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 and of private Members' business
1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 16 March 2021.
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, 16 March 2021, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 22 March 2021, 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 Procedure
A window on the House: practices and procedures relating to Question Time
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10.20 am.
Speech time limits —
Mr Vasta — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 Dr Haines: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 , and for related purposes. (Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment (Rural and Regional Australia Statements) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 15 March 2021. )
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 Wilkie: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to the environment, and for related purposes. ( Commonwealth Environment Protection Authority Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 16 March 2021. )
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 Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Act 1997 , and for related purposes. (Snowy Hydro Corporatisation Amendment (No New Fossil Fuels) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 16 March 2021. )
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 K. J. Andrews: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Canadian House of Commons unanimously passed a resolution that, 'in the opinion of the House, the People's Republic of China has engaged in actions consistent with the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 260, commonly known as the “Genocide Convention”, including detention camps and measures intended to prevent births as it pertains to Uyghurs and other Turkic Muslims';
(b) the Parliament of the Kingdom of the Netherlands has passed a resolution stating that 'measures intended to prevent births' and 'having punishment camps' in China fell under United Nations Resolution 260;
(c) the UK House of Lords has passed a resolution urging the government to uphold all undertakings in and international obligations arising from the United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide;
(d) the then US Secretary of State, Mr Mike Pompeo, issued a determination that Uyghur and other Turkic Muslims are being subjected to a genocide by the Government of the People's Republic of China, a position reinforced by his successor, Mr Antony Blinken;
(e) a series of international reports, including by the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, the Raoul Wallenberg Centre for Human Rights and the Newlines Institute for Strategy and Policy, have concluded that Uyghurs in Xinjiang have and are being forcibly held in 're-education' camps, subjected to torture, forced labour and coercive transfer to other regions; and
(f) other ethnic and religious minorities are being persecuted by the Chinese Communist Party;
(2) records its abhorrence that the Chinese Government continues to engage in serious and systematic breaches of the human rights of its peoples;
(3) calls on the Government of China to respect and abide by universally acknowledged human rights for all its peoples;
(4) urges the United Nations to investigate the breaches of human rights in China; and
(5) encourages the Australian Government to continue to protest the ongoing abuse of human rights by the Chinese Government and to take appropriate measures to enforce laws against modern slavery and identify supply chains that use forced labour.
( Notice given 15 March 2021. )
Time allotted — 60minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr K. J. Andrews — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day
1 Family Law Amendment (A Step Towards a Safer Family Law System) Bill 2020 ( Mr Perrett ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 22 February 2021 ).
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 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 Giles: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 15 to 21 March 2021 marks Harmony Week, a time to recognise and celebrate diversity and inclusion in Australia; and
(b) 21 March 2021 is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, a call for the international community to increase its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination; and
(2) recognises that:
(a) Australia's diversity is our greatest strength, we should celebrate this, defend this, and strive to strengthen it; and
(b) at a time of rising racism around the globe and in Australia, we must commit to a zero-tolerance approach to racism, and to working to end all forms of racial discrimination.
