The SPEAKER ( Hon. Bronwyn Bishop ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Imported Food Warning Labels Bill 2015
Bill—by leave—and explanatory memorandum incorporating a statement of compatibility with human rights presented by Mr Katter.
Bill read a first time.
That the bill be now read a second time.
That this House:
(1) congratulates the Government on honouring its election commitment to change indexation arrangements for Defence Forces Retirement Benefits and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits military pensions;
(2) condemns the $17 billion in cuts made to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) under the former Labor Government to its lowest level since before World War II;
(3) recognises:
(a) that those budget cuts caused job losses among the 3000 small and medium businesses which service the ADF; and
(b) the extra risk placed on Australian service personnel by Labor's failure to purchase new artillery;
(4) condemns the cuts by the former Labor Government to entitlements of unmarried soldiers for flights to see their families;
(5) recognises the depletion in force readiness caused by Labor's reckless decision to cut reserve training days by up to 30 percent; and
(6) repudiates the decision to cut funding to the Australian War Memorial.
Let us never forget these brave Australians and all of our troops and veterans who have answered the call whenever their country has asked. Equally we must never forget that these courageous men and women have volunteered knowing that they put their lives at risk to ensure our safety. It is timely to remind the House of the coalition’s commitment to ensure that their entitlements reflect the contributions and sacrifices they have made through the indexation of the DFRDB and the DFRB.
That this House:
… congratulates the Government on honouring its election commitment to change indexation arrangements for Defence Forces Retirement Benefits and Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits military pensions;
My preference would be to try and do a flat rate which is a midpoint, which does not have the clunkiness between the warlike operations and the peace time …
The budget proposal to reduce the adjustment of the Veterans Disability Pension by reverting to using the CPI only will hit our disabled veterans hard and particularly our most disabled veterans who are totally and permanently disabled and rely on the Veterans Special Rate Disability Pension for the compensation payments. Implementing this decision would reverse a hard won concession legislated for with crossparty support by the Australian parliament in 2007.
The recent pay decision which purportedly "in no way reflects the value that the Government places on ADF personnel" is but one of a number of decisions in the 'employment package' for ADF members which have the effect of reducing the value of their total remuneration in a time of rising living costs hitting those in the lower ranks disproportionately.
GOVERNMENT'S CHRISTMAS PRESENT TO ADF FAMILIES—HIGHER RENTS AND CHARGES
'This is a total betrayal by the Government to members of the ADF and their families', says National President David Jamison. 'Not only do they grudgingly provide a pay increase that is less than CPI and therefore an effective pay cut, but they then impose charges on ADF members and their families that are higher than the 1.5%.
… the National Board of the Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL) passed two motions deploring recent decisions about rates of pay for the Australian Defence Force (ADF) and the indexation of some veterans' entitlements by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) …
Concerning the change to indexation arrangements for some veterans' entitlements in 2017, Rear Admiral Doolan—
said 'this decision is at complete odds with the earlier welcomed decision of government to move away from the CPI for the indexation of superannuation entitlements for some DFRB and DFRDB recipients. In putting forward that welcome legislation in 2014 the Government argued that indexation by CPI was unfair. How can they now contends that indexation by CPI for some veterans' entitlements from 2017 is fair?'
Before the election, indexation that was linked with increases in the cost-of-living only was declared by the Coalition to be unfair whilst indexation that was linked to increases in the average-wage as well as the cost-of-living, was declared by the Coalition to be fair.
… … …
That change will disadvantage 180,000 veterans and war widows.
Were we taken for a ride?
Did the Coalition promise fair indexation for a restricted group of military superannuants simply to get veterans on side for the election knowing they'd get much more for their money back by inflicting unfair indexation on a very much larger group of veterans after the election?
Should veterans and war widows be treated like this?
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) there is a significant, ongoing and growing need for emergency relief, financial counselling and related programs, to support the most vulnerable Australians;
(b) local organisations play a critical role in the delivery of these programs around Australia; and
(c) volunteers are a crucial and valued part of this network;
(2) condemns the Government for:
(a) cutting core social services to the most vulnerable Australians, while increasing demand for those services through other elements of their unfair budget; and
(b) the covert way in which funding decisions have been made and implemented; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) restore funding to social services; and
(b) provide clarity and funding certainty to affected housing, homelessness services, neighbourhood centres, advice bureaus and other community service providers around Australia.
