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, 11 May 2021.
2. The Committee deliberated on items of private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 11 May 2021, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 24 May 2021, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 Mr Bandt: To present a Bill for an Act to provide that major emitters of greenhouse gases are liable for climate change damage that occurs in Australia, and for related purposes. ( Liability for Climate Change Damage (Make the Polluters Pay) Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 2 3 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 establish an independent Commonwealth statutory authority with responsibility for protecting animal welfare in Commonwealth regulated activities, to assist in creating a better Australian animal welfare system, and for related purposes. (Independent Office of Animal Welfare Bill 2021 )
( Notice given 1 1 May 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 Ted O'Brien : To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the important work being carried out in Australian businesses to research and commercialise new ideas;
(2) acknowledges that the Government has supported those efforts in many ongoing ways, including:
(a) fostering business collaboration with the CSIRO;
(b) the research and development tax incentive; and
(c) Accelerating Commercialisation grants under the Entrepreneurs Programme; and
(3) congratulates Australian companies that are developing and commercialising new ideas, including Naturo Pty Ltd, which has developed a way to extend the shelf life of fresh milk up to 60 days and is creating a pilot manufacturing facility as a result of its recent Accelerating Commercialisation grant.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted—45 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Ted O'Brien—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 Ms Templeman: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes the devastating effects of extreme rainfall that caused extensive flooding across areas of New South Wales in March 2021, resulting in disaster declarations in 63 local government areas by the NSW Government and causing more than $1billion in damage;
(2) acknowledges the work of emergency services and other groups in assisting throughout the emergency and subsequent clean-up, with particular reference to:
(a) volunteer-based organisations such as the NSW State Emergency Service, NSW Rural Fire Service, Rapid Relief Team, and various charities;
(b) supermarket operators that loaded supplies on to helicopters and barges to restock shelves at stores cut off by flood water and landslides; and
(c) community members who assisted with distribution of supplies and relief efforts during and in the aftermath of the floods; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) provide the support needed to allow businesses reliant on working waterways such as the Hawkesbury River (including turf growers, vegetable farmers and caravan parks) to get back to work;
(b) act to fix the disastrous environmental damage by announcing specific funding to help address silt and debris build up, erosion and collapsing riverbanks; and
(c) immediately access the $4 billion Emergency Response Fund, announced two years ago but never spent, for this recovery which can provide up to $200 million per financial year to be spent nationally on natural disaster recovery and mitigation.
( Notice given 1 1 May 2021. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits—
Ms Templeman—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 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 Dr Leigh : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Euthanasia Laws Act 1997 (known as the Andrews Bill) amended theAustralian Capital Territory (Self-Government) Act 1988 and theNorthern Territory (Self-Government) Act 1978 to deprive these two legislative assemblies of the power to make laws relating to euthanasia;
(b) the Government of Prime Minister Howard justified this at the time as a constraint on young jurisdictions that were seen to be moving ahead of the broader public mood;
(c) when the Andrews Bill curtailed the right of territories to make laws relating to euthanasia, no other state or territory legislature had conducted a debate on similar laws;
(d) polls of public attitudes to doctor-led voluntary assisted dying suggest that support was in the high sixties in the 1980s, in the mid to high seventies in the 1990s, and in the low eighties in the past two decades;
(e) in recent years all state legislatures have debated legislation around voluntary assisted dying, with Victoria and Western Australia legalising voluntary assisted dying, and New South Wales and South Australia rejecting legalisation, while Queensland and Tasmania have processes ongoing;
(f) the anachronistic Andrews Bill means that a quarter of a century since it was passed, 700,000 Australians who live in the Northern Territory or the Australian Capital Territory are still unable to participate in a democratic process to resolve community approaches to euthanasia;
(g) repealing the Andrews Bill would return to territories legal powers that are held by other Australian jurisdictions; and
(h) restoring territory rights does not direct that either territory legislature should consider legislating on euthanasia, it merely allows them to do so if their properly elected representatives decide it appropriate;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) in each of the last two terms of parliament the Government has blocked debate on private Members' bills that would restore territory rights; and
(b) while senators have debated and voted on related legislation, members of the House of Representatives have been prevented from expressing their views on this issue; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) explain why, in 2021, two mature legislative jurisdictions are still singled out as unworthy of legislative self-determination;
(b) commit to introduce legislation into the House of Representatives that would grant territorians legislative equality with Australians in other jurisdictions; and
(c) restore the right of territories to determine their own laws on euthanasia.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted—35 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Dr Leigh—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. 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 Mrs Archer: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that under the Government, we have seen:
(a) a record eight consecutive quarters of year-on-year consumer price index reductions in retail electricity prices; and
(b) wholesale electricity prices fall for 17 months in a row; and
(2) welcomes the Government's strong action to ensure that Australian households and businesses have access to the affordable, reliable and secure electricity.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted—35 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mrs Archer—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day
Housing: Resumption of debate on the motion of Mr Burns—That this House:
(1) recognises that every Australian should have access to safe and secure housing;
(2) notes that:
(a) the rate of home ownership continues to decline due to this Government's inaction and lack of leadership on federal housing policy;
(b) the rising cost of rent is pushing more Australians into rental stress;
(c) more investment in social housing is needed immediately to address the growing waitlists and increasing number of people facing homelessness; and
(d) the homelessness sector is desperate for more funding to support those needing crisis accommodation, especially women fleeing domestic and family violence; and
(3) calls on the Government to take responsibility and implement policies that respond to the serious issues facing access to safe and secure housing in Australia.
