The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Sue Lines ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That the Senate take note of the explanation.
Help to Buy (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023
Within living memory, all Australians had a reasonable chance to own a home. But now, for many Australians the Great Australian Dream of home ownership is becoming a nightmare.
The Help to Buy scheme, like many previous housing affordability schemes from both major parties, is a policy to boost the financial position of a particular group , usually first home buyers. The problem with these kinds of policies is that they simply increase demand for housing, and this increases the price of housing. The result is that it makes housing less affordable.
These schemes have been around forever,but the money is eventually capitalised into house prices, so the beneficiaries gain at the expense of everyone else.
Scrapping negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts are not just 'nice to haves' or levers that we could pull; it is absolutely critical if we want to make housing affordable in Australia.
At the end of the motion, add ", but the Senate:
(a) notes that:
(i) rents have skyrocketed 53% since 2020,
(ii) housing prices have increased 46% since 2020,
(iii) the shortage of public and social housing is projected to increase under this Government from an already unacceptable high of 750,000 homes,
(iv) over the next 10 years the Federal Government will give $176 billion in tax handouts to property investors through negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, and
(v) by comparison, this Labor Government has committed to zero dollars of new ongoing direct spending on public housing, and just $500 million a year for social housing through the Housing Australia Future Fund; and
(b) calls on the Government to:
(i) implement a phase-out of negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount,
(ii) coordinate through National Cabinet the introduction of a 2-year freeze on rent increases, followed by an ongoing cap on rent increases,
(iii) establish a government developer to directly build hundreds of thousands of good quality homes over the next five years to be rented and sold for low cost, and
(iv) invest in a mass build of public housing to clear the waitlists".
Allowing the HAFF to pass would demobilize the growing section of civil society that is justifiably angry about the degree of poverty and financial stress that exists in such a wealthy country.
… a "rent freeze", would be a poor response to the real challenges facing Australia's housing system, almost certainly making the problem worse for those in real housing stress.
Scrapping negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts are not just 'nice to haves' or levers that we could pull, it is absolutely critical if we want to make housing affordable in Australia.
These schemes have been around forever, but the money is eventually capitalised into house prices, so the beneficiaries gain at the expense of everyone else.
The Help to Buy scheme, like many previous housing affordability schemes from both major parties, is a policy to boost the financial position of a particular group, usually first home buyers. The problem with these kinds of policies is that they simply increase demand for housing, and this increases the price of housing. The result is that it makes housing less affordable.
When you stimulate demand, it puts up prices and makes housing more expensive for everybody else.
We have a housing affordability crisis, and this makes that problem worse for the majority of people entering the market.
… there was an attempt to deliver the desired outcome while pretending that there was no impact on the budget. The fact is that housing is a major capital investment. If the government wants to have more housing, ultimately the only way to do that is programs which would involve a substantial amount of public debt and a substantial amount of real investment. So I think what we're seeing is another piece of gesture politics.
… the most effective policy for housing affordability that the federal government could pursue is to limit negative gearing and scrap the capital gains tax discount. This would discourage property speculators and reduce the demand for housing. It would mean less housing being sold for renting and more housing being sold for owner occupiers. It would increase homeownership rates. This would also raise more than $10 billion per year, which could be used either to build more public housing or for other uses.
Scrapping negative gearing and capital gains tax discounts are not just 'nice to haves' or levers that we could pull, it is absolutely critical if we want to make housing affordable in Australia.
… the two things that the federal government has done in the past couple of decades to create the crisis that we're in is, firstly, to pull back from supplying housing itself, which it used to do at a much greater scale. About one in three renters actually used to have the government as a landlord and about one in four new builds used to be built by the government. That was key to driving affordability, not just for people on low incomes but across the board. In the decade since, what we've seen is that all the policy levers and investment and incentives have been completely directed at the private sector, which has massively financialised and commodified housing and made it really difficult for house prices to ever come down.
It's quite sickening to be a welfare recipient and have the government consistently tell us that they can't afford to give us enough money to live or to invest in public housing and also see hundreds of billions of dollars being handed out to people who are already wealthy.
We certainly would like to see the bill passed. Shared equity programs have been some of the … most effective housing policy interventions.
The Help to Buy scheme adds to existing first home buyer incentives as part of a whole-of-housing policy approach to boosting supply and affordability.
National Shelter is supportive of shared-equity schemes to make homeownership more accessible and affordable, alleviating both the deposit required and the repayment amounts.
… Labor's home buying scheme would see Australians rely on other taxpayers' money to purchase their home. Perversely, the government would then have equity in their home. That's not liberating—it's modern collectivism.
Key workers, single parents and older singles will be able to have the security of home ownership with a lower upfront deposit, a smaller loan, lower repayments, no lenders mortgage insurance and no interest on the Government's equity share in a property.
I'm a single income earner. I also have not received a decent pay rise for many years but finally due to receive one this year.
It's been difficult to save a deposit of the normal required 20 per cent or more.
With this plan I may be able to save enough funds within the next two years. The plan will allow me to enter homeownership and get of the rent roller-coaster.
These schemes have been around forever, but the money is eventually capitalised into house prices, so the beneficiaries gain at the expense of everyone else.
The problem with these kinds of policies is that they simply increase demand for housing, and this increases the price of housing. The result is that it makes housing less affordable.
I understand the federal Liberal Party opposed Prime Minister Albanese's scheme [but] I think it makes sense … providing equity support for first-time buyers …
Key workers, single parents and older singles will be able to have the security of home ownership with a lower upfront deposit, a smaller loan, lower repayments, no lenders mortgage insurance and no interest on the Government's equity share …
… has shown itself to be an incredibly popular program that is supporting Tasmanians to enter private home ownership …
… by allowing homeowners to use equity as well as debt finance, homeowners will benefit from a lower cost of home ownership …
… pumping more money into the housing market by letting people access their superannuation savings … would probably lead to further increases in the cost of housing.
Young people need their super for retirement, not to try to take pressure off an urban housing bubble …
… a thoroughly bad idea … It's not what the superannuation system is designed to achieve.
I think [Malcolm Turnbull] got it right … it's not good policy and I agree with him … you don't want to fuel prices.
My name is Lillian. I am 16 years old and I live in the electorate of Indi.
In 10 years I want my community to be more diverse and educated. This change is important to me because I am part of the LGBTQI+ and Aboriginal community. I see how mean and rude people can be in this community and it made me realise that there is little to no education in this area.
