The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Sue Lines ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2022
The Senate divided. [09:26]
(The Deputy President—Senator McLachlan)
That the question be now put.
High Speed Rail Authority Bill 2022
The committee divided. [10:17]
(The Chair—Senator McLachlan)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
That the bill be now read a third time.
Narcotic Drugs (Licence Charges) Amendment Bill 2022
(I) in 2020 the Community Affairs References Committee, as part of its inquiry into the current barriers to patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia, concluded that 'the significant costs associated with accessing medicinal cannabis legally are causing a large number of Australians to purchase or grow illicit cannabis for self-medication', and
… … …
(ii) the committee recommended that the Government encourage a review of state and territory criminal legislation in relation to amnesties for the possession and/or cultivation of cannabis for genuine personal medicinal use; and
(b) calls on the Government to work with state and territory governments to develop a nationwide amnesty from criminal prosecution for people who have a legitimate medicinal cannabis prescription and are home growing cannabis for their personal use".
At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:
(a) notes that:
(I) in 2020 the Community Affairs References Committee, as part of its inquiry into the current barriers to patient access to medicinal cannabis in Australia, concluded that 'the significant costs associated with accessing medicinal cannabis legally are causing a large number of Australians to purchase or grow illicit cannabis for self-medication', and
(ii) the committee recommended that the Government encourage a review of state and territory criminal legislation in relation to amnesties for the possession and/or cultivation of cannabis for genuine personal medicinal use; and
(b) calls on the Government to work with state and territory governments to develop a nationwide amnesty from criminal prosecution for people who have a legitimate medicinal cannabis prescription and are home growing cannabis for their personal use".
The Senate divided. [11:06]
(The President—Senator Lines)
At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:
(a) notes that many Australians are unable to access medical cannabis owing to the bureaucratic framework in place, and the cost to patients; and
(b) calls on the Government:
(i) to make natural, whole plant, Australian medical cannabis available to any Australian with a medical need, by doctor's prescription, filled by a pharmacist on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; and
(ii) to ensure that the decision to prescribe medical cannabis is a matter between only the doctor and the patient, which is subject to real time prescription monitoring in the same way as other controlled medicines".
The Senate divided. [11:13]
(The President—Senator Lines)
That this bill be now read a third time.
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
REPORT NO. 7 OF 2022
24 November 2022
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Senator Anne Urquhart (Government Whip, Chair) Senator Wendy Askew (Opposition Whip)
Senator Ross Cadell (The Nationals Whip)
Senator Pauline Hanson (Pauline Hanson's One Nation Whip) Senator Nick McKim (Australian Greens Whip)
Senator Ralph Babet
Senator the Hon. Anthony Chisholm Senator the Hon. Katy Gallagher Senator Matt O'Sullivan
Senator David Pocock Senator Paul Scarr Senator Tammy Tyrrell
Secretary: Tim Bryant 02 6277 3020
SELECTION OF BILLS COMMITTEE
REPORT NO. 7 OF 2022
1. The committee met in private session on Wednesday, 23 November 2022 at 7.13 pm.
2. The committee recommends that—
(a) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 4) Bill 2022 bereferred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 25 January 2023 (see appendix 1 for a statement of reasons for referral).
(b) the provisions of the Treasury Laws Amendment (Modernising Business Communications and Other Measures) Bill 2022 bereferred immediately to the Economics Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 25 January 2023 (see appendix 2 for a statement of reasons for referral); and
3. The committee recommends that the following bills not be referred to committees:
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2022-2023
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2022-2023
National Anti-Corruption Commission (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2022
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2022
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2022
4. The committee deferred consideration of the following bills to its next meeting:
5. The committee considered the following bill but was unable to reach agreement:
(Anne Urquhart)
Chair
24 November 2022
Appendix 1
Name of Bill:
Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 4) Bill 2022
Reasons for referral/principal issues for consideration:
Complicated Bill
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Various Stakeholders
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Economics Legislation Committees
Possible hearing date(s):
Dec—
Possible reporting date:
25.1.2023
(signed)
Wendy Askew
Appendix 2
Name of Bill:
Treasury Laws Amendment (Modernising Business Communications and Other Measures) Bill 2022
Reasons for referral/principal issues for considerati on:
Complicated Bill
Possible submissions or evidence from:
Various Stakeholders
Committee to which bill is to be referred:
Economics Legislation Committees
Possible hearing date(s):
Dec—
Possible reporting date:
25.1.2023
(signed)
That the report be adopted.
