Robert McClelland (Barton, Australian Labor Party, Attorney-General) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to present a Bill for an Act to amend the Trans-Tasman Proceedings Act 2010 and to validate certain court fees, and for related purposes.

Gary Gray (Brand, Australian Labor Party, Minister for the Public Service and Integrity) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to elections and referendums, and for related purposes.

Brendan O'Connor (Gorton, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Home Affairs) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to present a Bill for an Act to amend the Customs Act 1901, and for related purposes.

to move:

That:

(1)

a Joint Select Committee on the Christmas Island tragedy of 15 December 2010 be appointed to inquire into and report on the incident of 15 December 2010 in which an irregular entry vessel foundered on rocks at Rocky Point on Christmas Island, including:

(a)

operational responses of all Commonwealth agencies involved in the response, relevant agency procedures, and inter-agency coordination;

(b)

communication mechanisms, including between Commonwealth and State agencies;

(c)

relevant onshore emergency response capabilities on Christmas Island;

(d)

the after-incident support provided to survivors;

(e)

the after-incident support provided to affected Christmas Island community members, Customs, Defence and other personnel;

(f)

having regard to (a) to (e), the effectiveness of the relevant administrative and operational procedures and arrangements of Commonwealth agencies in relation to the SIEV 221 incident and its management; and

(g)

being mindful of ongoing national security, disruption and law enforcement efforts and the investigations referred to in paragraph (3), to consider appropriate information from the Australian Federal Police and the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (including Border Protection Command) to determine, to the extent that it is possible, the likely point of origin of the vessel;

(2)

the Committee should have regard to:

(a)

the findings and recommendations of Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (including Border Protection Command) internal review of actions relating to SIEV 221; and

(b)

the work being undertaken by the Christmas Island Emergency Management Committee;

(3)

the Committee should have regard to and be mindful of independent parallel investigations into the incident including the investigation by the State Coroner of WA and investigations by the Australian Federal Police, and conduct its inquiry accordingly;

(4)

the Committee should report to Parliament and make recommendations to the Minister for Home Affairs and Justice and the Minister for Regional Development (relevant to his responsibilities for Australian Territories);

(5)

the Committee consist of 10 members: 3 Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Government Whip, 2 Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Opposition Whip, 2 Senators to be nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, 1 Senator to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, one Senator to be nominated by the Australian Greens, and one Family First Senator;

(6)

every nomination of a member of the Committee be notified in writing to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(7)

the members of the Committee hold office as a Joint Select Committee until presentation of the Committee’s report or the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires by effluxion of time, whichever is the earlier;

(8)

the Committee elect a Government Member as its Chair;

(9)

the Committee elect a member as its Deputy Chair who shall act as Chair of the Committee at any time when the Chair is not present at a meeting of the Committee, and at any time when the Chair and Deputy Chair are not present at a meeting of the Committee the members present shall elect another member to act as Chair at that meeting;

(10)

in the event of an equally divided vote, the Chair, or the Deputy Chair when acting as Chair, have a casting vote;

(11)

3 members of the Committee constitute a quorum of the Committee provided that in a deliberative meeting the quorum shall include the Chair of the Committee, 1 Government member of either House and 1 non-Government member of either House;

(12)

the Committee have power to call for witnesses to attend and for documents to be produced;

(13)

the Committee may conduct proceedings at any place it sees fit;

(14)

the Committee have power to adjourn from time to time and to sit during any adjournment of the Senate and the House of Representatives;

(15)

the Committee present its final report no later than 30 June 2011;

(16)

the provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders; and

(17)

a message be sent to the Senate acquainting it of this resolution and seeking its concurrence in this resolution.

