I've seen this firsthand. My nearly-30-year-old son Harry returned to uni as a mature-age student to do a full-time primary teaching degree and faces this a multiple times a year. He loves the prac experience but he doesn't love what it does to his already-tight student budget. It means sacrificing regular weekday work and if you already rely on weekend work as part of your income then there's no time to pick up extra hours. Students tell me that it's often parents who provide assistance during these times so that they can pay their rent and eat. But not every student has that option, so I am urging for paid placements. As the recent report from the Universities Accord said, this is one of the things we need to do to help students with the cost of living and to help people from poorer backgrounds to get through uni and not quit simply because they can't afford to do their compulsory placements. It's one of many changes that I'll be urging for so that we give students a quality tertiary education.
]]>Endo is a progressive chronic condition that starts at puberty and can continue beyond menopause. On average, it takes seven years to be diagnosed and treated for endometriosis. Women are told that heavy periods are normal and that the extreme pain they are enduring is just part of being a woman. This process has left many distressed, frustrated and, sadly, has caused some women to lose trust in our healthcare system. Research has also shown that one in nine Australian women suffer endo, while one in two experience pelvic pain and that half of those women don't discuss the symptoms with a doctor. That's why I'm proud to be part of a government that's taking action so that endometriosis sufferers don't have to tough it out alone.
At the start of this month, I welcomed the Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney, to the Blue Mountains to mark International Women's Day with a health forum. We put gender bias in our healthcare system under the microscope. We were joined by women of all ages from across the electorate, including the Blue Mountains Women's Health & Resource Centre, to hear firsthand from women about their experiences accessing the support that they need for endo and many other conditions. I'm thankful to the many women who took the time to share their deeply personal stories, including on the debilitating and often silent impact of endometriosis. I know that being part of this government means we'll continue to work towards ensuring practical steps to combat medical misogyny and to better support women through their journey to diagnosis and treatment.
When it comes to battling endo, in its last budget the Albanese government included a $58.3 million package which covered a Medicare MRI item for investigating infertility related to endometriosis, the development of an endometriosis management plan and the establishment of 22 dedicated endometriosis and pelvic pain clinics across the country. I'm very pleased that we now have one of these officially open in Western Sydney. It opened just three weeks ago at the Rouse Hill Town Medical & Dental Centre. Last week, I caught up with Simon Taylor-Cross and Dr Sneha Wadhwani, who is the Evoca Women's Health clinical director at Rouse Hill, to talk more about the clinic and what they've seen in the first few weeks of operation. While the clinic is in its early days, they've welcomed women from right across Western Sydney, including from the hills of the Hawkesbury. They've all gone there to meet with a team of people with expertise and knowledge. They're seeing women at different stages of their journey, with some in their early teens through to women in their mid-50s. Some are women who've had disappointing medical experiences previously and some have had surgery, while for others it has been their first serious discussion about endo. I'm so grateful that they will get a good start to that journey.
What's key at these clinics is the multidisciplinary approach, with nurse practitioners, GPs specialising in endo and pelvic pain, physios and other allied health professionals all geared to a holistic response. I'm sure for many women this will have been the first time in their lives that someone has listened to them explain their experience with debilitating pain from endo and believed them.
It was heartening to hear the clinic's unwavering commitment to delivering sensitive, understanding and transparent care for patients from the beginning, with every single staff member having had specialist training by the Pelvic Pain Foundation Australia. I hope this will be a place where women get the best experience in this terrible condition.
]]>Kara is taking part in the Parliament Shop National Showcase, which is the new program to help promote Australian made products from across the country in our own Parliament House shop. It's a collaboration with parliamentarians, and, like so many others, I've shared the invitation to take part with small businesses in my electorate. I'm delighted that her work will be shared by the scores of people who finish a visit to the parliament via the shop, and I'll be urging all my parliamentary colleagues to go and check out the New South Wales showcase for themselves. I look forward to other Macquarie creatives being part of this program when New South Wales is showcased next in September.
I'd like to share with the parliament the achievements of one of the recipients of the medal of the Order of Australia, Paul Rogers, who lives in the Hawkesbury. It's particularly pertinent this week because Paul is a committed Rotarian, and most of my dealings with him have been either in his capacity as secretary or president of the Rotary Club of Kurrajong North Richmond and then as assistant governor of Rotary District 9685. Just this weekend, Paul texted me a photo of inbound district exchange students at the district conference, who I'm lucky enough to be hosting in the parliament later this week. As a former Rotary exchange student, I can't wait to hear about their year so far in Australia.
Paul's work for Rotary—and also supporting bushfire and flood victims, problem-solving community issues and fundraising for local causes—has been core to the community contribution that I've seen him make in the many years that I've known him. But of course, when you receive an OAM, we get to fill in a lot of gaps from the past, like his role at the Parramatta Community Justice Clinic, his position as a Hawkesbury councillor in the 1990s, his volunteer roles at Hawkesbury Hospital, his directorship of our local Bendigo Bank, his membership of the Hawkesbury catchment management trust and his Scouting commitments. Like so many who receive these awards, it's based not just on one contribution to our community but on a multitude over very many years. There is much more that Paul has done, and it's an absolute delight to be able to acknowledge in this place his contribution to the Hawkesbury and wider community.
]]>In its submission to the ACCC inquiry, Choice has argued the two main supermarket chains routinely manipulate prices to the detriment of customers. It says the 'complex pricing methodologies lack both transparency and accountability'. We know that Choice is firmly on the shopper's side, and we're providing Choice with a million dollars so they can give price transparency and comparison reports on a quarterly basis for the next three years. This will start from this current quarter and will provide shoppers with increased transparency, comparing a basket of goods at various retailers to help Australians be really informed about where they shop.
There's no question that you see higher profit levels for supermarkets in Australia than you do for supermarkets in many other countries. That market power is an issue for both suppliers and consumers. That's why we're talking about better prices. We want to make sure that if prices are dropping at the farm gate they're also dropping at the checkout and that there's a clear flow through for customers. If farmers aren't getting as much for their products, consumers shouldn't be paying as much for those very same products.