I believe people are abusive, racist and homophobic because they are uneducated.
The impact of members of the LGBTQI+ and Aboriginal community is higher suicide rates, lower mental health, they are scared to reach out for help because of abuse and there is more of a risk of sexual assault.
Action on this issue is important because, if we do not, I fear that the abuse and bullying will only get worse.
Parliament must act by helping people within these communities and providing much-needed education on this matter.
This announcement represents solid progress we wholeheartedly commend.
The announcement of funding for nearly 14,000 social and affordable homes will transform the lives of many Australians who dream of a home of their own …
… I was also told that almost all of the people on the list remained with the same employer, in a different capacity (for example, switching from paid employment as a union delegate to paid employment working for the employer directly as a health and safety officer).
That the Senate take note of the minister's response.
That the Senate take note of answers given by ministers to all questions without notice asked today.
That the Senate take note of the answer from the Minister for Emergency Management (Senator McAllister) to a question without notice I asked today relating to energy policy.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Trade and Tourism (Senator Farrell) to a question without notice I asked today relating to electoral reform.
That the provisions of paragraphs 5 to 8 of standing order 111 not apply to the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Bill 2024, allowing it to be considered during this period of sittings.
STATEMENT OF REASONS FOR INTRODUCTION AND PASSAGE IN THE 2024 SPRING SITTINGS
PAID PARENTAL LEAVE AMENDMENT (ADDING SUPERANNUATION FOR A MORE SECURE RETIREMENT) BILL
Purpose of the Bill
The Bill amends the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010, tax and superannuation laws and other legislation to add a superannuation payment on Government-funded Paid Parental Leave scheme for births and adoptions on or after 1 July 2025. This will help to reduce the retirement savings gap and improve economic security for parents who take time out of the workforce to care for their child.
Reasons for Urgency
Passage of the Bill in the 2024 Spring sittings is required to support Services Australia and Australia Tax Office system changes. Services Australia and the Australian Tax Office need to complete data sharing builds to support data transfers from Services Australia to the Australian Tax Office. In addition, Services Australia needs to make ICT changes to forms and communications products. Claimants for Paid Parental Leave can make a pre-birth claim up to 97 days before their expected date of birth or adoption, from 26 March 2025.
That the following general business orders of the day be considered this week at the time for private senators' bills:
No. 79 Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Removing Criminals from Worksites) Bill 2024—on Wednesday 18 September 2024; and
No. 81 Blayney Goldmine Bill 2024—on Thursday 19 September 2024.
That leave of absence be granted to the following senators:
(a) Senator McCarthy for 16 and 17 September 2024, on account of ministerial business; and
(b) Senator Polley for today, for personal reasons.
That leave of absence be granted to the following senators:
(a) Senators Canavan and Nampijinpa Price for 16 and 17 September 2024, for personal reasons;
(b) Senator McDonald:
(i) for 16 and 17 September 2024, for personal reasons, and
(ii) for 18 to 19 September 2024, on account of parliamentary business;
(c) Senator McGrath for 16 and 19 September, for personal reasons; and
(d) Senator Paterson for 19 September 2024, on account of parliamentary business.
That the provisions of the Aged Care Bill 2024 be referred to the Community Affairs Legislation Committee for inquiry and report by 25 October 2024.
Omit "25 October 2024", substitute "31 October 2024".
(1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Energy Planning and Regulation in Australia, be established to inquire into the governance, regulation, functions, operation and effectiveness of the Australian energy market, with particular reference to:
(a) the role and function of the Australian Energy Regulator;
(b) the role and function of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO);
(c) the role and function of the Australian Energy Market Commission;
(d) the corporate structure and membership of these market bodies and how they balance out the interests of their direct stakeholders with the public interest and their statutory obligations;
(e) the suitability of the Integrated System Plan for the purpose of guiding electricity investments across the National Energy Market in accordance with the National Electricity Objectives;
(f) the extension of the role of AEMO beyond its original function as a 'Market Operator';
(g) the powers, rights, obligations and discretion that the Australian Energy Regulator has to determine whether requirements prescribed by the National Electricity Rules or issued guideline is effective and efficient; and
(h) any other related matters.
(2) That the committee present its final report on 21 March 2025.
(3) That the committee consist of 6 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;
(c) Senator Van; and
(d) one nominated by a minority party or another independent senator.
(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 minority 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 3 members of the committee constituting a quorum are not present.
(5) That if a member of the committee is unable to attend a meeting of the committee, that member may in writing to the chair appoint a participating member to act as a substitute member of the committee at that meeting. If the member is incapacitated or unavailable, a letter to the chair appointing a participating member to act as a substitute member of the committee may be signed on behalf of the member by the leader of the party or group on whose nomination the member was appointed to the committee.
(6) That 3 members of the committee constitute quorum, where one member present is a minority party or independent senator, one member was appointed on the nomination of the Leader of the Government in the Senate and one member was appointed on the nomination of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
(7) That the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.
(8) That Senator Van chair the committee, and the committee elect as its deputy chair a member nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate or a minority party, or another independent senator.
(9) 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.
(10) That the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, may appoint another member of the committee to act as chair during the temporary absence of both the chair and deputy chair at a meeting of the committee.
(11) That, in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote.
(12) That the committee have power to appoint subcommittees consisting of 3 or more of its members, and to refer to any such subcommittee any of the matters which the committee is empowered to consider.
(13) That 2 members of any subcommittee constitute quorum where one member present is a minority party or independent senator, and one member was appointed on the nomination of the Leader of the Government in the Senate or on the nomination of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
(14) That the committee and any subcommittee have:
(a) power to send for and examine persons and documents;
(b) power to move from place to place;
(c) power to sit in public or in private, notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or dissolution of the House of Representatives; and
(d) leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit.
(15) 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.
(16) 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 the motion be amended to read as follows:
(1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Energy Planning and Regulation in Australia, be established to inquire into the institutional structures, governance, regulation, functions, and operation of the Australian energy market, with particular reference to:
(a) the three overarching laws within which energy markets are governed:
(i) National Electricity Law,
(ii) National Gas Law, and
(iii) National Energy Retail Law;
(b) the role and function of the Australian Energy Regulator;
(c) the role and function of the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO), including its development of the Integrated System Plan in accordance with the National Electricity Objectives;
(d) the role and function of the Australian Energy Market Commission;
(e) the role and function of Energy Consumers Australia;
(f) the role and function of state energy regulators;
(g) the statutory framework which supports consideration of stakeholder views and the public interest; and
(h) any other related matters.