Melissa Parke (Fremantle, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

recognises that:

(a)

there are 650 million people living with disabilities worldwide and that approximately 80 per cent of those people live in developing countries, with 82 per cent of those living below the poverty line on an income of less than US$1.25 per day;

(b)

children and young people can often be the hardest hit by disability, whether because a child has a disability or is caring for an adult with a disability; and

(c)

UNESCO has found that 90 per cent of children with disabilities in developing countries do not attend school;

(2)

notes that the Australian Government is:

(a)

committed to implementing changes in Australia’s development assistance designed to deliver better outcomes for people with disabilities, as outlined in the strategy Development for All: Towards a disability-inclusive Australian aid program; and

(b)

already held in high esteem internationally for its leadership in this field and in particular for the human rights-based approach taken to forming the strategy, in accordance with its adoption of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities; and

(3)

calls on the Australian Government to consider:

(a)

including the active participation of people with disabilities in its aid policy formulation, as well as incorporating monitoring mechanisms within aid funding to ensure that disability inclusive development is effectively measured; and

(b)

any further ways in which AusAID and the Department of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade can continue their engagement with Disability-Inclusive Development policy to further strengthen Australia’s commitment to this important cause.

Michael Danby (Melbourne Ports, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

congratulates the courageous people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Yemen, Bahrain and other Middle Eastern countries who have demanded the resignation of long-ruling authoritarian governments and the holding of free elections in their countries;

(2)

welcomes the decisions of Presidents Ben Ali of Tunisia and Mubarak of Egypt to resign rather than plunge their countries into further bloodshed by clinging on to power;

(3)

condemns the tyrannical regime of Muammar Gaddafi for using deadly force against the people of Libya, and calls on him to resign and leave the country rather than cause further bloodshed;

(4)

calls on all Middle Eastern governments, including Iran, to allow peaceful transitions to democratic government, cease using force against peaceful demonstrators and respect human rights, including the rights of women and of all religious minorities;

(5)

calls on the United Nations Human Rights Council to suspend Libya from membership as long as Muammar Gaddafi is in power, and to take a firm stand in support of democratic freedom and human rights in all countries of the Middle East;

(6)

calls on all Western governments to assist the people of Tunisia, Egypt, Libya and other Middle Eastern countries by all means available to safeguard their new freedoms, to establish stable governments and to hold free elections; and

(7)

asserts that the best way to defeat anti-democratic forces such as extremist Islamism in the countries of the Middle East is for the West to show by word and deed that it supports the people of these countries in their aspirations for freedom and democracy, and to assist them in establishing stable, democratic, secular governments that uphold human rights and live in peace with their neighbours.

Warren Entsch (Leichhardt, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move—That this House:

(1)

notes the severe flooding effects taking place in the outer islands of the Torres Strait and the dire conditions the Torres Strait Islander people find themselves in each year;

(2)

recognises that:

(a)

the Torres Strait Islander people deserve the same rights as the people in flooded South-East Queensland;

(b)

discrimination should not exist in one particular area of the nation;

(c)

the Torres Strait Islander people have been experiencing flood devastation for the past four years with no help from Government; and

(d)

sea wall infrastructure at six low-lying islands is inadequate and in urgent need of repair; and

(3)

in light of the evidence of continued flooding on the outer islands due to king tidal surges, calls on the Government to commit to restore and rebuild the damaged sea walls on the outer islands of the Torres Strait to protect the island communities from further devastation.

Laurie Ferguson (Werriwa, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

recognises that 24 March is World Tuberculosis Day, in observance of a disease that still claims the lives of 1.7 million people every year, and which:

(a)

is currently the leading killer of people living with HIV and the third leading killer of women;

(b)

has the highest growth in the South East Asian region, which accounted for the largest number of new Tuberculosis cases in 2008; and

(c)

could be dramatically reduced by improved detection and diagnosis;

(2)

recognises that the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (Global Fund) currently provides more than two thirds of the global funding to combat Tuberculosis, and that:

(a)

Australia could supplement its recent pledge to the Global Fund to ensure that the resources for Tuberculosis as well as AIDS and Malaria are sufficient to achieve the goal of significantly reducing the number of people suffering from these diseases; and

(b)

action by Australia to supplement its pledge would influence other donor countries to increase their pledges;

(3)

acknowledges that the widespread adoption of the new Xpert diagnostic tool, which cuts the time for diagnosis from several weeks to two hours, would lead to significant improvements in the detection and treatment of Tuberculosis; and

(4)

requests the Government facilitate the adoption of Xpert in South East Asia.

