The SPEAKER ( Hon. Milton Dick ) took the chair at 09:00, made an acknowledgement of country and read prayers.
Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business
1. The Committee met in private session on Tuesday, 6 February 2024.
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, 6 February 2024, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 12 February 2024, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION
Report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the 44th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) hosted by the Republic of Indonesia
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10.20 am.
Speech time limits —
Ms Mascarenhas — 5minutes.
Next Member speaking — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
2 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security
Annual Report of Committee Activities 2022-2023
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made — all statements to conclude by 10.25 am.
Speech time limits —
Mr Khalil — 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MS CHANEY: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Criminal Code Act 1995 , and for related purposes. (Criminal Code Amendment (Telecommunications Offences for Suicide Related Material — Exception for Lawful Voluntary Assisted Dying) Bill 2024 )
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 GEE: To present a Bill for an Act to prohibit the purchase of residential property by foreign entities, and for related purposes. ( Prohibition on the Purchase of Residential Property by Foreign Entities Bill 2024 )
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 MR CHANDLER-MATHER: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that since the House of Representatives' resolution of 16 October 2023 concerning Israel and Gaza, which supported the State of Israel's looming invasion of Gaza by stating that the House 'stands with Israel', the following have occurred:
(a) an appalling and increasing toll of deaths and injuries caused by the State of Israel's bombing and invasion of Gaza;
(b) a growing humanitarian catastrophe caused by the State of Israel's blockade, bombing and invasion of Gaza; and
(c) the State of Israel is the subject of recent International Court of Justice orders in South Africa's case regarding the prevention of genocide;
(2) does not support the State of Israel's continued invasion of Gaza, and calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire; and
(3) calls on the Government to end its support for the State of Israel's invasion of Gaza.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Chandler-Mather — 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.
4 MR VAN MANEN: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that before the election, the:
(a) Government promised a $275 reduction in people's power bills; and
(b) Prime Minister promised 'cheaper mortgages', and promised that families would be 'better off', yet in just 18 months:
(i) food has gone up more than 9 per cent;
(ii) housing has gone up more than 12 per cent;
(iii) electricity has gone up more than 23 per cent;
(iv) gas has gone up more than 29 per cent;
(v) after 12 interest rate rises, interest rates are at their highest level since 2011, meaning a family with a $750,000 mortgage now needs to pay an extra $24,000 per year; and
(vi) rents are experiencing the highest increase since 2009;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) this Government's economic and energy policies are making inflation worse with Australia's inflation still higher than almost every major advanced economy; and
(b) higher inflation means higher interest rates which contributes to higher rents; and
(3) recognises that in the past year, household disposable incomes fell by 5 per cent, more than any developed country.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — 25 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr van Manen — 5minutes.
Other Members — 5minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 5 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.
5 MR BURNELL: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that cost of living pressures, including the cost of groceries, are putting Australians under the pump;
(2) notes that to ensure that Australian consumers and suppliers are getting a fair deal, the Government has:
(a) directed the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission to conduct a pricing inquiry into the competitiveness of retail prices and allegations of price gouging in the supermarket sector;
(b) commenced an independent review of the Food and Grocery Code led by Dr Craig Emerson, which will examine whether the code is effective in ensuring Australian suppliers and farmers are getting a fair go; and
(c) partnered with consumer advocacy group CHOICE to regularly provide shoppers with better information on the comparative costs of grocery goods at different retailers; and
(3) recognises these measures are further examples of the Government ensuring everyone is doing their bit when it comes to easing the cost of living crisis.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.
