House debates

Wednesday, 23 November 2016

Committees

Selection Committee; Report

3:18 pm

Photo of Tony SmithTony Smith (Speaker) Share this | | Hansard source

I present report No. 5 of the Selection Committee relating to consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday, 28 November 2016. The report will be printed in the Hansard for today and the committee's determinations will appear on tomorrow's Notice Paper. Copies of the report have been placed at 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 22 November 2016.

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, 28 November 2016, as follows:

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

COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS

Presentation and statements

1 Joint Standing Committee on Migration:

Statement on new inquiry into migrant settlement services

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.15 am

Speech time limits—

Mr Wood—5 minutes.

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MR WILKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997, and for related purposes. (Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry (Amendment) (Tagging Live-stock) Bill 2016)

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.

2 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law in relation to workplace relations, and for related purposes. (Fair Work Amendment (Pay Protection) Bill 2016)

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.

3 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law in relation to air services, and for related purposes. (Air Services Amendment Bill 2016)

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.

4 MR SHORTEN: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to 457 visas, and for related purposes. (Migration Amendment (Putting Local Workers First) Bill 2016)

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.

5 MS MCGOWAN: 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 (Regional Australia Statements) Bill 2016)

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes—pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.

6 MS T. M. BUTLER: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) 1 December marks World AIDS Day, which is held every year to raise awareness about the issues concerning HIV and AIDS, and is a day for people to show their support for people living with HIV and to commemorate people who have died; and

(b) the theme for World AIDS Day this year is 'HIV is still here—and it's on the move';

(2) acknowledges the roles played by people living with HIV and their friends, family, supporters, AIDS activists and researchers, past and present, in making living with HIV possible; and

(3) will support actions to reduce stigma and prevent new HIV transmissions, and work towards a cure.

(Notice given 21 November 2016.)

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms T. M. Butler—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

7 MR HASTIE: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) from 21 to 28 of October the Minister for Veterans' Affairs undertook a veterans mission to Korea; and

(b) eight veterans joined the Minister to tour battlefields and attend commemorations, including Mr Gordon Hughes DSM, Mr Graham Connor, Mr Les Hall, Mr Jack Lang, Mr John Murphy, Lieutenant Commander Les Powell RAN (Retd.), Colonel Peter Scott DSO (Retd.), and Mr Ray Seaver;

(2) acknowledges that:

(a) this year marks the 65th anniversaries of the Battle of Maryang San and the Battle of Kapyong;

(b) the Battle of Maryang San took place on 3 October when the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, as part of the 28th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, took part in Operation Commando, which included the capture of Hill 317, where 20 Australians were killed and 89 wounded—noted as the most significant Australian action of the Korean War;

(c) in the Battle of Kapyong on 22 to 25 April 1951, the 27th British Commonwealth Infantry Brigade, including the 3rd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, was instrumental in stalling the Chinese advance on Seoul, with 32 Australians being killed, 59 wounded and 3 taken prisoner;

(d) more than 17,000 Australians served in the Korean War and the post armistice period, with more than 1,200 wounded; and

(e) the names of 356 Australians killed in Korea are listed on the Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour; and

(3) notes:

(a) that although it has been called the 'forgotten war' in Australia, Korea and its people are still grateful for the significant contribution the Australian forces made in the defence of a free Republic of Korea; and

(b) the service and sacrifice of those who fought in the Korean War.

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

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

Speech time limits—

Mr Hastie—10 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 3 x 5 mins]

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

Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MR HILL: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) there is a current controversy pertaining to the so called 'palace letters' between the then Governor-General Sir John Kerr and Her Majesty The Queen in the months leading up to the dismissal of the Whitlam Government; and

(b) this correspondence has been declared 'personal' and therefore secret at 'Her Majesty the Queen's instructions'; and

(2) acknowledges that:

(a) these letters are a matter of our national history which should be made available to the Australian people;

(b) regardless of the merits or otherwise of the dismissal, Australians deserve to know the extent to which The Queen involved herself in the sacking of an elected Australian Government; and

(c) the very notion of 'personal' letters between the Monarch and the Governor-General offends all concepts of transparency and democracy that we hold dear; and

(3) call on the Australian Government to take steps to have the documents released.

(Notice given 21 November 2016.)

