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. 16
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
16 October 2023
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 Tracey Roberts MP
Ms Meryl Swanson MP
This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives
Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session in the 47th Parliament on 9 August 2023, 6 September 2023, and 13 September 2023.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 54 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 9 August 2023
From 107 petitioners—requesting the cessation of the 2023 Australian Indigenous Voice referendum (EN5331)
Petitions certified on 6 September 2023
From 12 petitioners—requesting that businesses be banned from adding surcharges on non-cash transactions (EN5358)
From 23 petitioners—requesting that flea, tick, and heartworm products containing isoxazolines be classified as Schedule 4 items on the Poisons Standard (EN5359)
From 11 petitioners—requesting amendment of Section 140A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 andAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to allow for development of nuclear fusion energy (EN5360)
From 4 petitioners—requesting amendment of Section 140A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 andAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to allow for development of nuclear fusion energy (EN5361)
From 4 petitioners—requesting amendment of Section 140A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 andAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to allow for development of nuclear fusion energy (EN5364)
From 3 petitioners—requesting amendment of Section 140A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 andAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to allow for development of nuclear fusion energy (EN5365)
From 12 petitioners—requesting amendment of Section 140A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 andAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to allow for development of nuclear fusion energy (EN5366)
From 1 petitioner—requesting amendment of Section 140A of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 andAustralian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998 to allow for development of nuclear fusion energy (EN5367)
From 21 petitioners—requesting removal of the automatic indexation on excise duty rates for commercially produced alcohol (EN5368)
From 33 petitioners—requesting that the processing times for the offshore partner visas 300 and 309 be reduced (EN5370)
From 3 petitioners—regarding acts of violence committed against Indian Muslims (EN5372)
From 234 petitioners—regarding the expansion of access to antiviral treatments for people suffering health problems associated with long COVID (EN5373)
From 11 petitioners—regarding ongoing human rights violations and undemocratic activities in Bangladesh (EN5376)
From 2 petitioners—requesting the investigation of VETASSESS processing times (EN5377)
From 4 petitioners—requesting that the i-Port Advance™ be covered under the National Diabetes Services Scheme (NDSS) (EN5378)
From 54 petitioners—requesting the investigation of possible unfair decisions under the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 (EN5380)
From 13 petitioners—requesting regulations to replace folic acid with folate in common daily foods (EN5381)
From 6 petitioners—requesting changes to the cap on spousal income in the Disability Support Pension (DSP) income test (EN5382)
From 531 petitioners—requesting the incorporation of a Bill of Rights into the Australian Constitution (EN5383)
From 52 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a Royal Commission into Australian Federal and State Governments' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic (EN5385)
From 116 petitioners—requesting legislation to guarantee reasonable access to banking services and physical cash for all Australians (EN5391)
From 813 petitioners—regarding violence in Manipur and the protection of Christians and minorities in India (EN5392)
From 4649 petitioners—requesting a rejection of any proposals for the development of an offshore wind zone near Port MacDonnell (EN5394)
From 34 petitioners—requesting funding for Pacific Island cultural hubs in major states where large Pacific Islander communities reside (EN5395)
From 131 petitioners—requesting the introduction of 10 days paid menstrual leave for working women in Australia (EN5396)
From 117 petitioners—requesting amendment to provisions of the Totally and Permanently Incapacitated Payment under the Veterans' Entitlement Act 1986 to (EN5397)
From 193 petitioners—regarding regulation of Event Data Recorders in vehicles (EN5398)
From 1405 petitioners—requesting the closure of the Russian Consulate in Sydney and the expulsion of its diplomatic staff (EN5399)
From 69 petitioners—requesting that the proposed Illawarra Offshore Windfarm be rejected (EN5402)
From 14 petitioners—requesting cooperation with the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification to include residential cleaning companies in worker compensation schemes (EN5403)
From 206 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a national wildlife patrol service to protect native wildlife (EN5408)
From 2 petitioners—requesting the introduction of a program to educate the Australian public on the structure and functions of the executive branch of government (EN5409)
From 13 petitioners—requesting that greater restrictions be placed on lobbyists' access to Parliament House (EN5411)
From 66 petitioners—requesting that no new COVID-19 restrictions be legislated, and requesting that the House oppose any new state restrictions (EN5416)
From 510 petitioners—regarding wait times for onshore applicants applying for a 491 or 494 visa while on a bridging visa or responding to a s56 request (EN5417)
