The Speaker (Mr Slipper) took the chair at 12:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Marriage Amendment Bill 2012
That the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
The … bill contains some reasonable measures for facilitating the protection of workers' entitlements. and these measures are unlikely to affect the position of the majority of directors.
Social Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2011
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011
Following feedback from the land councils on these proposals, township leasing is now being pursued as a longer term priority, unless traditional owners initiate discussions.
I call on Parliament to work constructively in a bipartisan way to address the issues confronting our communities in the Northern Territory.
… every child has the right to be educated. We need to make sure we provide every opportunity for this to happen. It’s critical for our kids to attend school.
The implementation of any proposed measures under the Stronger Futures Bills, such as school attendance and alcohol management, must be done in a culturally safe and culturally secure way.
Loss of autonomy, resources and opportunities in communities is driving many people into the larger town centres. The overcrowding situation with housing has not improved. More and more Aboriginal children are being removed from families, another silent statistic. There is a deteriorating social situation in these larger towns, with crime on the increase.
The Australian Government, in partnership with the Northern Territory Government, is now acting on the issues people said were the most urgent—
The Australian Government is determined not to repeat the mistakes of the past but to work together with Aboriginal people to build stronger futures together.
The recent consultations report shows that Government has failed to take seriously our concerns and feelings. This report is simply a reflection of pre-determined policy decisions …
The Stronger Futures report has created a lot of anger and frustration due to the lack of process and the ignorant way in which the views of the people have been reported. We therefore reject this report.
… called on the Gillard government to move on from the mistakes of the past, warning its Stronger Futures legislation is just a re-badged NT intervention …
Amnesty International is concerned Labor hasn't done enough to remove the discriminatory aspects of the intervention in the new legislation.
It wasn't K. Rudd who made a pre-election commitment on a carbon tax. It wasn't K. Rudd who made a particular commitment to Mr Wilkie on the question of poker machines. It wasn't K. Rudd who had anything to do with the East Timor Solution or the Malaysia Solution.
Kevin Rudd … always had very difficult and very chaotic work patterns.
… always had very difficult and very chaotic work patterns—
… there is a lot of concern in industry at the moment about the price we've locked in … whether we've locked in a price that's to our disadvantage as a nation.
We've been urging suppliers to give us some evidence to take things forward (in a prosecution) but we've been having trouble getting that. Too many of them are scared. At the moment all we've got is third-party hearsay.
… decisions which were taken, in my absence often, and then announced and implemented, often without my knowledge, in the case of various decisions like the Malaysia solution for example, and then off they went only to discover they didn’t work.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Warringah moving immediately—That the Prime Minister explain to the House how the extraordinary public revelations of the dysfunction, division and chaos at the centre of this government over the last 18 months will end with today’s bloodletting. Further, how the government will now address the real problems facing the Australian people, namely:
(1) cost of living pressures exacerbated by the carbon tax;
(2) the border protection chaos caused by the government ending policies that worked; and
(3) pressure on jobs that government policies are just making worse.
It wasn’t K Rudd who made a pre-election commitment on a carbon tax. It wasn’t K Rudd who made a particular commitment to Mr Wilkie on the question of poker machines. It wasn’t K Rudd who had anything to do with the East Timor solution or the Malaysia solution. These were initiatives and decisions taken uniquely by the prime minister.
The House divided. [15:19]
(The Speaker—Hon. Peter Slipper)
That the House take note of the following documents:
Coal Mining Industry (Long Service Leave Funding) Corporation—Report for 2010-11.
Commonwealth Grants Commission—GST revenue sharing relativities—2012 update.
Infrastructure and Communications—House of Representatives Standing Committee—Broadening the debate: Inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network—Government response.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Selection Committee's determinations for Monday, 27 February 2012 being varied and the order of business for today in the House and for tomorrow in the Federation Chamber being varied as follows:
(1) in the House, after the presentation of documents and Ministerial Statements (if any), the order of business being as follows:
(a) Notice No. 1, private Members' business relating to the Fair Work (Job Security and Fairer Bargaining) Amendment Bill 2012—further proceedings occurring as far as possible in accordance with the determination of the Selection Committee;
(b) Notice No. 2, private Members' business relating to the Fair Work Australia investigation—mover and next member speaking, 10 minutes each, debate to be adjourned to the next sitting and then stand referred to the Federation Chamber; and
(c) Government business until 8pm.
