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. 23
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
18 March 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 07 February 2024, 14 February 2024 and 28 February 2024.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 41 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 07 February 2024
From 58 petitioners—regarding access to the NDIS for people with ADHD (EN5855)
From 520 petitioners—requesting a review of processing times for Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) applications (EN5856)
From 7 petitioners—requesting that any funding of the Environmental Defenders Office be ceased (EN5857)
From 25 petitioners—requesting that approvals for new coal and gas projects be halted (EN5858)
From 2 petitioners—regarding income tax thresholds (EN5860)
From 2 petitioners—regarding the Medicare levy (EN5861)
From 19 petitioners—requesting cuts to foreign aid (EN5862)
From 3 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5867)
From 14 petitioners—requesting the creation of accessible women's health clinics (EN5869)
From 43 petitioners—regarding the World Health Organisation's new amendments to the International Health Regulations (EN5871)
From 9 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a peace-seeking department and a Minister for Peace (EN5874)
From 52 petitioners—regarding the proposed World Health Organisation pandemic preparedness treaty (EN5878)
From 10 petitioners—requesting that funding to public broadcasters be ceased (EN5879)
From 4 petitioners—regarding the Medicare levy (EN5880)
From 10 petitioners—requesting that the fuel excise be removed (EN5881)
From 6 petitioners—regarding foreign ownership and investment in businesses that operate in Australia (EN5883)
From 22 petitioners—requesting the removal of benefits for former prime ministers (EN5884)
From 14 petitioners—requesting changes to Australia Day (EN5885)
From 22 petitioners—regarding mobile coverage in Melonba, NSW (EN5886)
From 883 petitioners—requesting that lipoedema be recognised by Medicare (EN5889)
From 468 petitioners—requesting that Australia support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and recognise a Palestinian state (EN5890)
From 4 petitioners—requesting that taxation be removed for recipients of the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme (EN5891)
From 3831 petitioners—requesting that the Australian government revoke the cancellation of George Varghese's visa (EN5893)
From 152 petitioners—regarding regulations in connection with vaping (EN5894)
From 406 petitioners—requesting an update and expansion of the Centenary of Women's Suffrage Commemorative Fountain (EN5895)
From 10 petitioners—requesting federal funding for Surf Life Saving Australia (EN5897)
From 5 petitioners—requesting a moratorium on capital gains tax for investment properties (EN5898)
From 3564 petitioners—requesting the reinstatement of Australian funding to UNRWA (EN5899)
From 68 petitioners—requesting Australian funding to UNRWA be ceased (EN5901)
From 13 petitioners—requesting a review of rejected Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) applications from the period of December 2017 to March 2018 (EN5904)
From 28679 petitioners—requesting that the House repeal and review parts of the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 relating to prescription vapes (EN5905)
From 1144 petitioners—requesting a review of processing times for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) applications (EN5906)
From 42 petitioners—requesting cancellation of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pathway (EN5907)
From 9 petitioners—regarding joining fees for services or benefits (EN5908)
From 693 petitioners—requesting a review of child support legislation (EN5915)
From 5338 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into the granting of a visa to an Australian resident who is allegedly linked to a thallium poisoning case in China (EN5916)
Petitions certified on 14 February 2024
From 6 petitioners—requesting a review of the Contributory Parent visa application process (EN5920)
From 83 petitioners—requesting financial assistance for Australians impacted by the conflict in Gaza (EN5922)
From 390 petitioners—requesting a reduction in the cost of medicinal cannabis (EN5923)
From 8 petitioners—regarding education about evolution (EN5924)
From 178 petitioners—requesting support for the Innovation Youth Centre (EN5926)
