has sought temporary supplementation of $3.1 million over four years, from the 2020-21 Budget, to maintain and expand its research publication program in light of COVID-19.
The Acting Parliamentary Budget Officer has advised the Committee that this supplementary funding would enable the PBO to maintain and expand its research program over the peak period associated with the next election and deliver additional research publications in other non-election years.
In the PBO's Budget Submission, the agency requested temporary supplementation for an additional team of five research staff available from the second half of 2020-21 to the end of 2023-24. The total budget impact of this would be $3.1 million over four years, including $0.4 million in 2020-21, and $0.9 million per annum between 2021-22 and 2023-24.
The Committee acknowledges the benefit to the Parliament and public discourse of the PBO's research program. The Committee notes that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on many departments and agencies across government, as well as the broader budgetary position, and therefore provides a qualified recommendation in support of the PBO's request for temporary supplementation.
With regard to the Australian National Audit Office, the ANAO has informed the Committee it is seeking supplementation in the 2020-21 Budget over the forward estimates.
The ANAO states that to restore its ability to deliver an appropriate number of performance audits, conduct mandatory financial statement audits, and meet increased costs associated with changes in work patterns due to COVID-19, supplementary budget funding of $6.3 million in 2020-21 is needed. The ANAO has proposed that this would rise over the forward estimates to $9.1 million by 2023-24.
The ANAO has advised that this additional funding would meet IT and data storage costs, improve cyber security measures and meet cost increases in financial statements audits. Further, the funding would assist in increasing the ANAO's internet bandwidth to support remote working arrangements due COVID-19, undertake controls testing for new COVID-19 measures in financial statement audits, and address quality control risks.
The JCPAA is aware that cost pressures have existed for some time, as evidenced by recent ANAO budget outcomes. According to the ANAO's Annual Reports, the agency's operating result in the most recent two financial years was a deficit of $3.117 million in 2019-20 and a deficit of $4.778 million in 2018-19, excluding depreciation and amortisation. The Committee also notes that previous budget statements in 2016-17, 2017-18 and 2018-19 advise that the ANAO was not seeking supplementation.
Between 2019-20 and 2023-24, the ANAO's Budget Submission indicated significant rises in depreciation from that in previous years. The ANAO has outlined that these increases predominantly arise from the fit-out of a new building and upgrades to the agency's IT asset base.
The ANAO has advised the Committee that performance audits in 2020- 21 are projected to fall to 42, with further reductions over the forward estimates if supplementary funding is not provided. With the proposed supplementary funding, the ANAO advised the Committee it would return to meeting its annual target of 48 audits per annum by 2023-24. The Committee recognises that the ANAO has had a target of achieving 48 performance audits for several years and requires adequate funding to meet this objective.
Members are also cognisant of the current difficult budgetary environment and the unprecedented impact of the Coronavirus on departments and entities that the ANAO audits, as well as the broader budgetary position.
Acknowledging the difficult fiscal situation, the Committee provides a qualified recommendation in support of the Auditor-General's request for supplementation. The Committee recognises that the Government will determine its view on the Auditor-General's resourcing via the Budget and recommends that sufficient funding be provided to enable the ANAO to meet its KPIs over the forward estimates.
The Auditor-General is also seeking an exemption from the efficiency dividend, to not apply to ANAO appropriations from 2020-21 onwards.
The Committee's majority recommendation is that the ANAO not be exempt from the efficiency dividend. The Committee acknowledges the argument put by the Auditor-General that as an Officer of the Parliament he should not be subject to the efficiency dividend which provides funds to Executive Government for reallocation to other priorities, however the majority of the Committee is of the view that this measure continues to serve an important role in ensuring efficiencies are generated across a broad range of agencies.
Ultimately this is a matter for the government to determine further.
The Committee thanks the Auditor-General and the Acting Parliamentary Budget Officer for their work in support of the Parliament and the Committee.
That the Senate take note of the report.
That the Senate take note of the report.
Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [17:34]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [17:41]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
My fellow Australians.
We live in a great country.
Amidst all the chaos and hardship that has shaken our world in 2020 - there is nowhere else we would rather be.
The credit for that, as always, doesn't belong to the politicians here tonight.
It belongs to the people of Australia.
We are coming through this pandemic because of their hard work, their sacrifices, their sense of community.
