Peter Slipper (Speaker) Share this | Hansard source

I present Selection Committee report No. 40, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday, 13 February 2012. The report will be printed in today's Hansard. The committee's determinations will appear on tomorrow's Notice Paper. Copies of the report have been placed on the table.

The repor t 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, 7 February 2012.

2. The committee determined the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members' business on Monday, 13 February 2012, as follows:

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

COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS

Presentation and statements

1 Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform

Interactive and online gambling and gambling advertising Interactive Gambling and Broadcasting Amendment (Online Transactions and Other Measures) Bill 2011—Second report

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made all statements to conclude by 10:20 a.m.

Speech time limits —

Mr Wilkie— 5 minutes.

Next Member speaking 5 minutes.

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

2 Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters

Inquiry into the funding of political parties and election campaigns— Report

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made all statements to conclude by 10:30 a.m.

Speech time limits —

Mr Melham— 5 minutes.

Next Member speaking 5 minutes.

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

3 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services

Consumer Credit and Corporations Legislation Amendment (Enhancements) Bill 2011 Inquiry

The Committee determined that statements on the inquiry may be made all statements to conclude by 10:40 a.m.

Speech time limits —

Mr Ripoll— 5 minutes.

Next Member speaking 5 minutes.

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

4 Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs

Inquiry into Foetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Statements

The Committee determined that statements on the inquiry may be made all statements to conclude by 10:50 a.m.

Speech time limits —

Mr Perrett— 5 minutes.

Next Member speaking 5 minutes.

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MR BANDT : To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Marriage Act 1961 to create the opportunity for marriage equality for people regardless of their sex, sexual orientation or gender identity, and for related purposes (Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012). (Notice given 7February 2012.)

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

2 MR S. P. JONES: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Marriage Act 1961 to establish marriage equality for same-sex couples, and for related purposes (Marriage Amendment Bill 2012). (Notice given 7February 2012.)

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

3 MR KATTER: To present a Bill for an Act to provide for Parliament to approve the ratification of treaties, and for related purposes (Treaties Ratification Bill 2011). (Notice given 3November 2011.)

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

4 MR OAKESHOTT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to migration, and for other purposes (Migration Legislation Amendment (Offshore Assessment and Other Measures) Bill 2012). (Notice given 7February 2012.)

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

5 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Fair Work Act 2009, and for related purposes (Fair Work Amendment (Better Work/Life Balance) Bill 2012). (Notice given 7February 2012.)

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

6 MR WILKIE: to move:

That this House agrees that should the Marriage Act 1961 be amended to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples, any such amendment should ensure that the Act imposes no obligation on any church or religious minister to perform such a marriage. (Notice given 2November 2011.)

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

Speech time limits —

Mr Wilkie— 5 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS

Notices

7 MS SAFFIN: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that as National Asbestos Awareness Week is formally recognised, it makes earnest representation to the Government to continue to call on Canada to ratify the listing of chrysotile asbestos in the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent;

(2) recognises the proactive actions of the Australian Government in mitigating the possible spread of asbestos-related diseases through continuing bans on the production and use of asbestos as well as strict controls on the removal and disposal of existing material;

(3) commends the Australian Government on a number of measures that have been put into place to manage and compensate the victims of asbestos related diseases which include:

(a) the recent ratification of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Asbestos Convention, as one of the first ILO Conventions to be ratified by the Commonwealth Government since 2006;

(b) Australian leadership on a strong closing declaration by 66 countries at the 2011 Conference of the Rotterdam Convention, which expressed deep concern that the listing of chrysotile asbestos had been prevented by a small number of parties and resolved to move forward to list chrysotile asbestos in Annex III;

(c) the $5 million grant made to support the Asbestos Disease Research Institute Bernie Banton Centre;

(d) funding for the new Australian Mesothelioma Registry, which was launched in 2010 to gather more detailed and accurate information on mesothelioma and asbestos-related diseases;

