The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That further statements on the recognition of ten years since the National Apology for Forced Adoptions be permitted in the Federation Chamber.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 21 March 2023.
2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 21 March 2023 and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 27 March 2023, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR PIKE: To present a Bill for an Act to declare Australia Day, on 26 January, to be the national day, and for related purposes. ( Australia Day Bill 2023 )
Notice given 20 March 2023. )
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 HAMILTON: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Online Safety Act 2021 , and for related purposes. (Online Safety Amendment (Breaking Online Notoriety) Bill 2023 )
( Notice given 20 March 2023. )
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 MS SHARKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 , and for related purposes. (Interactive Gambling Amendment (Credit Card Ban and Acknowledgement of Losses) Bill 2023 )
( Notice given 20 March 2023. )
Presenter may spe ak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
4 DR HAINES: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 , and for related purposes. (Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment (Cheaper Home Batteries) Bill 2023 )
( Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjou rned pursuant to standing order 142.
5 MR RAE: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government inherited an economy defined by a decade of stagnant wages, flatlining productivity, weak business investment, skills shortages and energy policy chaos; and
(2) notes that in the first ten months, the Government has:
(a) successfully argued for a minimum wage increase and passed legislation to get wages moving again;
(b) legislated cheaper child care and cheaper medicines;
(c) legislated emissions reductions targets and invested in cleaner and cheaper energy;
(d) invested in fee-free TAFE and more university places; and
(e) handed down a budget that delivered responsible cost of living relief and invested in the drivers of economic growth without adding to inflation; and
(3) further notes the next budget will build on these strong foundations with help for energy bills, higher wages for aged care workers and investments in economic growth.
( Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Time allotted — 30 minu tes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Rae — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue at a later hour.
6 MS SHARKIE: To move—That this House:
(1) recognises that the regulation of retirement villages in Australia is highly complex and varies significantly between states and territories;
(2) acknowledges that retirement village fees can include upfront incoming payments, ongoing service charges, and exit or deferred management fees, the latter of which may equate up to 25 to 40 per cent of the resident's ingoing contribution or resale price;
(3) further recognises that while these fees are of a quantum which may apply to a prospective resident when purchasing a property freehold, most retirement villages offer only loan/license agreements or leasehold or similar agreements, which do not provide comparable security of tenure nor other rights;
(4) expresses concern that:
(a) negotiating and understanding a lengthy and complex retirement village contract can be difficult for some prospective residents; and
(b) the fees charged place some residents in financial hardship when they depart, such that they may not be able to afford a higher level of care if needed subsequently;
(5) calls on the Government to recognise that many retirement village contracts represent a financial product, and therefore warrant federal oversight and regulation; and
(6) further calls on the Government to work with the states and territories on national reforms for the harmonisation of retirement village regulation regimes such that:
(a) improved consumer protections and increased transparency and consistency are provided for all Australians entering retirement villages; and
(b) consideration is given to:
(i) regulation of retirement village contracts as financial products by the Australian Securities and Investment Commission; and
(ii) improved consumer protections and regulation by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission.
( Notice given 20 March 2023. )
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Sharkie — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that co nsideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 MR LITTLEPROUD: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Australia's live sheep export industry employs more than 3,000 people in Western Australia and is worth $85 million;
(b) since 2018, this industry has delivered extensive and comprehensive reforms which have significantly improved animal welfare outcomes;
(c) Australia has the highest standards of animal welfare in the world;
(d) Australian sheep are high quality, disease-free and perform well in feedlots and at sea, creating demand overseas for them as a premium product; and
(e) if the trade is banned, alternatives will be sourced from countries that do not have Australia's high animal welfare or quality standards;
(2) condemns the Government for its reckless and ideological decision to forcibly shut down Australia's live sheep export industry;
(3) recognises that the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is the independent regulator of the live animal trade, and any decisions made in respect to the trade should always be predicated on science and independent of government;
(4) calls on the Government to urgently explain what factual evidence or science its decision to ban the live sheep export industry is based on; and
(5) urges the Government to immediately reverse its decision to forcibly shut down this industry.
( Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits —
Mr Littleproud — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS MCKENZIE: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) under the Government we have now seen interest rates rising for nine straight months; and
(b) we have not seen consistent rate hikes like this in more than 30 years;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) the latest increase means that a family with a typical mortgage of $750,000 now needs to find an extra $20,000 a year to keep up with mortgage repayments; and
(b) at the same time energy bills have soared and grocery costs are rising; and
(3) calls on the Government to take real action to address cost of living pressures.
Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms McKenzie — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Commi ttee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
2 MRS PHILLIPS: To move—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) Saturday, 1 April 2023 will mark the six month anniversary of the introduction of the Government's Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee; and
(b) the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee has helped over 2,700 Australians into home ownership;
(2) acknowledges that as well as establishing the Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee, the Government has started delivering on its ambitious housing agenda, including:
(a) widening the remit of the National Housing Infrastructure Facility, which has unlocked up to $575 million to be spent on delivering social and affordable housing;
(b) establishing the interim National Housing Supply and Affordability Council to provide expert advice to Government on housing supply and affordability; and
(c) striking a National Housing Accord to bring together all levels of government along with investors and the construction sector, alongside $350 million in additional federal funding to support the delivery of social and affordable housing; and
(3) further acknowledges that the Government will continue to work to improve housing outcomes for Australians by establishing the Housing Australia Future Fund, developing a new National Housing and Homelessness Plan and providing approximately $1.6 billion per year to the states and territories through the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement.
( Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Time allotted — 50 minute s.
Speech time limits —
Mrs Phillips — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 10 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
3 MRS ANDREWS: To move—That this House
(1) notes that:
(a) foreign interference online poses a unique risk to the national security of Australia, particularly on social media platforms;
(b) these platforms have been successfully weaponised by authoritarian states in an attempt to interfere in our democracy; and
(c) under the previous Government, Australia led the world with its foreign interference, espionage and influence reforms of 2018;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) the cybersecurity measures implemented by the previous Government are now being adopted by likeminded countries around the world; and
(b) cyber-enabled foreign interference is a unique challenge which requires further reforms; and
(3) calls on the Government to continue to monitor and adapt to the ever-changing threats posed by foreign actors in cyberspace.
( Notice given 29 November 2022. )
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mrs Andrews — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee d etermined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MS DANIEL: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the consequences of harm from gambling are poorer health and wellbeing for individuals who gamble, their family members, friends and community;
(b) family and relationship problems, emotional and psychological issues, including distress, depression, suicide and violence and financial harms are all costs of gambling;
(c) the potential for harm has increased with the proliferation of online gambling, and the proliferation of sports bettors gambling online which significantly increased during the COVID-19 pandemic; and
(d) a three-year study by La Trobe University with 50 thousand respondents revealed that more than three quarters felt they should be able to watch sport on television free from gambling ads and that young people are exposed to too much gambling advertising; and
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) expenditure on gambling advertising in Australia has increased by 320 per cent in the past 11 years;
(b) exposure to gambling advertising normalises betting and increases the risk of harm;
(c) current restrictions have failed to reduce children and young people's exposure to gambling, especially sports betting; and
(d) the prolific promotion of sports betting does not align with community values.
( Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Ms Daniel — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices — contin ued
5 MR WALLACE: To move—That this House acknowledges that:
(1) the social media platform TikTok poses a serious national security threat and should be banned on all government devices;
(2) Australian user-data is accessible in mainland China, and that Chinese companies are required under its national security laws to assist its intelligence agencies and to keep that assistance secret;
(3) the Government was warned of the serious threat nine months ago, and must now immediately act to follow the lead of our close security partners including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, New Zealand, and the European Union by banning TikTok on government devices;
(4) given the close relationship between TikTok, and its parent company Bytedance, and the Chinese Communist Party, the social media platform could be used to promote pro-Chinese Communist Party narratives, to suppress anti-Chinese Communist Party narratives, to stoke divisions in our country, and to influence our political system.
( Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Coulton — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day
1 LABOR GOVERNMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 28 November 2022 ) on the motion of Ms J Ryan—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.