Time allotted—20 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Hill—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

2 MR IRONS: To move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the actions this Government has taken to establish the Commonwealth Redress Scheme (CRS) for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse;

(2) congratulates this Government for leading by example by establishing the CRS for survivors of institutional child sexual abuse and for inviting other governments and institutions to 'opt in' to the scheme on the responsible 'entity pays basis' recommended by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse;

(3) acknowledges the courage of the survivors who presented evidence to the Royal Commission and that their past and continuing advocacy for redress is vital to the successful implementation of the CRS; and

(4) recognises that this Government acknowledges that survivors of institutional child sexual abuse need and deserve equal access and treatment.

(Notice given 21 November 2016.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Irons—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 6 x 5 mins]

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

3 MS HUSAR: To move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges that:

(a) Saturday 3 December 2016 is International Day of People with Disability (IDPwD);

(b) the United Nations proclaimed IDPwD for the first time in 1992 as a way of promoting better understanding of disability issues and as a sign of support for the dignity, rights and wellbeing of people with disabilities; and

(c) each year, the United Nations chooses a theme for IDPwD and this year's theme is 'Achieving 17 Goals for the Future We Want', which draws attention to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and how these goals can create a more inclusive and equitable world for people with disabilities;

(2) encourages all Members of Parliament to support IDPwD in their electorates; and

(3) reaffirms its commitment to:

(a) ensuring Australians with a disability get the support they need; and

(b) an adequately funded and resourced National Disability Insurance Scheme.

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms Husar—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

4 MS FLINT: To move:

That this House:

(1) urges all Australians to drive safely and with consideration for fellow road users over the upcoming summer holidays;

(2) notes the Government has made significant investments in road safety including:

(a) $500 million from 2014-15 to 2018-19 in the Black Spot Program (BSP);

(b) an additional $200 million from 2015-16 that makes an important contribution to reducing the national road toll under the National Road Safety Strategy and Action Plan; and

(c) completing 977 projects under the BSP which has saved an estimated 116 lives and prevented 5,959 injuries from crashes over 10 years;

(3) encourages all state and territory governments to address the over-representation of men in road fatalities through improved driver information and education; and

(4) calls on all Australians to drive carefully over the summer period.

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms Flint—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

5 MR J. H. WILSON: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that in 2012, following a comprehensive and rigorous process, the then Labor Government declared 40 marine parks in Commonwealth waters, creating the world's first and largest comprehensive national network of marine parks;

(2) notes with concern that there is increasing pressure on Australia's marine environment, as indicated by frequent and severe bleaching of coral reefs across Australia's northern waters, extensive and unprecedented dieback of mangroves, and the loss of large areas of kelp forests in southern Australian waters;

(3) notes that Australia's marine environment is the most biologically diverse in the world according to the 2010 Census of Marine Life, with our oceans spanning tropical, temperate and sub-Antarctic waters, and where at least 33,000 marine species have been identified (many of which are found nowhere else on earth);

(4) notes that Australia is a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and as such is required to both conserve as well as sustainably utilise its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ);

(5) notes the economic opportunity that marine parks bring regional communities as evidenced by long standing marine parks in Australia, including the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park which is worth over $6 billion to the Queensland economy, and others including Ningaloo Marine Park, the Great Australian Bight, Lord Howe Island, Solitary Islands Marine Park and Maria Island National Park;

(6) notes the clear evidence that marine parks play an important economic role in accelerating the recovery of depleted fisheries, and that the long term net effect on fisheries of increased resilience and sustainability from highly protected marine reserves is positive;

(7) notes that in the 1990s the then Coalition Government put in place a systematic approach for declaring a comprehensive, adequate, and representative network of marine parks in Australia's EEZ, and proceeded to declare 22 marine parks in Commonwealth waters;

(8) notes with concern that:

(a) in December 2013 the incoming Coalition Government suspended Labor's marine parks from operation by re-declaring the parks in order to set aside their management arrangements and commencement date, pending the conduct of a politically motivated and unnecessary review; and

(b) after almost 3 years, these 40 marine parks have not been implemented, existing in statute only—leaving 5 of Australia's 6 marine regions with little to no protection at a time when the threats to Australia's valuable and important marine environment are increasing;

(9) notes that in the May 2016 budget the Coalition Government committed to completing the re-development of the management plans for the new parks within 12 months;