(2) in the Federation Chamber, on Tuesday 28 February 2012, Standing Order 193 (Members’ three minute constituency statements) being suspended and the order of business being as follows:
(a) the resumption of debate on Mr Bandt's motion relating to Sovereign Wealth Fund—further proceedings occurring as far as possible in accordance with the determination of the Selection Committee;
(b) the resumption of debate on Ms Hall's motion relating to Teal Ribbon Day—further proceedings occurring as far as possible in accordance with the determination of the Selection Committee;
(c) the resumption of debate on the motions to take note of committee and delegation reports presented in accordance with standing order 39(e)—further proceedings in respect of each report occurring as far as possible in the order, and in accordance with the periods of time, previously determined by the Selection Committee;
(d) the resumption of debate on Mr Abbott's motion relating to the Fair Work Australia investigation - the remainder of speech time limits and further proceedings occurring, as far as possible, in accordance with the determination of the Selection Committee;
(e) the resumption of debate on the second reading of the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012—further proceedings occurring as far as possible in accordance with the determination of the Selection Committee; and
(f) Government business until 10pm.
(3) any variation to this arrangement to be made only by a motion moved by a Minister.
(a) the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry, Advisory reports on the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011 and the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Mining, Petroleum and Water Resources) Bill 2011, together with the minutes of proceedings;
(b) the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, Examination of the Annual Report of the Integrity Commissioner 2010-11;
(c) the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Review of the Defence Annual Report 2009-2010;
(d) the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, report of the Inquiry into the operation of the insurance industry during disaster events, together with the minutes of proceedings and evidence received by the committee, and
Fair Work (Job Security and Fairer Bargaining) Amendment Bill 2012
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Fair Work Australia investigation into the Health Services Union and Member for Dobell commenced in 2009;
(b) the investigation started with the Industrial Registrar in January 2009 and was taken over by Fair Work Australia when it commenced operation in June 2009;
(c) Fair Work Australia representatives said the investigation would be completed by the end of 2011, with Fair Work Australia Director Terry Nassios telling a Senate Estimates committee in May 2011 that the investigation should be completed by 'the latter half of this year' and Bernadette O'Neill, the Acting General Manager, saying in October 2011 that 'Mr Nassios has advised me that he still expects to complete his investigations by the end of this year';
(d) the investigation remains ongoing despite an employee of the Australian Government Solicitor, Craig Rawson, being provided with a letter containing 'proposed findings' in December 2010; and
(e) the investigation into the Health Services Union and the Member for Dobell has taken more than three years and is yet to be completed; and
(2) calls on the Government to provide an assurance that there has been no political interference in the Fair Work Australia investigation into the Health Services Union and the Member for Dobell.
… the Fair Work Australia investigation—
… commenced in 2009—
(b) the investigation started with the Industrial Registrar—
… (c) Fair Work Australia representatives said the investigation would be completed by the end of 2011—
despite an employee of the Australian Government Solicitor, Craig Rawson, being provided with a letter containing 'proposed findings' in December 2010—
… (e) the investigation into the Health Services Union and the Member for Dobell has taken more than three years and is yet to be completed.
… a lot of people who are under investigation end up having nothing to answer for. It's a police investigation and the appropriate thing for me to do is to let the police investigation run its course and then if it is appropriate I will have something to say.
I am aware of the allegations that there has been some political interference in the investigations and take them very seriously. I have absolutely no reason to conclude that there has been any such interference in the investigations.
Social Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2011
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011
… the Commonwealth to make amendments to Northern Territory legislation relating to community living areas and town camps to facilitate voluntary long term leasing, including for the granting of individual rights or interests and the promotion of economic development.
… opportunities for private home ownership in town camps and more flexible long term leasing including for business activity in community living areas.
A stronger future, grounded in a stronger relationship between government and Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
A relationship built on respect for Australia’s first peoples, for their custodianship of the land, for their culture and for their ongoing contributions to our shared nation.
This is a respect that is about much more than sentiment. It is about the approach we take to our work, and the approach we take to working together.
This is the approach we took to consultations after we first came into government.
These conversations revealed the depth of hurt felt by Aboriginal people by the sudden and rushed implementation of the Northern Territory Emergency Response.
And informed our amendments, including the reinstatement of the Racial Discrimination Act in the Northern Territory.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2011
(1) Clause 12, page 17 (after line 19), add:
Note: If the Minister proposes to make a determination under subsection (4), the procedure in section 13A must be followed first.
(2) Clause 12, page 17 (after line 24), add:
Note: If the Minister proposes to make a determination under subsection (5), the procedure in section 13A must be followed first.
(3) Clause 13, page 18 (after line 14), add:
Note: If the Minister proposes to make a determination under subsection (3), the procedure in section 13A must be followed first.
(4) Clause 13, page 18 (after line 19), add:
Note: If the Minister proposes to make a determination under subsection (4), the procedure in section 13A must be followed first.
(5) Page18, after line 27, at the end of Division 3, add:
13A Procedure before making determination modifying NT liquor licence or permit
(1) Before making a determination under subsection 12(4), 12(5), 13(3) or 13(4) that modifies a NT liquor licence or NT liquor permit, the Minister must consult the NT Minister and the NT Licensing Commission about the proposed modification by giving them a written notice.
