The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
That further statements in relation to the death of Joy McKean OAM 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, 13 June 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, 13 June 2023, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 19 June 2023, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS SHARKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 , and for related purposes. (Interactive Gambling Amendment (Ban on Gambling Advertisements) Bill 2023)
(Notice given 27 March 2023.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a pe riod not exceeding 10 minutes — pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 DR SCAMPS: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 , and for related purposes. (Broadcasting Services Am endment (Healthy Kids Advertising) Bill 2023)
(Notice given 13 June 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 FERNANDO: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the popularity of the Government's Fee-Free TAFE policy, demonstrated by the almost 150,000 enrolments in the first quarter of 2023;
(2) recognises that fee-free TAFE is:
(a) driving enrolments in sectors with recognised skills shortages and securing a domestic workforce to deliver on current and future priorities;
(b) providing training opportunities to priority groups including First Nations Australians, young people (between the ages of 17 to 24), people out of work or receiving income support, unpaid carers, certain categories of visa holders, women undertaking study in non-traditional fields, people with disabilities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse communities;
(c) enabling greater opportunities for Australians to gain skills for rewarding employment and to obtain secure, well-paid jobs;
(d) investing in our greatest resource, our people, and ensuring that no Australians are held back or left behind as the Australian economy transitions; and
(e) providing important cost-of-living relief to Australian students;
(3) commends the Commonwealth and state and territory governments for jointly establishing a $1 billion 12-month National Skills Agreement in 2023, delivering 180,000 places this year; and
(4) welcomes budgeting for a further 300,000 places to be made fee-free from 2024, supporting TAFE's central role in the Vocational Education and Training sector.
(Notice given 24 May 2023.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Fer nando — 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.
4 MS LE: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges:
(a) more than half of the Australian population was either born overseas or has one parent who was born overseas; and
(b) nearly a quarter of Australian residents speak a language other than English at home;
(2) notes:
(a) the importance of government in creating an inclusive society where everyone feels they belong;
(b) the importance of national broadcasters like SBS and ABC in reflecting and engaging with culturally and linguistically diverse and Indigenous communities and promoting social cohesion and inclusion; and
(c) perceptions of fair and adequate representation in the media directly correlates with multicultural communities' sense of belonging;
(3) encourages:
(a) policymakers and government bodies to engage with culturally diverse communities in policy development;
(b) the Australian Public Service to commit to ensuring that diversity of leadership representation is reflected across its leadership levels;
(c) media organisations to ensure staff, senior leadership and boards reflect Australia's rich diversity; and
(d) SBS to play an active role in ensuring talent from multicultural backgrounds is given opportunities to excel within the organisation; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) take into account multicultural communities and their needs when formulating policies, allocation of funding, and resources;
(b) ensure English classes are funded for newly arrived migrants and refugees to ensure their successful integration into Australian society;
(c) ensure newly settled migrants and arrivals are aware of their rights and responsibilities;
(d) improve the process to recognise overseas qualifications so migrants and refugees can contribute to Australia's skilled workforce;
(e) effectively consult with cultural communities to inform the Government's Multicultural Framework Review.
(Notice given 13 June 2023.)
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Le — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined th at consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
5 MR WALLACE: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the Government is scrapping the 100 per cent pre-injury salary for veterans undertaking approved study from 1 July 2023;
(2) further notes that the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation and Other Legislation Amendment (Incapacity Payments) Bill 2022, which mirrors the Coalition's Maintaining Incapacity Payments for Veterans Studying Bill, was passed with bipartisan support in September 2022;
(3) recognises that at no stage did the Government flag the scheme was under review or to be cut, and on the contrary, the Minister for Veterans Affairs championed the scheme;
(4) calls on the Government to recommit to the bi-partisan support of our veterans and their families as they transition from the Australian Defence Force;
(5) calls on the Government to introduce a 'Diggers Bill'—similar to the United States G.I. Bill, also known as the Servicemen's Readjustment Act 1944 (United States); and
(6) acknowledges that it is our essential duty in this place to honour those who have given so much to protect Australia's interests at home and abroad.