Their willingness to put not just their friends and neighbours, but people they have not met and probably will never meet, ahead of themselves.
Their values. Australian values.
That we look after each other.
And – it's that spirit, those values, which should define what happens next.
Because the challenge – and the opportunity – facing us now is not just a matter of getting things back to the way they were.
We have to aim higher than that, strive for more than that.
We have a once-in-a-generation chance to rebuild our economy and our country for the better.
To launch a recovery that delivers a stronger, fairer and more secure future, for all Australians.
This Budget fails the test.
The Budget reflects the Government's character of being guided by short term politics, not long term vision.
Our economy was already struggling coming into the crisis. Slow growth, flat wages, declining productivity, business investment going backwards, a doubling of debt.
Now they are cutting wage subsidies, slashing unemployment benefits back and have no plan for childcare, aged care or social housing.
This Budget leaves people behind.
Women have suffered most during the pandemic, but are reduced to a footnote. The best the Government can offer is they can drive on a road.
And if someone is over 35 they have certainly been left behind.
This week their wage subsidy was cut.
In March their wage subsidy disappears.
If they are unemployed they get $40 a day and are forced into poverty.
Then they will compete to get a job with people who will have their wages subsidised.
A quadruple whammy.
The Morrison recession will be deeper and longer because of this Budget.
Mr Albanese was brought up to look on the bright side.
His mother, Maryanne, was a great optimist.
She was crippled with rheumatoid arthritis and other health conditions, which meant constant pain and long stints in hospital.
A single mum who raised him in public housing and relied on a disability pension, she did it tough.
But she always had a smile on her face, she never complained about her lot in life.
Like every Australian parent, her greatest aspiration - and the reason for all her sacrifice – was to make sure her child had a better quality of life and greater opportunity.
That aspiration for others has been on full display in 2020.
Volunteers fighting bushfires.
Healthcare workers fending-off a pandemic.
Cleaners and supermarket workers and truckies working around the clock to keep our economy going.
Teachers re-defining education, practically overnight.
Farmers and regional communities who had already copped drought and bushfires.
Small business reinventing themselves - and locals backing them in.
Trade unions agreeing to temporarily put aside hard fought industrial gains, to maintain jobs and keep businesses going.
Public servants reminding us of the honourable profession they belong to.
Australians rallying to help each other through tough times.
But if this crisis has reinforced what we know is good about our country…
…it has also revealed what is wrong with our economy.
The Budget figures tell the story.
An end to 3 decades of economic growth.
A million unemployed, with 160,000 more by Christmas.
A trillion dollars of debt.
Debt which had already doubled under this Government now 4 times that which the Coalition inherited.
And there were the damning silences.
Too many Australians are in insecure work - the first to be laid off, with low wages and few entitlements.
… and this Budget said nothing about that.
Too many women are shut off from economic opportunity - earning less and retiring with less.
… and this Budget said nothing to change that.
Too many family budgets pushed to breaking point by the cost of childcare.
… and this Budget said nothing to help with that.
Too many older Australians who built this country are being treated without the respect and dignity they deserve.
Too many older Australians are lonely prisoners of a broken aged care system.
Facilities run for the highest profits at the lowest standards.
A care economy workforce in childcare, aged care and disability care that is overworked and underpaid.
And Tuesday's Budget said nothing and did nothing about that.
How can the Government push the national debt to a trillion dollars and yet leave these fundamental problems unresolved?
Tonight, the Labor Leader, Mr Albanese, outlined how we can change this for the better.
How we can emerge from this crisis with a stronger economy and a fairer society.
The pandemic has shown that Labor's values of fairness, security and the power of government to change lives for the better are the right values in a crisis.
They are also the right values for the recovery.
Throughout this crisis, Mr Albanese and Labor have been constructive.
As the party that led Australia safely through the Global Financial Crisis, we understand, that in the middle of an emergency, the priority is on urgent action.
Still, we sought to make improvements including arguing for wage subsidies, which the Prime Minister rejected as "very dangerous".
We wanted casuals, universities and the arts to be included. This would have saved tens of thousands of jobs.
We warned of the damage caused by a smash-and-grab on superannuation, forcing desperate people to raid their own retirement savings while they waited for support to arrive.
We called for Telehealth and mental health support.
We backed the trade unions' call for the Government to introduce a national scheme of paid pandemic leave so no-one had to choose between turning up to work sick or putting food on the table.