(2) The notice must:
(a) set out information about the proposed modification; and
(b) invite the NT Minister and the NT Licensing Commission to give written comments to the Minister about the proposed modification before the end of the consultation period in subsection (3).
(3) The consultation period is:
(a) the period specified in the notice, which must be at least 14 days after the day the notice is given; or
(b) if the Minister agrees in writing to a longer period—that longer period.
(4) When making a determination under subsection 12(4), 12(5), 13(3) or 13(4), the Minister must have regard to any written comments of the NT Minister and the NT Licensing Commission that are given to the Minister during the consultation period in subsection (3).
(1) Heading to clause 109, page 91 (line 22), omit the heading, substitute:
109 Interaction with the Competition and Consumer Act 2010
(2) Clause 109, page 91 (line 23), omit "any other law of the Commonwealth", substitute "the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 ".
That this bill be now read a third time.
Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011
That this bill be now read a third time.
Higher Education Support Amendment (VET FEE-HELP and Other Measures) Bill 2011
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Customs Amendment (Anti-dumping Improvements) Bill (No. 2) 2011
By day 60 (the earliest WTO consistent date a PAD can be considered) the Branch will usually have verified the domestic industry’s data, and will have received data from the exporters.
If the data submitted by the exporters shows evidence of dumping or subsidisation, this may be sufficient evidence on which to base a PAD prior to verification.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Australia currently permits the import of orange juice concentrate from Brazil;
(b) the United States has moved to ban imports of Brazilian orange juice concentrate due to traces of the fungicide Carbendazim being found in some juice concentrates from Brazil;
(c) in January 2010, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) suspended some agricultural production uses of Carbendazim, including use on all citrus fruits;
(d) in 2011 the APVMA completed its preliminary review finding of Carbendazim which has proposed removing many uses of this chemical; and
(e) the APVMA has proposed a change to remove the Maximum Residue Limits in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code that permits Carbendazim residues in some foods, including citrus products; and
(2) calls on the Government to instruct the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to increase the testing on imported juice concentrate to ensure Carbendazim is not present at levels which risk public health.
…calls on the Government to instruct the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to increase the testing on imported juice concentrate to ensure Carbendazim is not present at levels which risk public health.
(a) Australia currently permits the import of orange juice concentrate from Brazil;
(b) the United States has moved to ban imports of Brazilian orange juice concentrate due to traces of the fungicide Carbendazim being found in some juice concentrates from Brazil;
(c) in January 2010, the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) suspended some agricultural production uses of Carbendazim, including use on all citrus fruits;
(d) in 2011 the APVMA completed its preliminary review finding of Carbendazim which has proposed removing many uses of this chemical; and
(e) the APVMA has proposed a change to remove the Maximum Residue Limits in the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code that permits …
We wonder when someone is actually going to stand up for the Australian people—growers and consumers—and how it is that the big money of the processing industry can again win out over what is fair, what is right and what the public are demanding.
That this House
(1) express its deep regret at the death on 28 January 2012 of the late Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue OAM, the Spiritual Leader of the Phuoc Hue Buddhist Monastery and leader of the Vietnamese Buddhist community in Australia;
(2) places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service; and
(3) tenders its profound sympathy to the Vietnamese Buddhist community in its bereavement.
The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney joins with the senior Venerable Thich Phuoc Tan, OAM and other senior monks, nuns and lay practitioners who mourn deeply the passing of this exemplary spiritual leader and scholar. On occasions of significant ecumenical and inter-religious activities, the strong support of The Late Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue, OAM and his community was keenly felt and much appreciated.
The Late Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue, OAM will remain an inspiration not only the Australian Vietnamese Buddhist Community but to many other Australians as well, recalling his contribution to the life our country with gratitude.
There remained, however, one piece of unfinished business. His aspiration to set up a Vietnamese Buddhist Studies Institute in Australia was unfulfilled at the time of his death.
My job is to bear witness. I have never been interested in knowing what make of plane had just bombed a village or whether the artillery that fired at it was 120 mm or 155 mm.
Covering a war means going to places torn by chaos, destruction, and death, and trying to bear witness. It means trying to find the truth in a sandstorm of propaganda when armies, tribes or terrorists clash. And yes, it means taking risks, not just for yourself but often for the people who work closely with you.
… We always have to ask ourselves whether the level of risk is worth the story. What is bravery, and what is bravado?
Driven? Certainly. Eccentric? Very. But conceited? Never. Her humility made her a rare bird in an aviary renowned for its preening.
On her death, she was the undisputed standard-bearer of our values, a woman whose courage and endeavour singularly advanced the capability of others by providing the benchmark for what we should aspire to.
If you see a bit of eye lying in the jungle, pick it up. It could be mine!
I think reports of my survival may be exaggerated.