Speech time limits —
Mr Burnell — 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 STEGGALL: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) domestic and intimate partner violence is a national crisis and whilst impacting all genders, the casualties are overwhelmingly women;
(b) on average in Australia, one woman per week is murdered by her current or former partner;
(c) as of 4 February 2024, six women have been allegedly murdered by their male partner in Australia;
(d) in the year 2021-22, 5,606 women were hospitalised due to family and domestic violence, an average of 15 women per day;
(e) the number of Australian women killed by their partners each year has not changed significantly in over 30 years;
(f) women often experience multiple incidents of violence across their lifetime; and
(g) the men who abuse, violate and murder women are not so-called 'good blokes' and any such notion must be called out each and every time a woman faces violence at the hands of a male partner or male they know; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) urgently convene a crisis National Cabinet meeting of federal, state and territory ministers to:
(i) ensure the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022-2032 is bringing about the required action and policies to prevent violence against women and children across Australia;
(ii) commission, a review of all state criminal sentencing provisions and the use of character references for domestic violence and gender-based abuse to ensure they are fit-for-purpose in holding perpetrators of violence against women to account;
(iii) increase the capacity of specialist services to assist women fleeing domestic violence to stay alive, such crisis support, appropriate accommodation, leave advice and advocacy and income support and ensure they are properly funded;
(iv) fully fund proven programs that save lives, such as 'Staying Home Leaving Violence', which been shown by research to be an effective contributor to the long-term safety and housing stability of women and children who have left a violent and abusive relationship; and
(v) agree on further concrete, measurable and streamlined efforts at all levels of government based on sound evidence to bring down the horrific number of cases of domestic violence against women and children from this year.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Steggall — 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.
2 DR REID: To move:
That this House acknowledges the Government's commitment and actions to build a better and fairer education system from early education right through to university, by:
(1) delivering cheaper child care which is making early education and care more affordable for 1.2 million Australian families;
(2) tackling the teacher shortage through the National Teacher Workforce Action Plan;
(3) delivering $275.2 million to schools to improve school infrastructure through the Schools Upgrade Fund;
(4) providing $203.7 million in funding to support student wellbeing across every school in the country through the Student Wellbeing Boost;
(5) working with state and territory governments to get all schools on a path to full and fair funding; and
(6) setting the higher education system up for the future through the Universities Accord, and implementing the priority actions of the accord interim report, which delivers:
(a) an additional 20 new regional university study hubs and 14 suburban university study hubs;
(b) demand driven places for First Nations students from metropolitan areas;
(c) the removal of the unfair 50 per cent pass rule; and
(d) university governance reforms.
(Notice given 14 November 2023.)
Time allotted — 20 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Dr Reid — 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.
3 MS BELL: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the Government misled the Australian Parliament and Australian people when they falsely claimed that since May 2022 there were 123,000 early childhood educators and teachers in the pipeline;
(b) the Department of Education advised Government Ministers time and again that it was factually incorrect to claim that figure was from May 2022;
(c) the 123,000 figure was actually from 2021 higher education and 2022 vocational education and training data, meaning the record figures were as a result of the previous Government's policies; and
(d) during the previous Government's time in office, record investments into skills and training were delivered which helped hundreds of thousands of Australians to skill-up and enter the workforce;
(2) calls on the:
(a) Government Ministers who misled the Australian Parliament to front-up and apologise; and
(b) Government to admit their claimed record in the training and education pipeline of educators was in fact thanks to the previous Government's strong training and skills policies.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
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.
4 MR RAE: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that through the passage of its 'closing loopholes' legislation, the Government has closed loopholes used by some employers to undercut wages, conditions and safety for Australian workers, including by:
(a) stopping companies using labour hire as a means of underpaying their workers;
(b) making it a criminal offence for employers to deliberately steal their workers' wages;
(c) closing the loophole in which large businesses could claim small business exemptions during insolvency;
(d) introducing a new criminal offence of industrial manslaughter;
(e) ensuring better support for first responders with post-traumatic stress disorder;
(f) protecting workers subjected to family and domestic violence from discrimination at work; and
(g) expanding the functions of the Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency to include silica;
(2) recognises that many Australian families are doing it tough dealing with the cost of living, and that getting wages moving again is a key part of addressing the cost of living;
(3) notes that the Opposition has voted against legislation to get wages moving 36 times in this term of Parliament; and
(4) calls on the Opposition to support the remaining elements of the 'closing loopholes' legislation, including minimum standards for gig workers, reforms to the road transport industry and a better deal for casual workers who want to become permanent.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
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 on a future day.