(2) That the committee present its final report on 20 December 2024.
(3) That the committee consist of 7 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;
(c) one nominated by the Leader of the Australian Greens in the Senate;
(d) Senator Van; and
(e) Senator David Pocock.
(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 minority 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 3 members of the committee constituting a quorum are not present.
(5) That if a member of the committee is unable to attend a meeting of the committee, that member may in writing to the chair appoint a participating member to act as a substitute member of the committee at that meeting. If the member is incapacitated or unavailable, a letter to the chair appointing a participating member to act as a substitute member of the committee may be signed on behalf of the member by the leader of the party or group on whose nomination the member was appointed to the committee.
(6) That 3 members of the committee constitute quorum, where one member present is a minority party or independent senator, one member was appointed on the nomination of the Leader of the Government in the Senate and one member was appointed on the nomination of the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate.
(7) That the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.
(8) That Senator Van chair the committee, and the committee elect as its deputy chair a member nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
(9) 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.
(10) That the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, may appoint another member of the committee to act as chair during the temporary absence of both the chair and deputy chair at a meeting of the committee.
(11) That, in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote.
(12) That the committee have power to appoint subcommittees consisting of 3 or more of its members, and to refer to any such subcommittee any of the matters which the committee is empowered to consider.
(13) That 2 members of any subcommittee constitute quorum where one member present is a minority party or independent senator, and one member was appointed on the nomination of the Leader of the Government in the Senate.
(14) That the committee and any subcommittee have:
(a) power to send for and examine persons and documents;
(b) power to move from place to place;
(c) power to sit in public or in private, notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or dissolution of the House of Representatives; and
(d) leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit.
(15) That the committee be provided with all necessary staff, facilities and resources.
(16) 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.
The Senate divided. [15:54]
(The Deputy President—Senator McLachlan)
That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) order for the production of documents no. 580, which required the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to table certain Civil Aviation Safety Authority permits in respect of helicopter flights relating to the national fire ant eradication program by no later than midday on 21 August 2024, was not complied with by the deadline, and
(ii) order for the production of documents no. 595, which required the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to table, by no later than midday on 11 September 2024, all documents required by order for the production of documents no. 580 was responded to but not complied with; and
(b) orders that there be laid on the table by the Minister representing the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, by no later than midday on 17 September 2024, all documents including the permits with conditions as required by orders for the production of documents nos 580 and 595.
The Senate divided. [15:59]
(The Deputy President—Senator McLachlan)
Competition and Consumer Amendment (Make Price Gouging Illegal) Bill 2024
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the motion being moved immediately and determined without amendment or debate.
The Senate divided. [16:05]
(The Deputy President—Senator McLachlan)
That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 , 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.
The Greens Competition and Consumer Amendment (Make Price Gouging Illegal) Bill 2024 amends section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Competition Act) to prohibit a corporation with substantial market power from abusing that power by charging an excessive price for a good or service, otherwise known as price gouging.
The Bill is based on recommendation 1.5 of the February 2024 Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) Inquiry into Price Gouging led by former Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Chair Professor Allan Fels, and recommendation 2 of the May 2024 Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices, initiated by the Greens and chaired by Senator Nick McKim. Both reports recommended amending Section 46 of the Competition Act to make it illegal to charge excessive prices in terms similar to the European Union provisions.
Under the Bill, the ACCC will be able to apply to the Court for an order where it believes a corporation has abused its market power by price gouging. If a corporation is found to have illegally price gouged, the Court can then impose orders under section 76 of the Competition Act, which include a maximum civil penalty of $50 million.
Under section 87B of the Competition Act, the ACCC can also require enforceable undertakings by a corporation. The undertakings the ACCC may impose are sufficiently broad to allow the ACCC to require a corporation to lower the price of a product to the price it would cost if it was sold in a competitive market, for a specified period of time while guaranteeing supply of the product.
In effect, this means corporations that engage in illegal price gouging are not only liable for a significant civil penalty, but the ACCC and the courts can intervene to lower the price of a product, directly supporting people and communities who rely on that product.
To determine whether a price is excessive, the Bill requires the Court to consider the price of the product if the corporation did not have substantial market power.
The definition of an excessive price is deliberately kept broad to provide the courts the discretion to determine whether price gouging has occurred based on the circumstances of the case, noting that different industries will have different thresholds for what is considered an excessive price.
However, it is recommended that in making a determination, the courts consider:
The Bill also exempts small businesses, defined as a corporation or body corporate with less than $10 million annual turnover. It is unlikely a small business would meet the threshold for substantial market power under the Bill. However, as a precaution, small businesses have been made exempt from the contravention, as the aim of this Bill is to stop massive corporations from price gouging, not target small businesses.
This Bill responds to the urgent need to rein in corporate price gouging and profiteering to bring down the cost of goods and services across the economy.
Australia's economy is getting much less competitive as top firms hold a high and growing share of market power. Lack of competition allows corporations to take advantage of their dominant market power to hike prices above what would be required to meet increases in their input costs. Corporations are incentivised to price gouge as it boosts profits and the pay and bonuses of their executives. Yet price gouging drives up the cost of essential products, inflicting pain on everyday people and worsening inflation.
Reserve Bank Governor, Michelle Bullock, and economists across the world, including at the OECD, the IMF, the European Central Bank, the Bank of England, the Federal Reserve, and former ACCC Chair Professor Allan Fels, agree that some corporations are taking advantage of their market power and using the cover of inflation to push up prices.
Since the Labor Government came to power in 2022, the cost of food is up by 10.5%, rents have gone up by 31% and the average mortgage payment has gone up by $1,667 a month. Power bills, insurance costs and medical bills have all increased significantly. While costs of essentials have soared, wages have not kept up, making it even harder for millions of people to make ends meet.
Meanwhile, the country's biggest corporations are raking in massive profits off the back of the community's pain. Australia's biggest energy retailer, Origin, reported an almost one third jump in profit to $1.2 billion in the 2023-24 Financial Year. Supermarket giant, Coles, reported an 8% jump in profit to $1.1 billion. The country's biggest insurer, Insurance Australia Group, posted a $900 million profit, up 8% on the year before, off the back of rising premiums. While people's rents and mortgage repayments have skyrocketed, Commonwealth Bank raked in a whopping $9.48 billion profit.
