House debates

Wednesday, 17 August 2011

Committees

Selection of Bills Committee; Report

Photo of Steve GeorganasSteve Georganas (Hindmarsh, Australian Labor Party) Share this | | Hansard source

I present the Selection Committee's report No. 28, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday, 22 August 2011. The report will be printed in today's Hansard and the committee's determinations will appear on tomorrow's Notice Paper. Copies of the report have been placed on the table.

The report read as follows—

Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business

1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 16 August 2011.

2. The committee determined the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members' business on Monday, 22 August 2011, as follows:

Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)

COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS

Presentation and statements

1 Parliamentary Joint Committ ee on Intelligence and Security

Review of the listing of AQAP and the re listing of six terrorist organizations.

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.20 am.

Speech time limits —

Mr Byrne—5 minutes.

Next Member—5 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]

2 Joint Standing Committee on For eign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Review of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Annual Report 2009-10.

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.30 am.

Speech time limits —

Mr Danby—5 minutes.

Next Member—5 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]

3 Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Australia's Trade and Investment Relations with Asia, the Pacific and Latin America.

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.40 am.

Speech time limits —

Ms Saffin—5 minutes.

Next Member—5 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]

4 Standing Committee on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

Inquiry into Language learning in Indigenous Communities.

The Committee determined that statements on the inquiry may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.50 am.

Speech time limits —

Mr Neumann—5 minutes.

Next Member—5 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]

5 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement

Examination of the Annual Report of the Australian Federal Police 2009-10.

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.55 am.

Speech time limits —

Mr Hayes—5 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]

6 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement

Examination of the Annual Report of the Australian Crime Commission 2009-10.

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 11 am.

Speech time limits —

Mr Hayes—5 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Banking Act 1959 and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act 2009 to improve basic banking services, and for related purposes (Banking and Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Mobility and Flexibility) Bill 2011). (Notice given 7 July 2011.)

Presenter may speak for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41.

2 MR HOCKEY: To present a Bill for an Act to establish the Parliamentary Budget Office, and for related purposes (Parliamentary Budget Office Bill 2011). (Notice given 4 July 2011.)

Presenter may speak for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41.

3 MR HOCKEY: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998, and for related purposes (Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment Bill 2011). (Notice given 16 August 2011.)

Presenter may speak for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41.

4 MR WINDSOR: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Environment Protection Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, and for related purposes (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Mining, Petroleum and Water Resources) Bill 2011). (Notice given 16 August 2011.)

Presenter may speak for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41.

Orders of the Day

1 CARBON TAX PLEBISCITE BILL 2011 (Mr Abbott)—Second reading (from 4 July 2011).

Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 12 noon.

Speech time limits —

Mr Abbott—20 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 20 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue at a later hour.

Items for House of Representatives Chamber (8 to 9.30 pm)

Orders of the Day

1 CARBON TAX PLEBISCITE BILL 2011—Resumption of debate on the second reading.

Time allotted—60 minutes.

Speech time limits —

First Member—20 minutes.

Other Members—10 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 20 mins + 4 x 10 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

Notices—continued

5 MR COBB: To present a Bill for an Act to amend quarantine legislation in relation to the importation of apples, and for related purposes (Quarantine Legislation Amendment (Apples) Bill 2011). (Notice given 16 August 2011.)

Presenter may speak for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41.

6 MR BANDT: To move:

That this House directs the Prime Minister to immediately establish a full and independent inquiry with:

(1) powers equivalent to a Royal Commission to investigate the bank note bribery scandal concerning the Reserve Bank of Australia, Securency and Note Printing Australia; and

(2) terms of reference that require it to investigate and report on at least the following matters:

(a) allegations of corruption in securing note printing contracts and payments to overseas agents into offshore tax havens;

(b) what the Reserve Bank of Australia, Austrade and the Australian Government each knew about the alleged behaviour, and when they knew it;

(c) what due diligence was applied and what investigations were conducted into the allegations;

(d) whether there has been appropriate governance by public institutions and companies;

(e) what action has been taken to prevent improper dealings occurring again and whether that action is sufficient;

(f) recommendations regarding future actions that should be taken by government and agencies to prevent similar problems in the future; and

(g) any related matters. (Notice given 16 August 2011.)

Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 9.30 pm.