5 MR HOGAN: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the Order of Australia is the highest national honour awarded to Australian citizens for outstanding contributions to our country or humanity at large;
(2) notes that since being established by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in 1975, there have been over 40,000 recipients of awards in the Order of Australia;
(3) recognises and celebrates the 1,042 Australia Day 2024 awards recipients, including 739 awards in the General Division of the Order of Australia for meritorious, distinguished and conspicuous service;
(4) further acknowledges community members recognised through Australia Day 2024 Local Citizen of the Year Awards; and
(5) congratulates all the recipients of awards on Australia Day 2024.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Hogan — 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 MR LAXALE: To move:
That this House:
(1) acknowledges:
(a) the work the Government has undertaken to support Australia's multicultural communities, including:
(i) launching the Multicultural Framework Review;
(ii) supporting a cohesive and inclusive multicultural society;
(iii) investing $20 million in the Adult Migrant English Program;
(iv) extending the Community Language Schools grant program to pre-schoolers;
(v) committing $7.5 million to fund the Australian Human Rights Commission to complete its National Anti-Racism Framework;
(vi) reducing citizenship processing times by 42 per cent to the lowest level in six years; and
(vii) clearing the visa backlogs for nearly 1 million people left behind by the Liberal Party and slashing wait time;
(b) that Australia is proudly one of the world's most vibrant and successful multicultural societies; and
(c) the positive contribution that migration has made to our country, culture and economy; and
(2) condemns the:
(a) Liberal and National parties for their neglect of the immigration system, as outlined in the Nixon Review; and
(b) comments from a former Prime Minister on 2 November 2023, when he stated that he 'always had trouble' with the concept of multiculturalism.
(Notice given 15 November 2023.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Mr Laxale — 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 — continued
7 MS MASCARENHAS: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) financial abuse is a form of domestic and family violence;
(b) financial abuse has a serious impact on victims and survivors;
(c) the rates of the misuse of financial products to cause harm has risen since the expansion of online financial services; and
(d) there is a need to build evidence of the different types of financial abuse;
(2) condemns the:
(a) use of bank accounts to perpetrate abuse;
(b) use of money to control victims of economic abuse; and
(c) exploitation or sabotage of a person's finances to undermine their financial security and limit their ability to be independent and self-sufficient;
(3) acknowledges the:
(a) reforms by the finance sector in response to customers experiencing domestic and family violence;
(b) reforms by the major banks to amend the terms and conditions of a range of products to address financial abuse; and
(c) amendments to the industry code of conduct that raise the standard of acceptable customer behaviour;
(4) affirms that action on financial and economic abuse requires a coordinated response by banks, regulators, government, and consumer advocates; and
(5) commends the Government for its commitment to combat financial abuse.
(Notice given 17 October 2023.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Ms Mascarenhas — 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.
8 MR BIRRELL: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Jobs and Skills Australia Acting Commissioner, David Turvey, has said overseas agricultural labourers could be included under a new visa for lower-paid employees to fill workforce deficits; and
(b) the agriculture sector was in contention for the lowest-tier visa, announced after the Government's review of the migration system;
(2) condemns the Government for its treatment of the agriculture sector including:
(a) scrapping the previous Government's agriculture visa designed specifically to address labour shortages; and
(b) failing to address the labour shortfall estimated at 172,000 workers, putting a handbrake on production and profitability of agricultural businesses; and
(3) calls on the Government to introduce a specific agriculture visa to address the serious gaps in the agriculture workforce.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — 40 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Birrell — 4minutes.
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.
