Leave is granted.
Whilst I do not recall the incident of blood on the door, I now have come to the conclusion that it was myself, and I sincerely apologise for that action.
]]>Leave not granted.
Australia in recent times has experienced disturbing developments in the threats to the nation's security and to its political and economic independence. Our very democracy is challenged by Chinese state owned government companies that are systematically targeting every sector of our society for their own national interest and using unlimited funds to buy their way into Australian society. The Chinese communist government is in the process of taking over our culture. Nearly every one of the Chinese departments at our universities is funded by the communist government of China. If we follow the money, scholarships, research projects, student and lecture exchanges will all be used to ensure that the Australian view and the view given to the Australian government reflects the view of the Chinese government and what it is in its best interests, not ours.
Some courses at Sydney University are majority attended by Chinese nationals. The great learning assets of our nation have, in essence, been handed over to another power so they are no longer available to Australian students to the extent they used to be. Sydney University conducts graduation ceremonies in Beijing, awarding degrees and postgraduate degrees that in earlier times would have been awarded to Australian citizens. Money has been used as an effective tool to suppress our national conscience and deprive our children of their heritage. Even Event Cinemas over Christmas had 50 per cent or more of movies other than children's movies made in China with English subtitles.
The attack on our Australian way of life is deliberate and well-coordinated and well-funded by the Chinese government, a government that has no respect for our democratic institutions, including this parliament, or the sovereignty of the Australian people. We have seen the communist government of China thumb its nose at the International Court of Justice and continue to expand and militarise the South China Sea. Justice to the government of China means doing what you're told and doing what China wants. Indeed, every member of this parliament has at one time or another been subject to lobbying by individuals paid and recruited by the Chinese government controlled companies in Australia to do their bidding.
Millions of Chinese citizens suffer and do not enjoy the basic freedoms we enjoy in Australia, because of the repressive and undemocratic practices of the communist government of China. China should not have those principles, and members of the Australian parliament should not do the bidding of a foreign power. Last year in this place we saw how a Labor member of parliament was having his expenses paid by Chinese government owned companies and how that senator was quick to support Chinese government expansion in the South China Sea. Likewise, a Liberal minister was quick to endorse a Chinese company's takeover of Darwin Port and then accept a job paying over $800,000 a year as an executive of that company. Thirty pieces of silver is all that it takes to buy Australian sovereignty. In my home state of New South Wales, Chinese interests have now acquired rights to the Port of Newcastle.
I must warn all Australians of the serious threat they face to their sovereignty and freedom by the failure of our elected leaders to protect and defend our nation. I am particularly concerned about the Western Australian Labor government and Liberal opposition teaming up—in particular, their increasing camaraderie with Chinese state owned enterprises that seek control of Australian property and critical infrastructure. Make no mistake: this is a matter of national security and alarming for all Australians.
Recently we've seen Western Australian Labor MP and upper house whip, Pierre Yang, being forced to resign from organisations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party. These Chinese communist government organisations are dedicated to extending Chinese communist government influence in Australia and supporting the establishment of Chinese government military bases in the South China Sea. Mr Yang also spent several months on a Chinese government ship searching for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Was this a vessel spying on the Australian military? I ask that because it spent little time in the actual search zone.
China's relentless pursuit of Australian politicians is worrying for anyone who values our nation's democratic freedom and sovereignty. It was reported in The Australian that Mr Yang's political mentor, Edward Zhang, is a member of several Chinese based organisations that are run by the Chinese Communist Party. Western Australian Labor Premier Mark McGowan and the Liberal Party opposition leader in the Western Australian state parliament recently attended a gala dinner hosted by Mr Zhang. Both the Labor Party and the Liberal Party have received large donations from Chinese government associates in the past.
Labor Premier McGowan, at the instigation of Mr Yang, recently visited China in Mr Yang's company to meet members of the Chinese government. Following the Premier's meeting with the Chinese government, Labor Premier McGowan announced in state parliament that he was prepared to change state legislation which guaranteed Australian company Mineralogy rights in the Pilbara to, in essence, favour China's biggest conglomerate, the Chinese government owned CITIC Limited. Such a move would result, if legal, in the Chinese government's subsidiaries controlling the $5 billion port facility at Cape Preston in the Pilbara which has been established on Mineralogy leases.