Our constructive approach contrasts with the Coalition during the GFC which voted against the Rudd Government's economic stimulus to protect jobs – and complained about the debt they inherited which was one quarter of the debt created by the Morrison Government.
The only legacy delivered by this Budget is trillion dollar debt. A reform desert.
The decisions in this budget should be about setting Australia on a course for the next decade and beyond.
And when those decisions are wasteful, or unfair, or short-sighted or just plain wrong…then it's not the government who pays in the long run, it's the whole country.
Just look at the NBN.
The Liberals have wasted years trashing Labor's plan for broadband delivered by fibre to the home and business.
They went out and bought 50,000 kilometres of copper – enough to wrap around the entire planet – so they could build a slow, third-rate network that was out of date before it started.
Now instead of leading the world on internet speed, business connectivity and online learning, Australia is playing catch-up.
If we're going to come out of this recession stronger and fairer, then our country needs a plan to ensure no-one is left behind, and no-one is held back.
Our plan to take Australia from recession to recovery is this:
Rehire our workers.
Rewire our economy.
Recharge workforce participation of women.
And rebuild our nation.
Labor knows education is the key to opportunity.
Our schools, TAFE and vocational education and universities are vital national institutions.
And making sure a quality education is accessible and affordable for every Australian doesn't just open doors of opportunity for individuals, it makes us a smarter, more productive, more future-ready country.
And investing in education needs to begin at the beginning – with quality childcare.
We all know how much our kids change and learn and grow before they're at school.
Ninety per cent of human brain development occurs in the first five years of life.
What children learn at childcare is so vital for giving our kids the best possible start. But the current system of caps and subsidies and thresholds isn't just confusing and costly, it actually penalises the families it's meant to help.
Right around Australia, instead of childcare supporting families where both parents want to work …the costs – and the tax system – actively discourage this.
And - as is too often the case – it's working mums who cop the worst of it.
For millions of working women, it's simply not worth working more than three days a week.
This derails careers, it deprives working women of opportunities they've earned.
And it costs workplaces – not just day-to-day productivity but years of valuable experience and knowledge and skills.
If Mr Albanese is elected Prime Minister, he's going to fix this.
Tonight, Mr Albanese announced that a Labor Government will, from 1 July 2022, remove the annual cap on the childcare subsidy, eliminating once and for all, the disincentive to work more hours.
And we will increase the maximum Child Care subsidy to 90 per cent - cutting costs for 97 per cent of all families in the system.
And we will order the ACCC to design a price regulation mechanism that will ensure every taxpayer dollar spent flows directly through to savings for Australian families.
This is real reform. It will boost women's workforce participation, boost productivity and get Australia working again.
Building a childcare system that works for families will turbocharge productivity in workplaces, delivering a much-needed boost in economic growth of up to 4 billion dollars a year.
For Mr Albanese, the principle is very simple:
Early education is vital for our children's future.
And childcare is an essential service for families – and for the economy.
So our long term goal – and the mission we will set for the Productivity Commission which will be asked to report in the first term of a Labor Government – is to investigate moving to a 90 per cent subsidy for child care for every Australian family.
Labor created Medicare - universal health care.
We created the NDIS - universal support for people with disability.
We created superannuation – universal retirement savings for workers.
And – if Mr Albanese is Prime Minister – he will make quality, affordable childcare universal too.
This global pandemic has exposed the terrible damage seven years of Liberal Government has done to Australian manufacturing.
Mr Albanese doesn't want our country to always be the last link in a worldwide supply chain.
His vision is for us to have the skills and smarts and people and industry to make things here and sell them on the global market.
So, tonight he talked about Labor's plan for a Future Made in Australia.
A mass mobilisation of resources, an across-the-board strategy for:
- Job creation
- Training and skills
- Lower energy prices
- Infrastructure
- Government purchasing
- Manufacturing and construction
A plan to grow our economy out of this recession – and build for the future too.
The first policy Mr Albanese announced as Labor leader was to build on the success of the Infrastructure Australia model and create Jobs and Skills Australia.
This is about joining-up the needs of our economy now – with training opportunities for the future.
We have a shortage of nurses, welders, brick layers, engineers, and hairdressers.
Yet under this government, there are 140,000 fewer people doing an apprenticeship or traineeship than there were seven years ago.