9 MR LIM: To move:
That this House:
(1) recognises the commendable efforts of the Government in addressing the status of women and promoting pay equality;
(2) applauds the initiatives the Government has taken to improve conditions for working women, supporting their safety and economic equality;
(3) acknowledges that women still experience economic inequality, including a national gender pay gap of 13 per cent and an average of 47 per cent less super for women compared to men, equating to an $85,000 difference for the average superannuation fund;
(4) highlights the:
(a) disproportionate impact on working mothers who currently predominantly take parental leave and experience a significant gap in superannuation contributions during this period; and
(b) Government's significant expansion of paid parental leave which increases the scheme to 26 weeks by July 2026, and provides each parent four weeks of reserved leave from July 2026 when the full scheme is implemented in order to encourage shared care and send a strong signal that both parents play a role in caring for their children; and
(5) supports the continued efforts by the Government to close the gender pay gap and support women's economic equality over their lifetime.
(Notice given 14 September 2023.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Lim — 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.
10 MR VIOLI: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that the:
(a) Digital Economy Strategy 2030 delivered on the former Government's commitment to grow Australia's future as a modern and leading digital economy, including building on regulation as required; and
(b) absence of a minister for the digital economy under this Government has resulted in a slow and unclear development of policy concerning artificial intelligence (AI);
(2) expresses its concern that the lack of clarity on an AI policy framework is damaging to Australian businesses which need certainty to grow and innovate on the global stage; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) recognise the opportunities AI presents and implement a strategy that allows the Australian economy to reap the rewards of emerging technologies; and
(b) appoint a minister for the digital economy to ensure our nation remains globally competitive in what is an increasingly digital world.
(Notice given 14 November 2023.)
Time allotted — 30 minutes.
Speech time limits —
Mr Violi — 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.
11 MS ROBERTS: To move:
That this House:
(1) notes that currently no public schools in Australia, except for public schools in the Australian Capital Territory, are at the full and fair funding level;
(2) recognises the Government's commitment to make Australia's education system better and fairer by working with all states and territories to ensure every school is on a path to 100 per cent of its fair funding level;
(3) acknowledges the Western Australian Government on being the first state to sign a statement of intent to ensure every school in Western Australia receives full and fair funding;
(4) commends the Government and Western Australian Government on agreeing to support disadvantaged students first by prioritising the most disadvantaged schools to achieve their full and fair funding level; and
(5) further notes the importance of tying funding to reforms that will close the education gap.
(Notice given 6 February 2024.)
Time allotted — remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm.
Speech time limits —
Ms Roberts — 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.
THE HON D. M. DICK MP
Speaker of the House of Representatives
7 February 2024
That:
(1) the House invite the Honourable James Marape MP, Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea, to attend and address the House on Thursday, 8 February 2024;
(2) unless otherwise ordered, at the sitting of the House on 8 February:
(a) the House shall meet, at the ringing of the bells, at no earlier than 9.45 am and the proceedings shall be welcoming remarks by the Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition and an address by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea;
(b) at the conclusion of the address by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea the House shall suspend until the ringing of the bells, when business shall proceed in accordance with standing order 34;
(c) the provisions of standing order 257(c) relating to good order shall apply to the area of Members' seats as well as the galleries for the period set out at (3); and
(d) the Federation Chamber shall not meet;
(3) a message be sent to the Senate inviting Senators to attend the House as guests for the welcoming remarks by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition and address by the Prime Minister of Papua New Guinea; and
(4) any variation to the arrangement be made only by an action by the Speaker or by a motion moved by a Minister.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring in relation to proceedings on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024 and Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living—Medicare Levy) Bill 2024:
(1) on Wednesday, 7 February when the order of the day relating to the second reading debate on the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024 is called on following the conclusion of the matter of public importance, a cognate debate taking place with the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living—Medicare Levy) Bill 2024, and continuing without interruption until no further Members rise to speak, or the commencement of the adjournment debate at 7.30 pm;
(2) notwithstanding standing order 31, if the second reading debate has not concluded earlier, at 8 pm the adjournment debate being interrupted and the bills being called on for further consideration, with the second reading debate continuing until:
(a) no further Members rise to speak; or
(b) 10 pm;
at which point, debate being adjourned and the House immediately adjourning until Thursday, 8 February at no earlier than 9.45 am;
(3) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.