Further, despite the existence of an airstrip at Karratha, which is used by BHP, Woodside Energy and other mining companies, Chinese government owned companies, under a cloak of secrecy, have built an international-standard airstrip capable of landing jets. This is part of China's strategy to control all approaches by land, sea and air to the port at Cape Preston. Chinese government control of Australian ports and airports is a matter of national security for all Australians. No Australian could control a port in China or build a private airport in China capable of landing and operating fighter jets and bombers. Even Pig Iron Bob Menzies would not have allowed the Japanese to establish a naval base and airport on the Australian mainland prior to World War II.
The Western Australian Labor government is favouring Chinese government interests over the rights of Australians and Australian national security. Either Western Australian Labor Premier McGowan is so naive that he is blind to the stealth of their approach or he is too weak to challenge them and stand up for Australia. The United Australia Party will, after the next federal election, in this place move to establish a Senate committee to inquire into the role played by Chinese government owned companies in our economy that threaten Australia's security.
In August 2018, the Australian government disqualified Chinese owned tech giant Huawei from taking part in the rollout of 5G mobile infrastructure due to growing national security concerns. Soon afterwards, our government blocked the $13 billion sale of Australian owned energy company APA to Cheung Kong Infrastructure, or CKI. APA owns a $20 billion 15-kilometre-pipeline network which delivers natural gas to 1.3 million Australian homes and businesses. The sale would have given CKI and another Chinese state owned company ownership of 100 per cent of gas transmission pipelines in New South Wales and the ACT, 99 per cent in Victoria, 86 per cent in South Australia, 78 per cent in Queensland, 74 per cent in the Northern Territory and 65 per cent in Western Australia. The sale was blocked because it was contrary to the national interest. Why, then, is it deemed acceptable to allow Chinese government owned corporations to control major infrastructure and exert an unhealthy influence over an Australian state government and Australian politicians? The government's role should be to protect the Australian people and put Australia first. Anything less is an act of treason. The Anzacs put Australia first. It's time this parliament does.
]]>We have instances of Western Australian MP and upper house whip Pierre Yang being forced to resign from organisations affiliated with the Chinese Communist Party and Premier Mark McGowan preparing to clear the way for China's biggest conglomerate, CITIC Limited, to undertake a major expansion, including controlling port facilities, in Cape Preston. The growing camaraderie between the WA government and Chinese enterprises seeking to take Australian property is concerning for all Australians. It's shocking that Labor's upper house whip, who controls how his party votes, has been shown to have these affiliations. I'm sure it's alarming to all Australians to learn that Mr Yang also served aboard a suspected China spy ship. Serious questions must be asked of why the WA Premier and his whip would visit Beijing to meet with the Chinese president and senior government officials. Was it for funds, for direction on how to acquire Australian assets or to firm up China's military position? It is disappointing that the WA government is favouring Chinese business interests over Australian ones.
The fact that Sino Iron is building an international-standard airstrip capable of landing commercial jumbo jets and military aircraft and now seeks control of all approaches by land to the port of Cape Preston is a national security concern. It defies belief that a Chinese state owned enterprise would be granted permission to build a major new airstrip under a cloak of secrecy when there is already an airstrip just 80 kilometres away, at Karratha, being used by BHP, Woodside and other mining companies. Together with the controversial Chinese lease of Darwin Port, Australia's vulnerability in the event of international conflict cannot be ignored. The government's role is to protect Australian people and put Australia first. The lives of people born in Australia and those who come here seeking freedom from oppression need to be protected.
]]>Leave granted.
]]>To further ease that pressure on infrastructure, the UAP also propose to reduce immigration levels to around 100,000 per annum, at least until the development of infrastructure catches up to population growth. The reduction will be skills based, not based on race or religion. To validate this policy, let's consider the cost of pump priming our population through immigration. Australians can see with their own eyes the congestion on our roads, the urban creep, the pressure on our environment and the sky-high housing market that has priced homes beyond the hopes of young families. The opening of the new real estate market to foreigners does not help—an outrageous exposure of citizens to global demand. Australians can see the rise of high-density housing degrading the architectural identity and amenities of their neighbourhoods. They can see the failure of infrastructure of all kinds to keep up. Is it no wonder when basic infrastructure costs $100,000 per extra person who immigrates?
