The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 10:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 3
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
28 November 2022
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair Ms Susan Templeman MP
Deputy Chair Mr Ross Vasta MP
Mr Sam Birrell MP
Ms Alison Byrnes MP
Ms Lisa Chesters MP
Mr Garth Hamilton MP
Ms Tracy Roberts MP
Ms Meryl Swanson MP
Report summarising the petitions and Ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session in the 47th Parliament on 26 Oc tober 2022, 9 November 2022 and 23 November 2022.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 50 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 26 October 2022
From 10 petitioners—requesting a ban on all anime (Japanese animation) from being digitally transmitted (EN4484)
From 29 petitioners—requesting no GP fees (EN4485)
From 22 petitioners—requesting the inclusion of child care worker occupation into the skilled occupation list (EN4490)
From 500 petitioners—requesting action on the genocidal war in Tigray (EN4491)
From 14 petitioners—requesting an Australian republic (EN4493)
From 2 petitioners—requesting the legal age for owning a mobile phone be 18 years (EN4495)
From 592 petitioners—requesting redress for survivors of child sex abuse in gymnastics (EN4498)
From 32 petitioners—requesting the strengthening of data protection laws for consumers (EN4501)
From 6 petitioners—requesting free treatment for all children under 18 (EN4502)
From 28 petitioners—requesting support for the people of Iran (EN4503)
From 118 petitioners—requesting proven false allegations be penalised. (EN4506)
From 49 petitioners—requesting an increase in the validity period for professional year, Naati and English score. (EN4508)
From 40 petitioners—requesting the shut down of Iran's embassy and banishing of all associated personnel (EN4511)
From 21 petitioners—requesting the Iranian Ambassador be summoned over the protest crackdown (EN4512)
From 4 petitioners—requesting the new class of Australian submarines be named Rainbow Warriors (EN4515)
From 18 petitioners—requesting a block on international scam calls (EN4518)
From 1368 petitioners—requesting reintroduction of covid isolation mandates (EN4520)
From 13 petitioners—requesting a subsidised 12 month Diploma of Education
(EN4521)
From 25 petitioners—requesting Australia stop business with Iran and enter into human rights negotiations (EN4524)
From 133 petitioners—requesting action on government sponsored violence against civilians in Iran (EN4525)
From 18 petitioners—requesting a stop to ISIS brides coming back to Australia (EN4526)
From 5 petitioners—requesting the revision of pornographic media production and distribution laws (EN4527)
From 41 petitioners—requesting a reduction in visa processing time (EN4529)
From 16 petitioners—requesting a Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for pets (EN4531)
From 89 petitioners—requesting support for the Iran protest against the Islamic Republic (EN4533)
From 32 petitioners—requesting the Iranian Ambassador be summoned and expelled (EN4535)
From 62 petitioners—requesting a reduction in the duration of 491 visas (EN4536)
From 5 petitioners—requesting an investigation into how to encourage more voters to vote (EN4539)
From 39 petitioners—requesting the Iranian government are held accountable for the death of Mahsa Amini (EN4540)
From 17 petitioners—requesting a picture of the Canberra War Memorial to replace the Queen on the $5 note (EN4543)
From 69 petitioners—requesting a visa ban on people linked to Iranian regime (EN4544)
From 25 petitioners—requesting a requirement for consumer electronics to use USB-C for charging (EN4545)
From 8599 petitioners—requesting the designation of the IRGC as a terrorist organization in Australia (EN4547)
From 6304 petitioners—requesting whole-of-life reductions to veteran retirement pay (EN4548)
From 12 petitioners—requesting an investigation into the Nunyara Aboriginal Health Service (EN4549)
From 37 petitioners—requesting a reduction in the price of diesel (EN4551)
From 4 petitioners—requesting Parliamentary reform (EN4552)
From 8076 petitioners—requesting mRNA-vaccines are taken off the market (EN4554)
From 27 petitioners—requesting a review of the tax free threshold (EN4555)
From 20 petitioners—requesting more LGBTQIA+ related questions in the census (EN4557)
From 54864 petitioners—requesting the expulsion of the Islamic Republic of Iran ambassador (EN4559)
From 13 petitioners—requesting compulsory seat belts in buses (EN4560)
From 223 petitioners—requesting a declaration of the current Russian regime as "terrorist" (EN4562)
From 7 petitioners—requesting an aged pension after working for 20 years (EN4564)
From 26 petitioners—requesting an investigation into the issues forcing doctors to move to mixed billing (EN4566)
From 3759 petitioners—requesting the expulsion of Iran's diplomats and sanctioning of officials (EN4567)
From 810 petitioners—requesting the creation of a national stuttering awareness week in Australia. (EN4568)
From 279 petitioners—requesting that 491 visa holders be given the same rights as permanency residency (EN4569)