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices — continued
6 MS STANLEY: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the COVID-19 pandemic showed us how vulnerable Australia's supply chains are;
(b) revitalising Australian manufacturing will diversify our economy and create sustainable and secure jobs;
(c) the Government is delivering on its election promise of creating a $15 billion National Reconstruction Fund (NRF); and
(d) the NRF will invest in the priority sectors of transport, medical science, renewable and low-emission technologies, value-add in agriculture, forestry and fisheries, value-add in resources, defence capabilities, and enabling capabilities; and
(2) acknowledges that the NRF will support:
(a) the development of strategically important industries and shore up supply chains;
(b) targeted investment in manufacturing capability to create well-paid jobs for Australians including in regional communities; and
(c) the diversification and transformation of Australian industry and the economy, to take advantage of emerging opportunities, including the global transition to net zero.
( Notice given 20 March 2023. )
Time allotted — 40 minutes .
Speech time limits —
Ms Stanley — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
7 MR PASIN: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the vital role the Australian trucking industry plays in the transportation of goods along the supply chain;
(2) recognises that the trucking industry is an industry made up of, amongst others, almost 60,000 small and family-owned businesses, operating on tight margins;
(3) notes that that the National Transport Commission anticipates that by imposing a 10 per cent annual increase to the heavy vehicle road user charge the tax paid on fuel would increase from 27.2 cents per litre to 36.2 cents per litre by July 2025, equating an additional $1.35 billion per year by 2025-26;
(4) recognises that many heavy vehicle road users are unable to pass on the increased costs, which will impact viability of logistics business, leading to inevitable collapse over coming months;
(5) calls on the Government to rule out increasing the heavy vehicle road user charge by 10 per cent in the interests of the heavy vehicle sector.
( Notice given 21 March 2023. )
Time allotted — 40 m inutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Pasin — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day — continued
ECONOMY: Resumption of debate on the motion of Mr Rae—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government inherited an economy defined by a decade of stagnant wages, flatlining productivity, weak business investment, skills shortages and energy policy chaos; and
(2) notes that in the first ten months, the Government has:
(a) successfully argued for a minimum wage increase and passed legislation to get wages moving again;
(b) legislated cheaper child care and cheaper medicines;
(c) legislated emissions reductions targets and invested in cleaner and cheaper energy;
(d) invested in fee-free TAFE and more university places; and
(e) handed down a budget that delivered responsible cost of living relief and invested in the drivers of economic growth without adding to inflation; and
(3) further notes the next budget will build on these strong foundations with help for energy bills, higher wages for aged care workers and investments in economic growth.
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
All Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 3 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
THE HON D. M. DICK MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
22 March 2023
Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Infrastructure Australia Amendment (Independent Review) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Jobs and Skills Australia Amendment Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:
(1) the Member for Berowra presenting a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes;
(2) debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding immediately for a period of no longer than one hour; and
(3) any questions required to complete the passage of the bill then being put without delay.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring immediately:
(1) the Member for Berowra presenting a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995, and for related purposes;
(2) debate on the second reading of the bill proceeding immediately for a period of no longer than one hour; and
(3) any questions required to complete the passage of the bill then being put without delay.
The House divided. [10:56]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Special Recreational Vessels Amendment Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Refining and Improving Our Tax System) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Health Insurance Amendment (Prescribed Dental Patients and Other Measures) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
That Members be discharged and appointed as members of certain committees in accordance with the following list:
Committee of Privileges and Members' Interests—Mr Chester be discharged from the committee.
Selection Committee—Mr Bandt be discharged and Mr Bates be appointed a member.
Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters—Mr Chester be discharged from the committee.
Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Mr Coleman be discharged and Mr Buchholz be appointed a member.
Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights—Mr Coleman and Mr Khalil be discharged and Mr Broadbent and Ms Murphy be appointed members.
Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit—Mr Coleman be discharged and Mr Pike be appointed a member.
National Health Amendment (Effect of Prosecution—Approved Pharmacist Corporations) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2023
The House divided. [11:31]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Financial Accountability Regime (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Financial Services Compensation Scheme of Last Resort Levy (Collection) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022
Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022
With the new climate change legislation committing Australia to reduce national emissions by 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieve net zero by 2050, changes to the design of the Safeguard Mechanism are essential.
The focus of policy design for Safeguard Mechanism should be on establishing a framework to maintain industry, jobs and competitiveness while also decarbonising, through the period to 2030 and beyond to achieve net zero by 2050. The success of this policy will not be measured in 2030 alone, but in the transformation of Australia's industry in the biggest clean industrial and economic revolution this country has seen.