(Notice given 30 May 2023; amended 31 May 2023.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time p rior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits —
Mr Wallace — 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
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS TEMPLEMAN: To move:
That this House notes:
(1) that the arts and cultural sector provides benefits far beyond the arts community itself;
(2) that cultural activities make a tangible and valuable contribution to policy objectives in areas such as health, mental health, social cohesion, regional development, tourism, foreign affairs, disability support, skills development, education, environmental stewardship and issues affecting First Nations Australians;
(3) that the new National Cultural Policy, 'Revive', takes a whole of government approach that emphasises the potential of the arts to serve public policy objectives across a range of portfolios and advances a cross-portfolio commitment to creative endeavour;
(4) that the Government recognises the centrality of the arts to our national identity, community life and individual wellbeing; and
(5) Revive will provide new investment and new vision for the cultural sector, to begin repairing the damage caused by a decade of neglect of the arts by the previous Government.
(Notice given 13 June 2023.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Templeman — 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.
2 MRS ANDREWS: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that 1 July 2023 marks five years since the official establishment of the Australian Space Agency;
(2) recognises the growth of the Australian space sector over that time and the world leading advanced manufacturing that Australia's space industry is spearheading;
(3) acknowledges that space industry development is one of the highest return investments governments can make in modem economies; and
(4) calls on the Government to re-prioritise the space sector as an investment, including as a standalone sector under the National Reconstruction Fund.
(Notice given 23 May 2023.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mrs Andrews — 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.
3 DR GARLAND: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the work the Government has undertaken in just over ten months to support Australia's higher education sector including:
(a) delivering 20,000 additional university places to areas of skills need for people underrepresented in our universities;
(b) facilitating the return of international students; and
(c) introducing the start-up legislation to support entrepreneurship, innovation and new ideas; and
(2) notes the once-in-a-generation universities accord process that the Government has commenced.
(Notice given 22 March 2023.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Dr Garland — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]
The Committee determine d that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
4 MR TED O'BRIEN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government has no plan to ensure replacement energy generation is built on time to replace the 20 gigawatt of baseload energy slated to withdraw from the National Electricity Market (NEM) by 2035, causing energy to become more expensive and less reliable;
(b) despite promising Australians it would reduce household electricity costs by $275 the Government has created energy chaos and has delivered consecutive price hikes including further increases of up to 33 per cent due from 1 July 2023;
(c) the closure of Liddell Power Station marks the start of a turbulent new era in Australia's energy market with 20 gigawatts of base load energy capacity (80 per cent of total baseload energy) to withdraw from the NEM by 2035;
(d) the Snowy 2.0 'mega battery' was commissioned by the former Government to support an orderly transition of the NEM, which is now under threat due to the current Government;
(e) the further delays to Snowy 2.0 will place further pressure on Australia's electricity market in coming years with 7.5 gigawats of baseload energy exiting the grid, before the 2 gigawatt Snowy 2.0 project is fully operational, from power stations including Liddell, Eraring, Yalloum and Vale Point B;
(f) the former Government actioned a comprehensive plan to enable a smooth powering down of the 2 gigawatt Liddell Power Station by extending its life, overseeing record investment in renewables and commissioning the 660 megawatt Kurri Kurri gas plant;
(g) since the Government came to office, there have been reports of massive blow-outs in both cost and the delivery timeframe for both the Snowy 2.0 and Kurri Kurri projects;
(h) the Government's uncommercial green hydrogen plan for Kurri Kurri has resulted in the project being delayed by at least a full year and has more than doubled the project's total cost; and
(i) the former Government worked with energy providers like AGL to extend the life of critical power stations to allow time for replacements to be built; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) immediately reinstate a technology agnostic capacity mechanism;
(b) urgently work with Origin Energy to extend the life of the Eraring power station until replacement dispatchable capacity comes online;
(c) scrap its uncommercial green hydrogen plan for Kurri Kurri so it can start as a gas plant as soon as possible; and
(d) ensure Snowy 2.0 is operational as soon as possible.
(Notice given 9 Ma y 2023.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Mr Ted O'Brien — 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.
Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Orders of the day
1 COMMUNITY PHARMACIES: Resumption of debate ( from 22 May 2023 ) on the motion of Mr Wallace—That this House acknowledges that:
(1) the Government:
(a) has not consulted with or listened to the genuine concerns of community pharmacists in regard to its proposed pharmaceutical 60-day dispensing changes; and
(b) must provide a strong guarantee that this change will not:
(i) harm the viability of community pharmacies;
(ii) affect medicine supplies especially in regional and rural communities; and
(iii) increase the stockpiling and wastage of medicines;
(2) the increased cost of living has placed enormous pressure on Australians, but questions remain on whether this policy will have perverse and unintended consequences; and
(3) community pharmacists play an integral role in the provision of primary healthcare in Australia, particularly in rural and regional Australia, as they stepped up when the nation needed them most through the COVID-19 pandemic and they deserve the support of the Government.
Time allotted — 35 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Wallace — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Notices — continued
5 MR HILL: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the development and implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly accelerating globally and in Australia;
(2) acknowledges that while there is much uncertainty surrounding both the development and adoption of AI technologies, and that 'AI' is a term used to describe a variety of techniques and applications, what is clear is that these technologies will transform human society, how we experience our lives and how we understand reality;
(3) recognises that harnessing the benefits of AI presents enormous opportunities for Australia, including:
(a) the potential for AI to boost productivity and revolutionise many industries;
(b) the capacity to transform our economy with advances in every conceivable field of human endeavour;
(c) new employment opportunities through human-centered AI;
(d) improving health, wealth and equality outcomes for all Australians including through improved government service delivery; and
(e) enhancements to environmental sustainability through better-informed decision making and accelerated scientific discovery;
(4) further notes that in order to safely harness these benefits, Australia must also act to mitigate the profound risks posed by AI, including:
(a) immediate and tangible threats to job security and industrial relations;
(b) the risk that AI could perpetuate or amplify existing biases and discrimination;
(c) the risk that AI could perpetuate or enable new forms of disinformation and misinformation;
(d) social and democratic harm through the use of AI in cyber attacks and large-scale disinformation campaigns;
(e) further digital marginalisation and inequality; and
(f) the threat of social disruption and national security risks;
(5) recognises that notwithstanding positive efforts underway to address matters related to AI—including responsible AI standards and policy—Australia has broader capability and governance gaps and needs to ensure that regulatory oversight of AI development and adoption in Australia is fit for purpose;
(6) affirms that:
(a) AI is one of the most transformational technologies of the 21st century, on par with the industrial revolution;
(b) the level of risk posed by unchecked AI, and the scope of policy development needed to curtail this risk, warrants urgent attention;
(c) industry leaders are calling for additional government action and regulatory cooperation;
(d) AI governance, regulation and public-good investment is too important to be left to industry or technical experts alone; and
(e) the Australian Parliament and Government have a responsibility to consider and act thoughtfully and promptly in responding to these changes; and
(7) further notes the recent regulatory moves underway in other jurisdictions, including diverse approaches to AI governance in the EU, the USA, China and the UK; and
(8) recognises that all Members of Parliament have a responsibility to engage with the transformative challenges presented by AI, and together explore what Australia should do to:
(a) foster and contribute to a national debate about AI;
(b) seize the enormous opportunities that AI technology will continue to generate;
(c) mitigate, through appropriate regulatory measures, community anxieties and the profound risks posed by unchecked AI; and
(d) deliver an Australian approach to AI governance and regulation informed by values of democratic participation, nation building, social justice, equality, consumer protection and international cooperation.
(Notice given 9 May 2023.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hill — 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.