Crimes Amendment (Strengthening the Criminal Justice Response to Sexual Violence) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Amendment (Strengthening Quality and Integrity in Vocational Education and Training No. 1) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Foreign Acquisitions and Takeovers Fees Imposition Amendment Bill 2024
That this bill be read a second time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Foreign Investment) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2023-2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Appropriation Bill (No. 4) 2023-2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 2) 2023-2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
That Mr Hill be discharged from the Parliamentary Joint National Anti-Corruption Commission and that, in his place, Ms Thwaites be appointed a member of the committee.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Melbourne from moving the following motion immediately—That the House:
(1) notes that since the House resolution of 16 October 2023 concerning Israel and Gaza, which supported the State of Israel's looming invasion of Gaza by stating that the House 'stands with Israel', the following have occurred:
(a) an appalling and increasing toll of deaths and injuries caused by the State of Israel's bombing and invasion of Gaza;
(b) a growing humanitarian catastrophe caused by the State of Israel's blockade, bombing and invasion of Gaza; and
(c) the State of Israel is the subject of recent International Court of Justice orders in South Africa's case regarding the prevention of genocide; and therefore
(2) does not support the State of Israel's continued invasion of Gaza and calls for an immediate and permanent ceasefire; and
(3) calls on the Australian Government to end its support for the State of Israel's invasion of Gaza.
We are facing a severe risk of collapse of the humanitarian system.
… that 15 per cent of the women giving birth in the Gaza Strip are likely to experience complications, and indicates that maternal and newborn death rates are expected to increase due to the lack of access to medical care.
It's an entire nation out there that is responsible. It's not true this rhetoric about civilians not aware, not involved. It is absolutely not true.
All the civilian population in Gaza is ordered to leave immediately … They will not receive a drop of water or a single battery until they leave the world.
Babies are born on the ground in the wilderness, umbilical cords cut with whatever sharp object there is to hand, and tins filled with hot water keep the newborn warm. C-sections, painful in the aftermath even when drugs are plentiful, are being performed without any anaesthesia at all, by surgeons who do not have any water to wash their hands, let alone sterilise them, and no antibiotics for any resulting infections.
The House divided. [10:56]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Customs Tariff Amendment (Incorporation of Proposals) Bill (No. 2) 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
COAG Legislation Amendment Bill 2023
That this bill be now read a third time.
Australian Research Council Amendment (Review Response) Bill 2023
The House divided. [11:24]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the amendments be agreed to.
Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023
… in addition to their usual record-keeping requirements, employers that have employees receiving the Australian Government-funded parental leave pay must keep the following records:
Women retire 7.4 years earlier than men, often at the height of their careers and often when menopause hits. Women intend to retire at 64, but on average leave work at 52.
That's one year after the average age of menopause.
Almost half of women who retire before 55 cite their health as the reason they stopped work. Ignoring menopause in the workplace is not working.
An Albanese Labor Government will deliver the same legislated tax relief to more than 9 million Australians as the Morrison Government.
We said on the stage 3 tax cuts, that they had been legislated … people are entitled to operate on the basis of that certainty.
… they are legislated, and one of the things that people have a right to believe, is that when a politician makes a commitment before an election, they keep it and I intend to do just that.
We have not changed our position on the stage three tax cuts. I've been very clear about that.
We know that Labor did not cause the war in Ukraine, which has fed into high energy prices. We know that they didn't cause COVID, which induced the supply chain problems that we're seeing right around the world. The things that cause inflation are not of Labor's making.
The Australian people look to their government to help them through a crisis.
The Australian tax system is not fit for purpose and needs broad reform.