Stephen Jones (Throsby, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

agrees that putting a price on carbon is an essential step in reducing carbon pollution and transforming our economy to achieve a clean energy future;

(2)

notes that in many manufacturing regions in Australia, business, unions, government and community organisations are already working to develop green jobs and clean energy production processes; and

(3)

agrees that governments must work with the manufacturing industry and communities to assist their transformation to meet the challenge of a carbon constrained future.

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes that as the world emerges from the Global Financial Crisis:

(a)

in Australia unemployment of 5 per cent is low by international standards; and

(b)

the Australian Government’s Debt to GDP ratio is lower and its fiscal consolidation faster, than in most comparable countries; and

(2)

agrees that the Gillard Government’s fiscal strategy to assist business and communities to recover from this crisis while managing inflation and removing the structural deficits from the Federal Budget is the right course of action for Australia’s long term economic prosperity.

John Cobb (Calare, National Party, Shadow Minister for Agriculture and Food Security) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes with concern the impact on the Dairy Industry of the Coles milk pricing strategy, and that:

(a)

dairy farmers around the country are today seriously questioning their future, having suffered through one of the worst decades in memory including droughts, floods, price cuts and the rising cost of inputs such as energy and feed;

(b)

unsustainable retail milk prices will, over time, compel processors to renegotiate contracts with dairy farmers and the prospect that these contracts will be below the cost of production may force many to leave the industry;

(c)

for many dairy farmers, the fact that supermarkets are now selling milk cheaper than many varieties of bottled water will be the straw that finally breaks the camel’s back; and

(d)

the risk of other potential impacts include:

(i)

decreased competition as name brands are forced from the shelves; and

(ii)

the possible loss of fresh milk supplies to some parts of the country as local fresh milk industries become unviable; and

(2)

calls on the Government to:

(a)

ask the ACCC to immediately undertake an investigation into the big supermarkets and milk wholesalers after recent price cuts to ensure they do not have too much market power and are not anti-competitive in their behaviour; and

(b)

support the new Senate inquiry into the ongoing milk price war between the country’s major supermarket chains.

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes that:

(a)

this year marks the two-hundred and fiftieth anniversary of veterinary education with the establishment of the first veterinary school in Lyon, France, in 1761; and

(b)

around the world, 2011 is being designated World Veterinary Year to honour the contribution and achievements of the veterinary profession in the community to animal health and production, public health, animal welfare, food safety and biosecurity;

(2)

recognises that:

(a)

in Australia, 2011 marks the one hundred and twentieth anniversary of the first class of graduates from the inaugurated Melbourne Veterinary College;

(b)

seven schools of veterinary medicine are now established in Victoria, NSW, Queensland, WA and SA;

(c)

veterinarians:

(i)

are dedicated to preserving the bond between humans and animals by practising and promoting the highest standards of science-based, ethical animal welfare with all animals, large and small;

(ii)

are on the front line maintaining Australia’s status as free from exotic diseases which threaten the environment, human and animal health, providing extensive pro bono services annually through ethical treatment of unowned animals and wildlife;

(iii)

are vital to ensuring the high quality of Australia’s commercial herds and flocks and security of our food supply; and

(iv)

provide a valuable public health service through preventative medicine, control of zoonotic disease and scientific research; and

(d)

significant contributions and achievements have been made by many individual members of the Australian veterinary profession including:

(i)

Nobel Prize winner and Australian of the Year, Dr Peter C. Doherty, who achieved major breakthroughs in the field of immunology which were vital in understanding the body’s rejection of incompatible tissues in transplantation, and in fighting meningitis viruses;

(ii)

Professor Mary Barton, a leading veterinary bacteriologist with a distinguished career in government and in veterinary public health, who has a strong research background in bacterial infections of animals and in antibiotic resistance in animal and human health; and

