The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business; private Members' business and the consideration of bills introduced 20 August 2018
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 21 August 2018.
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, 21 August 2018, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 10 September 2018, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue
Taxpayer Engagement with the Tax System
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10.20 am.
Speech time limits —
Mr Falinski — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to improve accountability in relation to the Inland Rail project, and for related purposes. ( Inland Rail Project (Improving Accountability) Bill 2018 )
( Notice given 25 June 2018. )
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.
Orders of the day
1 Trade: Resumption of debate ( from 26 February 2018 ) on the motion of Mr van Manen—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the importance of open trade and investment policies in growing the Australian economy and creating local jobs;
(2) commends the Government for leading efforts to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership 11 nation (TPP-11) agreement;
(3) welcomes the recent conclusion of this landmark deal which will eliminate more than 98 per cent of tariffs in a trade zone with a combined GDP of AUD $13.7 trillion;
(4) notes the significant opportunities offered by new trade agreements with Canada and Mexico and greater market access to Japan, Chile, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and Brunei;
(5) recognises the importance of the agreement for Australia's farmers, manufacturers and service providers in increasing their competitiveness in overseas markets;
(6) notes indicative modelling by the Peterson Institute for International Economics, which found that the TPP-11 agreement would boost Australia's national income by 0.5 per cent and exports by 4 per cent; and
(7) encourages the Parliament to work co-operatively to ratify the TPP-11 agreement so that Australian exporters can take advantage of the many benefits it delivers.
Time allotted — 50minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices – continued
2 MS PLIBERSEK: To move—That this House:
(1) expresses concern that despite recent improvements in the gender pay gap, Australian women continue to experience sustained economic disadvantage, in particular women working in undervalued, traditionally female dominated industries;
(2) notes that on 5 September, early childhood educators around the country staged industrial action to highlight the need for equal pay and proper recognition for the value of their work;
(3) acknowledges the important contribution these workers, along with workers in other undervalued care professions such as aged care, health and disability care make, not just to our nation's economy but to Australian society; and
(4) calls on the Government to take action to support equal pay and recognition for women working in undervalued care professions.
( Notice given 21 August 2018. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits —
Ms Plibersek — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Orders of the day
1 Fair Work Amendment (Restoring Penalty Rates) Bill 2018 ( Mr Shorten ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 20 August 2018 ).
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 Small businesses and Government Defence contracts: Resumption of debate ( from 26 March 2018 ) on the motion of Mr Wallace—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government's record $200 billion investment in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) capabilities represents a unique opportunity for Australian businesses;
(b) many Australian businesses who first supplied defence materials to the Australian Government go on to export these products overseas; and
(c) Australia ranks thirteenth in the world for defence expenditure, but is only the twentieth largest exporter;
(2) congratulates the Government on its activities to date to encourage local small businesses to bid for Government defence contracts, including the 2016 Defence White Paper, the Integrated Investment Program, the Defence Industry Policy Statement and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC);
(3) welcomes the Government's efforts to develop a Defence Export Strategy to plan, guide and measure defence export outcomes that will support our foreign and trade policies, defence industry, defence capability and national security objectives; and
(4) encourages small and medium enterprises all over Australia to explore the opportunity to supply products and services for the ADF, and to contact the CDIC to learn more.
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
3 Live Sheep Long Haul Export Prohibition Bill 2018 ( Ms Ley ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 20 August 2018 ).
Time allotted — 20minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 Mental health: Resumption of debate ( from 21 May 2018 ) on the motion of Mr Wallace—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures one in five Australians report having a mental or behavioural condition, while the prevalence is highest among people aged 18 to 24; and
(b) data from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare suggests that 54 per cent of people with a mental illness do not access treatment;
(2) congratulates the Government for its engagement with the mental health community and for its measures to support mental health in Australia including:
(a) additional investment of $170 million in mental health programs in the 2017 budget including $80 million to maintain community psycho-social services for people with mental illness who are not eligible for the National Disability Insurance Scheme, $11.1 million to prevent suicide in specific locations where it is a frequent occurrence, $15 million to support mental health research initiatives such as the Thompson Institute on the Sunshine Coast and $50 million for mental illness prevention and support for serving Australian Defence Force members, veterans and their families; and
(b) investment of:
(i) $9.5 million to expand mental health first aid training in 14 high risk communities; and
(ii) $9.1 million to support rural telehealth services for mental health and the appointment of the first National Rural Health Commissioner;
(3) encourages the Government to continue this focused work and to seek additional ways to support the mental health of Australians; and
(4) further encourages anyone who believes that they might be suffering from a mental illness to seek immediate help from their General Practitioner or a qualified mental health practitioner.
