The SPEAKER ( Hon. Tony Smith ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 28
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
9 August 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 26 May, 2 June, 16 June, 23 June, 15 July, and 4 August 2021
1. The committee resolved to present the following petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 26 May 2021
From 4 petitioners – requesting humanitarian relief for global pandemic hotspots (EN2673)
From 1070 petitioners – requesting international travel be allowed to see family members (EN2677)
From 9 petitioners – requesting more vigorous testing for all imported foods (EN2679)
From 13360 petitioners – requesting to lower the age of Centrelink independence from 22 to 18 years of age (EN2680)
From 11 petitioners – requesting to reduce Australian immigration to sustainable levels post the pandemic (EN2681)
From 2520 petitioners – requesting that Australia recognise 'Hong Konger' as an official identity in the 2021 census. (EN2682)
From 66 petitioners – requesting that regional cruise ship voyages resume in Australia (EN2683)
From 16 petitioners – requesting for a three-digit suicide prevention hotline (EN2684)
From 6 petitioners – requesting an inbound travel exemption for skilled workers and their dependents (EN2685)
From 71 petitioners – requesting support for the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Religious Freedoms/Equality Bill (EN2686)
From 32 petitioners – requesting healthy soils for a healthy future (EN2687)
From 213 petitioners – requesting fair spectrum pricing for satellite internet providers (EN2688)
From 20 petitioners – regarding the conflict between Israel and Palestine (EN2692)
From 60 petitioners – requesting to allow expats in Australia to see their families overseas (EN2693)
From 4 petitioners – requesting that people be allowed to pay for a COVID-19 vaccination if they wish (EN2695)
From 18 petitioners – requesting that repatriation from India is stopped (EN2696)
From 774 petitioners – requesting to keep the cancer drug Avastin on the PBS (EN2697)
From 8 petitioners – requesting that hacking for a ransom payment be made a criminal activity (EN2698)
From 241 petitioners – requesting to lift the Australian travel ban on unmarried and same-sex couples (EN2702)
From 10 petitioners – requesting protections for young adults against excessive drinking (EN2704)
From 410 petitioners – regarding rights for regional visa holders (EN2708)
From 65 petitioners – requesting justice for Palestinians (EN2710)
From 2641 petitioners – requesting to outlaw vaccine passports (EN2711)
From 4090 petitioners – requesting a travel exemption for prospective marriage visa (subclass 300) holders (EN2712)
From 27 petitioners – regarding the first home loan deposit and home builder schemes (EN2714)
From 21991 petitioners – requesting that Australia sanction Israel (EN2715)
From 19 petitioners – requesting to set up mass vaccination centers as a protection against COVID-19 (EN2716)
Petitions certified on 2 June 2021
From 21 petitioners – requesting for the prosecution of fraudulent builders (EN2718)
From 4 petitioners – requesting a national forum about the state of multicultural affairs in Australia (EN2720)
From 1607 petitioners – requesting that COVID-19 vaccinations not be mandatory (EN2722)
From 2085 petitioners – requesting to bring yoga to communities to enrich people's mental and physical wellbeing (EN2724)
From 35 petitioners – requesting minimum pay be implemented for gig-economy workers (EN2730)
From 2108 petitioners – requesting an extension of temporary graduate visas (EN2731)
From 32 petitioners – requesting that repatriates from India be quarantined for 28 days (EN2735)
From 1313 petitioners – requesting that permanent residents/citizens be allowed to leave Australia to see family (EN2736)
Petitions certified on 16 June 2021
From 77 petitioners – requesting protections for parents during pregnancy, childbirth and infancy (EN2738)
From 19 petitioners – requesting sanctions on Palestine (EN2741)
From 57 petitioners – requesting to change the independency criteria and minimum fortnightly earnings for Centrelink (EN2743)
From 184 petitioners – requesting a royal commission into the ABC's reporting (EN2744)
From 286 petitioners – requesting to stop evolutionary indoctrination in the Australian-curriculum (EN2747)
From 5853 petitioners – requesting mandatory sentencing for false allegations (EN2749)
From 57 petitioners – requesting that all international flights into Australia be stopped (EN2751)
From 309829 petitioners – requesting that COVID-19 vaccinations not be made mandatory (EN2753)
From 471 petitioners – requesting that only Australian Citizens may purchase land or property in Australia (EN2757)
From 50 petitioners – requesting financial support for beauty clinics (EN2758)
From 248 petitioners – requesting recognition of First Peoples and for the reconsideration of an advisory body (EN2759)
From 26 petitioners – concerning NDIS backpay given to recipients (EN2760)
From 477 petitioners – requesting an Australian Bill of Rights (EN2762)
From 48 petitioners – requesting Google reviews be removed (EN2763)
From 1131 petitioners – requesting urgent protections for Afghan Mission essential personnel (EN2764)
From 26 petitioners – requesting to lower the national voting age to 16 (EN2766)
From 185 petitioners – requesting an automatic exemption of for subclass 482/494 visa holders to enter Australia (EN2770)
From 1013 petitioners – requesting an automatic exemption for prospective marriage visa holders to enter Australia (EN2771)
From 47 petitioners – requesting the return of Crimean cannons to Russia (EN2774)
Petitions certified on 23 June 2021
From 4363 petitioners – requesting to stop public funding of the Hunter Valley gas fired power station (EN2778)