The ACCC inquiry will examine the competitiveness of retail prices for everyday groceries. The 12-month inquiry will look at the current structure of the supermarket industry at the supply, wholesale and retail levels. It'll consider competition in the industry and how it's changed since 2008, including the growth of online shopping, and the competitiveness of small and independent retailers, including in regional and remote areas. The pricing practices of supermarkets and factors impacting competition and influencing prices along the supply chain, including the difference between farm gate and supermarket prices, will be looked at as well. The ACCC released their issues paper last month, and submissions to the inquiry and a consumer survey are now open. I'd encourage people to have their say.
Dr Craig Emerson, former competition minister, is also reviewing the food and grocery code, which regulates business dealings between farmers, suppliers, wholesalers and supermarkets and addresses harmful practices in the grocery sector that stem from that imbalance of bargaining power—the big guys versus the little guys. The review will test whether the code is effectively contributing to the food and grocery industry as intended, including whether the code should be mandatory rather than voluntary and whether it should have appropriate penalties.
We also have the benefit of the inquiry into price gouging and unfair pricing practices the ACTU commissioned, which found that corporate profits have added significantly to inflation, that many businesses are resorting to dodgy price practices and that a range of sectors are insufficiently competitive or regulated, leading to poor consumer outcomes and higher prices. The report will be considered as part of the ACCC inquiry, and I congratulate the ACTU on shining a light on pricing practices that rip off customers.
In the meantime, I'd really urge shoppers in my community to look to local growers, either at the growers' market, where you know that the price you pay is going directly to the producer, or the longstanding businesses like Sciberras, Todarellos and IGAs, who are part of their local communities. And of course Aldi is accessible in some parts of the electorate. Depending on your commute, it might be easy to swing by Riverview Produce at Agnes Banks, Enniskillen Orchard or the Local Farm Shop in Windsor Mall, one of the newer entrants. I've always urged people to shop local in the mountains and at Hawkesbury, and new shops like Sangkap International Grocer in Springwood and Hartleys Fruit and Vegetable Specialty Grocer in Richmond are a great reminder to try your local shops first. That also means buying products that are made locally, whether it's our local wines, beers and gins or Kurrajong Kitchen Lavosh. Our region's a source of great local produce and goods, and you know what you're spending is going right back into your community.
]]>One such petition relates to prescription requirements for vapes and was signed by more than 28,000 people. Some of the other subjects included this week are the conflict in the Middle East, assistance for people with lipoedema, various visa matters and child support legislation.
I look forward to updating the House further on the work of the Petitions Committee.
]]>The document read as follows—
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 23
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
18 March 2024
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair Ms Susan Templeman MP
Deputy Chair Mr Ross Vasta MP
Mr Sam Birrell MP
Ms Alison Byrnes MP
Ms Lisa Chesters MP
Mr Garth Hamilton MP
Ms Tracey Roberts MP
Ms Meryl Swanson MP
This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives
Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session in the 47th Parliament on 07 February 2024, 14 February 2024 and 28 February 2024.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 41 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 07 February 2024
From 58 petitioners—regarding access to the NDIS for people with ADHD (EN5855)
From 520 petitioners—requesting a review of processing times for Business Innovation and Investment (Provisional) visa (subclass 188) applications (EN5856)
From 7 petitioners—requesting that any funding of the Environmental Defenders Office be ceased (EN5857)
From 25 petitioners—requesting that approvals for new coal and gas projects be halted (EN5858)
From 2 petitioners—regarding income tax thresholds (EN5860)
From 2 petitioners—regarding the Medicare levy (EN5861)
From 19 petitioners—requesting cuts to foreign aid (EN5862)
From 3 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5867)
From 14 petitioners—requesting the creation of accessible women's health clinics (EN5869)
From 43 petitioners—regarding the World Health Organisation's new amendments to the International Health Regulations (EN5871)
From 9 petitioners—requesting the establishment of a peace-seeking department and a Minister for Peace (EN5874)
From 52 petitioners—regarding the proposed World Health Organisation pandemic preparedness treaty (EN5878)
From 10 petitioners—requesting that funding to public broadcasters be ceased (EN5879)
From 4 petitioners—regarding the Medicare levy (EN5880)
From 10 petitioners—requesting that the fuel excise be removed (EN5881)
From 6 petitioners—regarding foreign ownership and investment in businesses that operate in Australia (EN5883)
From 22 petitioners—requesting the removal of benefits for former prime ministers (EN5884)
From 14 petitioners—requesting changes to Australia Day (EN5885)
From 22 petitioners—regarding mobile coverage in Melonba, NSW (EN5886)
From 883 petitioners—requesting that lipoedema be recognised by Medicare (EN5889)
From 468 petitioners—requesting that Australia support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and recognise a Palestinian state (EN5890)
From 4 petitioners—requesting that taxation be removed for recipients of the Defence Force Retirement and Death Benefits Scheme (EN5891)
From 3831 petitioners—requesting that the Australian government revoke the cancellation of George Varghese's visa (EN5893)
From 152 petitioners—regarding regulations in connection with vaping (EN5894)
From 406 petitioners—requesting an update and expansion of the Centenary of Women's Suffrage Commemorative Fountain (EN5895)
From 10 petitioners—requesting federal funding for Surf Life Saving Australia (EN5897)
From 5 petitioners—requesting a moratorium on capital gains tax for investment properties (EN5898)
From 3564 petitioners—requesting the reinstatement of Australian funding to UNRWA (EN5899)
From 68 petitioners—requesting Australian funding to UNRWA be ceased (EN5901)
From 13 petitioners—requesting a review of rejected Regional Sponsored Migration Scheme visa (subclass 187) applications from the period of December 2017 to March 2018 (EN5904)
From 28679 petitioners—requesting that the House repeal and review parts of the Public Health (Tobacco and Other Products) Act 2023 relating to prescription vapes (EN5905)
From 1144 petitioners—requesting a review of processing times for Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (subclass 491) applications (EN5906)
From 42 petitioners—requesting cancellation of the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine pathway (EN5907)
From 9 petitioners—regarding joining fees for services or benefits (EN5908)
From 693 petitioners—requesting a review of child support legislation (EN5915)
From 5338 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into the granting of a visa to an Australian resident who is allegedly linked to a thallium poisoning case in China (EN5916)
Petitions certified on 14 February 2024
From 6 petitioners—requesting a review of the Contributory Parent visa application process (EN5920)
From 83 petitioners—requesting financial assistance for Australians impacted by the conflict in Gaza (EN5922)
From 390 petitioners—requesting a reduction in the cost of medicinal cannabis (EN5923)
From 8 petitioners—regarding education about evolution (EN5924)
From 178 petitioners—requesting support for the Innovation Youth Centre (EN5926)