In Baba Amr. Sickening, cannot understand how the world can stand by … Watched a baby die today. Shrapnel, doctors could do nothing. His little tummy just heaved and heaved until he stopped. Feeling helpless … Will keep trying to get out the information
WA consumers will be running out of fresh milk. Hard working and highly efficient farmers can't pay their bills and are as disheartened as I have seen them.
The export of WA heifers is an all time high as farmers sell heifers to pay basic bills. The solution to our future milk supply is being sold to China.
Please do not believe that the importation of milk in WA is a short term, one off thing. If it is happening now, it will be much worse next year and for a longer period of time. This is because the livestock have been and continue to be sold to pay basic bills. Without more livestock, there will not be more milk
Farmers are not feeding their cows correctly now because of a lack of money. Keep in mind that the demand for fresh milk in WA is growing due to population increase at this time of declining supply.
If you have any further doubts about the debilitating financial position we are currently experiencing as a direct result of farm gate milk prices, please feel free to contact our local Commonwealth bank manager who will be happy to give you a full indication of the financial pressures of local dairy farmers.
I thank you for your time and trust that this matter will no longer be ignored, as dairy farmers are relying on your assistance to bring about some drastic changes to the industry so we can continue to provide fresh local milk to Western Australian families.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms AE Burke) took the chair at 12:00.
Construction is expected to commence early in 2014 and is scheduled for completion by early 2016.
On August 23 I wrote a letter to all local state and federal MPs following BlueScope's announcement to downsize the Port Kembla steelworks by approximately 800 people. That very day I received a phone call from Joanna Gash. … She showed genuine interest in both my family's wellbeing and that of my fellow steelworkers. She asked if she could read my letter in Parliament in order to highlight the plight of the local area.
She was true to her word and did so.
I have since heard from Ryan Park, the state Labor member for Keira, but Anna Watson, Lee Evans, Sharon Bird and Stephen Jones have remained silent.
Given the significant events impacting on local manufacturing industry and the subsequent job losses that have occurred and are occurring, I am perplexed at how the member for Throsby chooses to preoccupy himself at this time with the subject of gay marriage.
I would have thought the preservation of jobs in Throsby would have riveted his interest. Especially intriguing in light of statements by his former leader committing Labor to the creation of an additional 500,000 jobs within three years.
Confusing the issue even more is the admission in the Member's maiden speech that 'he comes to this parliament believing in the values that formed around the dinner table of a large Catholic family'. Given the Catholic Church's views on gay marriage, it was an extraordinary statement to make and then to repudiate by his stand.
Mr Jones should be making headlines primarily by encouraging growth and employment in our region and providing tangible solutions to the problems faced in the Illawarra.
Instead he has elected to push his own leftist ideologies at the expense of his obligations to the people who elected him.
There is no question that some degree of upgrade of that obstetric facility is needed, so we will be going through, getting a report done and working out what needs to be done. However, what is clear is that there is confusion around what is going to happen to that maternity service once Fiona Stanley Hospital opens. So I will go through that again to make the intentions of this government very clear.
Under the previous government, when Hon Jim McGinty was the minister, he made the decision that when Fiona Stanley Hospital was built, the Bentley Hospital obstetric service would close and those services would be provided by the new Fiona Stanley Hospital. In opposition, we had no reason whatsoever to doubt that that was good policy. We totally disagreed with what he was going to do with obstetric services at Osborne Park Hospital and campaigned to keep them, and he subsequently changed his mind and said he would keep those. However, we were in agreement about the potential closure of Bentley obstetric services. As we moved forward, we talked a lot to the local community, particularly to Steve Irons, as the local federal member and the local mayor, and there was strong support for continuing to retain that hospital in the future. The risk in that is that a report has been done by a prominent obstetrician that lists about 1 000 deliveries a year as the ideal size for an obstetric service, which is about what is done at Osborne Park Hospital. Currently at Bentley Hospital it is about 890, which is marginally under that level. However, it is expected that when Fiona Stanley Hospital opens, that service will not be required. The commitment that we gave, I think, a year or 18 months ago, which seems to be lost in the translation somewhere, is that we will now wait and see and reconsider once Fiona Stanley Hospital is open. So we will wait until early 2014 when Fiona Stanley Hospital opens. Given that there are only 20 obstetric beds that we have not changed from the Labor Party plan at that site and that Kaleeya is proposed to be closed as an obstetric service, we will wait and see what happens. People will vote with their feet. I have said that if they continue to support the Bentley obstetric service and if the number is getting close to the 1 000 that are needed, we will reconsider and reinvest whatever dollars are required to bring that up to a high-quality obstetric service. It is silly for us to go and spend millions of dollars there now, with only two years to that decision. However, in the meantime, we will do some work to freshen up the appearance of that obstetric unit and make sure that the people going there now—the nearly 900 of them who go there during a year for their deliveries—have a quality level of service. Once again, I want to make that public. Bentley obstetric service will not definitely close when Fiona Stanley obstetric service opens.
