The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 09:30, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
SELECTION COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 18
Committee and delegation business
and
private Members' business
26 August 2020
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair
Hon A. D. H. Smith MP, Speaker
Members
Mr B van Manen MP (Chief Government Whip)
Mr C Hayes MP (Chief Opposition Whip)
Hon D Drum MP (Chief Nationals Whip)
Mr R Broadbent MP
Ms N Flint MP
Ms P Murphy MP
Mr K O'Dowd
Mr R Ramsey MP
Ms J Ryan MP
Ms R Sharkie MP
Ms A Stanley MP
Mr L O'Brien MP, Deputy Speaker
Secretary
Mr G Worthington
Committee support
Ms F Hall
Mr D Pecar
Mr G Taylor
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 25 August 2020.
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, 25 August 2020, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 31 August 2020, 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 THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY
Advisory report on the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Amendment (Transparency in Carbon Emissions Accounting) Bill 2020.
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10.20 am
Speech time limits —
Mr Ted O'Brien — 5 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
2 AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION
Parliamentary delegation to India, 3 to 7 November 2019.
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10.30 am
Speech time limits —
Mr Ted O'Brien — 5 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5 minutes.
[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 amend the law in order to prevent non First Australians and foreigners from arrogating for their personal benefit First Australian culture, and to stop the sale of art, souvenir items and any other cultural affirmations that exploit and thereby deprive First Australians of the rightful benefits from their culture, and for related purposes. (Competition and Consumer Amendment (Exploitation of Indigenous Culture) Bill 2020)
(Notice given 25 August 2020.)
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 MR KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to establish the Commonwealth Development and Infrastructure Corporation, and for related purposes. (Commonwealth Development and Infrastructure Corporation Bill 2020)
(Notice given 25 August 2020.)
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 PEARCE: To move—That this House:
(1) notes the decision to award Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean our highest military honour, the Victoria Cross for Australia;
(2) recognises the heroic acts of Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean on 1 December 1942 will see him be the first Australian Navy sailor to receive the Victoria Cross; and
(3) acknowledges that an investiture ceremony that befits the magnitude of the award and its significance to Australia will be held at an appropriate time noting current COVID-19 restrictions.
(Notice given 25 August 2020.)
Time allotted — 35 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Pearce — 10 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 10 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 3 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MS T. M. BUTLER: To move—That this House:
(1) welcomes the release of the Auditor-General's report, Referrals, Assessments and Approvals of Controlled Actions under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act);
(2) notes that Australia is currently experiencing an environmental crisis and jobs crisis, and the Auditor-General's report confirms the Government has failed on both counts;
(3) further notes the damning findings from the Auditor-General including that:
(a) there has been a 510 per cent increase in the average delays for approval decisions since the Liberals and Nationals were elected (between 2014-15 and 2018-19);
(b) between 2014-15 and 2018-19, delays to environmental approvals for jobs and investment from major projects exploded from 19 days on average to 116 days;
(c) 79 per cent of approvals assessed were non-compliant or contained errors;
(d) in 2018-19, 95 per cent of key decisions (referral, assessment method, approval), were made outside the statutory time frames, with just 5 per cent of decisions being made on time;
(e) conflicts of interest are not managed;
(f) reporting arrangements are not consistent with the EPBC Act; and
(g) projects or environmental outcomes are not being monitored;
(4) acknowledges the extraordinary nature of these findings, which make up one of the most damning reports published by the Auditor-General to date;
(5) notes that:
(a) the report reveals the extent to which Government cuts to the environment department, which are estimated to be 40 per cent since 2013, has smashed the department's capacity to make good, timely decisions to create jobs and protect the environment; and
(b) Government cuts and mismanagement (Liberal party blue-tape) is at the heart of job and investment delays, poor quality decisions and legal challenges; and
(6) calls on the Government to:
(a) take responsibility for their abject failure on the environment and jobs; and
(b) stop tying up projects and strangling the environment with Liberal party blue tape which is delaying jobs and investment, putting a handbrake on our economy, failing to protect iconic Australian species like the koala and allowing the state of our natural environment to rapidly decline.