From 3880 petitioners—requesting urgent action towards the Islamic Republic of Iran (EN4571)
From 10579 petitioners—requesting the renunciation of the Islamic Republic of Iran (IRI) for human rights violations (EN4572)
The following 18 ministerial responses to petitions were received:
Received by the Committee on 9 November 2022
From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting mandatory first aid training for all school educators (EN3955)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting joining the EU Digital COVID certificate program (EN4008)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting recognition of the paediatric physiotherapy skill shortage (EN4011)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting a comprehensive risk analysis of MBS costs for pain management (EN4024)
From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting the removal of maximum attempts for LANTITE (EN4025)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting consideration of a ministerial appeal for Ji In Kim and Byeong Cheong (PN0539)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting no Medicare cover for COVID treatment for unvaccinated patients (EN4028)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting consideration of the No Requirement for Medical Treatment Bill (2021) (EN4039)
From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting the implementation of sexual consent education in schools (EN4047)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting military and financial assistance to help repel Russian aggression (EN4051)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting the removal of the kangaroo from the Coat of Arms (EN3952)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding human rights abuse in illegally occupied Kashmir by Indian government (EN4023)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the rejection of control of all global organisations (EN4037)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting condemnation of aggression against Ukraine. (EN4041)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting an increase in paid parental leave from 18 to 26 weeks (EN4056)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting the removal of balance of family test for parent permanent visas (EN4064)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the validity period of skills assessment for trade occupations (EN4086)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the reinstatement of abdominoplasty to Medicare (EN4087)
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
Fuel and Vehicle Standards Legislation Amendment (Reducing Vehicle Pollution) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a second time.
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Loot Boxes) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a second time.
Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Stop the Lies) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this House:
(1) notes that in May 2022, Australians voted for change and for a Labor Government to build a better future;
(2) further notes that in the six months since the election, the Parliament:
(a) has already legislated to:
(i) fix the mess the previous Government made of the aged care sector;
(ii) deliver a cleaner and greener future to tackle climate change;
(iii) deliver cheaper medicines;
(iv) provide ten days paid family and domestic violence leave;
(v) repeal the cashless debit card;
(vi) expand access to the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card; and
(vii) deliver a 'Future Made in Australia' with Jobs and Skills Australia; and
(b) is currently debating legislation to deliver:
(i) secure jobs and better pay;
(ii) a national anti-corruption commission;
(iii) safer and secure workplaces for Australian women; and
(iv) cheaper childcare for Australian families; and
(3) acknowledges that the Government is:
(a) delivering on its election commitments to build a better future; and
(b) being a responsible government in the face of challenging times globally.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Australian households are worried about increasing pressures from the cost-of-living crisis brought about by recent interest rate rises and continued inflation;
(2) notes that:
(a) consecutive interest rate rises since May 2022 have placed mortgage stresses on many Australian households and more rises are expected;
(b) Australians are hurting, but in its budget, the Government failed to outline a plan to take pressure off interest rates; and
(c) Australians cannot wait another seven months for the Government's second budget to come up with a plan to deal with cost-of-living pressures that have become very real and painful for so many;
(3) recognises that despite telling Australians their power bills are going up by more than 50 per cent, their mortgage payments will continue to rise, the cost of groceries will remain high, and inflation will continue to surge, the Government still has no plan to tackle this cost-of-living crisis; and
(4) calls on the Government to focus on the issues that matter to Australians and to deliver a real and comprehensive plan to ease inflation and cost-of-living pressures.