Centrelink refers to us. They're a Federal Government agency and they refer to us. But the Federal Government won't fund us.
It's an inhumane decision. No one will look after the families we look after. They're struggling. Some are disabled. Some are refugees. People will starve and it will be on their heads.
I've lost some sleep. I can't even sleep at night. I know what it's like …
That Mr van Manen be discharged from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement and that, in his place, Mr Kelly be appointed a member of the committee.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Amendment (Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee Abolition) Bill 2014
This bill fulfils a commitment … to achieve a smaller and more rational government footprint.
"It's very regrettable that for the saving of three salaries a committee that has worked long and hard over decades to basically facilitate business has been cut,'' he said. ''It's been cut with little thought and little understanding of its role.''
''That's the complete irony of this,'' … ''It cuts directly against the government's own philosophy and position about facilitating business.''
CAMAC has delivered a substantial quantity of first-class reports and discussion papers very economically. … We submit that if CAMAC is abolished, the Government will not be able to secure access to this level of expertise and experience at comparable cost.
If CAMAC did not exist, we would have had to invent it. If it ceases to exist, we will have to reinvent it.
"There’s a lot at stake in losing CAMAC," Fox says. "Corporations and the financial markets are the lynchpin of Australia’s economy. If they do not function efficiently, there will be detrimental consequences for business, investors and the capital markets.
Having an expert, research-focused, consultative and independent body like CAMAC to develop and advise the government on best practice policy has made a significant contribution to the strength and efficiency of our corporate and financial institutions. … CAMAC convenes a part-time panel of corporate law luminaries who for all intents and purposes volunteer their time. It is supported by three staff at an annual cost of $1 million," Fox says. "It's a small body that punches well above its weight and delivers economic benefits that greatly outweigh its funding costs, such as our high standards of corporate governance and a stable and efficient environment for corporate activity. These things are easy to take for granted but will be deeply missed when they are gone."
It is the view of ARITA that the abolition of CAMAC is a retrograde move …
As the Government tries to reduce red tape, we are of the view that the Government's decision to dismantle CAMAC is likely to increase red tape in the long term.
Company Directors strongly opposes the abolition of CMAC and we recommend that the proposed abolition not proceed.
… in these circumstances it is highly unlikely that there will be any cost saving, unless the task of corporate and market law reform is substantially downgraded or weakened.
This bill fulfils a commitment made by the government in the 2014-15 budget to abolish CAMAC and its legal committee as part of the effort to achieve a smaller and more rational government footprint.
CAMAC has delivered a substantial quantity of first-class reports and discussion papers very economically.
… … …
We submit that if CAMAC is abolished, the Government will not be able to secure access to this level of expertise and experience at comparable cost.
If CAMAC did not exist, we would have had to invent it. If it ceases to exist, we will have to reinvent it.
Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it
CAMAC has delivered a substantial quantity of first class reports and discussion papers very economically.
Regardless of one's views as to the recommendations proposed by CAMAC on particular issues, it has played a critical role in identifying, explaining and analysing corporate law and market related problems.
CAMAC has issued at least one substantial report in every year of its existence, often two or three.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of concerned citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House to the Capital Gains Tax placed on parents/carers 'gifting' property, when no funds are involved, to disabled child(ren) with proven, incurable, and usually progressive, medical condition(s).
We therefore ask the House to waive the 'Capital Gains Tax' in this case.
We congratulate the Government for progressing the Code as an industry-led solution to problems impacting on suppliers and consumers.
The demand driven system is for a finite period. It was not indefinite; it was for a finite period until the targets were met. The targets have largely been met …
… of course every single member of the government supported every element in the budget—of course. We are a united government.
… already planned … efficiency dividends and decisions of the former Government. Under the former Government total staffing reductions of 4,700 were to occur …
That Mr van Manen be discharged from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement and that, in his place, Mr Kelly be appointed a member of the committee.
That leave of absence for the remainder of the current period of sittings be given to the honourable Member for Rankin, for parental leave purposes.
… gain a deeper and more intimate cultural understanding and appreciation of local populations in likely areas of operations, including religious sensitivities and practices (beyond that possible through cultural awareness training during force preparation).