2. The following 28 ministerial responses to petitions were received.
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 28 February 2024
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding COVID-19 travel exemptions for the family of Australian temporary residents (EN3869)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the inclusion of Bridging B (subclass 020) visas on the list of eligible visa holders who can travel freely without the need for an exemption from the COVID-19 travel bans to enter Australia (EN3927)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding eligibility for the Temporary Graduate (subclass 485) visa (EN3943)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding reform of the visa process with realistic timeframes (EN4200)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the designated regional areas in which Skilled Regional (Provisional) (subclass 489) visa holders must live, work and study (EN4256)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding solar feed-in tariffs (EN4301)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting amendments to the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa (EN4536)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding protests in Iran (EN4544)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting amendments to the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa (EN4569)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding low skill temporary migration for Bangladeshi agricultural and cleaning workers (EN4579)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding study and work rights equity for asylum seekers (EN4612)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding language testing for Australian education and training standards (EN4987)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition requesting withdrawal from the AUKUS nuclear submarine agreement (EN5246)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the development of a fusion energy industry in Australia (EN5360)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the development of nuclear fusion in Australia (EN5361)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the use of nuclear fusion energy in Australia (EN5365)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding nuclear fusion energy in Australia (EN5366)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding investment in nuclear fusion development in Australia (EN5367)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding visa options for parents of Australian citizen children under 18 to stay in Australia permanently (EN5447)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing of Skilled Independent visas (subclass 189) and Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190) (EN5459)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the processing of Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190) (EN5466)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding the Government's response to the Senate Inquiry into human rights implications of recent violence in Iran (EN5467)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Defence Personnel to a petition requesting the introduction of an extension provision in appealing matters to the Veterans' Review Board (EN5468)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing times for the Subclass 191 Permanent Residence (Skilled Regional) visa in the provisional stream (EN5497)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the facilitation of a meeting and engagement with Reza Pahlavi (EN5506)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing of Skilled Nominated visas (subclass 190) (EN5545)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the rejection of the World Health Organisation's new amendments to the International Health Regulations (EN5566)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Mr Peter Joseph Hodgson's request for ministerial intervention (PN0572)
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
]]>Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance with standing order 39(e).
by leave—The House of Representatives Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs conducted an inquiry into the Administrative Review Tribunal Bill 2023, the ART bill, and the Administrative Review Tribunal (Consequential and Transitional Provisions No.1) Bill 2023, the consequential bill, at the request of the Attorney-General. The committee scrutinised the bills to ensure they achieve the government's policy objectives and do not have unintended consequences. The bills are intended to, among other things, provide for a mechanism of review that is fair and just, timely, informal, inexpensive, accessible and responsive, that improves the transparency and quality of government decision-making and that improves public trust and confidence in the tribunal.
The bills re-establish the Administrative Review Council, retain the jurisdiction of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, the AAT, and make essential modifications to the operation of the merits review framework. They promote consistency and simplicity by repealing special arrangements that overlap, duplicate or unnecessarily displace core provisions of the ART bill. The bills would implement all three recommendations of the Senate Standing Committees on Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee's inquiry into the performance and integrity of Australia's administrative review system. There are four recommendations of the royal commission into the robodebt scheme and two recommendations of the rapid review into the exploitation of Australia's visa system.
It's clear the AAT has lost the confidence of the Australian public, and there is broad support for establishing the new administrative review regime with the bill's stated objectives. The proposed reforms create a new tribunal—the Administrative Review Tribunal. That would be a self-correcting system, with several backstops to ensure that government and ART decisions are made correctly and transparently, that defective decision-making by government can be held to account and that systemic issues will be escalated and responded to effectively. These features include the ART, which will be independent from government and will monitor and support the integrity of the administrative review system. The new Tribunal Advisory Committee and the guidance and appeals panel will review the operation of the ART, respond to emergency issues and help ensure correct and consistent decisions are made. The new code of conduct and performance standard requirements, stronger reporting obligations and a requirement for professional development for members and staff further support the bill's objectives.
Some concerns were raised that there will no longer be an automatic second-tier review for social security and family assistance matters as the AAT currently provides. The committee is satisfied the best elements of first- and second-tier review have been incorporated into the design of the art and the systemic issues will be escalated. The new model of review will be accessible to allow people to resolve their matters as quickly as possible without unnecessary formality. The guidance and appeals panel will then provide a critical safeguard to deal with material errors of law and fact. That said, the committee encourages the government to continue to engage with stakeholders and work through their concerns in relation to the proposed changes to the existing two-tier merits review structure for social security and family assistance decisions.
Several submitters suggested the ART bill should require the use of a selection panel in the appointments process for ART members. While that is not strictly necessary, because the government has indicated that such matters can and will be provided for by legally binding regulations, the committee encourages the government to give further consideration to adopting that suggestion. The provision of legal aid, particularly to vulnerable applicants, will be important to the ART's success in meeting its policy objectives. The committee is aware the legal services that assist applicants to the AAT may have limited capacity to support any further demand generated by the transition from the AAT to the ART. The committee strongly supports the government acting on the findings of the upcoming review of the National Legal Assistance Partnership.
While noting the proposed new administrative arrangements for migration and protection matters do not go as far as many would like, the committee is of the view that the consequential bill meets the intended policy objectives of streamlining the administrative appeals process while maintaining the currents principles of administrative review. Together with other measures announced by the government, the arrangements in the bill will help address the crippling delays in the Migration and Refugee Division of the AAT. Those delays are motivating bad actors to take advantage by lodging increasing numbers of non-genuine applications for protection, and this comes at a cost to people in genuine need of protection and to the broader Australian community. The committee recommends that both bills pass the House and encourages the Senate Legal and Constitutional Affairs Legislation Committee to give further consideration to the matters raised by submitters and in this report as part of its inquiry.
I'd like to thank my committee members for their diligence in attending to this inquiry and to all those who contributed their time and expertise by preparing quality submissions during December 2023 and January 2024.
]]>More than 28,000 Palestinians have been killed, the vast majority of them women and children. There are now around 1½ million people in the southern district of Rafah, people who are reported to be thirsty, cold and hungry—many wounded. With disease spreading, many are no doubt exhausted and traumatised. They crowded into schools, hospitals, mosques and tents. Yet we are told Rafah is Israel's next offensive. Our aid is struggling to get in, with the World Health Organization warning that there are near-insurmountable challenges. It is a humanitarian crisis.
