Grant Chapman (SA, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I seek leave to amend general business notice of motion No. 4 standing in my name for today relating to a reference to the Senate Standing Committee on Economics, Australia’s space science and industry sector, before asking that it be taken as a formal motion.

Leave granted.

I, and also on behalf of Senators Hurley and Stott Despoja, move the motion as amended:

That the following matter be referred to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report no later than October 2008 with an interim report by 23 June 2008:

The current state of Australia’s space science and industry sector, examining options to strengthen and expand Australia’s position in fields that strongly align with space science and industry, giving consideration to any national strategic coordination requirements and taking into account findings and policy options of the National Innovation System Review, with particular reference to:

(a)

Australia’s capabilities in space science, industry and education, including:

(i)

existing Australian activity of world-class standard, and

(ii)

areas in which there is currently little or no activity but that are within the technical and intellectual capacity of the country;

(b)

arguments for and against expanded Australian activity in space science and industry, including:

(i)

an assessment of the risks to Australia’s national interest of Australia’s dependence on foreign-owned and operated satellites,

(ii)

the potential benefits that could accrue to Australia through further development of our space capability,

(iii)

economic, social, environmental, national security and other needs that are not being met or are in danger of not being met by Australia’s existing space resources or access to foreign resources,

(iv)

impediments to strengthening and expanding space science and industry in Australia, including limiting factors relating to spatial information and global positioning systems, including but not limited to ground infrastructures, intergovernmental arrangements, legislative arrangements and government/industry coordination, and

(v)

the goals of any strengthening and expansion of Australia’s space capability both in the private sector and across government; and

(c)

realistic policy options that facilitate effective solutions to cross-sector technological and organisational challenges, opportunity capture and development imperatives that align with national need and in consideration of existing world-class capability.

Question agreed to.

Christine Milne (Tasmania, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I move:

(1)

That the Senate notes:

(a)

the housing affordability crisis in Australia and the need for a national affordable housing agreement;

(b)

the need to upgrade Australia’s building stock and strengthen building regulations to increase the energy efficiency of existing and new buildings, both residential and commercial;

(c)

the central role played by the Housing Industry Association in developing government policy;

(d)

the relationship between housing affordability and mandatory privatised last resort builders warranty insurance particularly, the increasing number of complaints from builders and consumers concerning the failure of the last resort warranty insurance regime to provide consumer or builder protection; and

(e)

the decision in March 2002 to remove all Commonwealth and state regulatory controls over last resort warranty insurance.

(2)

That the following matter be referred to the Economics Committee for inquiry and report by May 2008:

Australia’s mandatory Last Resort Home Warranty Insurance scheme, including:

(a)

the appropriateness and effectiveness of the current mandatory privatised Last Resort Builders Warranty Insurance scheme in providing appropriate consumer protection and industry management;

(b)

the reasons for and consequences of the ministerial decisions relating to the removal of consumer protection provisions in respect of Corporations Regulation 7.1.12(2);

(c)

the ramifications for the future supply of this insurance product following the draft recommendations from the Productivity Commission report released in December 2007;

(d)

any potential reforms and their costs and benefits which may lead to appropriate consumer and builder protection and improved housing affordability; and

(e)

any related matters.

Question agreed to.