At the end of the motion, add "and, in respect of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Information Disclosure, National Interest and Other Measures) Bill 2022, the provisions of the bill not be referred to a committee".
At the end of the motion, add:
"and, in respect of the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Information Disclosure, National Interest and Other Measures) Bill 2022, the provisions of the bill be referred immediately to the Environment and Communications Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 1 March 2023".
That—
(a) the following government business orders of the day be considered from 12.15 pm today:
Atomic Energy Amendment (Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Bill 2022
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2022
Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Amendment Bill 2022
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Reform (Closing the Hole in the Ozone Layer) Bill 2022
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Import Levy) Amendment Bill 2022
Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas (Manufacture Levy) Amendment Bill 2022
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Community Radio) Bill 2022
Animal Health Australia and Plant Health Australia Funding Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
(b) government business then be called on and considered till not later than 1.30 pm; and
(c) general business notice of motion no. 93 standing in the name of Senator Hanson relating to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice referendum be considered during general business today.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report as expeditiously as is practicable:
Department of Defence—Cocos (Keeling) Islands airfield upgrade.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report as expeditiously as is practicable:
Department of Defence—Cocos (Keeling) Islands airfield upgrade.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report as expeditiously as is practicable:
Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade—Australian High Commission project Abuja, Nigeria.
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Banning Dirty Donations) Bill 2022
That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and for related purposes.
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
I welcome the opportunity to re-introduce this bill today, and continue our efforts to get big money out of politics. I acknowledge the important work done on this issue by former Senator Lee Rhiannon and Senator Richard Di Natale, academics and civil society organisations that has assisted in the development of this bill.
If passed, this bill would stop dirty industries with a track record of seeking to influence decision-makers through donations—the fossil fuel, banking, defence, pharmaceutical, liquor, tobacco and gambling industries—from making political donations. The bill would also limit the amount that can be donated by individuals and other entities to $3,000 per election term, minimising the opportunity for big money to buy outcomes.
There has never been a more important time for donation reform. Our democracy is in trouble. Public trust in parliament and politicians is at an all-time low, and the community feels less and less confident that their representatives represent them, rather than doing the bidding of their corporate donors.
And it's no wonder. Two hundred and thirty million dollars have flowed in corporate donations to the Labor, Liberal and National parties in the past decade from the big banks, from industries like mining, defence and big pharma, from property developers, and from alcohol, tobacco and gambling companies. These are just some of the industries that have paid the Liberal, National and Labor parties to put their private profits ahead of the needs of our community.
These industries are not donating millions of dollars because they believe in the institution of strong democracy. They are donating because it gets results.
The Greens have maintained the www.democracyforsale.org website for over a decade, tracking publicly disclosed political donations and putting a spotlight on influence-peddling. In 2018, the Senate Select Committee on the Political Influence of Donations laid out examples of the nexus between donations made by industry bodies and public policy outcomes or project approvals. The cosy relationships and the proximity of donations and policy outcomes that boost industry profits suggest undue influence. And the community continues to pay the price through climate inaction, propping up destructive gambling practices, and governments that refuse to make corporations pay their fair share of tax so that everyday people can get the education, health care, dental care, and income support that they need. Until we break the hold of dirty donations over the major parties, big corporations will keep winning, and the community loses out.
Recognising the corrosive influence that donations from the development sector had had on planning policy, infrastructure, and urban development, Queensland and New South Wales have both legislated to restrict political donations from property developers. The High Court has upheld these restrictions and this bill seeks to extend those to the federal arena. But it also recognises the influence of other key industries.
Since 2012, the fossil fuel and resources industries have donated over $9 million to both of the major parties. The Australia Institute estimates that in 2021-22 alone Australian governments handed out $11.6 billion in subsidies to fossil fuel giants in grants, loans, cheap fuel and accelerated depreciation that the rest of us don't get. That was $1.3 billion more than in the previous year, despite a COVID crisis that saw so many Australians struggling to make ends meet.
Rather than turn off the tap, in the most recent budget Labor gifted $1.9 billion of new money for gas in the Northern Territory on top of continuing the nearly $40 million in Morrison government fuel tax credits enjoyed by the industry.
It's a pretty good return on investment for fossil fuel donors, and a terrible deal for the rest of us.