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices
1 DR FREELANDER: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) increased immunisation of children, which is essential for protecting them against diseases including pneumonia, polio, rotavirus diarrhoea, meningococcal and measles now saves the lives of 2 to 3 million children per year but, nevertheless, 1.5 million children still die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases;
(b) in 2017, 85 per cent of children globally received the full course of the diphtheria, tetanus and pertussis vaccine, a key measure of vaccine coverage, however, this left nearly 20 million children not covered by this vaccine;
(c) globally, 85 per cent of children receive the polio vaccine, however, gaps in polio vaccine coverage allow some children to contract the disease, with 13 cases in 2018 so far;
(d) Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, to which Australia has been a consistent contributor, has supported the vaccination of more than 640 million children, and saved an estimated 9 million lives; and
(e) in December 2018, Gavi will hold a mid-term review to assess what changes to its strategy are needed to achieve increased and equitable access to vaccines;
(2) recognises that:
(a) Australia co-sponsored a resolution at the Seventieth World Health Assembly in 2017 to accelerate access to vaccines, calling for the extension of immunisation services beyond infancy, increasing domestic financing, and strengthening international cooperation to achieve global vaccination goals; and
(b) current funding by the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI), to which Australia contributes, is due to decline significantly as polio nears eradication—this funding covers one fifth of the World Health Organisation's costs, and accounts for a high proportion of the health and vaccination workforce in several countries; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) participate in planning to accelerate progress in making vaccines available to all children, including through the Gavi mid-term review; and
(b) work with countries now receiving polio support and with multilateral agencies to ensure that transition from GPEI funding results in increased resources for other health and vaccinations programs.
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits —
Dr Freelander — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices – continued
2 MR GEORGANAS: To move—That this House notes that:
(1) this Parliament condemns the exploitation of workers and communities by unscrupulous shipping and port operators;
(2) exploitive deals with unscrupulous dictatorships are not acceptable;
(3) contracts with unscrupulous dictatorships and dictators will not stand in the international shipping community; and
(4) companies that are linked to harsh dictatorships, responsible for the suppression of democracy, are not welcome in the Australian shipping industry, and that:
(a) such companies negotiating contracts with dictatorships are on notice; and
(b) exploitative industrial behaviour will not be tolerated on our shores.
( Notice given 21 August 2018. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Georganas — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day – continued
5 Infrastructure: Resumption of debate ( from 21 May 2018 ) on the motion of Mrs Marino—That this House:
(1) recognises the importance of infrastructure to the future prosperity of our nation;
(2) acknowledges the actions the Government is taking in delivering a record $75 billion investment in infrastructure and transport projects focused on building local communities, connecting the regions and our cities, busting congestion and boosting productivity, while creating local jobs;
(3) notes that for the first time, the Government has committed to a 10 year infrastructure investment pipeline with the recently announced significant infrastructure projects; and
(4) congratulates the Government in working to deliver the infrastructure that will help secure Australia's prosperity into the future.
— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Albanese, viz —That all words after paragraph (1) be omitted and the following be inserted:
(2) condemns the Government for cutting infrastructure investment from $8 billion in 2017-18 to $4.5 billion in 2021-22;
(3) notes research from the Parliamentary Budget Office which has found Commonwealth investment will fall from 0.4 to 0.2 per cent of GDP over the next decade;
(4) condemns the Government for its incompetence in underspending by $4.7 billion on its own infrastructure investment commitments in its first four budgets;
(5) notes that off budget financing of public transport projects is misleading; and
(6) condemns the Government for failing to deliver investment to construct the Melbourne airport rail line, Western Sydney rail or Brisbane cross-river rail project.
