The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms AE Burke) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Selection Committee’s determination for the Federation Chamber today in relation to the Marriage Amendment Bill 2012 being varied to provide for speech time limits of 10 minutes for all Members speaking (minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 15 x 10 minutes).
Livestock Export (Animal Welfare Conditions) Bill 2012
Banking Amendment (Banking Code of Conduct) Bill 2012
That this House notes the:
(1) strong investment by the Australian Government in infrastructure right across Queensland, particularly the Mains Road and Kessels Road Intersection Upgrade and the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade;
(2) commitment by the Australian Government in infrastructure now and into the future, such as our investment in the Bruce Highway; and
(3) current Queensland Government's inconsistent approach to infrastructure projects.
Fair Work Amendment (Better Work/Life Balance) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a second time.
Tax Laws Amendment (Investment Manager Regime) Bill 2012
Corporations Legislation Amendment (Financial Reporting Panel) Bill 2012
Navigation Bill 2012
Navigation (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Bill 2012
Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012
Migration (Visa Evidence) Charge Bill 2012
Migration (Visa Evidence) Charge (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2012
Australian Citizenship Amendment (Defence Families) Bill 2012
Once again, we are at the altar of the reforms we want and need and we ask for the support of our national parliament and of the states and territories to deliver for us better and smarter regulation. We don't want to be jilted yet again.
It is important that a national regulatory system that promotes good governance, accountability and transparency for not-for-profit entities be introduced to maintain, protect and enhance public trust and confidence in the not-for-profit sector.
Aviation Legislation Amendment (Liability and Insurance) Bill 2012
Even as almost every blue-ribbon legacy airline in the world, be it Singapore Airlines, Air France, Lufthansa, Emirates or Qantas, reported profits plunging more than 60 per cent or even losses, I feel humbled and blessed that Rex was able to increase its profit by 45.6 per cent to end the financial year with a record profit.
Dear Stephen
The Catholic School System in NSW has been rocked by the planned announcement from the State Government to cut recurrent grants to NSW non-government schools by $66.7 million per year, beginning next year.
Catholic schools in the Diocese of Wollongong educate more than 22,000 students from Kindergarten to year 12.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Each box represents a portfolio. Cabinet Ministers are shown in bold type. As a general rule, there is one department in each portfolio. However, there is a Department of Veterans’ Affairs in the Defence portfolio. The title of a department does not necessarily reflect the title of a minister in all cases.
We have found all our savings and we have got our policies, we are ready to roll if an election is called tomorrow.
There's no doubt that the Australian economy is doing better than most.
Our unemployment is remarkably low; our debt-to-GDP is converged very favourably; and by all the measurements, our inflation is low.
That the House take note of the following documents:
Australian Government Actuary—Military Superannuation and Benefits Scheme (MSBS), Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme (DFRDB) and Defence Forces Retirement Benefits Scheme (DFRB)—Report on long-term costs using data to 30 June 2011.
Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy Surcharge Thresholds) Act (No. 2) 2008—Report on the operation of the Act—Review of the impact of the new Medicare Levy Surcharge thresholds on public hospitals—Third year review, 2012.
Aviation Legislation Amendment (Liability and Insurance) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a third time.
That, in accordance with subsection 198AB of the Migration Act 1958 , the House approve the instrument of designation of the Republic of Nauru as a regional processing country.
We recommend a policy approach that is hard-headed but not hard-hearted, that is realistic not idealistic, that is driven by a sense of humanity as well as fairness.
That the following words be added to the motion:
“and in addition to the opening of offshore processing on Nauru, calls upon the Government to implement the full suite of the Coalition’s successful border protection policies and:
(1) restore temporary protection visas as the only visa option available to be granted to offshore entry persons found to be refugees;
(2) issue new instructions to Northern Command to commence to turn back boats seeking to illegally enter Australia where it is safe to do so;
(3) use existing law to remove the benefit of the doubt on a person’s identity where there is a reasonable belief that a person has deliberately discarded their documentation; and
(4) restore the Bali Process to once again focus on deterrence and border security.”
We know Nauru will not work. We … know that it is an expensive option.
The opposition say that their approach—and it is—is to open a detention centre at Nauru. We disagree because all the expert advice to the government is that that would not form an effective deterrent.
… the problem with Nauru is twofold. Firstly, it did not break the people smugglers' business model.
I think that designating Nauru to be a regional processing country may act as a circuit breaker in relation to the recent surge in the number of irregular and dangerous maritime voyages to Australia.
From 2002 to 2008 there were fewer than 10 boats a year.
The total number of passengers was fewer than 200 each year.
I also think that designating Nauru to be a regional processing country will make it more difficult for people smugglers to sell the opportunity to resettle in Australia.
… I consider that the designation of Nauru to be a regional processing country is likely to have the effect that a greater proportion of visas will be given to offshore claimants than is presently the case. I think that this would result in a fairer and more orderly Refugee and Humanitarian Program, and one which is more likely to retain the confidence of the Australian people.
I think that the designation of Nauru as a regional processing country will encourage the development of further regionally integrated arrangements …
Nauru, in the absence of a regional agreement, is simply another offshore processing centre … it doesn't break the business model of the people smugglers.
Immigration Minister Chris Bowen says he will not reactivate offshore processing on Nauru because it won't break the people-smugglers' business model: "If you go to Nauru you would end up in Australia, that's what happened before."
There is plenty of evidence and research showing Nauru caused considerable mental damage to people who were there for long periods of time.
Nauru, in the absence of a regional agreement, is simply another offshore processing centre. Now that means people would be ending up in Australia, it doesn't break the business model of the people smugglers.
The previous government's approach was to leave people on Nauru for a very long period of time, but eventually they all settled in Australia—
which is the worst of both worlds, in terms of not being able to break the people smugglers business model but a lot of damage done to people along the way.
I think you're 100 per cent right—
I think the Opposition has finally realised, finally publicly admitted at least that there's holes all through their policy in relation to Nauru …
The so-called Pacific solution is nothing more than the world's most expensive detour sign. It does not stop you getting to Australia; it just puts you through a detour on the way while Australian taxpayers pay for it and pay for it.
Instead of stunts like this, it is time the Howard government faced up to engaging in a long-term solution in relation to refugees and asylum seekers. The so-called Pacific solution is not a long-term solution.
Can anyone in this place really imagine that Australia will be processing asylum seeker claims on Nauru in 10 or 20 years?
No rational person—I would put it as highly as that—would suggest that in 10 or 20 years we will still be processing asylum seeker claims on Nauru.
To that end Labor has given the following commitments. Labor will end the so-called Pacific solution—the processing and detaining of asylum seekers on Pacific islands—because it is costly, unsustainable and wrong as a matter of principle.