Rio Tinto supports the use of a reformed Safeguard Mechanism as part of a suite of policy measures to incentivise genuine industrial abatement.
The Gippsland Basin Joint Venture will no longer have the capacity to step in as it has in the past to provide whole of market solutions when planned or unplanned maintenance events occur, or when additional gas is required to support the electricity market.
The experience of being a mother who went through adoption has had a long lasting impact on me. There was no respect for women or children in this situation. In 1953 when I became pregnant it was considered almost a criminal offence. Babies of unmarried women were labelled "illegitimate" and mothers were deemed to be unfit to be mothers.
We'll find you, we'll track you down and you will have to repay those debts and you may end up in prison.
Runs of sub-80 reads have only been seen during the late 1980s/early 1990s recession and in the 'banana republic' period of concern in 1986 …
… wasn't conscionable. So the view was to kick it into the long grass until so much time as the question had been resolved.
… at the time I was getting a fair bit of pressure from the Cabinet Office that to meet the savings requirements, this was needed, and that I needed to bring forward a Cabinet Submission on this.
The Cabinet Secretary speaks on behalf of the Prime Minister … So if the Cabinet Secretary is not happy, the next call is coming from the Prime Minister.
The Prime Minister signs off on everything that he wants to come forward.
He—he was a polite—had really good manners, but he—and he also—if he applied himself to something, he would do very well at it. He was very good at swimming and rugby. He was captain of the school when he was in primary school. … But the best thing about Jarrad, he was very unique in his way that he—our closeness. So we were very close … He just—he—he displayed his love for me quite openly.
And I … hope that this now sends—sets up a precedent that you are working in public office, you are there to work for the people. So do your job, and do it properly, you know.
And it all became very sly and very—just everyone was lying and covering each other's backs, and it just really … was both heartbreaking but also vindicating seeing that we have been able to get the truth out there for Rhys.
After Opposition Leader Peter Dutton reaffirmed the Coalition would vote against the legislation, and claimed some companies were urging him privately to block it, business leaders urged a rethink.
Business Council of Australia president Tim Reed told The Australian Financial Review Business Summit "we are disappointed" with the opposition's position.
He said the safeguard mechanism was the "best available option" for decarbonisation, and he questioned Mr Dutton's claim about businesses saying one thing in public and another in private.
The urgent need to respond to severe health workforce shortages across Australia.
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022
That this bill be now read a third time.
Safeguard Mechanism (Crediting) Amendment Bill 2022
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [16:49]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [17:26]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That the member for Newcastle be granted an extension of time.
The House divided. [17:40]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That the Member be no longer heard.
The House divided. [18:13]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That Mr Rae be granted an extension of time.
The House divided. [18:23]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
… is the best option that's on the table. And business believes that it's necessary, that we have to take that step, and we have to take it now.
Past failure to deal with this reality has crimped certainty for industry and investors, and left our energy sector in disarray. Australian businesses and households are now paying the price.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Payne ) took the chair at 09:30.
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022
The Committee is concerned about the growing restrictions on information sharing between this Committee and the IGIS.
3.8 As discussed in Chapter 2 of the report, several provisions of the IGIS Act are prescriptive about the circumstances in which information can be shared, which, when aligned with the secrecy provisions contained in the Act, actively prevent the Inspector-General from sharing non-operational information with the Committee even when the information would be directly relevant to the functions of the Committee and the Inspector-General may be minded to share the information if not for legislative limitations.
The watchdogs have to be constantly watched. None the less watchdogs are necessary.
… … …
Liberty and security go hand in hand. Without liberty there can be no security; without security there can be no liberty.
I have great difficulty in accepting that the office, when it is established, will do anything but make it more difficult for ASIO to operate in a proper fashion.
… the very notion of having an Inspector-General to second guess an intelligence agency is utterly absurd and it is a severe restriction on its effectiveness. The powers to be given to the Inspector-General will negate a lot of the effectiveness of ASIO and its activities.
… we certainly would not permit, in any legislation to be introduced into this House when we have the carriage of legislation, that there should be inquiries of the kind contemplated by the Bill, that is, inquiries into practices alleged to be contrary to human rights. It is perfectly absurd and quite obnoxious that that kind of inquiry should be directed against an intelligence organisation.