The dollars extracted from price gouging consumers flow to corporate CEOs too. Recent analysis by the Australian Council of Superannuation Investors shows chief executives of Australia's largest corporations take home on average 50 times the pay of a typical worker. In the early 1990's, top bosses earned about 17 times average earnings. We know from the Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices that Woolworths CEO, Brad Banducci, received $8.65 million in 2023, around 127 times the full-time pay of a Woolies shop-floor worker.
The share of income going to big corporations has never been higher while the wages share of total income hasn't been this low since 1964. Wherever you look, massive corporations and their CEOs are profiteering from people's pain and making the cost-of-living crisis worse.
This has to end, which is exactly why the Greens have introduced a Bill to make price gouging illegal.
Banning price gouging should not be radical or controversial. The UK has banned price gouging since 1998. Canada amended its competition law late last year to specifically prohibit price gouging. The European Union has banned price gouging since 1958 through the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union. Several states in the US prohibit price gouging during emergencies, and Vice-President, Kamala Harris has promised, if elected, to enact a federal law against supermarket price gouging.
Many jurisdictions have successfully used the price gouging provisions in their competition toolkit to crack down on corporate price gouging and protect people from unfair prices. For example, in 2020, the European Commission analysed the accounts of pharmaceutical giant, Aspen, and found Aspen had used its market dominance to impose an unjustified price increase of up to several hundred per cent on critical cancer medicines. The Commission ordered Aspen to reduce the net price of the cancer medicines by 73% for ten years, with guaranteed supply for 5 years. Italy's national competition authority also fined Aspen $5 million euros for abusing its market power by charging excessive prices.
Yet here in Australia, the Albanese Labor Government and the Liberals won't even admit corporations are price gouging, let alone do anything to stop them.
The ACTU Inquiry into Price Gouging led by Professor Allan Fels recommended amending section 46 of the Competition Act to make it illegal to charge excessive prices in terms similar to the European Union provisions.
The report states:
Despite the fact that the greatest concern of economists with monopoly or market power is harmful high prices, high and unfair prices are not prohibited by competition law [in Australia]. There has been an ideologically-driven resistance to competition law addressing this feature of monopoly behaviour in Australia and in North America.
It is clear there is a massive gap in Australia's competition law which allows corporations with market dominance to price gouge—unchecked. As long as the Labor and Liberal parties accept millions of dollars in political donations from their corporate mates each year, they will continue to put the interests of massive corporations ahead of everyday people and communities.
The Senate Select Committee on Supermarket Prices also recommended amending the Competition Act to prohibit the charging of excess prices.
The evidence in support of this Bill could not be clearer.
We urge the Albanese Labor Government and the Coalition to support this Bill as a critical part of the toolkit to crack down on corporations using their market power to gouge prices while raking in billions of dollars in profits.
I commend this Bill to the Senate.
The Senate divided. [16:11]
(The Deputy President—Senator McLachlan)
The Senate divided. [16:16]
(The Deputy President—Senator McLachlan)
Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:
Despite the worldwide Women, Life, Freedom protests sparked by Mahsa Amini's death two years ago today at the hands of the Islamic Republic of Iran's military police, the Iranian regime and its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps continue to commit severe human rights violations, particularly against women and girls, and continue to use violence and terrorism against civilians in Iran, across the Middle East, and around the world.
… from the months preceding this anniversary of the September 2022 protests, State authorities—
have expanded repressive measures and policies to further deprive women and girls of their fundamental rights.
Between July and September 20224, arrests and detention of family members of protesters killed in the context of the movement also intensified …
On this day, the Mission reiterates its call to the Islamic Republic of Iran to investigate and prosecute crimes against protesters, including women and girls … In light of ongoing persecutory acts against women and girls, coupled with the absence of meaningful justice and accountability for protesters and their families within Iran, States must continue to place the situation of women and girls in the Islamic Republic of Iran high on the international agenda.
That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:
Freedom of speech and peaceful freedom of assembly are inalienable rights which the Senate must defend.
That, in the opinion of the Senate, the following is a matter of urgency:
Freedom of speech and peaceful freedom of assembly are inalienable rights which the Senate must defend.
… damaging misinformation and disinformation … there is a reason why the ASIO director-general highlights the role of extremist misinformation and disinformation in terms of its corrosive effect. It does lead to some of the acts of violent extremism here and overseas, motivated by the same vile conspiracy theories that we've just heard …
Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. The only way they can inherit the freedom we have known is if we fight for it, protect it, defend it, and then hand it to them with the well fought lessons of how they in their lifetime must do the same.
That the Senate take note of the document.
That the Senate take note of the documents.
That the Senate take note of the documents.
That the Senate take note of the documents.
The engine failure was caused by the rupture of Blade 34 from the High Pressure 1 (HP1) wheel in the High Pressure Turbine (HPT).
… in 2017, as a result of several HP1 failures across the global fleet, the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) issued a NH90 Service Bulletin recommending that operators … replace HP 1 blades with modified blades.
The investigation highlighted that there was no definitive evidence of the completion and recording of hazard analysis and safety risk assessments related to HP 1 failures during MRH-90 PCS operations.
That the Senate take note of the document.
That the Senate take note of the documents.
That the Senate take note of the documents.
That Senator Liddle replace Senator Antic on the Legal and Constitutional Affairs References Committee for the committee's inquiry into Australia's youth justice and incarceration sytem, and Senator Antic be appointed as a participating member.
Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2024
Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023
That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time.
That these bills be now read a second time.
AUSTRALIAN NAVAL NUCLEAR POWER SAFETY BILL 2024
This bill is the critical next legislative step in establishing the highest standards of nuclear safety and stewardship of Australia's future conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarine enterprise under the AUKUS partnership.
This is essential for ensuring the safety and security of Australians.
This bill would enable the establishment of a new, fit-for-purpose regulatory framework, including an independent regulator, to ensure nuclear safety within Australia's nuclear-powered submarine enterprise and capability lifecycle. The new framework would be harmonised with other schemes—including those relating to work health and safety, nuclear non-proliferation and civilian nuclear safety.
Following its introduction on 16 November 2023, this bill, together with the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions Bill) 2023, was referred to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee for Inquiry and Report.
The Committee considered the bills and made seven recommendations to improve the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill, ultimately recommending the bill be passed. The Government has accepted, either in full or in-principle, all of those recommendations and the bill was amended in the House of Representatives to address them.
The Government thanks the Committee for its work in thoroughly considering the Bills, and acknowledges all those that supported the inquiry process.
The Government is committed to establishing a robust, effective regulatory framework to maintain the highest standard of nuclear safety as part of these bills.
The Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2024makes clear the activities that are to be regulated. There are three types of regulated activities:
(1) Facility activities—that relate to particular facilities in Australia that are relevant to AUKUS submarines;
(2) Submarine activities—that relate to AUKUS submarines themselves; and
(3) Material activities—that relate to certain material, equipment and plant that emit or produce radiation and is from, or is for use on, AUKUS submarines.
While 'regulated activities' are relevant to AUKUS submarines, this Bill would not apply to conduct on board UK and US submarines. The focus of this Bill is on regulating activities associated with facilities in Australia that will be supporting Australian, UK and US submarines and eventually Australia's own conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines.
Under this Bill, regulated activities can only occur within 'designated zones' in Australia or in relation to Australia's conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines, wherever they are located.
It is necessary for zones to be designated so that it will be clear where the boundaries lie between Australia's existing civil nuclear safety framework, established by the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 ,and the new arrangements under this Bill.
Two zones will be designated initially, one at HMAS Stirling in Western Australia and another at the Osborne Naval Shipyard in South Australia. The limits of those zones will be prescribed in regulations that will be made after the commencement of this Bill.
In response to the Senate Committee's Inquiry Report, the Government has amended the Bill to require the Minister for Defence to consult on the boundary of any future designated zones before regulations may be made or amended, prescribing that designated zone. This would not apply to the Osborne designated zone or theStirling designated zone .
The consultation requirements at subsection 143(2) are not intended to be exhaustive or constrain the Minister for Defence from undertaking any other consultation or notification activities the Minister may consider necessary.
While the Government has been clear that Australia will only be responsible for managing its own spent nuclear fuel, which isn't expected to occur until the 2050s, the Bill puts beyond doubt that Australia will not store or dispose of spent nuclear fuel from non-Australian submarines, including US or UK submarines.
Under this Bill, there are to be nuclear safety duties that apply to people when they undertake a regulated activity. It is necessary to impose duties on persons undertaking regulated activities because it is those persons who bear prime responsibility for nuclear safety. For example, a person must ensure nuclear safety so far as reasonably practicable, and must be authorised by a licence. A person who is a licence holder must also establish, implement and maintain a nuclear safety management system to ensure nuclear safety. A licence holder would also be required to report nuclear safety incidents and to ensure that persons who are authorised by a licence have the appropriate expertise, training and information to ensure nuclear safety.
Under this Bill, a person must comply with the conditions of a licence. Work is underway to develop regulations that would, amongst other things, specify the conditions applicable to particular licences that would be required. The regulations will draw on Australia's experience in ensuring civil nuclear safety and relevant international best practice—which includes the International Atomic Energy Agency—as well as the measures applied by the United States and the United Kingdom.
While the primary purpose of the Bill is the promotion of the nuclear safety of activities relating to AUKUS submarines, it is necessary to establish a range of significant civil and criminal penalties for contraventions and offences—including breaches of licence conditions and contraventions of nuclear safety duties. These have been benchmarked against other offences in the Commonwealth statute book, and certain penalties contained in the Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Act 2023 .
This Bill will also establish a new independent regulator, the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Regulator. This new Regulator would work with existing regulators to promote the safety of our submariners, Australian and international communities, and the environment.
The Regulator would have a range of functions, including considering applications for licences that would authorise regulated activities. The Regulator would only issue a licence where it is satisfied the statutory criteria are met, including that the applicant will be able to comply with the conditions of a licence.
The Regulator would also have important functions of monitoring, and, where necessary, enforcing compliance with the requirements of the Bill. These functions would largely be discharged by inspectors, who would be appointed under the Bill.
The powers of the Regulator and its inspectors are comprehensive and are first directed towards promoting nuclear safety. The powers include entering monitoring and investigation areas, conducting searches, operating equipment, and securing or seizing evidence. Inspectors may also give directions, improvement and prohibition notices, and make certain requirements of persons.
The members of the Regulator would include the Director-General, Deputy Director-General, staff, inspectors, and other persons assisting the Regulator. These members would assist the Regulator in the performance of its functions.
A person would not be appointed as the Director-General or Deputy Director-General unless the Minister is satisfied of their competence, independence, technical expertise and relevant experience to properly discharge the functions of the office.
In response to a recommendation of the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee Inquiry, an additional criterion for the qualification for appointment to the positions of Director-General and Deputy Director-General of the Regulator was inserted. The new requirement provides that a person must not be appointed as, or remain, the Director-General or Deputy Director-General of the Regulator if they served at any time in the previous 12 months as a staff member of Defence or the Australian Submarine Agency. This strengthens the independence of the Regulator by ensuring an appropriate separation period from any service in the Australian Defence Force or Australian Public Service employment in the Department of Defence or the Australian Submarine Agency.
The Director-General or Deputy Director-General is not to be a 'Defence staff member'. The Bill has been amended to insert a new definition of 'Defence staff member' to include ADF service chiefs, ADF members, APS employees of the Department of Defence and Australian Submarine Agency, in addition to the Secretary of the Department and the Head of the Australian Submarine Agency. This is an additional measure that will ensure the independence of the new Regulator.
The Bill provides the Minister with a power to give the Regulator a direction about the performance of its functions and the exercise of relevant powers. This power would only be exercisable in exceptional circumstances, where the Minister is satisfied that it is necessary to give the direction to the Regulator in the interest of national security and to deal with an emergency. Should the power be exercised, the Bill would require that the Minister must table, in each House of Parliament, a statement that such direction was given to the Regulator.
A Ministerial direction in these exceptional circumstances would not have any effect on the operation of nuclear safety duties in relation to regulated activities. This includes the operation of an Australian conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarine.
The purpose of this section is to provide a mechanism to ensure that the functions of the Regulator do not prejudice, and are not contrary, to national security during an emergency.
The Regulator will be required to report to Parliament where certain nuclear safety incidents occur. This also ensures consistency with the requirements for reporting in the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 .
The Bill has also been amended to require the establishment of an advisory committee, to support the Minister by providing a further source of expert technical advice in relation to a range of matters, including the operation of the legislation, having regard to its objects, as well as the suitability of measures to ensure the independence of the Director-General, Deputy Director-General and members of the Regulator.
The offence provisions have been broadened to protect all members of the Regulator and persons assisting the regulator from inappropriate pressure, hindering or coercion. This is to address concerns raised during the Committee process regarding the independence of the Regulator.
The amendments also include a change to the Commencement provision of the Bill, allowing it to commence up to 12 months after it receives Royal Assent, or a date to be fixed by Proclamation. This timeframe is required to ensure an orderly transition to a new regulatory scheme which enables the establishment of the Regulator.
