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. 21
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
26 February 2024
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 18 January 2024, 7 February 2024 and 14 February 2024.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 65 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 18 January 2024
From 51 petitioners—requesting the removal of any discrimination against autistic drivers in the Assessing Fitness to Drive guidelines (EN5709)
From 5 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5712)
From 13 petitioners—requesting that the Prime Minister be removed from office (EN5714)
From 5 petitioners—requesting that unions pay tax (EN5717)
From 2 petitioners—regarding the Medicare levy (EN5718)
From 2 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5719)
From 1 petitioner—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5720)
From 4 petitioners—requesting the introduction of a code of conduct for parliamentarians (EN5722)
From 10 petitioners—requesting the cessation of any subsidies for renewable energy or electric vehicles (EN5727)
From 4 petitioners—regarding ADSL availability for non-wireless communications (EN5729)
From 45 petitioners—regarding the use of cash as legal tender (EN5730)
From 2 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5731)
From 6 petitioners—regarding the funding of public broadcasters (EN5741)
From 16 petitioners—requesting annual auditing of all government departments (EN5743)
From 13 petitioners—regarding recyclable and biodegradable packaging (EN5746)
From 7 petitioners—requesting the negotiation of a new US-Australian security treaty (EN5748)
From 99 petitioners—requesting that proposed Digital ID legislation be rejected (EN5749)
From 105 petitioners—regarding processing times for Partner visa (subclass 309) applications in Amman, Jordan (EN5750)
From 99 petitioners—requesting that proposed Digital ID legislation be rejected (EN5751)
From 4 petitioners—requesting that the House condemn Hamas and its supporters (EN5754)
From 86 petitioners—requesting that the House condemn the killing of children in Gaza (EN5756)
From 4 petitioners—regarding vendor finance options (EN5765)
From 306 petitioners—requesting jobs in the Victorian High Country be included as specified work for 'Working Holiday Maker' visas (EN5767)
From 4988 petitioners—regarding changes to the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) (EN5768)
From 4 petitioners—requesting products containing tea tree oil to be labelled as dangerous to small animals (EN5769)
From 4 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5770)
From 777 petitioners—requesting Australian citizens be prevented from serving in the Israel Defense Forces (EN5771)
From 15 petitioners—requesting limits on the production of single use plastics (EN5772)
From 55 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a Veterans' Advocacy Code of Conduct (EN5773)
From 808 petitioners—requesting exemptions to proposed changes to age limits for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) applicants who are current or commencing students (EN5774)
From 12 petitioners—requesting support for Israel (EN5776)
From 36 petitioners—requesting eligibility requirements be reduced for Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa (subclass 191) applications (EN5777)
From 38 petitioners—requesting the implementation of a four-day work week (EN5778)
From 22 petitioners—requesting that Australia commit to defend Taiwan in the event of an invasion (EN5779)
From 15 petitioners—requesting a halt on Australian passport fee increases (EN5780)
From 5 petitioners—requesting the creation of more Commonwealth Supported Places in medical courses (EN5781)
From 967 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into the involvement of Australian citizens in IDF operations (EN5783)
From 461 petitioners—regarding fee discrepancies between individual financial advisers and AFSL holders in relation to the ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (EN5784)
From 11 petitioners—requesting increased protections for victims of family and domestic violence (EN5785)
From 23 petitioners—requesting that cannabidiol be included on the PBS for the treatment of chronic pain (EN5789)
From 586 petitioners—requesting the reconsideration of proposed changes to age limits for Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) applicants (EN5790)
From 68 petitioners—requesting humanitarian visas and support for Palestinians fleeing conflict in Gaza (EN5793)
From 19 petitioners—requesting the implementation of the Finnish housing policy model (Housing First) in Australia (EN5804)
From 54 petitioners—regarding concerns about a cashless Australia (EN5808)
From 31 petitioners—requesting a review of ADF recruitment restrictions around coeliac disease (EN5816)
From 4 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5822)
From 5 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5823)
From 2 petitioners—regarding receipts for goods and services being issued to customers (EN5826)
From 73 petitioners—requesting a review into the way in which HECS loans are repaid (EN5829)
From 44 petitioners—requesting that the ABC be defunded (EN5830)
From 250 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into communications from DFAT and the consular support provided to Australian citizens and residents who have family members in Gaza (EN5832)
From 8 petitioners—requesting that the House consider repeating the referendum on the Indigenous Voice to Parliament (EN5833)
From 56 petitioners—requesting the rejection of the World Health Organisation's new amendments to the International Health Regulations (EN5836)