This current federal government had spruced election promises of lower electricity prices and that all these installed renewables provide cheaper supply; however, the real-world evidence does not support their claims. As you are in opposition it is your responsibility to hold the government to account at every opportunity. I would ask you pressure this new federal government and the state government on behalf of those small businesses and families who must financially pay for all of this as we are on an unsustainable track.
I wouldn't hold my breath with some of these commitments …
I have witnessed firsthand the rise in demand for food relief services over the past year as the country has been 'recovering' from Covid-19, but even I'm shocked by the picture that is exposed in this report.
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Workforce Incentive) Bill 2022
Customs Tariff Amendment (India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022
Customs Amendment (India-Australia Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022
Customs Tariff Amendment (Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022
Customs Amendment (Australia-United Kingdom Free Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022
Treasury Laws Amendment (Australia-India Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement Implementation) Bill 2022
Social Services and Other Legislation Amendment (Incentivising Pensioners to Downsize) Bill 2022
Biosecurity Amendment (Strengthening Biosecurity) Bill 2022
Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022
Anti-Discrimination and Human Rights Legislation Amendment (Respect at Work) Bill 2022
That the amendments be agreed to.
Crimes Amendment (Penalty Unit) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Information Disclosure, National Interest and Other Measures) Bill 2022
Scammers evolve quickly, and their tactics are becoming increasingly sophisticated and unscrupulous. There have been hundreds of reports to Scamwatch in the weeks after the recent high profile data breaches and that is expected to continue … Cyber criminals have capitalised on the data breach by impersonating government departments and businesses to carry out identity theft and remote access scams.
Affording to live is increasingly difficult. Prices of everything are going up, and everyone is grappling with this.
Many full-time students cannot work the hours needed to subsidise these soaring costs, particularly those on low wages. They are fed up with the rapidly increasing price of uni accommodation—not to mention essentials like fruit and veggies.
NEVER has there been a more legitimate reason to live off the two-minute noodles.
Young people are concerned for their futures—experiencing a lack of hope and ambition. The social divisions and economic brackets are restricting our access and eligibility to various benefit schemes designed to help us.
We feel that governments have lost focus on preparing Australia for future generations when it comes to the 'cost of living' issues. Not enough people or communities are thriving in modern Australia.
So, Mr Speaker, young people call on this parliament to get a grip on the economic challenges that are impeding the prosperity of future generations. And to act immediately to raise benefit schemes like Rent Assistance and Youth Allowance in line with inflation.
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022
… flat real wages are diminishing our sense of shared prosperity. The lack of real wage growth is one of the reasons why some in our community question whether they are benefiting from our economic success.
A Member may explain how he or she has been misrepresented or explain another matter of a personal nature whether or not there is a question before the House. The following conditions shall apply:
(a) the Member must rise and seek permission from the Speaker;
(b) the Member must not interrupt another Member addressing the House; and
(c) the matter must not be debated.
I want to thank the government of Australia, who assisted us with swift support and facilitated smooth transportation of ballot boxes to remote places in Vanuatu,
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Information Disclosure, National Interest and Other Measures) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Health Legislation Amendment (Medicare Compliance and Other Measures) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2022-2023
Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2022-2023
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2022-2023
Australian Crime Commission Amendment (Special Operations and Special Investigations) Bill 2022
Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 2) Bill 2022
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2022
Income Tax Amendment (Labour Mobility Program) Bill 2022
Treasury Laws Amendment (2022 Measures No. 3) Bill 2022
That the amendments be agreed to.
I might not share the religious beliefs of Australians who choose to invest their superannuation in a particular fund, but I 100 per cent support their ability to choose that fund—
and I don't think it should be the role of the Australian government to shut that fund down because that fund happens to operate in accordance with religious and faith based investing principles. I might not agree with them, but I will defend to my last breath, as the saying goes, their right to hold those beliefs and to invest in accordance with those beliefs.