I think most of us struggle to comprehend why this is happening and we want it to end. It's the last thing many Australians see before they go to sleep and it's there in their social media feeds when they switch on in the morning. Is it any wonder the levels of distress at home are so high? For many, it has raised issues about which they knew little—issues about decisions made more than 75 years ago, about the Occupied Palestinian Territories, Gaza and the West Bank, about decades of illegal settlements and about the increasing violence in the West Bank. These are things people have not had the opportunity to see firsthand, as I did seven years ago. But I know that many elected representatives on all sides of this parliament have been to Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories and are well aware of the complexities and of the urgency of reaching peace in this region. That's why I'm profoundly disappointed by the way the distress of good and compassionate people across our communities is being manipulated and their grief weaponised to create greater division here in Australia.
At our national conference last year I remarked that, as tensions continued to escalate and more lives on both sides were lost, I couldn't imagine there was a single person in that convention room who would want anything other than for us to work together towards a just and enduring peace. I would hope there is not a single person in this parliament who doesn't also want to see a just and enduring peace for Palestinians and Israelis. We've called out the obstacles to this on both sides and we've said consistently that there can be no enduring Israeli presence in Gaza after this conflict and no reduction of territory. We support the Palestinian aspiration for statehood as part of a negotiated settlement, and I personally have spoken of my desire to see that sooner rather than later.
Rather than seek to divide and attack people who for decades have advocated for a two-state solution for Palestinians and Israelis for the sake of some likes on social media and to pick off votes, I especially urge the Greens to resist the instinct to fuel the conflicts, spread misinformation and set one side against the other. Instead, work with us on what we can do as a respected player in the Middle East. We may not have the role that we have with our closer Pacific and South-East Asian neighbours, but Australia has long had a commitment to playing whatever role we can in a two-state solution. I urge the opposition and Greens not to continue to peddle errors. For instance, Australia has not provided weapons to Israel since the conflict began, nor for the last five years. Contrary to the claims of the opposition leader, our legal advice is that our funding of UNRWA is entirely within the law. We hold firm with the view that UNRWA is the only aid organisation that can effectively deliver large-scale aid into Gaza. We welcome their swift response to allegations against their staff, and the independent review that is currently underway.
Research out of Britain shows that, when conflict is portrayed as a simplistic, two-sided thing, people can feel forced to take a side and that social media portrayal gives licence to a small but vocal fringe of conflict entrepreneurs and extremists to use the conflict as an opportunity to sow discord and hate. Don't let this continue in Australia. Set aside the politics, for the good of our fellow Australians. Help to rein in the Islamophobia and antisemitism and work with us for a two-state solution.
]]>The report read as follows—
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PETITIONS COMMITTEE
REPORT No. 20
Petitions and Ministerial Responses
12 February 2024
MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE
Chair Ms Susan Templeman MP
Deputy Chair Mr Ross Vasta MP
Mr Sam Birrell MP
Ms Alison Byrnes MP
Ms Lisa Chesters MP
Mr Garth Hamilton MP
Ms Tracey Roberts MP
Ms Meryl Swanson MP
This committee is supported by staff of the Department of the House of Representatives
Report summarising the petitions and ministerial responses being presented.
The committee met in private session in the 47th Parliament on 15 November 2023, 29 November 2023, 18 January 2024 and 7 February 2024.
1. The committee resolved to present the following 90 petitions in accordance with standing order 207:
Petitions certified on 15 November 2023
From 16 petitioners—requesting the removal of barriers to industrial action from the Fair Work Act 2009 (EN5565)
From 355 petitioners—requesting the rejection of the World Health Organisation's new amendments to the International Health Regulations (EN5566)
From 43 petitioners—requesting that proposals to develop marine zones of the Illawarra into industrial zones be rejected (EN5568)
From 13 petitioners—regarding the development of a plasma fusion energy industry in Australia (EN5571)
From 78 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into journalistic practices at the ABC (EN5572)
From 23 petitioners—requesting legislation that would require the AEC to not publish demonstrably false information (EN5573)
From 32 petitioners—regarding Indigenous representation in Parliament
(EN5574)
From 10 petitioners—regarding the publication of electoral results prior to the closing of polling places (EN5575)
From 11 petitioners—requesting the integration of political education into the curriculum (EN5576)
From 81 petitioners—regarding the conflict in Gaza and requesting an inquiry into alleged human rights violations (EN5578)
From 22 petitioners—requesting a Royal Commission into all deaths of Indigenous peoples in rural and remote communities (EN5579)
From 51 petitioners—requesting the removal of the 10% GST on residential electricity (EN5580)
From 29 petitioners—requesting the introduction of a corporate windfall tax
(EN5581)
From 262 petitioners—regarding formal treaty negotiations with First Nations representatives (EN5582)
From 45 petitioners—regarding the processing of visas for Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian applicants (EN5583)
From 24 petitioners—requesting that NAPLAN be cancelled (EN5584)
From 11 petitioners—requesting the reform of public interest immunity as it relates to commercial government decisions (EN5587)
From 63 petitioners—regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza (EN5590)
From 53 petitioners—regarding Israel Defence Force actions in Gaza
(EN5591)
From 1523 petitioners—requesting changes to the Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) visa (EN5594)
From 5 petitioners—requesting an overhaul to the legal frameworks and conventions concerning nuclear technology (EN5595)
From 4 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5596)
From 61 petitioners—regarding physical banking locations and a cashless society (EN5599)
