House debates

Wednesday, 6 September 2017

Committees

Selection Committee; Report

9:31 am

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

I present report No. 16 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday, 11 September. The report will be printed in the Hansard for today and the committee's deliberations 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, 5 September 2017.

2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 5 September 2017, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 11 September 2017, 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 Trade and Investment Growth:

Statement on inquiry into the trade system and digital economy

The Committee determined that a statement may be made—statement to conclude by 10.15 am

Speech time limits—

Mr O'Dowd—5 minutes.

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

2 Joint Standing Committee on the National Capital and External Territories:

The strategic importance of Australia ' s Indian Ocean Territories

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.25 am

Speech time limits—

Mr Morton—5 minutes.

Next Member speaking—5 minutes.

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

3 Standing Committee on Industry, Innovation, Science and Resources:

Social issues relating to land-based automated vehicles in Australia

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.35 am

Speech time limits—

Ms M. L. Landry—5 minutes.

Next Member speaking—5 minutes.

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MR WILKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Fair Work Act 2009, and for related purposes. (Fair Work Amendment (Terminating Enterprise Agreements) Bill 2017)

(Notice given 5September 2017.)

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 MS SHARKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law in relation to superannuation, and for related purposes. (Fair Work Amendment (Recovering Unpaid Superannuation) Bill 2017)

(Notice given 5September 2017.)

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 KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to provide for the regulation of renewable fuel content in motor vehicle fuel, and for related purposes. (Renewable Fuel Bill 2017)

(Notice given 5September 2017.)

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 KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law in order to prevent non-First Australians and foreigners from arrogating for their personal benefit First Australian culture, and to stop the sale of art, souvenir items and any other cultural affirmations that exploit and thereby deprive First Australians of the rightful benefits from their culture, and for related purposes. (Competition and Consumer Amendment (Exploitation of Indigenous Culture) Bill 2017)

(Notice given 5September 2017.)

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.

Orders of the day

1   Competition and Consumer Legislation Amendment (Small Business Access to Justice) Bill 2017 (from Senate): Second reading (from10August2017).

Time allotted—10 minutes.

Speech time limits—

All Members speaking—10 minutes.

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

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

Notices—continued

5 MR ROBERT: To move:

That this House:

(1) supports the right of Israel to defend its citizens against terrorist attacks by organisations or by individuals;

(2) calls on the Palestinian Authority to cease incitement of its population to attack Israel and Israelis;

(3) further calls on the Palestinian Authority to take seriously the task of educating its people on the options, process and potential for peace;

(4) urges the Palestinian Authority to abide by the Oslo Accords and specifically to cease attacking Israel in an unfounded manner in international forums;

(5) further urges the Israel and the Palestinian Authority to return to negotiations in good faith and without preconditions;

(6) acknowledges and affirms the Jewish connection to the Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem and elsewhere in Israel; and

(7) condemns the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement as inherently anti-Semitic and calls on all Australian political parties and institutions to disavow it.

(Notice given 15 August 2017.)

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

Speech time limits—

Mr Robert—10 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

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

Orders of the day

1   People of Australia's Commission of Inquiry (Banking and Financial Services) Bill 2017 (Mr Katter): Second reading—Resumption of debate (from27March2017).

Time allotted—10 minutes.

Speech time limits—

All Members speaking—5 minutes.

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

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

Notices

1 MR WALLACE: To move:

That this House:

(1) welcomes the results of Round One of the Building Better Regions Fund (BBRF), including the allocation of $3 million in funding to the Events Centre, Caloundra, on the Sunshine Coast;

(2) congratulates all of the successful applicants in Round One of this program;

(3) notes that:

(a) the BBRF is another example of the Government investing in our regions to boost local economies, grow regional confidence, create jobs and build vibrant communities;

(b) nationally the successful projects will support a diverse range of important infrastructure in regional and remote areas for projects ranging from tourism and transport, to culture, sporting and healthcare facilities;

(c) the Events Centre is such an important piece of infrastructure, providing world class cultural experiences for local people on the Sunshine Coast and drawing tourists from all over South East Queensland; and

(d) nearly 550 organisations applied from all across Australia for the Infrastructure Projects stream;

(4) commends the Government for its allocation of an additional $200 million in funding for this important program in the 2017 budget; and

(5) encourages eligible organisations to make an application to Round Two of the BBRF, which is anticipated to open later in 2017.