2. The following 28 ministerial responses to petitions were received.
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 28 February 2024
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding COVID-19 travel exemptions for the family of Australian temporary residents (EN3869)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the inclusion of Bridging B (subclass 020) visas on the list of eligible visa holders who can travel freely without the need for an exemption from the COVID-19 travel bans to enter Australia (EN3927)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding eligibility for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa (EN3943)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding reform of the visa process with realistic timeframes (EN4200)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the designated regional areas in which Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa holders must live, work and study (EN4256)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding solar feed-in tariffs (EN4301)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting amendments to the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa (EN4536)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding protests in Iran (EN4544)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting amendments to the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa (EN4569)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding low skill temporary migration for Bangladeshi agricultural and cleaning workers (EN4579)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding study and work rights equity for asylum seekers (EN4612)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding language testing for Australian education and training standards (EN4987)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition requesting withdrawal from the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement (EN5246)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the development of a fusion energy industry in Australia (EN5360)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the development of nuclear fusion in Australia (EN5361)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the use of nuclear fusion energy in Australia (EN5365)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding nuclear fusion energy in Australia (EN5366)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding investment in nuclear fusion development in Australia (EN5367)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding visa options for parents of Australian citizen children under 18 to stay in Australia permanently (EN5447)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing of Skilled Independent visas (subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190) (EN5459)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the processing of Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190) (EN5466)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the Government's response to the Senate Inquiry into human rights implications of recent violence in Iran (EN5467)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel to a petition requesting the introduction of an extension provision in appealing matters to the Veterans' Review Board (EN5468)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing times for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa in the provisional stream (EN5497)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the facilitation of a meeting and engagement with Reza Pahlavi (EN5506)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing of Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190) (EN5545)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the rejection of the World Health Organisation's new amendments to the International Health Regulations (EN5566)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Mr Peter Joseph Hodgson's request for ministerial intervention (PN0572)
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
That this House calls on the Government to immediately legislate for significant reform of Australia's food retail sector to better protect Australian farmers and consumers, by:
(1) divesting to reduce the market share of the major two corporations in the food retail sector;
(2) imposing a customs tariff of five per cent on imported products in recognition of the economic, social and environmental impacts of imports;
(3) introducing a maximum markup of 100 per cent on all produce between farmer (processor) and retail outlet; and
(4) removing the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct as a measure which has long been used to control and restrain suppliers and producers.
… these measures are further examples of the Government ensuring everyone is doing their bit when it comes to easing the cost of living …
That this House:
(1) notes that the:
(a) eSafety Commissioner recommended a mandated trial of age-assurance technology in her Roadmap for Age Verification, as a way of protecting children from online harm;
(b) Government refused to support the eSafety Commissioner's recommendation and instead backed the development of industry codes as a stopgap measure; and
(c) Government's decision has been widely criticised by leading child and women's safety advocates across Australia;
(2) further notes the evidence of the eSafety Commissioner during Senate Estimates on 13 February 2024, in which she confirmed there were already a range of age-assurance technologies that can be used to protect children from online harm, and that such 'technologies are getting better all the time';
(3) condemns the Government for:
(a) its refusal to support the recommendations of the eSafety Commissioner to support a mandated trial of age-assurance technology; and
(b) failing to support the Opposition private Member's bill for the introduction of such a trial; and
(4) calls on the Minister for Communications to:
(a) reverse her position on an age verification trial and support the Opposition's plan to implement a trial;
(b) announce plans for a new trial within 30 days; and
(c) commence a trial of age verification technology within three months.
… implement a trial of age-assurance technology to protect children from dangerous online content, particularly pornography …
It is our strong view that the Government has allowed itself to be swayed by industry resistance to an age verification system. Vested interests should not have been put before the wellbeing of children.
There are a range of technologies out there that are being used for the purposes of gambling and alcohol and can be used to protect children from pornography as well in a way that is privacy protective and enhancing.
The ecosystem is now mature enough that we could architect an age verification trial that would work. The technologies are evolving. The age-assurance industry is maturing. I think the time is right now that we all move forward.
1. take a proportionate approach based on risk and harm
2. respect and promote human rights
3. propose a holistic response …
4. ensure any technical measures minimise data and preserve privacy
5. consider the broader domestic and international regulatory context
6. consider what is feasible now and anticipate future environments.
Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill 2024
Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living—Medicare Levy) Bill 2024
Crimes Legislation Amendment (Combatting Foreign Bribery) Bill 2023
Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill 2024
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent:
(1) the following from occurring in relation of business in the House for today:
(a) the interruption of government business for Members' statements occurring at 3 pm, rather than 1.30 pm; and
(b) the interruption of Members' statements for question time occurring at 3.30 pm, rather than 2 pm;
(2) the Federation Chamber suspending today at 3 pm, rather than 1.30 pm, and resuming at 5.30 pm, with private Members' business accorded priority in the Federation Chamber being amended as follows:
(a) the time allotted for debate on the motion to be moved by the Member for Cowper being no longer than 35 minutes;
(b) the Federation Chamber continuing to consider private Members' business in the order determined by the Selection Committee until no later than 3 pm, at which point the Federation Chamber being suspended until 5.30 pm;
(c) at 5.30 pm, statements by Members, for no longer than 90 seconds, being called on until 6.15 pm; and
(d) private Members' business accorded priority in the Federation Chamber continuing until 7.30 pm;
(3) the House not meeting on Thursday, 28 March 2024; and
(4) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.