No matter how rational and high-minded you try to be, you can't make decision after decision without paying a biological price. It's different from ordinary physical fatigue—you're not consciously aware of being tired—but you're low on mental energy. The more choices you make throughout the day, the harder each one becomes for your brain, and eventually it looks for shortcuts, usually in either of two very different ways. One shortcut is to become reckless: to act impulsively instead of expending the energy to first think through the consequences. (Sure, tweet that photo! What could go wrong?) The other shortcut is the ultimate energy saver: do nothing. Instead of agonizing over decisions, avoid any choice. Ducking a decision often creates bigger problems in the long run, but for the moment, it eases the mental strain. You start to resist any change, any potentially risky move.
Marriage Amendment Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Marriage means the union of two people, regardless of their sex, to the exclusion of all others, voluntarily entered into for life.
…it will be observed that there is no attempt to define marriage in this bill. None of the marriage laws to which I have referred contains any such definition. But insistence of its monogamous quality is indicated by…the provisions of the Matrimonial Causes Act which render a marriage void where one of the parties is already married and by a provision in this bill making bigamy an offence.
Including this definition will remove any lingering concerns that people may have that the legal definition of marriage may become eroded by time.
We have determined, as a Labor Party, that the Marriage Act will stay unchanged so marriage will be defined as it is in our current Marriage Act, as between a man and a woman, and we have also said that the Labor Party policy is we do not want to see the development of ceremonies that mimic marriage ceremonies and so that's the party policy and as Prime Minister, as leader of the parliamentary Labor Party, that's obviously my policy and that's what you should expect to see from the Gillard Labor government if we're re-elected.
Can I just say that obviously one of the concerns of the constituency here is the knowledge that this was only, it seemed, upheld by direct intervention of the highest levels of the party at the last Labor conference. So you're saying that a Gillard Labor government will keep that policy in place?
I was personally and directly involved in this policy and its development at the last national conference.
We have determined as a Labor Party the Marriage Act will stay unchanged, so marriage will be defined as it is in our current Marriage Act as between a man and a woman.
The child shall be registered immediately after birth and shall have the right from birth to a name, the right to acquire a nationality and, as far as possible the right to know and be cared for by his or her parents.
I was always really proud of being donor created—
but, once I had kids of my own, I realised what I had been deprived of. I have a fantastic relationship with my parents … but things are missing; things that couldn't be provided—identity, heritage, history.
When I look in the mirror, I don't know who that person is.
Love is patient, love is kind.
It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2011-2012
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2011-2012
Cognate debate.
Debate resumed on the motion:
That this bill be now read a second time.
to which the following amendment was moved:
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House is of the view that, in light of global economic uncertainty and existing pressures on Australian industry and jobs, the Government should not appropriate funds for measures associated with the introduction of a carbon tax to allow for the postponement of introduction of the tax until after elections have been held for the 44th Parliament and the Parliament has met."
We need to return to politics as a clash of principles and to get away from the notion that it is a clash only of warring personalities.
These higher prices will require households to spend a greater proportion of their incomes to obtain the same goods and services purchased before the introduction of an emissions price. This will reduce households’ real incomes and purchasing power.
Why are we being penalised for working hard and paying our taxes? The changes in staff-to-children ratios will not make a life-changing impact on my two-year-old now or over the next three years until he starts school. All of us were very happy with the care being provided before.
We work to sustain the way of life and prosperity of all Australians.
I cannot and will not do anything that would cause embarrassment to former and present senior Defence portfolio officials.
Defence policy has been set for life cycle costing for some time, but there appears to be little top-level enforcement or encouragement at present for the use of LCC throughout the acquisition life cycle. There are also few incentives for the middle management to adopt life cycle costing principles by making investments now to save operating costs later.
We work to sustain the way of life and prosperity for all Australians.
… the Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 provides an opportunity to celebrate such achievements and to further strengthen the connections between rural and urban Australia …
It would have a positive effect on self esteem and improve mental health. We all know that if our self esteem and our mental health improve, there are good practical, individual and societal outcomes as well.
… special clauses about discrimination will lead to a much wider debate about multiculturalism and I think the debate will really ambush the process.
Nationally we need to do more for Aboriginal health to increase the life expectancy and standard of living of our first nation people.
… the Prime Minister does not understand manufacturing's importance to the economy.
We are going to be impacted by a carbon tax, and our competitors won't.
We have to rely on turnover now (to make significant revenue), not up-selling to better packages. The Aussie dollar pressure is pressure on the manufacturer's margin and also our own.
We cut a deal with the Prime Minister back in 2008 and then, mid-way through, the rules of the game changed.