Generous donations bought them a Liberal government completely paralysed by the words 'climate change' at a time when the Australian community faces a future of more extreme bushfires, crippling droughts and floods. Donations continue to cloud the judgment of the Albanese Labor government as new coal and gas projects keep getting approvals and public money.
The gas industry donates millions of dollars, so it was no great surprise when the former Prime Minister appointed his gas industry mates to the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission without even declaring their conflicts of interest. It was also no surprise that the Commission ultimately called for a "gas-led recovery" that directly benefits the gas industry, despite strong support for a renewables-led recovery from scientists, economists and policy analysts. Again, the community lost the opportunity for a sustainable recovery because governments are beholden to fossil fuel donors.
The cosy relationships and financial support have led to a situation where, despite overwhelming scientific and economic evidence that we will not reach even the weak 43 per cent emissions reduction targets unless we end our attachment to fossil fuels, the Albanese government refuses to rule out any of the 114 coal and gas projects currently under consideration. In fact, they continue to hand out public money to support destructive new projects in the Beetaloo Basin, Scarborough, and more.
We saw bullying tactics by the Minerals Council kill the Rudd government's mining super profits tax, and right now we're seeing the Minerals Councils use the same tactics against the Queensland Labor government's current plan to get resources companies to pay their fair share. These threats only work because the major parties rely on donations. The possibility generous donations will be withdrawn is the leverage the industry uses to keep governments in check.
The banking and financial sector is also a regular contributor and beneficiary. The sector has donated about $76 million since 2012 to both sides of politics, and that support secured them immunity for some time despite the evidence of customers being ripped off all over the country. Both of the major parties had to be dragged to the banking royal commission, something the Greens campaigned for since 2014, following scandal after scandal and public backlash over their inaction. How much faster would the commission have happened if the Liberal, National and Labor parties weren't on the payroll of the banks? And would we have seen stronger action in response to the scathing royal commission report?
The gambling industry is another significant donor to state and federal political parties, and their influence can be seen in the deeply entrenched support for poker machines throughout Australia, including exemptions for clubs from COVID restrictions even when so many other venues suffered.
Property developers also continue to throw their donations weight around while fighting against planning restrictions, tax reforms, and stronger environmental laws. In Queensland, a destructive proposal for a canal estate within the Ramsar-listed Toondah wetlands should never have gotten past the first hurdle. The department recommended that the project be rejected as "clearly unacceptable". Yet the property developer, Walker Corporation, was a generous political donor and the then minister allowed the deeply flawed proposal to proceed to assessment phase. He even explored the possibility of changing the Ramsar boundaries to accommodate the proposal. I live in hope that the new environment minister will finally reject this destructive proposal, but the local community should never have had to fight so hard for so long against a clearly unacceptable development.
These are only the donations that we know about, none of which have been illegal. It doesn't include money paid to attend business forums or cash for access meetings, it ignores exorbitant subscription or membership fees, and it doesn't include money funnelled through representative and fundraising bodies.
But regardless of the source or the amount, the obvious expectation from industry is that donations will return results. They're buying outcomes. This feeds the public perception that decisions in this place are made improperly, with self-interest and the interests of donors and mates consistently overriding the public interest.
In banning political donations from those industries that have a history of seeking to influence policy decisions, the bill implements a key recommendation of the Senate Select Committee into the Political Influence of Donations. It makes it an offence for a prohibited donor to make a donation or solicit another person to make a donation on its behalf. It is also an offence to accept a donation from a prohibited donor.
Another committee recommendation that this bill seeks to implement is to limit other political donations to $3,000 in an election term. As the High Court recognised in McCloy v NSW, uncontrolled use of wealth to influence decision-making compromises equal participation in democracy. By aggregating and capping political donations made by any person or entity, the bill seeks to level the playing field and avoid those with more money gaining greater access to government.
The bill will limit donations made for political purposes but is not intended to limit donations made to third parties to support their non-campaign activities. The important work done by civil society organisations must be allowed to continue. We will continue to call for the introduction of electoral expenditure caps to balance the participation of civil society organisations in the political process.
The bill complements other reforms to strengthen the disclosure regime that the government has finally committed to acting on, including lowering the disclosure threshold and requiring real-time disclosure of donations so people aren't waiting 18 months to see who is buying whom. The Greens strongly support these measures but recognise that more transparency alone will not remove the corrupting influence of political donations.
The 2022 election results confirm that the Australian public want more transparent and representative government that acts in the public interest. This bill is an important first step towards getting big money out of politics and restoring public confidence in our democracy.