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;
(2) therefore 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.
…essentially, the body starts to consume itself because it has nothing else and it's a painful, painful death for children. I've been in wards of children who are suffering from … malnutrition, the whole ward is … quiet…the babies have don't even have the energy to cry.
The House divided. [12:36]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
This Bill is an important step towards ensuring foreign actors cannot collect Defence secrets through the employment of former Defence personnel, or Australians with knowledge of and access to sensitive technology and military information.
Hostile foreign states and their intelligence services are aggressively seeking secrets about Australia's defence capabilities, government decision-making, political parties, foreign policy, critical infrastructure, space technologies, academic and think tank research, medical advances, key export industries and personal information.
… assess the existing legislation and procedures and whether they sufficiently cover working or training for paramilitary organisations and militias by former defence personnel—
… provide the Minister for Defence with the ability to determine by legislative instrument classes or categories of non-former Defence members that are not required to apply for an authorisation—for example, in cases where a company has been approved to provide goods under the Defence Export Control (DEC) arrangements …
… … …
… assess how existing legislation and procedures covering former National Intelligence Community officers and their work for foreign governments should be strengthened, and address the need for further legislation—
Treasury Laws Amendment (Tax Accountability and Fairness) Bill 2023
The House divided. [13:01]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
The House divided. [13:10]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
The House divided. [13:16]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
The House divided. [13:22]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 4), omit the table item.
(2) Schedule 5, page 32 (line 1) to page 38 (line 23), omit the Schedule.
The House divided. [13:40]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 1), omit "to 3", substitute "to 4".
(2) Page 2 (after line 11), after clause 3, insert:
4 Review of operation of amendments made by Schedule 5
(1) The Minister must cause a review to be conducted of the operation of the amendments made by Schedule 5 to this Act.
(2) Without limiting the matters that may be considered when conducting the review, the review must have regard to:
(a) the appropriate distribution of petroleum resource rents and the need to provide a fair return to the Australian community; and
(b) the appropriateness of the Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Act 1987 (as amended by Schedule 5 to this Act) and associated regulations in light of recent, and potential future, developments in industries subject to that Act; and
(c) the applicability of the review's findings to resource export industries not subject to that Act.
(3) The review must start no later than 1 July 2026.
(4) The persons who conduct the review must give the Minister a written report of the review no later than 1 January 2027.
(5) The Minister must cause a copy of the report of the review to be tabled in each House of the Parliament within 3 months after the day the Minister receives the report.
… not a single LNG project has paid any PRRT and many are not expected to pay significant amounts of PRRT until the 2030s.
The big gas producers can go back to what they do best—exporting huge amounts of Australian gas and printing money …
The House divided. [13:57]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Superannuation (Objective) Bill 2023
The objective of superannuation is to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way.
The last decade saw the former government raid the superannuation system for its own purposes with a devastating impact on the savings of millions of Australians. Legislating an objective of super will help prevent this happening again.
Superannuation was the preserve of a few, mainly the wealthy …
The reform of superannuation has been one of the great achievements of the Government. Over its term of office, the Government has greatly expanded access to superannuation savings. In particular, award superannuation has fostered the spread of superannuation to large areas of the work force which previously had no cover.
… We are confident that investment in the social housing sector has the potential to be a win-win for our members—by providing stable long-term returns for their super balances, as well as construction industry jobs …
1.38 The inclusion of Government support in the objective reflects the crucial link between superannuation policy and government support.
This will make policymakers more accountable when considering changes that affect Australians' retirement savings.
… a million vacant properties on the night of the census … I just want to be very clear, we have enough homes for people to live in.
Although Australia accounts for less than two per cent of the global new vehicle market, it is becoming increasingly important that we harmonise our approaches to vehicle emissions with those in place in other countries.
… it is an investment in people … This investment will help ensure Aboriginal Australians across the Northern Territory are able to live with dignity and pride, where their kids can grow safe, healthy and strong and truly look to their futures with real hope and optimism.
I can tell you, from Toyota's perspective, we're not buying credits. We'll pay a fine and pass it on.
Superannuation (Objective) Bill 2023
Increasing the amount of money going into real estate by facilitating access to super savings pre-retirement will not improve housing affordability. It would increase demand for housing and, all other things being equal, would actually drive up house prices by more. That is, it would reduce housing affordability, including for first home buyers. The only effective way to tackle housing affordability is by boosting housing supply, not by boosting demand.