… it certainly worries a multi-national parent when sovereign risk begins to be something that is bandied about in terms of doing business in Australia.
Socialism means high costs, inefficiency, the constant intrusion of political considerations, the damping down of enterprise, the overlordship of routine. None of these elements can produce progress, and without progress security will turn out to be a delusion. These views did not represent a belief that private enterprise should have an 'open go'.
The squeaky voice will get the oil in this parliament and we need advocates for mainstream change to balance against sectorial interests.
People are entitled to their views and I would be disappointed if colleagues were afraid to debate significant policy issues.
The Energy Industries Superannuation Scheme is exposed to significant risk resulting from major changes to its administrator, FuturePlus.
EISS may need to provide funding to FuturePlus to support infrastructure investments to comply with the proposed Stronger Super regulatory reform
Because of our unique history and ownership, Chifley’s primary business driver is not profit, but respect for the needs of all our clients.
The identification and management of conflicts of interests and of duties are a particular priority.
… … …
it is clear from the Review’s analysis that there is a need for greater clarity of what is required of superannuation fund trustees and trustee‐directors in this regard.
Contemporary best practice in corporate governance for listed companies includes the presence of independent directors on the board. The panel believes that a minimum number of non-associated trustee directors such that they can genuinely influence the decisions of those boards should be required on all superannuation trustee boards.
I am not signing an open cheque book for them.
The federal government has let the New South Wales government off the hook in only requiring a contribution of some $500 million up to 2014. This compares to a federal contribution of $3.1 billion. We should be demanding dollar-for-dollar funding from the New South Wales state government and increasing the federal contribution to the road project if it is to be completed within a realistic timeframe.
The Pacific Highway is a state road that effectively causes the loss of one life a week. The state government should pour the money in.
In respect of the GP Super Clinics Program, how many clinics (a) are operational, (b) are providing early services, (c) are at an advanced stage of construction, and (d) have opened ahead of schedule.
(a) to (d)
As at end January 2012, there were 34 sites either operational, under construction and/or providing early services. This includes twenty two operational sites, seven providing early services and ten sites (including five of those providing early services) under construction.
Of the eleven sites under construction, four are past their mid-point of construction.
For each of the 64 GP Super Clinics, (a) on what date (i) was the funding agreement signed, (ii) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with evidence of tenure, (iii) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with the preliminary project and plan, (iv) did the organisation notify the Commonwealth that it was ready to seek development approval, (v) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with a construction-ready project plan and budget, (vi) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with a copy of the development approval, (vii) did the organisation notify the Commonwealth of the details of the selected building contractor, (viii) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with a copy of the building permit or certificate to commence, (ix) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with notification that construction has commenced, (x) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with certification that the midpoint of construction has been achieved, (xi) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with the operational plan and communication strategy, (xii) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with the commencement of services and formal launch timeline, (xiii) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with the certification of practical completion, and (xiv) did the organisation provide the Commonwealth with the construction phase final report, and (b) how many (i) services and implementation assessment reports, and (ii) financial acquittals, have been submitted.
(a) (i) As at end September 2011, for the 48 Funding Agreements that have been executed for the 2007-08 and 2010-11 GP Super Clinics Program, the dates of execution are as follows:
(ii) to (xiv) and (b) The Department does not have the information sought in a readily available form. The task of compiling all the information sought is a major task, the undertaking of which would unreasonably and substantially divert the resources of the Department from its other operations. Moreover, the information requested relates to the business affairs of the organisation and its provision as a response to the question would be likely to damage the commercial interests of individuals or the organization, or prejudice relations between the Commonwealth and the States. Accordingly, answers to each of the individual questions relating to each of the 64 Super Clinics is not provided.
In respect of the Pre-2008 Review of Subordinate Legislation, will the Minister (a) provide a summary of the subordinate legislation within his/her portfolio areas (including the portfolios of his/her junior ministers and parliamentary secretaries) that were identified in the review as redundant and therefore in need of repeal, (b) describe the processes established to repeal this subordinate legislation, including estimated timeframes for repeal, and (c) indicate progress against these processes, including the subordinate legislation that has been repealed to date.
A review of Commonwealth subordinate legislation created before January 2008 conducted by the Department of Finance and Deregulation on behalf of the Government identified redundant and potentially redundant subordinate legislation. Attachment A provides details of the advice I have received from portfolio Ministers regarding progress by agencies in reviewing subordinate legislation that was identified by the review as potentially redundant and the repeal of redundant instruments. Attachment A:
Attachment A
How many Irregular Maritime Arrivals (IMAs) indicated that they resided in a country different to their country of birth/origin for more than six weeks prior to arriving in Australia, and for each of these IMAs, (a) what was his/her country of birth/origin, and (b) in which country had he/she resided prior to arriving in Australia, and for what length of time.