(e) support for the harmonisation of health and safety legislation which will provide, for the first time, a uniform framework for the minimisation of exposure, the removal of asbestos, and the management asbestos materials in the workplace;

(f) the establishment of the Asbestos Management Review in late 2010 to recommend strategies for the development of a national strategic plan to improve asbestos awareness, management and removal;

(g) the loan agreement with the NSW Government to ensure asbestos victims and their families continue to receive payments through the Asbestos Injuries Compensation Fund; and

(h) the $1.5 million Comcare Asbestos Innovation Fund which sponsors programs and research to prevent and better manage asbestos exposure, as well as improve treatment for asbestos-disease sufferers;

(4) notes the unwelcome inheritance that asbestos has left on the Australian community, which sees Australian citizens suffering one of the highest rates of asbestos-related diseases in the world, with the effects of asbestos mining still being suffered by many, mostly Indigenous and past employees of James Hardie's operation at Baryulgil in the electoral division of Page, and the poor health and mortality they and their families suffer;

(5) extends its profound sympathies to all individuals suffering asbestos-related diseases as well as their friends and families and the friends and families of those who have passed away as a result of asbestos-related diseases;

(6) notes the current and potential damage that imported asbestos is creating to the people in the Asia Pacific region where, despite these well documented health risks, it remains an attractive commodity due to its low cost compared to other comparable building material;

(7) calls upon the Canadian Government to recognise the potentially catastrophic health and social implications of Canada's production and sale of asbestos and products containing asbestos to these lower socio-economic markets; and

(8) supports the Australian Government in using strong diplomatic efforts to convince the Canadian Government to cease both production and trade in asbestos. (Notice given 21November 2011.)

Time allotted 50 minutes

Speech time limits —

Ms Saffin— 10 minutes.

Next Member speaking 10 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

8 MS PARKE: To move:

That this House:

(1) expresses deep concern to our inter-parliamentary colleagues in the Iranian Parliament regarding serious and systematic human rights violations occurring in the Islamic Republic of Iran;

(2) notes the following from United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's report on The situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran released in September 2011, that:

(a) Iran has stepped up its crackdown on human rights workers, women's rights activists, journalists and government opponents;

(b) since the beginning of 2011, Iran has seen a notable increase in the use of capital punishment for political and juvenile prisoners;

(c) Iran has increased discrimination, in some cases amounting to persecution, against a number of religious and ethnic minority groups;

(d) the United Nations continues to hold long-standing concerns in respect of the treatment of the Baha'i community and the trial and sentencing of seven Baha'i community leaders, which did not meet due process and fair trial requirements;

(e) there is limited enjoyment of political, economic, social and cultural rights by, inter alia, Arabs, Azeri, Baloch and Kurdish communities, and some communities of non-citizens; and

(f) since May 2011, security forces conducted raids on the home of individuals involved in the activities of the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education and arrested 15 of its members in various cities;

(3) notes that in recent months there have been:

(a) further reports of the denial of access to Iranian universities for young people on the basis of their political or religious beliefs; and

(b) prison terms of between four and five years imposed on seven Iranian Baha'is in relation to their association with the Baha'i Institute for Higher Education; and

(4) calls on the National Consultative Assembly of Iran as fellow members of the inter-parliamentary union and as the parliamentary body of a member state of the United Nations, to:

(a) promote and protect fundamental human rights irrespective of origin, ethnicity, sex, religion, opinion, or other status;

(b) investigate the denial of access to universities for student activists, Baha'is, and others barred from universities for reasons other than academic capability; and

(c) seeks a judicial review of the trials of prisoners of conscience, including the seven former Baha'i leaders, lawyer Ms Nasrin Sotoudeh, and other human rights defenders and lawyers. (Notice given 21November 2011.)

Time allotted 40 minutes

Speech time limits —

Ms Parke— 10 minutes.