(Notice given 24 August 2020.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits —
Ms T. M. Butler — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 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
Notices
1 MR HILL: To move—That this House:
(1) reaffirms that:
(a) Australians love who they love, and the community must have confidence that the partner and spouse visa provisions in the Migration Act 1958 (the Act) are administered lawfully, fairly, impartially and with integrity;
(b) while the Minister generally has the power to limit the number of visas in particular classes and subclasses by using the program management provisions in s86 of the Act, s87 of the Act explicitly prevents the 'capping' of visas to people who apply for a visa on the grounds that they are the spouse or de facto partner of an Australian citizen or permanent resident;
(c) the Parliament has voted twice to reject legislative amendments to give the Minister a power to cap these visa classes, preferring the processing of spouse visa applications to occur on a demand-driven basis; and
(d) inexplicable and unconscionable delays by the Department of Home Affairs in processing thousands of partner visa applications continues to result in significant harm to, and consequences for, Australian citizens and permanent residents;
(2) condemns the Government for:
(a) using the administrative tool of migration program planning levels to unlawfully override the legislated program management tools in s86 and s87 thus effectively 'capping' partner visas against the intent of s87 of the Act;
(b) refusing to release advice on the legality of their actions to restrict partner visa grants;
(c) presiding over an extraordinary blow out to 91,717 as at 31 March 2020 in the number of partner visa applications on hand, an increase of almost 30 per cent in under three years;
(d) unacceptably high and deteriorating processing times for partner visa applications, with the Department's website indicating that:
(i) subclass 300—75 per cent of applications are processed within 16 months and 90 per cent of applications are processed within 29 months;
(ii) subclass 309—75 per cent of applications are processed within 15 months and 90 per cent of applications are processed within 20 months;
(iii) subclass 100—75 per cent of applications are processed within 20 months and 90 per cent of applications are processed within 24 months;
(iv) subclass 820—75 per cent of applications are processed within 20 months and 90 per cent of applications are processed within 25 months; and
(v) subclass 801—75 per cent of applications are processed within 13 months and 90 per cent of applications are processed within 25 months;
(e) cutting the number of partner visas granted by 8,000 per annum which will mean the backlog and processing times continue to grow;
(f) allowing a blowout in the backlog of cases to 5,556 cases at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) as at 31 July 2020 with:
(i) an average processing time for partner cases of 726 calendar days; and
(ii) a partner visa set aside rate at the AAT of around 60 per cent;
(g) failing to address the perverse consequences of COVID-19 related border restrictions for partner visa applicants including:
(i) refusing to let numerous partner and prospective marriage visa holders enter Australia before their visa expires, or at least to extend their visa expiry date or refund their money; and
(ii) refusing to let people who are currently in Australia on a temporary visa and who are granted an offshore partner visa to activate that visa without having to fly overseas; and
(h) attempting to silence Australians who speak up publicly about the delays in processing and growing problems in the partner visa program;
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) acknowledge the devastating human impact of delays and uncertainty on affected couples whose lives are in limbo, whose mental health is suffering, and whose relationships are being destroyed through separation from their partner for many years;
(b) apologise for the unacceptable delays in processing partner visa applications and take immediate action to process the backlog noting the Government has collected massive levels of visa application revenue that should be used to process applications in a timely way;
(c) urgently address the perverse consequences of COVID-19 related border restrictions on partner visas; and
(d) publicly commit to affected people and the wider community that partner visa processing will in future be administered lawfully, fairly, impartially and expeditiously.