Privacy Legislation Amendment (Enforcement and Other Measures) Bill 2022
That the amendment be agreed to.
Maritime Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Electric Car Discount) Bill 2022
That the amendments be agreed to.
Higher Education Support Amendment (2022 Measures No. 1) Bill 2022
Provide subsidies for relocation and providing HECS relief to those who commit to staying and working in rural communities.
… reduce the HECS debt of bonded medical students who come to the regions.
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 calls on the Government to:
(1)recognise that the financial benefit delivered under this bill, will, in many cases, not be sufficient to overcome other perceived barriers for entering the regional, rural and remote workforce;
(2)acknowledge that Australia is facing a nationwide GP crisis with a workforce shortage of 11,000 GP's forecast by 2032;
(3)acknowledge that not enough medical students are choosing general practice and commit to long term planning to increase the number of GP's including improving GP training programs; and
(4)substantially increase the Medicare rebate for GP services, as per recommendation 6 of the Senate Community Affairs References Committee Provision of general practitioner and related primary health services to outer metropolitan, rural, and regional Australians — Interim Report ".
High up in the hills, a strange and quiet forest dweller took it upon himself to be the Keeper of the Springs. He patrolled the hills and wherever he found a spring, he cleaned its brown pool of silt and fallen leaves, of mud and mold and took away from the spring all foreign matter, so that the water which bubbled up through the sand ran down clean and cold and pure. It leaped sparkling over rocks and dropped joyously in crystal cascades until, swollen by other streams, it became a river of life to the busy town. Millwheels were whirled by its rush. Gardens were refreshed by its waters. Fountains threw it like diamonds into the air. Swans sailed on its limpid surface, and children laughed as they played on its banks in the sunshine.
But the City Council was a group of hard-headed, hard-boiled businessmen. They scanned the civic budget and found in it the salary of a Keeper of the Springs. Said the Keeper of the Purse: "Why should we pay this romance ranger? We never see him; he is not necessary to our town's work life. If we build a reservoir just above the town, we can dispense with his services and save his salary." Therefore, the City Council voted to dispense with the unnecessary cost of a Keeper of the Springs, and to build a cement reservoir.
So the Keeper of the Springs no longer visited the brown pools but watched from the heights while they built the reservoir. When it was finished, it soon filled up with water, to be sure, but the water did not seem to be the same. It did not seem to be as clean, and a green scum soon befouled its stagnant surface. There were constant troubles with the delicate machinery of the mills, for it was often clogged with slime, and the swans found another home above the town. At last, an epidemic raged, and the clammy, yellow fingers of sickness reached into every home in every street and lane.
The City Council met again. Sorrowfully, it faced the city's plight, and frankly it acknowledged the mistake of the dismissal of the Keeper of the Springs. They sought him out of his hermit hut high in the hills, and begged him to return to his former joyous labor. Gladly he agreed, and began once more to make his rounds. It was not long until pure water came lilting down under tunnels of ferns and mosses and to sparkle in the cleansed reservoir. Millwheels turned again as of old. Stenches disappeared. Sickness waned and convalescent children playing in the sun laughed again because the swans had come back.
It's not the title but the task.
It's not the office but the outcome.
Given that the Parliament was not informed of any of the appointments, it was unable to hold Mr Morrison to account in his capacity as minister administering any of these five departments.
… the lack of disclosure of the appointments to the public was apt to undermine public confidence in government. Once the appointments became known, the secrecy with which they had been surrounded was corrosive of trust in government.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Clayd o n ) took the chair at 10:30.
Retail workers are the backbone of our economy. Australia must step up and protect the people who are our frontline, the workers who keep the nation running, before it's too late.
Too many retail and fast food workers are being abused at work, verbally and or physically. Enough is enough. Everyone has the right to a safe work environment.
As challenges continue to unravel after the pandemic, now is the time for our society and economy, as well as our government and businesses, to show retail workers that they are a valued part of our nation.