6 MS SHARKIE: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises that regional print media:
(a) contributes positively to community well-being and maintains paramount civic value to rural Australians;
(b) facilitates opportunities for local journalists to cover stories of significant local importance;
(c) delivers media diversity in a highly competitive market dominated by two large conglomerates; and
(d) enables the collection and preservation of local and regional histories via national archives resources such as Trove; and
(2) acknowledges the following challenges endured by the regional print media industry:
(a) difficulties in maintaining consistent revenue streams;
(b) the closure of over 200 regional newspapers across Australia during the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020; and
(c) changes in government communications policy with the change in Government; and
(3) calls on the Government to review communications policy and regional print media funding to ensure that:
(a) the regional print media industry survives declining economic conditions;
(b) regional print media continues to provide entirely localised news for regional communities, which maximises social harmony;
(c) opportunities for country Australians seeking careers in print journalism are maintained; and
(d) media diversity in regional Australia remains, to prevent a city-based newspaper from becoming the sole source of print media in an entire state.
(Notice given 9 May 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 t hat consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
Orders of the day — continued
2 AGED CARE SECTOR: Resumption of debate ( from 22 May 2023 ) on the motion of Ms Thwaites—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Government's second budget delivers a record 15 per cent pay increase for aged care workers across Australia, and that this represents the biggest ever pay rise for aged care workers;
(2) recognises the work of the Government supporting the aged care sector to improve facilities and lift the quality of care for residents, including through increasing average care minutes and greater transparency; and
(3) commends the Government for having directly addressed 37 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety since coming into office, and its commitment to continue delivering reform for the aged care sector.
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Thwaites — 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.
3 SUPERANNUATION TAX: Resumption of debate ( from 22 May 2023 ) on the motion of Ms Bell—That this House:
(1) notes that the Government's superannuation tax will unfairly impact younger Australians;
(2) recognises that:
(a) a 20-year-old today earning an average salary will be caught in the net of the Government's doubling of superannuation taxes;
(b) an analysis of Australian Taxation Office and Australian Bureau of Census data reveals that this means more than two million Australians under the age of 25 today will be slugged with the Government's latest tax grab; and
(c) the Government has been misleading Australia and it is time for the Treasurer to come clean and confirm exactly how many people will lose out under these changes; and
(3) acknowledges that young Australians today will pay the price for the Government's reckless spending.
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Bell — 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.
Notices — continued
7 MS STANLEY: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is recognised on 15 June; and
(b) this day is an opportunity to increase awareness of the different forms of elder abuse, whether they be financial, psychological, physical or neglect; and
(2) acknowledges that the Government is committed to:
(a) implementing the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety; and
(b) ensuring that older Australians are afforded the proper care and respect they deserve.
(Notice given 30 May 2023.)
Time allo tted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Ms Stanley — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter sh ould continue on a future day.
THE HON D. M. DICK MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
14 June 2023
Public Service Amendment Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
… the APS builds capability and institutional knowledge, and supports the public interest now and into the future by understanding the long-term impacts of what it does.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Law Improvement Package No. 1) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 3) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
(1) That the House notes:
(a) The evidence is that extensions to restrictions on gambling advertising around sports broadcasts are not effective
(b) Enhanced restrictions on gambling advertising introduced in 2017 have proved counter-productive with promotion shifting from sports broadcasts to general programming
(c) Research commissioned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority found that the total volume of gambling advertisements on radio and television increased by 50 percent after the new restrictions were introduced
(d) A recent survey for the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation found that 78 percent of respondents believe they should be able to watch sport free of gambling advertising
(2) That so much of standing orders be suspended as would prevent Private Members' business order of the day No 31, the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Prohibition of Gambling Advertisements) Bill 2023, being called on immediately and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent private Members' business order of the day No. 31, the Broadcasting Services Amendment (Prohibition of Gambling Advertisements) Bill 2023, being called on immediately and given priority over all other business for final determination of the House.
The House divided. [10:18]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Trade Support Loans Amendment Bill 2023
Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Amendment Bill 2023
… if untapped women's workforce participation was a massive ore deposit, we would have governments lining up to give tax concessions to get it out of the ground.
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 that Australia is experiencing skills shortages, and measures must be implemented to support these in demand occupations;
(2) welcomes the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List to be expanded to capture critical non-trade occupations (including childcare, disability and aged care sectors);
(3) notes that unprecedented high indexation on loans applicable under the Australian Apprenticeships Priority List may be a deterrent for disadvantaged individuals pursuing the high-demand occupations; and
(4) calls on the government to revert indexation of Australian apprenticeship support loans back to the 2022 rate of 3.9% to allow disadvantaged apprentices to work full time, pay down their loan and meet the cost of living needs".