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 should continue on a future day.
Notices—continued
3 Mr Connelly: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government's $270 billion investment in Australia's defence capability is creating thousands of jobs and opportunities for small businesses across Australia, particularly in the state of Western Australia;
(b) it is only because of the Government's continued investment that we are able to guarantee that the men and women of the Australian Defence Force receive the defence capabilities they need to keep Australians safe; and
(c) a key pillar of our economic recovery plan to get Australians in jobs is getting more Australian businesses in our defence industry to deliver the essential capability our Defence Force relies on; and
(2) recognises that because of the support measures the Government has introduced to help Australian defence:
(a) businesses remain in business and are recovering from COVID-19; and
(b) our defence industry is not only recovering, but thriving as we comeback from the COVID-19 recession.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits—
Mr Connelly—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices—continued
4 Ms Sharkie: To move—That:
(1) a joint select committee, to be known as the Joint Select Committee on Oversight of the Implementation of Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety be established to inquire into and report upon:
(a) the Government response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission, including the development of a new Act to replace the Aged Care Act 1997 and the establishment and operation of a new person-centred Aged Care system which focuses on the safety, health and wellbeing of older people; and
(b) any matter in relation to the Royal Commission's recommendations referred to the committee by a resolution of either House of the Parliament;
(2) the committee present its final report on or before the final sitting day of the 46th Parliament;
(3) the committee consist of nine members—five senators, and four members of the House of Representatives, as follows:
(a) two members of the House of the Representatives to be nominated by the Government Whip or Whips;
(b) two members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Opposition Whip or Whips;
(c) two senators to be nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate;
(d) one senator to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate;
(e) one senator to be nominated by any minority party or independent senator; and
(f) one member of the House of Representatives nominated by any minority party or independent member;
(4) participating members may:
(a) be appointed to the committee on the nomination of the Government Whip in the House of Representatives, the Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives, the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate or any minority party or independent senator or member of the House of Representatives; and
(b) participate in hearings of evidence and deliberations of the committee, and have all the rights of members of the committee, but may not vote on any questions before the committee;
(5) every nomination of a member of the committee be notified in writing to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(6) the members of the committee hold office as a joint select committee until presentation of the committee's final report or until the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires by effluxion of time, whichever is the earlier;
(7) the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy;
(8) the committee elect:
(a) a Government member as its chair; and
(b) a non-Government member as its deputy chair who shall act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee; and
(c) at any time when the chair and deputy chair are not present at a meeting of the committee, the members present shall elect another member to act as chair at that meeting;
(9) in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, shall have a casting vote;
(10) three members of the committee constitute a quorum of the committee provided that in a deliberative meeting the quorum shall include one Government member of either House and one non-Government member of either House;
(11) the committee have power to:
(a) appoint subcommittees consisting of three or more of its members, and to refer to any such subcommittee any of the matters which the committee is empowered to examine; and
(b) appoint the chair of each subcommittee who shall have a casting vote only;
(12) two members of a subcommittee constitute the quorum of that subcommittee, provided that in a deliberative meeting the quorum shall include one Government member of either House and one non-Government member of either House;
(13) the committee have power to send for and examine persons and documents, to move from place to place, to sit in public or in private, notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament and have leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit;
(14) the committee be provided with all necessary staff, facilities and resources and be empowered to appoint persons with specialist knowledge for the purposes of the committee with the approval of the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(15) the committee be empowered to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it, and a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings as take place in public;
(16) the committee have power to adjourn from time to time and to sit during any adjournment of the Senate and the House of Representatives;
(17) the provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders; and
(18) a message be sent to the Senate seeking its concurrence in this resolution.