Departmental systems do not record this level of detail and the preparation of this answer would involve interrogation of information provided by each client. This would be a significant diversion of departmental resources and it is not considered that the additional work can be justified.
(1) Is it a fact that under the Climate Change Plan, refrigerant gas which currently attracts a levy of $165 per tonne to reduce chlorofluorocarbon emissions, is to be replaced by a levy of $30065 per tonne to reduce carbon dioxide emissions; if so, has Treasury conducted modelling on the likely impact of this levy on the retail industry and households; if so, will he provide information on this.
(2) What alternative refrigeration exists for the retail industry that would not attract these levies, and how does it compare with traditional refrigeration in terms of energy efficiency.
(1) Under the Australian Government's Clean Energy Future Plan, an equivalent carbon price will apply to synthetic greenhouse gases from 1 July 2012. This will be implemented through the Ozone and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989.
The existing cost recovery levy of $165 per tonne on refrigerant gas will continue to apply to all importers of these gases (in bulk or contained in products and equipment) and is not being replaced by a flat levy of $30,065 per tonne, as suggested in the question. However, the total levy payable will be proportional to the global warming potential (GWP) of the relevant refrigerant gas.
An analysis conducted by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency shows that the impact of the new arrangement on consumers is expected to be low as the amount of these gases in consumer products is generally small, making the refrigerant gas content only a small part of the overall cost of the product. For example, the price of a domestic refrigerator would increase by around $4 and the price of a new car would increase by around $18 due to the refrigerant gas contained in the air conditioner (if the full amount of the equivalent carbon price is passed on to consumers).
The Government's household assistance package takes these impacts into account and ensures that two in three households will get tax cuts or increased payments that cover their expected average price impact of both this measure and the other elements of the carbon price.
(2) It is important to note that there is a range of equipment in Australia using a variety of refrigerants other than synthetic gases such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) which are banned under the Montreal Protocol, hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs). The alternative refrigerants include carbon dioxide, ammonia and hydrocarbons which are known as natural refrigerants. Available also is HFO-1234yf, which is a new synthetic refrigerant with a low GWP of 4, highly comparable to the hydrocarbons. Uptake of lower GWP refrigerant gases is what the new policy is designed to achieve.
According to the United Nations Environmental Program, equipment using low-GWP alternatives can achieve equal or superior energy efficiency in a number of sectors, such as domestic refrigeration, commercial refrigeration and some types of air conditioning systems. In the case of industrial refrigeration, for example, hydrocarbon and ammonia systems are typically 10 to 30 per cent more energy efficient than conventional high-GWP HFC systems.
In respect of programs (a) 1.1 Prevention, early detection and service improvement:
(b) 1.3 Drug strategy, (c) 1.6 Public health, and (d) Australian National Preventive Health Agency's 1.1 Preventive Health, what is the (i) projected departmental and administered expenditure for each initiative, measure or activity within each program over the forward estimates, and (ii) objective of each initiative, measure or activity within each program.
(1) In the calendar years (a) 2008, (b) 2009, (c) 2010, and (d) 2011 (to date), how many asylum seekers have arrived annually by (i) sea, and (ii) conventional means including air.
(2) For the same period, how many asylum seekers who arrived annually by (a) sea, and (b) conventional means including air, have been approved as refugees and from which source countries have they come; and by origin, how many (i) have been refused at primary level, (ii) have been refused at review, (iii) are in the court system, (iv) have been rejected at all levels of appeal, (v) have been removed from Australia, (vi) remain in detention, and (vii) have been released on visas, and which visas have they been given.
Program year statistics for Irregular Maritime Arrivals (IMA) and non-IMA asylum seekers are collated and published annually and quarterly. Calendar year information may be derived from the tables in the quarterly publication.
The publications contain:
The publications are available on the DIAC website at:
www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/asylum/
www.immi.gov.au/media/publications/statistics/asylum/_files/asylum-trends-aus-annual-2010-11.pdf
The answers to the other elements of question (2) are set out below.
Judicial Review
According to the Department's Legal Information System (LIS) database the numbers of IMA and non-IMA asylum seekers who sought judicial review during the past three program years are:
IMA asylum seekers who sought judicial review
* Nationality is as recorded at the time an application for judicial review was created and may differ from citizenship as currently recorded in departmental systems.
Non-IMA asylum seekers who sought judicial review
* Nationality is as recorded at the time an application for judicial review was created and may differ from citizenship as currently recorded in departmental systems.
Asylum figures (non-IMA) for particular citizenships or nationalities that total less than five are not released.
Removals
The numbers of IMA and non-IMA asylum seekers (i.e. excluding those who were screened out of a refugee status determination process) who were removed, voluntarily and involuntarily, during the past three program years are:
IMA asylum seekers who were removed
Source: DIAC Systems
Non-IMA asylum seekers who were removed after final determination
Source: DIAC Systems.