(10) notes that in the recent consultation by Parks Australia, over 50,000 submissions were received from around Australia, including from more than 5,000 recreational fishers, calling for the reinstatement of the marine parks and their high level marine national park zoning, without further delay or loss of protection;

(11) notes that the Expert Science Panel of the Coalition Government's own review recognises both the extensive science that went into the development of the marine parks developed by the Labor Government and the scientifically proven benefits of marine national parks;

(12) notes the Bioregional Advisory Panel of the Coalition Government's own review recognised the extensive consultation that has occurred in developing the marine reserves developed by the Labor Government, stating that there was in fact a considerable amount of 'consultation fatigue' expressed by many stakeholders;

(13) notes the increasing move by other countries to put in place large and highly protected marine parks in their EEZs, including action taken by the United States, Palau, Chile, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and, most recently, the declaration in October 2016 by 24 nations, including Australia, of the Ross Sea marine park in the Antarctic high seas; and

(14) calls on the Coalition Government to bring the Commonwealth network of marine parks that were declared in 2012 into operation without further delay, and with no loss of marine national park protection.

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 1.30 pm

Speech time limits—

Mr J. H. Wilson—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices—continued

6 MR VAN MANEN: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the 'Declaration of Intent on a Strategic Dialogue' between the Government of Australia and the Government of the Netherlands was signed by Foreign Minister Bishop and Foreign Minister Koenders on 2 November 2016, in Canberra;

(b) the Declaration has been updated from the one signed in February 2014 by Foreign Minister Bishop and the then Foreign Minister Timmermans to reflect current events and increased closeness between our two countries through our shared commitment to achieve accountability with respect to the downing of MH17; and

(c) the Declaration commits Australia and the Netherlands to enhanced cooperation on international security, trade and investment, human rights and development issues; and

(2) welcomes enhanced economic and security cooperation between Australia and the Netherlands.

(Notice given 21 November 2016.)

Time allotted—20 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr van Manen—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

7 MR HAYES: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) since 2014, Da'esh (also known as ISIL) has been carrying out terror campaigns against Christians, Assyrians, Mandaeans, Yezidis, and other ethnic and religious minorities in Iraq and Syria;

(b) these campaigns have taken the form of mass murders, torture, rape, kidnappings, sexual enslavement and other crimes; and

(c) these atrocities constitute war crimes, crimes against humanity, and genocide;

(2) noting that the United Nations mandated Independent International Commission of Inquiry on Syria has declared that Da'esh's actions against the Yazidi people amount to genocide, calls on the:

(a) Australian Government to refer to the Da'esh atrocities as war crimes, crimes against humanity and genocide; and

(b) United Nations and Member States to co-ordinate measures to prevent further atrocities occurring in Syria and Iraq and take all necessary action to hold those responsible to account; and

(3) commends:

(a) the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, the Lebanese Republic, the Republic of Turkey and the Kurdistan Regional Government in Iraq, for their ongoing support and efforts to shelter and protect those fleeing the violence in Syria and Iraq; and

(b) those nations that are providing a permanent home for Syrian and Iraqi refugees who are escaping persecution and violence.

(Notice given 21 November 2016.)

Time allotted—20 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Hayes—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

8 MR L. S. O'BRIEN: To move:

That this House:

(1) congratulates the Government on the success of the National Stronger Regions Fund (NSRF);

(2) acknowledges the significant and positive impact that the NSRF is having in rural, remote and disadvantaged regions around Australia; and

(3) notes that the:

(a) Government is investing $125,286,955 million in 40 projects around Queensland under 3 rounds of the NSRF; and

(b) NSRF is delivering infrastructure projects to create jobs in regional areas, improve community facilities and support stronger and more sustainable communities across Queensland.

