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. 30
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
19 August 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 3 July and 14 August 2024.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 2 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 3 July 2024
From 7363 petitioners—requesting that independent local post offices be able to provide additional services to support communities (EN6326)
Petitions certified on 14 August 2024
From 16046 petitioners—requesting that independent local post offices be able to provide additional services to support communities (PN0615)
2. The following 55 ministerial responses to petitions were received.
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 14 August 2024
From the Treasurer to a petition requesting changes to allow self-managed superannuation funds to make capital improvements to rental properties (EN4442)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition regarding Australia's policy towards asylum seekers (EN4784)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the visa cancellation and deportation of an Australian resident (EN4995)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting that gender affirming care not be covered under Medicare (EN5135)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition requesting fair and equitable access to parental leave (EN5229)
From the Treasurer to a petition requesting that amendments be made to the Corporations Act 2001 to protect whistleblowers (EN5240)
From the Treasurer to a petition requesting that businesses be banned from adding surcharges on non-cash transactions (EN5358)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting that all war memorials in Australia be heritage listed (EN5326, PN0599 and PN0598)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition requesting stricter deportation laws in Australia (EN5560)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition regarding changes to the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) (EN5768)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting an inquiry into the involvement of Australian citizens in Israeli Defense Force operations (EN5783)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding access to Health Care Cards for people with epilepsy (EN5925)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and that Palestinian Australians be made eligible for the Australian Victim of Terrorism Overseas Payment (EN5932)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting an amendment to the Veterans' Entitlements Act 1986 regarding timeframes of reviews (EN5935)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting a review of safeguards and legislation related to cybercrime and online safety (EN5939)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting a revision of legislative changes affecting the regulation of vaping products (EN5940)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting a nationwide independent review of Telstra services (EN5943)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition requesting that an update be made to the Statement of Principles concerning tooth wear (Reasonable Hypothesis) (No. 52 of 2017) (EN5961)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting that Motor Neurone Disease be listed as a notifiable disease (EN5968 and PN0603)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting that the Australian Government consider nuclear power for energy generation (EN5972)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the operation of the Shincheonji Church in Australia (EN5983)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition requesting that the House identify the former Australian politician who was alleged to have been involved in a foreign interference operation (EN5996)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding global shortages of the drug lisdexamfetamine (EN6020)
From the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to a petition requesting further mental health and psychiatric care facilities and practitioners for Karratha and the Pilbara region (EN6029)
From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting legalisation of the myxomatosis vaccine to protect domestic rabbits (EN6031)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition requesting the closure of the Joint Defence Facility Pine Gap (EN6032)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the introduction of laws to protect the public from emerging communication technologies and remote neuromonitoring (EN6055)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting transparency about any form of Australian aid provided to Israel (EN6075)
From the Minister for Financial Services to a petition requesting legislation to protect consumer rights for digital software (EN6080)
From the Minister for Finance to a petition regarding concerns relating to the Digital ID Act 2024 (EN6097)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding sex education for children (EN6101)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting that the number of Medicare supported psychology sessions be increased to twenty per year for individuals (EN6102)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the expulsion of Israeli Ambassador to Australia (EN6105)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that Australia cease diplomatic relations with Israel, terminate all contracts with Elbit Systems, condemn the deaths of Palestinian civilians in Gaza and support South Africa's case against Israel at the International Court of Justice (EN6106)
From the Minister for Finance to a petition regarding concerns relating to the Digital ID Act 2024 (EN6115)
From the Minister for Home Affairs to a petition requesting that all immigration be suspended (EN6119)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the accessibility of reusable cannabis vaping devices (EN6127)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding cancellation of the visas of people who fail the character test (EN6138)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government impose sanctions on Israel (EN6141)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting that the Online Safety Act 2021 be repealed (EN6152)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding freedom of speech and freedom of the press (EN6169)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that Australia formally recognise the state of Palestine (EN6173)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting that the ban on the personal importation of vaping products be lifted (EN6174)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the discontinuation of the pharmaceutical product Normacol Plus (EN6178)