From 32 petitioners—requesting support for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict (EN5600)
From 69 petitioners—requesting support for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict (EN5601)
From 263 petitioners—requesting the condemnation of Israeli aggression in occupied Palestine (EN5603)
From 38 petitioners—requesting that non-citizens and non-permanent residents receive equal access to healthcare (EN5604)
From 15 petitioners—requesting that seatbelts be mandated in buses Australia-wide (EN5606)
From 89 petitioners—requesting that lies in political advertising campaigns be outlawed (EN5609)
From 39 petitioners—regarding the resettlement of Palestinian orphans in Australia (EN5611)
From 2848 petitioners—requesting support for a targeted national skin check program (EN5615)
From 5 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5619)
From 3 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5620)
From 185795 petitioners—requesting support for a ceasefire in the Israel- Hamas conflict (EN5622)
From 3 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5623)
From 8 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5624)
From 79 petitioners—requesting the closure of the Israeli Embassy (EN5625)
From 44 petitioners—requesting that Australia support future proposals for humanitarian pauses in Gaza (EN5626)
From 10618 petitioners—requesting additional Paid Parental Leave entitlements for families with babies in specialised care (EN5627)
From 33118 petitioners—requesting support for a ceasefire in Gaza and the withdrawal of Australian support for the Israeli government (EN5628)
From 170 petitioners—requesting the return of the Australian Ambassador to Kyiv, Ukraine (EN5629)
From 16 petitioners—requesting a moratorium on any Australian military interventions in the Middle East (EN5630)
From 379 petitioners—regarding human right concerns and Australia's development partnership with Sri Lanka (EN5631)
From 255 petitioners—requesting support for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict (EN5632)
From 64 petitioners—requesting that Australia make representations to the International Criminal Court regarding Israeli and Hamas actions (EN5633)
From 483 petitioners—regarding the introduction of a National War Widows Day (EN5634)
From 18390 petitioners—requesting that the Prime Minister advise the Governor-General to call an early election (EN5636)
From 2049 petitioners—requesting support for an urgent ceasefire in Gaza and the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador (EN5639)
From 1552 petitioners—requesting that it be made illegal for businesses to not accept cash (EN5640)
From 184 petitioners—regarding religious tax exemptions (EN5643)
From 2068 petitioners—requesting a Royal Commission into Australia's immigration detention regime (EN5644)
From 15 petitioners—requesting that any legislation regarding a prominence framework for connected television devices be rejected (EN5646)
From 136 petitioners—regarding European emission standards for Australian vehicles (EN5647)
From 91 petitioners—requesting the upgrade of Melbourne-Sydney rail infrastructure (EN5648)
From 136 petitioners—requesting the redirection of subsidies for road transport toward the revitalisation of rail infrastructure (EN5653)
From 7663 petitioners—regarding support for a ceasefire in all world conflicts (EN5654)
From 1098 petitioners—regarding applications for permanent residency for Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa holders (EN5655)
Petitions certified on 29 November 2023
From 35 petitioners—requesting support for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza (EN5657)
From 3 petitioners—requesting amendment to the First Home Super Saver Scheme (EN5658)
From 20 petitioners—requesting the appointment of a federal Minister for Disability (EN5659)
From 3 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5664)
From 54 petitioners—regarding a ceasefire and humanitarian assistance in Gaza (EN5665)
From 1 petitioner—requesting that Australians who reside overseas be able to vote in Australian elections (EN5666)
From 180 petitioners—requesting that any ongoing solar radiation management and geoengineering activities cease (EN5667)
From 8 petitioners—requesting the Government sign the Intergovernmental Declaration on Children, Youth and Climate Action (EN5668)
From 105 petitioners—regarding pathways to permanent residency under the Skilled Employer Sponsored Regional (Provisional) visa (EN5672)
From 3903 petitioners—requesting the removal of GST on exercise physiology services (EN5674)
From 2 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5675)
From 5 petitioners—regarding closures of private maternity units across Australia (EN5676)
From 29 petitioners—regarding a cut to the fuel excise for a 12-month period (EN5678)
From 29 petitioners—requesting a Royal Commission into Centrelink's conduct when dealing with pensioners (EN5679)
From 3794 petitioners—requesting a moratorium on all renewable energy projects and infrastructure (EN5680)
From 28 petitioners—regarding the myGovID app replacing myGov for the ATO website (EN5681)
From 1 petitioner—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5683)
From 97 petitioners—requesting the recognition of a Palestinian state (EN5685)
From 28 petitioners—requesting the official recognition of the Armenian genocide (EN5686)
From 80 petitioners—requesting that whistle-blower protections be strengthened (EN5691)
From 832 petitioners—requesting support of a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza conflict (EN5694)
From 59 petitioners—regarding permanent residency pathways for essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic (EN5695)
From 165 petitioners—requesting that all MRI referrals from GPs be made bulk billable (EN5699)
From 165 petitioners—requesting the removal of GST from exercise physiology services (EN5701)
From 250 petitioners—regarding the conflict Gaza (EN5704)
From 12 petitioners—requesting the development of a nuclear fusion industry in Australia (EN5705)
From 18 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into misuse of microphone access by digital companies and applications (EN5706)
From 48 petitioners—requesting legislation to prevent the misuse of materials by artificial intelligence (EN5707)
Petitions certified on 18 January 2024
From 235 petitioners—requesting an investigation into the Anindilyakwa Land Council (PN0579)
From 63 petitioners—regarding the visa reinstatement of a long-term Australian resident (PN0587)
From 143 petitioners—requesting an audit of the Laura Johnson Home (PN0588)
Petitions certified on 7 February 2024
From 642 petitioners—requesting improved mobile phone coverage to the local area of Texas, Queensland, and surrounding suburbs (PN0589)
From 12872 petitioners—requesting an inquiry into the involvement of Australian citizens in IDF operations (PN0591)