The Government has stated that it will continue to adopt a methodical, phased approach that builds our capacity as a nation to safely and securely build, maintain and operate conventionally armed nuclear-powered submarines.
The Defence Legislation Amendment (Naval Nuclear Propulsion) Act 2023 clarified that the moratorium on civil nuclear power—as reflected in theAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 —does not limit the performance of regulatory functions that might be necessary in respect of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines and their supporting infrastructure and facilities.
This Bill makes clear that it does not displace the moratorium and does not authorise the construction or operation of certain facilities, including nuclear power plants, that are not related to an AUKUS submarine, and that Australia will not undertake enrichment or reprocessing of nuclear material.
The Government is committed to providing an exposure draft of the regulations associated with this Bill at the appropriate time and as soon as possible.
As Australia continues on the path to acquiring a conventionally-armed, nuclear-powered submarine capability—the single biggest leap in Australian military capability since the Second World War—the Government will ensure the highest standards of nuclear safety are in place.
I commend the Bill.
AUSTRALIAN NAVAL NUCLEAR POWER SAFETY (TRANSITIONAL PROVISIONS) BILL 2023
This Bill is part of the next legislative step to support Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines through the AUKUS Partnership, dealing with transitional matters relating to the enactment of the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2024 .
In May 2023, the Government passed the Defence Legislation Amendment (Naval Nuclear Propulsion) Bill 2023 , which clarified that the moratorium on civil nuclear power—as reflected in theAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 and theEnvironment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 —does not limit the performance of regulatory functions that might be necessary in respect of conventionally-armed nuclear-powered submarines and their supporting infrastructure and facilities.
Those amendments, which have now been enacted, mean that the Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) can perform their functions in support of the nuclear-powered submarine enterprise. These functions would relevantly include the issue of licences, where applicable safety criteria are met.
This Bill will support a transition between the existing regulatory regime and the new regulatory framework that would be established through the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act, on commencement.
Following the commencement of this bill, any licences granted by the CEO of ARPANSA under the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 , to support Government's timeframes for Australia's acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines, will be treated as licences for corresponding activities under the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act on its commencement.
This Bill supports the orderly transition between the existing regulatory regime and the new regulatory framework that would be established through the Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Act on commencement.
I commend the Bill.
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024
Treasury Laws Amendment (Reserve Bank Reforms) Bill 2023
That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time.
That these bills be now read a second time.
CRIMES AND OTHER LEGISLATION AMENDMENT (OMNIBUS NO. 1) BILL 2024
The Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No.1) Bill 2024 will update and clarify the intended operation of certain provisions in the Crimes Act 1914, theProceeds of Crime Act 2002, theNational Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022, theTelecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979, theTelecommunications Act 1997 and theCriminal Code Act 1995.
These amendments will support the proper administration of government, law enforcement, and oversight processes.
Amendments to the Crimes Act 1914 will increase the Commonwealth penalty unit from $313 to $330, with effect from 14 days after the Act receives the Royal Assent.
Penalty units determine the maximum fines which can be imposed for criminal or civil offences in Commonwealth legislation and territory ordinances.
This amendment will ensure courts have access to appropriate penalties to be able to punish the most serious breaches of Commonwealth law.
It will also ensure that criminal and civil penalties across the Commonwealth statute book remain an effective deterrent against breaches of Commonwealth laws.
Amendments to the Telecommunications (Interception and Access) Act 1979 and theTelecommunications Act 1997 will clarify the role and functions of the Communications Access Coordinator (CAC) in the Attorney-General's Department and create the position of Communications Security Coordinator in the Department of Home Affairs.
An amendment to the definition in section 7 of the Telecommunications Act changes the definition of 'Home Affairs Minister' to the 'Minister administering the Security of Critical Infrastructure Act 2018') (replacing the reference to theAustralian Security Intelligence Organisation Act 1979)). This amendment is required as a result of changes made to the Administrative Arrangements Orders on 29 July 2024 which transferred administration of the ASIO Act to the Attorney-General, with the effect that the Attorney-General is now the 'Home Affairs Minister' for the purpose of section 7 of the Telecommunications Act.
The amendment will preserve the intended role of the Home Affairs Minister for both the new CSC role and other existing functions of the Home Affairs Minister under the Telecommunications Act.
Amendments to the Criminal Code Act 1995 (Criminal Code) will extend the sunsetting of the offence at section 122.4 to 29 June 2026.
Section 122.4 imposes criminal liability on current and former Commonwealth officers who communicate information contrary to a non-disclosure duty under a law of the Commonwealth.
Section 122.4 was intended to be time-limited, to ensure that criminal liability continued to apply to relevant non-disclosure duties, until these duties could be reviewed to determine whether each should be converted into a stand-alone specific secrecy offence or whether criminal liability should be removed.
On 22 December 2022, I announced the Government had commenced a comprehensive review of Commonwealth secrecy offences, conducted by the Attorney-General's Department, to address concerns raised by multiple reviews about the number, inconsistency, appropriateness and complexity of Commonwealth secrecy offences.
The Government released the Final Report of the Review of Secrecy Provisions on 21 November 2023, which made 11 recommendations to improve the operation of the Commonwealth's secrecy provisions, including section 122.4. The Final Report of the Secrecy Review identified that section 122.4 applied criminal liability to approximately 295 non- disclosure duties.
Subsequently, the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor's Report on the review of the secrecy offences in Part 5.6 of the Criminal Code was tabled in Parliament on 27 June 2024. This report made a further 15 recommendations in relation to Commonwealth secrecy provisions.
Extending this sunsetting date will ensure sensitive Commonwealth information continues to be protected while the Government implements and considers the recommendations of the reports from the Attorney-General's Department and the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor.
Amendments to the Criminal Code will also correct a drafting error and confirm consistency between Australian domestic law and international law.
In 2002, Division 268 of the Criminal Code was inserted to reflect Australia's obligations under international law. When it was introduced, Parliament made clear its intent to create crimes, under Australian law, that mirror the crimes in the Rome Statute, being genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes.
Consistent with international law, several offences under Division 268, including murder of all kinds, mutilation, torture, and cruel treatment, are war crimes when they are committed during an armed conflict against a person who is hors de combat, or 'out of the fight'.
The amendment does not change the substance of the law. It is fully consistent with the Australian Defence Force's doctrine, policy and training packages.