(2) I consider designating Nauru to be a regional processing country will discourage irregular and dangerous maritime voyages and thereby reduce the risk of the loss of life at sea;
(3) I consider designating Nauru to be a regional processing country will promote the maintenance of a fair and orderly Refugee and Humanitarian Program that retains the confidence of the Australian people;
I think that designating Nauru to be a regional processing country may act as a circuit breaker in relation to the recent surge in the number of irregular and dangerous maritime voyages to Australia. The surge in arrivals is indicated by the following figures my Department has provided to me:
(1) From 2002 to 2008 there were fewer than 10 boats a year. The total number of passengers was fewer than 200 each year.
(2) In 2009, there were 60 boats carrying 2,726 passengers.
(3) In 2010, there were 134 boats carrying 6,555 passengers.
A substantial number of lives have been lost at sea as a result of the activities of people smugglers. Since 2001, it is estimated that 1064 passengers have died (or gone missing, presumed dead). Of these, 704 deaths have occurred since October 2009. The figures above include the most recent tragedy on 30 August 2012, during which an estimated 100 people lost their lives following the sinking of a vessel some 42 nautical miles off the Indonesian coast.
In the year to 8 September 2012, there have been 135 boats carrying 8,851 passengers. The number of passengers who arrived in the first seven months of 2012 (7,120) exceeded the number who arrived in total in each of 2011 and 2010.
Australian policy settings do influence the flows of irregular migration to Australia. Those settings need to address the factors ‘pushing’ as well as ‘pulling …
The single most important priority in preventing people from risking their lives on dangerous maritime voyages is to recalibrate Australian policy settings to achieve an outcome that asylum seekers will not be advantaged if they pay people smugglers to attempt dangerous irregular entry into Australia instead of pursuing regular migration pathways and international protection …
Incentives to use regular migration and protection pathways need to be complemented by policy measures that send a coherent and unambiguously clear message that disincentives to irregular maritime migration to Australia will be immediate and real.
Other measures to discourage dangerous and irregular maritime voyages to Australia should include changes to family reunion arrangements as they relate to IMAs in Australia, a more effective focus on the return of failed asylum seekers to their home country and more sustained strategies for the disruption of people smuggling operations both in Australia and abroad.
Turning back irregular maritime vessels carrying asylum seekers to Australia can be operationally achieved and can constitute an effective disincentive to such ventures, but only in circumstances where a range of operational, safety of life, diplomatic and legal conditions are met …
… the apparent lack of a working policy is sending a message that Australia's borders are open.
'Indonesia is being dragged into the problem, significantly impacted, and it's quite worrying …'
'… Australia must have a strict and clear policy that explains whether they're still open or not.'
Labor will end the so-called Pacific solution—the processing and detaining of asylum seekers on Pacific islands—because it is costly, unsustainable and wrong as a matter of principle—
Labor committed to abolishing the Pacific Solution and this was one the first things the Rudd Labor Government did on taking office. It was also one of my greatest pleasures in politics.
Australian MP Don Randall has praised Sri Lanka’s efforts to tackle what he called the evil trade in people, while urging the Australian government to throw its weight behind GoSL. MP Randall, in a special statement to ‘The Island’, congratulated GoSL for setting an example of how to deal with the evil trade in people. "Australia needs to get behind GoSL with equipment, intelligence sharing and financial help in support of ongoing operations," the MP said. The parliamentarian assured his support for GoSL efforts to counter critics and criminal elements both at home and abroad.
It was with complete hypocrisy that the Member for Fremantle, Melissa Parke, gave her vote in the Parliament to the Malaysian five-for-one people swap deal that would see those seeking asylum sent to Malaysia.
And, more recently, she voted with the Government and Coalition to commence offshore processing of asylum seekers when she had spoken out against it many times, claiming it was an abuse of human rights.
I abstained from the vote on the Migration Act Amendment that passed the Australian Parliament, and while I support the end of the political stand-off on the issue of asylum seekers, I regard the present resolution as a very low-end compromise.
The House divided and only Mr Bandt and Mr Wilkie voting “Aye”, the Deputy Speaker (Ms A. E. Burke) declared the question resolved in the negative.
… … …
Labor will end the so-called Pacific solution—the processing and detaining of asylum seekers on Pacific islands—because it is costly, unsustainable and wrong as a matter of principle.
This previous criticism wasn’t about any legal advice, it was about principle. Your words were costly and unsustainable, wrong as a matter of principle. What I’m asking is, is that still your principled position?
Look, David, I’ve just responded to how we will deal with this. I’m not going to be drawn on policy questions of this nature at this time.
That all words after “and” (first occurring) in Mr Morrison’s amendment be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
“calls on the government to put in place a 12 month time limit on immigration detention in Nauru.”
The House divided. [18:10]
(The Deputy Speaker—Ms AE Burke)
That Mr Hayes be discharged from the Selection Committee and that, in his place, Mr Husic be appointed a member of the committee.
That Federation Chamber order of the day No.1 be returned to the House for further consideration:
Marriage Amendment Bill 2012.
Judicial Misbehaviour and Incapacity (Parliamentary Commissions) Bill 2012
Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012
The central element of judicial independence is the freedom of the judge to hear and decide cases without interference and uninfluenced by an outsider—be it government, pressure groups or anyone else. The purpose of that independence, it should be emphasised, is to serve as a protection and a privilege of the people, not of the judges.
… demonstrated affection toward her in a way that was, in all the circumstances, inappropriate for a child of that age …
The Justices of the High Court and of the other courts created by the Parliament:
(i) shall be appointed by the Governor-General in Council;
(ii) shall not be removed except by the Governor-General in Council, on an address from both Houses of the Parliament in the same session, praying for such removal on the ground of proved misbehaviour or incapacity;
(iii) shall receive such remuneration as the Parliament may fix; but the remuneration shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
It appears that the community's perception of judicial accountability now demands that there should be a procedure enshrined for receiving and investigating complaints against the judiciary. The Law Council believes the existing procedures adopted by the courts perform this function adequately, without incurring unnecessary cost or diverting judicial resources …
Any ad hoc procedure put in place after a specific allegation of judicial misconduct or incapacity has been brought to light can, and almost certainly will, be criticised as lacking at least some of the institutional attributes appropriate for a fair hearing and respect for the rule of law.
(1) Clause 7, page 4 (after line 18), after the definition of Commonwealth judicial officer , insert:
Commonwealth or State judicial officer means:
(a) a Commonwealth judicial officer; or
(b) a judge or justice of a court of a State or Territory.
(2) Clause 13, page 7 (line 28), omit "a judge, or former judge,", substitute "a former judge".
(3) Clause 14, page 8 (line 5), after "Commonwealth", insert "or State".
(4) Clause 48, page 35 (line 13), before "must not", insert "subject to section 82,".
(5) Clause 67, page 44 (line 22), at the end of subclause (1), add:
; and (c) this Act is taken to be an Act establishing a committee.
(6) Clause 70, page 45 (line 15), omit "(1)".