2. The following 108 ministerial responses to petitions were received.
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 18 January 2024
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding partner visas (EN4109)
From the Treasurer to a petition regarding reinstating JobKeeper for individuals receiving the Disaster Recovery Allowance (EN4125)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding delayed processing times of Bridging B visa applications (EN4177)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the processing of Skilled Regional visas (EN4271)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the New Skilled Visas (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2019 (EN4400)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding parent visas (EN4419)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding government services eligibility and residential property acquisition for Skilled Work Regional visa holders (EN4433)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Skilled Work Regional visa holders' placements in regional areas (EN4448)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition requesting that political asylum be granted to Chinese students currently in Australia (EN4660)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water to a petition regarding the proposed Chalumbin Wind Farm development (EN4675)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding Refugee and Humanitarian (Class XB) visa applications (EN4685)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the restriction of access for vaccinated people to Australia who do not have health insurance (EN4799)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the Turkish Family Scheme visa (EN4824)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the work hours of student visa holders (EN4842)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding a permanent residency pathway for family members on long-term bridging visas (EN4857)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding new policies to expand battery infrastructure for households (EN4917)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding protected identity for veterans and their families (EN4991)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the use of low emission coal power and gas to meet energy demands (EN4992)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding processing times for Business Innovation and Investment visas (EN4999)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding visa pathways for parents of Australian citizens and permanent residents (EN5001)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting that the proposal for a windfarm off the coast of Newcastle and Port Stephens be scrapped (EN5004)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding issues experienced by users attempting to access the ImmiAccount system (EN5034)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition requesting a ban on the purchase of nuclear-powered vessels including submarines (EN5066)
From the Treasurer to a petition regarding a proposed inquiry into cost of living and inflationary pressures (EN5068)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding defence posture in Northern Australia (EN5088)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding a deportation decision made under section 198 of the Migration Act 1958 (EN5096)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding Australia's acquisition of conventionally armed, nuclear-powered submarines (EN5099)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the removal of the radio broadcast royalty caps (EN5134)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting a ban on online access to adult content for individuals under the age of 18 (EN5139)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition regarding the responsibility of the banking sector to address scams (EN5156)
From the Minister for Indigenous Australians to a petition requesting an inquiry into First Nations funding and the associated results of this spending (EN5182)
From the Treasurer to a petition requesting a referendum to unify Australia and New Zealand under one currency treaty (EN5222)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding the charging of electric vehicles (EN5227)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding misuse of designated disability parking bays (EN5243)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting that trauma-informed police training and exams be mandated in recruitment processes (EN5250)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the designation of the Russian Imperial Movement as a terrorist organisation (EN5260)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition requesting the ACCC take action to address issues with online queue systems for popular events (EN5262)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding student work hours, workforce shortages, financial constraints and employee exploitation (EN5263)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition regarding the rights of citizens to repair their own goods without hinderance from companies (EN5278)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding military assistance to Ukraine (EN5279)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding permanent residence pathways for Temporary Graduate visa holders (EN5284)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding delayed processing times for the offshore partner visa SC309 (EN5288)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting an increase in the number of physiotherapy sessions available to people with chronic conditions through Medicare (EN5302)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition regarding the rate of pay and working conditions for Disability Employment Services' consultants (EN5304)
From the Minister for Housing to a petition regarding government collaboration on regulation of short-term rentals (EN5307)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting a referendum to enshrine freedom of speech in the Constitution (EN5318)
From the Minister for Defence to a petition regarding military assistance to Ukraine (EN5319)
From the Minister for Indigenous Australians to a petition regarding a detailed financial analysis of taxpayer-funded Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander programs (EN5324)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the extension of the Defence Reparation Scheme (EN5328)
From the Assistant Treasurer to a petition regarding access to financial services (EN5329)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the 14 October 2023 Referendum on an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice (EN5331)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting that the proposal of a wind farm off the coast of Newcastle and Port Stephens be halted (EN5332)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting the cessation of further progress on the proposed Port Stephens offshore wind zone (EN5334)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to petitions regarding human rights in India (EN5372, EN5392)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) access to antiviral treatments for long COVID-19 (EN5373)
From the Minister for Skills and Training to a petition regarding the timeliness of VETASSESS' skills assessment services (EN5377)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the subsidy of i-Port injection devices (EN5378)
From the Minister for Veterans' Affairs to a petition regarding a possible unfair decision under the Veterans' Entitlement Act (EN5380)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding a change to food regulations to fortify foods with folate instead of folic acid (EN5381)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the incorporation of a Bill of Rights into the Constitution (EN5383)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the independent inquiry into Australia's response to the COVID-19 pandemic (EN5385)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding proposals to establish an offshore wind zone off the coast of Port MacDonnell, South Australia (EN5394)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the creation of Pacific Island cultural hubs (EN5395)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition regarding the provision of menstrual leave (EN5396)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition requesting the closure of the Russian Consulate-General in Sydney (EN5399)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting the cancellation of the proposed Illawarra offshore wind farm (EN5402)
From the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to a petition regarding the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZIC) categories for workers' compensation schemes (EN5403)
From the Speaker to a petition regarding lobbyists' access to Parliament House (EN5411)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting constitutional protections for the right to freedom of speech (EN5429)
From the Minister for Communications to a petition requesting a ban on explicit content (EN5435)
From the Minister for Housing to a petition requesting a Royal Commission into the housing and rental crisis (EN5440)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding offshore wind turbine developments in the Illawarra and Greater Newcastle regions (EN5442)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition regarding plans to approve wind turbines being developed off the Illawarra coast (EN5444)
From the Attorney-General to a petition requesting the legalisation of the death penalty for persons convicted of child sexual abuse (EN5445)
From the Minister for Early Childhood Education to a petition regarding discrimination in early childhood education and care against children with disabilities and complex medical needs (EN5446)
From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting an increase to the Assistance for Isolated Children (AIC) Scheme's Basic Boarding Allowance (EN5455)
From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition requesting that the Paid Parental Leave scheme be amended from 20 weeks to one year (EN5473)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding Mr Julian Assange and targeted sanctions on the UK and the US (EN5493)