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices – continued
3 MR HILL: To move—That this House:
(1) notes Australia's proud legacy of working for peace and democracy in Cambodia, led by the work of the former Labor Foreign Minister the Hon. Gareth Evans QC in fostering the Paris Peace Accords in 1991;
(2) reiterates that as a longstanding friend of Cambodia and the Cambodian people, Australia must continue to urge the Cambodian Government to take steps to allow free and open political debate without violence and intimidation;
(3) condemns the sham election in Cambodia last month and expresses grave concern that:
(a) the illegitimate election may sound the death knell of democracy, reversing more than 25 years of work to establish and strengthen democracy in Cambodia; and
(b) Prime Minister Hun Sen's 'victory' is a sham and cannot truly be said to represent the will of the Cambodian people because freedom of expression and association underpin democratic societies, yet in Cambodia the:
(i) main opposition party, the Cambodian National Rescue Party, has been banned;
(ii) opposition leader Kem Sokha remains in jail on politically motivated charges;
(iii) media and civil society have been silenced and harassed, with Hun Sen publicly threatening a civil war if he lost the election;
(iv) National Election Committee is not credible nor independent; and
(v) official 82 per cent turnout figures are not credible, noting the opposition boycotted the election and international media reported that election day was quiet in many places;
(4) calls on the Cambodian Government to immediately release Kem Sokha from jail and guarantee his safety;
(5) considers that Australia must now consider stronger measures and calls on the Australian Government to:
(a) review Australia's international development assistance to Cambodia to ensure the program is focused on humanitarian and civil society support rather than broader cooperation with Hun Sen's regime;
(b) examine the introduction of targeted sanctions such as visa restrictions and asset freezes for members of Hun Sen's regime and their families, given the reported strong links between the regime's key officials and Australia;
(c) lead and support multilateral efforts with other nations, starting with signatories of the 1991 Paris Peace Accords, to develop coordinated measures to increase pressure on Hun Sen's regime to allow free and open political debate without violence and intimidation;
(d) fully investigate allegations of illicit activities, including money laundering, by members of the Cambodian People's Party in Australia; and
(e) guarantee the rights of Australians of Cambodian heritage to live safely and free from intimidation, and determine whether the Foreign Influence Transparency Scheme may apply to expose community groups which may be operating covertly in Australia in support of Hun Sen's regime;
(6) calls on the Australian Government to:
(a) withdraw from the refugee resettlement deal; and
(b) promise not to enter into any further such deals with Cambodia; and
(7) acknowledge the tireless advocacy of the Australian Cambodian community in support of democracy and human rights in Cambodia.
( Notice given 13 August 2018. )
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hill — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day – continued
6 Energy: Resumption of debate ( from 18 June 2018 ) on the motion of Mr C. Kelly—That this House:
(1) recognises the need for households and small businesses to access affordable, reliable energy;
(2) notes that the Government's National Energy Guarantee is recommended by the independent Energy Security Board and that it:
(a) involves no taxes, subsidies or trading schemes;
(b) creates a level playing field that ensures all types of energy are part of Australia's mix;
(c) provides certainty for investors in new and existing power plants; and
(d) reduces price volatility; and
(3) condemns the Opposition's plan to replicate South Australia's 50 per cent renewable energy target, which will mean more subsidies and therefore higher prices.
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 Restoring Territory Rights Bill 2018 ( Dr Leigh ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 20 August 2018 ).
Time allotted — 10minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
8 Farm Household Allowance: Resumption of debate ( from 25 June 2018 ) on the motion of Mr Gee—That this House:
(1) notes that a significant part of rural Australia is currently drought declared;
(2) further notes that farming families and the agriculture sector more widely are a vital part of the Australian economy as well as the Australian psyche;
(3) recognises the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources for their efforts in touring drought declared areas in NSW and Queensland;
(4) congratulates the Government for deciding to extend the Farm Household Allowance from three years to four years; and
(5) acknowledges that this assistance will help the nation's farmers.