From 21 petitioners—requesting that the House introduce and pass legislation to establish separate referenda for Constitutional recognition and the Voice (EN5419)
From 31 petitioners—regarding the AEC's Ballot Paper Formality Guidelines
for the upcoming referendum (EN5421)
From 477 petitioners—requesting that the terms of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission investigation and enforcement inquiry be expanded to include the ACCC's activities (EN5423)
From 17 petitioners—requesting an acknowledgement of the contributions of the First Fleet and European settlers in the Australian Constitution (EN5427)
From 9 petitioners—requesting that imported products in Australia be required to have a label displaying total carbon emissions involved in production and importation (EN5428)
From 51 petitioners—requesting the addition of freedom of speech into the Australian Constitution (EN5429)
Petitions certified on 13 September 2023
From 7 petitioners—requesting legislation that enables men to enact a financial abortion (EN5430)
From 21 petitioners—requesting the introduction of reforms to mitigate the effects of bullying in Australian schools (EN5433)
From 20 petitioners—requesting an immediate ban on harmful and explicit content in Australia (EN5435)
From 16 petitioners—requesting an end to the live export of animals (EN5439)
From 28 petitioners—requesting a Royal Commission into the housing and rental crisis (EN5440)
From 15 petitioners—regarding the introduction of a new federal government body to audit and investigate rental properties and real estate agents (EN5441)
From 788 petitioners—requesting a moratorium on offshore wind projects in Australia (EN5442)
From 32 petitioners—requesting an end to the live export of animals
(EN5443)
From 42 petitioners—requesting the legalisation of capital punishment for convicted paedophiles (EN5445)
From 212 petitioners—regarding reforms to existing childcare legislation to prevent discrimination against children with profound disabilities (EN5446)
From 11147 petitioners—requesting amendment to visa options for parents of Australian children who are citizens (EN5447)
From 10 petitioners—requesting that volunteer work be included as specified work for the 88-day requirement for visa holders seeking to extend their stay (EN5448)
2. The following 31 ministerial responses to petitions were received:
Minist erial responses received by the Committee on 13 September 2023
From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting that the Federal Government take action to address the housing crisis (EN4105)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding military assistance to Ukraine (EN4122)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding financial independence, suspension from Centrelink and homelessness services (EN4130)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the legalisation of the recreational use and cultivation of cannabis for adults in Australia (EN4168)
From the Minister for Youth to a petition requesting the passing of legislation to ban the outing of LGBTQIA+ youth (EN4201)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition regarding the concentration of media ownership across newspapers, radio and television (EN4258)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting the ban on online poker be removed (EN4274)
From the Minister for Education to a petition regarding the legitimacy of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) system (EN4332)
From the Minister for Sport to a petition requesting the establishment of a national motorsport strategy (EN4392)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting increased support for carers of elderly Australians (EN4403)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the legalisation of cannabis for personal use and the creation of a regulatory system (EN4411)
From the Minister for Early Childhood Education to a petition requesting the Child Care Subsidy (CCS) be extended to grandparents who look after their grandchildren (EN4430)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting changes to the proposed Inland Rail line to bypass Wagga Wagga's Central Business District (EN4453)
From the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister to a petition requesting that the Australian Government establish a national public holiday to honour the late Queen Elizabeth II's memory (EN4468)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition regarding the Australian Taxation Office's handling of GST liabilities (EN4657)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition requesting the introduction of legislation for companies to enable consumers to unsubscribe from their services (EN4697)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the retention and protection of personal information by companies (EN4968)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting a ban on gambling advertising on all Australian media (EN4998)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting a ban on junior rates of pay (EN5023)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the proposed implementation of a national firearms register (EN5026)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting an amendment to the Fair Work Act 2009 to regulate job advertisements (EN5030)
From the Minister for Emergency Management to a petition requesting a resilience package for Cabonne, New South Wales (EN5065)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting the review and limiting of the proliferation of certain Indian Hindutva films (EN5113)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition regarding the funding of a stadium at Macquarie Point, Hobart (EN5143)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting that wages be linked to the Consumer Price Index or RBA cash rate (EN5150)