From the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to a petition requesting an investigation into the live export trade (EN5496)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting an increase to the Medicare Benefits rebate to allow GPs to bulk bill for every patient (EN5528)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy to a petition requesting the separation of nuclear fusion and nuclear fission in legislation (EN5544)
From the Minister the National Disability Insurance Scheme to a petition requesting the consideration of an additional budget component for First Nations participants of the NDIS (EN5549)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding the Temporary Protection visa and the Safe Haven Enterprise visa (PN0554)
From the Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs to a petition regarding refugee and asylum seeker policies (PN0563)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the re- examination of the changes to the access arrangements for opioid dependence treatment (PN0571)
Ministerial responses received by the Committee on 7 February 2024
From the Treasurer to a petition regarding the listed price for the selling of goods or services (EN4838)
From the Treasurer to a petition regarding a ban on financial sector directors and executives in certain circumstances (EN4951)
From the Treasurer to a petition requesting a 'Mercy Amendment' to the
Corporations Act 2001 (EN5140)
From the Minister for the Environment and Water requesting the establishment of a National Wildlife Patrol Service to prevent the illegal shooting of wildlife (EN5408)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the 14 October 2023 referendum (EN5419)
From the Attorney-General to a petition regarding the contribution of settlers to the development of Australia (EN5427)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting additional flights from reputable airlines under Australia's bilateral air services arrangements (EN5453)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting to list Visanne (dienogest) on the PBS for endometriosis (EN5454)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting the Australian Government implement a passenger compensation scheme in the aviation sector (EN5456)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the introduction of a minimum legal age for purchasing caffeinated energy drinks (EN5461)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding Japan's release of Advanced Liquid Processing System-treated water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (EN5462, EN5463)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding an increase to the number of Medicare-subsidised mental health sessions (EN5465)
From the Minister for Climate Change and Energy requesting an inquiry into geoengineering (EN5472)
From the Assistant Minister for Social Services to a petition regarding relationship status considerations in social security payments (EN5477)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government regarding subsidised air travel, service enhancements and expanded accessibility (EN5483)
From the Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence to a petition regarding family, domestic and sexual violence in the Northern Territory (EN5490)
From the Minister for Foreign Affairs to a petition regarding allegations of foreign interference and threats to the Sikh community in Australia (EN5499)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding amendments to the International Health Regulations by the World Health Assembly (EN5509, EN5517)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition regarding the approval of tumour treating fields for use in Australia (EN5518)
From the Minister for Health and Aged Care to a petition requesting the release of weekly COVID-19 death numbers (EN5529)
From the Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government to a petition requesting additional capacity under Australia's bilateral air services arrangements with Qatar (EN5537)
From the Minister for Indigenous Australians to a petition regarding facilities for remote Aboriginal communities (EN5555)
From the Speaker to a petition regarding the prayers read at the commencement of sittings of the House of Representatives (EN5562)
Ms Susan Templeman MP
Chair—Petitions Committee
]]>That sums up the response from the majority of people who've spoken to me about these changes and our decision to give every taxpayer a tax cut in a bit over four months time. For me, this bill is a demonstration of something that I certainly didn't see in the previous government, and that is an ability to really listen, to hear what communities are saying and to then respond in a way that might not have been considered a few short years ago. I was one of many MPs who listened to their community as they shared the experience of being squeezed by the rise in interest rates that started before we came to government and continued fiercely for many months, by the rising prices and—even though wages had started rising and unemployment was historically low—by too little being stretched too far. These were parts of the community who may have missed out on some or much of the cost-of-living relief that we delivered: cheaper child care, expanded paid parental leave, electricity bill relief, cheaper medicines and more Medicare bulk billing, fee-free TAFE, increased rent assistance and boosted income support payments.
The key conversation, the absolute key conversation I had with so many people was the need to provide relief if possible, but not to send their mortgage repayments skyrocketing any further. So this decision, our decision, our tax cuts which deliver more relief to more people in a way that is fiscally responsible and doesn't add to inflationary pressures, is something I'm very proud to be standing here and speaking to. The Labor tax plan means every Australian taxpayer will receive a tax cut this year from 1 July. These new tax cuts provide bigger cuts for middle Australia to help with cost of living, and at the same time they make our tax system fairer. This is a plan for both tax relief and tax reform.
Let's look at some of the ways there will be benefits from these tax cuts. They are good for middle Australia; they are good for women; they are good for young people; they are good for helping with cost-of-living pressures; they are good for labour supply; and they are also good for the economy. When I look at Macquarie, my electorate, every single one of the 67,000 taxpayers in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury will receive a tax cut under Labor's tax plan, with 85 per cent—that's 57,000 people—receiving a bigger tax cut from 1 July than under the old stage 3. The average tax cut is $1,624. That's around $90 million back into the pockets of taxpayers, the pockets of workers, just in my community alone in the Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury. That's just for the first year.
Here are some of the examples: nurses, teachers and truckies are some of the most likely to benefit, with more than 95 per cent of those taxpayers getting a bigger tax cut. Parents, particularly women with young children, will have even more meaningful support to return to work under our changes because of the increase in their take-home pay. Someone on the average wage in Australia—that's around $73,000—will now get a tax cut of more than $1,500 a year. That's around $29 a week, more than double what they were going to get under the old coalition plan. Someone earning $100,000 a year gets a tax cut of around $42 a week, or $2,179 a year. For a family on the average household income, which is around $130,000, with one partner earning $80,000 and the other $50,000, their combined tax cut will be over $2,600, with is about $50 a week and $1,600 more than they would have got under the old plan.
How we achieve it is by a number of steps. From 1 July this year we will reduce the 19 per cent tax rate to 16 per cent. We will reduce the 32.5 per cent tax rate to 30 per cent. We will increase the threshold above which the 37 per cent tax rate applies from $120,000 to $135,000. And we will increase the threshold above which the 45 per cent tax rate applies from $180,000 to $190,000. The 45 per cent threshold is being lifted on 1 July for the first time since Labor was last in office. It didn't go up, it didn't get changed, it wasn't made better. There was no relief in the last nearly 10 years. It's taken Labor to be in government for there to be a change to that top tax rate.
All 13.6 million Australian taxpayers will receive a tax cut from 2024-25 onwards. The tax cuts will also help tackle bracket creep and lower average tax rates for all taxpayers. So our changes deliver a better, more progressive tax system and they address bracket creep more evenly. This whole program is broadly revenue neutral, so it won't be adding inflationary pressure. All of these things mean that there are many, many winners from the changes that we've brought in.
I've mentioned women. All 6.5 million female taxpayers will receive a tax cut. Ninety per cent, or 5.8 million, of female taxpayers will receive a bigger tax cut than under the Morrison plan, an average increase of $707.
I'm really pleased that our tax cuts extend the relief to a group that was probably likely to miss out under the old stage 3 tax cuts. All 1.5 million young Australian taxpayers aged between 18 and 24 will receive a tax cut. The average tax cut will be a bit over $1,000. All 1.6 million taxpayers aged 25 to 29 will receive a tax cut and their average tax cut will be just over $1,500 a year. I also note that students who have been able to take advantage of fee-free TAFE and are studying at TAFE are also workers, many of them, and they will not only get the benefit of fee-free TAFE but these thousands students who are working part-time will also get a tax cut. They are working hard to do better, they are aspiring to do better, and we're supporting them, not just through fee-free TAFE but also through tax cuts.
Now, older Australians don't miss out on this. Older Australians who are paying tax, all 500,000 taxpayers aged between 65 and 69, will receive a tax cut. All 250,000 taxpayers between 70 and 74 will receive a tax cut and all 344,000 taxpayers aged over 75 will receive a tax cut, so these benefits will be felt right across the board.