From 1466 petitioners—regarding processing times for Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) applications (EN5837)
From 1409 petitioners—requesting that Australia cease funding to UNRWA (EN5838)
From 16 petitioners—requesting the option for appointments with employment providers to be conducted via telephone (EN5842)
From 27 petitioners—requesting the development of a high-speed rail network to link all Australian capital cities (EN5843)
From 2 petitioners—regarding Australian Disability Enterprise employment conditions (EN5845)
From 189 petitioners—requesting that the Australian Government suspend sanctions against Syria (EN5846)
From 5089 petitioners—requesting consular support for Palestinians evacuating Gaza and expanding access to visas (EN5847)
From 3716 petitioners—regarding the outcomes of the NDIS Review (EN5849)
From 550 petitioners—requesting the removal of the GST on exercise physiology services (EN5850)
From 11 petitioners—requesting that testing done for the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia is only done by NATA accredited laboratories (EN5852)
From 125 petitioners—regarding transparency of information sharing for the Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services (MATES) program (EN5853)
From 183 petitioners—regarding consent from veterans of information sharing for the Medicines Advice and Therapeutics Education Services (MATES) program (EN5854)
2. The following 7 ministerial responses to petitions were received.
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 14 February 2024
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Overseas Visitors Health Cover (EN4202)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition regarding ticket reselling company Viagogo (EN4350)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition requesting that the ACCC be added to the terms of reference of the 'Inquiry into ASIC's capacity and capability to respond to reports of alleged misconduct' (EN5423)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition requesting that legislation be introduced requiring all imported retail goods to be labelled with their Co2 equivalent emissions (EN5428)
From the Minister for Finance to a petition regarding privacy concerns around the Australian Government's Digital ID program (EN5485)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition requesting that Australia's Force Posture Agreement with the United States be terminated (EN5543)
From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition regarding doctors being responsible for NDIS medical forms (EN5550)
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
Accountability of Grants, Investment Mandates and Use of Public Resources Amendment (End Pork Barrelling) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Amendment (Stop PEP11 Forever and Protect Our Coastal Waters) Bill 2024
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the conduct of Australian airlines has recently come under fire for a variety of practices, such as sometimes only offering Frequent Flyer and discount tickets one way, meaning customers are stuck with expensive tickets the other way, increasingly frequent flight delays and cancellations, and the linkage of passenger personal profiles to the fares offered to them;
(b) seeking refunds and other assistance for cancelled flights often leaves consumers feeling underwhelmed, with many offered little to no compensation for flight disruptions;
(c) the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is concerned about the high level of complaints about airlines as well as their low reliability of services; and
(d) Australian airline staff are among the best in the world, yet bear the brunt of increasingly frustrated customers because of improper decisions by management within airline companies; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) accept the ACCC's recommendations made in its submission to the Australian Government's Aviation Green Paper;
(b) establish an independent airline ombudsman with the power to make binding decisions, to allow for fair and efficient resolution of customer complaints; and
(c) establish a targeted and fit-for-purpose compensation scheme for delayed and cancelled flights.
… systemic issues associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, pilot shortages, pilot training bottlenecks and some supply chain disruptions.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Australia's severe and intense weather events over recent years have placed immense pressure on the nation's regional, rural, and remote road network;
(b) the Australian Local Government Association estimates that the cost of repairing and replacing flood impacted roads is at least $3.8 billion in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria alone; and
(c) the Government has scrapped the specifically targeted Bridges Renewal Program and Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program which, when combined, were valued at $193.5 million per annum by 2026-27;
(2) acknowledges that the federal budget saw financial assistance grants to local government cut as a percentage of tax revenue from 0.52 per cent to 0.50 per cent in stark contrast to councils' long-term aim of achieving 1.0 per cent of tax revenue; and
(3) calls on the Government to invest in Australia's regional, rural and remote road network to support local governments, and improve road safety and freight productivity.
Migration Amendment (Strengthening Employer Compliance) Bill 2023
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Melbourne moving the following motion:
That the 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.