(7) Clause 70, page 45 (lines 17 and 18), omit subclause (2).
(8) Clause 71, page 46 (lines 1 to 3), omit subclause (4).
(9) Heading to subclause 73(1), page 46 (line 15), omit the heading.
(10) Clause 73, page 47 (lines 7 to 12), omit subclauses (3) and (4).
(11) Heading to subclause 73(5), page 47 (line 13), omit the heading, substitute:
Member who becomes Commonwealth or State judicial officer
(12) Clause 73, page 47 (line 14), after "Commonwealth", insert "or State".
(13) Clause 82, page 51 (after line 29), after subclause (1), insert:
(1A) If:
(a) a Commission gives records to a House of the Parliament under subsection (1); and
(b) the parliamentary presiding officers have been given a separate report under subsection 48(6) that they no longer need;
then the parliamentary presiding officers must give the separate report to the House of the Parliament referred to in paragraph (a).
(14) Clause 82, page 52 (line 1), after "subsection(1)", insert "or (1A)".
That this bill be now read a third time.
Courts Legislation Amendment (Judicial Complaints) Bill 2012
That this bill be now read a third time.
Wheat Export Marketing Amendment Bill 2012
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"the House declines to give this bill a second reading and:
(1) calls on the government to extend the operation of the Wheat Marketing Authority for not less than six months after the resumption of the 44th Parliament to enable the government of the day to modify Wheat Exports Australia or replace it with a another body, to better represent the needs of the wheat industry; and
(2) notes that the coalition commits to a consultation process that will commence immediately and provide stakeholders with a forum to outline what wheat industry issues need to be addressed."
Grain grower groups strongly advocated for greater availability and transparency of information on wheat stocks. The broad sentiment reflected in a number of submissions highlighted a concern that wheat stocks information does not adequately flow through the wheat export supply chain, reducing the financial return obtainable by grain producers.
For example, GPA submitted that:
The system is crippled by a lack of information and accurate description of the crop as it is harvested and delivered into the central storage systems. The bulk handlings companies (BHCs) effectively operate regional monopolies and restrict and control the intelligence around up country stocks quantity and quality. This lack of transparency severely impacts the ability of producers and traders to make informed decisions in delivery and compete in the aggregation of cargoes
The broad sentiment reflected in a number of submissions highlighted are concerned that wheat stocks information does not adequately flow through the wheat export supply chain, reducing the financial return obtainable by grain producers.
GPA submitted that:
The system is crippled by a lack of information and accurate description of the crop as it is harvested and delivered into the central storage systems. The bulk handlings companies (BHCs) effectively operate regional monopolies and restrict and control the intelligence around up country stocks quantity and quality. This lack of transparency severely impacts the ability of producers and traders to make informed decisions in delivery and compete in the aggregation of cargoes.
GrainGrowers also supported the push for greater information availability and transparency, adding that recent overseas research has found that effective dissemination of market information reduces the fluctuation and variability of prices and quantities of within markets.
Broadly, exporters agreed with the need for greater availability of wheat stocks information. In its submission to the committee, AGEA commented that, while deregulation has delivered positive outcomes for competition in the industry, further efficiency gains could be achieved through removing barriers to industry performance:
Transparency and access to information is important to ensuring that markets operate efficiently. Access to information regarding the available (i.e. unsold) volume of grain type by port zone and information on grain quality by type by storage location will facilitate more efficient assembly of cargos to meet customer requirements and aggregate information relating to grower‐owned stocks will significantly enhance competition for growers’ unsold grain. Currently this information is only accessible to integrated companies with port terminal operations, thus restricting access by other exporters.
A number of submissions also referred to the United States Federal Grain Inspection Service and the Canadian Grain Commission as examples of national grain regulatory bodies that should be emulated in Australia, and without which the Australian wheat industry would be at a competitive disadvantage internationally. For example, a submission from a consulting company stated that:
Australia’s major competitors have co-operation amongst trade and government to ensure that quality standards are maintained ensuring consistency of grade is a paramount requirement. The U.S via the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) and U.S Wheat Associates have embraced the “world” standard that was so rigorously practiced by AWB – AWB may be gone but its adherence to quality and world’s best practice will not long be forgotten.
4.74 Other submitters agreed with this view, stating that the role of WEA does not need to be as expansive as the United States or Canadian bodies, but that it should include activities such as random audits of grain to ensure that contract specifications are met.
One of the things that WEA made public last December in our report for growers was that one of the board members and I were in South-East Asia visiting mills and, very clearly, they were concerned that Australian wheat was not performing and they believed that it was because of lack of varietal integrity, probably because of blending.
There is not a problem with blending; that is fine; it has always been done—
But it is when blending occurs across varietal grades that there is an issue. So there needs to be perhaps something along those lines to fix that problem. Again, it is not up to WEA. All we have done is identify the situation as one of a few things that the industry need to be discussing. A lot of people were asking for views which we cannot give, but in our submission we made it very, very clear that in Canada and the US they do have ways of looking at this.
Senator EDWARDS: So you are not working on any kind of a model of a voluntary code of conduct that has been successful in the past, whether it has been involved in the horticulture industry or any other grower industry where you are looking to rely on a voluntary code of conduct … Point me to a model that is successful in this country and which fulfils the charter in which it has been established.
Mr Trigg: The advice that we were provided with, at one of the draft code development committee meetings, from the ACCC was that there were many examples of industry codes of practice. I think there is a general insurance code of practice, for instance. There are a number of them that they—
have referred to as part of their advice to that code development committee.
Senator EDWARDS: Let us talk about the ag—
sector, shall we, because we are not talking about the finance industry here; we are talking about commodities and production … Still no successful voluntary code of conduct in the agriculture sector that you can think of off the top of your head?
Mr Hart: No, not that we are aware of.
Unfortunately our industry is not very good at voluntary code[s] of conduct and there are no shining lights of voluntary codes of conduct in our industry.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Australian Greens can formally submit an unlimited number of new policy proposals to the Government for analysis and costing under the Agreement for a Better Parliament: Parliamentary Reform , signed on 7 September 2010 to establish 'a basis for stable and effective government'; and
(b) on 20 July 2012, The Treasury made a decision on a Freedom of Information request to refuse access to 12 documents relating to Australian Greens' policy costings because the documents 'would allow a direct inference to be drawn about subsequent Cabinet deliberations' and they contained 'material prepared to inform deliberations of Government';
(2) recognises that the Government has previously released policy costings, namely:
(a) an Executive Minute detailing costings of the Coalition's Direct Action Plan, released in full by The Treasury on 2 September 2011;
(b) updated costings on reopening the detention facility in Nauru, released by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on 27 January 2012; and
(c) Treasury modelling provided to unaligned Members, released by The Treasury on 24 February 2012; and
(3) calls on The Treasury and the Department of Finance and Deregulation to release all costings of policy proposals that the Australian Greens have formally submitted to the Government for analysis since the 2010 Federal Election.