( Notice given 16 March 2021. )
Time allotted — 35minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Giles — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
2 Mr Thompson: To move:
That this House notes:
(1) the construction industry:
(a) employs over 1 million Australians;
(b) consists of 390,000 small and family businesses; and
(c) generates more than $100 billion, or around five per cent of our annual economic output; and
(2) the Government's HomeBuilder grant has provided critical support to the residential construction sector during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
(3) that Treasury estimates that HomeBuilder is underpinning $18 billion worth of construction projects.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Thompson — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes 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 Hill: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes with approval the resolution of the European Parliament in March 2021 regarding the mass trials of members of the opposition and other civil society activists in Cambodia;
(2) condemns the Cambodian Government for the politically motivated mass trials of members of the Cambodian diaspora based on fake and spurious criminal charges, including Australian citizens, as an authoritarian tactic to silence dissent and global criticism of the Hun Sen regime;
(3) calls on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to:
(a) break her silence and speak out publicly against the Cambodian Government for their flagrant disregard for human rights, democracy and the rule of law; and
(b) work with like-minded countries to protect the Cambodian diaspora and support human rights and democracy in Cambodia;
(4) calls on the Government of Cambodia to:
(a) put an end to all forms of harassment, intimidation and politically motivated criminal charges against members of the opposition, trade unionists, human rights defenders, the media and civil society actors in and outside Cambodia;
(b) ensure Cambodian security forces refrain from unnecessary and excessive force against those engaged in peaceful protests;
(c) proceed with the immediate and unconditional annulment of the sentences against Sam Rainsy, Mu Sochua, Eng Chhay Eang, Ou Chanrith, Ho Vann, Long Ry, Men Sothavrin, Tiolung Saumura and Nuth Romduol;
(d) initiate a process of national reconciliation through genuine and inclusive dialogue with the political opposition parties and civil society;
(e) release, without delay, all persons who have been detained for exercising their human rights, and to drop all charges against them that are politically motivated and aimed at eradicating any dissent;
(f) drop all charges against members of diaspora communities, including Australian citizens Hong Lim, Hemara In and others being charged and tried in absentia;
(g) respect the rights of all citizens to a fair trial, freedom of expression and freedom of association and peaceful assembly;
(h) immediately cease all forms of harassment, including judicial harassment and intimidation of opposition members in the country; and
(i) restore democracy and the right of opposition political parties to organise and express the views of citizens and ensure that the application of the law respects human rights and fundamental freedoms;
(5) notes that the European Commission:
(a) recently withdrew tariff preferences for Cambodia in response to the Cambodian Government's failure to meet their obligations to overcome serious and systematic violations of political participation, freedom of expression and freedom of association;
(b) is of the view that the Asia-Europe Meeting Summit should not be held in Phnom Penh this year unless democracy is restored to Cambodia; and
(c) recently called on European Union member states to suspend all bilateral financial support to the Cambodian Government and instead focus on civil society organisations and opposition parties;
(6) insists that the Cambodian Government cooperate with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and United Nations Special Procedures in order to allow them to fulfil their mandates without interference;
(7) reiterates the call on the Cambodian authorities by Rhona Smith, the UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, to open up civic space, protect and promote fundamental freedoms, including the rights to assembly and of expression, and to ensure the right to a fair trial for all, as guaranteed by international human rights norms and standards and Cambodian laws; and
(8) calls on the Australian Government to examine the imposition of targeted sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes, against Cambodian political and military leaders who are responsible for serious human rights violations.
( Notice given 16 March 2021. )
Time allotted — 35minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hill — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 Mr Young: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that Government is committed to ensuring that all Australians, including young Australians, have every opportunity to succeed in post-pandemic Australia;
(2) acknowledges that the Government has over 200 initiatives that directly and indirectly benefit young Australians;
(3) recognises that:
(a) the Government's $1 billion JobTrainer Fund will provide over 300,000 vocational education and training places for school leavers and job seekers; and
(b) the JobMaker Hiring Credit is encouraging businesses to hire young Australians; and
(4) notes that the Government is investing an additional $1.2 billion to support businesses to employ 100,000 new apprentices.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Mr Young — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 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 Ms Swanson: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the extraordinary value of the resources industry to the Australian economy and Australians' livelihoods;
(b) Australia's mining and energy sectors such as iron ore, coal, gas, gold, uranium, bauxite and alumina, copper, nickel, zinc and lithium are world class;
(c) these sectors continue to provide quality jobs for Indigenous Australians and opportunities for training and apprenticeships for all;
(d) the resources industry provided half of Australia's total export share in 2019-20, worth $238 billion to our economy; and
(e) around the nation, the resources industry provides 238,000 direct jobs for Australians;
(2) congratulates the resources industry for its ongoing support of communities, regional towns and essential fly-in fly-out workers living in metropolitan areas; and
(3) recognises the tireless efforts and sacrifices of workers and industry that has allowed the resources industry to thrive despite the immense challenges presented by COVID-19.