If we are committed to enhancing the democratic process, which surely is something that every parliament should regularly turn its mind to, this should be a priority. This bill does not stifle debate or prevent individuals from donating to support a political party. It bans donations from industries that have become associated with having a corrupting influence on how we work as decision makers and will return democracy to the community.
I commend the bill to the Senate.
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) order for production of documents no. 69 (the order) agreed by the Senate on 27 October 2022, requiring the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to table documents in relation to The Gabba Stadium project and impacts on East Brisbane State School, has not been complied with, and
(ii) the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, in their response to the order, made a claim of public interest immunity on the basis that it would damage relations between the Commonwealth and states, citing concerns that disclosure of the information would harm the Commonwealth's ongoing relationship with a state government on this and future infrastructure arrangements;
(b) rejects the public interest immunity claim made by the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, noting that:
(i) when a claim of public interest immunity is made on the basis that it would damage relations between the Commonwealth and states, the agreement of the states to disclose the information should be sought and they should be invited to give reasons for any objection, and
(ii) no such agreement has been sought, nor has the Senate been advised of any objections from the Queensland Government, and
(iii) the public has a right to know the details of, and deliberations on, infrastructure projects such as the Gabba Stadium project and impacts on surrounding infrastructure; and
(c) requires the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to comply with the order by no later than midday on 29 November 2022.
(1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media, be established to inquire into and report on the risk posed to Australia's democracy by foreign interference through social media, with particular reference to:
(a) the use of social media for purposes that undermine Australia's democracy and values, including the spread of misinformation and disinformation;
(b) responses to mitigate the risk posed to Australia's democracy and values, including by the Australian Government and social media platforms;
(c) international policy responses to cyber-enabled foreign interference and misinformation;
(d) the extent of compliance with existing Australian laws and regulations; and
(e) any other related matters.
(2) That the committee present its final report by 1 August 2023.
(3) That the committee consist of five senators, as follows:
(a) two nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate;
(b) two nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate; and
(c) one nominated by minor party and independent senators.
(4) That:
(a) participating members may be appointed to the committee on the nomination of the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate or any minor party or independent senator;
(b) participating members may participate in hearings of evidence and deliberations of the committee, and have all the rights of members of the committee, but may not vote on any questions before the committee; and
(c) a participating member shall be taken to be a member of a committee for the purpose of forming a quorum of the committee if a majority of members of the committee is not present.
(5) That the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that not all members have been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.
(6) That the committee elect as chair one of the members nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and as deputy chair one of the members nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
(7) That the deputy chair shall act as chair when the chair is absent from a meeting of the committee or the position of chair is temporarily vacant.
(8) That, in the event of an equality of voting, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote.
(9) That the committee have power to appoint subcommittees consisting of three or more of its members, and to refer to any such subcommittee any of the matters which the committee is empowered to consider.
(10) That the committee and any subcommittee have power to send for and examine persons and documents, to move from place to place, to sit in public or in private, notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or dissolution of the House of Representatives, and have leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit.
(11) That the committee and any subcommittee have power to consider and use the evidence and records of the Select Committee on Foreign Interference through Social Media appointed during the previous Parliament.
(12) That the committee be provided with all necessary staff, facilities and resources and be empowered to appoint persons with specialist knowledge for the purposes of the committee with the approval of the President.
(13) That the committee be empowered to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it, and a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings as take place in public.
That there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, by no later than 5 pm on Tuesday, 29 November 2022, the following documents in relation to the Regulation Impact Statement of the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022, with particular reference to footnotes 65 and 70:
(a) all correspondence, file notes, emails, instant messages and briefings in relation to the original selection of reference websites (www.authentic.com and www.bark.com) and to the subsequent public correction to those footnotes by the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations;
(b) all communication on the footnotes and subsequent retraction between the Minister and/or his office and the Department; and
(c) all communication on the footnotes and subsequent retraction between the Minister and his staff.