From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting that funding for the National Rental Affordability Scheme be extended (EN5165)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh (EN5210)
From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting the removal of the biosecurity levy for Australian farmers (EN5214)
From the Minister for Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition regarding the funding for the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 4 (EN5216)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting amendment to the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 in response to a Federal Court decision (EN5220)
From the Minister for Early Childhood Education to a petition regarding wages and conditions for early childhood educators and teachers (PN0547)
Ms Susan Templema n MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
Brisbane Airport Curfew and Demand Management Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
That:
(1) this House establish a joint select committee, to be known as the Joint Select Committee on Oversight of the Implementation of Recommendations of the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme to inquire into and report upon:
(a) the implementation of recommendations of the Royal Commission, which are directed at strengthening the Australian Public Service (APS), improving the processes of the Department of Social Services and Services Australia, and reinforcing the capability of oversight agencies;
(b) the implementation of recommendations of other reviews relating to the APS which the Royal Commission endorsed or specifically supported;
(c) the work of the APS Integrity Taskforce to deliver a 'pro-integrity culture' across the APS, including a comprehensive response to the themes emerging from the Royal Commission;
(d) action taken in response to other observations by the Royal Commission relating to the capability of the APS and budget processes; and
(e) any matter in relation to the Royal Commission's recommendations referred to the committee by a resolution of either House of the Parliament;
(2) the committee present reports every six months until the final sitting day of the 47th Parliament;
(3) the committee consist of nine members, four Senators, and five Members of the House of Representatives, as follows:
(a) two Members of the House of the Representatives to be nominated by the Government Whip or Whips;
(b) two Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Opposition Whip or Whips;
(c) two Senators to be nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate;
(d) one Senator to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate;
(e) one Senator to be nominated by any minority party or independent Senator; and
(f) one Member of the House of Representatives nominated by any minority party or independent Member;
(4) participating members may:
(a) be appointed to the committee on the nomination of the Government Whip in the House of Representatives, the Opposition Whip in the House of Representatives, the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate or any minority party or independent Senator or Member of the House of Representatives; and
(b) participate in hearings of evidence and deliberations of the committee, and have all the rights of members of the committee, but may not vote on any questions before the committee;
(5) every nomination of a member of the committee be notified in writing to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
(6) the members of the committee hold office as a joint select committee until the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires by effluxion of time;
(7) the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy;
(8) the committee elect:
(a) a Government member as its chair; and
(b) a non-Government member as its deputy chair who shall act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee; and
(c) at any time when the chair and deputy chair are not present at a meeting of the committee, the members present shall elect another member to act as chair at that meeting;
(9) in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, shall have a casting vote;
(10) three members of the committee constitute a quorum of the committee provided that in a deliberative meeting the quorum shall include one Government member of either House and one non-Government member of either House;
(11) the committee have power to:
(a) appoint subcommittees consisting of three or more of its members, and to refer to any such subcommittee any of the matters which the committee is empowered to examine; and
(b) appoint the chair of each subcommittee who shall have a casting vote only;
(12) two members of a subcommittee constitute the quorum of that subcommittee, provided that in a deliberative meeting the quorum shall include one Government member of either House and one non-Government member of either House;
(13) the committee have power to send for and examine persons and documents, to move from place to place, to sit in public or in private, and have leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit;
(14) the provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders; and
(15) a message be sent to the Senate seeking its concurrence in this resolution.
APS capability has arguably deteriorated and is not fit for the future. The approach to all aspects of workforce management lacks strategic direction and is below best practice in many areas.
It is remarkable how little interest there seems to have been in ensuring the scheme's legality … Truly dismaying was the revelation of dishonesty and collusion to prevent the scheme's lack of legal foundation coming to light.