Young people need their super for retirement, not to try to take pressure off an urban housing bubble, better solved by decentralisation.
… the Committee recognises that allowing first home buyers to access or borrow against part of their super to purchase a home would, in the absence of increased housing supply, likely increase demand and lead to higher property prices.
Today there are five working age Australians to every Australian over 65. In forty years—
there will be only three of working age to each over 65.
… Clearly, expenditure on items that are not supported by identifiable financial benefits to members articulated in a clear business case, are unlikely to satisfy the requirements of the best financial interests duty.
The superannuation system does not have a consistent set of policies that work towards common objectives.
… … …
The lack of an agreed policy framework and objectives reduces the efficiency of the system.
The absence of agreed objectives contributes to short-term ad hoc policy making. It adds complexity, imposes unnecessary costs on superannuation funds and their members, and undermines long-term confidence in the system.
The levy … will provide a coherent and equitable framework in which retirement incomes objectives can be progressed. It will ensure that, by the beginning of the next century, virtually all employees will be accumulating substantial superannuation savings to help fund their retirement income.
… to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way …
The objective of superannuation is to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way.
This section does not affect:
(a) the operation of any law of the Commonwealth (other than this Act or regulations made under this Act); or
(b) the operation of the governing rules (within the meaning of the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act 1993) …
It defies belief that women who are protesting should not only be glad they're not getting shot but should also have to go into poverty to escape violence.
The response of the Morrison government to women needing to flee violent relationships is to say, 'We know you earn 42 per cent less than men in superannuation, we know that the fastest-growing cohort of homeless people is women over the age of 55, and we know that single women in retirement are more likely to live in poverty than men, but don't worry—if you need to escape a domestic violent relationship, you can draw down on your retirement savings in order to do so.'
… to preserve savings to deliver income for a dignified retirement, alongside government support, in an equitable and sustainable way.
That Ms Thwaites be discharged from the Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport and that, in her place, Ms Belyea be appointed a member of the committee.
Paid Parental Leave Amendment (More Support for Working Families) Bill 2023
Administrative Review Tribunal Bill 2023
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 1) Bill 2023
Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No. 2) Bill 2024
She felt passionately about people and their welfare. She marched in many rallies to save Medicare and the ABC, to stop privatization of electricity, stop coal seam gas development … and stop whatever Tony Abbott was doing.
I am glad to see the changes in Stage 3 tax which was inevitable. When the circumstances change, I change my conclusions as Keynes noted. All the best to you in the year ahead and keep up the good work.
These high cash users are more likely to be older, have lower household income, live in regional areas, and/or have limited internet access.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mr Wilkie ) took the chair at 10:29.
We had a common boundary between our electorates, which occasionally meant there was friendly and spirited banter between us … but what I remember most about Greg was that we worked alongside and with one another when it was in the interests of our local community.
… Greg Wilton came with high hopes to what he regarded as the greatest institution in the nation for helping people … and yet … he died of a broken heart.
He hated the character assassination which sadly is so much a part of the public discourse and the private conversation here and for which all of us bear a heavy responsibility.
We often complain about the low public standing of politicians, but other people take us at our own estimation, and we are always running each other down. Of course, there is a place for judgment, and sometimes there is a place for furious denunciation, but I think Australia would be better off without the feral quality which so often contaminates our public lives.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) expensive and unreliable fossil fuel energy has driven up power bills by over 20 per cent in eastern states;
(b) households can reduce their bills:
(i) by an average between $1,134 and $1,822 a year with rooftop solar;
(ii) between $514 and $1,594 with more efficient electric appliances; and
(iii) by even more with insulation and improved energy efficiency; and
(c) renters, apartment dwellers, and those on moderate and low incomes cannot get these savings, meaning over half of households are missing out on cost of living relief;
(2) acknowledges that:
(a) the Government has taken significant positive steps in this area, including the Household Energy Upgrades Fund, Solar Banks Scheme, and funding for social housing; and
(b) despite these positive steps, no funding has yet been disbursed from the Household Energy Upgrades Fund, and the 110,000 households that will be supported through the scheme are just a small fraction of the millions which need help; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) accelerate disbursement of existing support via the Household Energy Upgrades Fund;
(b) fund a 'people power plan' to lower energy bills in the May budget, with significant additional support for renters, apartment dwellers, and those with lower incomes and savings, as well as new measures to help landlords, homebuilders, and people in regional and rural communities hosting large-scale renewable projects and transmission lines; and
(c) work with state governments to urgently implement promised mandatory energy performance disclosure for rental properties, and minimum energy performance standards.