(Notice given 24 August 2020.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hill — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes 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
1 RECYCLING: Resumption of debate ( from 24 February 2020 ) on the motion of Dr Allen—That this House:
(1) recognises the imperative of improving waste management, reducing unnecessary packaging and boosting recycling in Australia;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) Australians generate about 67 million tonnes of waste each year, of which 37 million tonnes is recycled;
(b) only 12 per cent of the 103 kilograms of plastic waste generated per person in Australia each year is recycled, mostly overseas;
(c) for every 10,000 tonnes of waste recycled, more than 9 jobs are created; and
(d) waste related activities add $6.9 billion to the economy annually;
(3) welcomes the Government's recent $20 million commitment for innovative projects under round 8 of the Cooperative Research Centres Projects grants to grow our domestic plastics recycling industry; and
(4) notes that this is part of the Government's Australian Recycling Investment Plan, a package of initiatives totalling $167 million designed to grow and strengthen Australia's domestic recycling industry, and to support industry and community initiatives to lift recycling rates in Australia.
Time allotted — 35 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices – continued
2 MR KATTER: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Amy Searight from the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington DC said:
(i) 'Australia (is) an attractive target for Chinese Communist Party (CCP) operations because of its strategic value as a U.S. ally in an increasingly contested Asia-Pacific region'; and
(ii) 'That the growing financial dependence of Australian universities on tuition revenue from Chinese students and research funding from generous CCP-linked patrons created a base of support within the upper echelons of academia';
(b) the US Department of State on 13 August 2020 designated the Confucius Institute US Centre a foreign mission; and
(c) 13 of Australia's universities, including the University of Queensland (UQ) have Confucius Institutes;
(2) acknowledges the discernible influence foreign powers hold over Australian universities, as evidenced by:
(a) the physical attack on UQ student Drew Pavlou during a Chinese student protest opposed to the CCP's brutal takeover of Hong Kong and his subsequent suspension;
(b) UQ's appointment of Chinese professor Xu Jie to Consul General, who described Mr Pavlou as an 'anti-China separatist';
(c) the partnership between James Cook University and Xi'an University for collaboration between engineering and data science research students and staff, which was approved by the Chinese Ministry of Education; and
(d) The Australian newspaper on 24 August 2020 exposing the CCP and their infiltration of our universities with the 'Thousand Talents Plan', which FBI director Christopher Wray described as 'economic espionage and a national security threat'; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) undertake a comprehensive study of the efforts by the CCP to exert influence over Australia's universities and means by which it seeks to do so;
(b) analyse the extent to which China's People's Liberation Army seeks to exploit Australia's universities to further its strategic interests;
(c) assess the degree of financial dependence of Australia's universities on revenue from overseas students;
(d) assess the strategic implications of this level of dependence; and
(e) make recommendations to eliminate any strategic dangers to Australia presented.
(Notice given 25 August 2020.)
Time allotted — 10 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Katter — 5 minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day – continued
2 SMALL BUSINESS AND THE DEFENCE INDUSTRY: Resumption of debate ( from 24 February 2020 ) on the motion of Mr Thompson—That this House:
(1) notes the important role Australian small business has in the future of our national and economic security through its integral role in our defence industry;
(2) recognises the defence industry's potential for growth in electoral divisions like Herbert and other regional electoral divisions across Australia;
(3) supports opportunities to maximise the participation of Australian companies in all facets of defence procurement; and
(4) acknowledges the Government's commitment to deliver a robust, resilient and internationally competitive Australian defence industry.