From 1368 petitioners – requesting the removal of hotel quarantine (EN2782)
From 51 petitioners – concerning the farmers protest in India (EN2784)
From 422 petitioners – requesting that a choice of COVID-19 vaccines be given for all Australians, irrespective of age (EN2785)
From 176 petitioners – requesting to allow the Pfizer vaccine to be administered to over 50's (EN2787)
From 2856 petitioners – concerning Australia's engagement with ASEAN (EN2788)
From 107 petitioners – requesting to not allow any illegal immigrants into Australia (EN2789)
From 2380 petitioners – requesting an extension of time for skilled regional visa holders stranded overseas (EN2791)
From 783 petitioners – requesting to add Cantonese and Traditional Chinese courses in high schools (EN2792)
From 1138 petitioners – requesting that Australia make tiny house living legal (EN2793)
From 79170 petitioners – requesting that vaccine passports be banned (EN2794)
From 151 petitioners – requesting to stop the Japanese child abduction of Australian children (EN2796)
From 47 petitioners – regarding the eligibility of Alex Hawke for parliament (EN2797)
From 17613 petitioners – requesting to stop the cashless debit card trials (EN2799)
Petitions certified on 15 July 2021
From 500 petitioners – regarding the introduction of a vaccination passport (PN0511)
From 21 petitioners – regarding a First Nations voice to the Parliament (PN0512)
From 213 petitioners – requesting an end to offshore immigration detention (PN0513)
Petitions certified on 4 August 2021
From 713 petitioners – requesting a stop to stage two plans for the Museum of Underwater Arts at Great Palm Island and surrounding islands (PN0515)
From 49 petitioners – requesting for the reinstatement of the School Nutrition Program in Laramba (PN0516)
The following ministerial responses to petitions were received:
Ministerial responses received on 23 June 2021
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition regarding a request for a Royal Commission into political donations (EN1719)
From the Minister for Families and Social Services – to a petition regarding the child support scheme (EN2138)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition regarding the date of Australia Day (EN2336)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition regarding the date of Australia Day (EN2342)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition regarding human rights law and judiciary (EN2367)
From the Prime Minister – to a petition regarding a request for an annual International Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day in Australia (EN2389)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition regarding the charity status of religious organisations (EN2415)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition regarding JobKeeper payment extensions (EN2527)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition regarding copyright law regulations for creators and consumers (EN2561)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition regarding funding of aged care in Australia (EN2564)
Ministerial responses received on 15 July 2021
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government grant asylum to Hong Kong nationals currently residing in Australia (EN1022)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government grant permanent residency to Hong Kong expats currently residing in Australia (EN1048)
From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government allow the sale of cheap electric vehicles and ban the sale of internal combustion engine vehicles by 2025 (EN1311)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting more support for small businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak and a review of Australian competition law (EN1606)
From the Minister for the Environment – to a petition requesting that mass damage and destruction of ecosystems (ECOCIDE) be listed as a crime in the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (EN1644)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition requesting that Australia become a republic (EN1729)
From the Minister for Families and Social Services – to a petition requesting an increase to the amount and duration of the JobSeeker payment (EN1766)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting the creation of more transparent and accountable judicial appointments processes (EN1782)
From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy – to a petition concerning zero deposit property loans for farms (EN1789)
From the Minister for the Environment – to a petition requesting the federal protection for Koalas be strengthened (EN1862)
From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction – to a petition requesting that a potential gas plant in Kurri Kurri, New South Wales, be repealed (EN2046)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting duty free concessions be applied to alcohol and tobacco (EN2156)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that urgent reforms on cyber security reviews be implemented (EN2187)
From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government remove compulsory voting (EN2211)