From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting the establishment of a royal commission into family violence (EN6193)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting the re-implementation of flight curfews in South Australia (EN6199)
From the Minister for Education to a petition regarding the new Commonwealth Prac Payment (EN6207)
From the Assistant Minister for Mental Health and Suicide Prevention to a petition requesting legislation to facilitate involuntary mental health treatment for children (EN6209)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding Australia's COVID-19 vaccination program (EN6210)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government commit to further funding for humanitarian aid and support for Palestine (EN6212)
From the Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting that a provider be deregistered from the National Disability Insurance Scheme (EN6218)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting that the Australian Government call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (EN6220)
From the Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting an increase to the Age Pension Work Bonus threshold (EN6227)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting legislation to strengthen whistleblower protections (EN6230)
From the Minister for Education to a petition requesting that eligibility for the Commonwealth Prac Payment scheme be widened to include medical students (EN6249)
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
Migration Amendment (Limits on Immigration Detention) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
11 years ago I was locked up in Nauru and it made me sick. No privacy, no safety, I could not see my family or see any hope for the future … I was then evacuated to Brisbane where I was locked up again in detention for two more years. Locked up with my sickness and pain and separated from my family. Now I am still not free, and I am still in Australia waiting. I still can't see my family, I can't study, it is hard to find work as we have to renew our visas every three to six months. It is too much.
Broadcasting Services Amendment (Prohibition of Gambling Advertisements) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Building and Construction Industry (Restoring Integrity and Reducing Building Costs) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Amendment (Removing Criminals from Worksites) Bill 2024
That this bill be now read a second time.
That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) the frequency of severe weather events is the dominant reason home insurance premiums are skyrocketing, fast becoming unaffordable and in turn, fuelling inflation;
(b) severe weather events are already costing the Australian economy over $38 billion a year and this cost is predicted to rise to at least $73 billion per year by 2050 if climate change continues unmitigated;
(c) over 12 per cent of households are facing extreme insurance stress, paying more than four weeks of gross income to home insurance premiums, risking underinsurance of their properties;
(d) every $1 invested in climate adaptation measures can save up to $11 in disaster recovery; and
(e) the Government continues to allocate significantly less funding to resilience and adaptation than to disaster response and recovery, with less than ten per cent of Australian homes being climate risk resilient; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) allocate funding to:
(i) the Resilient Building Council to expand the home and business resilience ratings scheme to incentivise home adaptation measures and put downward pressure on insurance; and
(ii) expand the Australian sustainable finance taxonomy to include adaptation, to unlock global capital for private sector led resilience;
(b) include climate resilience and adaptation as a matter of priority in upcoming updates to the National Construction Code and require resilience for all government investments;
(c) accelerate the development of a national standard for climate adapted planning controls; and
(d) ensure equitable access to insurance by helping lower income households and communities facing home insurance stress and underinsurance in high risk areas.
That this House:
(1) recognises:
(a) the vital role early childhood education and care (ECEC) educators and teachers play in supporting young children's early learning and development;
(b) properly valuing and recognising the ECEC profession—including through fair wages—is critical to reversing attrition and growing the workforce;
(c) paying ECEC workers fairly is a crucial step in charting the course to a truly universal ECEC system; and
(d) the Government's historic announcement for a two-year, 15 per cent ECEC worker retention payment for ECEC workers, phased in from December 2024;
(2) notes that:
(a) one year on, the Government's cheaper child care reforms are delivering real cost of living relief to household budgets;
(b) the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission's child care inquiry found that out-of-pocket costs dropped 11 per cent following the introduction of the Government's cheaper child care measures; and
(c) the Government's ECEC worker retention payment will be tied to a commitment from early learning services to limit fee increases to 4.4 per cent, an important condition that will keep downward pressure on fees for Australian families; and
(3) acknowledges that:
(a) since the election, there are 860 more ECEC services, around 68,000 more children in ECEC, and around 30,000 more ECEC workers; and
(b) between 2018 and 2022, fees under the previous Government increased by 22.8 per cent compared to the OECD adjusted average of 6.2 per cent.
Policy measures that continue to apply a 'one size fits all approach' across the sector will leave some communities under-served, unserved or without adequate and appropriate access to childcare services.
Our inquiry finds that historically when subsidies increase, out-of-pocket expenses decline initially but then tend to revert to higher levels … Further to this, our inquiry finds that that the design and implementation of the Child Care Subsidy … has had only limited effectiveness in placing downward pressure on fees and constraining the burden on taxpayers.
That this House:
(1) notes that the Government's Play Our Way program:
(a) was announced 12 months ago, as a back-foot response to the Opposition's $250 million announcement for supporting community sporting infrastructure across the country;
(b) has left community sporting organisations in the lurch, with program applicants still unaware if they have been successful and frustrated by funding uncertainty; and
(c) was just more policy on the run from the Government, which has been proven by this significant, unexplained delay; and
(2) calls on the Government to:
(a) stop prioritising photo opportunities over the real action needed to support sports participation in Australia; and
(b) support the sporting infrastructure communities need as more young Australians are inspired to get out there and get active, and immediately provide an update on the Play Our Way program.
I'll refer to what the ASIO director-general himself has said:
If they've been issued a visa, they've gone through the process … they're referred to my organisation and ASIO does its thing.
It's a direct quote.
… … …
It's a direct quote from Insiders on 11 August.
If they've been issued a visa, they've gone through the process. Part of that visa process is, where criteria are hit, they're referred to my organisation and ASIO does its thing.
Just for clarity, it places the Speaker in a difficult position when I don't have an exact copy of Hansard in front of me at the time.
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that in the course of question time on 15 August 2024, the Prime Minister purported to quote statements made by the Director-General of ASIO, Mr Mike Burgess, in a recent interview on Insiders;
(b) that the Prime Minister's purported quote specifically omitted key words with the effect of changing the fundamental meaning of Mr Burgess' statements; and
(c) that as a consequence the House was given an incorrect understanding that all visa applicants from Gaza are the subject of an ASIO assessment, whereas in fact this only occurs 'where criteria are hit';
(2) therefore calls on the Prime Minister to immediately attend the Chamber and speak for up to 15 minutes to explain:
(a) which visa applicants are the subject of a security assessment by ASIO;
(b) what are the criteria for ASIO to carry out a security assessment in relation to visa applicants from the Gaza war zone;
(c) how many of the almost 3,000 visas already issued by the Government were granted without an ASIO security assessment; and
(d) whether the House can have any confidence that under this Government's processes, there is a proper and thorough security assessment of all visa applicants from the Gaza war zone to determine whether the applicant would present a security threat to the Australian community; and
(3) resolves that no other business be considered until the Prime Minister undertakes the action requested in (2).
That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the Opposition from moving the following motion forthwith—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that in the course of question time on 15 August 2024, the Prime Minister purported to quote statements made by the Director-General of ASIO, Mr Mike Burgess, in a recent interview on Insiders;
(b) that the Prime Minister's purported quote specifically omitted key words with the effect of changing the fundamental meaning of Mr Burgess' statements; and
(c) that as a consequence the House was given an incorrect understanding that all visa applicants from Gaza are the subject of an ASIO assessment, whereas in fact this only occurs 'where criteria are hit';
(2) therefore calls on the Prime Minister to immediately attend the Chamber and speak for up to 15 minutes to explain:
(a) which visa applicants are the subject of a security assessment by ASIO;
(b) what are the criteria for ASIO to carry out a security assessment in relation to visa applicants from the Gaza war zone;
(c) how many of the almost 3,000 visas already issued by the Government were granted without an ASIO security assessment; and
(d) whether the House can have any confidence that under this Government's processes, there is a proper and thorough security assessment of all visa applicants from the Gaza war zone to determine whether the applicant would present a security threat to the Australian community; and
(3) resolves that no other business be considered until the Prime Minister undertakes the action requested in (2).
If they've been issued a visa, they've gone through the process. Part of that visa process is, where criteria hit, they're referred to my organisation and ASIO does its thing.
That the debate be adjourned.
The House divided. [12:34]
(The Speaker—Hon. Milton Dick)
Treasury Laws Amendment (Consumer Data Right) Bill 2022
Future Made in Australia Bill 2024
Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024
Every country has an industrial policy. The question is whether it's explicit, whether it's implicit, whether it's coherent, or whether it's incoherent.
Cost-of-living pressure is the most universal issue among regional Australians, who say reducing price increases for household bills and other essential expenses should be a government priority.
… Queensland kids are falling behind in the classroom with new NAPLAN results revealing concerning—
… the Liberal senator James Paterson, has rebuked the defence minister, Peter Dutton … for referencing classified information during last week's hyper-partisan brawling over national security.
The office of Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton was suspected of leaking information it was told was classified about the cost of medically evacuating refugees to Taiwan …
The disclosure of the information concerned the secretary of the Home Affairs Department … so greatly that he requested the matter be referred to the Australian Federal Police for investigation.
If your plan was so good, there are some very big companies out there, multiple billion-dollar companies, and these people would be lined up at the door to come to Australia. Siemens, BMW, Hewlett-Packard, Rolls-Royce, General Motors and General Electric would be lined up saying: 'We're going to Australia.' … Not one of them wants to come here.
Siemens and Ampcontrol, a leading Australian provider of energy solutions, announced a collaboration agreement to work on technology solutions for battery energy storage and grid applications for the Australian renewable energy market.
GE Vernova's Gas Power business and Energy Australia today announced the opening of the Tallawarra B Power Station, in New South Wales, Australia … the first dual-fuel capable natural gas/ hydrogen power plant in commercial operation in Australia.
Refugee visas take longer and given what's happening right now and the dangers presented, the view was to try and get people out as quickly as you can.
A few of my colleagues … are just beside themselves … the rug has been pulled from under them. It's mind-boggling to be honest.
For me, when I think of administrative challenges or stuff-ups, this is right at the top of the list.
We are at a critical juncture where the uncertainty surrounding the content and timing of an administration is beginning to have tangible effects on the industry, both in terms of project outcomes and business operations.
The industry cannot afford continued uncertainty, so we call on all parties to finalise and pass the Bill without further delay.
Future Made in Australia Bill 2024
Future Made in Australia (Omnibus Amendments No. 1) Bill 2024
It diverts resources, that's workers and capital, away from other parts of the economy where they might generate high value uses.
The Future Made in Australia plan is about attracting and enabling investment, making Australia a renewable energy superpower, value-adding to our resources and strengthening economic security, backing Australian ideas and investing in the people, communities and services that will drive our national success.
If poorly designed, industry policy such as the FMIA can be costly for governments, act as a form of trade protection, and distort the allocation of Australia's scarce resources towards activities that Australia is not best placed to undertake.
Our competitors … are more investment-friendly environments based on old-fashioned fundamentals like tax and regulation.
To reinvent our economy we must, as a point of national urgency, become a more competitive place to do business.
We risk creating a class of businesses that is reliant on government subsidies, and that can be very effective in coming back for more.
As the Prime Minister said back in April, we need to aim high, be bold and build big to match the size of the opportunity in front of us. We have to get cracking. Australia has unlimited potential, but we do not have unlimited time. If we don't seize this moment, it will pass. If we don't take this chance, we won't get another. If we don't act to shape the future, the future will shape us.
The Heytesbury Settlement began in the 1960s as a soldier settler scheme, and is home to many family farms and small communities in south-west Victoria, centred around the service town of Simpson, and also serviced by Cobden, Colac, Camperdown and Timboon. It is situated within the most valuable agricultural region in the whole of Australia (Food and Fibre Great South West strategy, 2021-2023).
Since the large-scale clearing of that time, many farms have worked to re-establish multi-species native plantings, enhance habitat, manage nutrient and run-off, and improve the amenity of this picturesque landscape. Tourists are increasingly attracted to the area for its rolling hills, lush pastures, native forests, wildlife, birds, and gourmet food and wine experiences.
The wide scale planting of blue gums ('green deserts') for wood-chip in the Heytesbury settlement district must be stopped before the landscape changes irreversibly, leading to harm to local communities, to employment, to local services and local food production.
Foreign Investment Review Board decisions are meant to be made in the 'National Interest'.
We call on the federal government to immediately publicly release the conditions the Foreign Investment Review Board placed on Munich Re (the German Superannuation Company) in approving the purchase of $200m in prime agriculture land in south-west Victoria.
We call on the federal government to detail what environmental assessment it undertook in approving the wide scale planting of blue gums, including on impacts to the underground water table.
We call on the federal government to provide greater transparency on the size and scale of purchases in the Heytesbury settlement by Munich Re.
And we call on the federal government to detail what community based assessment it undertook specifically with regard to the impact on food production of such a large scale purchase of prime agriculture land.
As a child my parents instilled into me the importance of giving back to my community and improving the lives of others who were less fortunate. I was given an opportunity to do this in Australia and I do so with immense pride and sense of satisfaction. There is no end to this journey.
The DEPUTY SPEAKER ( Mrs Archer ) took the chair at 10:30.
We have transformed our vision into reality for this city, and it is something of which I am incredibly proud.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) early childhood education and care (ECEC) delivers benefits to children, families and the economy; and
(b) a universal ECEC system:
(i) means making quality services accessible to all children and families;
(ii) is an opportunity to unlock productivity and growth across the workforce and allow more women into the workforce if they want to work; and
(iii) would address cost of living pressures, productivity, gender equality and give all children the best start in life;
(2) notes that:
(a) ECEC sets children up for life;
(b) by the age of five, 90 per cent of a child's brain is fully developed;
(c) children who attend quality early childhood education are twice as likely to reach their developmental targets once at school;
(d) children experiencing disadvantage and vulnerability—who are likely to benefit most from ECEC services—are less likely to attend ECEC;
(e) the cost of ECEC in Australia is amongst the highest in OECD countries, representing a major cost of living pressure for many households; and
(f) ECEC enables mothers, in particular, to maintain a connection to the labour force when children are very young and allows for increasing hours of work as children grow; and
(3) calls on the Government to commit to, and provide, a pathway and timeline towards universal early education and care.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges the popularity of the Government's Fee-Free TAFE policy, demonstrated by 500,000 enrolments since its commencement;
(2) recognises that Fee-Free TAFE is:
(a) driving enrolments in sectors with recognised skills shortages and securing a domestic workforce to deliver on current and future priorities;
(b) giving Australians access to the skills they need to ensure they have meaningful, well-paid jobs, and career progression;
(c) helping to ease cost of living pressures to make training a real possibility for half a million Australians; and
(d) assisting the country's response to the biggest skills shortages we have faced in 50 years; and
(3) supports the Government as it continues to invest in the Australian people by rolling out Fee-Free TAFE places in partnership with state and territory governments.
Starting the certificate III in early childhood education has been such a positive experience. It feels good to be pursuing something I am passionate about and that I feel can make a meaningful impact to the future of our society.
Fee free TAFE has helped me begin my journey to a career that I am passionate about, and I look forward with nothing but excitement to the future.
That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that the Government cut $50 million in the October 2022-2023 budget from Round 7 of the Safer Communities Fund for early intervention high-risk youth programs, which was funded but not announced in the March 2022-23 budget; and
(b) the recent surge in youth crime in Victoria and Queensland, in particular requires an urgent and dedicated response from the Commonwealth Government to address and combat this serious issue, while the Victorian Government must reconsider its stance on weak youth bail laws and prioritise the safety of its citizens;
(2) condemns the Government for abandoning young Australians by scrapping this funding;
(3) calls on the Government to reinstate funding to provide for much-needed capital to organisations working with high-risk youth;
(4) congratulates the previous Government for investing $300 million in the Safer Communities Fund to keep local communities safer; and
(5) commends the Opposition for committing to working with states and territories in the future to develop uniform knife laws as a significant step towards ensuring the safety and security of all Australians.
Funding decisions were not appropriately informed by departmental briefings and, for the majority of decisions, the basis for the decisions was not clearly recorded.
Applications were not assessed fully in accordance with the guidelines … 54% of funding decisions did not have a clear basis for the decision recorded.
… key minister rejected department advice …
Assistant Minister Jason Wood handpicked the projects … and … cut funding to recipients that scored more highly in the Home Affairs department's analysis …
… … …
… Peter Dutton … diverted money from a previous funding round to help 53 handpicked projects …
Mr Wood … conceded the grants were not recommended by officials …
That this House:
(1) notes the Government has made medicines cheaper by:
(a) freezing the price of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) medicines in the 2024-25 budget;
(b) delivering the largest price reduction in the 75-year history of the PBS; and
(c) introducing 60-day prescriptions for 184 common medicines;
(2) notes that since 1 July 2022, the Government has approved additional funding for 227 new and amended listings on the PBS, including:
(a) trikafta (elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor and ivacaftor) which treats children with cystic fibrosis;
(b) selumetinib (koselugo) which treats symptomatic, inoperable benign nerve tumours in children two years old and over with neurofibromatosis type 1; and
(c) patisiran (onpattro) which treats hereditary transthyretin-mediated amyloidosis;
(3) acknowledges that five million Australians have saved more than $456 million on cheaper prescriptions since January 2023; and
(4) notes the Opposition's record of making medicines more expensive and its opposition to the Government's policies to make medicines cheaper for all Australians.
That this House:
(1) notes that the Great Artesian Basin:
(a) is unique, only one of its kind in the world;
(b) is the world's largest underground potable water source;
(c) covers 22 per cent of the area of Australia, 79 per cent of Queensland and 1.7 million square kilometres;
(d) is estimated to carry 65,000 cubic kilometres of water;
(e) is a vital resource for the agricultural industry and regional communities;
(f) supports significant Indigenous cultural values; and
(g) sustains a range of groundwater-dependent ecosystems; and
(2) calls on the Government to protect Australia's water aquifers and oppose Glencore's CTSCo Project to sequester carbon dioxide (CO2 hypercritical fluid) into the Great Artesian Basin.
The committee recommends that states and territories consider a legislated ban on CCS activities across the GAB to ensure this important natural asset is uniformly preserved.
The committee recommends updating the water trigger in the EPBC Act to include onshore CCS.
No objections were raised and in one case, a minister's agency wrote back in agreement.
It was a desktop review done by the environment minister at the time, Sussan Ley, and she didn't get it right.
It wasn't on her radar to the extent it should've been.
… you can look about 60km west of where I'm sitting now and carbon, capture and storage has been implemented on a coal-fired power station from Millmerran. That's the investment we—
made.
It was a desktop review done by the environment minister at the time … and she didn't get it right.
It wasn't on her radar to the extent that it should've been.
We aren't bringing in anyone from Gaza, Syria, Somalia, Yemen or Libya or anywhere else that threatens our security.
… the electorate of Nicholls is, I believe, one of the most successful examples of multiculturalism in the world. People from all over have made their way to this region, often coming with nothing, and they have made extraordinary lives.
My observation as a member of this community is that we seem to do better when we celebrate each other's different cultural identity but moreover embrace each other's humanity, the humanity being a stronger bond between us than any divisions that tend to be amplified by race, gender, sexual orientation or religious view.
Congratulations Dr Bruce and Anne on your retirement. Best doctor I have ever come across. Delivered my 2 youngest babies and looked after my family better than anyone. Enjoy the next chapter of your life and your grand babies. You deserve the best.
That this House notes that:
(1) the 2024-25 budget provided significant new investment in Australia's arts and cultural sector, including:
(a) $115.2 million over four years to support the long-term financial sustainability of the national arts training organisations and $36.4 million of indexed and ongoing funding from 2028-29 (including the National Institute of Dramatic Art, Australian Film, Television and Radio School, NAISDA Dance College, Flying Fruit Fly Circus, Australian Ballet School, National Institute of Circus Arts, Australian National Academy of Music and the Australian Youth Orchestra);
(b) $14.5 million to support the production of Australian children's screen content, recognising the importance of Australian children seeing themselves reflected in the stories they watch;
(c) $9.3 million to expand and enhance the National Film and Sound Archive's capacity to digitise audio-visual materials at risk of irreversible degradation; and
(d) $5.2 million to expand and develop the Canberra Symphony Orchestra and Darwin Symphony Orchestra;
(2) these investments sustain the momentum that the national cultural policy, Revive has created in rebuilding Australia's cultural sector and safeguarding our cultural heritage; and
(3) the Government is delivering transformative new investment to the cultural sector after a decade of neglect and cuts by the previous Government.
Great nations write their autobiographies in three manuscripts—the book of their deeds, the book of their words and the book of their art. Not one of these books can be understood unless we read the two others, but of the three the only trustworthy one is the last.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Australian small businesses are at breaking point and are being failed by the Government; and
(2) notes that:
(a) under this Government, a record number of Australian businesses have become insolvent in the most recent financial year, including:
(i) 4,635 businesses in New South Wales;
(ii) 2,863 businesses in Victoria;
(iii) 2,036 businesses in Queensland;
(iv) 733 businesses in Western Australia;
(v) 194 businesses in the Australian Capital Territory;
(vi) 94 businesses in Tasmania; and
(vii) 43 businesses in the Northern Territory; and
(b) this Government is now the worst government for Australian business on record, having surpassed the 10,757 businesses collapsing under the Government of 2011-12; and
(c) Australian small businesses could survive a once-in-a-century pandemic but cannot survive the disastrous policies of this Government.
We're not at the peak yet. The consensus and my view is we've probably got another 12 months really kind of still ramping up before we hit the peak.
That this House:
(1) recognises that the Critical Minerals Production Tax Incentive (CMPTI) will help build Australia's critical minerals industry by encouraging processing onshore and creating secure jobs in Australia; and
(2) notes the:
(a) Leader of Opposition says one thing about the CMPTI on the west coast and another on the east coast; and
(b) Shadow Treasurer is opposed to the CMPTI and has turned his back on the resources sector.
That this House:
(1) acknowledges that Australia and the world face the gravest geopolitical instability since the end of World War II;
(2) recalls that foreign interference remains the greatest immediate threat to Australia's sovereignty and security;
(3) notes:
(a) that China, Russia, Iran, North Korea and the so-called axis of resistance continues to perpetrate malicious activities against critical infrastructure, public and private companies, agencies and democratic institutions across the world, including in Australia; and
(b) with concern that despite the urgent national security threats facing the nation, the Government has failed to:
(i) develop and deliver space defence and industry strategy, instead slashing funding for critical programs and global partnerships;
(ii) develop and deliver a comprehensive border security strategy, instead presiding over the worst border crisis since it was last in government;
(iii) engage industry to develop and deliver a strategy to secure and strengthen the supply of fuel, food, water, pharmaceuticals, industrial materials and critical minerals; and
(iv) quickly and adequately address the risks and opportunities associated with artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, and other emerging technologies aligned with our Australia-United Kingdom-United States pillars;
(4) calls on the Government to expeditiously develop and implement a comprehensive national security strategy which:
(a) engages all levels of government, all areas of the public and private sector, and all members of the public through consultation and review;
(b) addresses the issues of security in food, water, fuel, pharmaceuticals, industrial materials, critical minerals, and technology;
(c) addresses the issues of skilled workforce development and recruitment, digital literacy and online safety, cyber security, and resilience in homes, businesses, communities, agencies and institutions;
(d) addresses issues highlighted in the broad and public consultation process and delineated in a national security strategy consultation paper and roadmap; and
(e) commences no later than January 2027; and
(5) further acknowledges and pays tribute to the late Senator Jim Molan AO DSC for his significant work on, and advocacy for, a 'grand strategy' or 'nation security strategy' to this end.
Australia is operating in a strategy-free environment. Even more than tanks and ships and planes, Australia needs a strategy and a government that can deliver it.
The trouble with the internet is it's the greatest incubator of violent extremism and social media and the downside is the greatest accelerator of violent extremism.
We let the public have knowledge and tools that refute and report false or misleading information, and maintain a cautious balance between maintaining information freely and refusing information manipulation.
That this House:
(1) notes that the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics will produce extensive beneficial impacts for Queensland and the nation, including economic, infrastructure, cultural, social, and environmental legacies;
(2) acknowledges that the local, state and Commonwealth governments have made a considerable effort to plan and prepare according to the International Olympic Committee's new norms; and
(3) recognises the diligence in planning for a lasting beneficial legacy for Brisbane, Queensland, and our nation from hosting the Olympic and Paralympic events.
If we weren't successful in our application, which is fine, we'd rather know so that we can move on with planning … That's probably the frustration with this one.