Time allotted — 45 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices – continued
3 MR D. P. B. SMITH: To move—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) in April 2019 the Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories tabled a report on its inquiry into Canberra's national institutions, titled Telling Australia's Story—and why it is important ;
(b) the report made 20 recommendations and was informed by some 83 submissions and several public hearings with witnesses from every major cultural institution;
(c) the report's conclusions and recommendations were supported across the political spectrum;
(d) unfortunately, 16 months on from the tabling of the report the Government is yet to respond to its recommendations;
(e) Government inaction on these recommendations is having a detrimental effect on the operation of these national treasures, including but not limited to the:
(i) National Gallery, which is expected to lose about 10 per cent of their workforce;
(ii) National Library, which has modified its collecting strategy to remove Japan, Korea, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar from its list of priority countries from its Asia Collection; and
(iii) National Australian Archives, which is preparing to lose large sections of its 117,000 hours of magnetic tape archives unless additional resources for digitisation are provided; and
(f) these challenges outlined in the report are being further amplified by current COVID-19 restrictions; and
(2) recognises that Canberra's cultural institutions play a critical role in telling our collective national story; and
(3) calls on the Government to immediately table a substantive and detailed response to the report's recommendations.
(Notice given 24 August 2020.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members'
business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits —
Mr D. P. B. Smith — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes 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.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices – continued
4 MR HAYES: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that National Police Remembrance Day will be observed on 27 September 2020;
(2) acknowledges the crucial role police officers across Australia play in our local communities and the tremendous 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 specifically honours the tragic loss of four members of the Victorian Police Force, namely, Leading Senior Constable Lynette Rosemary Taylor, Senior Constable Kevin Neil King, Constable Glen Andrew Humphris and Constable Joshua Andrew Prestney, who tragically lost their lives in a multi-vehicle collision on Melbourne's Eastern Freeway;
(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 valuable work of Police Legacy, who look after the loved ones of police officers who have fallen; and
(6) reaffirms its support for the nation's police officers and honours their courage, commitment and dedication in ensuring the peace and safety of our communities.
(Notice given 24 August 2020.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hayes — 5 minutes.
Other Members — 5 minutes 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
3 HYDROGEN INDUSTRY: Resumption of debate ( from 2 December 2019 ) on the motion of Mr Simmonds—That this House:
(1) recognises that with research like that occurring at the CSIRO Advanced Research Facility in the electoral division of Ryan, Australia has the potential to be a world leader in hydrogen development, production and export which will create highly paid jobs and an industry potentially worth billions to the Australian economy;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) Australia's availability of land, high quality renewable energy resources and fossil energy resources, as well as our well-established reputation for undertaking large-scale resource projects, position Australia well for becoming a key exporter in a future global hydrogen market;
(b) the combined direct and indirect benefits of establishing a hydrogen production and export industry in Australia under a medium demand scenario will deliver to the Australian economy $4.2 billion and over 7,100 jobs by 2040;
(c) greater use of hydrogen is one way that Australia can contribute to global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, if Australian produced hydrogen replaces traditional fossil fuel sources in end user nations; and
(d) the National Hydrogen Strategy is to be released by the end of 2019, providing the Government with an opportunity to signal its long term policy and commitment to this industry;
(3) welcomes the Government's significant investment of more than $140 million into hydrogen projects, partnering with industry to develop tangible solutions that are important for bringing down energy prices for Australian households and small
businesses; and
(4) encourages the Government to utilise the opportunity of the release of the National Hydrogen Strategy to confirm its long term commitment to the development of our hydrogen capability in order to encourage private investment in the sector, create jobs, create export capability and reduce global carbon emissions.
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes 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.
4 WOMEN'S ECONOMIC SECURITY: Resumption of debate ( from 24 August 2020 ) on the motion of Ms Collins—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women's economic security, and that:
(i) in April over half a million Australians lost their jobs, of which 55 per cent were women;
(ii) women's underemployment ratio now sits at an unprecedented 16 per cent, compared to 14 per cent for men; and
(iii) modelling has estimated that more than 200,000 women casual workers in the accommodation, food services, and retail trade sectors alone will miss out on the JobKeeper wage subsidy;
(b) women typically retire with half the superannuation balance as men and if they choose to withdraw funds, women will suffer a significantly greater impact on their retirement income than men;
(c) Australian women have been on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis in Australia in underpaid and undervalued roles—women account for:
(i) 87 per cent of registered nurses and midwives;
(ii) 87 per cent of aged care workers; and
(iii) 96 per cent of early childhood educators; and
(d) as a result of COVID-19, mothers are spending an extra hour each day on unpaid housework and four extra hours on childcare; and
(2) calls on the Government to recognise that women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and deliver a plan to reduce gender inequality.