The Senate divided. [11:32]
(The President—Senator Lines)
That Senator Babet be granted leave of absence for the period 24 to 25 November, for personal reasons.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022
At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:
(a) notes that:
(i) with this policy the Government has failed to:
(A) establish clear criteria and metrics of success for the policy,
(B) ensure the expenditure is temporary, proportionate, and linked to tangible productivity gains,
(C) quantify any benefit of the policy to electric vehicle uptake, to emissions reduction, or the budget bottom line,
(D) tangibly address the biggest constraint on electric vehicle uptake, which is supply and infrastructure, and
(E) consult with business and civil society on policy design,
(ii) the legislation does not address the core supply issues of electric vehicles, and will not substantially close the consequent cost gap between electric vehicles and non-electric vehicles,
(iii) the Coalition supports increased uptake of low and zero emissions vehicles and the Coalition government's focus was on enabling consumer choice when it comes to new vehicle and fuel technologies, and
(iv) the Coalition is focused on partnering with industry to support the uptake of new vehicle technologies and creating the necessary enabling environment to support uptake, which includes helping to support the infrastructure roll-out and ensuring that the electricity grid is ready; and
(b) calls on the Government to invest the substantial medium-term cost of the measure in supporting practical electric vehicle infrastructure and cost of living relief for hard working Australians".
In principle, an EV is well suited to towing, albeit with limitations.
… they may be better suited to occasional towing rather than long distance adventures.
Atomic Energy Amendment (Mine Rehabilitation and Closure) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Budget Measures) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Defence Home Ownership Assistance Scheme Amendment Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022
That leave of absence be granted to Senator Dodson for 25 November 2022 on account of parliamentary business.
That leave of absence be granted to the following senators for 25 November 2022:
(a) Senators Hughes and Molan, for personal reasons; and
(b) Senator Ruston, for a parliamentary delegation.
Hi, my name is Ella Sheahan. I'm 15 years old and a year 10 student at Earnshaw State College in the Lilley electorate in Brisbane.
Put yourself in the shoes, or rather the feathers, of a migratory shorebird where you've just battled gale force winds and rain flying 12,000 gruelling kilometres in search of a safe resting place and habitat only to return and find something horrific—a townhouse development.
This is the sad reality for many critically endangered birds, and we are watching the mass extinction unfold right in front of us, just one site being the much loved Toondah Harbour wetlands in Cleveland.
Why are we letting this happen to our ancient rainforest, bush and wetlands? Please answer the calls and crows of our wildlife and future generations. Australia's ecosystems are disappearing from the face of our Earth. Why don't we pull the parachute? There is no safety net below. In the time it has taken for me to read this speech alone, 50 football fields worth of precious forests have been flattened—destroyed; 20 hectares of uniquely biodiverse ecosystems—destroyed; 17,000 tons of carbon stores—destroyed.
We need to get to the root of the problem. You have all the power. You can be the Lorax who speaks for the trees and my generation. You can stop us all from toppling over the edge. It will take time, but together we can use our intellect to resurrect and redirect our future.
What is democracy without integrity? Integrity is the core foundation of trust between the elected and the electors. A lack of integrity erodes the trust in our democratic institutions, and in the very principles our great nation was founded upon.
Public trust in our government is at an all-time low and falling. 85% of Australians believe federal politics is plagued with corruption (The Australia Institute). Whether or not this is the case, this level of public distrust is a critical issue which directly threatens our democracy and which must be resolved.
Parliamentary integrity should not be an oxymoron, but an assurance to the country. Australia needs an anti-corruption watchdog. We need a federal ICAC.
We're fortunate enough that the vast majority of our public servants are sincere and hard-working politicians, who have dedicated their lives to serving this country. Nonetheless, a federal ICAC would serve to protect integrity, preserve public trust and to weed out the small number of corrupt politicians.
I speak for myself, my friends and if not all young Australians when I say, we want to have faith in our governments. We want to have faith in our politicians. We want integrity to be reflected in the actions of our nation's leaders, not merely their words.
We need a federal ICAC.
Retail workers are essential workers. The fact is, retail workers are the backbone of our economy. Australia must step up and protect the people who are our front line, the workers who keep the nation running, before it's too late.
Too many retail and fast-food workers are being abused at work, verbally and/or physically. Enough is enough. Everyone has the right to a safe work environment.
As challenges continue to unravel after the pandemic, now is the time for our society and economy, as well as our government and businesses, to show retail workers that they are a valued part of our nation.
In order to rebuild our society, the government must invest in maintaining and nurturing our workers, thus creating a safe work environment free from abuse.
Unions are only a small step towards achieving this, so it is vital for the government to continue supporting its workers. We must give them the respect they deserve.
Retail workers have always been essential, but now it is impossible to ignore. Time after time, retail workers are not being considered; instead, they are being taken for granted.