These States are now also directly violating Genocide Convention article 2(c) by themselves: 'Deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part...'
… reached breaking point, with Israel's repeated calls to dismantle UNRWA and the freezing of funding by donors at a time of unprecedented humanitarian needs in Gaza.
We saw a woman carrying her baby, screaming for help. Her pale baby seemed to be taking his last breath.
We rushed him to hospital and he was found to be suffering acute malnutrition. Medical staff rushed him into the ICU. The baby has not been fed any milk for days, as baby milk is totally absent in Gaza.
Relatives found the body on Saturday of a 6-year-old Palestinian girl who had begged Gaza rescuers to send help after being trapped by Israeli military fire, along with the bodies of five of her family members and two ambulance workers who had gone to save her.
… … …
The audio clips released by the Red Crescent earlier this month recorded a call to dispatchers that was first made by Hind's teenage cousin … saying an Israeli tank was approaching before shots rang out and she screamed.
Believed to be the only survivor, Hind stayed on the line for three hours with dispatchers, who tried to soothe her as they prepared to send an ambulance.
'Come and get me,' Hind was heard crying desperately in another audio recording. 'I'm so scared, please come.'
… conveys to the Government and people of the United States of America the deepest sympathy and sense of shared loss felt by the Government and people of Australia …
… our solidarity with the Muslim community of Christchurch, New Zealand and our own nation at this time of affliction …
(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 …
… 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 …
… undermining social cohesion and unity by stoking fear and division risks Australia's domestic security …
The House divided. [12:30]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Help to Buy (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023
Our time here at Galilee School has been more than just classes and lunches; it's been a collective experience of growth, friendship, and shared laughter. We've discovered the importance of teamwork, resilience, and the undeniable truth that laughter is indeed the best medicine.'
In 2004, Australian electricity bills were the fourth-lowest in the OECD. The wind and solar caper had barely begun, and coal and gas supplied 91 per cent of the National Electricity Market. Today, after 20 years of subsidy chasing by the renewable energy industry, Australia has slipped to 10th place in the OECD rankings of end-user power prices.
So when fuel efficiency standards were introduced in the US, the most popular models before introduction stayed the most popular models after introduction … what we would call utes … There wasn't a material change in price and we don't expect that there would be a material change in price here.
… the evidence to date consistently finds no purchase price impact, or a negligible purchase price impact, for consumers …
… when fuel efficiency standards were introduced in the US, the most popular models before introduction stayed the most popular models after introduction. … There wasn't a material change in price and we don't expect that there would be a material change in price here.
Fuel efficiency standards are about reducing fuel costs and carbon emissions at the same time. Eighty per cent of the global vehicle passenger fleet is subject to fuel efficiency standards, but Australia has none.
Given the long distances travelled in regional Australia, the savings could be even greater for people living outside the main cities.
So when fuel efficiency standards were introduced in the US, the most popular models before introduction stayed the most popular models after introduction.
Essentially, what Americans call pickup trucks and what we'd call utes, like the Chevy Silverado. There wasn't a material change in price and we don't expect that there would be a material change in price here.
The NRMA welcomes the Australian Government's announcement and we are pleased that a responsible and achievable option over time is being presented to the Australian people.
Help to Buy (Consequential Provisions) Bill 2023
A national shared equity scheme would help level the playing field for first home buyers …
The bottom line is that rent control is not an effective way to improve affordability for renters.
If the government has a stake in the property, it has more of an incentive for prices to increase.
Potentially it could be inflationary …
In Keystart, the State has a commercially sustainable, low-deposit but not high-risk, lending business that sets people on the path to financial sustainability.
I was fortunate to buy my first home using the Victorian Home Buyer Fund program with a 15% equity share with the Victorian Government.
It put me in a position to create a home for myself and my two children, providing security and safety. I have a good understanding of my budget and accounted for interest rate rises when purchasing.
I am proud of the way I have managed my money as a single parent in the face of rising interest rates and cost of living. Unfortunately, I have recently discovered that I need to have brain surgery for a tumour in my brain. I anticipate I will need around 2 months off work, with full recovery to take up to 12 months.
I have been proactive in preparing for this unexpected event and recently contacted my bank about getting assistance with my mortgage. I qualify for hardship, but when going through the options for hardship, it was limited due to the Shared Equity Program. Both options available to me meant that once I was out of hardship, my repayments would increase to recoup the lost time and payments. I was advised that my repayments would increase by $29 a fortnight to keep me within the loan term. I know that might not seem like a lot, but for me, it is a significant amount.