( Notice given 2 February 2021. )
Time allotted — 40minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Swanson — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 Mrs McIntosh: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the Government is committed to safeguarding Australians from foreign interference in our universities and protecting government funded research from being compromised;
(2) acknowledges that the Government convened the world's first Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce in 2019;
(3) recognises:
(a) the Universities Foreign Interference Taskforce produced the Guidelines to Counter Foreign Interference in the Australian University Sector to ensure due diligence and to have conflict of interest polices in place to identify and mitigate risks of any foreign affiliations; and
(b) there are examples of intimidation, threats and coercion towards researchers and their families; and
(4) further notes that the Government has invested $145 million to combat foreign interference, including $1.6 million to strengthen cybersecurity in universities.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted — 50minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mrs McIntosh — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
7 Mr Wilkie: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) there are 300 locally owned distilleries spread across 84 federal electoral divisions, which directly support over 5,000 Australian jobs, with a further 15,000 jobs created through the supply chain including across primary producers, hospitality and tourism sectors;
(b) more than 65 per cent of Australian distillers are in regional and rural areas which bring economic benefits through farm production, manufacturing, regional tourism and hospitality;
(c) Australia has the third highest spirit tax in the world, with spirits taxed up to three times more than wine, cider and beer, disproportionately impacting craft and boutique distilleries;
(d) it makes no sense to tax grain-based spirits, like gin, vodka and whisky, up to $6 per litre more than grape-based spirits like brandy; and
(e) given the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the industry, it makes practical sense to support our local craft distillers; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) cut the spirits excise rate to the brandy rate;
(b) freeze spirits and brandy CPI indexation for three years; and
(c) provide much needed relief to local craft distillers by increasing the current excise refund scheme limit from $100,000 to $350,000 for two years, bringing it into line with the rebate offered to small wine producers under the wine equalisation tax.
( Notice given 16 March 2021. )
Time allotted — 30minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Wilkie — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes 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 T. R. Wilson: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Government is taking real and practical action to reduce emissions while protecting our economy, jobs and investment; and
(2) welcomes that the Government's plan is driven by technology not taxes, and the plan is working, for instance:
(a) we beat the 2020 target by 459 million tonnes;
(b) updated forecasts show Australia is on track to meet and beat its 2030 Paris target; and
(c) over the past two years, our position against our 2030 target has improved by 639 million tonnes—equivalent to taking all of Australia's 14.7 million cars off the road for 15 years.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members ' business time prior to 7.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Mr T. R. Wilson — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 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
17 March 2021
Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 2) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Tariff Proposal (No. 2) 2021.
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
That Mr Thistlethwaite and Ms Vamvakinou be appointed members of the Joint Select Committee on Road Safety.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Strengthening Income Support) Bill 2021
That the following words be added after "education services":
"; and
(d) increase the Jobseeker Payment to above the poverty line."
The purpose of all social security measures is not only to provide citizens with reasonable protection against misfortune, but also to reconcile that provision with their proud independence and dignity as democratic citizens.
The businesses that would receive the money as soon as I get it are no longer going to get that money, so that's going to affect my local shops.
To be honest, I can't remember a policy change I have been more disappointed about … Here was an opportunity—by giving a significant increase—to have a real impact on living standards of people experiencing hardship and provide a macroeconomic benefit without there being any likelihood of a negative effect on incentives for unemployed jobseekers to find work.
… we've got millions, literally, of people both on the JobSeeker supplement and on the JobKeeper allowance, and pulling those out of the economy… it's probably equivalent to around $5 billion a month … That's equivalent to roughly 3 per cent of GDP—
The struggle to feed, house and provide for their families on so little money takes up time and energy that then can't be invested in parenting, studying, or seeking work.
As the period of unemployment increases, so does the obligation on the Government to assist the unemployed person into a job, and likewise the obligation on the unemployed person to take more steps to find work and not refuse reasonable opportunities.
The House divided. [12:33]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [12:46]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
(1) Schedule 1, page 22 (after line 18), at the end of the Schedule, add:
Part 6—Mutual obligation
Social Security (Administration) Act 1999
40 At the end of Subdivision A of Division 3AA of Part 3
Add:
42ABA General principles
(1) The Secretary must exercise his or her mutual obligation powers consistently with the following principles:
(a) the purpose of the powers is to help persons to get:
(i) jobs; or
(ii) the skills necessary to get jobs;
(b) the powers are intended to be used as part of a mutual arrangement in which the Commonwealth undertakes a reciprocal obligation to help the persons to find work;
(c) in exercising the powers in relation to a person, the Secretary must take into account:
(i) the availability of suitable jobs; and
(ii) the person's skills and abilities; and
(iii) the person's personal circumstances including caring responsibilities, access to transport, medical conditions and disability;
(d) the exercise of the powers must not cause unnecessary annoyance or burden for employers.