Doesn't the health and wellbeing of 1.5 million retail workers deserve attention, Australia?
Retail workers consistently face job insecurity, staff shortages and customer abuse.
It's time, Australia, to stop saying retail workers are essential and start treating them as essential.
Many of you in this room are connected to a young person in your life. Whether it would be a niece or nephew, son or daughter, or perhaps grandson or granddaughter, if you're lucky. Regardless, we were all once narrow visioned in this fathomless world. In other words, we were all young.
I am forever grateful that our politicians have believed that our youth could grant insight on what we should achieve as our nation's future leaders. With that said, there is an ongoing issue plaguing our younger demographic, the growth in incarceration rates and criminal behaviour. Like the faith you've had for me and millions of other youngsters, I implore you to also share this with incarcerated youth. By throwing them into prisons, we push further the untrue narrative that they can never improve. Especially at the ages where the brain is still in development, we must take the initiative to correct this behaviour, before it merges with their temperament. We must not punish them and abandon what my fester into resentment. Instead, with a positive attitude, we must reinforce proper behaviour and build rapport with them. This approach will reduce the current rate of recidivism of 54 per cent within 12 months. Just as we would not disown our child for misbehaving, our nation must not leave behind any person who is a part of our future.
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022
My name is Grace I am 20 years old, and I would like Australia's new parliament to achieve and focus on equality in the workplace.
I chose a career pathway and studied to become an early childhood educator because I am passionate about early childhood education.
Knowing I am teaching young children is a steppingstone for children to become whom they want to be, to help their pathway into primary school education and far beyond...
Our industry is fraught with challenges, staff retention is one of the biggest.
To put it simply—our pay rate is one of the lowest in this country.
Whilst we look after your precious children to give them the best start in life we barely can afford to live.
Rising costs of living are scary as a young independent adult living out of home who wants to just make a go at life and living with Type 1 Diabetes, a serious chronic illness, means very little change at the end of the week..
However, I am forever thankful to the Albanese Government and the support from my local MP Alicia Payne for supporting JDRF Australia's Access For All campaign and funding CGM access for everybody.
This technology is and will be life-changing and lifesaving for so many.
(Time expired)
The significant benefits of being covered by an enterprise agreement and the costs that may be associated with remaining covered by a Modern Award outweigh the additional cost for businesses to engage with the new multi-enterprise bargaining streams.
Businesses are often covered by multiple Modern Awards which can be complicated and difficult to interpret. An enterprise agreement enables an employer to have one industrial instrument which applies to a business which simplifies their workplace relations arrangements.
$11 billion from the state; $11 billion through some kind of value capture … and $2.2 billion from the Commonwealth.
That the Senate take note of answers given by ministers to questions without notice today.
We all have a genuine desire to improve our industrial relations system. What we don't want is a system of control that those opposite want—a system that wants to control workers, to control where they can work, control what they can earn, control their lives inside and outside the workplace.
That the Senate take note of the responses to my questions to Senator Wong today.
That Senators may make statements relating to the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and that speaking times be as follows: 10 minutes for party leaders and Independent senators and five minutes for any other senator.
We should not have to die to get your attention.
The crisis facing men is not the crisis of masculinity, it is the crisis of patriarchal masculinity. Until we make this distinction clear, men will continue to fear that any critique of patriarchy represents a threat.
Achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls is the unfinished business of our time …
Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022
… Government must make the hard decisions necessary for responsible budget repair.
… … …
… making sure that spending is about building value, not buying votes.
There simply isn't going to be enough lithium on the face of the planet, regardless of who expands and who delivers, it just won't be there.
We simply cannot afford misguided subsidies anymore. These cars have so far been subsidised over their lifetime with up to 20,000 euros, even for top earners. That's too much. We can save billions there, which we can use more sensibly.
It is surely ironic it was Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen who explicitly outlined the numerical challenge in front of transforming the NEM in such a short time frame. He has told us we will need 22,000 solar panels every day and 40 wind turbines every month for the next eight years. There will also be a requirement for at least 10,000km of additional transmission lines.
… the World Meteorological Organization's Guide … states that an acceptable range of error for thermometers (including those used for measuring maximum and minimum temperature) is ±0.2 °C. However, throughout the last 100 years, Bureau of Meteorology guidance has allowed for a tolerance of ±0.5 °C—
for field checks of either in-glass or resistance thermometers. This is the primary reason the Panel did not rate the observing practices amongst international best practices.