… … …
Robodebt was a crude and cruel mechanism, neither fair nor legal, and it made many people feel like criminals. In essence, people were traumatised on the off-chance they might owe money. It was a costly failure of public administration, in both human and economic terms.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the hard work of the Government to bring the free trade agreement with the United Kingdom into force on 1 June 2023;
(2) welcomes the successful resumption of tariff-free sugar exports to the United Kingdom for the first time in 50 years, with the first shipment arriving in London from Queensland on 6 September 2023;
(3) recognises that as a trading nation Australia's prosperity is linked to open international markets, with trade contributing 29 per cent of Australia's gross domestic product and supporting one in four Australian jobs; and
(4) notes jobs in export industries pay five per cent above the national average income.
Queensland milks 150,000 cows on approximately 430 farms located throughout southeast Queensland, Darling Downs, Wide Bay, Central Queensland around Monto, Rockhampton, and Eungella, and in Far North Queensland near the Atherton Tableland.
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the $60 billion blackhole in the Government's energy plan, as exposed by independent analysis from a leading Australian energy economist;
(b) independent analysis has revealed that more than $60 billion of mega-energy projects, which the Government is seeking to build by 2030, are unaccounted for in the Government's logic despite their significant impact on the energy prices paid by households;
(c) the concerns raised pertain to the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation's GenCost study which evaluates the levelised cost of electricity for different energy generating technologies;
(d) the GenCost study provides the central justification for the Government's radical energy experiment and the repeated mantra that 'renewables are the cheapest form of energy';
(e) the GenCost report fails to account for the true cost of various energy generation technologies by excluding the cost of integrating them into the electricity network;
(f) that this includes projects such as Snowy 2.0, the Kurri Kurri gas plant, significant integrated system plan transmission projects, Tasmania Battery of the Nation, and the Illawarra gas peaking plant;
(g) the $60 billion price tag excludes household batteries and the distribution network;
(h) the Government has wilfully misrepresented the study to blind Australians to the true cost of the Government's plan; and
(i) the importance of a total system cost assessment for energy, including integration costs, because this will be paid for in the energy bills of Australian households and businesses; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) immediately stop misrepresenting the price of various energy generation technologies so that a complete assessment can be done to determine the true optimum investment pathway for Australia's energy market; and
(b) adopt an 'all of the above' approach to energy as the Opposition has done, which allows for a mix of different technologies to be considered, including renewables.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following the following from occurring in relation to business for today:
(1) government business taking priority until 1.30 pm;
(2) the Prime Minister immediately moving a motion relating to Hamas attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict;
(3) debate on the motion to proceed immediately, with the Leader of the Opposition to speak for equal time as the Prime Minister and all other speeches being limited to ten minutes;
(4) questions being put on any amendments to the motion and on the Prime Minister's motion at no later than 1.15 pm;
(5) statements relating to Hamas attacks on Israel and ongoing conflict being permitted at a later hour;
(6) following the presentation of documents after Question Time, private Members' business continuing for a maximum of 60 minutes, in accordance with the Selection Committee's determinations, after which government business to resume; and
(7) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.
That the House—
(1) unequivocally condemns the attacks on Israel by Hamas, which are the heinous acts of terrorists, and have encompassed the targeting and murder of civilians, including women and children, the taking of hostages, and indiscriminate rocket fire;
(2) stands with Israel and recognises its inherent right to defend itself;
(3) condemns antisemitism and recognises that generations of Jewish people have been subjected to this hateful prejudice;
(4) calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages;
(5) recognises that Hamas does not represent the Palestinian people, nor their legitimate needs and aspirations;
(6) acknowledges the devastating loss of Israeli and Palestinian life and that innocent civilians on all sides are suffering as a result of the attacks by Hamas and the subsequent conflict;
(7) supports justice and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike;
(8) supports international efforts to establish and maintain humanitarian access into Gaza, including safe passage for civilians;
(9) reiterates Australia's consistent position in all contexts is to call for the protection of civilian lives and the observance of international law;
(10) supports Australia's engagement with countries in the Middle East and beyond, at all levels, in support of the protection of civilians, and the containment of the conflict;
(11) supports the Government's ongoing efforts to provide consular assistance to affected Australians and to facilitate the departure of those who want to leave the region;
(12) acknowledges what has unfolded is deeply distressing for many in the Australian community, close to the heart of many, and it is important that we maintain respect for each other here at home as people express their views;
(13) condemns all forms of hate speech and violent extremist activity, including Antisemitism and Islamophobia;
(14) recognises an attack on any religion is an attack on all religions and that we all share a responsibility to unite, condemn and defeat such an attack on our common values and way of life;
(15) notes that undermining social cohesion and unity by stoking fear and division risks Australia's domestic security; and
(16) affirms in the strongest possible terms that hateful prejudice has no place in Australia.
