The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Duty Harmonisation) Bill 2017
Excise Tariff Amendment (Tobacco Duty Harmonisation) Bill 2017
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 15 August 2017.
2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 15 August 2017, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 4 September 2017, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS SHARKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Telecommunications Act 1997 , and for related purposes. (Telecommunications Amendment (Guaranteeing Mobile Phone Service in Bushfire Zones) Bill 2017 )
( Notice given 15 August 2017. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 MS MCGOWAN: To present a Bill for an Act to amend legislation relating to renewable energy to improve support for the community energy sector, and for related purposes. ( Renewable Energy Legislation Amendment (Supporting Renewable Communities) Bill 2017 )
( Notice given 15 August 2017. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
3 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 , and for related purposes. (Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Continuing the Energy Transition) Bill 2017 )
( Notice given 14 June 2017. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
4 MR KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to require the equal treatment of the religious certification of products, and for related purposes. ( Religious Certification (Non-Discrimination) Bill 2017 )
( Notice given 28 March 2017. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
5 MR KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the coal seam gas industry in Australia, and for related purposes. ( Commission of Inquiry (Coal Seam Gas) Bill 2017 )
( Notice given 20 June 2017. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
6 MR CHAMPION: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Northern Adelaide Irrigation Scheme (NAIS) has the potential to create 3,700 jobs for Northern Adelaide and add more than $500 million a year to the State's economy; and
(2) calls on the Government to immediately commit to provide the $45.6 million in funding required by the South Australian Government for the NAIS to proceed.
( Notice given 21 June 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Champion—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
7 MR PERRETT: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Australia has a significant role in assisting countries to reduce poverty and achieve inclusive prosperity through its international aid;
(2) recognises that:
(a) every year Australian aid improves the lives of millions of people around the globe;
(b) Australia is playing a leading role in international initiatives such as the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance; and
(c) Australia has played an important role in having the G20 Health Ministers commit to action on drug-resistant tuberculosis and the World Health Assembly endorsing action to accelerate access to vaccines;
(3) notes that:
(a) while the global community is making progress towards ending poverty, hunger and the worst epidemics, the world is facing multiple challenges of war, poverty, hunger, displaced people and climate change;
(b) in the Asia-Pacific region, 330 million people live in extreme poverty, 1.5 billion people lack access to safe sanitation, and one in 7 people suffer from malnutrition; and
(c) Australia is one of 194 countries which have endorsed the Agenda for Sustainable Development, which sets out 17 goals to eliminate poverty, improve health and achieve inclusive economic and social development; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) set clear long term goals for the Australian aid program, consistent with our interests in supporting sustainable economic development, health security and poverty reduction for countries throughout our region in the forthcoming Foreign Policy White Paper, which has received more than 9,000 public submissions on a range of issues, including our aid commitments;
(b) commit to consideration of increasing Australian aid in real terms in the next four years, to support achieving these goals;
(c) build understanding within the Australian community of the work that has been achieved through Australian aid, to lift our national pride in our contribution to the world; and
(d) expand opportunities for everyday Australians to contribute in practical ways to regional development, through short work parties to exchange agricultural and practical skills in developing countries.
( Notice given 21 June 2017. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits—
Mr Perrett—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR GEORGANAS: To move—
(1) acknowledges the significant contribution of the previous Labor Government's Living Longer Living Better reforms that were designed to deliver:
(a) more support and care at home;
(b) additional home and residential care places;
(c) a focus on greater consumer choice and control; and
(d) greater recognition of diversity and support to carers;
(2) notes:
(a) the growing number of:
(i) older Australians who would like to remain living in their own home for as long as possible; and
(ii) carers who work hard to ensure their loved one is able to remain at home for as long as possible;
(b) that older Australians need adequate, flexible and responsive care options to ensure that they remain safe and healthy; and
(c) that many older Australians are experiencing long delays in accessing the necessary care they need, and are having to make do with lower levels of care than they were assessed for; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) ensure that older Australians receive home care assistance when they need it and at a level they need in order to allow them to remain living in their own home safely and independently for as long as possible; and
(b) release the number of people waiting for each level of the package.