All words after 'that' be omitted with a view to substituting other words.
That the bill be now read a third time.
Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Amendment Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Nature Repair Market Bill 2023
Nature Repair Market (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023
The petition of members of the community of Saint Ignatius' College draws to the attention of the House that the impact of climate change is being felt across Australia and in particular the impact on members of the community of Saint Ignatius' College many of whom are from regional Australia and Indigenous Communities including the Torres Strait Islands. Australia is currently experiencing more frequent and severe climatic conditions often impacting the most vulnerable in our communities with people losing their lives, homes, livelihoods, and sacred sites.
We therefore ask the House to take immediate action to reduce the impacts of climate change by urgent reductions in greenhouse emissions and supporting those most impacted by climate change Torres Strait Islander and regional communities in order to protect populations locally and globally.
I wear the Qantas uniform just like my other colleagues but I earn substantially less than what they do. We all do the same job, we work the same hours and take on the same responsibilities. But my paycheck, worker benefits and rest periods are significantly different. My role was Cabin Leader on the last shift I worked, which means you have more communication with the flight crew, ground staff and more responsibility for the cabin. But my colleague who is employed by a different subcontractor is getting almost double what I'm earning. On that day I was in a higher role than her, but she was out earning me.
I love my job, I enjoy going to work with my colleagues and interacting with passengers onboard. But it's hard to be in love with your job, when the company doesn't care for its workers. It's hard to respect Qantas when it's employees' pay, benefits and contractors are so different yet we all look the same and do the same work.
… do you sort of put your hand up and say maybe we didn't do enough on this when we were in government?
Look, I think that governments past have been absolutely remiss in their ability to make a real difference in shifting the dial on productivity …
… I am not going to put my hand on my heart there and say "Look at all the great things we did" …
My question is to the Prime Minister. UBS data shows that in the last month alone the price of Vegemite has increased by eight per cent, peanut butter by nine per cent. Yoghurt has increased by 12 per cent.
As for the things Australians love, Vegemite is up eight per cent—not in a year, in a month.
I've got a shadow cabinet leak, and that is that Angus Taylor yesterday was castigating shadow cabinet ministers—
… not appropriate, involving deliberate breaches of the relevant legal requirements.
… where Ministers have made statements either inside or outside the House about matters that may concern their actions before becoming a Member and/or a Minister, questions have been permitted on those statements.
Ministers have a responsibility to the House when they provide that information, and for us to be able to test —
I 100 per cent stand by what I said on Monday, and I 100 per cent stand by I have done at every stage—
… it's really good to see that all governments have intervened in both coal and gas markets and that has brought down the price expectations in the system, …
I was told by one of your senators two weeks before about what you were intending to do with the story in my office. Two weeks before.
… Senators Wong, Gallagher and I had a very respectful discussion during the dinner break, and they've assured me they were not involved in that matter becoming public. I accept their assurance. Thank you.
The inflation crisis which this Government has caused.
The current flurry of regulatory changes, under the banners of 'getting wages moving', 'job security' and 'equality', are likely to impede the flexibility and 'dynamism' that is integral to productivity growth and higher real wages—
… he depicted it merely as 'an addition to the debate'—
with little indication of areas to be followed up.
… inflation is … way too high …
The present government decided to take an expansionary position … If the government's spending and taxation choices are too expansionary, the RBA must act by raising interest rates.
I don't think that the budget is adding to inflation; it's actually reducing inflation …
… we want to show up every day and take responsibility. Not just for the good things, but for the difficult things as well.
Nature Repair Market Bill 2023
Nature Repair Market (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023
… is a policy based on lawed premises, non-existent evidence of effectiveness and is a poor use of public resources relative to alternative policies …
Australia's natural environment and iconic places are in an overall state of decline and are under increasing threat. The environment is not sufficiently resilient to withstand current, emerging or future threats, including climate change.
The EPBC Act is out dated and requires fundamental reform. It does not enable the Commonwealth to effectively fulfil its environmental management responsibilities to protect nationally important matters.