From the Assistant Minister to the Minister for the Public Service – to a petition requesting the Australian Government cut the Australian Public Service (APS) numbers and wages over $150,000, as well as move departments to other parts of the country (EN2221)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition regarding support for Australians overseas affected by international passenger arrivals caps (EN2298)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition regarding arrivals of international students in Australia (EN2338)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting Australia's international quarantine arrangements be conducted offshore (EN2407)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting research into the safety and efficacy of Australian citizens after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine (EN2409)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting the eligibility requirements of the Remaining Relative (subclass 115) visa application, be amended (EN2414)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities & the Arts – to a petition requesting that digital platforms be banned from deleting political content that does not breach their conditions of service nor any Australian legislation (EN2419)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting the extension of Working Holiday visas granted prior to the COVID-19 pandemic (EN2434)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australia supply COVID-19 vaccines and logistical support to all Pacific island countries to ensure full population coverage and quarantine–free travel within the Pacific region (EN2436)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting legislation be implemented to ensure the mandatory vaccination of Australians against COVID-19 (EN2444)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting a suspension of COVID-19 vaccines pending further research into their safety and efficacy (EN2445)
From the Minister for Education and Youth – to a petition requesting that the dates of the NAPLAN (EN2448)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition regarding tensions in the Indian Australian community (EN2449)
From the Minister for Education and Youth – to a petition requesting that the Australian curriculum be amended with a greater emphasis on evolution teachings (EN2452)
From the Speaker – to a petition regarding communication by Members with constituents (EN2459)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government publicly condemn the violence against Afghan human rights defenders, journalists, media workers and women; as well as increase its support of the Afghanistan Government to help these same people (EN2474)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that extended family members of Australians who have received a COVID-19 vaccine, be allowed to travel to Australia (EN2485)
From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting that the voting age be lowered to 16 years of age (EN2487)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the circumcision of children, both boys and girls, be banned (EN2490)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Cabinet – to a petition requesting that the Commonwealth Government declare a National Day of Remembrance for COVID-19 on 26 October 2021 (EN2502)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting that a Royal Commission be opened into Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and veteran suicide as well as depression (EN2515)
From the Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction – to a petition requesting that the "special witness" feature/status offered to a female is removed to ensure parity in the legal framework (EN2521)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting Australian healthcare be reformed (EN2523)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting that the Basic Religious Charity category and exemptions in the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission Act 2012 (the ACNC Act) be abolished (EN2526)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that travel exemptions be applied to the parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents (EN2543)
From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting that a federal election is held immediately (EN2544)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting changes to certain Statements of Principles (SOPs) developed by the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) (EN2557)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australia advocate for the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, to be removed from China and for the Australian Olympic team to boycott the event (EN2572)
From the Assistant Minister for Electoral Matters – to a petition requesting mandatory voter identification and additional restrictions with respect to postal voting (EN2574)
From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy – to a petition requesting that superannuation funds disclose how human overpopulation risk may affect superannuation returns and how funds are managing these risks (EN2583)
From the Minister for Education and Youth – to a petition requesting that environmental concerns be included as part of the relationships and sexuality module of the Australian Curriculum (EN2584)
From the Minister for Veteran's Affairs – to a petition requesting that Gold Cards be provided to veterans covered by the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988 (EN2585)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting that the foreign ownership of Australian land cease immediately (EN2594)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the Australian Government remove the mandatory influenza vaccination requirement to visit residential aged care facilities (EN2598)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting the introduction of a 60-day statutory timeframe when deciding Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 claims and applications (EN2605)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting the introduction of a Bill to legislate for measures relating to the gender pay gap (EN2607)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the cessation of the AstraZeneca vaccine national rollout until proof of having no adverse reactions to any Australian citizen (EN2609)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs – to a petition requesting a reduction in Australia's permanent immigration to 70,000 per year after the COVID-19 border closure is lifted (PN0494)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs – to a petition requesting changes to certain Statements of Principles developed by the Repatriation Medical Authority (PN0504)