Labor frontbencher Mark Butler told the Sky News Australian Agenda program yesterday he believed support for the Greens would "taper off—
as people become more accustomed or get a better appreciation of the Greens party policies about things that matter to Australian families".
That all words after That be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
this House:
(1) notes that the Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) has now been established in accordance with the Agreement for a Better Parliament: Parliamentary Reform, signed on 7 September 2010;
(2) notes that the establishment of the PBO is a significant reform that will increase budget honesty and transparency; and
(3) calls on all interested parties, including the Coalition, to submit their policies to the PBO for costing.
The $70 billion is an indicative figure of the challenge we've got … if we start to impose some discipline we should be able to stop spending in the order of $70 billion …
Q: It's not like a furphy, then?
A: No, it's not a furphy. We came out with the figure, right?
I've got on my desk, as co-ordinator of our policies, 49 policy documents with covers—
… narrative, a list of policies, what Labor has done wrong and the costings.
…we want to submit policies to it. In addition to other services, we want to submit policies to it for costing.
Journalist: So you are giving a commitment to submit your election promises to the Parliamentary Budget Office?
Joe Hockey: We will give some policies.
Pensions, disability support, family tax benefits and childcare support, among others, create a cycle of dependency for millions of Australians.
This is the kind of reform which, when enacted, will be a permanent feature, making sure that Australia's economic policy is run better, making sure that the public is better informed, making sure there is transparency in economic policy.
The Parties agree to work together to pursue the following principles:
a) transparent and accountable government;
b) improved process and integrity of parliament …
… it is happening because we have shared power in Australia. Majority governments wouldn't have delivered this outcome. It is because the Greens are the balance of power and working with the other parties to deliver, not only aspirations but the process to achieve it.
We the undersigned citizens of the Northern Rivers call upon Telstra Business CEO Mr David Thodey to intervene immediately to halt any plan to axe up to 116 jobs of employees at Telstra Call Centre in Goonellabah.
We further object to Telstra abandoning its workforce in country Australia and moving jobs offshore, while recording massive profits ($3.4 billion) and awarding generous salary increases for executives.
… Telstra demonstrated this week that it does look after some on the payroll.
"Today local union members and community members organised a sausage sizzle outside the Telstra Call Centre in Goonellabah to protest against the closure.
"Telstra is proposing to close the centre next month with the loss of 116 jobs, and so far about 5000 people have signed petitions calling for Telstra to keep the centre open and save local jobs.
"I have complained to CEO David Thodey about the cruelty of the cuts, and asked him to treat staff well.
"I did not realise when he promised we would look after Telstra people that he meant to start at the top.
"In what is impeccable timing, Telstra's lodged its annual report with the Australian Securities Commission this week, and it includes the news that Mr Thodey is to receive an extra $247,000 in his fixed salary starting 1 October.
"The report shows that Mr Thodey's salary package, including shares and incentive payments, went from $5.1 million in 2011 to $7.69 million in 2012 and now it is to go up by about a quarter of a million.
"In fact, Telstra has found more than $7 million to increase the pay of its type nine executives in the past 12 months.
"And yet they say they have to make this difficult decision of cutting 116 jobs here in Lismore.
"The sad point is, it appears that the executives' incentive payments and share packages rise the more jobs they cut.
"No wonder so many people are outraged at this corporate heartlessness.
It's a really hard thing to deal with and as a family and as a parent, you, you do want your privacy and you do need your privacy when it first happens but I think that we really need to look at the bigger picture and we need to get a message across to society and to the kids that this is a huge problem because it is and I want to talk about it so that it's out there and that people are aware that it's happening and that it could be their kids that it's going to happen to.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Ms D'Ath ) took the chair at 10:30.
Marriage Amendment Bill 2012
Almighty God created the races white, black, yellow Malay and red and he placed them on separate continents. And but for the interference with his arrangement there would be no cause for such marriages.
People are not, do not choose to be gay. They are born with characteristics that cause their sexual orientation to be what it is. They deserve happiness and equality and dignity and respect and absence of discrimination in their lives the same as the rest of us do.
Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.
I have a mother, and I have a wife and a sister and daughters, and I wish to continue in the position of their supporter and their protector, and not to place them under the necessity of protecting their own political position. I do not wish them to have extended to them the right not only to vote, but to sit in this Chamber. It is man's duty to be here, and it is woman's duty to attend to the family.
It was carnage, the battlefield was like a cyclone devastated area, trees blown apart.
It's a symbol of 520 soldiers we lost dead and some 3000 that were wounded and all the effects on their families and loved ones.
It's wonderful to see it here in Australia.
It's an Australian built memorial in a museum in Vietnam. I wouldn't want to upset international relationships but I believe it belongs here
Practical solutions were what Fred Hollows was about. "He wasn’t one to sit back and wait for the bureaucrats to decide what they wanted to do," says McLaughlin, who believes that if Fred were alive he’d be angry about Indigenous health status. "I think he would have hoped to have seen more improvement by now." Gabi Hollows agrees that there’s no silver bullet when it comes to Indigenous health. "Unfortunately, we still have third-world conditions in a first-world country." Even so, she says Fred would be "beside himself with joy" to see how Australians from all walks of life have made the foundation such a success. "He would have nothing but thanks."
Our vision is for a world where no one is needlessly blind, and Indigenous Australians enjoy the same health and life expectancy as other Australians.
Fred Hollows was not a charity worker in the sense of handing out goods and cash. His way of working was not to go into a community, fix a few eyes and then walk away. Fred was a social activist who saw the answers to people gaining access to world-class eye health care as a matter of rights, of justice, and of requiring broad social change if that dream were to be realised. He worked with people, beside people, building local capacities, local systems and structures, training local people to take control.
What we are doing is revolutionary, something the big health organisations aren't doing. They send eye doctors. What we are doing is giving these people the chance to help themselves. We are giving them independence.
We treat lots of eye conditions, but cataracts take up three-quarters of the surgery, partly because this procedure can have the biggest positive impact for patients.
City colleagues visiting to help with the surgery weeks have commented on the high concentration of difficult cases and reported that what they would usually see as a one-in-50 case is more like one-in-five in Alice.
It's difficult to over-emphasise quite how much of an impact it [eye surgery] can have, particularly with Aboriginal patients, because of the role of the elders within the community ... generally, the patients you are restoring sight for are often responsible for retaining the cohesiveness and function of the community, and passing on all the men's business and women's business and maintaining the culture. And if they can't see to do that they can't show important areas and sites. So that's where you really get far more than just the normal impact you would get for someone with poor vision. You are actually impacting the whole community.
Our patients go from darkness one day to full sight the next—it's as dramatic as that. And the reaction after surgery is priceless, with people grinning from ear to ear.