UAP intend to reduce electricity prices by refinancing network infrastructure—that is, poles and wires. Network charges make up at least 47 per cent of consumers' electricity charges in New South Wales alone. Contractors provide the finances of $45 billion to upgrade the electricity network at a 10 per cent interest rate. The electricity consumer is paying for this through their electricity bill. UAP will refinance this through government finance at two per cent, therefore reducing electricity bills.
Further, UAP will introduce a policy that will allow companies to pay their taxes annually rather than quarterly. This will inject $70 billion into the economy every time it is spent. The government will receive $7 billion in GST revenue. It will create demand, wipe out the deficit, allow more hospitals and schools to be built, and raise living standards. UAP will also introduce a policy to reduce the pension age to 60. This will not have a great impact on the budget bottom line and, indeed, will cost the equivalent of one per cent of Australia's foreign aid budget.
During the election campaign, UAP will be announcing more policies that will raise living standards of all Australians. UAP intend to contest every lower house seat and every Senate seat in the 2019 election. As leader of the United Australia Party in the Senate, I give the Australian people the assurance that UAP will be placing Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party last or near last on every how-to-vote card across the country. The United Australia Party will not be recommending that preferences be directed to a dictatorship. It will not be recommending that preferences be directed to a party that has fraudulently registered their party in New South Wales. This registration will soon be tested in the Supreme Court of New South Wales. The United Australia Party will not be recommending that preferences be directed to a party whose leader allegedly accepted a multimillion dollar gift from an influential business person because of her support for the acquisition of significant property by them, according to the bragging Jimmy Ashby, the convicted criminal again heading to court later this month for allegedly breaching electoral law. I'm advised that this gift is secreted away in a trust fund called One Nation political trust, administered by Sydney based solicitor Danny Eid. The United Australia Party will not be recommending that preferences be directed to a party whose president for life's chief of staff, Jimmy Ashby, intimidates and harasses me and my staff. Just last week, Jimmy Ashby apparently made the comment to one of my staff, 'Old men die', or words to that effect. I felt it was a subtle death threat.
The United Australia Party will not be recommending that preferences be directed to a party whose president for life stalks and intimidates me and my staff by attending my electoral office in Toronto, New South Wales, in the company of two males and a former staff member of my office Wendy Leach, a prolific stalker of myself. This visit was despite an agreement being reached with the President of the Senate two days earlier that both parties would leave each other alone and avoid contact. Just like the company tax cut legislation, Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party president for life cannot keep her end of an agreement. Once again, as Leader of the United Australia Party in the Senate, I confirm to all Australians that our party will be placing Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party last or near-last on every how-to-vote card distributed by our party across the country at the next federal election.
There are many stories in One Nation, but this is just the second one.
]]>That the Senate—
(a) notes that:
(i) the Coalition Government has confirmed that they will not offer voluntary buybacks for the residents surrounding the RAAF base at Williamtown in New South Wales who are affected by PFAS contamination,
(ii) the Australian Labor Party (ALP) has also voted with the Coalition Government in the Senate against voluntary buybacks for the residents surrounding the RAAF base at Williamtown who are affected by PFAS contamination,
(iii) those residents affected by the PFAS contamination coming from the RAAF Base at Williamtown reside in the Federal electorate of Paterson, which is held by the ALP by more than 10% (considered a safe Labor seat),
(iv) the ALP recently promised $15 billion dollars for their renewable energy policy, if elected at the next federal election, and
(v) the ALP promised $343 million of funding during the 'super Saturday' by-election campaigns earlier this year, including $25 million alone for an AFL team in Tasmania; and
(b) calls on the ALP to announce their official policy of voluntary buybacks for the residents surrounding the RAAF base at Williamtown who are affected by PFAS contamination before Christmas 2018. (general business notice of motion no. 1286)
]]>There are things in this life that transcend partisan politics. Even though the matters we debate in this chamber are often of great importance to the lives of Australians, it is rarely the case that what we debate is life or death to most people in an immediate sense. This bill is in the rare category of being of immediate concern to all Australians no matter what their politics.
We all watched with great distress as the reports of drought-affected farmers filtered into our electorate inboxes and onto our televisions. The sight of dying cattle and desperate owners and staff touched all of us deeply. We have also seen fire and flood on a regular basis and endured the consequences of global financial crises.
These hardships, though tough, often bring out the best in Australians. Within moments of hearing that our compatriots are in need, the spirit of mateship kicks in, leading to private donations, fundraising events and no shortage of offers to help. Australians are generous people, it is heartwarming to see, and long may the spirit of philanthropy reign in this land.