In order to rebuild our society, the government must invest in maintaining and nurturing our workers, thus creating a safe work environment free from abuse. Unions are only a small step towards achieving this, so it is vital for the government to continue supporting its workers. We must give them the respect they deserve.
Retail workers have always been essential, but now, it is impossible to ignore. Time after time, retail workers are not being considered; instead they are taken for granted.
The health and wellbeing of 1.5 million retail workers deserves attention.
Retail workers consistently face job insecurity, staff shortages and customer abuse.
It's time, Australia, to stop saying retail workers are 'essential' and start treating them as 'essential'.
I never understood why victims of domestic violence stayed until I was 13, begging a woman in my life to leave her toxic relationship.
Her only response was to show me the $36 in her bank account and ask me how.
I was 13 and I then understood the correlation between domestic violence fatality and economic insecurity in this country.
I was 13 and I discovered that the number on your payslip got to decide how safe you get to be, and I knew it was a problem.
The truth is the accessibility of justice and safety in this country relies on your personal economy despite those from lower-socio-economic areas suffering the most from violent crime.
Australians deserve better than to be asked to choose between a roof over their heads and their lives, but it is an issue people in my area face every day.
This is evident across the entire country as 42% of Australians utilising homelessness services report being a victim of domestic violence.
We as a country must do better to make up for this, we must remove the burden economic insecurity has on domestic violence victims by ensuring that fleeing domestic violence payments and public housing is accessible for all victims.
We must ensure that the way our police force and court system handle domestic violence, works for victims and is proactive in damage prevention.
From someone who grew up to discover this culture, I ask this house to make sure that our next generation doesn't have to.
Dear Mr Speaker—
and Members of Parliament,
My name is Taj Carver. I am a 15 year old student, I was born in Australia and have lived here all my life. I am planning to study law further on in my education, and I am also very interested in politics—I follow it on a day to day basis and I would like to perhaps become a politician some day.
However, for me and many other people at present, this is impossible. Once I turn 18, I will meet every criteria for eligibility to become a politician in this country, bar one—Section 44(i) of the Constitution.
As it happens, my mother migrated here from the United Kingdom, so even though I am not from the UK, nor have I ever lived there, nor does the British government even know of my existence, I am considered a dual citizen.
As it stands, the only way for me to become a Federal politician is for me to renounce my British citizenship—but to whom am I supposed to write, given they don't know who I am?
Australia prides itself nowadays on being a highly multicultural society, but this law is discriminatory and prevents the Australian people from being truly represented.
All I want to do is help make our country better, but currently I am being discouraged by this outdated, arbitrary law.
Thank you.
Hi, I'm Lucy. I am 15 and live on the Mornington Peninsula … I would hope and wish for the new Australian Parliament to introduce a national housing policy to help secure stable and affordable housing for all Australians.
There is a housing crisis in our country affecting Australians every day, whether that is families, students, or the now, or soon-to-be homeless.
… … …
Affordable housing is essential for Australian communities as it impacts mental and physical health, personal relationships, education, and employment outcomes.
The new Parliament needs to focus on safe and affordable housing because it will benefit every Australian.
If we can learn how to respect our beautiful planet, it will help replenish our earth.
We can do this by using natural resources, reusing space, and recycling … If humans wish for a future here, we need to take action now.
We need people in charge we can trust to make change.
That this House:
(1) notes that the previous Government:
(a) reformed the childcare system in 2018 to provide more subsidy to families who need it most and establish a safety net to cover up to the full cost of full-time childcare for disadvantaged children;
(b) in March 2022, implemented reforms to provide higher childcare subsidy for second and subsequent children aged under six, where costs double or treble for families; and
(c) invested record funding in the childcare system, including around $11 billion budgeted for the 2022-23 financial year;
(2) further notes that the Government promised to deliver:
(a) childcare reform with no family worse off;
(b) an Australian Competition and Consumer Commission price regulation mechanism to control childcare fees; and
(c) terms of reference for a Productivity Commission review of a 90 per cent childcare subsidy within its first 100 days of office; and
(3) calls on the Government to explain:
(a) why it promised its childcare policy would ease cost of living pressures for families, but is delayed until July 2023; and
(b) whether, with skyrocketing childcare costs, Australian families will actually be better off.