At Kapooka, Rick was awarded Most Outstanding Soldier, and during his Junior Leaders Course, he was presented with the award for the Trainee of Merit.
… … …
Our family is now united by grief as we try to come to terms with the loss of Rick … this is our private time to grieve and we would like our privacy, especially that of Rick's children, to be respected.
He was very thoughtful, caring and considerate of others. This really showed when selecting gifts for family members on special occasions. James always seemed to be able to choose something perfect, even if it was something totally unexpected by the recipient at the time. The family's bookshelves are peppered with books gifted by James; and Holly's iPod filled with music selected by him.
… … …
James was a wonderful person and he will be sorely missed by his family and anyone who knew him.
He was cheeky, always had a cheeky grin. Nothing ever phased him … He was just a top bloke, one of the most genuine and loyal blokes I had the pleasure of hanging out with. He always had time for me. Not because he felt sorry for me, but because he genuinely wanted to hang out.
… hopefully it'll give me a bit more in the tank, to try that little bit harder …
Private Poate had a reputation for creating mischief without getting caught and was proud of his family, his military service, his Canberran origins, and his red hair, which he vehemently defended as being strawberry blonde.
… an open and purposeful young man and an all-rounder in the academic, sporting and co-curricular life of the School. He was also the son of Mrs Janny Poate, who recently retired as receptionist at the front office of the Senior School after more than two decades’ association
… for the Athens that I have celebrated is only what the heroism of these and their like have made her … none of these allowed either wealth with its prospect of future enjoyment to unnerve his spirit, or poverty with its hope of a day of freedom and riches to tempt him to shrink from danger … reckoning this to be the most glorious of hazards, they joyfully determined to accept the risk …
So died these men as became Athenians. You, their survivors, must determine to have as unfaltering a resolution in the field, though you may pray that it may have a happier issue.
Rick was a typical Australian bloke, friendly, with a dry sense of humour and a natural charm. He had a comfortable ease. He would show respect to everyone he met.
We are all proud of what Rick was able to achieve—not only as a soldier, but as a loving partner, devoted father, son and brother.
He will be fondly remembered by his ‘Brothers by Choice’ in 6 RAR as a larrikin and an incredibly professional soldier.
Help us to accept our share of responsibility with a strong heart and cheerful mind. Make us considerate of those with whom we live and work and faithful to the duties our country has entrusted to us. Let our uniform remind us daily of the traditions of the army in which we serve.
When we are inclined to doubt, strengthen our faith.
When we are tempted to sin, help us to resist.
When we fail, give us the courage to try again.
Guide us with the light of your truth.
… an environment that is healthy, better protected, well-managed and resilient and provides essential ecosystem services in a changing climate.
The Evans River & Coastal Landcare group was formed in 2012. Our workdays are the first Sunday of each month at various sites around Evans Head.
We have undertaken tree plantings on the Sand Dunes south of the Evans Head Surf Club; happily we have had great success. Many of the trees were surrounded with protective wire and have done so well that we are now removing the wire, liberating their branches.
We are also working on the Bushland Reserve located on Ocean Drive Evans Head. Here we are removing weeds, lots of weeds and allowing the natural vegetation to come through. We are planning to upgrade the walkway which traverses the reserve from Sunderland Street to Ocean Drive.
Farmers are best known for growing crops and raising animals to provide the food and fibre needs for Australian families, but this week, it’s all about the work they do on farm to look after the environment.
This week marks Landcare Week, an opportunity to recognise the role Australian farmers’ play as environmental stewards and land managers …
Landcare was founded more than 20 years ago by the NFF in a joint partnership with the Australian Conservation Foundation—
… with positive outcomes for both the environment and agriculture …
"Today … Landcare has grown into an environmental movement.
“Farmers are Australia’s frontline environmentalists, looking after 61 percent of Australia’s valuable land resources …
“Farmers know that good environmental outcomes and increased agricultural production go hand in hand, which is why …
94 percent of farmers undertake some form of natural resource management—
We all have a role in looking after 'our patch' to ensure the land and water we use for agriculture and our natural environment is healthy and sustainable.
The project will be designed to export up to 35 million tonnes of coal per annum by the use of vessels of up to 110,000 tonnes capacity. The main components of the project comprise the following:
A 13.5 kilometre long rail spur off the Queensland rail network;
Rail receival infrastructure;
Coal in-loading feeders and conveyers;
Coal stockpiles;
Out-loading conveyers;
Ship loaders and export berths;
Environmental management measures, including sediment traps;
Capital and maintenance dredging;
An access road—
not permit any new port development … outside of the existing and long-established major port areas …
the highest level of precaution in decision-making regarding development proposals with potential to impact—
and to prevent any approval of major projects that may compromise the outcomes of the Strategic Assessment …
Australia is facing a stark reality. Our long-term economic and social prosperity depends on the depth of skills in the population, and the better use of those skills, to overcome the risks of a fiscally unsustainable ageing population. Rapid changes in the global economy mean accelerating competition, especially from low-wage economies. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development stresses that member countries will need to compete from a base of high-quality, innovative goods and services.
The world has changed in every way. It continues to change at a more rapid pace in all aspects of our culture.
"Today’s announcement is an acknowledgement that the current funding arrangements are failing our children and must be scrapped …
"What is now required is for the Federal Government and state and territory leaders to demonstrate their commitment to our children and agree on the changes and additional investment required.
"There is no more fundamental responsibility that governments have than ensuring that every child receives a high quality education … “Our children should have first call on the budget—not be told there isn’t the money available to deliver every one of them a high-quality education.
“The price of failing to act will be enormous and that price will be paid by children; it will be paid by communities and it will be paid by our country in reduced prosperity and reduced opportunities.
"International research shows the benefits of investing in equity in education significantly outweigh the costs.
"Any leader who does not sign on to school funding reform will be sending a clear message to parents about their unwillingness to act in the interests of children.
… teachers and principals were disappointed in the six year transition to full funding under a new system.
“The urgent need for additional resources was clearly established by the Gonski Review and all ways to speed up the transition should be considered …
“The task of lifting our overall performance and closing achievement gaps is dependent on the resources being available for our schools.”
Education costs money, but then so does ignorance.
That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn.
How many departments, agencies, commissions, Government owned corporations or other such bodies have been created within the Minister’s portfolio since 24 November 2007 (excluding existing departments that have been re-named or merged into a larger entity), what is the name of each such entity, and how many fulltime equivalent employees did each such entity have at the end of 2011.
Treasury - Nil
Productivity Commission – Nil
Australian Office of Financial Management – Nil
National Competition Council – Nil
Inspector-General of Taxation – Nil
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission – Nil
Australian Bureau of Statistics – Nil
Royal Australian Mint – Nil
Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee – Nil
Australian Securities and Investment Commission - Nil
Australian Taxation Office –
The Tax Practitioners Board was established under the Tax Agent Services Act 2009. On 1 March 2010, this Board replaced six State Tax Agents’ Boards. The Tax Practitioners Board was launched by the Assistant Treasurer on 23 October 2009 and it came into operation on 1 March 2010. As at 31 December 2011, the Board had 127.36 fulltime equivalent employees. The Board's founding workforce has been based largely on the resources allocated by the ATO to the regulation of tax practitioners, particularly its support to the state Tax Agents' Boards.