( Notice given 1 1 May 2021. )
Time allotted—45 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Sharkie—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
5 Mr Entsch : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Indigenous tourism plays a vital role in supporting businesses, creating jobs and driving economic empowerment of Indigenous Australians;
(b) the Government's $40 million Indigenous Tourism Fund announced on Friday, 19 February 2021 will support Indigenous tourism businesses and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community organisations; and
(c) the establishment of the National Indigenous Tourism Advisory Group will advise the Government on strategic priorities for the growth of Australia's Indigenous tourism sector in a way which best supports the broader tourism sector's recovery; and
(2) recognises and acknowledges that:
(a) Australia's Indigenous culture, country, art and history are unique in today's competitive international tourism market, and are equally attractive to our domestic audience; and
(b) employment in the Indigenous tourism sector provides the opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to stay on country while maintaining and sharing their culture and traditions.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Mr Entsch—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 Ms Owens: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the launch of the Mustafa Kemal Ataturk Bursary on 18 March 2021 at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra;
(2) notes that the bursary is:
(a) a contribution by members of the Australian-Turkish community to the Gallipoli Scholarship, which supports the descendants of Anzacs to study at university or TAFE; and
(b) part of the new Ataturk Scholarship, which will support Turkish Australians to study at university or TAFE from 2022; and
(3) recognises that the donation of this bursary is an act of friendship by Turkish Australians, who have made enormous contributions to our country and community, helping to forge the strong and lasting bond between Australia and Turkey.
( Notice given 1 1 May 2021. )
Time allotted—30 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Ms Owens—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
7 Dr Martin : To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the Government is:
(a) supporting universities through the COVID-19 pandemic and creating more opportunities for young people to study; and
(b) investing $20 billion in the higher education sector in 2021;
(2) recognises that $1 billion has been provided to university research this year;
(3) acknowledges that the Government has provided $903.5 million over the next four years for more domestic places and to ensure our universities are financially stable; and
(4) congratulates the Government for its Job Ready Graduates package which is providing up to 30,000 additional university places in 2021.
( Notice given 22 February 2021. )
Time allotted—40 minutes.
Speech time limits—
Dr Martin—5 minutes.
Other Members—5 minutes. each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day—continued
1 Family Law Amendment (A Step Towards a Safer Family Law System) Bill 2020 ( Mr Perrett ): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from 22 March 2021 ).
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 should continue on a future day.
THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
12 May 2021
Migration Amendment (Tabling Notice of Certain Character Decisions) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
Private Health Insurance Amendment (Income Thresholds) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Christmas Island Stormwater, Landslide and Rockfall Mitigation Works Project.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Department of Defence—United States Force Posture Initiatives Northern Territory Training Areas and Ranges Upgrades Project.
That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969 , the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Department of Home Affairs—Parramatta office fit-out.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 25
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
12 May 2021
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair Mr Ken O'Dowd MP
Deputy Chair Hon Justine Elliot MP
Mrs Bridget Archer MP
Ms Lisa Chesters MP
Ms Gladys Liu MP
Mr Julian Simmonds MP
Mr James Stevens MP
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Report summarising the petitions and Ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session on 17 March, 24 March, and 21 April 2021
1. The committee resolved to present the following petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 21 April 2021
From 920 petitioners - regarding veterans' exposure to carcinogenic dioxins during the Vietnam War (PN0504)
From 551 petitioners - regarding the persecution and organ harvesting of Falun Gong practitioners (PN0505)
Petitions certified on 24 March 2021
From 13 petitioners - requesting restriction of home loans to a single applicant (EN2486)
From 81 petitioners - requesting voting rights be extended to 16 and 17 year- olds (EN2487)
From 22 petitioners - regarding reform of the child support system (EN2489)
From 49 petitioners - requesting a ban of all child circumcision (EN2490)
From 9 petitioners - regarding the Medicare levy (EN2497)
From 19 petitioners - regarding the Extradition Act (EN2499)
From 5 petitioners - requesting the establishment of a national COVID-19 remembrance day on 26 October (EN2502)
From 1566 petitioners - regarding Australian Consumer Law refund provisions (EN2504)
From 6 petitioners - regarding phone call campaigns (EN2506)
From 25 petitioners - regarding violence in the Tigray region of Ethiopia (EN2510)
Petitions certified on 17 March 2021
From 2917 petitioners - requesting an extension of working holiday visas for people over 30 (EN2434)
From 10 petitioners - requesting Australia provide the Covid-19 vaccine to all Pacific island countries (EN2436)
From 34 petitioners - requesting that the tobacco tax be substantially decreased (EN2437)
From 83 petitioners - requesting the House refer the Hon. Peter Dutton MP to the High Court regarding pecuniary interests (EN2439)
From 2014 petitioners - requesting the House to condemn racist rhetoric in Australia (EN2441)