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 7.30 pm
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
3. The committee determined that the following referral of a bill to a committee be made—
Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport:
Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Foreign Media Ownership, Community Radio and Other Measures) Bill 2017
My Health Records Amendment (Strengthening Privacy) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Veterans' Entitlements Amendment Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a second time.
Free-trade agreements linking Australia to south-east Asia, Latin America and the European Union will help break our reliance on international students from China—
… greater access to overseas students and smoother facilitation of international research projects.
On their own, the agreements won't necessarily lead to a shift in the number of international students studying in Australia, but they could dramatically change where they come from – alleviating … over-representation of Chinese students in local classrooms.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Farm Household Support Amendment (Temporary Measures) Bill 2018
The House divided. [10:36]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
(1) Schedule 1, item 1, page 3 (line 13), omit "1 November 2018", substitute "the day prescribed by the Minister’s rules".
That this bill be now read a third time.
Family Law Amendment (Family Violence and Other Measures) Bill 2018
Many judicial officers in state and territory local courts do not have experience or knowledge of the family law jurisdiction, or have only limited knowledge and experience, and are reluctant to exercise their powers as a result.
For your information, state and territory police—this may not be something of which the committee is aware—do not routinely enforce the Commonwealth criminal law.
… the practical implementation issues with the enforcement of criminalisation of personal protection injunctions need to be worked through.
State and territory courts are not intended to become the primary fora for resolving family law disputes …
… intended to provide state and territory judicial officers with additional tools to resolve matters involving family violence holistically, and prevent further violence by reducing the sometimes complicated legal processes.
Officers receiving complaints of breaches of injunctions made under the Family Law Act (Cwlth), should take appropriate action under any relevant Queensland law, e.g. prosecution for assault, wilful damage or stalking (s. 112AM of the Family Law Act (Cwlth) refers).
If the application of Queensland law is not appropriate or the complainant seeks the enforcement of rights conferred by an injunction, officers should advise the complainant to seek legal advice with a view to enforcing the injunction through the Family Law Court.
… responding to incidents of family violence or complaints that people's safety might be in jeopardy is done by general duties police. In this state at least, they would be the police members with the least understanding of the Commonwealth criminal procedure …
… that the practical implementation issues with the enforcement of criminalisation of personal protection injunctions need to be worked through.
It is well recognised that direct cross-examination of victims of family violence not only perpetuates the abuse but can result in the court receiving incomplete or poor quality evidence. Victims of family violence are likely to find court processes stressful and traumatic, which will impede their capacity to properly present their case and effectively cross-examine the other party.
It is foreseeable that the Bill will have the consequence of trials being adjourned or trial listings being vacated so that legal representation can be obtained. The new provisions may also give parties the opportunity to delay for strategic reasons.
…if there is an increase in the Local Court's case load … it is essential that enough resources be made available to the Court to respond to the increase in matters before its magistrates. This would include an increase in the number of magistrates appointed to the Court.
… we are supportive of the principles proposed by the bill, we do see some practical issues with the proposal ... For your information, state and territory police … do not routinely enforce the Commonwealth criminal law. In fact, ensuring that the Commonwealth criminal law is routinely enforced is a primary reason for the existence of the Australian Federal Police.
The experience of WLSA member lawyers in state and territory courts is that there is already a pressing demand for court services and a lack of resources for these courts to hear matters in a timely and effective manner.
Our further experience is that as state and territory courts exercise their limited family law jurisdiction infrequently, few have the requisite expertise to properly hear and determine family law property and parenting matters.
State and territory courts also lack access to the services and systems currently available to assist decision-makers in family courts.
It is for all of the above reasons that we posit, alongside the Family Law Council, that state and territory courts will require a significant injection of resources.
It is clear that there will be financial implications for state and territory courts arising from any increase in the family law work consequent upon these amendments.