Ministerial responses received on 4 August 2021
From the Treasurer – to a petition regarding foreign ownership of land (EN1131)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that the House put forward a motion of no confidence in the Prime Minister (EN1222)
From the Minister for Superannuation, Financial Services and the Digital Economy – to a petition concerning an inquiry into Australian Securities and Investments Commission (EN2111)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that Australian workers be given the right to refuse an employer's direction to get vaccinated against COVID-19 (EN2272)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting the removal of politically extreme news outlets from social media platforms and the regulation of their content (EN2454)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting amendments to the News Media and Digital Platforms Mandatory Bargaining Code (EN2473)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition regarding Australia's extradition system (EN2499)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation cease to be funded (EN2511)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that the Australian Broadcasting Corporation cease to be funded (EN2530)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that an international travel exemption be made for parents of Australians and permanent residents (EN2535)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australia's border restrictions be eased for vaccinated international students travelling to Australia (EN2556)
From the Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia – to a petition regarding naturopathic medicines and therapies for animals and veterinary products (EN2559)
From the Minister for Veteran's Affairs – to a petition regarding evidence used by the Repatriation Medical Authority to determine factors for the Statements of Principles (EN2562)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting the Treasury disclose the risk of human overpopulation to Australian Government Bond returns and how the risk is being managed (EN2582)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 be amended to allow online poker providers to offer their services in Australia (EN2592)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that international travel be permitted into and out of Australia to meet parents (EN2611)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the removal of the requirement for international medical graduates to complete a pre–employment structured clinical interview in addition to the Australian Medical Council's examinations (EN2616)
From the Assistant Treasurer – to a petition requesting that businesses which received JobKeeper assistance make repayments (EN2617)
From the Minister for Sport – to a petition concerning the funding of projects in the 2018 Community Sport Infrastructure Grant Program (EN2620)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting that the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 be amended to provide further guidance on the expression 'other material' for the purposes of section 25D (EN2621)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that no legislation, regulation or rule is introduced that mandates the use of vaccine passports (EN2626)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the Pfizer vaccine be made available to any person in Australia (EN2628)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that Australians be able to travel internationally to visit family onwards from October 2021 (EN2631)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the resumption of domestic and regional Australian cruise ship voyages (EN2642)
From the Minister for Home Affairs – to a petition requesting that quarantine free travel resume between Australia and Taiwan (EN2644)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting the abolition of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (EN2646)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that that Australia's international travel ban with India be withdrawn (EN2651)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting changes to arrangements for the prescription of opioids for the treatment of chronic pain (EN2657)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that chronic patients are not prescribed medical cannabis (EN2658)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting the Biosecurity Act 2015 be amended to manage human overpopulation and overcrowding (EN2661)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care – to a petition requesting that the Biosecurity (Human Biosecurity Emergency) (Human Coronavirus with Pandemic Potential) (Emergency Requirements—High Risk Country Travel Pause) Determination 2021 be repealed and Australian citizens and permanent residents in India be repatriated immediately (EN2665)
From the Attorney-General – to a petition requesting to revoke certain clauses in the Fair Work Act 2009 (EN2670)
From the Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts – to a petition requesting that funding for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation be restored to 2013 levels to provide a greater regional service and to enhance its editorial standards (PN0506)
Mr Ken O'Dowd
Chair – Petitions Committee
Human Rights (Children Born Alive Protection) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a second time.