From 120 petitioners - requesting the Department of Veterans' Affairs increase its number of delegates (EN2442)
From 44 petitioners - requesting a compulsory COVID-19 vaccination for all residents and visitors to Australia (EN2444)
From 956 petitioners - requesting the use of m-RNA COVID-19 vaccines be suspended (EN2445)
From 1442 petitioners - requesting the NAPLAN dates be changed due to a clash with Ramadan (EN2448)
From 3 petitioners - regarding the safety of Indian Australians (EN2449)
From 137 petitioners - requesting the House support an international criminal tribunal for the Democratic Republic of the Congo (EN2451)
From 1 petitioner - regarding school education on evolution (EN2452)
From 109 petitioners - regarding the freedom of international travel
(EN2453)
From 2 petitioners - requesting the removal of news from social media platforms (EN2454)
From 31 petitioners - regarding renewable energy (EN2457)
From 163 petitioners - requesting a Royal Commission into pesticides (EN2458)
From 7 petitioners - regarding communication between Members of Parliament and the public (EN2459)
From 16 petitioners - requesting the legalisation of cryptocurrency (EN2461)
From 63339 petitioners - regarding a vaccine passport (EN2463)
From 173 petitioners - requesting an increase of pension payments (EN2464)
From 68 petitioners - regarding the lease of Keswick Island (EN2468)
From 57 petitioners - requesting an independent investigation into rape allegations regarding the Hon. Christian Porter MP (EN2470)
From 2340 petitioners - requesting an independent investigation into rape allegations regarding the Hon. Christian Porter MP (EN2472)
From 11 petitioners - regarding free access to digital news media (EN2473)
From 28 petitioners - requesting the federal Government condemn violence in Afghanistan (EN2474)
From 47 petitioners - requesting Australia endorses the Marine Arctic Peace Sanctuary Treaty (EN2481)
From 2501 petitioners - requesting an early federal election (EN2485)
Petitions certified on 24 February 2021
From 11 petitioners - requesting Jubilee Medals for Australian Defence Force members and veterans (EN2401)
From 89 petitioners - requesting amendments to child support legislation (EN2402)
From 321 petitioners - regarding JobKeeper and the aviation industry (EN2404)
From 9 petitioners - requesting offshore COVID-19 quarantining for international arrivals into Australia (EN2407)
From 18 petitioners - requesting a federal government quarantining facility for international arrivals into Australia (EN2408)
From 101 petitioners - regarding informed consent and the COVID-19 vaccine
(EN2409)
From 399 petitioners - requesting a Royal Commission into the number of truck driver fatalities in Australia (EN2410)
From 1269 petitioners - requesting improved mobile network coverage in Clyde and Clyde North, Victoria. (EN2412)
From 75 petitioners - regarding the Subclass 115 Remaining Relative visa (EN2414)
From 5 petitioners - regarding religious organisations and the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (EN2415)
From 381 petitioners - regarding flight cancellation refunds (EN2418)
From 80 petitioners - regarding digital platforms and freedom of expression (EN2419)
From 21 petitioners - regarding digital platforms and freedom of expression (EN2421)
From 41 petitioners - regarding the National Minimum Wage (EN2427)
From 230 petitioners - regarding JobKeeper and English Language Intensive Courses for Overseas Students sector employees (EN2428)
The following ministerial responses to petitions were received:
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 24 March 2021
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments (EN1732)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition regarding strategies to mitigate vitamin D deficiencies (EN2048)
From the Minister for Education and Youth - to a petition regarding removing compulsory English units from the National Curriculum (EN2055)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding non-Australian ownership of land or property (EN2149)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition requesting the tax on tobacco products be reduced (EN2166)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition requesting an extension of eligibility criteria for the Continuous Glucose Monitoring Initiative (EN2168)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers measure (EN2184)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding fuel price fluctuations in Australia (EN2193)
From the Minister for Finance - to a petition regarding parliamentarians' superannuation contribution rate (EN2195)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding the Medicare levy (EN2200)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding petrol and diesel excise rates (EN2208)
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 21 April 2021
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition requesting a COVID-19 financial stimulus package for the Australian events industry (EN1414)
From the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment - to a petition regarding trade with China (EN1523)
From the Deputy Prime Minister - to a petition requesting a repeal of flight restrictions and paid quarantine for returning Australians (EN1710)
From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy - to a petition requesting a review of the Australian Stock Exchange (EN1758)
From the Deputy Prime Minister - to a petition requesting to lift the cap on citizens returning to Australia (EN1852)
From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters - to a petition regarding the movement of elected Members to other parties or as an independent (EN2011)
From the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services - to a petition regarding Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code and companion animals (EN2026)
From the Speaker - to a petition regarding swivel chairs in the House of Representatives Chamber (EN2030)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet - to a petition requesting a referendum for Australia to become a republic (EN2031)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition requesting a referendum regarding the Paris Agreement (EN2033)
From the Assistant Minister for Forestry and Fisheries - to a petition requesting an end to Regional Forest Agreements and the logging of old growth forests (EN2059)