Many judicial officers in state and territory local courts do not have experience or knowledge of the family law jurisdiction, or have only limited knowledge and experience, and are reluctant to exercise their powers as a result.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Customs Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018
Customs Tariff Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018
… that the Government commission independent economic analysis of all trade agreements to improve the transparency and quality of their assessment.
It’s also important that the Government does something that the Parliament has recommended and that is subject the deal to a full and proper independent economic analysis so we can be absolutely sure about where the benefits lie.
Trade negotiations should be informed by an independent and transparent analysis of the costs and benefits to Australia of any proposed IP provisions.
We can't in good conscience fail to refer anyone—whether on our side or on Labor's side or on the cross bench—to the High Court if it is clear there are substantial grounds for believing that they are ineligible to sit in the parliament.
I say this without any partisanship at all. I would say the same thing about one of our members.
Any student of Australian business and economic history since the mid-80s knows that part of Australia's success was derived through the reduction in the company tax rate.
The government's five-year record on cutting health.
… given the current fiscal environment, the listing of some medicines would be deferred until fiscal circumstances permit.
… represents unacceptable cost-shifting to patients who can least afford to bear an increased financial burden.
This profound and ill-considered change in policy puts at risk affordable access to medicines for Australians, and will have significant consequences for the pharmaceutical sector, including research and development.
The decision to defer the recommendation of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Council (PBAC) to list medications jeopardises the integrity of the PBS process.
… we see the decision to delay listing of drugs which have been through the PBAC process as poor policy …
Consumer concerns about the changes to the PBS listing process can be broadly summarised as follows:
1. Delays in access to essential medicines
2. Lack of transparency in the new process
3. Politicisation of PBS listing process
4. Lack of consideration of other healthcare costs likely to arise as a result of consumers not having access to essential medicines.
Denying access to medicines that are proven to be both clinically useful and cost-effective is a crude and blunt instrument to attempt to control PBS outlays.
Customs Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018
Customs Tariff Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018
There is a substantial body of evidence indicating that reduction of tariffs and other 'barriers to trade' in food products can lead to increased availability and lower prices of unhealthy foods, and can affect household food security … The PACER Plus tariff schedules indicate that some Pacific island countries have made commitments to reduce or eliminate tariffs on tobacco products, alcoholic beverages and a variety of processed foods.
ActionAid is concerned that in its current form, the PACER plus agreement poses a significant risk to women's rights and economic empowerment in the Pacific, and as such is inconsistent with the Australian Government's commitment to gender equality. In particular, PACER plus is anticipated to lead to an erosion of public services, loss of sustainable livelihoods, and adverse health impacts in Pacific Island countries, all of which will disproportionately affect women, and their social and economic empowerment.
The Committee recommends that the Australian Government consider implementing a process through which independent modelling and analysis of a proposed trade agreement is undertaken by the Productivity Commission, or equivalent organisation, and provided to the Committee alongside the National Interest Assessment (NIA) to improve assessment of the agreement.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Pacific Agreement on Closer Economic Relations Plus Implementation) Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education and Other Legislation Amendment (VET Student Loan Debt Separation) Bill 2018
Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Amendment Bill 2018
… many complainants first discover they have a student loan or discover that the loan amount is larger than they expected, when they submit their tax return.
Retaining all forms of such lending under the HESA but focusing on improved data management within and between the systems to deliver disaggregation capabilities would achieve the objective without need for legislative change.
… the government continues to fail to address the inequities that have grown as student loans have expanded, rent seeking—
has increased and educational costs have been shifted onto young people, including to apprentices and trainees.
That government amendments (1) to (16), as circulated, be agreed to.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Amendment Bill 2018
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Student Reform) Bill 2018
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House:
(1) condemns the Turnbull Government's cuts to Centrelink which have caused delays in Youth Allowance processing times for students from regional, rural and remote Australia; and
(2) calls on the Turnbull Government to end these delays, which are putting at risk students' ability to start and continue their studies".
I met my peers and we could just look at each other and understand.
They are shattered. Floods have played havoc with their lives and there is a sense of gloom among them.
They have waded in the floodwaters for more than 20-30 hours and several have fungal infections. Their houses are flooded and furniture can be seen submerged in water. It is a dismal sight.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hogan) took the chair at 09:59.