But these hardships ought not be left solely to ad hoc support. Nor should they remain in the political sphere of a sitting government to decide if, how and when such support should be offered to an industry or a community.
The Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australia Fund Bill 2018 calls for the creation of a cross-party joint committee to assist in the support and reconstruction of Australian rural and manufacturing industries in times of crisis. The Australia Fund would have the ability to provide emergency and ongoing drought, flood and bushfire relief. It could loan money to businesses, act as a guarantor for loans, capitalise or waive interest, purchase existing bank loans and assume control of relevant property of the business for a specified time. In this way, the fund would be designed to enable businesses to continue operations to earn revenue, employ workers and pay taxes, rather than being prematurely wound up. This would support communities affected by natural disasters for the long term.
In order that the committee may deal with what is needed in Australian communities, it is intended that the committee would undertake hearings in all capital cities and major rural centres and specifically examine the impact on rural Australia of ongoing drought and global market price fluctuations for primary industry produce.
The committee's terms of reference would also include reviewing existing bankruptcy and insolvency laws, with the aim of introducing legislation designed to assist companies to trade through difficult times, rather than be closed down. The existing taxation laws relating to bankruptcy would also be reviewed. The possible introduction of the equivalent to the United States chapter 11 provisions would also be investigated.
The committee is designed to be as representative as possible, so, as well as having two government and two opposition members from both houses, it would also have two minor party or Independent members from both houses. At the completion of its inquiry the committee would table before parliament a detailed report of its findings and recommendations.
I have said before in this chamber that Australia is truly a blessed country. Not only are our natural resources bountiful and our land fruitful, but our people are generous and kind. In supporting this bill, senators will be able to give relief to those who suffer as a result of events beyond their control above the party political landscape, and direct it to those that all Australians see the need to support for the good of all. I commend the bill to the Senate.
]]>That this bill be now read a second time.
I seek leave to table an explanatory memorandum relating to the bill.
Leave granted.
I table an explanatory memorandum and seek leave to have the second reading speech incorporated in Hansard.
Leave granted.
The speech read as follows—
The speech was unavailable at the time of publishing.
I seek leave to continue my remarks later.
Leave granted; debate adjourned.
]]>That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to provide for a Parliamentary Joint Committee to investigate establishing an Australia Fund, and for related purposes. Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australia Fund Bill 2018.
Question agreed to.
I present the bill and move:
That this bill may proceed without formalities and be now read a first time.
Question agreed to.
Bill read a first time.
]]>It must be noted that Endeavour had been operating profitably for 50 years under the guidance of a voluntary board. Chairperson Mr Andrew Hughes joined the Endeavour board on 10 November 2014, just before the rollout of the NDIS in the Maitland region. He instigated the implementation of a new constitution on 16 June 2015, to reflect payment to directors. Mr Hughes is also chairperson of Kurri Kurri Community Services, KKCS, a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee and a registered charity located in Kurri Kurri. It's been operating for more than 30 years under the guidance of a volunteer board. Mr Hughes joined the Kurri Kurri Community Services board in 2016, just before the rollout of the NDIS in the Cessnock-Kurri Kurri region. He also instigated the implementation of a new constitution, on 23 August 2016, to reflect payment to directors. Neither organisation sought the minister's approval for directors to be paid, as is required by law. Any payment to directors is therefore fraudulent.
There were three directors of Endeavour—Andrew Hughes, Sally Coddington and Danny Litwin—at the time of the appointment of the administrator. Sally Coddington is the wife of Kurri Kurri Community Services CEO Mike Coddington. Nowhere in the report does it detail the amounts paid to directors, but I understand they were paid in the order of $3,000 per meeting. Mr Hughes, a former lawyer, describes himself as a motivational speaker deriving income from government affiliates as well as the private sector. He boasts qualifications in NLP, or neurolinguistic programming. There is no scientific evidence supporting claims made by NLP advocates. It is a con. Mr. Hughes has surrounded himself with close friends and associates on both boards, and they are all deriving benefits that enhance their lifestyles. His presence at Endeavour has been a miserable failure.