… Government must make the hard decisions necessary for responsible budget repair.
… … …
… making sure that spending is about building value, not buying votes.
… every household has to make tough decisions about what they can and cannot afford—and it shouldn't be any different for their government.
And because the budget should be about high-quality investments in the right priorities.
… will have a negligible impact on reducing Australia's carbon emission from the transport sector.
The Governments assertion that this initiative makes the take up of EV's more affordable is misleading …
Private buyers and sole traders of EV's cannot access these significant savings …
… there are other measures which would have a far greater short-term benefit to the environment than this measure.
Given the cost of EV's, their limited supply and the lack of infrastructure, it seems the cost of this initiative is not warranted, particularly given the small number of vehicles that is anticipated to take advantage of this initiative over the three-year exemption period.
The Senate divided. [18:59]
(The President—Senator Name)
At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:
(a) notes that with this policy the Government has failed to:
(i) consider the need to dispose of EV car batteries in an environmentally safe manner,
(ii) address the hazardous by-products of redundant EV car batteries and ensure that toxic substances do not leach into the environment,
(iii) consider the costs of recycling EV car batteries,
(iv) introduce regulatory standards or criteria for recycled EV car batteries to be re-sold to the public,
(b) calls on the Government to outline a plan for EV battery recycling and consider other proposals to cover the costs of recycling and disposal of EV car batteries
The Senate divided. [19:03]
(The President—Senator Lines)
(1) Schedule 1, page 5 (after line 8), at the end of the Schedule, add:
8 Review of operation of electric car disco unt
(1) The Minister must cause a review to be undertaken, in accordance with this item, of the operation of:
(a) the provisions of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 that are inserted or amended by this Schedule; and
(b) any provisions of the Cus toms Tariff Act 1995 that are inserted or amended pursuant to Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 5) 2022, which was moved in the House of Representatives on 2 August 2022 and of which notice was given by the legislative instrument numbered F2022L01001.
(2) The review must relate to the operation of those provisions, as so inserted or amended, during the 3 years from the commencement of this Schedule and, in particular, their effectiveness in encouraging the uptake of cars that are zero or low emissions vehicles.
(3) Without limiting subitem (2), the review must include consideration of:
(a) whether the operation of some or all of those provisions, as so inserted or amended, should continue; and
(b) what types of motor vehicles should be covered by the provisions.
(4) The conduct of the review must include consultation with the public about the matters to which the review relates.
(5) The review must be completed, and a report on the review must be given to the Minister, within 18 months after the end of the 3 years from the commencement of this Schedule.
(6) The Minister must:
(a) cause the contents of the report to be made available to the public as soon as practicable, and in any event within 28 days, after the Minister receives the report; and
(b) cause a copy of the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the Minister receives the report.
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (after table item 2), insert:
(2) Page 5 (after line 8), at the end of the Bill, add:
Schedule 2 — Electric car discount: termination of exemption for plug-in hybrid electric vehicles
Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986
1 Paragraph 8A(2)(b)
Omit "vehicle; or", substitute "vehicle.".
2 Paragraph 8A(2)(c)
Repeal the paragraph.
3 Subsection 8A(5)
Repeal the subsection.
4 Subsection 136(1) (definition of plug-in hybrid electric vehicle )
Repeal the definition.
5 Application of amendments
(1) The amendments of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 made by this Schedule apply to benefits provided on or after 1 April 2025.
(2) Despite subitem (1), the amendments do not apply to the application or availability of a car at a particular time (the relevant time ) on or after 1 April 2025 if:
(a) the application or availability constitutes a car benefit because of subsection 7(1) of the Fringe Benefits Tax Assessment Act 1986 ; and
(b) before 1 April 2025, the employer, the employee, or an associate of the employer or of the employee, committed to the application or availability of the car, in respect of the employment of the employee by the employer, for a period that began before 1 April 2025 and includes the relevant time; and
(c) at no time on or after 1 April 2025 and before or at the relevant time did the employer, the employee, or an associate of the employer or of the employee, commit to the application or availability of the car, in respect of the employment of the employee by the employer, for a period that includes the relevant time; and
(d) before 1 April 2025 a car benefit relating to the car was provided; and
(e) the car benefit referred to in paragraph (d) of this subitem was an exempt benefit in relation to a year of tax because of section 8A (Exempt car benefits: zero or low emissions vehicles) of that Act.