(Notice given 21 November 2016.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr L. S. O'Brien—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

9 MS SWANSON: To move:

That this House:

(1) calls on the Government to:

(a) establish a national inter-governmental taskforce to co-ordinate the response of state/territory and federal government agencies to the perfluorinated and polyfluorinated (per- and poly-fluoro) alkyl substances contamination on and around Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) bases at Williamtown and Oakey, and throughout Australia;

(b) develop a nationally consistent approach for screening and health guidelines, assessments, containment, management standards and remediation protocols for Commonwealth sites and their surroundings that are identified as being contaminated with per- and poly-fluoro alkyl substances;

(c) provide:

(i) a breakdown and schedule of spending of the $55 million allocated from the defence budget to deal with contamination at and around RAAF bases caused by per- and poly-fluoro alkyl substances;

(ii) transparency into the Government's per- and poly-fluoro alkyl substances interdepartmental committee, including a breakdown of its composition, terms of reference and meeting schedule; and

(iii) a timeline for when, how, and by whom the issue of per- and poly-fluoro alkyl substances will be brought to the COAG; and

(d) inform Williamtown residents when its proposed dialogue will begin on buybacks of properties contaminated by per- and poly-fluoro alkyl substances; and

(2) while welcoming the New South Wales Environmental Protection Agency's lifting of fishing bans implemented as a result of the contamination, calls on the Government to:

(a) ensure income support is available to affected commercial fishers through to March 2017; and

(b) advocate for leniency by lending institutions with respect to business and home loan repayments and lending practices involving properties in the Williamtown investigation zone.

(Notice given 9 November 2016.)

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms Swanson—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

10 MR RAMSEY: To move:

That this House:

(1) recognises that:

(a) the Strzelecki Track is a vital freight and tourist route connecting Adelaide to the Moomba Gas fields in South Australia's far north-east and South East Queensland;

(b) the route is used extensively by pastoralists, mining vehicles and tourists and is no longer fit for purpose due to pot holes, bulldust and closures from flooding;

(c) it can take more than 12 hours for heavy transport to negotiate 338 kilometres from Lyndhurst to Moomba;

(d) the Track is used by many tourists heading into the heart of Australia and visiting some of the wonders of outback South Australia and Queensland and with a proper standard road there is great potential to grow this industry; and

(e) the Track is also used by heavy transport which supports the exploitation of the Moomba Gas Fields and trucks carrying supplies to, and cattle from, properties and they are totally reliant on this route;

(2) notes that:

(a) the Track cuts through remote and inhospitable country where emergency services are reliant on the Royal Flying Doctor Service;

(b) more than 30 road trains a day navigate the Track each day carrying vital equipment for the gas industry and thousands of dollars of damage is done to each of these trucks on a daily basis; and

(c) rain can close the road for up to six weeks as it did in 2010 when large sections were washed away or left underwater and on average shuts the road for 45 days a year; and

(3) calls on the state and federal governments to work together in an urgent manner to bring about the sealing of this vital route.

(Notice given 21 November 2016.)

Time allotted—25 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Ramsey—10 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 3 x 5 mins]

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

11 MR GEORGANAS: To move:

That this House:

(1) expresses its deepest condolences for the victims of the devastating earthquakes that hit Central Italy on 24 August and 30 October 2016;

(2) recognises the:

(a) ongoing suffering and displacement that the earthquakes have caused to the residents of the affected towns; and

(b) courageous and tireless work of the emergency and medical workers, and volunteers to save lives and prevent further tragedies; and

(3) expresses our sincere thanks to the Australian communities who have rallied to show their support and solidarity in the face of this tragedy.

(Notice given 10 November 2016.)

Time allotted—10 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Georganas—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

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

12 MS MCGOWAN: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the nbnTM Fair Use Policy is unfair for rural and regional Australia;

(b) rural nbnTM users have restricted data speeds, limits on capacity and have to pay more for a poorer service;

(c) under the nbnTM Interim Satellite Service, rural users had 'off peak' data from 11pm to 2pm;

(d) on the new nbnTM Sky MusterTM Satellite Service, the 'off peak' data has now changed to between 1am and 7am; and

(e) the consequence of the nbnTM Fair Use Policy is that businesses, students, home workers and farmers have reduced Internet access and pay comparatively more; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) implement the recommendations of the 2015 Regional Telecommunications Review and review the nbnTM Fair Use Policy in light of the impact on rural families and businesses;

(b) maximise the amount of data available under the satellite service; and

(c) revert the off-peak period in the nbnTM Fair Use Policy to 11pm to 2pm, to accommodate the realities of rural life.

(Notice given 22 November 2016.)

Time allotted—remaining private Members' business time prior to 7.30 pm

Speech time limits—

Ms McGowan—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

The Committee determined that considerat