… enhances the effectiveness of domestic disaster relief programs through consideration of religious customs, traditions and immediate faith-related needs in affected areas.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent Ms Brodtmann speaking in reply to the ministerial statement for a period not exceeding 14½ minutes.
Predicting the future is fraught with risk, but the greater risk is in failing to plan for our destiny. As a nation, we face a choice: to drift into our future or to actively shape it.
Our parliamentary representatives do not reflect fully our diverse population. In business, while there is encouraging cultural diversity among accounting and business services firms, there is a shortfall in the proportion of senior executives and up-and-coming executives who originate from non-English-speaking countries and who speak languages other than English.
Not just business, but high-performing organisations of all kinds, will need staff who can operate comfortably in the region.
Defence’s professionalism and war fighting strength is underpinned by our ability to problem solve, innovate and adapt quickly. We achieve outcomes by drawing on the different strengths, attributes and characteristics of the many individuals who make up our teams. We understand that teamwork requires we think about how we relate to one another, respect one another, recognise the value of each person’s contribution, are fair and inclusive, and that we work collaboratively to achieve the best results on all days and in all ways.
It is important that Defence engages a culturally diverse workforce that not only represents the community in which its personnel live and serve, but that draws from the full breadth of skills available. People are, and always will be, a fundamental part of our capability and valuing the differing skills and attributes of all personnel is essential to providing an inclusive workplace. Engaging with the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community will not only support Defence’s future capability through recruitment but will assist the Culturally and Linguistically Diverse community to embrace Defence as a positive and integral part of Australian life.
Australian Securities and Investments Commission Amendment (Corporations and Markets Advisory Committee Abolition) Bill 2014
… unmatched in the technical details of corporate and securities law and in sustaining the manners gentle style of Australian business regulation.
… a lean, efficient and highly-regarded organisation that has improved our corporate institutions over the past two decades and continues to have a vital role to play in the decades ahead.
… punches well above its weight and delivers economic benefits that greatly outweigh its funding costs …
I can only assume the government, in its ideological drive to abolish organisations, just didn't look at what CAMAC does.
It cuts directly against the government's own philosophy and position about facilitating business.
… we are of the view that dismantling CAMAC is contrary to the Government's own objectives as set out in the Smaller and More Rational Government reforms … CAMAC epitomizes the high quality, effective and cost conscious approach the Government is trying to achieve.
The Australian Institute of Company Directors …is dismayed that the Federal Government has expressed an intention to continue with the abolition of … CAMAC …
Company Directors strongly opposes the abolition of CAMAC and we recommend that the proposed abolition not proceed.
CAMAC epitomizes the high quality, effective and cost conscious approach the Government is trying to achieve.
As the Government tries to reduce red tape, we are of the view that the Government's decision to dismantle CAMAC is likely to increase red tape in the long term. This is because there will no longer be a cost effective, highly experienced and independent body considering improvements to the corporate law in Australia.
For an operating cost of less than $1 million per annum since 1998, CAMAC has delivered sophisticated and important advice and reports to policy makers and industry. Indeed, CAMAC's work continues to be instructive for much of the work we do.
… it was the epitome of efficient government, with deep connections into industry.
… we think it is counter-intuitive for Government to pursue the abolition of CAMAC in the name of more efficient government. CAMAC has delivered real value to the efficient and robust operation of corporations, financial markets and the economy as a whole and we urge the Government to reconsider its position.
CAMAC is respected by all stakeholders for the quality of its in-depth research and stakeholder consultation. Stakeholders also view the independence of CAMAC as a great strength. Governance Institute is of the view that such independence cannot be transferred to a government agency charged with implementing government policy.
All of these reforms have greatly strengthened corporate governance in this country.
… to the importance of maintaining confidence in the national system of corporate and securities market regulation, underpinned by referral of powers by the States to the Commonwealth, in which CAMAC plays a vital role;
… the Government would have no significant grounds for doubting the excellent contribution that CAMAC has made to the cause of sound corporate and market law reform.
That is no doubt a result of the combination of the quality of the full-time lawyers engaged by CAMAC, and the practical and expert business and legal input systematically achieved both through CAMAC's committee structure and the submissions received through the consultation process.