Record generation from grid-scale renewables and rooftop solar is triggering wholesale energy prices and greenhouse emissions to fall …
That this House:
(1) notes the Government's economic management has:
(a) delivered the first budget surplus in 15 years, something the former Government promised but never delivered;
(b) seen inflation begin to fall in the face of global pressures, helped by the Government's cost of living policies; and
(c) returned real wages growth faster than expected;
(2) further notes that the Government's cost of living tax cuts will see every Australian taxpayer receive a tax cut on 1 July, and means:
(a) 11.5 million taxpayers will receive a bigger tax cut than under the former Government's plan;
(b) Australians who earn up to $40,000 a year will receive a tax cut when they would not have under the former Government's plan; and
(c) these tax cuts come on top of the billions of dollars in targeted and responsible cost of living relief, much of which was opposed by the Opposition, including:
(i) energy bill relief;
(ii) cheaper medicines;
(iii) cheaper childcare;
(iv) strengthening Medicare;
(v) higher income support payments; and
(vi) the biggest boost to rent assistance in 30 years; and
(3) acknowledges the stark contrast in policies between the Government wanting Australians to earn more and keep more of what they earn, while the Opposition wants Australians to work longer and for less.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) March is Endometriosis Awareness Month;
(b) endometriosis is a progressive, chronic condition that can start at puberty and continue beyond menopause; and
(c) endometriosis affects one in nine Australian women and girls and approximately 200 million worldwide and can take an unacceptable average of seven years, often with crippling pain, before a diagnosis is made;
(2) acknowledges that the Government is addressing endometriosis at a national level with a significant $58.3 million package for endometriosis and pelvic pain announced in the 2022-23 budget, including:
(a) delivering 22 dedicated endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics around Australia;
(b) access to new Medicare funded MRI scans to assist investigations of infertility for those with severe endometriosis; and
(c) developing an endometriosis management plan, and other measures to better support those affected with endometriosis; and
(3) congratulates the many endometriosis patients, their families, organisations and health sector leaders for their continued advocacy on endometriosis awareness and education.
… acknowledges that the Government is addressing endometriosis at a national level with a significant $58.3 million package for endometriosis and pelvic pain announced in the 2022-23 budget, including:
(a) delivering 22 dedicated endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics around Australia; …
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the growing illicit tobacco industry is costing the country $4.2 billion in revenue each year this government fails to strengthen penalties and enforcement measures; and
(b) that the continued failure to seriously address the illicit tobacco trade:
(i) has enabled organised crime groups to fund serious criminal activity including large scale drug importation and human trafficking;
(ii) has seen an increase in violence and attacks on lawful retail tobacco businesses;
(iii) has had a detrimental effect to the health of individuals and community safety;
(iv) heavily impacts on public revenue to the amount of $4.2 billion annually; and
(v) continues to severely impact the ordinary trade of lawful retail tobacconists;
(2) recognises the leadership of the previous Government on enforcement on the illicit tobacco trade by:
(a) establishing the Illicit Tobacco Taskforce in 2018, a multi-agency taskforce to protect Australian revenue and detect and disrupt organised crime syndicates that deal in illicit tobacco; and
(b) introducing amendments to the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Bill 2023 for the establishment of a new Illicit Tobacco and E-cigarette Commissioner with the Australian Border Force;
(3) commends the valuable work of law enforcement and other agencies to detect and respond to the escalating illicit tobacco trade and related crime; and
(4) calls on the Government to:
(a) increase the penalties for illicit tobacco offences;
(b) work with states and territories to implement compatible licencing systems for tobacco sales to assist in enforcement, detection, and disruption efforts; and
(c) ensure that multi-jurisdictional responses can be adequately funded.