(Notice given 15 August 2017.)

Time allotted—40 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Wallace—5 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 8 x 5 mins]

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

2 MS T. M. BUTLER: To move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges that:

(a) victims and survivors of sexual and family violence should be able to gain access to the highest standard of professional counselling support;

(b) 1800 RESPECT, a national telephone and on line counselling service for people living with sexual assault and family violence, is an important part of the national response to family and domestic violence;

(c) since the establishment of the 1800 RESPECT service, Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia has provided specialist sexual assault and domestic violence trauma counselling for the service; and

(d) Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia, which has operated for almost fifty years, has achieved international recognition for its expertise in its field;

(2) notes that:

(a) Medibank Health Solutions (MHS), a for-profit company, receives public funds to administer 1800 RESPECT;

(b) MHS recently announced that the service previously provided by Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia would now be provided by four organisations, three of which have not previously provided trauma counselling for the 1800 RESPECT service;

(c) the consequence of this decision is a 75 per cent reduction in the public funding provided to Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia via MHS for the provision of the 1800 RESPECT service, as that organisation becomes one of four providers, rather than the sole provider; and

(d) in those circumstances, the Board of Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia has decided not to accept the proposed MHS contract, which the Board states does not provide sufficient funding to enable Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia to provide the service, and imposes obligations which the Board considers unethical; and

(3) calls upon the Prime Minister to ensure that victims and survivors of family and domestic violence continue to have access to best practice specialist sexual assault and family violence trauma counselling services as previously provided by Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia.

(Notice given 5September 2017.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms T. M. Butler—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.

3 MS M. L. LANDRY: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that the Government is committed to securing the economic future of Regional Australia;

(2) commends the $500 million National Water Infrastructure Development Fund which implements the Australian Government's commitment to start the detailed planning necessary to build or augment existing water infrastructure, including dams, pipelines or managed aquifer recharge, and welcomes the dedicated northern component of $170 million;

(3) notes that the $481.6 million Building Better Regions Fund supports the Australian Government's commitment to create jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger regional communities into the future;

(4) praises the $600 million Northern Australia Roads Programme which enables upgrades to high priority roads in Northern Australia essential to the movement of people and freight to support the north's economic development;

(5) welcomes the additional $272.2 million Regional Growth Fund that provides grants of $10 million or more for major transformational projects which support long term economic growth and create jobs in regions undergoing structural adjustment; and

(6) commends the Government for delivering infrastructure programs that are making a real difference to regional Australia's ability to diversify its economies.

(Notice given 16 August 2017.)

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

Speech time limits—

Ms M. L. Landry—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.

Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices—continued

4 MS TEMPLEMAN: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) Thompson Square, Windsor, is Australia's only surviving Georgian public town square;

(b) in 1810 Governor Lachlan Macquarie proclaimed Thompson Square as the first public place named to honour the contributions of an ex-convict, sending a strong message about Australia as a place of the 'fair go';

(c) the NSW Government's Windsor Bridge replacement project will result in a large modern concrete structure destroying the current Square;

(d) a community action group, Community Action for Windsor Bridge, has staged a 24 hour occupation of Thompson Square since 21 July 2013 in order to fight the NSW Government's plan;

(2) condemns the NSW Government for ignoring the advice of its own Office of Environment and Heritage, the Heritage Council of NSW and the National Trust; and

(3) calls on the Minister for the Environment and Energy to exercise his powers under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 and grant emergency heritage listing to the Thompson Square Precinct to protect this unique place of Australia's cultural heritage.

(Notice given 22 May 2017.)

Time allotted—20 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms Templeman—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.