CAMAC was able to produce an internationally applauded report through a combination of thorough research and practical inputs—
The House divided. [16:35]
(The Deputy Speaker—Hon. Bruce Scott)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2014-2015
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2014-2015
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2014-2015
I have been in the legal system coming up for 50 years in another three years and this is the worst crisis I have seen in all that time. … There are places, particularly in East Gippsland, where ice is being sold at half the cost of cannabis, which of course makes it directly attractive to young children. In one particular area there are kids of 12 who are starting to use ice because it is easier to get than ganja. … I have never seen anything like the impact of this stuff that I am seeing now. … The problem exists through the whole of Gippsland. Drouin, Warragul, Morwell and Sale are referred to as being knee-deep in ice; to a serious but lesser degree, Moe, Bairnsdale, South Gippsland and Orbost. … Family disintegration and family domestic violence is in epidemic proportions as a consequence of ice.
Street violence, property offences, burglaries and thefts, particularly rural burglaries. We had a massive spate of rural burglaries between Warragul and Sale. Of course, most farmhouses have guns and that was one of the targets.
There is a direct and palpable link between ice and domestic violence. … The worst part of that story is that there are occasions when victims of domestic violence—and I have yet to do a case where a bloke has been a victim of domestic violence—are forced into prostitution to provide the funds for their 'partner's' habit.
It is also a serious problem, but the impact of ice is greater than the impact of anything I have seen in all my years in the legal profession. I have been a magistrate now for nearly 19 years and I have never seen anything like it. I have been through the cannabis days, the heroin days, the upper echelons of the stuff they stick up their noses and all that sort of stuff. Nothing has had the sudden impact on the community at large that ice has had.
He says he believes many players use ice as a performance enhancer because of its ability to keep the user awake and alert for days on end.
He says drug testing n amateur football leagues should become the norm, as it is in the AFL.
Some global companies aren't paying their fair share of tax anywhere … I am pleased to say this work is on track for delivery at the Brisbane summit at the end of this year … The globe needs to know who is paying tax where.
It’s hugely important for the globe that companies pay tax on their profits. It is theft when someone does not pay the tax due to the nation.
… one of the biggest con jobs ever foisted by government on the Australian people.
… small business experienced painful trading conditions in the December quarter, with all indicators except for wages and other labour costs in contractionary territory.
"Some small comfort can be taken from the fact that the selling prices, profits, employment and investment indexes all rose, but they all remain mired in negative territory.
The index of Expected Economic Performance fell markedly for the fourth consecutive quarter—
and has now been below a 50 reading for three quarters—
Receiving the Sisters of Charity Foundation scholarship has made university an achievable goal. I was placed in foster care from a young age and I have lived independently since the age of 16. The scholarship will help me fast track my path to become a registered nurse. Whilst I would not change my life, the scholarship helps me to bridge the gap between what others have had, living with their parents, and what I have had in having to support myself. Being a recipient of this scholarship will also benefit my six siblings. This will show them that goals and dreams are achievable. I would love the opportunity to break the stereotypes about young adults like myself who are labelled 'foster children' and have low educational outcomes. I want to prove to everybody, as well as to myself, that I am capable and determined …
To put $30 million into a magnificent property like this, not only to preserve the uniquely Australian culture of the early twentieth century, but also to celebrate what was protected and enhanced by Indigenous Australians for 40,000 years—this is Australia's future, the opportunity to be the best in the world.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Hawke ) took the chair at 10:29.
That this House:
(1) notes that International Women's Day:
(a) will be celebrated globally on Sunday, 8 March 2015;
(b) is a day to celebrate the economic, political and social achievements of women, and to review how far women have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development; and
(c) in 2015 will reflect on the Beijing Platform for Action, a progressive blueprint for advancing women's rights launched 20 years ago at the Fourth World Conference on Women in Beijing;
(2) notes that:
(a) at the launch of Beijing +20 in 2014, United Nations Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka identified that a number of critical areas for women raised in Beijing 20 years ago still require significant action to address, including:
(i) reducing women's share of poverty;
(ii) improving access to health and education;
(iii) ending violence against women;
(iv) ensuring women's full participation in decision-making;
(v) ensuring women's equal opportunities in the economy;
(vi) removing gender stereotypes;
(vii) increasing women's role in the media; and
(viii) protecting the human rights of all women and girls; and
(3) urges all Members of Parliament to be leaders in their community and act on the advancement of gender equality in Parliament.