Annexure A of the administrators report details a 'Declaration of Independence, Relevant Relationships and Indemnities'. On page 7 of the report, under the same heading, the administrator admits to a relationship not listed in annexure A, and describes it as 'an engagement undertaken by our firm between May 2016 and August 2016'. What it doesn't say is key to any considerations: Mitchell Griffiths worked as acting CEO of KKCS for that period, on an attractive remuneration, working side by side with Andrew Hughes—they are good friends. I believe Rapsey Griffiths has a pecuniary conflict of interest and should not be in the position of administrators. Endeavour leases real property from KKCS and is indebted for the amount of $17,329. KKCS was not reported as a creditor at the time of the administrators' engagement. Was this illegal collusion between organisations?
Endeavour received funding from the Department of Social Services for the sum of $425,655 from the supported accommodation fund. This has not been expended and is being called in. No doubt this money was used to prop up the business due to lack of liquidity. With less than $150,000 in the bank, Endeavour is unable to return the funds. Where else would the money have been spent?
Endeavour accrued losses of $2.67 million from 30 June 2015 to May 2018. Management estimated that it had been accruing losses of $130,000 a month yet continued to trade. The administrators' report states that the company began displaying indicators of insolvency as early as 30 June 2015 and may have become insolvent in February 2018. There was plenty of time from 2015 to right the ship, but the directors were more concerned with what they could get out of it for themselves. The directors have failed their fiduciary duty, and compensation ought to be sought from them.
Any thoughts of KKCS taking over any Endeavour services should be dismissed for obvious reasons. The relationship between Mike Coddington and Sally Coddington and the relationship that Andrew Hughes has with both parties should disqualify KKCS.
On pages 31 and 33 of the report, the administrators say, 'We do not anticipate that a liquidator is likely to bring a claim for insolvent trading.' Then, on page 36, they say, 'We propose that we, Mitchell Griffiths and Chad Rapsey, will be appointed as liquidators of the company.' There is no doubt that Mitchell Griffiths is going to look after his mate.
The board has destroyed Endeavour and the lives of its employees and those with a disability who accessed it. If the administrators' recommendations are followed, Endeavour will no longer exist. The directors must be held accountable. The administrators have listed their fees as at 28 September 2018 as $678,373.09, with further administrator and liquidator fees in the vicinity of $100,000 and $200,000, all ex-GST—a total of around $1 million.
There is no doubt that the administrator intends to let Andrew Hughes and his sidekicks off the hook. I can picture Andrew Hughes, with his arm around his mate's shoulder, saying, 'Thanks a million, Mitch.' Andrew Hughes and KKCS CEO Mike Coddington should stand aside from their respective roles at KKCS due to conflicts of interest. The real tragedy of the situation is the loss of jobs and the displacement of those with disability. Andrew Hughes, Sally Coddington and Danny Litwin should be forever banned from standing for any type of board. I believe this justifies a Senate inquiry.
]]>That the following matter be referred to the Standing Committee of Privileges for inquiry and report:
Having regard to the matters raised by Senator Burston in correspondence tabled by the President on 16 October 2018:
(a) whether, by removing him from positions within Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party and pressing him to resign from the Senate, Senator Hanson or any other person has sought to improperly interfere with the free performance of his duties as a senator or to penalise him for his conduct as a senator; and
(b) if so, whether any contempt was committed in that regard.
]]>That the following matter be referred to the committee of privileges for inquiry and report:
Having regard to the matters raised by Senator Burston in correspondence tabled by the President on 16 October 2016:
(a) whether, by removing him from positions within Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party and pressing him to resign from the Senate, Senator Hanson or any other person has sought to improperly interfere with the free performance of his duties as a senator or to penalise him for his conduct as a senator; and
(b) if so, whether any contempt was committed in that regard.
I seek leave to make a short statement.
Leave granted.
I just ask that this be dealt with during discovery of formal business tomorrow.
]]>That the Senate:
(a) notes that:
(i) on 29 June 2018 the Government announced that nine new 'Hunter-Class Frigates' will be built in Osborne, South Australia,
(ii) the $50 billion, twelve new submarines are also to be built in Osborne, South Australia,
(iii) one of the names of the first three ships to be built will be HMAS Hunter, and
(iv) the Hunter region in NSW has a strong history of ship building and Defence build projects; and
(b) calls on the Government to:
(i) ensure that the Hunter region of NSW be included in the build phase of the frigates, as much as possible, and
(ii) reconsider giving the class of frigates a more apt name such as the Osborne-Class or the Sturt-Class or the SA-Class or maybe even the Pyne-Class.
]]>