We want to equip every Australian with the skills for a good secure job.
And we want to make sure every employer has access to a well-trained Australian workforce.
And right at the heart of our plan for skills and training is the great institution of public TAFE.
But there's more government can – and should – do.
Every year, the Commonwealth spends billions of taxpayer dollars on building and upgrading roads, maintaining railways and repairing bridges.
To deliver maximum public value for money, Labor will create an Australian Skills Guarantee.
On every major work site receiving Federal Government funding, one out of 10 workers employed will be an apprentice, a trainee or cadet.
These common sense measures will train tens of thousands of workers.
We will also consider how this principle can be extended to Federal Government subsidised sectors like aged care, disability care and childcare in co-operation with providers.
And we'll bring the same approach to defence acquisitions too.
Over the next decade, there is $270 billion of defence spending on the books.
These investments in national security should also deliver a dividend for national skills, training, research and manufacturing.
A Labor Government will implement concrete rules to maximise local content and create local jobs.
At best, the Liberals' approach is all over the shop when it comes to Australian content.
Remember when one of this Liberal Government's Defence Ministers said he wouldn't trust Australians to build a canoe?
Australians will never forget that it was this Government that drove Holden, Ford and other car makers out of Australia, taking tens of thousands of jobs in auto manufacturing, servicing and the supply chain with them.
This wasn't just dumb and devastating in the short term.
Cutting down the Australian auto industry also cut Australia off from the next round of opportunities, dealing us out of a new wave of technology that could have been made in Elizabeth and Altona and Geelong but instead is being made in Detroit and Tokyo.
It's the same at a state level.
Liberal Governments have consistently said we can't build trains here.
And yet the ones they've bought from overseas have been too long for our stations, or too narrow for our tracks, or too tall for our tunnels.
Last December, Mr Albanese visited the Downer EDI site in Maryborough, Queensland, where skilled Aussie workers are refitting rail carriages purchased from overseas by the former Newman LNP Government.
This work is being done in a factory that's been building quality trains since the 19th Century.
Our country has the skills and the knowhow. What's missing is a government that believes in manufacturing and has a plan to deliver.
Tonight, Mr Albanese announced that a Labor Government will create a National Rail Manufacturing Plan.
We will provide leadership to the states and work with industry to identify and optimise the opportunities to build trains here in Australia - for freight and for public transport.
Labor will invest in the skills and research and training to kickstart the next generation of Australian manufacturing jobs.
And we'll deliver the affordable, reliable energy to power industry into the future.
The Liberals have had 22 energy policies in 8 years.
And all they have to show for it are higher electricity prices and higher emissions.
Australia can do so much better.
We can be a renewable energy superpower, with clean energy powering a new era of metal manufacturing and hydrogen production.
Labor has a clear target to tackle Climate Change - net zero carbon pollution by 2050.
Every State and Territory Government - Labor and Liberal - supports this goal.
The Business Council, the Australian Industry Group, the Australian Energy Council and the National Farmers Federation agree on it.
Qantas and Santos and BHP and a host of other major companies all back it too.
Everyone but the Morrison Government, which is frozen in time while the world warms around it.
Of course, there's a lot more we can do right now to make energy more affordable.
Australia's electricity network was designed for a different century.
For a time when solar panels ran pocket calculators, not the 1 in 4 households which have rooftop solar.
The current network takes no account of the rise of renewables as the cheapest new energy source, and doesn't help link these new sources up to the national grid.
A Labor Government will tackle this head on.
We will establish a new Rewiring the Nation Corporation to rebuild and modernise the national energy grid.
By using the Commonwealth's ability to borrow at lower interest rates, it will be done at the lowest possible cost.
The projects needed to rebuild the grid have all been identified in the Australian Energy Market Operator's Integrated System Plan.
The planning work is done.
Rebuilding the grid will create thousands of jobs – particularly in regional Australia - and deliver up to $40 billion in benefits.
Fixing transmission is technology neutral and will allow the market to drive least cost, new energy production.
Reforming childcare, rebuilding the National Energy Grid and revitalising Australian manufacturing are at the heart of Labor's plans for job creation over the next decade
But in the middle of the first recession in 30 years – we know Australia needs a plan to create jobs, right now.
One of the fastest ways to lift economic growth and get tradies back on the tools is to invest in social housing.