Further to the answer to question in writing No. 510 (House Hansard, 7 February 2012, page 126), is it a fact that (a) neither the National Broadband Network (NBN) Implementation Study, the NBN Co. Limited Corporate Plan, nor the independent verification by financial advisory firm Greenhill Caliburn were prepared prior to the Government deciding to proceed with the investment in the NBN, and (b) the Government did not conduct a feasibility study prior to the Government deciding to proceed with the investment in the NBN; if so, why.
(a) No. The National Broadband Network (NBN) Implementation Study, the NBN Co. Limited
Corporate Plan, and the independent verification by financial advisory firm Greenhill Caliburn were
prepared prior to the funding decision in the 2011-12 Budget to proceed with the investment in the
NBN.
The government announced on 7 April 2009 that it would establish a new company to design, build and operate a new enhanced high-speed National Broadband Network (NBN) connecting 90 per cent of all Australian premises with fibre to the premise technology (FTTP) and all other premises with next generation wireless and satellite technology. The decision to adopt FTTP technology was informed by advice from a range of stakeholders including the independent Panel of Experts who advised on the original fibre to the node (FTTN) Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also endorsed the use of FTTP as a superior technology to FTTN.
At the time of the NBN announcement the government commissioned a detailed National
Broadband Network Implementation Study which was undertaken by McKinsey &
Company/KPMG and completed in March 2010. The study, informed by detailed stakeholder consultations, found that FTTP is widely accepted as the optimal future proof technology and can be built on a commercially viable basis with affordable prices for consumers.
Following initial equity investments from June 2009 to establish the Company and initiate detailed
planning, the 2011-12 Budget reflected the Government commitment to proceed with the detailed
NBN Co Plan, and providing $18.2 billion in equity funding to the NBN Co.
The funding decision was informed by the NBN Co Corporate Plan 2011-2013. This confirmed that the NBN will provide all Australians with world class broadband on a financially viable basis with affordable prices for consumers. The Greenhill Caliburn Pty Ltd assessment of NBN Co's Corporate Plan 2011-13 concluded that it provides the level of detail and analytical framework that would be expected from a large listed public entity, and taken as a whole is reasonable for the development of the NBN.
(b) The NBN Co is an investment that is assessed to generate a financial return.
The National Broadband Network (NBN) Implementation Study, the NBN Co. Limited Corporate
Plan, and the independent verification by financial advisory firm Greenhill Calibum collectively
demonstrated the financial viability of the NBN and that the project is feasible.
The Government has not commissioned any reports to evaluate the Government's policy objectives
or to evaluate the full social benefits that will result from the implementation of a high speed
broadband network. The broader economic benefits have, however, been well understood and
accepted for some time. Such benefits have been documented and endorsed by the Organisation of
Economic Cooperation and Development, Access Economics and a range of other studies conducted here and overseas prior to the NBN announcement.
The three studies cited were all concluded prior to the decision to proceed with the investment in the NBN as reflected in the 2011-12 Budget.
(1) How many motor vehicles does the Minister's department currently (a) own, and (b) lease.
(2) What is the breakdown of these vehicles by manufacturer and model.
(3) For (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, and (c) 2010-11, what was the total cost to the Minister's department of all cars (i) owned, and (ii) leased, and what sum was spent on (iii) fuel, and (iv) maintenance.
The Department of Finance and Deregulation (Finance) manages the whole-of-government fleet and vehicle leasing arrangements with LeasePlan Australia Ltd (LeasePlan).
(1) As at 30 June 2012, the fleet for the Ministerial responsibilities covered by the questions consisted of 8,348 vehicles of which:
(a) 2,033 were leased; and (b) 6,315 were owned.
A summary of the leased and owned vehicles operated by each department named in the Honourable Member's questions is provided at Attachment A.
(2) A breakdown by make and model of the leased and owned vehicles operated by each department named in the Honourable Member's questions is provided at Attachment B.
Departments take into account the Australian Government Fleet Vehicle Selection Policy which requires that:
When selecting passenger vehicles within the Australian Government Fleet they must:
be made in Australia; and
have a five star ANCAP safety rating.
Where no operationally suitable Australian-made passenger vehicle exists, agencies must provide a business case for the Chief Executive or their delegate's approval detailing the operational requirements that precludes the selection of an Australian-made passenger vehicle.
When considering an imported passenger vehicle some factors that may not be considered operational requirements include:
vehicles with similar size, load capacity and ground clearance to an Australian-made passenger vehicle;
environmental considerations, such as fuel efficiency; and
cost of the vehicle.
As at 30 June 2012 Australian-made vehicles compromised 62.00% of the Commonwealth passenger fleet.
When selecting passenger vehicles, agencies should have close regard to the Government's Green Car Challenge which states that by 2020, 50 percent of the Government fleet's passenger vehicles will be Australian-made, value for money, environmentally friendly cars.
Light Commercial Vehicles (i.e. commercial vehicles with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of less than 3.5 tonnes) should be Australian-made or sourced from an Australian manufacturer unless no operationally suitable alternative exists.
From 1 July 2012, light commercial vehicles are required to have a minimum four star ANCAP safety rating [subject to fit for purpose and/or operational requirements]. During vehicle selection, agencies should have regard to a vehicle's environmental performance as a means of distinguishing between functionally similar vehicles.
(3) The Department of Defence advised that the costs (GST exclusive) of its owned commercial vehicle fleet for the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 were:
(3) (a) (ii), (3) (b) (ii) and (3) (c) (ii) In relation to the leased and owned fleet (excluding the Defence-owned commercial vehicle fleet) annual lease costs (GST exclusive) for the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 are provided in the table below.
The costs for scheduled vehicle maintenance are generally included as a component of the total monthly lease charge. The maintenance-inclusive lease charge has been reported under "Total Lease Costs".
The Department of Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government was established following the 2010 federal election. As a consequence, no costs are reported for the 2008-09 and 2009-10 financial years.
Following a departmental restructure, reporting for the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry for the 2011-12 financial year has been altered to include vehicles operated by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service.
(3) (a) (iii), (3) (b) (iii) and (3) (c) (iii) The Australian Government makes, on average, 300,000 fuel purchases each financial year. The Australian Government's fleet manager, LeasePlan, has advised extrapolating the fuel purchase data against each Ministerial responsibility would be a large and unreasonable volume of information to collate.
In relation to the leased and owned fleet (excluding the Defence-owned commercial vehicle fleet), a summary of annual fuel costs (GST exclusive) for the Ministerial responsibilities named in the question for the financial years 2008-09, 2009-10, 2010-11 and 2011-12 are provided in the table below.