Hamas does not stand for the Palestinian people's right to dignity and self-determination. Its stated purpose is the annihilation of the State of Israel and the murder of Jewish people.
They use Palestinian civilians as human shields.
Hamas offers nothing but terror and bloodshed with no regard to who pays the price.
… it is important that all parties consider the implications for social cohesion when making public statements. As I have said previously, words matter. ASIO has seen direct connections between inflamed language and inflamed community tensions.
As always, ASIO is not interested in those who are engaged in lawful protest, but rather the small subset of protesters who may wish to escalate protest to violence. This includes religiously motivated and ideologically motivated extremists, or anyone who believes that violence is a means to further their own interests.
Not one drop of water, not one grain of wheat, not a liter of fuel has been allowed in the Gaza Strip for the last eight days.
Raise the alarm that as of today, my UNRWA colleagues in Gaza can no longer provide humanitarian assistance as I speak.
Omit paragraph (2), substitute:
(2) condemns war crimes perpetrated by the state of Israel, including the bombing of Palestinian civilians, and calls for an immediate ceasefire between all parties and an end to the war on Gaza, recognising also that for there to be peace there must be an end to the state of Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian Territories;
If we have to have a choice between being dead and pitied, and being alive with a bad image, we'd rather be alive and have the bad image.
Our ability to survive some of the worst tragedies any people has known without losing our faith in life itself; to suffer and yet rebuild; to lose and yet recreate; to honour the past without being held captive by the past—all of which are embodied today in the State of Israel, living symbol of the power of hope—are vitally important not just to ourselves but to the world.
The House divided. [13:23]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That the House record its deep sadness at the deaths on 28 July 2023 of Captain Danniel Lyon, Lieutenant Maxwell Nugent, Warrant Officer Class 2 Joseph Phillip Laycock and Corporal Alexander Naggs in Queensland while taking part in Exercise Talisman Sabre, place on record its appreciation of their service to their country, and tender its profound sympathy to their families and colleagues in their bereavement.
The improvement in fiscal outcomes is a key factor in our AAA ratings because it will reduce the Government's annual borrowing needs and provide a buffer to absorb future economic shocks.
We went to the last election and a number of elections before that with that as our policy, and that will be our policy going into the next as well. I think it's right and respectful to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution.
I have been appalled by the abuses of sexual exploitation, human trafficking and other organised crime that have been presented to me … It is clear that gaps and weaknesses in Australia's visa system are allowing this to happen.
That the House:
(1) condemns the Prime Minister for:
(a) dividing Australians through his Voice referendum;
(b) failing to listen to all Australians;
(c) wasting over $450 million in taxpayer dollars;
(d) refusing to provide Australians with detail on the Voice;
(e) refusing to compromise in the national interest; and
(f) refusing to follow established referendum procedures;
(2) is of the opinion that all Australians deserve the very best of what our nation has to offer and that differences of opinion do not diminish our love for our country or our regard for each other; and
(3) therefore calls on the Prime Minister to:
(a) support the Opposition's call for a Royal Commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities;
(b) audit spending on Indigenous programs; and
(c) support practical policy ideas to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians to help Close the Gap.