5 MR CHRISTENSEN: To move:

That this House:

(1) recognises the importance of the actions of this Government in abolishing the Temporary Work (Skilled) visa (subclass 457) program to ensure that the interests of Australian workers are protected;

(2) notes that a review of the changes by Dr Bob Birrell of the Australian Population Research Institute highlights their significance by making the following points, that the:

(a) abolition of the 457 visa program is a 'game changer' rather than being mere 'window dressing' as was claimed by critics in the media and members of the Opposition;

(b) reset stops the past immigration policy outcome of employers recruiting as many temporary skilled foreign workers as they wanted and then facilitating their transition to permanent residence via the Employer Nomination Scheme visa (subclass 186); and

(c) changes go some way to 'redressing the balance between employer interests and those of domestic workers';

(3) further notes that the 457 visa program had become 'bloated out and a proxy pathway to permanent residence' as stated by the head of the Department of Immigration and Border Protection, Mr Mike Pezzullo; and

(4) commends the Government on its actions which are predicted to reduce skilled migration numbers by more than 50,000, or one quarter, of the total program, thus resulting in more jobs being available for Australian workers.

(Notice given 16 August 2017.)

Time allotted—45 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Christensen—10 minutes.

Other Members—5 minutes. each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 10 mins + 7 x 5 mins]

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

6 MS ROWLAND: To move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges that:

(a) Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the world and that melanoma is the most common cancer in young Australians aged 15 to 39; and

(b) LEGO is a world-renowned brand with a philosophy to foster imaginative and creative learning and development through play;

(2) congratulates Mr Damien MacRae and his seven year old son Aiden on creating an Australian sun smart beach themed LEGO project entitled 'LEGO Surf Rescue', which has reached the required 10,000 supporters for the LEGO Ideas review;

(3) recognises that:

(a) Mr MacRae and his family have shown remarkable resilience and positivity, in spite of his terminal melanoma diagnosis, in highlighting the dangers of skin cancer and the importance of sun safety; and

(b) the 'LEGO Surf Rescue' project:

(i) demonstrates not only the importance of sun safety to reduce the risks of melanoma, but also highlights the importance of surf lifesaving and promotes healthy and active lifestyles for children; and

(ii) would be the first set in LEGO history to feature figures wearing sunscreen; and

(4) calls on LEGO to support 'LEGO Surf Rescue', and to approve the project to become an official LEGO set.

(Notice given 14 August 2017.)

Time allotted—20 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms Rowland—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 WALLACE: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Government's record $200 billion investment in the Australian Defence Force (ADF) capabilities represents a unique opportunity for Australian businesses;

(b) many Australian businesses who first supplied defence materials to the Australian Government go on to export these products overseas; and

(c) Australia ranks thirteenth in the world for defence expenditure, but is only the twentieth largest exporter;

(2) congratulates the Government on its activities to date to encourage local small businesses to bid for Government defence contracts, including the 2016 Defence White Paper, and Integrated Investment Program, the Defence Industry Policy Statement and the Centre for Defence Industry Capability (CDIC);

(3) welcomes the Government's efforts to develop a Defence Export Strategy to plan, guide and measure defence export outcomes that will support our foreign and trade policies, defence industry, defence capability and national security objectives; and

(4) encourages small and medium enterprises all over Australia to explore the opportunity to supply products and services for the ADF, and to contact the CDIC to learn more.

(Notice given 15 August 2017.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Wallace—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.

8 MS MCGOWAN: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) regional universities:

(i) play an active role in developing regional economies and contributing to the social and cultural development of their regions; and

(ii) act as an anchor for investment and workforce development;

(b) education is a major driver of economic development in regional Australia and should not be seen in isolation from other regional economic development issues;

(c) one of the biggest threats to the sustainability of rural communities is a declining population of young people;

(d) regional universities will educate the future regional workforce;

(e) students who study in regional areas are more likely to stay in regional areas after they graduate;

(f) the Regional Universities Network reports about three-quarters of those who study at regional universities stay in the regions to work and, by contrast, students who leave their communities to take up university studies in major cities are much less likely to return after graduating; and

(g) the measures in the Government's Higher Education Reform Package do not adequately consider the role of regional universities in educating the future workforce in regional communities and driving regional development; and

(2) calls on the Government to develop a National Regional Higher Education Strategy that:

(a) considers the role of regional universities in educating the future workforce in regional communities and driving regional development; and

(b) ensures regional higher education is prioritised and remains a focus of future governments.

(Notice given 5September 2017.)

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 = 6 x 5 mins]

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