(2) The Secretary's mutual obligation powers are his or her powers under:
(a) this Division, to the extent it relates to mutual obligation failures; or
(b) a provision mentioned in section 42AC (mutual obligation failures).
42ABB Employment pathway plans
An employment pathway plan in relation to a person must state what the Commonwealth will do to help the person secure employment.
(a) the person's education, experience, skills and age; and
(aa) the impact of any disability, illness, mental condition or physical condition of the person …
(b) the state of the local labour market and the transport options available to the person in accessing that market; and
(c) the participation opportunities available to the person; and
(d) the family and caring responsibilities of the person; and
(e) the length of travel time required to comply with the requirements; and
(f) the financial costs (such as travel costs) of complying with the requirements … and
(g) any other matters that the Secretary or the person considers relevant …
The House divided. [13:01]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Bill 2021
Continuous disclosure provisions are fundamental to market integrity and should not be diminished.
Investor confidence in the Australian market relies on disclosures being accurate. These changes could undermine that confidence by providing protection for companies making poor disclosures.
Reducing accountability for poor disclosures is not the answer to addressing issues with class actions. These policy issues should be considered and addressed separately from the continuous disclosure and director liability regime.
I would suggest we would prefer that the strongest disclosure regime was in place … As a principal, greater disclosure provides greater confidence and supports the highest level of efficiency of markets.
After the revelations about Crown Casino in the New South Wales Casino Inquiry, it is hard to understand why the Government is going down this path.
Shareholders are demanding more transparency, not less, to protect their investments and allow them to make rational decisions about where to put their money.
Previously if there was any failure to keep the market informed under the current 'Continuous Disclosure' rule, it was a simple black and white situation, don't tell shareholders something material and the Company and its Directors were liable. This was great for shareholders because they do not have insider or special interest knowledge and all they know is what they are told and what they read.
So the new instruction to management from boards could be, if you want to keep some information to yourself or exaggerate a bit just make sure you don't tell me so no one can sue me.
The extension of Tivoli Drive improves access and safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
Dear Marise,
We are writing to you about our grave concern in the ongoing civil war in Ethiopia between the central Ethiopian government and the state of Tigray. This civil war is now a regional war with the Eritrean regime now fighting alongside the Ethiopian government.
As of 8 December 2020, U.S Authorities have confirmed that Eritrea is now party to the war in Ethiopia against the state of Tigray. U.S. Authorities have confirmed this with satellite images and a number of diplomatic sources who are present in the region of Tigray. In late December 2020, a senior Ethiopian military officer, Major General Belay Seyoum addressing a meeting in the Tigraian capital Mekelle, confirmed the presence of Eritrean forces clearly confirming the regional dimension of the conflict. The U.S. government has since called for Eritrean forces to immediately stop their involvement in the war in Ethiopia.
It must be noted that every young Eritrean is forced to serve an open-ended military service by the dictator Isaias Afwerki. Mr Isaias Afwerki has led the country of Eritrea, unelected for 30 years. His track record includes, silencing people with different views or political orientation with imprisonment or death. Religious institutions and university have been closed for many years- running the country as an open prison and the people of Eritrea are hostages under this tyrant regime.
The engagement of Eritrean troops in the Ethiopian civil war is deplorable and strongly condemned by the people of Eritrea. There is no need for Eritrea to be party to a war that has nothing to do with the country. We are horrified and extremely saddened by the atrocities and war crimes that are being committed against the people of Tigray and the Eritrean refugees under lsaias's instructions. On 28 November, the African Union sent a team of negotiators- former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf of Liberia, Joachim Chissano of Mozambique and Kgalema Motlanthe of South Africa to facilitate peace in Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Prime Minster Mr Abiy Ahmed however, refused to participate in mediation citing reasons that the conflict is simply a matter of conducting law enforcement on the region of Tigray. This, however, is not the case- given confirmed reports proving Eritrean forces are involved in the Ethiopian civil war.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet repeatedly expressed their grave concerns about the civil war in Ethiopia and its impact on civilians. The situation for Eritrean refugees is very desperate with confirmed cases of killings, abductions, forced return of Eritrean refugees back to Eritrea compounded by the terror and starvation that exists in the refugee camps. Refugees that were under the protection of UNHCR are now forced back into to the hands of a regime that they fled from. This is a serious crime against humanity.