That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving immediately:
That the House:
(1) condemns the Prime Minister for:
(a) dividing Australians through his Voice referendum;
(b) failing to listen to all Australians;
(c) wasting over $450 million in taxpayer dollars;
(d) refusing to provide Australians with detail on the Voice;
(e) refusing to compromise in the national interest; and
(f) refusing to follow established referendum procedures;
(2) is of the opinion that all Australians deserve the very best of what our nation has to offer and that differences of opinion do not diminish our love for our country or our regard for each other; and
(3) therefore calls on the Prime Minister to:
(a) support the Opposition's call for a Royal Commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities;
(b) audit spending on Indigenous programs; and
(c) support practical policy ideas to improve the lives of Indigenous Australians to help Close the Gap.
Renewable energy is driving down the wholesale cost of energy, setting new records for minimum demand for electricity from the grid and driving emissions to record lows …
… no one should fool themselves into believing this will be the last cost increase for the NuScale/UAMPS SMR.
That the postponement of notice No. 2 be rescinded, and the bill be presented immediately.
Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Expanding the Water Trigger) Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a second time.
Land is our life. Water is our life. We've got nowhere else to go. This is destroying our land and our culture.
May the memories of all who faced these horrors
Be sanctified with joy and love.
May their souls be bound up in the bond of life,
A living blessing in our midst.
… I have watched with alarm as words used in this chamber ricochet around the country, tearing at our social fabric. Spillover effects are acts of hate on our streets against Asians, Jews, Muslims, people of colour, the gender diverse. And the gun gets fired here. We have a choice. We can accept the politics of division or devalue that currency to junk.
The House divided. [17:59]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Biosecurity Amendment (Advanced Compliance Measures) Bill 2023
Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus) Bill 2023
Export Control Amendment (Streamlining Administrative Processes) Bill 2022
Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Industry Self-Classification and Other Measures) Bill 2023
Customs Legislation Amendment (Controlled Trials and Other Measures) Bill 2022
Financial Accountability Regime Bill 2023
Financial Accountability Regime (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2023
Treasury Laws Amendment (Modernising Business Communications and Other Measures) Bill 2023
Parliamentary Workplace Support Service (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023
Members of Parliament (Staff) Amendment Bill 2023
Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Bill 2023
Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security and Other Legislation Amendment (Modernisation) Bill 2022
Statute Law Amendment (Prescribed Forms and Other Updates) Bill 2023
Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Measures No. 3) Bill 2023
Treasury Laws Amendment (2023 Law Improvement Package No. 1) Bill 2023
Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Amendment (Administrative Changes) Bill 2023
International Organisations (Privileges and Immunities) Amendment Bill 2023
Housing Australia Future Fund Bill 2023
National Housing Supply and Affordability Council Bill 2023
Treasury Laws Amendment (Housing Measures No. 1) Bill 2023
Health Insurance Amendment (Professional Services Review Scheme) Bill 2023
Royal Commissions Amendment (Private Sessions) Bill 2023
Social Security Amendment (Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment) Bill 2023
There is no doubt in the minds of experts in genocide prevention … that what Armenians are facing from Azerbaijan is genocide.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Stevens ) took the chair at 10:30.
Celeste's was a life of service. She served the news industry as a young reporter. When she filed a feature story about being out on the beat with the police one night she was inspired to apply to the Queensland police academy, rising to the rank of acting senior sergeant while in Rockhampton.
She was one of the first cops in Queensland to be appointed as a school-based police officer to help teenagers in crisis.
Here, she dedicated her days to advocating for teenagers with behavioural issues.
She always maintained that there is no such thing as a "bad kid". It was merely the circumstances in which they were placed by adults, that influenced their need to act up.