Speech time limits —

Mr Bandt—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

Items for Main Committee (approx 11 am to approx 1.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MS PARKE: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) on 9 July 2011 two new nations emerged, the nations of South and North Sudan, which follows an overwhelming vote for independence by voters in South Sudan's referendum for independence on 9 January 2011;

(b) the future of these nations are interdependent and their stability has regional border security implications for North and East Africa;

(c) the emerging picture confronting both new nations is dire and with significant political, humanitarian and developmental challenges;

(d) the overall security situation in Sudan is deteriorating at an alarming rate, having severe humanitarian consequences with millions of civilians in both North and South Sudan in need of protection and critical humanitarian assistance;

(e) Sudan, after Zimbabwe, is the second largest recipient of Australia's humanitarian and development assistance in Africa—since 2004, the Australian Government has provided $136 million to Sudan;

(f) the North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 that ended over two decades of civil war is at risk, due to recent violence, with outstanding issues such as border demarcation, oil revenue sharing, currency and citizenship status, unresolved;

(g) Sudan has the highest level overall of people remaining internally displaced according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the highest number of people newly displaced by conflict; and

(h) the plight of internally displaced people and Sudanese refugees will therefore continue to be a shared legacy of decades of conflict;

(2) condemns the most recent violence that has seen conflict spread across North and South Sudan and has recently escalated in the contested border region of Abyei and in two of the 'three protocol areas'—South Kordofan and the Nuba Mountains—causing mass displacement;

(3) recognises that the inter-ethnic conflict also affects South Sudan, and people in South Sudan's Western Equatoria region are still victims of attacks by the Lords Resistance Army along the border areas of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic;

(4) expresses deep concern at the:

(a) protracted nature of the conflict and displacement in Darfur, now in its eighth year;

(b) United Nations estimate that 300 000 people have been killed as a result of violence, malnutrition and starvation, and 4 million people are in desperate need of aid, representing nearly two thirds of the entire estimated Darfur population of 6.5 million; and

(c) estimated 2.5 million people that live in refugee camps in Darfur and neighbouring Chad, while others struggle to survive in remote villages;

(5) notes that:

(a) humanitarian relief efforts to provide assistance to vulnerable populations are being hampered by limited humanitarian access in some of the most affected conflict areas including in South Kordofan and Darfur; and

(b) insecurity and inaccessibility remain amongst the biggest challenges facing the delivery of assistance by humanitarian agencies to vulnerable populations;

(6) urges the Government of South Sudan and the Government of Sudan to reaffirm their commitment to peace, conflict prevention, the inclusion of the peripheral regions and ethnic minorities in political representation and decision making, and the recognition of cultural and ethnic diversity through durable political solutions; and

(7) encourages the Australian Government to provide ongoing and predictable diplomatic and funding resources to address humanitarian and development needs in North and South Sudan. (Notice given 21 June 2011.)

Time allotted—60 minutes.

Speech time limits —

Ms Parke—10 minutes.

Next 3 Members—10 minutes each.

Other Members—5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 10 mins + 4 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

2 DR STONE: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) is an overarching term used to describe a range of physical, mental, behavioural, learning and development disorders that can result from foetal exposure to alcohol; and

(b) FASD is reported to be the greatest cause of non-congenital, irreversible and permanent brain damage to new-borns in Australia; and

(2) calls upon the Australian:

(a) Parliament to continue to facilitate and support the development of a FASD national diagnostic tool for the use of medical professionals and other health service providers; and

(b) Government to:

  (i) give FASD the status of a recognised disability in Australia;

  (ii) institute a national awareness campaign to raise community awareness of the risks to the unborn child when alcohol is consumed in pregnancy and highlight the potential cognitive and developmental consequences for affected individuals as these pertain to service providers, law enforcement and justice, the community sector and education; and

  (iii) give support to the development of models of care and helping strategies for families and individuals dealing with the impacts of FASD. (Notice given 12 May 2011.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits —

Dr Stone—10 minutes.

Next 3 Members—10 minutes each.

Other Members—5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 10 mins + 2 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

3 MR L. D. T. FERGUSON: To move:

That this House notes the:

(1) continuing discrimination and attacks upon Mandeans on the basis of their religious beliefs;

(2) minimal opportunities for internal relocation of Mandeans within Iraq due to their limited numbers and lack of Government protection;

(3) significant numbers that have fled the country either to other nations in the Middle East and from there to nations such as Australia;

(4) need for Australia to continue to focus on Mandean claims in our refugee/humanitarian intake; and

(5) humanitarian imperative for Australia to raise continuing human rights abuses in Iraq within varied multicultural fora and bilateral dealings with Iraq. (Notice given 10 May 2011.)

Time allotted—20 minutes.

Speech time limits —

Mr L. D. T. Ferguson—10 minutes.

Next Member—10 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

4 MS OWENS: 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. (Notice given 1 March 2011.)

Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm (approximately).

Speech time limits —

Ms Owens—10 minutes.