From the Minister for Home Affairs - to a petition requesting parents of pregnant women and women in postpartum period be exempt from Australia's current travel restrictions (EN2074)
From the Deputy Prime Minister - to a petition regarding the cap on returning citizens to Australia and COVID-19 quarantine options (EN2075)
From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme - to a petition requesting reforms to the National Disability Insurance Scheme access criteria (EN2079)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure and the Arts - to a petition requesting a mandate for social media websites to provide an option for users to delete all historical data (EN2080)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure and the Arts - to a petition requesting a royal commission into social media and to introduce new laws related to freedom of speech in Australia (EN2084)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Schedule 2: Australian Consumer Law) (EN2101)
From the Speaker - to a petition regarding the House e-petitions system (EN2102)
From the Minister for Home Affairs - to a petition regarding alternative COVID-19 quarantine methods (EN2115)
From the Speaker - to a petition regarding religious observance at the start of parliamentary proceedings (EN2141)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition regarding the extension of Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visas (EN2165)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition requesting Australia to act against China placing trade tariffs on Australian goods in retaliation for Australia protecting its sovereignty (EN2170)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition regarding allegations of worker exploitation (EN2190)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition regarding eligibility for Australian permanent residence for migrants over 40 years of age (EN2196)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs - to a petition regarding Partner visa applicants and illegal maritime arrivals (EN2197)
From the Minister for Sport - to a petition regarding gender transitioning and sport (EN2202)
From the Speaker - to a petition regarding a list of Pentecostal Christian Members of Parliament (EN2215)
From the Minister for Home Affairs - to a petition requesting international students be exempt from Australia's inbound travel restrictions (EN2217)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding income statements and myGov (EN2223)
From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme - to a petition regarding National Disability Insurance Scheme participants and workers (EN2268)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition regarding outbound international travel and the COVID-19 vaccine (EN2280)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care - to a petition regarding the prevention of future health pandemics (EN2316)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition requesting an extension of JobKeeper Payment support for the travel and tourism industry (EN2320)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs - to a petition requesting an Australian Government flight and quarantine program for returning Australians (EN2323)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding public liability insurance and Australian small businesses (EN2326)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition regarding the cost and availability of insurance in Northern Australia (EN2368)
From the Assistant Treasurer - to a petition requesting an extension of the JobKeeper Payment beyond March 2021 (EN2395)
Mr Ken O ' Dowd
Chair - Petitions Committee
That the House take note of the report.
That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.
Health Insurance Amendment (Prescribed Fees) 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 urges the Government to implement policies to better protect Australians' health".
We really didn't want our residents, staff or contractors to endure another winter with the nervousness and trepidation that they have endured over the last 16 months.
We've got immunisation capabilities and primary care capabilities.
We decided to approach the government … and ask for permission to administer phase 1a ourselves.
The House divided. [12:00]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Student Assistance 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:
(1) notes the Government has made it more expensive for Australian students to undertake tertiary study, and has pushed students into taking on more debt; and
(2) calls on the Government to ensure rural and remote students have access to quality continuing education".
2018 data shows over 52% of Indigenous students were enrolled in programs that will be impacted by an increase in student contributions for humanities based disciplines.
This will result in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students graduating with a higher HECS debt than non-Indigenous students and moving into the workforce with a greater financial burden.
This bill strengthens our student support system so that it can focus on the important task of ensuring that Indigenous students and isolated students from across Australia have the opportunity to gain a first-class education.
"With borders shut until mid-2022 the picture for universities will get worse—with significant flow-on effects for the nation's research capacity and jobs, inside and outside universities,"
… the government has missed the opportunity in this budget to fully utilise our world-class university system.
Universities are critical to everything the government has announced (in the budget), whether through our research or the provision of a highly skilled workforce.
The Federal Government has walked its talk on infrastructure funding backing up last year's record spending with an even bigger outlay in this year's Budget …
The extension of the Boosting Apprentice Commencement wage subsidy to allow more new apprentices and trainees to start their career in a trade will help to grow the next generation of tradies and home builders.
This budget propels Australia out of the pandemic and lays the foundations for a jobs-led recovery …
… a population-wide vaccination program is likely to be in place by the end of 2021.