( Notice given 10 August 2017. )
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Georganas—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 MS SHARKIE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Cystic Fibrosis is a condition that causes impairment of the lungs, airways and digestive system and leaves sufferers with an average life expectancy of 37 years;
(b) over 3,000 Australians live with Cystic Fibrosis and every four days an Australian child is born with the condition;
(c) over one million Australians are carriers of the gene that causes Cystic Fibrosis;
(d) there is currently an application before the Pharmaceutical Benefits Schedule Advisory Committee (PBSAC) for the drug known as Orkambi which is used to treat the most common mutation of Cystic Fibrosis; and
(e) if approved, Orkambi will be available to over 1,000 Australians aged 12 and over who are currently suffering from this life shortening condition; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) continue to support research into Cystic Fibrosis and its possible cure; and
(b) expedite the PBSAC review of the application to have Orkambi listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme so that over 1,000 Australians can have access to a potentially lifesaving drug.
( Notice given 9 August 2017. )
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Sharkie—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
3 MR BOWEN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that between 1975 and 1986, over 12,000 Cambodians were settled in Australia under the Special Humanitarian Program after being forced to flee their homeland by the Khmer Rouge;
(2) acknowledges the contribution that Cambodian-Australians have made to our nation since that time and the role they have played in the success story of Australian multiculturalism, including the large Cambodian communities in Fairfield, Liverpool and Cabramatta;
(3) notes that the Cambodian community in Australia faces challenges that require attention, including a higher than average unemployment rate and a higher proportion of lower wage employment than the national average;
(4) notes the struggle that many in Cambodia still face from their Government, including the right to peaceful assembly and opposition to Government policies; and
(5) reaffirms Australia's commitment to the United Nations Human Rights Council's statement of 14 September 2016 that we are 'deeply concerned about escalating threats to legitimate activities by Opposition parties and Human Rights NGOs' in Cambodia.
( Notice given 22 June 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Bowen—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
1 Fair Work Amendment (Protecting Take Home Pay) Bill 2017: Second reading—Resumption of debate ( from 19 June 2017 —Mr Pitt ) on the motion of Mr Shorten—That the Bill be now read a second time—And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Christensen.
Time allotted—20 minutes.
Speech time limits—
All Members speaking—5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Notices—continued
4 MR BURKE: To move:
That this House notes that:
(1) Australia has over 500 national parks that protect our unique and precious environment;
(2) Sydney's Royal National Park (RNP) was established in 1879 and is Australia's oldest national park and the world's second oldest national park;
(3) the 16,000 hectare RNP has unique cultural, heritage and environmental values;
(4) the RNP:
(a) is the traditional country of the Dharawal people;
(b) has one of the richest concentrations of plant species in temperate Australia with more than 1,000 species; and
(c) is rich in wildlife such as birds, reptiles and butterflies and exemplifies the biodiverse Hawkesbury Sandstone environment;
(5) the RNP's importance to the nation was recognised with a National Heritage listing in 2006;
(6) the values of the RNP deserve World Heritage protection;
(7) federal Labor will consult Traditional Owners and the local community on nominating the RNP for the World Heritage List; and
(8) with the consent of the Traditional Owners, Labor will prioritise a World Heritage nomination.
( Notice given 22 June 2017. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits—
Mr Burke—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices—continued
5 MR HAYES: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that National Police Remembrance Day is observed on 29 September;
(2) acknowledges the significant role police officers across Australia play in our local communities and the great deal of risk and sacrifice that comes with their duty;
(3) honours the lives and memories of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duty and tragically this year we specifically honour Senior Constable Brett Forte of the Queensland Police Service, who was shot and killed in the Lockyer Valley on 29 May;
(4) pays tribute to the families and friends of police officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout our nation's history;
(5) commends the good work of Police Legacy, who look after the loved ones of police officers that have fallen; and
(6) reaffirms its support for the nation's police officers and honours their courage, commitment and dedication to ensuring the peace and safety of our communities.
( Notice given 8 August 2017. )
Time allotted—50 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Hayes—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 MS MCGOWAN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Superannuation Guarantee system—in conjunction with voluntary superannuation contributions and a means-tested, government funded age pension—forms an integral part of Australia's retirement income policy;
(b) recent analysis by Industry Super Australia indicates employers failed to pay an aggregate amount of $5.6 billion in Superannuation Guarantee contributions in 2013-14;
(c) this amount represents 2.76 million affected employees, with an average amount of more than $2,000 lost per person in a single year;
(d) within the electoral division of Indi there were 16,068 affected employees, with an average amount of $2,001 lost per person in a single year;
(e) evidence received by the Senate Economics References Committee inquiry into the Superannuation Guarantee indicates a failure to adequately detect and address that Superannuation Guarantee non-compliance causes long term financial detriment to millions of Australian employees, significant competitive disadvantage to compliant employers, and an unnecessary impost to Government finances through additional reliance on the age pension; and
(f) in its report, the Committee:
(i) concluded the current approach of the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) in identifying and addressing Superannuation Guarantee non-compliance is inadequate and recommends that the ATO takes a more proactive stance;
(ii) argued that there is a compelling need for the determination of a reliable Superannuation Guarantee gap figure annually in order to track rates of Superannuation Guarantee non‑payment, analyse which policies are effective, and ultimately minimise the problem;
(iii) recommended the current Superannuation Guarantee Charge framework, with its reliance on employer self-reporting, should be reviewed in order to ensure that penalties are strong enough deterrents; and
(iv) considered it is crucial to move Superannuation Guarantee compliance from the 'paper age' to the 'digital age', enabling a greater focus on proactive methods, and in turn increasing the effectiveness of efforts to detect and remedy Superannuation Guarantee non-compliance; and
(2) calls on the Government to accept and act upon all 32 recommendations made in the Committee's report to address the significant problem of Superannuation Guarantee non-compliance.