The other option I had was increasing the loan term, which wouldn't impact my repayments. However, this option isn't available to me under the Shared Equity Scheme.
Being a single parent, I am already finding cost of living difficult. We don't go on holidays, we don't have subscriptions, I cover the basics and that is it.
I feel that I should have the same options available to me as other mortgage holders and not be disadvantaged for participating in a program designed to make homeownership easier.
The housing market needs help to supply, not help to buy and the extension of this scheme is very dangerous. Government guarantees will not increase the supply of homes, but they will drive up prices at a time when it seems likely that house prices are already over-valued …
When the scheme is withdrawn any rise in prices that has taken place will be undermined, with potentially disastrous results. There is a real risk that the housing market will become dependent on the underwriting by government, making it very difficult politically to shut the scheme down.
I have been a single parent for close to 11 years.
In 2013, upon my marriage breakdown and the sale of our home, I found myself a 41 year old woman back in the rental market, something I never expected after having worked hard and sacrificed to save for a deposit close to 15 years earlier, this time with three dependants 14, 8 and 5 years of age.
While I had a small settlement from the sale of our home, as a low-income earner I was unable to secure finance to purchase my own home.
There was no bank keen to approve a loan for a woman on a single income with three dependent children. (At the time I could not even get approval for a $1,000, 12-month interest-free deal on a TV!)
While I am university educated and was working in my field of study, it is not a profession which pays a great deal, which continued to affect my ability to get a loan.
And while over the last 4 years I have been lucky enough to find roles within this profession to increase my income, it still hasn't been enough.
We are a single income home. I have paid for the education of my oldest two children who are now young adults and still have one child at school.
The cost of my children's education meant that a fair proportion of the settlement I received went to them.
Further, I live in a regional area which has also had an impact on the opportunities available to me and the amount I can earn.
Without close family support, I have needed to rely on childcare and working close to home to raise my children.
I am now 52 years old and often hear the largest growing cohort of homeless people are women of my age and in my situation.
I also do not have a great deal of super because for many years I was only working casually—if at all with young children—and at the time our priority was to add extra to my former partner's superannuation to take care of both of us in retirement … and that's not the way it panned out.
I know that I am lucky that I am fit and healthy, allowing me to hopefully have the ability to work as long as I like, but no one knows what's around the corner.
The prospect of trying to survive renting on a pension or rely on the generosity of my children is not one I want to entertain. Labor's Help to Buy scheme is a perfect example of the way a government can provide a leg up to someone in my position, who despite the best laid plans finds themselves locked out of the housing market and not enjoying the security that comes from your own home.
As other members of our community know renting is stressful.
Whether it is the 6 monthly checks or the constant fear of eviction.
In the first 3 and a half years we had to move 3 times after selling our home. Whether it was due to landlords moving back in or the sale of the rental property.
For someone trying to provide stability for children who had undergone a massive family upheaval the constant relocation was a nightmare.
Add to that the recent rent increases continue to impede any ability to save for a deposit, and while interest rates have been a problem for mortgage holders they will decrease as inflation drops.
I doubt the rent will follow.
Rents will not go down unless a substantial increase in available properties becomes apparent as the competition for tenants will remain.
This scheme will give those on low and middle incomes an opportunity to buy a home with at least a 2 per cent deposit, allowing them to access home ownership which is linked to short, medium, and long-term economic security.
It helps people overcome both the hurdle of saving for a deposit and the hurdle of servicing a mortgage, with the Commonwealth providing an equity contribution, meaning scheme participants will have lower ongoing repayments from a smaller home loan.
This is the only way I can see myself being able to get back into home ownership… short of winning Tattslotto!
The Help to Buy scheme is a great program for women like myself.
Even without the current cost of living, single income homes have always done it tough and the security to be able to have a home I could call my own, and not constantly feel like I am just treading water—would be amazing to me.
… it is incomprehensible that at a time when housing is an issue and where everyone knows that housing supply is the issue … they continue to block this legislation.
… you don't want to fuel the prices. You don't want to create a situation that is worse than what we have got at the moment.