The failure of the Government's eighth budget to fix job insecurity, wages growth, neglect and waste.
He looked at me askance and said, 'What for?' I said just to catch up and have a chat about issues. He said, 'No, mate. I'm purely transactional.'
Decisions taken by the Liberals in their budget mean that the … recession will be deeper and longer than necessary.
Unemployment will be too high for too long in this country because the government is failing on jobs.
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Griffith from moving the following motion immediately. That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the Member for Bowman is accused of stalking and abusing his own constituents online and taking an inappropriate photo of a woman at work, and he continues to defend these actions;
(b) the Member for Bowman stated on March 27 he would "step down from all Parliamentary roles effective immediately";
(c) despite this, the Member for Bowman remains as Chair of the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training, which allows him to claim 11 per cent extra of his base salary;
(d) yesterday, coalition MPs, including the Prime Minister, voted to keep him in this role;
(e) the Prime Minister has not acted against the disgraceful Member for Bowman because he is relying on his tainted vote to prop up his slim majority; and
(2) therefore, calls on the Prime Minister to discharge the Member for Bowman from the Standing Committee on Employment, Education and Training immediately.
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [16:20]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [16:25]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
The House divided. [16:28]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That order of the day No. 3, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
Migration Amendment (Clarifying International Obligations for Removal) Bill 2021
Migration Amendment (Tabling Notice of Certain Character Decisions) Bill 2021
(1) Schedule 1, item 3, page 4 (lines 27 to 30), omit subparagraph 197C(3)(c)(ii), substitute:
(ii) a decision made under subsection 197D(2) in relation to the non‑citizen is complete within the meaning of subsection 197D(6);
(2) Schedule 1, item 3, page 6 (after line 12), after subsection 197C(7), insert:
(7A) For the purposes of subsection (3), if an unlawful non‑citizen has made more than one valid application for a protection visa that has been finally determined, that subsection applies only in relation to the last such application.
(3) Schedule 1, page 6 (after line 18), after item 3, insert:
3A After section 197C
Insert:
197D Decision that protection finding would no longer be made
(1) A decision under subsection (2) of this section may only be made for the purposes of subsection 197C(3).
(2) If the Minister is satisfied that an unlawful non‑citizen to whom paragraphs 197C(3)(a) and (b) apply in relation to a valid application for a protection visa is no longer a person in respect of whom any protection finding within the meaning of subsection 197C(4), (5), (6) or (7) would be made, the Minister may make a decision to that effect.
(3) For the purposes of subsection (2), if an unlawful non‑citizen has made more than one valid application for a protection visa that has been finally determined, that subsection applies only in relation to the last such application.
(4) If the Minister makes a decision under subsection (2) in relation to an unlawful non‑citizen, the Minister must, in writing, notify the non‑citizen of the following matters:
(a) the decision;
(b) the reasons (other than non‑disclosable information) for the decision;
(c) that the decision is reviewable under Part 7;
(d) the period within which an application for review can be made;
(e) who can apply for review;
(f) where the application for review can be made.
Note: For the method by which the notification may be given, see section 494A.
(5) Failure to comply with subsection (4) in relation to a decision does not affect the validity of the decision.
(6) For the purposes of subparagraph 197C(3)(c)(ii), a decision under subsection (2) of this section is complete if any of the following apply:
(a) the period within which an application for review of the decision under Part 7 can be made has ended without a valid application for review having been made;
(b) a valid application for review of the decision under Part 7 was made within the period but has been withdrawn;
(c) the decision is affirmed (or taken to have been affirmed) on review under Part 7.
3B Section 408 (paragraph beginning " Part 7 ‑reviewable decisions " )
After "circumstances", insert "or to decisions under subsection 197D(2)".
3C At the end of subsection 411(1)
Add:
; (e) a decision under subsection 197D(2) that an unlawful non‑citizen is no longer a person in respect of whom a protection finding within the meaning of subsection 197C(4), (5), (6) or (7) would be made.
3D At the end of Division 2 of Part 7
Add:
419 Certain decisions on review to be made within prescribed period etc.
(1) If:
(a) an application for review of a Part 7‑reviewable decision is made under section 412; and
(b) the Part 7‑reviewable decision is a decision of a kind mentioned in paragraph 411(1)(e);
then, subject to subsection (2) of this section, the Tribunal must make its decision on review, and notify the applicant of the decision, within the prescribed period.
(2) The Tribunal may, with the agreement of the applicant, extend the period in subsection (1) for the purposes of a particular application.
3E Subsection 423A(1)
Omit "an RRT‑reviewable decision (the primary decision ) in relation to a protection visa", substitute "a Part 7‑reviewable decision (theprimary decision )".