There's 100,000 social housing dwellings around the country that are in urgent need of repair.
The roof leaks, they're full of mould or damp, the plumbing isn't up to scratch.
If these were MPs offices they'd be fixed overnight.
These are people's homes – and they're a job creation plan ready and waiting in every city and town.
Tradies could be ordering from suppliers today, they could be on site, tomorrow.
And the pipeline of work doesn't stop at existing houses that need fixing.
There are new houses that need to be built too.
200,000 Australians are on waiting lists for social housing.
Mr Albanese grew up in public housing.
He knows when someone does not have much, having a roof over their head provides security and makes all the difference.
So many economists have identified investing in social housing as the best way to provide immediate stimulus to the economy.
It would create thousands of jobs in construction and the trades…
…and just like for Mr Albanese's mum, it would give thousands of people a better life.
The pandemic has exposed Australia's vulnerability.
This has particularly impacted the elderly with more than 670 deaths in aged care, in a system described by the Royal Commission in their one word title of the Interim Report issued last year, as "neglect".
This Budget has done nothing to address this neglect and nothing to ensure aged care residents have enough nurses, carers and other staff that they need and deserve.
The Royal Commission declared last week there was still no plan for aged care.
It is also the case that our pandemic preparedness was poor. The last national pandemic preparedness exercise was run by the Rudd Government in 2008.
A Labor Government will establish an Australian Centre for Disease Control to bring us into line with other advanced economies.
On Tuesday night, Australia needed a plan to seize the economic opportunities of the next decade.
We are, after all, located in the fastest growing region of the world in human history.
Instead, we got an incoherent grab bag, fixated on the photo opportunities of next week.
And that's the defining flaw of this government – and this Prime Minister.
They think an announcement is the end in itself.
Always there for the photo opp, never there for the follow up.
We see it time and time again.
Remember the "Back in Black" mugs they were selling last Budget, ahead of delivering the biggest deficit in Australian history?
Perhaps the mugs should have said "dirty deeds, done dirt cheap".
When we look at the waste and the grift and the pork barreling exposed by the Australian National Audit Office that's had its funding cut in this Budget as payback.
The Sports Rorts scandal
The $30 million paid for airport land that was worth just $3 million …
Two years after announcing they would support a National Integrity Commission, the legislation is as visible as a Morrison Government surplus.
A Labor Government will deliver a national anti-corruption commission to restore faith in our democracy.
In seven years, the gap between what they've promised on infrastructure – and what they've delivered – is nearly $7 billion.
They turn up, they turn over the first sod and years later weeds are growing on the empty lot.
And in spite of a Budget drowning in red ink, there were no new game changing infrastructure projects funded.
As Australia's first Infrastructure Minister, Mr Albanese knows what a missed opportunity this budget represents.
Then there's the Emergency Response Fund.
This $4 billion fund was created in the aftermath of the catastrophic bushfires with $200 million available each financial year from 2019-2020.
It's for recovery, as well as resilience in the lead up to bushfire seasons.
Not a dollar has been spent. Not one.
This week Mr Albanese spoke to Zoey Salucci in Cobargo.
The Prime Minister should remember her. She was the young pregnant woman who had lost her home and asked for more help for the Rural Fire Service. She was reluctant to shake his hand.
Zoey's son Phoenix turned 6 months old this week, named after the Greek mythological bird that obtains new life by rising from the ashes.
When Phoenix was born, Zoey, her husband and their two year old daughter Uma, were still living in a van. She despairs that so many of her community are still living in temporary caravans on land that is yet to be cleared.
Yet the $4 billion funding announced remains untouched.
That's why the true test of this Budget isn't this week's headlines.
It's not the rhetoric or the promises.
It's whether money reaches the people who need it.
Australia is at a crossroad.
It's not of our choosing but the choices we make could change everything.
This is an opportunity to reset and renew.
There was a time when the average wage let an Australian buy a house. When secure jobs with sick pay were the norm.
Before the balance tipped so far one way that ordinary people were left vulnerable.
Let's use this opportunity to get the balance right again.
Let's put security back into work – so that people don't have to choose between their bank account and their health.
Let's transform childcare so that it's affordable and accessible to every family.
Let's fix our aged care system so that it's driven by dignity and care, not profit.
The choices we make now will define who we are in the future, so Australians should ask themselves – what sort of country do they want?