Young people need their super for retirement, not to try to take pressure off an urban housing bubble …
Of the 30,000 social and affordable homes, we're talking 20,000 social rentals and 10,000 affordable rental homes. We are adding to the supply.
The final takeover does not happen with one spectacular Reichstag conflagration, but is instead an excruciating, years-long process of many scattered, seemingly insignificant little fires that smolder without flames.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Stevens ) took the chair at 10:30.
I think there are issues of culture within the senior leadership and the more general leadership of the ADF and the department which needs challenging.
There is an issue in relation to culture, and we should be seeking to have a culture of absolute excellence, and that is the point that I've made.
There is a way to go before we have that culture of excellence in the Department of Defence and in the Australian Defence Force.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that public perceptions of the pervasive influence that lobbyists have over political decision-making have worsened in recent years;
(2) recognises that there is presently no consistent or visible way of knowing which corporate or stakeholder groups are meeting with Government Ministers;
(3) commits to the:
(a) timely publication of ministerial diaries as a vital transparency and accountability measure;
(b) maintenance and publication of a searchable register that includes the names of all lobbyists accessing this building, and that those persons be identified as a professional lobbyist, an in-house lobbyist and/or a former Government representative; and
(c) transparency of meetings held by those individuals with Members of Parliament; and
(4) agrees to extend the post-employment cooling-off period for former Ministers and senior government officials to three years, in keeping with international best practice.
No-one ever argues that governments should have less integrity, that elected officials should not be accountable, or that public servants should behave unethically.
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.
"… one of the problems with multiculturalism is we try too hard to institutionalise differences, rather than celebrate what we have in [common]."
For those who've come across the seas
We've boundless plains to share.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) a report released on 7 February 2024 by the Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) on the Australian Passport Office revealed that passport applications were not being processed in a 'timely and resource efficient manner';
(b) since being elected, the Government has hiked up the price of Australian adult passports of 10 years by $38 and is planning for a second increase this year of $52 from 1 July 2024;
(c) while the Treasurer has called the price hike a 'relatively modest' change, Australians will be paying 29 per cent more to get their passports during a cost of living crunch; and
(d) Australians already pay more for their holiday thanks to the Government blocking airline competition and now they are paying more just to be allowed to leave the country; and
(2) calls on the Government to reverse their big passport price hike until they comprehensively respond to the ANAO recommendations so that Australians get a fair deal on passports.
The Albanese Government is helping more Australians get travelling again, with passport wait times now back to pre-COVID normal.
… improving the measurement of time efficiency, a greater focus on resource efficiency, improved complaints handling and improving the department's time and resource efficiency.
Passport applications are not being processed in a time and resource efficient manner.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) on 2 November 2023, Australia with 186 other member states again voted for the United Nations General Assembly resolution against the United States' longstanding economic, commercial and financial embargo against Cuba;
(b) only two member states have voted consistently against the resolution since it was first introduced in 1992, demonstrating overwhelming international support for the end of the embargo; and
(c) the embargo has unfairly hindered the development of the Cuban economy, created decades of economic hardship and has had a negative impact on the health and wellbeing of the Cuban people;
(2) further notes that the embargo:
(a) constitutes a serious and systemic violation of the norms of international law and the Charter of the United Nations;
(b) is not conducive to friendly relations and cooperation between nations and peoples, and it directly affects the development of the Cuban economy and its people; and
(c) impedes the ability of Australian citizens to trade bilaterally;
(3) recognises that sustained international pressure will be one of the most influential methods of ending this enduring and unfair embargo; and
(4) reaffirms Australia's support for an end to the embargo.
Deepening economic ties, through increased trade and investment helps to promote peace and stability in regions, and increasingly, several countries are looking at Cuba in order to leverage new opportunities to mutual benefit. In this regard Australia is an early mover when it comes to engaging new markets in which to do business.