Our opinion is that there is no Constitutional impediment to the Bill as it does not constitute civil conscription. Specifically:
… We think that, properly considered, the Bill would not be characterised as a law with respect to 'the provision of … medical and dental services' within the meaning of s(ection) 51(xxiiiA), and that the civil conscription provision therefore would not apply to it.
… Even if the civil conscription prohibition did apply to the Bill, we consider that the Bill, if enacted, would not 'authorise any form of civil conscription' due to its conformity with Australia's international human rights obligations, and therefore would not be unconstitutional for breaching the civil conscription prohibition.
… that every child has the inherent right to life.
… shall ensure to the maximum extent possible the survival and development of the child.
… the right of the child to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of health and to facilities for the treatment of illness and rehabilitation of health.
… shall strive to ensure that no child is deprived of his or her right of access to such health care services.
… shall pursue full implementation of this right and, in particular, shall take appropriate measures … to diminish infant and child mortality.
That this House:
(1) notes that the Government's Job-ready Graduates Package is getting more Australians into the degrees that will get them the skills and qualifications to get a job;
(2) further notes that the latest data shows there are more Australians studying at university than ever before;
(3) recognises that the largest increases in new enrolments are for courses made cheaper by the Job‑ready Graduates Package; and
(4) notes that the Government is providing a record $20 billion investment in the higher education sector in 2021.
That this House:
(1) notes that the 2021-22 budget continues to support significant reforms in Australia's onshore waste and recycling industries, including:
(a) $67 million to support new food and garden organic waste initiatives that assist Australian households to better understand what can be recycled, divert the amount of waste going to landfill and produce top quality compost;
(b) an additional $5.9 million to expand the existing National Product Stewardship Investment Fund to invest in innovative industry-led solutions to improve the way products are designed, reused, repaired and recycled; and
(c) $5 million to help small businesses to adopt the Australasian Recycling Label to help make recycling easier and to boost recycling rates;
(2) further notes that the $190 million Recycling Modernisation Fund is leveraging more than $600 million of investment in state-of-the-art recycling infrastructure to sort, process and remanufacture waste materials onshore; and
(3) congratulates the Government for its leadership in driving a once in a generation $1 billion transformation of our waste and recycling industries that will reduce Australia's waste footprint by 10 million tonnes, protect our environment and create more than 10,000 jobs over the next decade.
That this House:
(1) notes the recent statement by the International Energy Agency that new coal, oil and gas projects must cease by 2021 to be able to reach net-zero by 2050; and
(2) calls on all Members of Parliament to act urgently on the International Energy Agency's warning.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) many Australian workers are being employed by labour hire companies on low wages and without access to entitlements such as annual leave, sick leave and parental leave;
(b) these workers are often working alongside other workers doing the same job, with the same roster who are employed on higher wages and with access to leave entitlements;
(c) the use of labour hire to avoid paying fair wages and conditions by Australian companies is growing, particularly in Australia's mining industry;
(d) the Federal Court of Australia in the Workpac v Rossato case determined that a worker who was defined as a casual employee by labour hire company Workpac was in fact a full time employee working a full time roster and therefore entitled to leave entitlements; and
(e) Workpac have appealed this decision in the High Court of Australia and the Government has intervened in the case to support the submission of Workpac that Mr Rossato is a casual employee and should not receive leave entitlements;
(2) recognises that the increasing use of labour hire companies by employers to avoid paying fair wages and conditions is reducing the incomes of workers and families, and is having a detrimental impact on their livelihoods, particularly in regional Australia; and
(3) calls on the Government to support Labor's policy and legislation in the Parliament that will ensure workers who do the same job receive the same pay.
Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2021
Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Amendment Bill 2021
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Cost Recovery and Other Measures) Bill 2021
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Charges) Amendment 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:
(1) that the Government has damaged Australia's world-class higher education system, placing thousands of university workers' jobs at risk, and jeopardising Australian research; and
(2) the Government's actions will make it harder for Australia to recover from the COVID-19 recession".