If there is one message that echoes forth from this conference, let it be that human rights are women’s rights and women’s rights are human rights once and for all.
The empowerment of women and girls is one of the most effective ways to achieve higher economic growth and better living standards among the millions of people in developing countries in our region.
On International Women's Day we should take the opportunity to reflect on women's achievements and the challenges they continue to face.
That this House notes that:
(1) this Government is committed to delivering a White Paper on Developing Northern Australia that will set out a clear and well defined policy platform for unlocking the potential of the north, including consideration of the recommendations of the final report of the Inquiry into the Development of Northern Australia;
(2) providing customs and border security at Townsville Airport is in line with one of the recommendations in the Development of Northern Australia final report;
(3) the extra benefits to trade and tourism are important to opening Townsville to the international market and continuing Townsville's strong economic position in Northern Australia;
(4) this Government is committed to creating more local jobs and opportunities for the North Queensland community; and
(5) this continues the Government mantra of being open for business, and under new management.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government has committed $100 million (GST exclusive) over four years to the delivery of the Mobile Black Spot Programme (MBSP);
(b) the MBSP is expected to provide around 250 to 300 new or upgraded mobile base stations across Australia;
(c) more than 6,000 locations around Australia have been nominated by the public, local councils, state government, community representatives and businesses as having ineffective or non-existent mobile phone reception; and
(d) the future viability and safety of communities in rural Australia and the electoral division of lndi are dependent on effective mobile phone coverage; and
(2) calls on the Government to allocate significant additional funding to the MBSP in 2015-16 to provide additional new and upgraded mobile base stations across Australia.
… there are commercial limits to how far carriers are prepared to extend the mobile coverage footprint in regional areas. Much of the expansion programs are focused on boosting network capacity rather than increasing the coverage footprint.
… understands this was due to the program’s lack of scale, the remoteness of most of the priority locations that had been specified, and the associated servicing costs these sites would attract.
These direct 'command and control' regulations have been paralleled by other interventions, often lacking in transparency and accountability … Thus, since 1997, over $3 billion (at 2007 prices) of taxpayers' money has been appropriated to schemes aimed at promoting the availability of use of telecommunications, mainly in non-metropolitan areas.'
"Frankly, it is too slow to roll out," … "We’ve been in government for 17 months now and are still fluffing around over it.
“It’s time we got it done.”
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) revelations that certain brands of imported frozen berries grown and/or packaged in China are suspected of having infected Australians with Hepatitis A through contamination with faecal matter;
(b) that Food Standards Australia and New Zealand presently only require 5 per cent of frozen berries imported into Australia to be tested and even then, not for Hepatitis A;
(c) that local berry growers are subject to demanding chemical and biological testing and inspection procedures at the growers' expense;
(d) that consumers who want to know where their food comes from face confusing country of origin labelling, for instance, the words 'made in Australia' can mean that all of the ingredients are made or grown elsewhere but are packaged in Australia;
(e) that this is an important public health issue demanding a strong Government response in the areas of food standards and food labelling; and
(f) that consumers are entitled to have:
(i) confidence that the food they buy for themselves and their children is safe; and
(ii) detailed information as to its ingredients and origins; and
(2) calls on the Government to ensure comprehensive testing of food imports to Australia and appropriate labelling of food with regard to ingredients and origin.
The system is completely inadequate and needs to be reviewed. Growers are concerned there isn't a level playing field when it comes to imports versus the requirements and quality assurance processes that growers in Australia have to comply with.
We also think the import testing arrangements need to be reviewed. They are not even testing for microbiological threats. The government has acknowledged this and they are looking to review it, and we support that.
… packaging can be changed very easily. It is not a hard thing to do and it is not costly
Not that long ago Australians understood that fruit and veg had seasons outside which consumption wasn’t possible. In summer we ate apricots, bananas and grapes. By contrast, during winter we turned to apples, pears and mandarins. But since the development of cheap refrigeration and rapid shipping, our eating habits have changed.
That for foods bearing some form of Australian claim, a consumer-friendly, food-specific country-of-origin labelling framework, based primarily on the ingoing weight of the ingredients and components (excluding water), be developed.
To the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives:
We, the undersigned citizens of Australia,
Express our appreciation to:
1. Our Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, and Members of his Government, for the principled and moral stand taken hitherto concerning its continuing recognition of, and strong support for, the modem State of Israel.