In respect of the claim submitted by the Demand Group under the Scheme for Compensation for Detriment caused by Defective Administration arising out of the Home Insulation Program, can he indicate by full position title, which Deputy Secretary of his Department will be the 'decision maker'.
I have authorised anyone occupying the position of Deputy Secretary of the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency to make CDDA decisions on my behalf. It is not possible to identify who will be the decision-maker for a particular matter until the matter is ready for decision. A decision-maker for the Demand Group's matter will be identified when it is ready for final decision, having regard to the availability of officers.
(1) In respect of the meetings for the Expert Advisory Group (EAG) tasked by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) in April 2003 to review the results of the investigation into products produced by Pan Pharmaceuticals, (a) are the minutes of the meetings publicly available; if so, where, (b) do the minutes of the meetings indicate that the EAG did not initially find any reason to recall Pan Pharmaceuticals products, (c) what role did the TGA representatives play in the EAG meeting, and (d) do the minutes record any evidence of: (i) BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) contamination, (ii) penicillin contamination, and (iii) aspirin contamination.
(2) Did the EAG tasked by the TGA in April 2003 to review the results of the investigation into products produced by Pan Pharmaceuticals have technical knowledge based on experience in the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Process; if so, what technical knowledge.
(3) In respect of a TGA produced audit report into Pan Pharmaceuticals in 2003, (a) is it publicly available; if so, from where, and (b) does it record any evidence of, (i) BSE contamination, (ii) penicillin contamination, and (iii) aspirin contamination.
(4) In respect of the TGA directed recall of Pan Pharmaceuticals products in April 2003, did the recall extend to exported products; if not, why not.
(5) In respect of a number of illnesses and adverse reactions recorded as a result of Pan Pharmaceuticals' products in April 2003, (a) how many reactions allegedly occurred, (b) which products allegedly caused these reactions, and (c) did any export products cause reactions; if so, which export products.
(6) During the period January 2000 to April 2003, which companies had been inspected by the TGA, and what were the results of these inspections.
(7) In respect of the TGA directed recall of a number of Pan Pharmaceuticals products in April 2003, were any of the recalled products tested by TGA; if so, what were the results of the tests.
(8) In respect of the TGA inspections of Pan Pharmaceuticals in February 2002 and April 2003, (a) was the February 2002 inspection report available to the TGA staff who conducted the April 2003 inspection, (b) were the same standards used to assess the facility in 2002 and 2003; if not, why not, and how were they different, and (c) were the inspection results of April 2003 different to those of February 2002; if so, how.
(9) In respect of the Code of Good Manufacturing Practice which directed the standards required for the Pan Pharmaceuticals' facility and procedures, (a) in 2003, was there more than one version, (b) which version was used in the April 2003 inspection and why, and (c) when was the 2002 international version made active and mandatory in Australia.
(10) In respect of advice received from other companies or individuals on Pan Pharmaceuticals' products during the TGA inspection and report writing process, (a) what advice did TGA receive, and from whom, and (b) was the advice taken into account by TGA; if so, how.
(11) In respect of settlements between the Government and individuals or companies linked to Pan Pharmaceuticals, what were the conditions of settlement and sum of money of any settlement reached in the following cases: (a) Jim Selim, former Managing Director and CEO, Federal Court number 489 of 2004, (b) Pharm-A-Care class action, Federal Court number 1991 of 2008, (c) Markethaven class action of 2010, and (d) Vita Health class action of 2010.
(1) (a) Contemporaneous records of the EAG meeting have not been made publicly available by the TGA.
(b) The EAG was not asked to consider this question.
(c) There were a number of TGA officers present at the EAG meeting. The TGA officers provided information to members of the EAG and undertook secretariat services for the EAG.
(d) The contemporaneous records do not record evidence of BSE, penicillin or aspirin contamination.
(2) The members of the EAG were drawn from the TGA's expert statutory committees and had expertise in clinical pharmacology, naturopathy medicine and pharmacology, toxicology, paediatrics, geriatric medicine and nutrition. They were chosen for their expertise in relation to the EAG's Terms of Reference.
(3) (a) The TGA produced a number of audit reports into Pan Pharmaceuticals in 2003. The TGA has not made these reports publicly available.
(b) The audit report dated 27 April 2003 noted that certain batches of finished product used chondroitin sulphate from bovine cartilage, rather than from shark cartilage as specified in the master formula and on the finished product label. Evidence of BSE contamination is not recorded.
The audit report further noted concerns about cleaning validation and the fact that non-dedicated filter socks were shared with the antibiotic Doxycycline. Evidence of penicillin or aspirin contamination is not recorded.
(4) The TGA decision in April 2003 to require a mandatory consumer level recall of Pan Pharmaceutical's sponsored products did not extend to its exported products. However, the TGA:
(5) (a) Medicines are entered on the ARTG by sponsor name not by manufacturer. Frequently, sponsors will list a number of companies as possible manufacturers of their listed or registered medicine. The sponsor is not required as a matter of course to inform the TGA about which of those companies is responsible for the manufacture of any particular batch of the registered or listed medicine.
In the month of April 2003 there were a total of 870 adverse drug reaction reports lodged with the TGA, relating to a number of different products. Apart from the travel sickness medicine Travacalm (which was known to have been manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals), for the reasons described above, it is not reasonably practicable from the information currently available to ascertain if any of these products were manufactured by Pan Pharmaceuticals or by other manufacturers.
(b) In the month of April 2003 there were 12 adverse drug reaction reports lodged with the TGA concerning Travacalm.
(c) The TGA did not receive any advice that Pan Pharmaceuticals products exported to overseas countries in April 2003 were causing illness or adverse reactions at that time. Adverse reactions from products listed on the ARTG as "export only" are not generally reported to the TGA. Adverse events concerning products exported from Australia are generally reported to the health authority of the importing country.
(6) The data required to answer this question is not available without the expenditure of significant resources.
(7) The TGA did not test any products sponsored by Pan Pharmaceuticals that were cancelled from the ARTG in April 2003 and were the subject of a TGA decision to require the company to undertake a mandatory consumer level recall.
(8) (a) The TGA conducted an audit of Pan Pharmaceuticals on 30 April and 1 May 2002 ("the 2002 audit"). The report of this audit was on the relevant TGA file and was available to the TGA auditors who conducted the April 2003 inspection.
(b) The 2002 audit used the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Therapeutic Goods – Medicinal Products (August 1990) (the 1990 Code). The April 2003 audit of Pan Pharmaceuticals used the 1990 Code and the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Medicinal Products dated 16 August 2002 (the 2002 Code).
The audit report dated 27 April 2003 states:
"Each of the requirements of the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Medicinal Products dated 16 August 2002:
can be correlated with corresponding requirements of the Australian Code of Good Manufacturing Practice for Therapeutic Goods – Medicinal Products (August 1990)."