To shy away from the fundamental reforms recommended by this Review is to accept the continued decline of our iconic places and the extinction of our most threatened plants, animals and ecosystems. This is unacceptable. A firm commitment to change from all stakeholders is needed to enable future generations to enjoy and benefit from Australia's unique environment and heritage.
Given the current state of Australia's environment, broad restoration is required to address past loss, build resilience and reverse the current trajectory of environmental decline. Restoration is necessary to enable Australia to accommodate future development in a sustainable way. The scale of the task ahead is significant and is too large for governments to try to solve alone. To support greater collaboration between governments and the private sector, new mechanisms are needed to leverage the scale of investment that will be needed for decades to come.
The land is a living, breathing entity. If you love the land, the earth, it'll love you back. It's just the way it's always been. Again, there's no big secret to it. If you want a relationship with the land, you just have to love it.
… … …
We're not exclusive from nature. We're a part of it! We're part of everything around us
Only within the moment of time represented by the present century has one species—man—acquired significant power to alter the nature of his world.
If I have better biodiversity then I have an ecosystem that is more resilient. It is going to handle whatever climate change throws at it. It is going to handle fires, floods and droughts much better than an ecosystem that is liable to collapse.
The bird life has increased really well, there are a lot of small, native grass birds that you see most days.
All must care for the land and its creatures, all must be regenerated by care and ceremony, no soul must be extinguished, no totem put at risk, no habitat too much reduced. That mandate, not the theology, made land care purposeful, universal and predictable.
We have a continent to learn. If we are to survive, let alone feel at home, we must begin to understand our country. If we succeed, one day we might become Australian.
… farmers … play a key role in maintaining healthy ecosystems on nearly 60 per cent of Australia's land. However, their stewardship of that land is not currently valued by the market.
We need a national voluntary agriculture biodiversity stewardship market that recognises and financially rewards them for their efforts to restore, enhance or protect biodiversity.
… would complement the voluntary carbon market, providing an incentive for farmers to establish carbon plantings that also deliver biodiversity benefits. Environmental plantings deliver carbon and biodiversity benefits, but to date, only carbon benefits have been recognised.
The Wimmera is a biodiversity hotspot. The region is the geographical and biological transition between temperate and arid Australia.
…the distribution of numerous 'temperate' species, like the smoky mouse ( Pseudomys fumeus ), southern brown bandicoot (Isoodon obesulus ) and long-nosed potoroo (Potorous tridactylus ).
Formerly dominated by grassy woodlands, these areas are famed for their agricultural productivity but also support important biodiversity assets like the Wimmera grasslands, internationally significant wetlands and habitat for the critically endangered south-eastern red-tailed black cockatoo ( Calyptorhynchus banksii graptogyne ).
To shy away from the fundamental reforms recommended by this Review is to accept the continued decline of our iconic places and the extinction of our most threatened plants, animals and ecosystems.
… to promote the enhancement or protection of biodiversity against the urgent threat of climate change, drawing on the best available scientific knowledge.
… the state and trend of the environment of Australia are poor and deteriorating as a result of increasing pressures from climate change, habitat loss, invasive species, pollution and resource extraction. Changing environmental conditions mean that many species and ecosystems are increasingly threatened.
In practice, this means that all biodiversity projects to be carried out on native title land or waters would need either to be undertaken by the relevant native title holders, or would require the consent of the relevant native title holders before the project could be registered. This would ensure that native title holders have the final say—
on whether, and what kind of, biodiversity projects are carried out on or in native title areas.
… the registered native title body corporate would be able to consent to another person being the project proponent and carrying out the project in or on the native title area.
Buyers are expecting to be able to invest in nature to achieve philanthropic objectives, meet their social and environmental responsibilities, compensate for their impacts on nature and manage risks associated with their dependencies on nature.
For many irrigators, the power increases coupled with the disastrous outlook for red wine grapes for the 2023 vintage (plus a flood event impacting on some irrigated properties) … might be nearly enough to send some … "out the back door".
I've had so many beautiful messages since the birth of Max, including "I hope you guys are well".