The amendment is retrospective. It will apply to any conduct from 26 September 2002, the date on which Division 268 of the Criminal Code commenced, reflecting Parliament's intent in enacting these provisions.
Conclusion
The Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No.1) Bill 2024 makes amendments which will support the proper administration of regulatory, law enforcement and oversight processes. These changes will improve the everyday operation of government agencies by creating efficiencies and removing doubt and inconsistencies in certain provisions.
I commend the Bill to the Senate.
TREASURY LAWS AMENDMENT (RESERVE BANK REFORMS) BILL 2023
This legislation will strengthen the Reserve Bank's independence, clarify its mandate, and modernise its structures.
By introducing it today we are recognising that strong economic institutions are central to a strong economy.
That's why, over the last 18 months, we've been reforming, renewing and refocusing our economic institutions in a considered and methodical way—to ensure they are fit for purpose and in the best position to manage the challenges and maximise the opportunities in front of us.
This Bill is an important part of that work.
These reforms are the biggest undertaken at the Reserve Bank in over three decades.
They follow months of consultation, including with the RBA, the Opposition and other stakeholders, and much welcome public debate since the release of the Reserve Bank Review in April 2023.
The Review itself was the product of extensive consultation that included current and former RBA board members and staff, international experts, academics and others.
This Bill is our opportunity to renew and reform the monetary policy and governance framework of the RBA to ensure it works in the interests of the Australian people and their economy.
The main components of this Bill are all about:
Reinforcing the RBA's independence.
Clarifying its role, including the dual mandate of price stability and full employment.
And modernising its structure by establishing two new boards, one for setting interest rates and the other for governance.
RBA INDEPENDENCE
The Bill reinforces the RBA's independence by repealing the Government's ability to override the Bank's monetary policy decisions.
This will strengthen the RBA's monetary policy independence an framework credibility
While the Bank remains accountable to Parliament for its performance and how it exercises its powers, including setting monetary policy.
CLARIFYING THE ROLE OF THE RBA
In clarifying the RBA's role, the Bill mandates that the overarching objective for the Bank is "to promote the economic prosperity and welfare of the people of Australia, both now and into the future," -
This means legislating the dual mandate of price stability and full employment, to make sure the RBA is working in the interests of the country and its people—and recognising the crucial role the RBA plays in promoting financial stability.
MODERNISING THE RBA'S STRUCTURE
To bring the RBA's structure into the 21st Century the Bill establishes a separate and specialised Monetary Policy Board to determine monetary policy—including the setting of interest rates.
The new Board retains the same structure as the current RBA Board and will comprise the Governor (as Chair), Deputy Governor, Secretary to the Treasury and 6 external members appointed by the Treasurer.
Carving out this responsibility from the day-to-day management of the Bank will improve accountability and transparency in the Bank's monetary policy decision making.
It will give the Board the breadth and depth of experience and expertise needed to make the best decisions in the interest of the economy and the country.
The Monetary Policy Board will be guided by the new Statement on the Conduct of Monetary Policy, supplementing the Reserve Bank Act.
We will be releasing the new Statement before the end of the year.
It will set out the views of the Government and the Reserve Bank on important aspects of monetary policy including the flexible inflation target of 2 to 3 per cent.
This will help improve coordination between fiscal, monetary and macroprudential policies.
The Bills goes further in modernising the RBA's structure by taking steps to strengthen corporate governance.
It does this in two ways.
First, by establishing a new Governance Board.
This will be comprised of the Governor, Deputy Governor, Chief Operating Officer and 6 external members, and it will strengthen oversight and management of the bank to better manage risk and drive necessary change.
It will have no role in the Bank's monetary, financial stability or payments policy.
The Government intends to appoint the RBA Governor as the inaugural Chair of the Governance Board, to ensure continuity as we implement these changes.
But the Bill allows any member of the Governance Board to be appointed chair, ensuring flexibility for future governments.
Second, the Governance Board will replace the Governor as the Reserve Bank's accountability authority, so a board, rather than an individual has collective responsibility for corporate governance.
Bringing the RBA in line with most other corporate Commonwealth entities.
The changes outlined in the Bill will commence around the middle of next year and members of the existing Reserve Bank Board will be asked to serve the remainder of their terms on one of the new Boards, for continuity during the transition.
We have undertaken deep and thorough consultation in the development of this Bill, and I acknowledge the work of the RBA review panel as well and everyone who took part.
The Reserve Bank has been a critical economic institution in this country for more than six decades.
The changes outlined in this Bill make sure that the setting of monetary policy is done effectively now and into the future as well, equipping the Bank to serving Australia effectively in an increasingly complex and challenging economic environment.
They are about ensuring we have the right economic institutions and the right frameworks in place, to support a stronger economy and a better future.
Full details of the measure are contained in the Explanatory Memorandum.
Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Bill 2024
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
Labor has a long and proud history of improving the lives of Australian families with critical, nation-building reforms.
It was a Labor government who introduced our country's first maternity allowance back in 1912. It was a Labor government who created Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme and the National Disability Insurance Scheme. Labor governments delivered no fault divorce, the single mothers benefit and the child support system. And it was a Labor government—the Gillard Government—that introduced Paid Parental Leave in this country.
When Paid Parental Leave was introduced in 2011, it was a major milestone for Australian families. As the Minister for Families, the Honourable Jenny Macklin MP, said in Parliament at the time: "This historic reform is a major win for working families who have been waiting decades for a national paid parental leave scheme".
For many parents, the 18-week payment- fully funded by the Government- was the first time they could access any paid parental leave.
This was a material advancement in workplace and economic equality for women, whose disproportionate share of unpaid care has long-term consequences for their economic security.
Paid Parental Leave is critical for families, it is critical for women and it is critical for the economy.
The Gillard Government knew this, and the Albanese Government knows it too.
From day one, the Albanese Government has been working hard to improve Paid Parental Leave for working families.
As a centrepiece of our first budget, we announced important reforms to modernise the scheme to meet the needs of Australian families.
First, we passed legislation so that from 1 July 2023:
Then, earlier this year, we passed legislation to increase the length of the scheme. From 1 July 2024, we added two more weeks of payment, expanding the scheme from 20 weeks to 22 weeks.
The scheme will further expand by two weeks each year, until it reaches 26 weeks in 2026.
All these changes combined mean Paid Parental Leave is now more accessible, flexible and it encourages shared care. It supports parents to take a step back from paid work and provides critical financial support at such an important time.
Parents can now share over $20,000 to support them after the birth of a new baby.