Next Member—10 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

Items for Main Committee (approx 6.30 to 9 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

5 MR HARTSUYKER: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes:

(a) that the abnormally wet weather in late 2010 and early 2011 devastated the sugar industry on the NSW north coast; and

(b) the major impact of this weather on the sugar industry on the NSW north coast;

(2) acknowledges that many farmers planted crops twice but lost both as a result of the flood events of December 2010 and January 2011;

(3) recognises that as a result, there are currently 6000 hectares of sugar cane crops which remain unplanted in Northern NSW;

(4) notes the replanting proposal put forward by Canegrowers NSW; and

(5) calls on the:

(a) Commonwealth and NSW Governments to increase the level of assistance provided to farmers from $15 000 to $25 000, similar to the level of assistance provided to Queensland and Victorian farmers; and

(b) Government to respond to the proposal made by Canegrowers NSW as a matter of urgency. (Notice given 2 June 2011.)

Time allotted—40 minutes.

Speech time limits —

Mr Hartsuyker—10 minutes.

Other Members—10 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 10 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

6 DR LEIGH: To move:

That this House:

(1) commends the efforts of successive Australian governments, working with multilateral, non-government organisations such as Rotary International and other national governments, in wiping out polio in the Pacific and reducing the total number of polio cases worldwide by 99 per cent since 1988;

(2) notes that polio remains endemic in four countries—Afghanistan, Nigeria, India and Pakistan—three of which are Commonwealth nations;

(3) recognises that in 2010, there were only 1290 cases of polio worldwide, down from 350 000 cases in 1988, indicating the unprecedented opportunity the world has to eradicate polio once and for all;

(4) notes that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative currently faces a funding shortfall of US$665 million for the full implementation of its 2010-12 Polio Eradication Strategic Plan; and

(5) calls upon the Government to support efforts to deliver a polio-free world and to advocate for the inclusion of a strong statement urging Commonwealth countries to strengthen immunisation systems, including for polio, in the Final Communique of the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. (Notice given 14 June 2011.)

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits —

Dr Leigh—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 6 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

7 MR TUDGE: To move:

That this House:

(1) affirms its strong support for all forms of early childhood learning and recognises the importance of pre-school on the development of children and as a foundation for their future education;

(2) notes that the Gillard Government has mandated that 'four-year-old kindergartens' provide at least 15 hours per week of instruction by a university-trained teacher by 2013 under its 'Universal Access' policy;

(3) notes that the Gillard Government has not considered the consequences of its 'Universal Access' policy on Victorian kindergartens where 'three-year-old kindergarten' is more commonly offered than by other jurisdictions;

(4) notes that the consequence of 'Universal Access' on Victoria's kindergartens is that many will no longer be able to offer 'three-year-old kindergarten' programs because facilities are often shared between three and 'four-year-old kindergarten' programs;

(5) acknowledges that this policy will effectively remove the choice for many Victorian parents of sending their three-year-old children to kindergarten;

(6) notes that some rural kindergartens could face the risk of closure because there is a shortage of qualified teachers in rural areas, and due to the increase in mandated hours, many rural kindergartens will no longer be able to share teachers;

(7) notes that warnings of this imminent crisis for Victoria's kindergartens have been given directly to the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth by the Municipal Association of Victoria, parent groups, kindergarten operators and parliamentarians; and

(8) calls on the Government to:

(a) provide flexibility for kindergarten operators to deliver kindergarten services according to the needs of their own communities and in line with local infrastructure and staffing capacity; or

(b) at the very least, provide flexibility on the start date for the implementation of 'Universal Access'. (Notice given 5 July 2011.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits —

Mr Tudge—10 minutes.

Next 3 Members—10 minutes each.

Other Members—5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 10 mins + 2 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

8 MR CHAMPION: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes:

(a) the positive impact compulsory and voluntary income management is having on the wellbeing of families and children in Perth and the Kimberley in Western Australia;

(b) an independent evaluation of compulsory and voluntary income management in Western Australia showed that participants believed it had made a positive impact on their lives;

(c) that a non discriminatory income management system linked to the child protection system and school attendance has been rolled out in the Northern Territory to help children who are being neglected or are at risk of neglect;

(d) that more than 1700 people have moved off income management across the Northern Territory because they have found jobs and apprenticeships or improved their parenting skills; and

(e) that income management produces positive life impacts for individuals acquiring new skills through training and getting jobs; and

(2) calls for this initiative to be trialled in other communities to help those families and individuals receiving welfare payments who are:

(a) identified as high risk by Centrelink social workers;

(b) recommended by child protection workers; and

(c) or who volunteer to participate to improve their ability to manage and save money and provide the essentials of life for their children. (Notice given 24 February 2011.)

Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 9 pm

Speech time limits —

Mr Champion—10 minutes.

Next Member—10 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 2 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration of this matter should continue on a future day.

3. The committee recommends that the following items of private Members' business listed on the notice paper be voted on:

Order of the Day

Wild Dogs (Mr Chester)