The blurring of old distinctions between security, economics, development and technology is a recurring theme of the new geopolitics.
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act should be amended to preclude the appointment to the Office of the IGIS of a person whose immediate prior role was as head or deputy head of an agency within the IGIS' oversight remit.
The Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Act should be amended to give the IGIS an inquiry function for employment related grievances of staff employed under the Office of National Intelligence Act.
Agreed. The IGIS has a unique role as the primary body with responsibility for intelligence oversight. Accordingly, this additional safeguard on IGIS's independence (and perceived independence) is appropriate.
Education Legislation Amendment (Startup Year and Other Measures) Bill 2023
UOW's Industry 4.0 Hub in Nowra has been a vital source of information, training and help with the introduction of robotics into my business. We at Smith's BBQs will be using Collaborative Robots to help fold the metal BBQ parts and to weld.
If you don't have people running businesses, from a diverse cultural base, they're not out there understanding, looking for and hiring, the skill sets and the cultural diversity that needs to be there.
Universities welcome the introduction of legislation to establish the government's Startup Year program, bringing much-needed financial support for university entrepreneurs a step closer.
… … …
"Unfortunately, financial barriers sometimes hinder the progress of these innovations and their transformative flow-on effects, including the creation of new jobs and economic opportunities.
"Universities support the Albanese Government's commitment to breaking down these barriers and supporting the commercialisation of new ideas and solutions to the challenges and opportunities facing our nation."
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator (Data Streamlining) Amendment Bill 2023
The rapid adoption of digital and data technologies in recent times has meant that many sectors and organisations have experienced years' worth of digital transformation in the space of months. … While this progress has been significant, experts predict that this is just the tip of the iceberg, with the vast majority of digitisation yet to occur.
With profound sadness and remorse, we offer you all our unreserved apology.
We deplore the shameful practices that denied you, the mothers, your fundamental rights and responsibilities to love and care for your children. You were not legally or socially acknowledged as their mothers. And you were yourselves deprived of care and support.
To you, the mothers who were betrayed by a system that gave you no choice and subjected you to manipulation, mistreatment and malpractice, we apologise.
We say sorry to you, the mothers who were denied knowledge of your rights, which meant you could not provide informed consent. You were given false assurances. You were forced to endure the coercion and brutality of practices that were unethical, dishonest and in many cases illegal.
We know you have suffered enduring effects from these practices forced upon you by others. For the loss, the grief, the disempowerment, the stigmatisation and the guilt, we say sorry.
To each of you who were adopted or removed, who were led to believe your mother had rejected you and who were denied the opportunity to grow up with your family and community of origin and to connect with your culture, we say sorry.
We apologise to the sons and daughters who grew up not knowing how much you were wanted and loved.
… … …
To you, the fathers, who were excluded from the lives of your children and deprived of the dignity of recognition on your children's birth records, we say sorry. We acknowledge your loss and grief.
I cannot imagine a grief greater than that of a parent and a child parted from each other. I cannot imagine an ache greater than the fear that 'mum didn't want me', especially, since it was not true. But hundreds of thousands of Australians have been adopted, often because their mothers had no real choice or were denied any choice, and that means that there are hundreds of thousands of mothers who hardly knew their children and hundreds of thousands of children who hardly knew their mothers.
… this is not ancient history, not some distant tale from the vanished past. The Australians affected are with us still …
… we reflect on a culture that enabled and facilitated the practice of denying mothers even a single moment with the baby that they had brought into the world.
Ten years ago all sides of politics came together in agreement with the apology.
Last night over a hundred mothers, adopted people, fathers, family members, advocates and support workers travelled to Canberra from all over the country to mark the occasion.
It was a night of reunion, reflection, mourning and connection.
Parliament, on behalf of the Australian people, takes responsibility and apologises for the policies and practices that forced the separation of mothers from their babies, which created a lifelong legacy of pain and suffering.
… … …
We know you have suffered enduring effects from these practices forced upon you by others. For the loss, the grief, the disempowerment, the stigmatisation and the guilt, we say sorry.
We can declare that these mothers did nothing wrong.
That you loved your children and you always will.
And to the children of forced adoption, we can say that you deserved so much better.
You deserved the chance to know, and love, your mother and father.
We can promise you all that no generation of Australians will suffer the same pain and trauma that you did.