The bill I am introducing today, the Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) Bill, is the third significant improvement the Albanese Government has made to Paid Parental Leave.
Through Paid Parental Leave, the Government supports parents to take time off work after the birth or adoption of their child. Through this bill, we are taking action to support them at retirement as well.
Through this bill, we are investing $1.1 billion over the forward estimates to pay superannuation on Government Paid Parental Leave from July 2025.
This is a further step towards gender equality and improving women's economic security.
Women make up the majority of primary caregivers in this country, leading to what has been referred to as 'the motherhood penalty', where they face greater economic insecurity because of time out of the workforce to care for children.
Women with children face an average 55 per cent drop in earnings in their first five years of parenthood.
The effect of lower income compounds over time, increasing the gap between men and women's superannuation balances at retirement. The data is clear- women retire with around 25 per cent less super than men.
We want to change this. We know inequality serves no one.
Paying super on Paid Parental Leave is an important step to reducing the gendered gaps in retirement savings.
We have listened to calls from the union movement, the women's movement, economists and employers.
Paying super on Paid Parental Leave is a positive investment into the future of working women and in the broader economy.
For babies born or adopted from 1 July 2025, this bill delivers all eligible parents with an additional 12 per cent of their Paid Parental Leave as a contribution directly to their super fund.
This super contribution will match the Superannuation Guarantee rate as at 1 July of the financial year the PPL is taken. It will rise with any future increases to the legislated Superannuation Guarantee.
The contribution will be made annually by the Australian Tax Office after the end of each financial year. It will include an additional interest component to address any forgone superannuation fund earnings as a result of the payment not being made more regularly.
Most parents won't need to do anything further to receive their superannuation payment and the claim process for Paid Parental Leave will not change.
Around 180,000 families will benefit from the changes. Once the PPL scheme reaches 26 weeks in 2026, and based on a Superannuation Guarantee rate of 12 per cent, the maximum amount a family would receive in superannuation contributions is around $3,000.
This bill, and our two PPL laws before it, send a clear message that the Government is committed to a stronger parental leave system, and we want to see this reinforced throughout workplaces.
The Government payment is a minimum entitlement, designed to complement employer-provided leave.
Paying super on Government-funded Paid Parental Leave will continue to normalise parental leave as a workplace entitlement, like annual and sick leave.
Data from the Workplace Gender Equality Agency shows the proportion of businesses providing their own paid parental leave has increased over the last decade.
In 2022-23, 63 per cent of reporting employers offered employer-funded paid parental leave.
This is up from 48 per cent in 2013-14.
This positive trend demonstrates employers increasingly see themselves as having a role alongside Government in providing paid parental leave.
Government and employers should be working together to ensure our parental leave system as strong and inclusive as it can be.
We know that when businesses offer their own employer-funded parental leave entitlements, it is a major way to attract and retain staff.
While we encourage employers to do this, this bill is about strengthening the Government scheme.
In addition to adding super to the Government payment, this bill will ensure the parental leave framework in the Fair Work Act complements the Paid Parental Leave Scheme.
Unpaid parental leave in the Fair Work Act is an entitlement that supports parents to remain connected to paid employment while they care for their child.
This bill includes minor technical amendments to clarify drafting to ensure parents can access 'keeping in touch days' during a period of continuous unpaid parental leave to remain in contact with their workplace and help facilitate their return to work.
This will help support working parents to balance their work and care responsibilities.
In short, this Bill is good for families, good for women, good for business and good for the economy.
Our Government's Paid Parental Leave reforms are already making a difference.
New mum Jenny Lei told me how it had helped her physical and mental health while she recovered after the birth.
She said, '"e get extra time to adjust to being a family. It's not easy being a new parent."
New dad, Kieren Fisher, said paid parental leave "has given us a better chance to have that family time and be able to adjust to the new addition which is particularly important for our son Henry who has a disability" .
"It's enabled us to have that additional care or take extra leave off to make sure that he's got access to things like early intervention therapy. It's been amazing" .
Thanks to our government's significant investment in Paid Parental Leave, families not only receive extra support at the time of the birth, but we are boosting their retirement incomes too.
In our first term we have made the most significant reforms to Paid Parental Leave since it was introduced over a decade ago.
Paid Parental Leave has changed the lives of millions of Australians.
Our reforms make the scheme stronger and more suitable for the needs of modem families.
Paid Parental Leave is a proud Labor legacy and we will always work to strengthen it.
I commend the bill.
That the Senate take note of the report.
Help to Buy (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023
The story of my last 18 years of survival is harrowing and heartbreaking. I'm broken. I'm burnt out. I'm furious that my chances at improving my life have been hampered at every turn by government inaction and cynical policies… I could have been something … Instead I've been unable to study or work or hold meaningful social connections because I've been struggling to keep a roof over my head.
I spent last winter, one of the coldest on record, in a unit with a leaking roof, mould and fungi growing in my bedroom and without a working heater leading to me suffering a heart attack. I am trying to move but I cannot find another rental within my price range. I have been on [the] priority over 55 housing waiting list since 2016.
I have been on a public housing waiting list for over 10 years in regional Victoria. I was told by a housing officer that by the time my name would be called off the list l would be dead as the wait list is so long … All l want is a safe affordable place to call home.
Long waiting lists for public housing combined with limited supports able to help, my only option, which I'm very grateful for, is private rental however at great expense financially, emotionally, mentally and physically. [I] have no choice but to use buy now pay later for essentials. Accessing food relief which is soul destroying but still not able to have regular healthy meals which impacts overall wellbeing. [It is] impossible to have a haircut, see a dentist, replace old and worn clothes … [I] have had to ask [a] neighbour for toilet paper, it's absolutely devastating and no way to live. Actually it's not living, I wouldn't even call it surviving.
These schemes have been around forever, but the money is eventually capitalised into house prices, so the beneficiaries gain at the expense of everyone else.
There is also a risk that, over time, governments may fuel an 'assistance spiral', where the assistance makes house prices more expensive by increasing demand, prompting governments to increase assistance, pushing up prices further, and on it goes.
As the use of genetic testing … in health care increases, concerns have been raised around privacy and genetic discrimination.
… … …
In response to … concerns over genetic discrimination, several countries have enacted legislation or voluntary agreements to restrict or fully ban the use of genetic information by insurance companies.
It's time we have a mature conversation about how we can better support workers undergoing these kinds of treatments …
Reproductive health leave as a national employment standard will support a workforce which is happier, healthier, more productive and more inclusive.