3F Paragraphs 423A(1 )( a) and (b)
Omit "in the application before", substitute "before".
(4) Page 6 (after line 27), at the end of the Bill, add:
Schedule 2—Review of amendments
Intelligence Services Act 2001
1 After paragraph 29(1 )( ce)
Insert:
(cf) to commence, by the second anniversary of the commencement of the Migration Amendment (Clarifying International Obligations for Removal) Act 2021 , a review of the operation, effectiveness and implications of the amendments made by Schedule 1 to that Act; and
That this bill be now read a third time.
Migration Amendment (Tabling Notice of Certain Character Decisions) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a third time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2020-2021
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2020-2021
Mutual Recognition Amendment Bill 2021
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Student Assistance and Other Measures) Bill 2021
… a wholesale border closure for another couple of years … will have profound effects on the higher education sector, to the point where it's hard for me to actually imagine.
We need to really work to find systems that do not cause public health issues for the nation, but really enable our students to get on with their lives
The House divided. [19:09]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education Legislation Amendment (2021 Measures No. 2) 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 the Government's actions on education:
(1) have damaged Australia's world-class university sector, loading up students with a lifetime of debt;
(2) are placing thousands of university jobs at risk; and
(3) will make it harder for Australia to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic".
Expenses under the higher education sub-function are expected to decrease by 8.3 per cent in real terms from 2020-21 to 2021-22, and decrease by 9.3 per cent in real terms—
from 2021-22 to 2024-25.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Zimmerman ) took the chair at 10:00.
The Durras Community Association … is calling on the Commonwealth Government, especially the Minister for Communications, Paul Fletcher MP, to stop making excuses and start funding real on-ground actions to provide better bushfire protection for south coast communities.
'The Durras community has asked for some specific simple communications upgrades to be funded to improve local resilience for bushfires and other emergencies but the response so far from governments, especially the Commonwealth has been absolutely pathetic' said the Association's President, Dr Trevor Daly.
That this House:
(1) recognises that every Australian should have access to safe and secure housing;
(a) the rate of home ownership continues to decline due to this Government's inaction and lack of leadership on federal housing policy;
(b) the rising cost of rent is pushing more Australians into rental stress;
(c) more investment in social housing is needed immediately to address the growing waitlists and increasing number of people facing homelessness; and
(d) the homelessness sector is desperate for more funding to support those needing crisis accommodation, especially women fleeing domestic and family violence; and
(3) calls on the Government to take responsibility and implement policies that respond to the serious issues facing access to safe and secure housing in Australia.
But just as pernicious is the creeping dysfunction that housing has created over decades: vibrant cities without space to grow; ageing homeowners sitting in half-empty homes who are keen to protect their view; and a generation of young people who cannot easily afford to rent or buy and think capitalism has let them down.
… … …
The soaring cost of housing has created gaping inequalities and inflamed both generational and geographical divides. In 1990 a generation of baby-boomers, with a median age of 35, owned a third of America's real estate by value. In 2019 a similarly sized cohort of millennials, aged 31, owned just 4% … In Britain areas with stagnant housing markets were more likely to vote for Brexit …
… … …
The Economist suggests that the number of new houses constructed per person in the rich world has fallen by half since the 1960s. Because supply is constrained—
and the system is skewed towards ownership, most people feel they risk being left behind if they rent. As a result politicians focus on subsidising marginal buyers, as Britain has done in recent years. That channels cash to the middle classes and further boosts prices. And it fuels the build-up of mortgage debt that makes crises more likely.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government's childcare support during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly in Victoria, ensured childcare was available to families who needed it; and
(b) nearly $3 billion was provided to support the early childhood education and care sector during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic—protecting the sector from imminent collapse;
(2) acknowledges a record $10.3 billion is being provided to subsidise childcare fees, putting more money back in the pockets of Australian families; and
(3) recognises that quality, affordable childcare is available for families now because of the Government's efforts to back the sector in 2020.
We are better placed than nearly any other country … to meet the economic challenges that lie ahead.
That this House:
(1) welcomes that:
(a) Australia strengthened its position as a renewable energy powerhouse in 2020; and
(b) the Clean Energy Regulator estimates that a record 7.0 gigawatts of new renewable capacity was installed in 2020; and
(2) acknowledges that Australia is a world leader in renewable energy with:
(a) one in four Australian homes having solar—the highest uptake of household solar in the world; and
(b) $7.7 billion, or $299 per person, invested in 2020 in renewable energy—placing us ahead of countries like Canada, Germany, Japan, Korea, New Zealand and the United States on a per person basis.