Their dreams will become our reality. Our kids are the ones who will be fixing all our problems.
… I watched a small part of video about how sheep are treated while aboard large transportation ships. I felt really really shocked and sad to see this. I also felt very angry. I actually ran around the kitchen table stomping my feet.
I wanted to yell at the people who ran the ship b ut my dad told me that all I'd get would be a red face.
Please can you stop this terrible treatment of sheep. It might mean changing some of the rules in Canberra and I don't know how to do that by myself.
… some things on this world are too evil to be true
The end of these things can be achieved by you
Please end these terrors before it's too late
It's up to you to decide their fate …
Such things are necessary in order that the weak shall not go to the wall, that the strong may be supported, that all may have justice.
We go along, thinking always that we progress, but sometimes we have to pause and take stock. I think that every Australian should pause now and again and say to himself, "Only 150 years ago this land was wilderness. Now we have great cities, wonderful feats of engineering and beautiful buildings everywhere. And this is still a land of promise".
His final months were miserable as his government became increasingly unstable. Apart from Menzies, there were other threats, particularly from Charles Hawker. According to Enid Lyons, Hawker was on his way to Canberra to challenge Lyons when he was killed in a plane crash in October 1938. … Although Menzies never issued a direct challenge, he made pointed public comments about lack of national leadership; through 1938-39 his claims were advanced in the newspapers of Sir Keith Murdoch, previously an enthusiastic supporter of Lyons. …
… was able to thwart the implicit Menzies challenge in the final months of 1938. On 14 March 1939 Menzies resigned from cabinet because of the deferment of the national insurance scheme.
When Joe Lyons died on 7 April 1939, Enid, exhausted and grief-stricken, plunged into a depression that only fully lifted when a daughter, noting that their Federal local member was retiring, persuaded her to stand for the House of Representatives.
It would be strange indeed were I not tonight deeply conscious of the fact, if not a little awed by the knowledge, that on my shoulders rests a great weight of responsibility; because this is the first occasion upon which a woman has addressed this house. For that reason it is an occasion which, for every woman in the Commonwealth, marks in some degree a turning point in history. I am well aware that, as I acquit myself in the work that I have undertaken for the next three years, so shall I either prejudice or enhance the prospects of those women who may wish to follow me in public service in the years to come.
Of course women are at least the equals of men. Of course there is no reason why a qualified woman should not sit in parliament or on the bench or in a professorial chair or preach from the pulpit or, if you like, command an army in the field. No educated man today denies a place or career to a woman just because she is a woman.
But there is a converse position which I state with all respect but with proper firmness. No woman can demand a place or a career just because she is a woman. It is outmoded and absurd to treat a woman's sex as a disqualification; it seems to me equally absurd to claim it as a qualification in itself.
I hope that I shall never forget that everything that takes place in this chamber goes out somewhere to strike a human heart, to influence the life of some fellow being …
… always longing for the time when, if God spares us, we can be together in our beautiful home, forgetting all the problems of politics.
I am well aware that, as I acquit myself in the work that I have undertaken for the next three years, so shall I either prejudice or enhance the prospects of those women who may wish to follow me in public service in the years to come.
She wasn't a stuffy person. She had strong ideas on social justice. And she wasn't your conservative at all. She was a reforming Liberal from good solid Labor stock.
It's fair to say they just don't make them like that any more. Dame Enid Lyons—despite poor health, the first Australian woman to burst through the political glass ceiling into the boys' club.
It would be strange indeed were I not to-night deeply conscious of the fact, if not a little awed by the knowledge, that on my shoulders rests a great weight of responsibility; because this is the first occasion upon which a woman has addressed this House. For that reason, it is an occasion which, for every woman in the Commonwealth, marks in some degree a turning point in history. I am well aware that, as I acquit myself in the work that I have undertaken for the next three years, so shall I either prejudice or enhance the prospects of those women who may wish to follow me in public service in the years to come.
… the problems of government were not problems of … statistics, but problems of human values and human hearts and human feelings …
I hope that I shall never forget that everything that takes place in this chamber goes out somewhere to strike a human heart, to influence the life of some fellow being.