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following:
(1) the Member for Kennedy moving:
That this House:
(a) expresses its strong support for the people of Israel who, on 7 October 2023, were subjected to an appalling and unprovoked terrorist invasion and attack upon Israel; and
(b) calls on the Parliament of Australia to condemn the terrorist organisation Hamas and demand that the people responsible for the invasion of Israel and consequent war release the hostages taken in this invasion;
(2) debate on the motion being limited to the mover, seconder and two other members;
(3) amendments to the motion not being permitted; and
(4) any variation to the arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.
That this House:
(1) expresses its strong support for the people of Israel who, on 7 October 2023, were subjected to an appalling and unprovoked terrorist invasion and attack upon Israel; and
(2) calls on the Parliament of Australia to condemn the terrorist organisation Hamas and demand that the people responsible for the invasion of Israel and consequent war release the hostages taken in this invasion.
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; …
(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.
Australia, Canada, and New Zealand mourn every Israeli and Palestinian innocent life which has been lost in this conflict and express our condolences to all families and communities affected by the violence.
We unequivocally condemn Hamas' terror attacks on Israel on October 7, the appalling loss of life, and the heinous acts of violence perpetrated in those attacks, including sexual violence. We condemn Hamas' unacceptable treatment of hostages and call for the immediate and unconditional release of all remaining hostages.
We remain deeply concerned by the scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and ongoing risks to all Palestinian civilians. Safe and unimpeded humanitarian access must be increased and sustained.
We support Palestinians' right to self-determination. We oppose the forcible displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, the re-occupation of Gaza, any reduction in territory, and any use of siege or blockade. We emphasize that Gaza must no longer be used as a platform for terrorism. We reaffirm that settlements are illegal under international law. Settlements and settler violence are serious obstacles to a negotiated two-state solution.
We condemn rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and anti-Arab sentiment in our countries and around the world and remain firmly committed to combatting prejudice, hatred, and violent extremism.
Dividing the country into stark binaries cedes discussion to those with the loudest voices and silences the views of the majority of Britons. That in turn risks polarisation on this issue becoming a self-fulfilling prophecy where ordinary Britons feel forced to choose and double down. It also gives licence to a small but vocal fringe of conflict entrepreneurs and extremists to use the conflict as an opportunity to sow discord and hate.
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Bill 2023
That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the motion for the third reading being moved without delay.
That this bill now be read a third time.
Attorney-General's Portfolio Miscellaneous Measures Bill 2023
The House divided. [17:28]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023
My wife took leave after our son Julian was born, but wanted to return to work as she had studied so hard to get where she was, and she wanted to keep up her skills.
I wanted to support my wife and help around the house but I also wanted to be a dad. I lost my father a couple of years ago—I didn't get to see him that much when we were growing up, because he was working long hours in a factory and I didn't want to miss out on time with Julian.
When I first raised the idea of taking time off work, people outside work were quite negative saying it would be career-limiting…
We had our first child in May 2021. At the time the only option for my husband to access parental leave was through the Dad and partner payment. In order to access this payment, my husband had to be on leave without pay from his job with only access to minimum wage payments.
This was a significant pay cut for him. With me taking maternity leave at half pay for a couple of months followed by leave without pay, it wasn't financially viable for him to take leave. We couldn't afford our mortgage repayments if we did this.
This Bill is a significant improvement after a decade of neglect by the previous government by providing more paid leave and creating a more equal balance of caring responsibilities amongst parents.
The Business Council of Australia welcomes the Government's expansion of the Paid Parental Leave system that will bring more equity and flexibility to caregiving roles, boosting the economy and making it easier for new parents to stay in the workforce …
The Business Council has longed called for reform to the Paid Parental Leave system, and our recently released Seize the Moment report outlined our Paid Parental Leave proposal aimed at removing barriers for women to work and improving simplicity and flexibility. It is great to see the Government incorporate significant aspects of our proposal in its Bill.
Under this legislation businesses are set to benefit by ensuring that fewer productive employees end up leaving workplaces permanently and more women remain in the labour market.