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes 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.
5 HEADSPACE: Resumption of debate ( from 10 June 2020 ) on the motion of Mrs Archer—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Headspace was established by the Howard Government in 2006;
(2) notes that:
(a) there are currently 113 Headspace services operating nationally, including 54 services located in rural and regional Australia; and
(b) in 2018-19, the Government provided $95.7 million to commission Headspace services in rural areas;
(3) further acknowledges that in the 2019-20 Budget, the Youth Mental Health and Suicide Prevention Plan was outlined with funding of $509 million; and
(4) congratulates the Government for announcing a further $64 million to provide suicide prevention and mental health initiatives.
Time allotted — 45 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
6 SUPERANNUATION: Resumption of debate ( from 24 August 2020 ) on the motion of Mr Jones—That this House notes:
(1) the purpose of superannuation is to enable Australians to save for a dignified retirement;
(2) superannuation has made an enormous contribution to converting Australia from a nation that borrows to a nation that lends, creating a pool of funds to invest locally and abroad;
(3) Australia is the 16th largest economy in the world, but because of universal superannuation has a pool of savings owned by Australian workers worth $2.8 trillion, which is the fourth largest pool of retirement savings in the world;
(4) before universal superannuation, 68 per cent of Australians and 85 per cent of all women had no retirement savings;
(5) the average superannuation balance at retirement is now approximately $160,000 for women and $280,000 for men;
(6) under current policy settings, the median balance on retirement for full-time workers will be $310,819 for women and $628,634 for men;
(7) over the past decade the average rate of return has been between 6 and 8 per cent—last year it grew by 9.2 per cent and Australia was among only a handful of countries that saw pension fund growth; and
(8) superannuation is critical to Australia's economic growth and resilience and must be strengthened so it can play a pivotal role in Australia's economic recovery from COVID-19.
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes 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.
7 FAMILY LAW AMENDMENT (A STEP TOWARDS A SAFER FAMILY LAW SYSTEM) BILL 2020 ( Mr Perrett ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 15 June 2020 ).
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5 minutes 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.
THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
26 August 2020
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a second time.
… the JobKeeper program is really about keeping people in jobs, isn't it? It's done a remarkably good job at that.
That notices nos 2 and 3, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
Education Legislation Amendment (Up-front Payments Tuition Protection) Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a second time.
Higher Education (Up-front Payments Tuition Protection Levy) Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a second time.
Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020
That this bill be now read a second time.
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020
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)notes that this legislation gives the Treasurer extraordinary powers to set the rates and eligibility arrangements for the Jobkeeper Payment;
(2)notes that millions of workers and struggling businesses continue to be excluded from the Jobkeeper Payment; and
(3)calls on the Treasurer to use his power under this legislation to ensure the Jobkeeper rate is tailored to conditions in the economy, including rising unemployment".
… the Government simply doesn't have a plan for aviation. It is willing to risk thousands of jobs and force families into poverty. It is standing by while Qantas and Virgin limp along, their futures entirely uncertain.
We were really struggling there for a while and the Federal Government support honestly kept us alive.
A lot of our clientele are elderly people and while we still aren't back to 100%, the work that the Prime Minister and Premier have done has been brilliant.
JobKeeper was instrumental in keeping our business afloat. When the decision was made to shut down all nonessential businesses on the north-west coast when we had the outbreak of coronavirus in April, had it not been for Federal Government assistance we would have closed our doors permanently. Now that we are able to resume trading again, the Federal Government support is still doing its job, helping our business as we get back on our feet.