… and I believe this, too, with all my heart: that the duty of every government, whether in this country or any other, is to see that no man—
because of the condition of his—
life, shall ever need lose his vision of the city of God.
I believe, very sincerely, that any woman entering the public arena must be prepared to work as men work; she must justify herself not as a woman, but as a citizen; she must attack the same problems, and be prepared to shoulder the same burdens. But because I am a woman, and cannot divest myself of those qualities that are inherent in my sex, and because every one of us speaks broadly in the terms of one's own experience, honorable members will have to become accustomed to the application of the homely metaphors of the kitchen rather than those of the operating theatre, the workshop, or the farm. They must also become accustomed to the application to all kinds of measures of the touchstone of their effect upon the home and the family life …
I am delighted that the honorable member for Denison Dr. Gaha should have secured the honour of having introduced to this chamber, in this debate, the subject of population … I, like him, have pondered on this subject—not with my feet upon the mantle-piece, but knee-deep in shawls and feeding bottles … I consider that something more than decentralization is necessary if the population of Australia is to be increased.
Tonight we celebrate Enid's achievements and forge our future. Like Enid, we have a duty to our country to carry the lamp that she lit on that spring evening in 1943 and to ensure that many more women will follow in our footsteps to serve and contribute to our nation. Although she was famously described as a 'bird of paradise among carrion crows', I prefer to think of Dame Enid in far more sturdy terms as someone who was smart, energetic and determined, as someone passionate about politics, her husband, about her 12 children, and about our nation. She was seen and heard and she was magnificent.
I know that many honourable members have viewed the advent of women to the legislative halls with something approaching alarm; they have feared, I have no doubt, the somewhat too vigorous use of a new broom.
I am well aware that, as I acquit myself in the work that I have undertaken for the next three years, so shall I either prejudice or enhance the prospects of those women who may wish to follow me in public service in the years to come.
(1) What educational qualification or prior service experience in working with people with disabilities is required of NDIS planners and approvers.(2) Who (a) provides governance, oversight and accountability of NDIS providers, (b) determines the effectiveness of NDIS providers in delivering what they have been contracted for, and (c) can NDIS clients and their families discuss any concerns with about their providers.
1) Position descriptions contain a generic skillset the NDIA seeks when recruiting, and it is expected that successful applicants meet the required skillset. Most of the planners have worked in the disability sector in jurisdictions.
2)
a) During the transition to full Scheme, providers are required to meet state and territory quality and safeguarding legislative requirements to become registered providers of NDIS supports. This includes meeting specific jurisdictional quality and safeguard, professional and expertise requirements.
From 1 July 2018, responsibility for registration of providers in New South Wales and South Australia will transition to the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission.
b) Service agreements between providers and participants outline the expected outcomes, and the nature, quality and price of supports to be provided. Participants, and their nominees and family, can provide feedback to providers, and exercise their choice and control where services do not meet their expectations.
NDIS-registered providers are required to act in the best interests of participants, abide by the NDIS Terms of Business and NDIS Price Guide and may have their payment requests tested as part of the NDIA's Provider Payment Assurance Program.
c) From 1 July 2018, the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission began operating in New South Wales and South Australia. NDIS participants and their families in New South Wales or South Australia, can discuss any concerns regarding NDIS services with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission by:
BULLET National Relay Service and ask for 1800 035 544.
For NDIS participants and their families not in New South Wales and South Australia, state or territory requirements for quality and safeguards continue to be in place. Concerns regarding providers can be raised with the relevant State or Territory body and may also be referred to the appropriate complaints body for investigation, including the relevant Ombudsman. The existing arrangements for making complaints remain in place, until the NDIS Commission begins operating from:
Registered providers must notify the NDIA if they are in breach of any Commonwealth, State or Territory law, including any Commonwealth, State or Territory disability service standards. Registered providers must also notify the NDIA if they become subject to any investigation for breach of a Commonwealth, State or Territory law and/or quality and safeguard arrangements.