to present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to veterans’ entitlements, and for related purposes. (Veterans’ Entitlements Legislation Amendment (2007 Election Commitments) Bill 2008)

to move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Refurbishment of Staff Apartments—Australian Embassy Complex, Tokyo, Japan.

to move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: HMAS Creswell Redevelopment, Jervis Bay Territory.

to move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft Facilities, RAAF Base Tindal, Northern Territory.

to move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Robertson Barracks Redevelopment, Darwin, Northern Territory.

to move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Hardened and Networked Army (HNA) Facilities at Edinburgh Defence Precinct, South Australia.

to move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Land Engineering Agency Test Services Relocation, Monegeetta, Victoria.

to move:

That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for consideration and report: Multi Role Helicopter Facilities.

to move:

That the House

(1)

notes with concern, the previous Government’s termination of Australia’s Social Security Agreement with the United Kingdom in March 2001;

(2)

notes:

(a)

that the termination of this agreement led to a lost opportunity for the previous Australian Government to negotiate indexation of the British pension for those British migrants living in Australia;

(b)

that many British pensioners made substantial contributions to the United Kingdom’s National Insurance system but many have not received an increase in their British pension for a decade, and as a result their payment has not kept up with the cost of living; and

(c)

that the United Kingdom has entered into social security agreements that include pension indexation with many other nations, including the United States, Israel and Switzerland;

(3)

calls on the Commonwealth Government to commence negotiations for a new social security agreement with the United Kingdom that includes provisions for the indexation of British pensions.

to move:

That the House:

(1)

notes the need for Australian businesses to be globally competitive in order to sustain economic prosperity after the current resources boom;

(2)

notes the alarming decline in Australia’s productivity and export performance over the last five years;

(3)

notes research findings that less than one in five Australian businesses is currently “world class”;

(4)

notes the Government’s election commitments and subsequent policy announcements about measures to improve national productivity including public investment in education, skills training and national infrastructure;

(5)

notes research findings that people management practices are the predominant factor affecting company productivity and performance;

(6)

notes research findings that indicate Australian managers are paying insufficient attention to workplace practices and employee satisfaction; and

(7)

supports the establishment of a National Commission for Workplace Innovation and Excellence that will, in conjunction with the business community, trade union movement, professional associations and education providers:

(a)

identify workplace factors that positively impact on workplace innovation, excellence and productivity including human resource management practices and organisational culture;

(b)

develop policies that promote workplace innovation, excellence and productivity including best practice models, codes of practice, awareness programs, business exchanges and awards; and

(c)

support research, management education and training in conjunction with higher education providers and professional associations.