The amendments in this Bill are an undisputable and significant improvement from previous policy settings and are strongly welcomed. The expansion of entitlements to 26 weeks, with the inclusion of a reserved allocation for fathers and partners, is a historic milestone for women's rights and economic standing, and for gender equality in our country.
should be perceived as a normal feature of employment arrangements, rather than as welfare …
… … …
we are concerned that the already shocking rates of discrimination against women … would just worsen.
while it might be a small time administrative gain for small businesses, the long-term competitive disadvantages will hurt them as a sector. It'll certainly hurt the women that are working for them, and it will hurt the broader economy.
The House divided. [18:03]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024
Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living—Medicare Levy) Bill 2024
That all words after "That" be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:
"whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes:
(1) this Government has mismanaged the economy and made a deliberate decision to break promises and raise taxes;
(2) the Coalition is committed to lower, simpler and fairer taxes;
(3) because Australians are hurting from the Government's mismanagement of the economy, the Coalition will not oppose the reduction in the 19c tax rate to 16c;
(4) the Coalition is committed to going to the next election with a tax reform package that is in keeping with the stage 3 tax cuts; and
(5) the Coalition's package will:
a. deliver lower, simpler, and fairer taxes;
b. fight bracket creep and enshrine aspiration in our tax system;
c. reward hard work and support a strong economy where every Australian can get ahead; and
d. unite, rather than pit Australians against each other".
An Albanese Labor Government will deliver the same legislated tax relief to more than 9 million Australians …
… I've said on the stage three tax cuts, that they've been legislated, people are entitled to operate on the basis of that certainty.
MACDONALD: You're on ABC Radio Sydney with the Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in the studio. There are calls to stop the Stage Three Tax Cuts coming in this year. Are they definitely, absolutely, going ahead as written and planned?
PRIME MINISTER: Well, of course there will be tax cuts. We'll go ahead in July. We haven't changed our position.
The Government's new tax scales will barely touch the sides on improving incentives to invest, employ and save.
… when this legislation hits the parliament will fight it, we will fight it all the way …
I'm digging in along with my colleagues and our leader Peter Dutton to fight this fight really, really hard.
We're not prepared to give up on this and we know that hardworking Australians who deserve to keep more of their money don't want us to give up on this.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024
Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living—Medicare Levy) Bill 2024
This is all about supporting the hard work of people who make our economy and our country strong. It's all about supporting people who work hard so that they can provide for their loved ones and get ahead.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mrs Archer ) took the chair at 09:30.
National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Amendment Bill 2023
I note too that the government has released its final response to the Final report of the second year review of the National Redress Scheme . The opposition thanks and supports the government's commitment to improving the scheme for survivors …
(1) Schedule 1, Part 2, page 7 (line 1) to page 9 (line 10), omit the Part.
Attorney-General's Portfolio Miscellaneous Measures Bill 2023
Modern Slavery Amendment (Australian Anti-Slavery Commissioner) Bill 2023
Unfortunately, this Bill falls far short of what is required to ensure an effective response to modern slavery. It proposes a piecemeal response with the creation of a figurehead primarily exercising education, promotion and awareness-raising functions, with a very small budget to carry out this role. This is completely inadequate to deal with the scope and severity of the problem of modern slavery.
We recommend that the Bill be withdrawn in its current form and substantially amended.
… a narrowly constrained role, incoherently emerging from the disordered jumble of functions listed in the paragraphs of s20(1).
Take immediate and effective measures to eradicate forced labour, end modern slavery and human trafficking and secure the prohibition and elimination of the worst forms of child labour, including recruitment and use of child soldiers, and by 2025 end child labour in all its forms.
(1) Schedule 1, item 4, page 4 (before line 15), before the paragraph beginning "This Part also deals with" in section 20A, insert:
This Part requires reporting entities to assist the Commissioner to perform the Commissioner's functions.