( Notice given 10 May 2017. )
Time allotted—45 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms McGowan—10 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
7 MS BRODTMANN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the use of sexual violence in armed conflict is a war crime; and
(b) the use of sexual violence as part of a widespread or systematic attack directed against any civilian population is a crime against humanity;
(2) acknowledges that Islamic State:
(a) is perpetrating war crimes and crimes against humanity against minority Muslim groups, Christians, Yazidis and other religious and ethnic minorities in Iraq and Syria;
(b) has perpetrated acts of sexual violence amounting to war crimes and crimes against humanity; and
(c) has dedicated infrastructure for the kidnap, trafficking and sale of sex slaves; and
(3) calls on the Australian Government to:
(a) investigate, prosecute and hold to account Australians who have committed crimes, according to domestic or international law, as members of lslamic State or other recognised international terrorist groups; and
(b) support international efforts to gather evidence, investigate and prosecute those responsible for international crimes perpetrated by Islamic State or other recognised international terrorist groups.
( Notice given 9 May 2017. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Brodtmann—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
8 MR HAMMOND: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government established a panel to review the Small Amount Credit Contract (SACC) laws on 7 August 2015, which provided its final report to the Government on 3 March 2016;
(b) the Government released its response to the SACC review on 28 November 2016, in which it agreed with the vast majority of the recommendations in part or in full;
(c) the Minister for Revenue and Financial Services said at the time that 'the implementation of these recommendations will ensure that vulnerable consumers are afforded appropriate levels of consumer protection while continuing to access SACCs and leases';
(d) the Minister claimed in an interview on Lateline on 28 February 2017 that Treasury was drafting legislation to implement the review's recommendations; and
(e) in response to questioning in Senate Additional Estimates by Senator Gallagher on 1 March 2017, Treasury's head of the Financial System Division confirmed that drafting had not commenced for a Bill to enact the SACC review recommendations accepted by the Government;
(2) acknowledges that consumer credit contracts and consumer leases have been shown to cause unnecessary hardship to vulnerable consumers, and that the Parliament should act to protect vulnerable consumers;
(3) recognises that the delay in introducing legislation for consideration by the Parliament, to implement the SACC review recommendations, results in an unnecessary continuation of hardship to vulnerable consumers and their families;
(4) congratulates the consumer advocate groups who attended Parliament House on 27 March 2017 to raise the profile of this important issue; and
(5) calls on the Government to immediately prepare legislation for consideration by the Parliament, to implement the SACC review recommendations.
( Notice given 28 March 2017. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm
Speech time limits—
Mr Hammond—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
16 August 2017
That the time for the presentation of the report of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services on whistleblower protections be extended to 14 September 2017.
That this bill be now read a second time.
Migration and Other Legislation Amendment (Enhanced Integrity) Bill 2017
That this bill be now read a second time.
That leave of absence for 16 and 17 August 2017 be given to the honourable member for Kingston on the ground of ill health.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2017 Measures No. 4) Bill 2017
Taxes on alcohol should be set to address the spillover costs imposed on the community of alcohol abuse, when this delivers a net gain to the community’s wellbeing and is more effective than alternative policies. Raising revenue is a by-product, not the goal, of taxing alcohol.
In Alice Springs, a 2-litre wine cask costs $10.99, which includes roughly $1.59 of wine equalisation tax. An equivalent volume of alcohol in full-strength beer would attract $7.48 in excise, and in spirits $16.45.
I have serious concerns about viability going forward because of this change …
The price for a tonne of fruit has increased, production has increased, so reducing the rebate will catch a lot of people out.