On 17 December 2020 the European Union suspended the payment of a €90 million budget aid to the Ethiopian government over the crisis in the Tigray region. The decision is part of the 27 European countries' call for a cessation of hostilities. In addition to this the US and French governments have recently expressed their concern about the Ethiopian civil war and the war crimes committed in Tigray. They are also calling for this war to stop immediately and for urgent supplies to reach all civilian victims of this war.
We are urging the Australian government to join the growing voices of the international community that are calling for cessation of hostilities and human rights respect in the ongoing Ethiopian civil war.
In this regard we are asking your department to exert its diplomatic influence by:
1. Pressuring the Ethiopian Government to immediately stop fighting and negotiate via peaceful dialogue to resolve the conflict;
2. Calling for all Eritrean troops to leave Ethiopia immediately;
3. Calling for all Ethiopian troops to leave Eritrea immediately;
4. Pressuring the Ethiopian government to allow full access to international monitors to the conflict zone and facilitate urgently needed supplies to reach all civilians;
5. Freeze all support that the Australian government is giving to the Eritrean government;
6. Freeze all support that the Australian government is giving to the Ethiopian government; and
7. Calling for all acts of war crimes against the people of Tigray and Eritrean refugees to be independently investigated and perpetrators to be brought to justice.
Yours sincerely,
Concerned Australian Citizens
ANZAC Day commemorations are being cancelled across Melbourne and major regional events are in limbo as RSL sub-branches across Victoria anxiously wait for state government COVID permits.
That the resumption of the debate on the Prime Minister's motion of condolence in connection with the death of the Hon. Christopher John Hurford AO be referred to the Federation Chamber.
The failure of the Government to provide adequate economic support to industries and regions which are still being impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
My business has suffered severe consequences as a result of Covid-19 like many business in Australia. Our revenue has been down by more than 30% each month since March last year and despite this I am happy to say we have been able to keep all our staff on during these hard times. We have not reduced their salaries, hours etc. These staff are connected to 19 families who have in turn approx. 17 children.
Where our problem lies is that despite meeting all the qualifying criteria for Job Keeper and most other Government forms of stimulus there is one test that we have not been able to pass simply because of a definition.
We have even tried on many occasions written to the Hon Josh Frydenberg who is the local member of where our business is located in Camberwell. After months of non-responsiveness I finally decided to personally visit his office last week and spoke to a couple of his staff—
To say we have been disappointed with how his office has handled our situation would be a gross understatement!
… after 14 years of trying, the Labor Party has made not one contribution to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in this country.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2021 Measures No. 1) Bill 2021
If you truly believe in markets then you'll consider transparency and accountability to be good things, because they allow investment to flow rationally. If, however, you prefer crony capitalism and protecting corporations from consequences then you'll take a different view
So the new instruction to management from Boards could be, if you want to keep some information to yourself or exaggerate a bit just make sure you don't tell me so no one can sue me—
The House divided. [17:25]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [17:30]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table items 1 to 4), omit the table items, substitute:
1. The whole of this Act The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent.
(2) Schedule 2, page 25 (line 1) to page 38 (line 8), omit the Schedule.
The House divided. [17:42]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Early Childhood Education and Care Coronavirus Response and Other Measures) Bill 2021
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 notes that:
(1) after two and a half years, the benefits of the new child care system have been entirely eroded for many families;
(2) child care fees are projected to grow by four per cent per year for the next four years;
(3) Australia has one of the highest rates of female involuntary part time employment in the OECD; and
(4) the current system does not support second income earners, usually women, working more than three days a week".
… becoming unaffordable—the CCS was supposed to address that, and to some extent it has, but a lot of upper middle-income earners are finding it pretty tough.
Some of them are the professionals who we want as working parents back in the workforce.
While there are many ways Governments can bolster the capacity of their workforces, the most exciting opportunity is to make it easier for women with young children to re-enter the workforce and work more hours.
… … …
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Llew O'Brien ) took the chair at 10:00.
These are the ones we think should be included in the list of approved projects.
... we were somewhat perturbed that processes other than the Sports Australia assessment, may have been used to determine who was funded.