Media and communications lecturer Tauel Harper said his research informed his teaching and the proposal to move him to "teaching only" was devastating. "My research is my life's work," he said.
I don't comment on gossip or stories about other stories.
… at the end of the day, it was not a significant matter …
… public transport isn't just about the train line or bus route itself. It's also about the surrounding infrastructure that makes it work for local residents. That is why we are committed to upgrading parking facilities here at Mango Hill Station and at transport hubs across the country.
Under the Infrastructure Investment Program arrangements, the Australian Government may commit funding to an investment project at any time for any phase based on information it deems appropriate.
That Ms Thwaites be discharged from the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit and that, in her place, Mr Conroy be appointed as a member of that committee.
We can't get the sushi chefs so we can't open the restaurant at all. Every sushi master that comes into the restaurant trains another five or six young Australian chefs, so it's starting to impact on our ability to train local people, to bring them up to local standard.
Migration, including skilled migration, is only one part—albeit an important one—of the solution. Business and government also need to work together to grow the skills base, to reduce other constraints—let's call that the red tape—and improve the productivity of our existing labour and capital assets. The inflexibility, complexity and cost of the current migration system means it is less efficient and less effective than it could be.
The fact that these kinds of roles do not lead to permanent residency makes hiring senior and niche talent exceedingly difficult. The prospect of having to leave the country after a relatively short amount of time is less than enticing, in particular for the kind of senior talent that might've come with families.
Treasury Laws Amendment (COVID-19 Economic Response No. 2) Bill 2021
Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Waiver of Debt and Act of Grace Payments) Bill 2019
That the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting.
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"the second reading be considered immediately".
The House divided. [16:04]
(The Deputy Speaker—Mr Andrews)
Education Services for Overseas Students (Registration Charges) Amendment Bill 2021
Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Amendment Bill 2021
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Cost Recovery and Other Measures) Bill 2021
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Charges) Amendment Bill 2021
For a small portion of the JobKeeper money that was wasted on corporate handouts to profitable companies, we could have saved the 21,000 jobs lost from higher education.
The Senate divided. [17:04]
(The Speaker—Hon. Tony Smith)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education Services for Overseas Students (TPS Levies) Amendment Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a third time.
Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Cost Recovery and Other Measures) Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a third time.
Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Charges) Amendment Bill 2021
That this bill be now read a third time.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2021
The provision of a "Free" rate of customs duty for certain medical and hygiene products to 30 June 2021 is estimated to reduce customs duty receipts by $3.8 million.
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) acknowledges the bill provides for reduced rates of customs duty for goods required to combat the COVID-19 pandemic;
(2) notes that the Government has failed to outline a long-term plan to support local industries that are of strategic importance and in our national interest to safeguard; and
(3) further notes that the Prime Minister's refusal to secure a variety of vaccines in accordance with world's best practice has left Australians dangerously exposed against highly infectious COVID-19 variants".
All the people we've supported throughout the pandemic seem to have left us.
That business intervening before order of the day No. 9, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
From the bottom of my heart, I pray to you: stop this senseless division. Let us work together on the real issues. Let us solve those problems which haunt my people—the problems of land, of health, of unemployment, of the despair and hopelessness which leads even to suicide. Let us unite this country, not divide it ever—that toy of those who already have too much: mere symbolism.
Ladies and gentlemen, I would like to end what I have already said by singing my Jagera sorry chant.
As they were leading me up, I looked up and around the galleries and I could feel the whole Aboriginal race, of those who had gone before, were all up there, and I could visualise, I could hear voices and amongst those voices was the voice of my grandfather saying, 'It's alright now boy, you are finally in the council with the Australian Elders. Everything is now going to be alright.'
A gap is something that is easily crossed or closed. The unflinching litany of lopsided statistics before us makes it clear that this is a chasm.
To facilitate a sustainable, community-controlled Indigenous legal assistance sector, Commonwealth Government funding should continue to be delivered through a standalone, specific purpose funding program with minimum five-year funding terms.
All evidence and research show that working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and ACCOs is the best way forward. The Federal Government should honour its long-standing commitment, keep ILAP and adequately fund ATSILS to close the justice gap.