In late February we began experiencing the effect of the virus on our business; fears of its transmission and the introduction of stay at home campaigns meant that people weren't coming out. For the last 5½ years my husband and I have operated a pub in the small Municipality of George Town, Tasmania. Gray's Hotel is well supported by locals and we operate a gaming and sports bar and the towns busiest Bistro seven days a week. We employ our 2 teenage children in our family operated business as well as 19 other members of our community.
When the announcement was made on Sunday, 22 March that we would be closing as at 12pm the following day and restricted to takeaway meals (which has not previously been of our business plan) the world as we knew it collapsed before us. The weight of having to stand down our staff members was a difficult and emotional time for us as we understood that they were financially dependent on the income they were receiving from us and that they enjoyed being part of our team and that relationship was now on hold, as was their lives…
Quickly we developed a short term business plan which would see the delivery of close to 500 takeaway meals delivered over three evenings per week—this business plan would not have been sustainable long term as it involved myself completing close to 50 hours per week on top of my full time employment at a local manganese smelter, simply to ensure that we were running as lean an operation as possible. The introduction of the job keeper program has had a positive effect on our business for many reasons. We were able to re-engage with our workforce and instead of a team of 3 we now had a team of 15 ready and able to assist with prep work, during service, cleaning etc.
We have someone dedicated to our phones each day which has eased the problem of people not being able to get through and we have turned all of our bistro staff into delivery drivers. Job Keeper has provided some financial relief to enable us to operate additional hours. The comraderies is exceptional and morale is at an all-time high—our staff stand beside us as we navigate the uncertainty as to what each night will bring us and respect us exponentially for the lengths we have gone through financially to be able to participate in the job keeper scheme. We have proudly taken all eligible employees onto the job keeper system and have not made any terminations.
The stimulus package released by the federal government has delivered us some timely relief with credits on our BAS statement reducing the amount we will be liable for in the coming weeks; this is a huge benefit to our business as we continue to navigate our way through the commitments of paying for stock on hand that is not deemed returnable but currently not useable, a rent reduction that is still very high for the single supply of takeaway meals, while still having to pay full tariffs on electricity and gas costs as we are deemed to be a higher user and not eligible for any discounts or rebates and the costs involved in regular financial advice.
Our aim during this period is to remain viable and limit the loss so that we are in a strong position to re-open when restrictions are fully lifted and programs such as Job Keeper and the stimulus packages and initiatives at a State and Federal level will put us in a good position to maximise our staff retention and to minimise our exposure during this time.
We will give millions of eligible businesses and their workers a lifeline to not only get through this crisis, but bounce back together on the other side …
There is no logical reason as to why an Australian company is any less efficient or productive or poses more risk if they are given the same specifications and access to technology transfer as the foreign companies.
To ensure the earliest possible identification of all COVID-19 cases, the immediate and repeated testing of all residents and staff should be implemented as soon as a single case is identified …
This agreement will pave the way for important job-creating projects, while maintaining the highest environmental standards.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a more important time to facilitate economic activity, while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
While recognising that the wearing of masks is not mandatory in the ACT, at the specific request of the Acting Chief Medical Officer and out of an abundance of caution, in the public common areas of Australian Parliament House everyone is recommended to wear a mask at all times.
As an additional precaution the wearing of masks is encouraged in the presence of others, especially where physical distancing is not possible, and by those at increased risk of COVID-19.
… the CMO wanted a mandatory memorandum for the sitting fortnight, but was overruled by the presiding officers.
The shortcomings of the Government's ongoing COVID-19 response.
… there is reason to think that in the crucial months between the Newmarch House outbreak in April and mid-June a degree of self-congratulation and even hubris was displayed by the Commonwealth Government. Perhaps they were reflecting the general mood in the country that we were through it.
… … …
The time between the two Sydney outbreaks and the increase in community transmission in Melbourne in June was an important period … What did the Commonwealth do to ensure that the lessons of the first two … outbreaks … were conveyed to the aged care sector. We say it's not enough.