That this House:
(1) notes that the 50th anniversary of the Whitlam Government's election will be marked on 2 December 2022; and
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) the Whitlam Government's reforms modernised Australian society and its economy; and
(b) the impact of Prime Minister Whitlam's policies continues to define Australia and the political landscape.
We will legislate to give Aboriginal land rights—because all of us as Australians are diminished while the Aborigines are denied their rightful place in this nation.
That this House:
notes that:
the Government has committed Australia to the United Nations' 'loss and damage' fund without providing any details on what it will cost Australians or how it will be implemented;
the Government has signed an international agreement which could cost Australians tens of billions of dollars without outlining any plan as to what is expected of Australia;
the 'loss and damage' fund is reported to cost upwards of US $2 trillion globally per year by 2030;
China, the world's second largest economy and the world's biggest carbon emitter has not been ruled out as a potential recipient of compensation funding due to its status as a developing nation;
this scheme will penalise Australia for being blessed with an abundance of energy resources—resources that have been used to lift hundreds of millions of people out of absolute poverty;
the Prime Minister was quick to rule out support for Australian families struggling with cost-of-living pressures in the budget but has effectively signed a blank cheque (which could be worth tens of billions of dollars) for an international compensation scheme with no detail, and for which no economic modelling has been undertaken;
Australia has a long history of supporting its regional partners, especially those in the Pacific, and at COP26 the former Government doubled its climate finance commitment to $2 billion over 2020-25, with at least $700 million for Pacific climate and disaster finance; and
instead of finding a solution to skyrocketing domestic power prices, that are threatening up to 800,000 manufacturing jobs, the Minister for Climate Change and Energy has focused the Government's attention on committing the country to international pledges for which there is no detail; and
calls on the Government to explain what the 'loss and damage' fund will cost Australian taxpayers.
"We warmly welcome this increase in the aid budget, which will make a world of difference to countless people in our region and beyond. We commend the focus on the Pacific and Southeast Asia as our closest neighbours, especially as these two regions have been devastated by the climate emergency, COVID-19 and now the cost-of-living crisis," said Kirsty Robertson, Caritas Australia's CEO.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that 2022 represents a significant year for Australian military commemorative milestones, including the:
(a) 80th anniversary of the Battle for Australia;
(b) 80th anniversary of the sinking of the HMAS Armidale ;
(c) 80th anniversary of pushing back the Japanese on the Kokoda Track;
(d) 75th anniversary of Australian Peacekeeping efforts; and
(e) 50th anniversary of the end of National Service;
(2) notes that:
(a) Australia continues to recognise all those who defended our country during the Second World War, at home and in land, air and sea battles to our north as part of the Battle for Australia, which helped tum the tide of war against Japan;
(b) throughout 1942, Australian forces desperately fought to halt and eventually push back the Japanese along the Kokoda Track, in Buna, Gona and Sanananda in Papua, in New Guinea, the Huon Peninsula, Wewak and on the island of Bougainville;
(c) on 1 December 1942, 100 Australians died during the sinking of the HMAS Armidale , the largest loss of life from any corvette in the Second World War;
(d) Australians were part of the first United Nations peacekeeping operation when military observers were deployed to the Netherlands East Indies (now Indonesia) in 1947 and since that time, Australian peacekeepers have served in locations around the world, ranging from the Middle East to Africa, Southeast Asia and the Pacific in every year since; and
(e) Australia's fourth iteration of National Service was abolished by the Whitlam Labor Government on 5 December 1972;
(3) expresses its thanks to all former and current personnel for their service;
(4) remembers the lives and sacrifice of those service personnel who have died in and as a result of service to our nation; and
(5) further acknowledges the families who have been left behind and those who support loved ones who have served.