… investors … are increasingly frustrated by the politicisation of a sector that is at the forefront of job creation and economic revitalisation of regional Australia.
A product made from adversity … something good came from something bad. I knew the day we distilled it that it was going to be something special.
That this House:
(1) notes that the:
(a) report, Regions at the Ready: Investing in Australia ' s Future , by the House of Representatives Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation, and presented to the House on 28 June 2018, called on the Government to develop, by July 2020, a comprehensive Regional Australia White Paper, following a Green Paper public consultation process;
(b) Strategic Regional Growth Expert Panel's report Australia ' s Regions: Investing in Their Future , delivered to the Government on 29 March 2019, re-iterated the call for the Government to produce this Regional Australia White Paper by July 2020;
(c) Government refused to publicly release the Australia ' s Regions: Investing in Their Future report for over a year until forced to do so through a Senate order in July 2020;
(d) Government has made no commitment and no progress to developing such a White Paper and that therefore the Government still lacks any comprehensive strategy for the development of regional Australia;
(e) Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998 involves no requirement for the Government to systematically assess the impact of its policies and initiatives on regional Australia; and
(f) Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment (Rural and Regional Australia Statements) Bill 2021 would establish a requirement for the Treasurer to:
(i) publicly release and table a rural and regional Australia statement, outlining key challenges and opportunities for rural and regional Australia, with each budget economic and fiscal outlook report and each mid-year economic and fiscal outlook report; and
(ii) publish a national White Paper for rural and regional Australia within 24 months of the commencement of the Bill; and
(2) calls on the Government to immediately commence a process for a Regional Australia White Paper, which will:
(a) involve deep and broad public consultation through a Green Paper process;
(b) involve cross-parliamentary engagement with a view to securing broad parliamentary support;
(c) outline a long-term vision for rural and regional Australia to capture significant opportunities including, but not limited to, agriculture, tourism, renewable energy, manufacturing, health and social care, and education and training; and
(d) be completed, and released publicly, by no later than 1 July 2022.
That this House:
(1) notes that as an island nation, Australians have a deep affinity to our oceans and waterways and that the ocean shapes our climate and weather, provides us with natural resources, and is essential to our wellbeing;
(2) acknowledges that when our ocean is protected and sustainably managed, it has the potential to deliver significant economic and social benefits and that by 2025, ocean industries are projected to contribute around $100 billion each year to our economy;
(3) further notes that the 2020-21 Budget contained a new Oceans Package made up of:
(a) $14.8 million to tackle the marine impacts of ghost nets and plastic litter;
(b) $28.3 million to enhance management of Australian marine parks;
(c) $20 million through the Relief and Recovery Fund to re-establish native oyster reefs at 11 sites across the country; and
(d) $4.2 million for international blue carbon and rainforest partnerships; and
(4) commends the Government for reaffirming Australia's status as a global leader on ocean management.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) under this Government, out-of-pocket expense for patients accessing healthcare have soared;
(b) out of hospital, out-of-pocket costs for patients accessing a general practitioner have increased by 37.18 per cent Australia-wide since the Coalition came into office;
(c) out of hospital, out-of-pocket costs for patients accessing specialists have increased by 54.14 per cent;
(d) out of hospital, out-of-pocket costs for patients accessing anaesthetics have increased by 51.84 per cent; and
(e) out of hospital, out-of-pocket costs for patients accessing radiotherapy and therapeutic nuclear medicine have increased by 195.96 per cent;
(2) condemns the Government for allowing out-of-pocket health expenses to soar; and
(3) calls on the Government to act urgently to address the inequity of access to high level healthcare in Australia.
There appears to be greatly increased resident need and significantly less available resources compared with other Greater Sydney LHDs. This is particularly felt by Liverpool Hospital which functions as a quaternary service hospital for the district.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Australia's Technology Investment Roadmap:
(a) is a comprehensive plan to invest in the technologies we need to bring emissions down, here and around the world;
(b) will accelerate technologies like hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, soil carbon measurement, low-carbon materials like steel and aluminium and long duration energy storage; and
(c) will support 130,000 new jobs by 2030 and maintain Australia's position as a world leading exporter of food, fibre, minerals and energy; and
(2) welcomes the Government's focus on technology, not taxes, to secure affordable, reliable energy while at the same time reducing emissions.
… I really back the Prime Minister and the Minister when they say this is technology driven. Hydrogen is now, hydrogen will be the future fuel. It's inexhaustible, it will dramatically drop in price and it will become the base fuel of the planet.
… the roadmap provides no detail on how the government decided which technologies to target. There also is no information enabling an independent assessment of the expected reduction in carbon emissions and increased economic activity—