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) Australia's energy grid is under imminent threat of blackouts as soon as this summer, as the Government's energy plan drives the premature closure of baseload energy without any guarantee of like-for-like replacement;
(b) that the Australian Energy Market Operator has sounded its most dire warning yet, signalling the increased likelihood of significant energy shortfalls as renewable energy investment stalls;
(c) that the stark warning is a direct result of the Government's energy policies;
(d) that at least 80 per cent of baseload energy will shut down by 2035 under this Government's watch;
(e) that despite the Minister for Climate Change and Energy repeatedly claiming that he is leading an economic transformation 'bigger than the Industrial Revolution' his Government has not asked his department or Treasury to complete any modelling of the energy plan;
(f) that Australians are already paying some of the most expensive energy bills in the world and now they have been told their lights may not turn on when they need them;
(g) the Government's heavy-handed, big government policies continue to smother investments in gas which is vital to keeping the lights on and the prices down;
(h) that increased demand for gas coupled with decreased investment due to the Government's anti-gas policies will exacerbate the threat to reliability and the risk that the lights will go out;
(i) the situation will only get worse if the Government continues with its policy suite and ill-informed pathway to decarbonising the grid;
(j) the Government's policies are driving the premature closure of baseload power generation yet is failing to replace the capacity as it has promised it would; and
(k) the Government is setting up renewable energy for failure, not success, by demanding a renewables-only grid; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) immediately stop its ideological crusade against energy technologies it does not like despite many of these technologies having reliably kept the lights on for decades;
(b) adopt an 'all of the above' approach to energy, as the Opposition has done, to ensure a balanced mix of technologies that can power our grid into the future, including renewables but not only renewables;
(c) support any state government that seeks to avoid premature closure of coal fired power stations while like-for-like energy generating replacements are built; and
(d) reinstate a technology-agnostic capacity mechanism as an insurance method to provide operators with the incentives they need to ensure a reliable synchronous energy supply in the grid.
If a product, an action or a policy has a suspected risk of causing harm to the public or to the environment, protective action should be supported before there is complete scientific proof of a risk.
Renewable energy is driving down the wholesale cost of energy, setting new records for minimum demand for electricity from the grid and driving emissions to record lows …
That this House notes that:
(1) the arts and creativity make a valuable contribution to the quality of life, cultural identity and individual wellbeing in regional communities;
(2) the arts and creativity can drive economic development by encouraging tourism, supporting small businesses, diversifying employment opportunities and providing skilled jobs;
(3) to tell the Australian story, regional voices must be heard;
(4) the new National Cultural Policy, 'Revive', commits new funding to creativity in regional Australia; and
(5) Revive will provide new investment and new vision for the cultural sector and begin repairing the damage caused by a decade of neglect of the arts by the previous Government.
… to promote a standard of excellence in the arts, to widen access to, and the understanding and application of, the arts in the community generally, to help establish and express an Australian identity through the arts and to promote an awareness of Australian culture abroad.
That this House:
(1) notes that the:
(a) Stronger Communities Programme delivered on the former Government's commitment to deliver social benefits in communities across Australia;
(b) programme provided grants of between $2,500 and $20,000 to community organisations and local governments for small scale projects; and
(c) programme helped fund over 15,000 community-based projects across Australia; and
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) the Government has failed to provide funding for future rounds of the programme, with no replacement for small-scale projects; and
(b) community groups, already struggling with the increased cost of living, will have no other option than to fundraise for projects that otherwise could have been funded under the programme.
Every single community in Australia is unique, and the Albanese Government recognises that local governments, community organisations and that people who live in their region best understand their local priorities.
The matter of future rounds of Stronger Communities will be the subject, no doubt, of future budget deliberations, but there was no allocation for Stronger Communities beyond round 8.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Government is working for Australia by delivering our commitment to strengthen Medicare and making it easier to see a doctor by:
(a) tripling the bulk billing incentive, the largest increase to the incentive in the 40-year history of Medicare;
(b) delivering cheaper medicines by cutting the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment for the first time in 75 years and allowing 60-day prescriptions, saving patients time and money due to less visits to the doctors and the chemist;
(c) establishing bulk-billing Medicare Urgent Care Clinics across the country where patients receive urgent but not life-threatening care and freeing up overstretched GPs, take pressure off hospitals and improve access to affordable care; and
(d) growing our health workforce and supporting our trusted health workers to do what they are trained to do by investing in the work force and supporting our local GP practices through the Strengthening Medicare General Practice Grants; and
(2) notes the mess the health system was left in after a decade of neglect, including under the stewardship of the now Leader of the Opposition who during his time as Minister:
(a) tried to tax every single visit Australians made to their GP;
(b) tried to jack up the price of medicines by $5 for each and every script;
(c) cut $50 billion from hospitals;
(d) started six years of a Medicare rebate freeze; and
(e) was voted the worst Health Minister in 40 years by the Australian Medical Association.