Next Member speaking 10 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MR OAKESHOTT: To move:

That this House request the Prime Minister and Treasurer to:

(1) direct the Commonwealth Grants Commission to allocate an annual fixed percentage of Goods and Services Tax (GST) revenue directly to the 654 local councils throughout Australia;

(2) include this annual allocation as part of the GST Review currently underway and for implementation through any required legislative or executive government processes; and

(3) consider constitutional recognition of local government only in the event of any successful legal challenge to the direct annual allocation of GST revenue to local councils within Australia. (Notice given 7February 2012.)

Time allotted 30 minutes

Speech time limits —

Mr Oakeshott— 5 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

2 MR HAYES: To move:

That this House:

(1) recognises:

(a) the extensive historical connection and contribution of the Mandaean religion and that of other indigenous people, to the country of Iraq and humanity overall;

(b) the ongoing plight since 2003 associated with a systematic loss of culture, heritage and language of the Sabian Mandaean and various Christian minorities in Iraq; and

(c) that Australia was part of the 'coalition of the willing' that prosecuted the war on Iraq in 2003, and due to this involvement, Australia, along with its coalition partners, has a moral responsibility to compassionately support and protect the indigenous minorities of Iraq from ongoing persecution;

(2) condemns the horrendous acts of violence and persecution against the Sabian Mandaeans and other religious minorities in Iraq; and

(3) encourages the preservation and continued prosperity of the heritage, culture and language of the Sabian Mandaean and other indigenous people of Iraq. (Notice given 24August 2011.)

Time allotted 50 minutes

Speech time limits —

Mr Hayes 10 minutes.

Next Member speaking 10 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

3 MR BANDT: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) HRL Limited was awarded a $100 million grant in 2007 by the Coalition Government under the Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund;

(b) to date, HRL Limited has been unable to meet the pre-conditions of the grant, and no money has been dispersed;

(c) the grant would facilitate the building of a new coal fired power plant, contradicting the current Prime Minister's statement that no new dirty coal fired power plants will be built in Australia;

(d) there are a number of low emission renewable technologies that deserve government support; and

(e) the Australian community strongly supports public funds being used to support the development of renewable technologies; and

(2) calls on the Government to immediately withdraw the grant offer to HRL Limited and allocate the $100 million to the Australian Renewable Energy Authority. (Notice given 15September 2011.)

Time allotted 30 minutes

Speech time limits —

Mr Bandt— 5 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

4 MR MELHAM: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes with regret the death on 19 November 2011 of Basil Lewis D'Oliveira;

(2) recognises his contribution to world cricket, especially in South Africa and England;

(3) notes that his quiet dignity in the face of rejection by South Africa for reasons other than cricket helped to transform public opinion in England and beyond;

(4) particularly recognises his long battle against apartheid in South Africa, his actions in bringing to the world's notice the disenfranchisement of non-white cricketers in South Africa, and that he became a leader of a worthy cause without ever seeking a leadership role; and

(5) notes that, as a result of the life of Basil D'Oliveira, non-white cricketers are able to represent South Africa with pride and distinction. (Notice given 21November 2011.)

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

Speech time limits —

Mr Melham— 10 minutes.

Next Member speaking 10 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

Items for Main Committee (6.30 to 9 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS ' BUSINESS

Notices

5 MR OAKESHOTT: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) microbreweries are important niche businesses in Australia, providing valuable job opportunities and economic growth, particularly in rural and regional areas;

(b) microbreweries need recognition within the tax system through the Microbrewery Refund, given that they are competing in a domestic market heavily dominated by large multinational companies, following the sale of both Fosters and Lion Nathan to overseas interests;

(c) the Microbrewery Refund was introduced in 2000 and that the definition of a microbrewery has not been reviewed and is now markedly out of step with industry reality; and

(d) the maximum excise refund has remained capped at $10,000, while the beer excise has been raised twice a year for the past 11 years with the consumer price index; and

(2) calls on the Government to amend:

(a) the definition of a microbrewery under the Excise Regulations 1925, regulation 2AB, to significantly increase the current maximum volume of 30,000 litres; and

(b) Excise Regulations 1925, regulation 50(l)(zzd), to remove or significantly increase the maximum of $10,000 excise refund that can be claimed in a financial year. (Notice given 2November 2011.)