2. The current Government for its adherence to the international community's decision, expressed through the United Nations in 1948, to support the Jewish homeland which has been the cradle of Jewish religion, culture and identity since ancient times.
We therefore request the House to strongly encourage the current Government to:
1. Recognise officially that the Arab-Palestinian people manifestly fail to meet the conditions of statehood under international law, and that Palestinian leaders regularly use incitement in calling specifically for the obliteration of Israel, consistent with the Charter of Hamas.
2. Recognise the totally untenable security position that Israel would face should a "Palestinian state" be established on what under international law are clearly "disputed territories."
3. Maintain its clear stance that any peace agreement - and solution to the current ongoing conflict - MUST be achieved through direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinian representatives, and NOT through a unilateral recognition of a "Palestinian state."
4. Be open to leading the way in supporting a ONE STATE SOLUTION, being the democratic Jewish State of Israel, in order to allow Israel's Government to strive for peace whilst continuing to protect her citizens (of all nationalities and religions) within safe and secure borders, especially in its undivided capital of Jerusalem.
To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives
This petition of Australia's daughters and sons, parents, grandparents, godparents, aunts and uncles, draws to the attention of the House the damage to the earth's climate and its oceans from humanity's continuing and increasing carbon emissions and the consequent severe risks to the future health, safety and well-being of our children and our children's children and future generations.
We remind the House that it is the fundamental duty of parliament, including this House, to protect Australia's people, land and seas.
We therefore ask the House to respect the science and build a safe climate future for our children and grandchildren and generations to come by enacting immediate and deep reductions to Australia's carbon emissions. We also ask the House to commit to and actively promote and support global strategies for immediate and deep reductions to global emissions at every designated international forum.
There is no challenge that poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change.
Many that live deserve death. And some that die deserve life. Can you give it to them? Then do not be too eager to deal out death in judgement. For even the very wise cannot see all ends.
We cannot have a discussion about national security laws without acknowledging the growing threat that our country faces from the terrorist menace. What needs to be contemplated by those that have some resistance to this metadata regime is that they can be reassured that the committee looked very extensively at the case for and against. You can rest assured that some of the safeguards that have been put into this report—that hopefully will be enshrined in legislation—are amongst the strongest safeguards in the Western world for any data retention regime. You can be reassured that we will continue to monitor the implementation of this data retention regime.
What proportion (as a percentage) is the aerial component of the following fibre serving area modules: (a) 7BEV-01, (b) 7DEL-01, (c) 7GEW-01, (d) 7HOB-01, (e) 7HOB-02, (f) 7HOB-03, (g) 7HOB-04, (h) 7HOB-05, (i) 7KIN-01, (j) 7KIN-03, (k) 7LAU-01, (l) 7LAU-02, (m) 7LAU-03, (n) 7LAU-04, (o) 7SOR-01, (p) 7STH-01, (q) 7STH-02, and (r) 7TRA-01.
The percentage of premises designed to be connected via an aerial lead in for the mentioned FSAMs are listed below.
( 1) In respect of the Deakin University ' s Centre for Research in Educational Futures and Innovation ' s report Australian international graduates and the transition to employment (September 2014), is he aware that the findings illustrate that ( a) the overseas student program needs to be reviewed by the Australian Government to provide greater opportunity for Australian graduates to find work domestically, ( b) the graduate labour market in Australia in the three disciplines of nursing, engineering and accounting is very competitive, ( c) the proportion of bachelor degree graduates employed within four months of completing their courses has fallen to 71.3 per cent, the lowest figure in over 20 years, and what action will the Minister take to address this issue, ( d) shortages for engineers eased significantly in 2012-13 and are now limited to petroleum and mining engineers, and ( e) a slowdown in the mining industry, as well as manufacturing, and subdued activity in construction, are contributing to a weak labour market.
( 2) Does the Minister accept the report ' s findings that employment outcomes for graduate engineers have weakened in recent years with softer market conditions, resulting in graduates competing for work with experienced engineers, with BHP, Rio Tinto and AECOM cutting their graduate intakes.