If this vaccine proves successful we will manufacture and supply vaccines straight away under our own steam and make it free for 25 million Australians.
For one of the cases where NSW Health accessed the COVIDSafe App data, a previously unrecognised exposure date from a known venue, Mounties, was identified. This resulted in the identification of an additional 544 contacts. Two people in this group presented for testing and were subsequently confirmed to have COVID-19.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Amendment (Prohibiting Academic Cheating Services) Bill 2019
It never troubles me that our laws are being upheld.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Electoral Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2020
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Jobkeeper Payments) Amendment Bill 2020
For remote working to succeed, it is essential to have an effective performance review system … In firms which do not have effective employee appraisal systems management, I would caution against WFH—
… one of the weaknesses of the system that you're advocating for is that it has to build an entirely new payment system for that to be achieved, which is never done quickly and is never done well. … To dream up other schemes can be very dangerous.
The House divided. [18:56]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
(1) Schedule 2, items 2 to 8, page 7 (line 3) to page 8 (line 14), omit the items.
(2) Schedule 2, item 9, page 8 (line 20), omit "5A".
(3) Schedule 2, items 10 to 22, page 8 (line 21) to page 21 (line 5), omit the items.
(4) Schedule 2, items 25 to 27, page 21 (lines 15 to 24), omit the items.
(5) Schedule 2, item 29, page 21 (line 28) to page 24 (line 16), omit the item.
(6) Schedule 2, items 30 and 30A, page 24 (line 24 to 29), omit the items.
(7) Schedule 2, items 33 and 34, page 25 (lines 4 to 7), omit the items.
(8) Schedule 2, items 36 to 38, page 25 (line 10) to page 28 (line 2), omit the items.
(9) Schedule 2, item 47, page 31 (lines 4 and 5), omit the item, substitute:
47 Item 9 of Schedule 1
Omit "5,".
(10) Schedule 2, items 49 and 50, page 31 (lines 8 to 11), omit the items, substitute:
49 Item 10 of Schedule 1
Omit "5".
50 Item 10 of Schedule 1
Omit "789GJ(2)".
(11) Schedule 2, item 51, page 31 (line 18), omit "or 789GJD(2)".
The House divided. [19:12]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
(12) Schedule 2, item 22, page 13 (after line 30), after paragraph 789GJA(1)(c), insert:
(ca) the jobkeeper enabling stand down direction will not result in the amount payable to the employee in relation to the performance of work for the employer for a jobkeeper fortnight that is within the jobkeeper enabling stand down period that is less than the amount that would be payable to the employee if the employer were entitled to a jobkeeper payment for the employee for the fortnight; and
The House divided. [19:25]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Support for Australian Arts and Entertainment Workers now
The arts and entertainment industry has been devastated by shutdowns caused by the coronavirus crisis. It was the first sector to be hit, when gatherings of 500 people or more were banned, and is likely to be one of the last sectors to be released from restrictions. Data recently released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics shows fewer than half of businesses in the sector were operating by the end of March.
After years of cuts and neglect, the government has failed to act to save the arts and entertainment sector. Although JobKeeper will help some, there are major gaps in coverage for freelancers and contractors which the government has failed to address. These gaps affect the vast majority of artists and a very significant number of technical workers. The Treasurer has the ability to fix this without legislation, and he must do so immediately.
The government must also deliver the sector a tailored fiscal relief package to ensure its ongoing viability. We need large and small companies and venues to still exist following the crisis so they can continue to employ Australian artists.
Australian artists are the keepers of Australian stories. They give so much to our country and to the Australian identity – we cannot do without them.
We therefore ask the House to extend the JobKeeper payment to arts and entertainment sector workers who are currently ineligible; and
Deliver the arts and entertainment sector a tailored and properly targeted relief package to ensure its ongoing viability.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Llew O'Brien ) took the chair at 10:00.