Detention
The numbers of IMA and non-IMA asylum seekers who were in detention, including in community detention arrangements, at the end of each of the past three program years are:
IMA asylum seekers who were in detention
Source: DIAC Systems.
Asylum figures (non-IMA) for particular citizenships or nationalities that total less than five are not released.
In process — visa classes
The numbers of IMA and non-IMA asylum seekers in process and not in detention at the end of each of the past three program years by visa sub-class are:
IMA asylum seekers in process and not in detention
Source: DIAC Systems
* No data available for 30 June 2009 or 30 June 2010
Non-IMA asylum seekers in process and not in detention
In general, non-IMA asylum seekers are not detained but are placed on bridging visas if their substantive visa has expired.
The tables below set out non-IMA asylum seekers by class of visa and processing stage and by citizenship at the end of the program years 2008-09, 2009-10 and 2010-11.
Non-IMA asylum seekers whose application had not been finally determined at the end of 2008-09 by Protection visa status and visa
Source: ICSE data extracted 3 July 2009
Non-IMA asylum seekers whose application had not been finally determined at the end of 2009-10 by Protection visa status and visa
Source: ICSE data extracted 2 July 2010
Non-IMA asylum seekers whose application had not been finally determined at the end of 2010-11 by Protection visa status and visa
Source: ICSE data extracted 1 July 2011
Non-IMA asylum seekers whose application had not been finally determined at the end of each program year by citizenship
Source: ICSE data extracted 3 July 2009, 2 July 2010 and 1 July 2011
In respect of the GP Super Clinic being constructed in Portland, Victoria, (a) Does the clinic have the support of GPs in Portland; (b) What was the original budget and Government funding allocation; (c) What is the: (i) Current, and (ii) Estimated final expenditure; and (d) What is the expected opening date.
In respect of the GP Super Clinic being constructed in Portland, Victoria:
(a) The Otway Division of General Practice, which represents local general practitioners, has been an active participant in the development of the Portland GP Super Clinic.
(b) The Government's funding allocation for the Portland GP Super Clinic is $4.9 million (GST exclusive). Any information provided by Portland District Health (the organisation) in relation to the funding allocation for the Portland GP Super Clinic relates to the business affairs of that organisation and its provision would be likely to damage the commercial interests of individuals or the organisation.
(c) (i) to (ii) The current expenditure information requested relates to the business affairs of the organisation and its provision would be likely to damage the commercial interests of individuals or the organisation.
(d) The Portland GP Super Clinic is expected to open around early 2012.
(1) How many AFP are currently stationed at the Gold Coast.
(2) What is the average number of AFP stationed in the Gold Coast since 1 December 2010.
(3) What are the precise locations where the AFP operate in the Gold Coast area, and what tasks do they perform.
(1) Currently there are 72 AFP staff (including 5 paid seconded state police) stationed at the Gold Coast. This includes both Gold Coast Airport and Robina Office.
(2) Since 1 December 2010 there has been an average of 81.5 AFP staff (including an average of 12 paid seconded state police) stationed at the Gold Coast. This comprises an average of 55.4 at the Gold Coast Airport and an average of 26.1 at the Robina Office.
(3) Robina Office staff perform a range of investigative duties for Robina Office. At the Gold Coast International Airport the role of AFP members is to deliver a sustainable, efficient and effective law enforcement capability focused on deterring and responding to acts of terrorism, the provision of uniformed policing and investigation of serious and organised crime in the aviation stream.
In (a) 2007-08, (b) 2008-09, and (c) 2009-10, (i) how many corporate credit cards were issued to departmental staff, and (ii) what was the total cost of all transactions made on these corporate credit cards.
The number of corporate credit cards issued to departmental staff varies from day-to-day due to staff movements, machinery of government changes, cards no longer being required and new cards being issued on a business needs basis. Changes in numbers are also occasioned throughout the year by the issue of replacement cards on expiration date. To provide an accurate comparison across financial years, 30 June was used as a point in time to determine the number of active corporate credit cards and the financial year expenditure.
(a) As at 30 June 2008, my Department had 951 active credit cards.
(b) As at 30 June 2009, my Department had 1012 active credit cards.
(c) As at 30 June 2010, my Department had 1078 active credit cards.
(i) All corporate credit cards were issued to departmental staff.
(ii) The total cost of all transactions made on these corporate credit cards as at 30 June was:
Out of the 64 original GP Super Clinics that have signed a funding agreement, what was the (a) original indicative date of practical completion, and (b) actual date of practical completion.
In respect of the GP Super Clinic sites with executed Funding Agreements (as at 30 January 2012):
(a) and (b) The original indicative date of practical completion information requested relates to the business affairs of an organisation and its provision would be likely to damage the commercial interests of individuals or the organisation.