(2) Schedule 1, item 4, page 4 (line 26) to page 5 (line 2), omit paragraph 20C(1)(b), substitute:
(b) to support Australian entities, and entities carrying on business in Australia, to:
(i) undertake due diligence processes to address risks of modern slavery practices in their operations and supply chains, and in the operations and supply chains of entities they own or control; and
(ii) develop innovative practices towards ending modern slavery;
(3) Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (lines 5 to 7), omit paragraph 20C(1)(d), substitute:
(d) to support victims of modern slavery by:
(i) helping to identify victims; and
(ii) providing information to victims about government and non-government resources, programs and services; and
(iii) helping victims make complaints; and
(iv) providing background support to enable coordinated referrals of victim complaints to relevant organisations;
(4) Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (line 15), after "to", insert "conduct general inquiries relating to modern slavery and to".
(5) Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (line 25), omit "at the request of the Minister,".
(6) Schedule 1, item 4, page 5 (lines 31 to 33), omit subsection 20C(2), substitute:
(2) To avoid doubt, the Commissioner may not:
(a) interfere with criminal investigations; or
(b) investigate, or resolve complaints concerning, individual instances or suspected instances of modern slavery.
(7) Schedule 1, item 4, page 10 (after line 14), after Division 4, insert:
Division 4A — Reporting entities must assist the Commissioner
20VA Reporting entities must assist the Commissioner
A reporting entity must cooperate with and assist the Commissioner in the performance of the Commissioner's functions.
20VB Explanations for failure to assist the Commissioner
Request for explanation or remedial action
(1) If the Minister is reasonably satisfied that an entity has failed to comply with section 20VA, the Minister may give a written request to the entity to do either or both of the following:
(a) provide an explanation for the failure to comply within a specified period of 28 days or longer after the request is given;
(b) undertake specified remedial action in accordance with the request within a specified period of 28 days or longer after the request is given.
(2) The Minister may extend, or further extend, a period specified in a request under subsection (1) by written notice given to the entity. The extension may be given before or after the end of the specified period (or that period as previously extended).
(3) A request under subsection (1) must include a statement of the effect of subsections (2), (4) and (5).
Publication of information about failure to comply with request
(4) If the Minister is reasonably satisfied that an entity has failed to comply with a request under subsection (1), the Minister may publish the following information in any way the Minister considers appropriate:
(a) the identity of the entity;
(b) the date the request was given, and details of any extension given under subsection (2);
(c) details of the explanation or remedial action requested, and the period or periods specified in the request;
(d) the reasons why the Minister is satisfied that the entity has failed to comply with the request.
Review of decisions
(5) Applications may be made to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal for review of the Minister's decision under subsection (4) to publish information about an entity's failure to comply with a request under subsection (1).
(8) Schedule 1, item 4, page 11 (line 23), at the end of paragraph 20X(6)(b), add:
; and (c) other government agencies, civil society groups (including victim survivors) and businesses.
(9) Schedule 1, item 4, page 12 (after line 35), at the end of Division 5, add:
20Z Review of the Commissioner's budget
(1) The Minister must cause an independent review to be conducted of the Commissioner's budget.
(2) The review must start as soon as practicable after the end of the 3-year period after the commencement of this section.
(3) The persons who conduct the review must give the Minister a written report of the review within 3 months of the commencement of the review.
(4) The Minister must cause a copy of the report to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 15 sitting days of that House after the report is given to the Minister.
I'm sick and tired of the purveyors of self-interest who fail to see the many benefits of this essential project. The Jobs outlook during construction and further into the future after completion is substantial and far outweighs the whingers and their self-interest claims of harm to current jobs and the local economy. Please do the utmost to keep this project online and going ahead to help the Nation and the Planet.
Burning coal is the principal cause of climate change and it's a health priority to get coal out of our electricity system as soon as possible and building wind farms is really the only pathway to get there.
It's a reality that coal-fired power is turning off, and we must be in a position to replace this with abundant and affordable renewable energy for business, industry and our community.