We need to focus on people's quality of life and issues like housing and health.
… there's been a deteriorating quality of life in the outer suburbs …
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) everyday Australians are experiencing a cost of living crisis; and
(b) the Government is investigating ways to respond to the United States of America's (US) Inflation Reduction Act, which is focused on demand-side solutions by the electrification of households, small businesses and transport; and
(2) calls on the Government to urgently bring forward its plan for responding to the US Inflation Reduction Act, to rapidly decarbonise and to reduce cost of living pressures.
That this House:
(1) notes that the supply, distribution and sale of illicit tobacco and vapes:
(a) is a significant source of revenue for organised crime and criminal gangs connected with the production of illicit drugs, illegal prostitution, supply of illegal firearms and other unlawful activities that cause harm to Australians;
(b) deprives the Australian people of approximately $400 million each year that would be directed toward the national health system;
(c) deprives lawful retailers of tobacco products of business; and
(d) endangers lives, properties and communities, including the owners and staff of legitimate grocery stores that sell legal tobacco and vapes; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) properly empower, resource and fund the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce to disrupt the supply and distribution of illicit tobacco and vapes; and
(b) legislate tough penalties to deter both the demand and supply of illicit tobacco and vapes.
The ABF informed the committee that organised criminal networks involved in illicit tobacco operate similarly to those involved in the importation of other contraband … such as narcotics. These criminal organisations:
… have access to a global network of … smuggling facilitators who … seek to infiltrate and exploit … members of the international supply chain—
… they look … they behave … very similar to those … involved in the importation of drugs, and … may be one and the same.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Government is working to relieve the cost of living pressure for Australians on low and fixed incomes, with around 5.5 million Australians receiving an increase to their income support payments and pensions on 20 September, as a result of:
(a) indexation; and/or
(b) the boost to income support announced in the May budget as part of the $14.6 billion cost of living package; and
(2) notes the changes include:
(a) increases to the rates of working-age and student payments, including:
(i) Jobseeker;
(ii) Youth Allowance;
(iii) Austudy;
(iv) Parenting Payment Partnered;
(v) Youth Disability Support Pension; and
(vi) ABSTUDY;
(b) expanded eligibility for the higher rate of Jobseeker to those aged 55 and over, who are on payment for nine continuous months or more (down from 60);
(c) expanded eligibility for Parenting Payment Single, to single principal carers until their youngest child turns 14 (up from 8);
(d) increases to the maximum rates of Commonwealth Rent Assistance, the highest in more than 30 years;
(e) indexation increases for recipients of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment and veterans on a service pension;
(f) indexation of the income limits for Commonwealth Seniors Health Card recipients; and
(g) other supplementary payments including Telephone Allowance and Utilities Allowance which are also being indexed.
The country has great and imperative obligations to the weak, the sick, the unfortunate. It must give to them all the sustenance and support it can. We look forward to social and unemployment insurances, to improved health services … to a better distribution of wealth, to a keener sense of social justice and social responsibility.
That this House:
(1) notes that it is now over 130 days since the Government announced a 90-day review into the Infrastructure Investment Pipeline;
(2) recognises that:
(a) investment in infrastructure is essential to reduce congestion and improve productivity and safety; and
(b) delaying important infrastructure projects while we await the results of the 90-day review is holding back the productivity of our nation and putting much needed safety upgrades on hold;
(3) acknowledges that costs continue to rise and delays to the commencement of infrastructure projects as a result of the review will result in considerably higher costs than originally estimated; and
(4) calls on the Government to complete the review process and unlock the infrastructure investment that our nation desperately needs.
… We will invest in infrastructure to boost productivity and create jobs.
We'll improve regional roads and major highways.
Labor will put the focus back on nation-building infrastructure using the Infrastructure Australia model I created as Minister.