(iii)

Dr Reg Pascoe, a renowned equine surgeon and dermatologist and leader in his profession for more than 50 years, who published 70 research papers and many texts while earning a doctorate and running a busy practice in Oakey, and dedicated years to the National Veterinary Examination and the Veterinary Surgeons’ Board of Queensland; and

(3)

recognises:

(a)

that 2011 is World Veterinary Year;

(b)

the valuable and diverse roles veterinarians perform in the Australian community; and

(c)

the veterinary profession as it celebrates the past and continuing contribution by veterinarians.

Janelle Saffin (Page, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

notes:

(a)

that the Commonwealth is responsible for regulating the export of live animals, and for negotiating the arrangements and conditions that apply to the export of both live animals and chilled or frozen meat;

(b)

that the current tariff barriers that apply in some countries to chilled or frozen meat exports mean that there is not a level playing field between the two forms of export;

(c)

that the Commonwealth has consistently campaigned for a reduction in tariffs on all agricultural exports;

(d)

the national and international concerns about the welfare of animals transported under the live animal export trade, both during transportation and at their destination, have been raised and substantiated in campaigns by organisations and individuals including the World Society for the Protection of Animals, Stop Live Exports, Princess Alia of Jordan, the RSPCA and the Barristers Animal Welfare Panel; and

(e)

that Australia is one of few countries that consistently treats animals humanely during slaughter and that Australian chilled or frozen meat has gained wide acceptance in the Middle East for its quality and observance of halal and kosher standards;

(2)

acknowledges the opposition of the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union and the local meat processors to the live export trade on the grounds that the live export trade has a detrimental effect on the local meat processing industry, affecting jobs and the Australian economy;

(3)

calls for renewed consideration of a planned and supported transition in the medium term away from live exports and towards an expanded frozen and chilled meat export industry; and

(4)

asks that Austrade be encouraged to be involved in negotiations to increase exports in frozen and chilled meat.

Russell Broadbent (McMillan, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House acknowledges the:

(1)

one-hundredth anniversary of International Women’s Day on 8 March 2011 and celebrates the achievements of women throughout the world; and

(2)

need to continue to fight against the barrier that stops women achieving equal rights and equal opportunities throughout the world.

Julie Owens (Parramatta, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

recognises:

(a)

the important contribution of the Burmese community in Australia;

(b)

the strength of the Burmese community and professional organisations and the part they have played in assisting others to settle successfully in Australia; and

(c)

the extensive charity work of the Burmese community in Australia for the broader Australian community; and

(2)

acknowledges the Burmese community’s:

(a)

strong advocacy over the plight of the Burmese refugees in the region; and

(b)

determination to raise awareness of the difficult situation facing internally displaced people in Eastern Burma.

Greg Hunt (Flinders, Liberal Party, Shadow Minister for Climate Action, Environment and Heritage) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to present a Bill for an Act to establish a Commission of Inquiry into the Home Insulation Program, and for related purposes.

Amanda Rishworth (Kingston, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

to move:

That this House:

(1)

recognises the devastating impact of early onset dementia on the lives of sufferers and their families;

(2)

notes that:

(a)

individuals who suffer from early onset dementia often face unique challenges including obtaining an accurate and early diagnosis and finding appropriate accommodation and care facilities; and

(b)

early onset dementia sufferers are generally still physically active, engaged in paid employment and many still have significant family responsibilities at the time of their diagnosis;

(3)

acknowledges that these characteristics often mean that sufferers of early onset dementia require support services tailored to their unique circumstances including:

(a)

accommodation with appropriate support and activities specifically for their age;

(b)

support for family members to understand and cope with the impact of the disease especially for young dependent children; and

(c)

support for the individual and their families in managing their reduced capacity to work and inability to fulfil family responsibilities, such as parenting, as a result of the disease; and

(4)

calls on all levels of government to work together to appropriately support those suffering from early onset dementia and their families.