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) the Government's expanded Home Guarantee Scheme has now supported more than 100,000 people into home ownership since the election, bringing home ownership back into reach;
(b) almost one in three first home buyers in 2022-23 were supported by the scheme, a significant increase from the previous year under the former Government;
(c) the Government delivered on its commitment to introduce the new Regional First Home Buyer Guarantee three months ahead of schedule in October 2022, and it has assisted more than 15,000 people across regional Australia into home ownership; and
(d) the Government has also expanded eligibility of the Home Guarantee Scheme to help more Australians who were locked out under the previous Government into home ownership;
(2) notes that:
(a) the Government wants to provide even more support for people to own their home through the Help to Buy scheme, which is due to start later this year following the passage of state legislation; and
(b) Help to Buy will support eligible home buyers with an equity contribution of up to 40 per cent for new homes and 30 per cent for existing homes, with eligible buyers needing as little as a 2 per cent deposit to buy a home; and
(3) further notes that the Home Guarantee Scheme and Help to Buy are just two parts of the Government's broad and ambitious housing agenda, with the Government committing funding of $25 billion in new housing investments over the next decade including committed funding to support thousands of new social and affordable rentals, with many already under construction.
Our ambitious housing reform agenda is working across the board:
More help for homebuyers;
More help for renters; and
More help for Australians needing a safe place for the night.
However, after almost two years of lacklustre action regarding housing supply from this government it seems that it is no longer a dream but instead a farfetched fantasy.
Our next generation of doctors, teachers, builders, and engineers face a housing market that seems insurmountable.
In the 12 months to February, the average price of a home rose by close to nine per cent.
This is greater than wage growth and has pushed home loans to record amounts.
At the same time, cash rates have skyrocketed following the election of this government, adding thousands of dollars to interest repayments—
Affordable housing is not just a necessity for achieving the Australian dream but is also fundamental to wellbeing.
Despite all their talk of change and improvements, Labor continues to lead young people astray.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) 20 and 21 March 2024 mark the Science Meets Parliament 2024 event in Canberra; and
(b) Science Meets Parliament provides the opportunity for parliamentarians to directly engage with Australian scientists;
(2) acknowledges the work of Science and Technology Australia to organise the event;
(3) recognises the:
(a) importance of science in helping Australia solve some of its biggest challenges and diversifying the economy; and
(b) Government's commitment to support and celebrate the achievements of Australian scientists; and
(4) further notes the Government's goals to embed science in government policy making.
Science isn't a nice-to-have only when times are good. It is essential to the prosperity of this country. To our national wellbeing. To being a modern economy.
Industry, Science and innovation Minister Ed Husic had complained directly to Albanese that the cabinet's powerful expenditure review committee—responsible for overseeing ministers' submissions for budget measures—was shutting out ministers from decision-making.
That this House:
(1) notes the current crisis facing Australia's wine grape growers;
(2) recognises that inland wine regions of the Riverland in South Australia, the Murray Darling and Swan Hill regions in New South Wales and Victoria, and the Riverina in New South Wales are being disproportionately impacted by the structural disequilibrium in supply of, and demand for, wine grapes;
(3) further notes that since 2021, average revenue per hectare of vineyard in these inland regions has dropped by 52 per cent;
(4) further recognises that many growers have been unable to cover their cost of production;
(5) acknowledges that without government intervention to support growers to adapt in this critical period, the wine grape growing sector will experience forced exits and widespread vineyard abandonment which can lead to significant biosecurity risks, attrition of younger generations in the affected areas, and adverse mental health consequences across regional communities; and
(6) calls on the Government to urgently support Australian wine grape growers with a targeted financial support package for eligible vineyard owners to adapt to changing market conditions.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) sleep is essential to good physical health and to mental and emotional wellbeing;
(b) insufficient sleep increases risks to long-term physical and mental health;
(c) four in every ten Australians currently experience inadequate sleep; and
(d) inadequate sleep has substantial economic and productivity costs for Australia;
(2) notes the:
(a) recent SBS television series 'Australia's Sleep Revolution' with Dr Michael Mosley and its role in raising awareness of the importance of sleep to health and wellbeing;
(b) eleven recommendations of the inquiry and report, Bedtime Reading , which was completed in the 45th Parliament by the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health, Aged Care and Sport;
(c) committee's bipartisan and comprehensive recommendations which highlighted the need for sleep health to be recognised as a national priority due to its health significance;
(d) Government's response to the report published in August 2023, which supported or supported in-principle ten of the eleven recommendations made by the committee; and
(e) Government's focus on sleep health as a national priority alongside fitness and nutrition; and
(3) recognises the sustained attention required by the Government, in collaboration with states and territories, to ensure our health system acknowledges, addresses, and responds to the growing prevalence of inadequate sleep and its harmful impacts on health, well-being, and social and economic outcomes.
… there does not seem to be one major organ in the body, or process within the brain that is not optimally enhanced by sleep (and detrimentally impaired when we do not get enough).