Do we want to return to the same work insecurity, the same cuts to TAFE and unis, the same 2nd rate services for the bush, the same stale arguments over climate change?
Mr Albanese wants us to do better.
He wants a country that makes things, creates wealth – and shares it.
A country where the next generation inherit opportunity and prosperity – not debt and doubt.
A country which respects our farmers and miners in the regions and our cleaners and musicians in the cities.
A country that respects those who've come across the sea to enrich our society – and one that recognises the privilege of having the world's oldest continuous culture and recognises First Nations people in our Constitution – and gives them a Voice to this Parliament.
A country where – when the going gets tough – government is on the Australian people's side.
That's the Australia Mr Albanese believes in.
That's the better future he wants us to build together.
The year 2020 has been the year from hell.
But during this calamity we learnt a lot about ourselves. And about each other.
A man called Tom Uren was the closest person in Mr Albanese's life he had to a father figure.
Tom fought in World War 2, he spent his 21st birthday as a Japanese prisoner of war on the notorious Thai-Burma Railway.
He never talked much about what he went through.
But he always said Australians survived because of a simple code:
The healthy looked after the sick, the strong looked after the weak, the young looked after the old.
Those values are at the heart of what it is to be an Australian.
And those values are why Mr Albanese is optimistic about our country's future.
Because just as our people have rallied to each other and risen to the challenges of this pandemic.
Mr Albanese knows Australians can seize the opportunities of the recovery, seize the chance to rebuild and renew our country.
But people can't do it on their own.
Mr Albanese's mum battled a ton of adversity to give him opportunities she never had.
But government played a part too: it put a roof over their head, it gave him an education and a start.
That's why Mr Albanese wants to be Prime Minister.
Because he knows government has the power to break down barriers of disadvantage, to change lives for the better.
He's seen it. He's lived it.
And that's what Labor's plans are all about.
Creating jobs for today – and training our people for tomorrow.
Making quality child care a right for all, not a luxury for some.
Rebuilding our manufacturing sector.
And powering our recovery with clean energy
Tonight, Mr Albanese talked about how we can make this once-in-a-century crisis the beginning of a new era of Australian prosperity and Australian fairness.
With the right plans, the right policies – and the right leadership – Mr Albanese truly believes our country can make this moment our own.
Strength and fairness.
We can beat this recession, we can launch a recovery and we can build a future where no-one is held back and no-one is left behind.
Australia is one of the few countries in the world that is not only self-sufficient in food and important raw materials but has an export surplus in these things. We have a sophisticated workforce and a sophisticated field of management that enables us, in a highly competitive world, to continue to grow as a manufacturing country. It would be a great mistake if our manufacturing potential were to be neglected or underestimated. So, considering our self-sufficiency in food and materials, our capacity for industrial growth and our tremendous land area capable of absorbing additional population from around the world, I look forward with a high level of confidence to the future of Australia.
That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees as set out in the documents available in the chamber and listed on the Dynamic Red .
Autism—Select Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Bilyk
Participating member: Senator Marielle Smith
Economics Legislation Committee
Appointed—
Substitute member: Senator Paterson to replace Senator Brockman for the consideration of the 2020-21 Budget estimates from 19 October 2020 to 2 November 2020
Environment and Communications Legislation Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Bilyk
Participating member: Senator Marielle Smith
Environment and Communications References Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Bilyk
Participating member: Senator Marielle Smith
Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Chisholm
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Financial Technology and Regulatory Technology—Select Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Kitching
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Implementation of the National Redress Scheme—Joint Select Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Pratt
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Publications
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Farrell
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Tobacco Harm Reduction—Select Committee
Appointed—
Senators Sheldon and Urquhart
Participating members: Senator Ayres, Bilyk, Brown, Carr, Chisholm, Ciccone, Dodson, Farrell, Gallacher, Gallagher, Green, Keneally, Kitching, Lines, McAllister, McCarthy, O'Neill, Polley, Pratt, Sheldon, Marielle Smith, Sterle, Urquhart, Walsh, Watt, Wong.
Treaties—Joint Standing Committee
Discharged—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Kitching
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith
Trade and Investment Growth—Joint Standing Committee
Discharge—Senator Marielle Smith
Appointed: Senator Ciccone
Participating members: Senator Marielle Smith.
That committees be authorised to meet in accordance with the list circulated in the chamber: