The PRESIDENT (Senator the Hon. Scott Ryan) took the chair at 10:00, read prayers and made an acknowledgement of country.
That the following general business orders of the day be considered today at the time for private senators' bills: No. 79, Animal Export Legislation Amendment (Ending Long-haul Live Sheep Exports) Bill 2018, and No. 67, Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017.
Animal Export Legislation Amendment (Ending Long-haul Live Sheep Exports) Bill 2018
This autumn on our property—
we had 1200 lambs in the feedlot," he said.
"The local processor, in this case WAMMCO (Western Australian Meat Marketing Co-operative Limited), gets their pick of the lambs first and on this occasion they took 638 head.
"Next we deal with the live exporter, who will hopefully take the balance of the lambs.
"We try to sell the total of all of the lambs in the feedlot now, when it’s the optimum range in terms of age and condition.
"If the exporters don’t take the balance to suit their customers, then what’s left will probably go to the sale at Katanning—
for other producers or butchers to buy."
He said WAGG—
disagreed with the statement that processors could handle the extra sheep … if there was no live export.
"This is not correct and the processors can’t get enough workers in the abattoirs," Mr Stacey said.
"The processors want the live trade to end as this will drop the market price of sheep.
… growers know that would be the beginning of the end of the sheep and cattle industry, processors will have no competition.
"Farmers need competition to support prices for our product and live export provides a floor in the market." WAGG believes that the lack of recognition of Australia’s high animal welfare standards, as the fourth largest exporter of live sheep in the world, was another frustration for WA farmers.
Mr Stacey said Eastern States politicians—
did not understand the WA system and the consequences to all agricultural industry businesses and exports.
"This is always a problem when there is an export-based State compared to a domestic-based State," Mr Stacey said.
"We also supply these countries with grain and hay, so why is the government upsetting our customers and putting uncertainty in the minds of potential customers with this live export ban talk?"
Farmers work on such fine margins with all livestock and grain industries.
"Eighty to 90 per cent of WA produce is exported and this earns big dollars for the whole of Australia.
"The east coast politicians and public should be supporting us, not banning us from doing what we do best."
"There are a group of people totally committed to shutting the industry down, they don't give a damn about the impact it might have throughout the whole length and depth of northern Australia," Mr Seabrook said.
"There's nobody in rural Australia that deals with sheep and cattle that wants to see this sort of thing happen but what does need to be recognised is that we stand like a beacon in the darkness when it comes down to animal welfare standards, especially live export."
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [10:58]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [11:01]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
That the question that this bill stand as printed be now put.
The committee divided [11:23]
(The Chair—Senator Lines)
That this bill be now read a third time.
That the question be now put.
The Senate divided. [11:31]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
The Senate divided. [11:35]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
Coal-Fired Power Funding Prohibition Bill 2017
In terms of energy policy and climate policy, I think the truth is that the Coalition finds it very hard to get agreement on anything to do with emissions.
I mean the National Energy Guarantee was or is, a vitally piece of economic reform. It remains the Government's policy, of course.
… the emissions policy, emissions issues and climate policy issues have the same problem within the Coalition of bitterly entrenched views that are actually sort of more ideological views, than views based as I say, in engineering and economics.
… dismayed at the direction of the Morrison administration’s energy policy and concerned at the appointment of Mr Taylor, who has campaigned against wind farms and renewable energy subsidies.
A senior NSW government source said the federal Coalition’s avoidance of emissions reduction was "just putting off the inevitable".
In terms of energy policy and climate policy, I think the truth is that the Coalition finds it very hard to get agreement on anything to do with emissions. … I mean, the National Energy Guarantee was or is, a vitally piece of economic reform. It remains the Government's policy, of course.
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Amendment (Excess Levels for Private Health Insurance Policies) Bill 2018
Medicare Levy Amendment (Excess Levels for Private Health Insurance Policies) Bill 2018
At the end of the motion, add:
", but the Senate condemns the Government for putting insurer profits before patients, forcing Australians to either drop their private health insurance, or pay more and more for less and less."
It's hard to imagine any other area of public expenditure where you have the same number of Australians contributing from their own pockets, with significant public expenditure and subsidies backing that up, without us having clear data on what we're getting in return.
Scare tactics by the Private Health Insurance industry … should not be surprising. However, they should be rejected out-of-hand. The focus of this industry is on profits and return to shareholders rather than the health of all Australians.
CHOICE welcomes any action to apply more scrutiny to this highly subsidised and highly profitable industry … While costs for private health insurance are increasing, the value that people receive from private health insurance has dropped.
A commitment by the Opposition to a wide-ranging Productivity Commission review of the private health system is a welcome step and a level of independent inquiry we have been recommending for some time.
… the ANMF is supporting practical policy reforms which enhance the affordability and value of private health insurance … "fees for private health insurance cover are out of control and now becoming unaffordable for most families."
A comprehensive review of private health insurance by the Productivity Commission, as put forward by the Opposition today, is the only sensible way forward out of the mess that private health insurance has become.
The Senate divided. [13:54]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
At the end of the motion, add:
", but the Senate calls on the government, as a matter of urgency, to refer to the Productivity Commission the matter of whether the private health insurance rebate promotes the economically efficient operation of the health system."
The Senate divided. [13:59]
(The President—Senator Ryan)
… I support Prime Minister Turnbull 100 per cent.
I support Prime Minister Turnbull.
It is clear to me that people were subject to threats and intimidation and bullying.
The quantum of new foreign direct investment in 2017 was $105 billion, and over the last five years this figure totalled $645.4 billion, reflecting the confidence that investors continue to have in Australia.
For almost a century the dream of a dam upon the Burdekin River has inspired generations of people with the promise of new prosperity for North Queensland. Today we mark the realisation of that dream the completion of the Burdekin Dam and the formal opening of a new era …
This can include pecuniary interests, held by them or by members of their immediate family, which may give rise to a conflict with their public duties.
It is then open to the Chair of the meeting to excuse a minister from the discussion or to agree expressly to his or her taking part.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance and the Public Service (Senator Cormann) to a question without notice asked by Senator Gallacher today relating to the Morrison Government.
That the Senate take note of the answer given by the Minister for Finance and the Public Service (Senator Cormann) to a question without notice asked by Senator Whish-Wilson today relating to whaling operations in the Southern Ocean.
That leave of absence be granted to the following senators on account of parliamentary business:
(a) Senator Cash, from 10 September to 13 September 2018;
(b) Senator O’Sullivan, from 10 September to 20 September 2018;
(c) Senator Stoker, for 10 September and 11 September 2018; and
(d) Senator Ruston, for 10 September and 12 September 2018.
That leave of absence be granted to Senator O'Neill from today, 10 September, to Wednesday, 12 September, on account of parliamentary business.
That the Senate—
(a) notes:
(i) that 23 August 2018 was the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation's International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition – the day intends to inscribe the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all,
(ii) that, on 23 August 1791, a group of enslaved men and women in the western part of Santo Domingo, which is now Haiti, began an uprising – this uprising conveyed a universal demand for human freedom and played a critical role in the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade,
(iii) United Nations General Assembly Resolution 68/237 proclaiming the International Decade for People of African Descent, spanning from 2015 to 2024 – this resolution is aiming to eradicate racial discrimination,
(iv) Australia's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals, in particular SDG10, which calls for reduced inequalities within and among countries, and
(v) that the Australian Parliament is currently considering an act to address modern slavery; and
(b) acknowledges:
(i) the opportunity to remember the causes, methods and consequences of the transatlantic slave trade, and
(ii) the importance of preventing racism, injustice and discrimination in all its forms to ensure that all persons are availed equal rights.
Social Services Legislation Amendment (Ending the Poverty Trap) Bill 2018
That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to social services, and for related purposes—Social Services Legislation Amendment (Ending the Poverty Trap) Bill 2018.
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
That this bill be now read a second time.
This Bill will provide additional financial assistance to single recipients of the maximum basic rate of Newstart Allowance, Austudy, Sickness Allowance, Special Benefit, Widow Allowance and Crisis Payment in the amount of $75 a week. The Bill will provide additional financial assistance to single recipients of the maximum basic, "away from home" rates of Youth Allowance in the amount of $75 a week.
Newstart Allowance, Sickness Allowance and Widow Allowance are paid at the same rates but with different eligibility requirements. The rates of Special Benefit and Crisis Payment are calculated with reference to the rates of Newstart, Austudy or Youth Allowance payments. As the Bill raises the rates of these three payments, the increase will be reflected in the maximum rates for Crisis Payment and Special Benefit.
The Bill ensures the additional financial assistance will be paid to people who receive the Jobseeker Payment once the relevant Social Services Legislation (Welfare Reform) Act 2018 provisions commence.
The increase to these payments is to assist in alleviating poverty, reducing income inequality and, where appropriate, to help people to more effectively access study and employment.
The intention is for ABSTUDY to be increased in the amount of $75 a week. However, this payment is based in policy, rather than legislation. For the intention to be realised, the Government would need to increase this payment.
The Bill will also change the indexation arrangements for these payments and other income support payments so they align with the indexation arrangements of the pension to being the higher of CPI (Consumer Price Index) or pensioner and beneficiary living cost index amount (PBLCI).
In a wealthy country like Australia, no one should be left behind. All of us should be free to live a good life with access to socials services – regardless of our postcode, parents or bank balance.
A socially just, democratic and sustainable society rests on the provision of a guaranteed adequate income for all people to allow them to fully participate in society. Without an adequate income or sufficient wealth, people are left behind.
The income support payments this Bill seeks to increase are inadequate and recipients of these payments often face difficulties in being able to fully participate in society and cover basic living costs, including necessities such as housing, food, transport, healthcare and utilities, and are often excluded from social activities due to their prohibitive costs. People on income support are skipping meals, going without medication and avoiding using their heater because they cannot pay their bills or their rent.
When the ability of individuals to reach a socially acceptable living standard and to participate in society is hindered, our society suffers and division is felt. Inequality creates significant negative effects on individuals' physical and mental wellbeing, societal cohesion and stability, and economic growth and productivity.
ACOSS and the University of New South Wales recently released their Inequality in Australia 2018 report. This report highlighted that those living on Newstart have very limited incomes. Specifically, it found that 63 percent of Newstart recipient households are in the lowest 5 percent of incomes.
The report also found, with regard to income inequality, that someone in the top 1 percent of the income scale earns more in a fortnight than someone in the lowest 5 percent earns in a year.
A strong social safety net is a key part of addressing income inequality. It ensures that when people fall on hard times there are supports in place to help them when they need it most.
A strong social safety net is also the foundation of a more inclusive and productive society.
Allowance payments need to be increased as a matter of urgency as people receiving unemployment and student payments have the highest rates of poverty.
The ACOSS report Poverty in Australia 2016 found that there are 2.99 million people (13.3 percent of the population) living below the poverty line in Australia, after taking account of their housing costs. 731,300 of these are children. Of those on income support, 36.1 percent are living below the poverty line, including 55 percent of people receiving Newstart Allowance. Furthermore, single people generally face a significantly higher risk of poverty than couples (24.6 percent to 10.1 percent) while 33.2 percent of single parent families are living in poverty compared with 11.3 percent of couples with children.
The Salvation Army's National Economic and Social Impact Survey 2018 reported that after paying for accommodation, Newstart recipients were left with only $17 a day to cover their other expenses.
95 percent of the 1,267 respondents to the survey were relying on income support as their primary source of income and the same percentage of households were under the poverty line.
The University of New South Wales report, released in 2017, New Minimum Income for Healthy Living Budget Standards for Low-Paid and Unemployed Australians found that the long-term decline in the adequacy of income support payments is a major policy failure that needs to be addressed.
This report, which builds on previous Australian and recent international research to develop a set of budget standards for low-paid and unemployed Australians and their families, outlined just how far Newstart is falling behind. The report found for those out of work and reliant on Newstart, the safety net provisions fall short of budget standards estimates by $96 a week for a single person.
In the last week, the National Sustainable Development Council with the Monash Sustainable Development Institute published the Transforming Australia: SDG Progress Report , which outlines our progress towards meeting the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals by 2030.
This report found that of our income support payments, only the pension is currently keeping up with the poverty line.
It found people on Newstart, who would have been on the poverty line in 2000, were 20 percent below the poverty line by 2014. Single recipients of the payment without dependents were worse off, being more than 25 percent below the poverty line by 2014. The report attributes the difference between the pension and Newstart, as well as other allowances, mostly to indexation rules, which this Bill seeks to rectify.
Poverty undermines access to education and training, and educational outcomes are directly correlated with socio-economic status. Poverty limits access to safe, secure and appropriate housing, transport, employment outcomes, childcare and many other aspects of full participation in society. Poverty is a daily challenge for many Australians, undermining their ability to have meaningful and productive lives.
Poverty has a devastating impact on children and their wellbeing. Children and young people deprived of food, clothes and other materials have reduced engagement with school, sometimes due to hunger, shame or being excluded or marginalised. It impacts children's development, education and eventually employment opportunities.
No one in a country as rich as Australia should be living in poverty.
We know that the largest risk factor to living in poverty is unemployment and accessing the social safety net.
This is unacceptable. Our social safety net should provide those unable to find paid work with a liveable income until they find employment. This is particularly important when finding paid work is difficult for many and poverty is a barrier to finding work. The Government should not be adding to this stress by making it impossible for these individuals to afford housing, food, transport and healthcare, among other things.
We need visionary policy to overcome the underlying drivers of poverty, such as secure, affordable housing, access to education and employment, and we need to ensure we have a strong social safety net, that properly supports people.
Increasing Newstart and related payments and amending the indexation arrangements will reduce poverty for hundreds of thousands of people across Australia.
The money spent increasing these payments will also go straight back into the economy on much needed goods and services.
This Government, however, has focused its efforts on hacking away at our country's social safety net. It has deliberately and maliciously propagated myths and is demonising those accessing income support, without any compassion or understanding of the reality of living below the poverty line.
The Government just keeps spouting the same old tired line about the best form of welfare being a job, refusing to acknowledge that poverty is itself a barrier to employment and that there are not enough jobs out there.
Anglicare Australia's Jobs Availability Snapshot 2017 reinforces this point. It pulls together the figures from three Government indicators from May 2017, and shows that for every level 5, or entry-level position, that was available in May 2017, there were 4.8 disadvantaged jobseekers. The snapshot is invaluable in busting open the Government's perpetuated myth that job seekers can get a job if they just try harder. It does not end there, though. The figure actually worsens when you look at the state and territory breakdowns. The ratio of disadvantaged jobseekers to entry-level vacancies was 10.7 in Tasmania, 7.5 in South Australia and 6.9 in Western Australia.
Indeed, the growing casualisation of the workforce presents a further barrier to these people finding suitable and secure work. The Government continues to brand those who rely on Newstart and cannot find a job as 'dole bludgers' and lazy. However, this could not be further from the truth. This data demonstrates that at the entry-level, there simply aren't enough jobs to go around.
51 percent of respondents to the Salvation Army's National Economic and Social Impact Survey 2018 recorded finding employment or getting into education and training was their greatest challenge on a day-to-day basis.
Housing presents another difficulty for those on income support. The number of affordable and appropriate rental properties available for those on low incomes remains strikingly low. Anglicare Australia's 2018 Rental Affordability Snapshot revealed that of the 67 365 properties listed for rent on 24 March 2018, only 6 percent or 3 729 properties were affordable and appropriate for all households on income support payments. For single Newstart or Youth Allowance recipients it was even worse, with only three properties in the entire country classed as affordable and suitable. The report uses the nationally accepted benchmark of affordability meaning rent cannot exceed 30 percent of a household budget. The report makes the point that people on low incomes have to compete for affordable housing not just with each other, but with those on higher incomes trying to minimise their housing costs. We know that this massive lack of affordable housing has come about due to a distorted system of tax concessions and a chronic lack of investment in affordable and social housing. It has resulted in those receiving income support and those on low incomes generally having to go without life's essentials in order to pay their rent on time and avoid homelessness. The report details how many of these people are living on the edge, approaching Anglicare agencies for help and support. This should not be happening in a country as wealthy as ours; we can and should do better.
Many students are also struggling. They face high rental prices and insecure work, and have recently had their penalty rates cut. The 2017 Universities Australia Student Finances Survey , released in August 2018, only reinforces this point. It reported that one in seven domestic university students are regularly going without food or other necessities because they do not have enough money and that three in five indicated that their financial situation is often a source of worry. A third of domestic undergraduate students are receiving Youth Allowance, Austudy or ABSTUDY. This figure increases when looking at the numbers of low socioeconomic (42 percent), regional (45 percent) and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander undergraduate students (49 percent). The number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students reporting they are regularly going without food or other necessities was more than one in four, and the numbers of low socioeconomic students and regional students worried about their finances were higher too, being 63 percent and 64 percent respectively.
The call for an increase in the base rate of allowance payments has received widespread support from not only social services organisations but also from business groups, unions, academics and various economists. Even former Prime Minister John Howard has come out saying he thought the freeze has probably gone on too long.
For decades, Liberal and Labor governments have attacked our social safety net and ignored the plight of those trying to survive on Newstart and other payments.
The Government have given massive tax handouts to the wealthy, their big corporate mates and donors and let them get away with not paying their fair share of tax instead of investing in the public services that we all need.
The time to raise the rate of allowance payments has well and truly come. The evidence shows that.
I ask the Parliament to support this Bill and those receiving these allowance payments to assist in alleviating poverty, reducing income inequality and, where appropriate, to help individuals more effectively access study and employment.
That the Senate:
(a) notes:
(i) that South Australia, the Northern Territory, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory all have a container deposit system in place,
(ii) that Queensland's container deposit scheme will come into place on 1 November 2018,
(iii) that Western Australia is planning to implement a container deposit scheme in 2020,
(iv) that South Australia has had a container scheme in place for decades, and has continuously had the highest rate of beverage container recycling in the country, and
(v) the recommendation contained in the report of the Environment and Communications References Committee on the waste and recycling industry in Australia, calling for a nationwide container deposit scheme; and
(b) calls upon the Victorian and the Tasmanian Governments to introduce a container deposit scheme.
Pursuant to standing order 75, I propose that the following matter of public importance be submitted to the Senate for discussion:
The need for the government to take immediate and meaningful steps to reduce electricity prices for all Australians.
That senators be discharged from and appointed to committees as set out in the document available in the chamber and listed on the Dynamic Red.
Appropriations, Staffing and Security—Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senators Birmingham and Fawcett
Appointed—Senators Fifield and McGrath
Charity Fundraising in the 21st Century—Select Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Community Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Senator Brockman,
Participating member: Senator Gichuhi
Appointed—Senator Gichuhi
Participating members: Senators Brockman, Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Economics Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Education and Employment Legislation and References Committees—
Discharged—Senator Gichuhi
Participating member: Senator Brockman
Appointed—Senator Brockman
Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells, Gichuhi and McGrath
Electric Vehicles—Select Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Reynolds
Appointed—Senator McGrath
Participating members [ for the committee ' s inquiry into the 2016 election ]: Senators Fierravanti-Wells
Environment and Communications Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Finance and Public Administration Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Legislation Committee—
Discharged—Senators Fawcett and Reynolds
Appointed—Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee—
Discharged—Senators Fawcett and Reynolds
Participating member: Senator Abetz
Appointed—Senators Abetz and McGrath
Participating member: Senator Fierravanti-Wells
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senators Fawcett and Reynolds
Appointed—Senators Abetz and Fierravanti-Wells
Future of Work and Workers—Select Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
House—Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Fawcett
Appointed—Senator Dean Smith
Law Enforcement—Joint Statutory Committee—
Discharged—Senator Colbeck
Appointed—Senator Hume
Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation and References Committees—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
National Broadband Network—Joint Standing Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Obesity epidemic in Australia—Select Committee—
Discharged—Senator Colbeck
Appointed—Senator Stoker
Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Privileges—Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Colbeck
Appointed—Senator Fierravanti-Wells
Procedure—Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senators Birmingham and Dean Smith
Appointed—Senators Hume and Fifield
Publications—Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Reynolds
Appointed—Senator Fierravanti-Wells
Red Tape—Select Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse—Joint Select Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee—
Discharged—Senator Colbeck
Appointed—Senator McGrath
Participating member: Senator Fierravanti-Wells
Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Selection of Bills—Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senators Birmingham and Fawcett
Appointed—Senators Fifield and Dean Smith
Senators' Interests—Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Colbeck
Appointed—Senator McGrath
Stillbirth Research and Education—Select Committee—
Appointed—Participating members: Senators Fierravanti-Wells and McGrath
Trade and Investment Growth—Joint Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Colbeck
Appointed—Senator Martin
Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—
Discharged—Senator Fawcett
Appointed—Senator McGrath
Education and Other Legislation Amendment (VET Student Loan Debt Separation) Bill 2018
Student Loans (Overseas Debtors Repayment Levy) Amendment Bill 2018
That these bills may proceed without formalities, may be taken together and be now read a first time.
That these bills be now read a second time.
The Education and Other Legislation Amendment (VET Student Loan Debt Separation) Bill 2018 enables the separation of VET student loans debts from other forms of Higher Education Loan Program debts.
This Bill also enables a clearer and more effective transition of approved courses eligible for VET student loans.
Vocational education and training is central to Australia's economic prosperity and employment outcomes for students.
Income contingent loans in VET help achieve this prosperity by assisting students to access higher level VET qualifications.
The Government supports income contingent loans — without them, students would miss out if they could not afford to pay full tuition fees to undertake higher level VET qualifications.
The VET Student Loans program provides capped income contingent loans to students undertaking higher level VET qualifications.
With over a year of the program being in force, it is clear that it is meeting its objectives.
Completion rates are up, and the course list is successfully balancing industry needs, employment outcomes and student choice.
The capping of loans to $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 — with an exception for aviation courses given their high cost of delivery — has limited the excessive price gouging experienced under VET FEE-HELP.
2 In addition, payments in arrears and student progression requirements are ensuring loan amounts are being paid for genuine students, putting an end to unacceptable enrolment practices in the now closed VET FEE-HELP scheme.
With these measures successfully achieving their objectives, this Bill will better measure the program's fiscal sustainability.
There is currently limited capacity to measure the sustainability of the VET Student Loans program because a debtor's HELP repayments are not disaggregated by loan type.
Irrespective of whether the debt applies to HECS-HELP, FEE-HELP, SA-HELP, OS-HELP, historical VET FEE-HELP or VET student loans assistance, loan repayments are made towards a single, aggregated HELP debt.
This means the Government cannot accurately determine what proportion of which form of HELP assistance paid by the government has been repaid by debtors.
Similarly, where a HELP debt is not being repaid, it is not possible to identify the form of HELP assistance the debt relates to.
This Bill will separate VET Student Loans debts from other forms of HELP debts, providing greater transparency of repayment rates for VET students and better information to inform policy decisions and the public.
From 1 July 2019, individuals who incur a VET Student Loans debt will access a separate Statement of Account for their VET Student Loans debt.
And from 1 July 2020, the individual's Notice of Assessment will display VET Student Loans repayment details.
This Bill will enable more timely, transparent and accurate reporting on the fiscal sustainability of the VET Student Loans program, and support greater public accountability of the program.
3 The repayment thresholds, repayment rates, renewable HELP balance and indexation with respect to VET student loan debts will be the same as the repayment thresholds, repayment rates, renewable HELP balance and indexation for HELP debts.
A person must start repaying a debt in relation to a VET student loan once they have finished repaying any HELP debts.
Consistent with existing arrangements for HELP debts, persons residing overseas who have a VET student loan debt will be required to make repayments in respect of those debts.
A key feature of the success of the VET Student Loan program is the course list — the VET Student Loans (Courses and Loans Caps) Determination 2016.
This Bill also enables better continuity and more flexibility in delivering approved courses for VET Student Loans providers — providers who have proven their quality through the rigorous application process.
Loans are only available for courses on the course list. This list ensures students are only incurring a debt for courses that have high national priority, meet industry needs, contribute to addressing skills shortages and align with strong employment outcomes.
This list is updated twice yearly. Courses are specified by reference to their course code.
If a course becomes superseded, non-current or is reaccredited, students cannot be approved for loans to undertake the new version of the course until the next course list update.
Each time the list is updated, a number of courses are replaced by the superseding or reaccredited version.
4 This Bill lays the groundwork for the course list to refer to the National Register as defined in the section 3 of the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.
The National Register is the authoritative information source on nationally recognised VET courses and training packages and their status.
By enabling the course list to refer to the National Register, students will be able to be approved for a loan when a course on the list is replaced, without having to wait months for the list to be updated. It is not possible to include anticipated replacement courses on the list.
We considered alternatives before coming to the conclusion that referring to the National Register is the best approach.
The VET system is dynamic. A key feature is its capacity to provide nationally recognised training to build skills across almost every industry and sector in the Australian economy through over 2,000 courses.
Qualifications developed under Training Packages are reviewed by industry on a regular basis, with the Australian Industry and Skills Committee meeting six times a year to consider course updates. A qualification only gets a course code once it is included on the National Register.
The reaccreditation of accredited courses is considered by the relevant VET regulator. The regulator can determine to extend the currency of a course until the reaccreditation of the course is reviewed and approved. Reaccredited courses are assigned course codes once approved and put on the National Register.
It is not possible for the course list to predict what courses will be considered and approved by the Australian Industry and Skills Committee or VET regulators in advance, nor will those courses be allocated a course code until they are approved.
Updating the course list to refer to the latest version of the course on the National Register won't open up the course list and it doesn't change the methodology for adding courses to the list.
It just ensures that students are not disadvantaged when a course is replaced.
The National Register already has clear linkages between current and superseded or expired Training Package courses. This ensures that students will only be able to access loans for courses that supersede Training Package courses on the National Register.
We are working to make further changes to the National Register to ensure the reaccreditation of accredited courses are also clearly indicated on the National Register. These changes are expected to be made before the Determination is updated to refer to the National Register.
The integrity of the VET Student Loans program will not be compromised.
As I've discussed, targeting access to higher level VET qualifications that have industry need and strong employment outcomes is a key objective of the VET Student Loans Program.
5 I commend the Bill.
Telecommunications Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
Private Health Insurance Legislation Amendment Bill 2018
A New Tax System (Medicare Levy Surcharge—Fringe Benefits) Amendment (Excess Levels for Private Health Insurance Policies) Bill 2018
Medicare Levy Amendment (Excess Levels for Private Health Insurance Policies) Bill 2018
(4) Schedule 1, page 3 (line 1) to page 4 (line 3), to be opposed.
(5) Schedule 2, page 5 (line 1) to page 6 (line 10), to be opposed.
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 3), omit the table item, substitute:
[commencement]
(2) Schedule 3, item 4, page 10 (after line 6), after subsection 20ZHA(1), insert:
(1A) Before entering the place, the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman must give the occupier of the place at least 48 hours' written notice of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman's intention to enter the place.
[notice of entry]
(3) Schedule 3, items 6 and 7, page 11 (lines 28 to 32), omit the items, substitute:
6 Subsection 34(2C)
Omit "to a member of staff mentioned in section 31 all or any of his or her powers or functions under this Act, other than his or her powers under section 20R and 20V", substitute "all or any of the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman's functions or powers under this Act (other than those under section 20R, paragraph 20SB(4) (b) and section 20V) to a person whom the Private Health Insurance Ombudsman considers has expertise appropriate to the function or power delegated".
[delegation]
(4) Schedule 3, item 8, page 12 (line 4), omit "1 July 2018", substitute "the day this item commences".
[commencement]
(5) Schedule 3, item 9, page 12 (line 7), omit "1 July 2018", substitute "the day this item commences".
That these bills be now read a third time.
Aged Care (Single Quality Framework) Reform Bill 2018
… we’re pleased to see several indicators in the standards that directly relate to people in home and residential aged care. The standards require providers to have processes in place to identify needs and deliver aged care to meet them. These process standards are intended to focus on the end user.
But how will the process standards operate in practice? They don’t measure the outcomes experienced. They simply insist a provider has a certain process in place. The focus on process may not improve outcomes without adequate resourcing. What’s also needed is sufficient and appropriately skilled aged care staff to meet the identified needs of the people they are looking after.
National Seniors is sceptical about the capacity of providers under the current funding and regulatory arrangements to meet the proposed new standards and improve outcomes for those they care for. Changes to standards alone won’t drive improvements in quality. Calls for more and better trained aged care workers are increasing. A recent National Seniors research report of home care found almost 40 per cent thought "things could be done better".
The Bill also amends the Freedom of Information Act 1982 (the FOI Act) to ensure that documents containing protected information acquired by the Quality Agency in the course of its functions are exempt from disclosure.
This lack of mandated minimum staff/resident ratios has seen the exodus of experienced nurses from aged-care homes, particularly private-for-profit homes.
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 1), omit the table item, substitute:
[consequential—commencement]
(2) Schedule 1, item 10, page 4 (line 19), omit "Act", substitute "Schedule".
[consequential—transitional rules]
(3) Page 4 (after line 28), at the end of the Bill, add:
Schedule 2—Further amendments
Aged Care Act 1997
1 Paragraph 54 ‑1(1 ) ( b)
Repeal the paragraph, substitute:
(b) to maintain an adequate and safe ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients, to ensure that the care needs of care recipients are met;
2 At the end of section 54 ‑1
Add:
(3) For the purposes of paragraph (1) (b), the ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients is an adequate and safe ratio if, for aged care provided by an approved provider at a particular time, the ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients is equal to or greater than the minimum ratio required to be provided by the Quality of Care Principles for:
(a) the number of care recipients receiving care through the aged care service at that time; and
(b) the type of care and level of care provided.
3 At the end of Division 54 of Part 4.1
Add:
54 ‑6 Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards
(1) The Quality of Care Principles must set out Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards. Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards are standards for quality of care and quality of life for the provision of aged care.
(2) The Staff to Care Recipient Ratio Standards mustset out the minimum ratio of appropriately skilled staff to care recipients required to provide care at an aged care service at a particular time taking into account:
(a) the number of recipients receiving care at that time; and
(b) the type of care provided; and
(c) the level of care provided.
The committee divided. [20:23]
(The Temporary Chair—Senator Bernardi)
That this bill be now read a third time.
Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2018 Measures No. 1) Bill 2018
When you have a medication that is used to treat a mental health condition become in short supply, some patients become anxious, which is the last thing they need.
The association between medicine shortages and harmful medication errors is well documented. A survey undertaken by the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP) recorded approximately one in three (35%) respondents experienced a near miss during the past year due to a medicine shortage. One in five reported adverse patient outcomes over the year due to medicine shortages.
A number of issues are associated with medicine shortages which have the potential to impact safe and effective use of medicines. These include:
Using alternative medications (or alternative concentrations, strengths or dosage forms of the same medicine) may introduce errors in prescribing, preparing, administering, and monitoring medicines
Standardising product formularies and concentrations may become difficult or impossible with an unreliable product supply
Clinicians may be more prone to make errors with unfamiliar products, concentrations, or dosage forms
Pressure to conserve medicines in short supply may lead to unsafe practices.
That this bill be now read a third time.
Health Insurance (Approved Pathology Specimen Collection Centres) Tax Amendment Bill 2018
Amdt HB170 - Health Insurance (Approved Pathology Specimen Collection Centres) Tax Amendment Bill 2018
(Government)
(1) Clause 2, page 2 (table item 2), omit the table item, substitute:
That this bill be now read a third time.
Imported Food Control Amendment Bill 2017
We should have proper country of origin labelling. Maybe other countries are not as concerned about food safety as we are.
Buy Australian and save yourself a pain in the gut.