( 1) Regarding international education and recent domestic graduate outcomes
(a) International education is a major priority for the Government and has been the subject of a number of reviews in recent years. A discussion paper 'Reform of the ESOS framework' was released on 1 October 2014 to seek views from interested stakeholders on opportunities to improve the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 and associated legislative arrangements. Data from the Graduate Careers Australia's Graduate Destinations Survey shows that from 2008 to 2013 Australian domestic graduates consistently gain employment after graduation at higher rates than international students who graduate and choose to stay on in Australia. Deakin University's research has provided advice on strategies that may enhance employment opportunities for overseas students and graduates in Australia.
( b) Nursing, engineering and accounting graduates experience above average employment outcomes. The Graduate Careers Australia ' s Graduate Destinations Survey shows that in 2013 the proportion of domestic bachelor degree graduates in full-time employment four months after graduation was 83.1 per cent for nursing graduates, 81.7 per cent for engineering graduates and 77.4 per cent for accounting graduates. By way of comparison, the national average full-time employment rate for all domestic bachelor degree graduates was 71.3percent.
( c) The Graduate Careers Australia ' s Graduate Destinations Survey shows that in 2013 the national average full-time employment rate for domestic bachelor degree graduates was 71.3percent. As noted in the report of the Review of the Demand Driven System (page 26)
Holding a bachelor degree continues to provide significant insurance against unemployment. In 2013, 3.4 per cent of people with bachelor degrees were unemployed, compared to 6.6 per cent of people with lower or no post school qualifications.
( d) This is a matter for the Minister for Employment.
(e) This is a matter for the Minister for Employment.
(2) The Graduate Careers Australia's Graduate Destinations Survey shows that engineering graduates continue to experience strong employment outcomes. In 2013, 81.7 per cent of engineering graduates were working full-time four months after graduation, the second highest full-time employment outcome by field of education and over ten percentage points higher than the overall full-time employment rate of 71.3 per cent for all graduates.
(1) Will the Minister review the 2012-13 Australian Government Review of labour market demand, which found that there was no shortage of graduate accountants and that graduate employment outcomes for accounting bachelor degrees have fallen over the past five years.
(2) Is the Minister aware that in 2012, 7,200 domestic students completed a bachelor or higher degree in accounting, with the Department of Employment declaring that 'a more than adequate supply of accountants existed in Australia'.
(3) Is the Minister aware (a) of reports that overall employment of accountants increased by just 1.3 per cent over the five years to May 2014, which was well below the 'all occupations' average of 7.4 per cent, and (b) that advertised vacancies for accountancy positions have also fallen since 2008.
(4) Is the Minister aware of the recent media report by Edmund Tadros 'Accounting bodies do about-face on jobs for foreign students' ( Australian Financial Review , 29 October 2014), claiming that the Australian Government says it will review the Skilled Occupations List early next year, and that based on the Australian Workforce and Productivity Agency's recommendation, a reduced ceiling of approximately 5,000 places or 3 per cent of the domestic workforce, has been set for accountants in 2014-15.
(5) Is it a fact that the Department of Employment has recommended that accountants be removed from the Skilled Occupations List, having concluded there is a surplus of accountants and 'deteriorating outcomes for graduates relatively low pay rates for bachelor graduates and weak employment outcomes for masters graduates'; if so, and in light of the evidence from the academic research, media reporting and professional views, will the Minister consider removing accountants from the Skilled Occupations List.
(6) In respect of a media report by Edmund Tadros and Agnes King 'Accounting Bodies do about-face on jobs for foreign students' ( Australian Financial Review , 12 February 2014), is he aware (a) that in the past five years, 40,000 migrants have entered the country through accounting skilled stream, which is significantly higher than the numbers entering with other priority areas, (b) of data provided in this report that Graduate Careers Australia shows that 80 per cent of domestic accounting graduates were working full-time four months after finishing their courses in 2012, compared with 93 per cent in 2001, (c) that the University of New South Wales (UNSW) had an almost record enrolment in first year accounting in 2014 with over 1,700 currently enrolled, and (d) that the UNSW's record for accounting enrolments was 1,800 in 2010.
(7) Will the Minister acknowledge the suggestions in the Deakin University's Centre for Research in Educational Futures and Innovation's report Australian international graduates and the transition to employment (September 2014) and media report in part 6), that overseas accounting students are being lured to study accounting in Australia on the misleading impression that it is easy to find work experience, work opportunities and permanent residency in Australia.
(8) Is the Minister aware of the findings in Deakin University's report in part 7), which showed that international accounting students were a major source of income for Australian Universities, making up a record 79 per cent of the 17,600 enrolled postgraduate students in 2013, and 55 per cent of the more than 24,500 enrolled undergraduate students.
(1) This is a matter for the Minister for Employment.
(2) According the Department of Education and Training's Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS) in 2012 there were only 3509 domestic students who completed a bachelor degree or higher in the field of education of accounting.
(3) (a) This is a matter for the Minister for Employment.
(b) This is a matter for the Minister for Employment.
(4) This is a matter for the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.
(5) This is a matter for the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.
(6) (a) This is a matter for the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection.
(b) The Graduate Careers Australia's Graduate Destinations Survey shows that in 2001, 91.9 per cent of accounting graduates were in full-time employment, which has declined to 77.4 per cent in 2013.
(c) According the Department of Education and Training's Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS) the latest available data for 2013 shows that the University of NSW has 341 commencing domestic and international student enrolments in both undergraduate and postgraduate accounting courses.
(d) According the Department of Education and Training's Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS) in 2010 there were only 433 commencing domestic and international students enrolled in both undergraduate and postgraduate accounting at the University of NSW.
(7) International students choose to study in Australia to gain a high quality education and a reputable qualification from one of the most popular study destinations in the world. There are demonstrable opportunities for all international students, including accounting students, to find work experience in Australia. Information is available to students on such opportunities, for example through the government's Study in Australia website. Students are made aware these are opportunities, not guarantees. Some graduates (who were former international students) may be sponsored for permanent migration or found eligible under other arrangements.
In March 2013, the previous government introduced new post-study work visas for eligible higher education graduates. The current government also supports this arrangement, which allows international students who have recently completed an Australian Bachelors, Masters or PhD qualification to remain in Australia after graduation to gain further work experience in any field they choose. Bachelor and Masters by coursework graduates are eligible for a visa that allows them 2 years of post-study work in Australia, while Masters by research graduates can work for 3 years and PhD graduates for 4 years. More information is available from the Department of Immigration and Border Protection here:
http://www.immi.gov.au/Visas/Pages/485.aspx
(8) According to the Department of Education and Training's Higher Education Information Management System (HEIMS), in 2013 there was a total of 17 599 postgraduate accounting students, of which 79 per cent (or 13 833 persons) were international students. While this appears to be the highest proportion on record, the number of international students has declined from the peak of 15 356 in 2009. In 2013, there were 25 423 enrolled undergraduate accounting students, of which 55 per cent (or 13 972 persons) were international students, which is the lowest proportion since 2008. International undergraduate accounting students have been declining as a proportion of total undergraduate accounting students in each year since the peak of 64 per cent in 2011, and declining in number from the peak of 21 951 in 2010.
In respect of recommendation 4 of the Report on the Inquiry into Infrastructure Planning and Procurement Planning Procurement and Funding for Australia's Future Infrastructure (House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications, December 2014, page 22), (a) what land corridor planning and acquisitions have the Australian Government or state governments undertaken in preparation for a high speed rail line between Melbourne and Sydney, and (b) does the Government intend to make land acquisitions in preparation for a future high speed rail line; if not, why not.
(a) The Australia Government is continuing to consider a potential east coast High Speed Rail (HSR) network by engaging with the Queensland, New South Wales, Victorian and ACT governments about each jurisdiction's level of interest in a potential HSR network, and their capacity and ability to support the proposed development.
In line with the recommendations of the 2013 HSR Study Phase 2 Report, jurisdictional consultations have focused on corridor issues relating to the preferred alignment.
The Government is currently working with the jurisdictions to identify priority sections of the preferred alignment for potential protection. This work involves considering the wide variety of geography and current land uses through which the corridor is located, including agricultural, urban, residential, commercial and recreational land areas. The priority sections of the corridor for potential protection are most likely to be located in densely-populated urban environments, which have a higher risk of encroachment by competing development. However, the current and likely future use of some areas may mean the expense of acquiring land may be able to be deferred, as may impacts on current owners or users. The issue requires examination at a detailed level.
(b) The Government and the jurisdictions have not yet protected or acquired any sections of the proposed HSR corridor. A decision on whether or not to acquire land will be informed by the outcomes of the Government's continued consultations with the jurisdictions, and will require jurisdictional agreement and contribution.