The new changes define an eligible producer as someone who owns the grapes through the winemaking process, and producers who build brands, invest in regional communities and create jobs, and we think that's a great change, …
It means we can continue to build our brands, now we're confident we won't be excluded from the scheme because of the way we start out, or our inability to afford expensive equipment, …
The wine equalisation tax rebate—
supports the Australian wine industry by providing wine producers with access to a tax rebate on sales of eligible wine.
A wine producer will need to own at least 85 per cent of the grapes used to make the wine throughout the winemaking process.
Wine producers will be required to sell wine packaged in a container not exceeding five litres …
That this bill be now read a third time.
Public Governance and Resources Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2017
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education and Training Legislation Repeal Bill 2017
Education and Training Legislation Repeal Bill 2017
That the Education and Training Legislation Repeal Bill 2017 be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
Statute Update (Winter 2017) Bill 2017
These update bills are an essential tool in the process of keeping an orderly, accurate and up-to-date Commonwealth statute book.
That the bill be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration.
Migration Amendment (Validation of Decisions) Bill 2017
An alien unlawfully in the territory of a State party to the present Covenant may be expelled therefrom only in pursuance of a decision reached in accordance with the law and shall, except where compelling reasons of national security otherwise required, be allowed to submit the reasons against his expulsion and to have his case reviewed by, and be represented for the purpose before, the competent authority or a person or persons especially designated by the competent authority.
… inability of affected individuals to contest or correct information on which the refusal or cancellation is based …
Effective and impartial review by a court or tribunal of decisions to deport or remove a person … is integral to complying with non-refoulement obligations.
… in particular regarding any safeguards applicable to individuals for whom Australia is their 'own country', such as ensuring their visa is only cancelled as a last resort where other mechanisms to protect the safety of the Australian community are unavailable.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017
the House declines to give this bill a second reading as it places the Government's political interests ahead of the interests of Australia’s farmers.
… I’ve spent my whole life trying to make myself good enough, strong enough, equal to those that I’ve been told I’m not equal to.
… … …
I thought that fight was over for me …
If only Christians fought like this for refugees. Imagine if the Coalition’s big men of faith threatened to tear down their own government unless it brings home the wretches we’ve imprisoned in the Pacific.
Surely there couldn’t be a greater service for Christ?
It is pretty amazing, isn't it, that you've had two out of nine Greens senators who didn't realise that they were citizens of another country—
and it shows incredible sloppiness on their part. You know, when you nominate for parliament, there is actually a question. You've got to address that Section 44 question, you've got to tick the box and confirm that you're not a citizen of another country.
In practice, cuts to penalty rates would reduce the income of a group of workers who is already experiencing the lowest income in rural Australia. This would result in a commensurate reduction in the disposable income of those workers, leaving less money available for spending on local goods and services.
Any person who … is a subject or a citizen or entitled to the rights or privileges of a subject or a citizen of a foreign power
… … …
shall be incapable of being chosen or of sitting as a senator or a member of the House of Representatives.
That the resumption of debate on the Prime Minister's motion of condolence in connection with the death of Brian Francis Gibson AM be referred to the Federation Chamber.
There's nothing wrong with the reef! I live on the reef!
… reducing the corporate tax rate … is also an investment in the Australian people— including people who might now be on welfare …
… what it fails to recognise is that we need to encourage employment participation, not greater welfare dependency.
… lowering the corporate rate for smaller businesses only … creates an artificial incentive for Australian businesses to downsize.
Friends, corporate tax reform … creates jobs right up and down the income ladder.
That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) on Monday, this House unanimously asked the High Court to determine whether the Deputy Prime Minister is constitutionally qualified to be a Member of Parliament;
(b) on Tuesday, the Deputy Prime Minister admitted he had been a citizen of a foreign power right up until the weekend;
(c) former Minister Matt Canavan has resigned from Cabinet and will not vote in the Senate until the High Court resolves doubts about his constitutional qualifications to be a Member of Parliament;
(d) yesterday, the Foreign Minister refused to accept that the conservative New Zealand Internal Affairs Minister was telling the truth; and
(e) this morning, on Sky News, the Foreign Minister refused to answer whether she could now work with a future New Zealand Government; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to:
(a) stop trashing Australia's international relations in order to distract from the crisis the Government is facing;
(b) rule out accepting the vote of the Deputy Prime Minister while his constitutional qualifications are in doubt; and
(c) direct the Deputy Prime Minister to immediately resign from Cabinet.
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [14:59]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [15:06]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [15:08]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The government hurting Australians by undermining Medicare.
… Federal Labor has made it crystal clear that we are committed to retaining all of the … Private Health Insurance rebates …
How did I pay for it? I paid for it by targeting private health insurance …
And a Labor budget will always protect Medicare. This means reversing the unfair Medicare freeze immediately.
Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Amendment Bill 2017
Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting Bill 2017
Petroleum and Other Fuels Reporting (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2017
Regional Investment Corporation Bill 2017
I guess much public policy is constructed in coffee shops around Canberra by public departments.
It's no secret the agency is changing—and that doesn't have to be a bad thing.
I'm listening to what our executive have to say about the transition, but for the moment I'm getting on with the job.
The committee recommends that the move of the APVMA be paused until the APVMA concludes its review of its business model.
… the Finance Minister apply greater scrutiny to future requests or orders to be made under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013 with a specific focus on consideration being given to the following:
Bendigo was one of seven regional centres considered for the new bureaucracy along with Albury-Wodonga, Wagga Wagga, Bathurst, Lithgow and Toowoomba.
Bendigo has missed out on being the home of a new $28 million Commonwealth regional banking agency to deliver $4 billion in loans.
[Bendigo] weren't successful this time, but we'll just keep on batting.
Having a facility like the Rural Investment Corporation in a place like Orange, there might be people growing up … in regional Victoria that, once they go to Melbourne or Sydney, and get that commerce degree, they'll be able to seek out a job opportunity … in the Rural Investment Corporation in Orange.
… represented a huge boost for the region and was recognition that Central West NSW was one of the most suitable and attractive regions in the country for investment and the location of government agencies.
It not only benefits our regional communities, but it provides the government with much stronger regional partnerships and taps in to the expertise we already have here.
It just make sense for an agency charged with administering concessional loans to farmers to be based in the regions where farm businesses operate.
… the government:
These are jobs that we can do with and as a real estate agent, as a citizen of Orange, and as a councillor, we welcome this initiative.
It just makes sense for an agency charged with administering concessional loans to farmers to be based in the regions where farm businesses operate.
… committed to streamlining Commonwealth financing and concessional loan processing to enable new dams to be financed quickly and ensure drought loans are speedily approved to help farmers in need.
The Regional Investment Corporation will be established as the single administrator for the $4.5 billion in Agriculture and Water Resources portfolio financing and concessional loans initiatives.
Rejection of your claim for Newstart Allowance
We cannot pay you Newstart Allowance because we did not receive the documents we requested from you.
Dave has been a hardworking man for his entire life and never expected to need help, but we now find ourselves in a situation where we are both physically, financially and emotionally crippled.
Dave doesn't want a hand-out; he wants to work but we keep hitting roadblocks.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Buchholz ) took the chair at 10:00.
The aim of The Justice Project is to understand the issues that stop people from accessing justice. We believe that all people should be treated equally by the law and be able to use the justice system and would like to ensure that everyone has equal access to justice.
Citizenship ceremonies are non-commercial, apolitical, bipartisan and secular. They must not be used as forums for political, partisan or religious expression or for the distribution of material which could be perceived to be of a commercial, political or religious nature.
Australian citizenship represents full and formal membership of the community of the Commonwealth of Australia, and Australian citizenship is a common bond, involving reciprocal rights and obligations, uniting all Australians, while respecting their diversity.
... as a nation we have been better at honouring the memory of our dead, than offering decent support for the living.
I couldn't even leave the house, answer the phone, hold a conversation with anyone. My daughter, who is now 13 years, was the mother in our relationship and she looked after me and the house.
Education and Training Legislation Repeal Bill 2017
Statute Update (Winter 2017) Bill 2017
There is some evidence—
that there is likely to have been a significant net economic benefit from the Deregulation Agenda, however there has not yet been independent verification of the outcomes. Having the extent of this benefit independently quantified would support future regulatory decision-making—
… likely positive public administration outcomes. A future, more comprehensive, post-implementation review process would further add to the evidence base for such programs.
… … …
While the government has established other review mechanisms for regulatory changes, the Committee notes that those processes will not necessarily include evaluations of the government’s Deregulation Agenda.
… … …
The Committee therefore strongly supports the single ANAO recommendation—
that PM&C take steps to implement the Australian government's December 2013 decision that the economic impacts of the Deregulation Agenda be assessed within three years—
In its response to the ANAO report, PM&C advised that 'implementation of this decision is currently being discussed with the Government.
… … …
PM&C reiterated the information in its submission to the inquiry and said 'We hope to be able to provide the Committee with an update of these discussions in the first half of 2017'.
It is evident that statute law revision legislation and FPC’s editorial change powers under the Legislation Act can cover the same type of subject matter.
… it is not entirely clear when one of these mechanisms will be applied (or ought to be applied) in preference to the other.