$80 million for a supposed water buyback. More than $100 million in sports rorts. Countless subsidies and grants to corporations. All out of the taxpayer pocket. This is what Australian politics has become.
Systemic corruption has always been an issue in Australia, and the cracks are clearly visible. Our ranking in the Transparency International Corruption Perceptions Index dropped 6 places between 2012 and 2015. In 2019, only 25 % of Australians said they trusted the government.
The duty of parliament is to serve the Australian people, not lobbyists nor donors. Corruption and pandering to corporate interests is never acceptable, regardless of party affiliation. The proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission is a promising start to combating the rampant integrity issues in our government. I encourage parliament to strengthen the commission by ensuring public hearings and implementing additional measures such as a whistleblower protection authority.
Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Secure Jobs, Better Pay) Bill 2022
My name is Bridget, and I come from a small town on the NSW South Coast, where community and connection are integral to my daily routine.
I hear one concurrent notion in political conversations—that the amplification of marginalised voices to achieve a common goal is imperative to the new government's success.
However, the election promises of the Albanese government have have seen little air time and have not yet been ratified.
I would like the new Parliament to achieve these promises as soon as possible, as this will increase Australia's resolve to combat issues such as climate change.
I believe this is only possible via close consultation with the people they directly affect.
I want discussions about women, First Nations peoples, and other marginalised communities moving out of Parliament, out of offices, and into communities like mine that are willing and able to have the conversation.
Many Australians feel disengaged from our policymakers and we must resolve this first.
It is impossible to achieve a resolution to suit the majority if the majority is rarely consulted and feels excluded.
To rejuvenate Australia's fighting spirit, we must bring them together to face our common enemy in climate change.
We must stand united. It is the only way forward.
That this House:
(1) notes that, the:
(a) Restart Investment to Sustain and Expand (RISE) fund was an effective and targeted arts funding initiative supporting 541 projects in over 4,000 locations, creating over 195,000 job opportunities and experiences reaching more than 55 million Australians;
(b) Arts Sustainability Fund was key to supporting systemically significant arts companies to survive through the COVID-19 pandemic with recipients including, the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, the Sydney Theatre Company, Brandenburg Ensemble, Queensland Ballet, Opera Australia, Design Tasmania, the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Melbourne Theatre Company, The Australian Ballet, Belvoir Theatre, Circa Contemporary Circus Limited, and Malthouse Theatre; and
(c) highest level of Commonwealth arts funding ever achieved was under the previous Government in 2021-2022 when the funding exceeded $1 billion; and
(2) expresses its regret at the adverse effect on the arts sector of politically motivated arts policy decisions since May 2022 including, the:
(a) grave mishandling of the additional $20 million of funding for RISE which was provided in the March 2022 budget, with the Government delaying action for many months before cancelling this funding in October;
(b) announcement in September that the Government would establish a Live Performance Support Fund with no guidelines, eligibility conditions or other details provided at that time and still not provided two months later; and
(c) abrupt and discourteous disbanding of the Creative Economy Taskforce which comprised a distinguished group of arts leaders doing outstanding work in advising on the Government arts policy.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) for nearly a decade, the former Government's oversight of the National Broadband Network (NBN) had been a masterclass in technological incompetence and financial mismanagement, causing Australia to trail other developed countries on broadband quality and speeds;
(b) the Government is delivering what Australians voted for and will expand full fibre access to 1.5 million premises by 2025 with a $2.4 billion equity investment over four years in the 2022-23 budget;
(c) this will:
(i) deliver a faster and more reliable NBN to more families, communities, and businesses and allow more Australians to take advantage of an increasingly digital global economy; and
(ii) give Australians who now rely on copper connections the choice of having full fibre connections to their premises if they want a faster NBN service than their current copper wire can deliver; and
(2) acknowledges economic analysis commissioned by NBN Co that estimates the additional fibre-to-the-premises connections will deliver an additional $20 billion uplift in gross domestic product by 2030 through connecting communities and businesses to faster and more reliable broadband services.