(c) The 2002 audit was a 2-day audit that found 10 "significant" (a term used at that time that encompassed the scope of what became "critical" and "major" under the 2002 Code) deficiencies. The April 2003 audit was significantly longer (8 days) and found 9 "critical" deficiencies, 32 "major deficiencies" and 1 "minor deficiency".
(9) (a) From 28 August 2002 to 28 August 2003 manufacturers could comply with either the 1990 Code or the 2002 Code.
(b) The April 2003 audit of Pan Pharmaceuticals used the 2002 Code, and as noted in the answer to Question 8 above was correlated with corresponding requirements of the 1990 Code.
(c) By instrument dated 20 August 2002, gazetted on 28 August 2002, the delegate of the Minister, acting under subsection 36(1) of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989, determined that medicines must be manufactured in compliance with the 2002 Code. This determination provided for a 12 month transition period during which time manufacturers could comply with either the 1990 Code or the 2002 Code. On 28 August 2003 the 2002 Code became the sole mandatory standard.
(10) It would require a significant expenditure of resources to review the information and advice obtained and considered by the TGA (in the period during which the audit inspections were undertaken and reports written) to determine (a) whether it came from companies or individuals (other than employees and executives of Pan Pharmaceuticals) and (b) whether it was about Pan Pharmaceuticals' products.
(11) The manner and conditions of settlement varied as follows:
(a) No formal settlement agreement or deed was entered into and no admission of liability clause was agreed. The conditions of settlement were contained in Short Minutes of Order to which the Commonwealth consented. Refer to attachment A. The settlement figure was $55,000,000.
(b) The conditions of settlement were contained in Settlement and Release Deed between the Pharm-A-Care class action participants, the Commonwealth and 5 individuals, without admission of liability. A copy setting out the terms of the settlement is attached. Refer to attachment B. The settlement figure was $67,500,000.
(c) The conditions of settlement were contained in Settlement and Release Deed between Markethaven, the Commonwealth and 2 individuals, without admission of liability. A copy setting out the terms of the settlement is attached. Refer to attachment C. The settlement figure was $550,000. This was not a class action.
(d) The conditions of settlement were contained in Settlement and Release Deed between the various Vita Health companies, the Commonwealth and 5 individuals, without admission of liability. A copy setting out the terms of the settlement is attached. Refer to attachment D. The settlement figure was $5,000,000. This was not a class action.
Copies of Attachments A, B, C and D can be obtain from the House of Representatives Table Office.
Have the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory Bill 2012 and the Stronger Futures in the Northern Territory (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011 been subject to scrutiny by the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights.
Prior to its passage through Parliament on 29 June 2012, the Stronger Futures legislation was the subject of extensive Parliamentary scrutiny. In late November 2011, the legislation was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee (the Senate Committee). The Senate Committee received more than 450 submissions and conducted hearings in Canberra and the Northern Territory, including in two remote communities.
The National Congress of Australia's First Peoples appeared before the Senate Committee and made a submission. Many other human rights and public advocacy bodies, such as the Australian Human Rights Commission, also used the Senate Committee's processes to make submissions and advocate their views on the legislation.
Since the Government released the Stronger Futures discussion paper in June 2011, the Government has been through a genuine process of consultation with Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory.
The Government has held whole-of-community meetings in approximately 100 communities and town camps, public meetings in major towns, as well as hundreds of less formal discussions in communities.
On 14 March 2012, the Senate Committee reported with a number of recommendations to amend the legislation, which the Government adopted and which resulted in amendments to the legislation.
The Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills also examined the Stronger Futures legislation and reported on 29 February 2012.
On 28 May 2012, Senator Rachel Siewert wrote to me suggesting that I refer the Stronger Futures Bills to the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights under section 7(c) of the Human Rights (Parliamentary Scrutiny) Act 2011. On 28 June 2012, I responded to Senator Siewert's letter indicating that given the level of parliamentary scrutiny and debate that had already occurred in relation to the legislation, further scrutiny by the Parliamentary Joint Committee was not necessary.
I am aware that on 20 June 2012, the Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, Mr Harry Jenkins MP, wrote to the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs, the Hon Jenny Macklin MP, inviting the Minister to provide the Committee with an assessment of the policy objectives of the Bills against human rights.
The Minister responded on 28 June 2012 detailing information on how the Government had taken its human rights obligations into consideration in the development of the Stronger Futures policy. The Minister further detailed the significant level of parliamentary and public scrutiny that the Bills had already received, informing the Committee that the Bills provided for a number of public, independent reviews and reports on the measures from two years after the legislation commences and enclosing assessments of the policy objectives of the Bills with human rights. A copy of this response was published on the Committee's website.
In respect of the Australian Federal Police investigation regarding the alleged people smuggling activities of Ali Al Abassi also known as Captain Emad, (a) when were he, and the preceding Minister, first informed of the investigation, and (b) when did the he first discuss these matters with the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship.
The Australian Federal Police (AFP) did not brief me or other Ministers on the details of this investigation before the program went to air.
The AFP provides me with general briefings on operations but does not provide specific details of these investigations.
When I was appointed Minister for Home Affairs, I sought the advice of the Commissioner of the AFP on operational briefings.
His strong advice was that the AFP should not brief me on details of on-going operations because of the need for a high degree of operational security and the statutory independence of the AFP's role.
I accepted the Commissioner's prudent advice.
For (a) 2008-09, (b) 2009-10, (c) 2010-11, and (d) 2011-12, what was the total cost of overseas travel for departmental staff.
The total costs of overseas travel for departmental staff are:
(a) 2008-09: $3,837,697
(b) 2009-10: $2,928,655
(c) 2010-11: $2,696,497
(d) 2011-12: $3,089,496.
Note: Some 2011-12 travel is still to be acquitted, which may result in a slight variation.
(1) Does his department still provide regular briefings on sensitive cases; if so, on what date did such a briefing first alert him to the case of Ali Al Abbassi.
(2) In respect of a review into Ali Al Abbassi's visa, can he confirm that (a) he first requested his department review the visa on or after 4 June 2012, and (b) it concluded that he was able to initiate a process to cancel Ali Al Abbassi's visa under s109 of the Migration Act 1958.
(3) Can he confirm that Ali Al Abassi departed Australia on 5 June 2012; if so, on what date was he advised of this.
(4) In respect of Ali Al Abbassi's wife and daughter, can he confirm whether, (a) they remain on protection visas in Australia, (b) the department is reviewing the status of their visas, and (c) they are both still in the country.
(1) Yes; I was first alerted to the case of Ali Al Abassi on 5 June 2012.
(2) (a) Yes, and (b) Yes
(3) Yes and I was first informed of this on 6 June 2012
(4) (a) Yes (b) Yes (c) Yes