Some of you might have noticed that the reply has only included a synopsis on Max's health and not my own. This is because I have not been well.
This time last year I was in Mudgee with my friends. My biggest stress was choosing which wineries we should visit and finding my lost car keys after a night out.
This year I'm spending the long weekend in a hospital bed, commencing treatment for a diagnosis of Aplastic Anaemia, a rare bone marrow failure syndrome, 7 weeks after giving birth to my baby.
The last few weeks of pregnancy, and then the last 7 weeks have definitely not gone to plan, and have been far from what I pictured new motherhood to be.
My stressors this year are a little bit more life threatening, and one of them includes a shortage of suitable blood for continued transfusions needed to keep me going and finding a suitable bone marrow donor if/when we need to cross that bridge.
Please consider donating blood if you can, it would really mean so much to me and the many others who depend on it to stay alive (bit morbid, sorry).
If you can't, please consider donating to Maddie Riewoldt's Vision (www.mrv.org.au)—a foundation launched following Maddie's death from AA in 2015, at age 26. They are dedicated to researching and improving patient outcomes for those diagnosed with bone marrow failure syndromes. Footy fans may be familiar.
If you're feeling particularly sad for me and others diagnosed with AA or blood cancers etc please consider registering yourself as a bone marrow donor at Strength to Give (strenghtogive.org.au/register/) or talk to your local blood bank.
Apologies for the long and depresso post, and thanks in advance for your support.
Thankyou for all the messages, please know I am grateful for your check-ins.
We still have a long road ahead, and we hope everyone can see us and meet Max soon.
We left our shores in '69, not knowing our fate at the time.
We were young and spirited, full of life.
This journey of ours would lead to strife.
The day had come to say goodbye, from airports and wharves the flag did fly.
Family and friends showed us much love, with tears in their eyes they looked above.
As the jets flew past, with such a roar.
Would it be the last time they saw, their sons, brothers, fathers leaving for war?
As distance gathered between them and us, we looked at each other "Why all the fuss?!"
Heading to a land far away, to an unknown war to this day.
The Reg's, the Nasho's together as one, carrying their packs and a brand-new gun.
… … …
We were brothers in arms to say the least, the mates we lost,
May they rest in peace.
On arrival home no words (of war) were spoken, some battered, some bruised with spirits broken.
Family and friends gave us support, with little knowledge of the war we fought.
With pain and anger in my heart, I longed for the day and a fresh new start.
Lest we forget.
Finally, to leave this god forsaken place, the excitement could be seen on everyone's face.
We had served our "country" as requested, we fought and toiled and never rested.
By air and sea, we left for home, together as one and never alone.
We were brothers in arms to say the least, the mates we lost,
There is a crisis of exploitation, with up to one in six recent migrants paid less than the minimum wage.
When migrant workers are being underpaid—it hurts all of us, driving wages and conditions down for everyone.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Ms Archer) took the chair at 09:30.
Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2023-2024
An exposure draft would be a matter for government, and I think that in this case it's likely that they'd give that very serious consideration.
Treaty must include:
… … …
… the Dialogues discussed that a Treaty could include a proper say in decision-making, the establishment of a truth commission, reparations, a financial settlement (such as seeking a percentage of GDP), the resolution of land, water and resources issues, recognition of authority and customary law, and guarantees of respect for the rights of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
The Government has provisioned funding for future mental health priorities in response to the Better Access evaluation.
Australia's historic migrant success is rooted in permanency and citizenship.
Labor will, over time, achieve a funding target for the international development program of at least 0.5% of gross national income.
… has now fallen to 0.19%, and with indexation and economic growth continuing at its projected 2025-26 level (2.75%), Australia's ODA/GNI ratio will fall to below 0.14% over the next decade.
Labor will increase aid as a percentage of gross national income every year that we are in office, starting with our first budget
While ACFID notes the Government's efforts in rebuilding the development program, there is no denying that Australia's overall performance as a donor is lagging …
Australia's ODA to GNI percentage in 2022-23 was 0.20 percent. This coming year, it will fall to 0.19 percent—which represents a historic low.