Time allotted 20 minutes

Speech time limits —

Mr Oakeshott 5 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

6 Ms Rishworth: To move:

That this House:

(1) acknowledges the findings of the Letting the Children be Children review into the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood commissioned by the Government of the United Kingdom including that:

(a) children are growing and developing against the backdrop of a culture of increasing commercialisation and sexualisation;

(b) parents are concerned about clothing, services and products for children which reinforce gender stereotypes and portray children as being more sexually mature than their chronological age would indicate;

(c) children are under considerable pressures to be consumers; and

(d) parents often feel their concerns are not being listened to despite the fact that they are often in the best position to decide what is appropriate for their children;

(2) welcomes the Ministerial Statement in respect of this review by the Government of the United Kingdom which acknowledges the need to protect children from excessive commercialisation and premature sexualisation, and accepts the recommendation that efforts to address this are focused on industry and regulators with government monitoring progress and legislating to protect children if necessary;

(3) notes with concern that the sexualisation of children is a growing issue not just in the United Kingdom but also in Australia;

(4) recognises that the sexualisation of children, and in particular girls, has been associated with a range of negative consequences including body image issues, eating disorders, low self esteem and mental ill health; and

(5) urges governments, industries, regulators and the wider community in Australia to take note of the Letting the Children be Children report and to work together to address the commercialisation and sexualisation of childhood. (Notice given 21November 2011.)

Time allotted 70 minutes

Speech time limits —

Ms Rishworth— 10 minutes.

Next 3 Members speaking 10 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 4 x 10 mins + 6 x 5 mins]

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

7 MR WILKIE: To move:

That this House agrees that should the Marriage Act 1961 be amended to allow for the marriage of same-sex couples, any such amendment should ensure that the Act imposes no obligation on any church or religious minister to perform such a marriage. (Notice given 2November 2011.)

Time allotted 10 minutes

Speech time limits —

All Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

8 MR OAKESHOTT : To move:

That this House endorse the agreements reached in March 2011 at the Fourth Bali Regional Ministerial Conference on People Smuggling, Trafficking in Persons and Related Transnational Crime, in particular the Ministers' agreement to a regional cooperation framework underpinned by the following core principles:

(1) irregular movement facilitated by people smuggling syndicates should be eliminated and States should promote and support opportunities for orderly migration;

(2) where appropriate and possible, asylum seekers should have access to consistent assessment processes, whether through a set of harmonised arrangements or through the possible establishment of regional assessment arrangements, which might include a centre or centres, taking into account any existing sub-regional arrangements;

(3) persons found to be refugees under those assessment processes should be provided with a durable solution, including voluntary repatriation, resettlement within and outside the region and, where appropriate, possible 'in country' solutions;

(4) persons found not to be in need of protection should be returned, preferably on a voluntary basis, to their countries of origin, in safety and dignity, and returns should be sustainable and States should look to maximise opportunities for greater cooperation; and

(5) people smuggling enterprises should be targeted through border security arrangements, law enforcement activities and disincentives for human trafficking and smuggling. (Notice given 7February 2012.)

Time allotted 20 minutes

Speech time limits —

Mr Oakeshott 5 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

9 MS HALL: To move:

That this House:

(1) expresses concern at the impact that beauty pageants have on children;

(2) calls for an investigation into the impact of these pageants on young girls; and

(3) notes that:

(a) obsessive preoccupation with grooming, body image and superficial beauty has the potential to create major psychological disorder in adolescence and adulthood;

(b) such pageants are common in the United States and that serious concerns have been expressed in relation to the impact they are having on these young girls who strive for an unrealistic and unobtainable image; and

(c) these pageants have the potential to add significantly to Australia's health costs. (Notice given 14June 2011.)

Time allotted Remaining private Members ' business time prior to 9pm.

Speech time limits —

Ms Hall 5 minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

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

Order of the day –

Tax Reform (Mr Oakeshott)

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