When I look at some of the professions that I know are heavily represented in the seat of Macquarie, I can see these benefits. Ninety-eight per cent of nursing support and personal care workers will be better off under our tax cuts than under the previous model from the coalition. Ninety-eight per cent primary school teachers are going to be better off, get a greater tax cut. Ninety-seven per cent of secondary school teachers are going to get a bigger tax cut than under the previous government. Ninety-seven per cent of registered nurses, 97 per cent of chefs, 90 per cent of childcare workers, 90 per cent of aged and disability carers, 97 per cent of truck drivers and welfare support workers, all of these groups are going to benefit enormously. It is the sort of thing that is going to go right across my electorate. There will not be a town or village or suburb where the benefit isn't felt and that is great for our local economy.
So, let's get really clear. A person on an average income of around $73,000 is going to see a tax cut of $1,504, $804 more than they were going to receive under Morrison's plan. A person earning $40,000 will get a tax cut of $654 compared to nothing under the previous government's plan. A person earning $100,000 will get a tax cut of $2,179, $804 more than they would have under the Morrison plan. And a person earning $200,000 will still get a tax cut, which will be $4,529.
The Treasury estimates, when looking at these results, show that one of the consequences will be increased labour supply by around 930,000 hours a week. Now, that's more than double the labour supply benefit from the former coalition government's plan. That means more people in the workforce doing more work. It's driven by increases in hours worked and by the participation of women with taxable income between $20,000 and $75,000. These are things that we are very proud to be able to achieve.
The other change that we're making is around the Medicare levy. This bill sits alongside the Treasury Laws Amendment (Cost of Living Tax Cuts) Bill. I think what a lot of people have missed is we want to further support low-income households, because households with taxable incomes below the relevant statutory low-income thresholds will not be liable for the Medicare levy. The change is that we're going to increase the income threshold for the partial Medicare levy to $26,000 a year and for the full Medicare levy to $32,500 a year. For a single person earning $30,000 a year, it means they're going to keep an extra $170 in their pocket. That's another small part of the change which is going to yield widespread benefit.
We're introducing these changes because they recognise the economic realities of 2024. Australians are under pressure right now, and they deserve a tax plan that actually responds to the challenges that they're facing right now. We couldn't have predicted this situation five years ago; we didn't know exactly what was coming. But we are a mature government that can look at a situation and assess it.
I did have someone say to me, 'Oh, I'm really disappointed you've done this, because you've been in small business; you should know that this is a bad thing to do,' and I said, 'To the contrary—I'm doing exactly what I would have done in small business when presented with information that showed me a better way forward than the way I'd planned to go five years ago; I absolutely would've seized that new information, taken into account the new conditions that I was trading in and made changes.' And that's what we've done. We've been responsive.
When the coalition's plan was legislated five years ago, the world was a different place. It was before the once-in-a hundred-years pandemic. It was before this persistent inflation and the higher interest rates and the two big conflicts and global uncertainty which have placed so much pressure on us. When the circumstances change, changing policy is the responsible thing to do.
The Albanese government is providing meaningful cost-of-living relief in a responsible way. We are not adding to inflationary pressures, and we're laying the foundations for a stronger and more resilient economy. As Richard Denniss from the Australia Institute said, Anthony Albanese's decision to recast Scott Morrison's 2018 tax cuts to suit the economy of 2024 is 'the biggest and most honest piece of tax reform' in Australia for decades. I am so proud to be supporting this bill.
]]>Superintendent Sonya Tabor has received the Australian Police Medal for, amongst other things, her work for the safety reform that she was involved in so that the police affected by disasters, like a pandemic or a devastating flood, can access additional welfare support from their workplace.
In the Hawkesbury, Saint Albans resident the retired New South Wales state librarian Dr John Vallance, who in the Macdonald Valley might be better known as the man brave enough to be Santa Claus in the middle of summer, has been recognised as a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to education, to library services and to the arts.
Roberta Colbran, Bobby, was awarded the Australian Fire Service Medal in honour of her 50-year contribution in the Hawkesbury district as a volunteer in the New South Wales Rural Fire Service. During this time, Bobby has held many roles, including her current role of deputy captain. Now in her mid-80s, she has only fairly recently been banned from the truck, I'm told. Her medal is in recognition of the enormous hours and energy she continues to put into the vital Rural Fire Service.
Warrant Officer Paul Ernest Argus has been awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross for his outstanding achievement in aircraft maintenance reform and other roles within the Royal Australian Air Force.
I'd also like to commend ex-Blue Mountains resident Noel Hiffernan on receiving an Order of Australia Medal for his advocacy and service for people with a disability, which really means that he's been fighting for accessibility rights and equality of life for people with a disability since his own car accident in 1971, which resulted in midthoracic paraplegia. These are such deserving honours recipients, and I'm very proud to have them as residents or former residents of the Blue Mountains and the Hawkesbury.
I also want to congratulate the Hawkesbury Council citizens of the year. Citizen of the Year Keith Acton: while he would rather not have been centre of attention, certainly deserved recognition for his 17 years of volunteering with the RFS as a joint member of both Wiseman's Ferry and Lower Macdonald brigades, not to mention his unpaid extra work at Wisemans Ferry Public School and arranging Anzac Day commemorations plus much more. Gemma King, who I first met when she was fundraising for youth mental health through Laps for Life—and she is now on the board of our new Hawkesbury headspace—is fittingly Young Citizen of the Year. It was a tie for the Local Hero Award between Scott Hinks, recognised for his big contribution to the Richmond Lions Club and a myriad of involvement in other issues, and Rochelle Miller, whose most recent advocacy with all levels of government was triggered by the floods which isolated her community of Lower Portland. She was instrumental in getting the issues resolved. Sportsperson of the Year Melissa Crane has made a huge contribution to Pitt Town Sports Club and the football club and managed to have eight girls from the club lead the Matildas into the FIFA Women's World Cup semi-final last year.
The Kurrajong Nursing Home auxiliary, a caring community run aged-care facility, won the Community Organisation of the Year Award for its volunteers. Windsor High School's Thursday lunchtime interest group received the Arts and Cultural Award for offering an inclusive program to get students to try new things. To all the recipients, thank you for you passion, dedication and service. We are richer because of you.
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