The majority of Cubans support Castro …
… … …
The only foreseeable means of alienating internal support is through disenchantment and disaffection based on economic dissatisfaction and hardship … every possible means should be undertaken promptly to weaken the economic life of Cuba … a line of action which, while as adroit and inconspicuous as possible, makes the greatest inroads in denying money and supplies to Cuba, to decrease monetary and real wages, to bring about hunger, desperation and overthrow of government.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) this Government spent $450 million on the divisive Voice to Parliament referendum that was rejected by each state and territory, excluding the Australian Capital Territory;
(b) the proposal for a Voice to Parliament was put forward as an urgent solution to help close the gap for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
(c) since the referendum this Government has been completely absent in this space and has demonstrated that they have no plan B; and
(d) there are proposals on the table that would make a demonstrable difference that this Government refuses to implement, including:
(i) announcing an audit into Commonwealth spending for Indigenous specific programs to identify waste in financial resources and programs that are making a difference;
(ii) establishing a royal commission into child sexual abuse in Indigenous communities; and
(iii) re-instating the cashless debit card in vulnerable communities; and
(2) calls on the Government to focus on practical actions like these to assist in closing the gap.
We invite you to walk with us—
in a movement of the Australian people for a better future.
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that February 2024 marks two years since Russia's illegal and immoral invasion of Ukraine;
(b) the Ukrainian people continue to show strength, determination and courage in defending their land and resisting Russia's unlawful invasion;
(c) the decision in September 2023 of the Government to retire the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters following the loss of four lives during a training accident; and
(d) the request of the Ukrainian Government in late 2023 for Australia to donate the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters to assist in its ongoing war efforts to defend their homeland;
(2) expresses concern regarding the:
(a) decision of the Government to bring forward its program of dismantling of the MRH-90 Taipan helicopters;
(b) Government's weak and too-little, too-late response to requests for assistance from the government of Ukraine; and
(c) failure of the Government to maintain the former Government's record of delivering a comprehensive package of support that established Australia as the largest non-NATO contributor to Ukraine; and
(3) calls on the Government to demonstrate Australia's continued support for Ukraine by urgently:
(a) seeking advice from defence industry and NATO partners as to what support may be available to facilitate the refurbishment and operation of MRH-90 Taipan helicopters by Ukraine and reconsider the response to the government of Ukraine;
(b) responding affirmatively to the Ukrainian request for thermal power to assist in power generation;
(c) re-establishing Australia's embassy in Kyiv; and
(d) delivering a comprehensive strategy of support covering military, humanitarian and energy supplies.
… we need to be making sure, that what we are providing to Ukraine is useful and is practical.
… An excessive increase would reduce the job security of low paid workers and would reduce employment opportunities for the unemployed and underemployed.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) National Cabinet agreed to a national target to build 1.2 million new well-located homes over five years from 1 July 2024; and
(b) the New South Wales Government has conceded that it cannot reach its agreed housing targets of 75,000 new dwellings a year over the next five years;
(2) expresses concern that, as a flow-on consequence, the Commonwealth Government cannot reach its target to construct 1.2 million new homes over five years;
(3) acknowledges that:
(a) the Government's pipedream figure for new housing did not take into account:
(i) record high numbers of liquidations in the building and construction industry;
(ii) a shortage of available construction materials;
(iii) increasing construction material costs; and
(iv) a shortage of skilled tradespeople; and
(b) the Government refused to intervene in the dispute between the Maritime Union of Australia and DP World at container terminals, leading to a 50,000 container backlog and further exacerbating construction material shortages; and
(4) further notes that the Government has:
(a) legislated a failed housing plan; and
(b) ultimately demonstrated that it cannot develop any policy to address the housing crisis, let alone deliver it.
That this House:
(1) notes the Government recently published Informing Regional Investment: State of Australia's Regions 2024 which provides evidence and insights on contemporary topics of interest across Australia's diverse regions;
(2) considers the 2024 report focuses on contemporary and pressing issues as identified at the local level, including:
(a) ensuring regional workforces are positioned to meet the needs of today and tomorrow;
(b) promoting the economic aspirations, cultures and languages of First Nations people;
(c) supporting places with amenity, services and economic opportunities;
(d) collaboratively addressing issues like housing availability and affordability and access to quality early childhood education and care;
(e) preparing for, responding to, and recovering from disasters; and
(f) responding to challenges and opportunities as we transition to a net zero emissions future; and
(3) commends the current Government for their ongoing commitment to advance the lives of regional Australia.
Our farmers are contending with high costs of production, high costs of living for primary producer families, high electricity costs, a retail sector out of control, increased levels of legislation and regulations in relation to labour and industrial relations, water buy-backs in the Murray Darling Basin, increased incidences of exotic pests and diseases and now the straw that will break the camel's back—a $50 million annual biosecurity tax.