That this House:
(1) calls on the Government to provide for agricultural security in Australia particularly given recent dramatic increases in the cost of production as a result of dislocations in imports and Australia continuing to be a net importer of fruit and vegetables and:
(a) food and manufacturing labelling that highlights hidden imports and prevents fraud;
(b) fresh produce labelling system that indicates the farm gate price (and the supermarket mark up);
(c) 'divesture' legislation that reduces the market power of the corporations that operate the major supermarkets. With the objective of levelling the playing field providing a competitive marketplace for consumers and suppliers;
(d) a National Office of Better Agricultural Regulation with powers to reduce red tape and consider the actual cost of implementing both marketplace regulations (ie. Freshcare, HARPS, Fair Farms), and government regulations (ie. PALM Scheme, reef regulation, water, conservation and protection);
(e) investment in infrastructure and critical supplies/support industries to reduce production and transportation costs (ie. gas prices for fertiliser, chemical, fuel, worker access);
(f) reforming the PALM scheme to ensure farmers have direct access to the program.
(1) calls on the Government to provide for agricultural security in Australia particularly given recent dramatic increases in the cost of production as a result of dislocations in imports and Australia continuing to be a net importer of fruit and vegetables …
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can be life-changing for Australians with disability;
(2) recognises the NDIS is not working as effectively as it should due to a decade of neglect and mismanagement by the previous Government, creating an urgent need to:
(a) improve outcomes for participants;
(b) restore trust in the scheme and certainty for participants and their families; and
(c) improve the effectiveness and sustainability of the NDIS and broader social and economic benefits, without imposing the types of blunt force cuts favoured by the previous Government;
(3) notes the measures the Government has already taken to get the NDIS back on track, including:
(a) installing new leadership at the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA) and putting people with a disability at the centre of the scheme;
(b) reducing the inherited 4,500 case backlog of expensive, time-consuming appeals before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal by 2000 cases to date;
(c) reducing the number of people with disability trapped in hospitals despite being medically fit for discharge; and
(d) funding 380 new positions in the NDIA for better and faster planning decisions for people with disability and their families, carers, disability service providers and workers;
(4) calls on Members of the House to support the work ahead to make the NDIS the world-leading scheme it was designed to be, through:
(a) the root and branch review of the NDIS to improve its effectiveness, so that future generations receive the benefits of the scheme;
(b) planning for a workforce that can support the projected increase in NDIS participants;
(c) establishing a senior executive role within the NDIA to bolster its stewardship of the sector; and
(d) reducing waste and fraud so money intended for participants is not syphoned off or squandered; and
(5) further notes the benefits to the Australian community and our economy when we invest in people with disability and break down barriers to their participation in social and economic life.
I don't buy that there's some catastrophic disaster happening to the NDIS.
You can't move around the corridors of Parliament in Canberra without tripping over a Coalition Minister whispering the Scheme is unsustainable … I'm here to tell you today that is a lie.
The drafting of the rules of what is an 'ordinary living expense' or 'goods and services specified in the rules' should provide us with a basis for making determinations of non-compliance and remove some of the questions of what is allowable / not allowable with the removal of the term 'reasonable and necessary'.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Baha'i faith and their right to express their religious beliefs;
(2) condemns the actions of the Iranian Government's persecution of those of the Baha'i faith including the:
(a) imprisonment of Iranian Bahai's due to their faith;
(b) destruction and repossession of property and belongings of Iranian Baha'is;
(c) propaganda and incitement of hate and violence against those of the Baha'i faith; and
(d) barred access to education, including higher education for many Iranian Baha'is
(3) endorses the work of the Baha'i community in Australia who support citizens escaping persecution, and draw attention to the violation of humans rights of Baha'is in Iran.
… the Baha'is in Iran are all too familiar with persecution, with suffering, arbitrary imprisonment, denial of higher education, hate propaganda, executions and daily harassment for 43 years. In fact, what we see in Iran today is the extension of the persecution against the Baha'is to the generality of Iranians. A government that oppresses one group will surely be unjust to all groups in the long term.