Harry Jenkins (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present the Selection Committee’s report No. 14 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members’ business on Monday, 28 February 2011. The report will be printed in today’s Hansard and the committee’s determinations will appear on tomorrow’s Notice Paper. Copies of the report have been placed on the table.

The report read as follows—

Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 28 February 2011

1.

The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 22 February 2011.

2.

The committee determined the order of precedence and times to be allotted for consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 28 February 2011, as follows:

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

COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS

Presentations and statements

1 Standing Committee on Economics

Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2010 (first Report).

The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.20 am.

Speech time limits—

Mr C. R. Thomson (Chair)—5 minutes.

Next Member speaking—5 minutes.

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

2 Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services

Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, February 2011; and

Report on the 2009 – 10 annual reports of bodies established under the ASIC Act, February 2011.

The Committee determined that statements on the reports may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.30 am.

Speech time limits—

Mr Ripoll (Chair)—5 minutes.

Next Member speaking—5 minutes.

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

3 Joint Standing Committee on Migration

Statements concerning the Inquiry into the economic, social and cultural contribution of migration to Australian society.

The Committee determined that statements on the inquiry may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.40 am.

Speech time limits—

Ms Vamvakinou (Chair)—5 minutes.

Next Member speaking—5 minutes.

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

4 Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications

Statements concerning the Inquiry into the role and potential of the NBN.

The Committee determined that statements on the inquiry may be made—all statements to conclude by 10.50 am.

Speech time limits—

Ms Bird (Chair)—5 minutes.

Next Member speaking—5 minutes.

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

5 Standing Committee on Regional Australia

Statements concerning the Inquiry into the socio-economic impact of the proposed Murray-Darling Basin Plan.

The Committee determined that statements on the inquiry may be made—all statements to conclude by 11 am.

Speech time limits—

Mr Windsor (Chair)—5 minutes.

Next Member speaking—5 minutes.

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

6 Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests

Statements concerning the Inquiry into the Draft Code of Conduct for Members of Parliament.

The Committee determined that statements on the inquiry may be made—all statements to conclude by 11.05 am.

Speech time limits—

Ms A. E. Burke (Chair)—5 minutes.

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

Notices

1 MRS B. K. BISHOP: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Act 1992 to abolish the age limit on payment of the superannuation guarantee charge. (Abolition of Age Limit on Payment of the Superannuation Guarantee Charge Bill 2011). (Notice given 8 February 2011.)

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

2 MR OAKESHOTT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Auditor General Act 1997, and for related purposes. (Auditor General Amendment Bill 2011). (Notice given 22 February 2011.)

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

3 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 in relation to alpine grazing, and for related purposes. (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (Abolition of Alpine Grazing) Bill 2011). (Notice given 22 February 2011.)

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

4 DR LEIGH: To move—That this House:

(1)

reaffirms this Government’s commitment to evidence-based policy making;

(2)

notes that:

(a)

the Productivity Commission has highlighted the importance of rigorous evaluation in assessing the impact of social, educational, employment and economic programs; and

(b)

randomised policy trials are increasingly being used as an evaluation tool in developed and developing nations; and

(3)

supports measures to increase the quality of evaluations, and calls on the Government to consider whether randomised policy trials may be implemented to evaluate future Government policies. (Notice given 8 February 2011.)

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

Speech time limits—

Dr Leigh—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Member—5 minutes.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 10 mins + 1 x 5 mins]

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

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

Notices

5 MR L. D. T. FERGUSON: To move:

That this House:

(1)

notes the Federal Government’s formal response to the recommendations provided by the Australian Multicultural Advisory Council; and

(2)

calls on the House of Representatives to:

(a)

endorse ‘The People of Australia’ policy which recognises the importance of the economic and social benefits of Australia’s diversity;

(b)

recognise the success of multiculturalism in Australia and policies that reinforce the benefits our diverse communities bring;

(c)

reaffirm support for multiculturalism in Australia and condemn political strategies or tactics that incite division and seek to vilify communities; and

(d)

continue the tradition of bipartisan support for multiculturalism and multicultural policy in Australia sustained by successive Governments over the years. (Notice given 22 February 2011.)

Time allotted—40 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr L. D. T. Ferguson—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

Orders of the Day

1 ASSISTING THE VICTIMS OF OVERSEAS TERRORISM BILL 2010 (Mr Abbott): Second reading (from 21 February 2011).

Time allotted—remaining private Members’ business time prior to 9.30 pm.

Speech time limits—

Mr Abbott—10 minutes.

Next 3 Members speaking—10 minutes each.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

Notices

1 MRS MOYLAN: To move:

That this House:

(1)

appreciates that meaningful employment is essential to the financial security, physical and mental health and sense of identity of all individuals;

(2)

remains concerned with the low workforce participation rate of individuals with a disability;

(3)

recognises the challenges faced by people with a disability in successfully obtaining work, particularly in surmounting barriers;

(4)

notes that:

(a)

eighteen and a half per cent of all Australians suffer from a disability;

(b)

data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveals that since 1993, workplace participation for people with a disability has steadily decreased to 53.2 per cent, compared to the continual increase of participation in those without disability to 80.6 per cent; and

(c)

the Australian Public Service Commissioner’s Statistical Bulletin shows employment of people with a disability in the Australian Public Service has linearly dropped from a high of 5.5 per cent in 1996, to 3.1 per cent in 2010;

(5)

acknowledges the findings of chapters 2.4 (‘The employment experience of people with disabilities’) and 2.5.2 (‘Lack of Access to Transport’) of the National Disability Strategy Consultation Report, Shut Out, that:

(a)

there are still widespread misconceptions and stereotypes influencing the attitudes and behaviour of employers, recruiters and government;

(b)

there is considerable misunderstanding in the community and overestimation about the cost of workplace adjustments for people with a disability;

(c)

there is confusion about the impact of occupational health and safety requirements on people with a disability;

(d)

inflexibility of the Disability Support Pension acts as a disincentive to employment and the loss of healthcare benefits is a particular disadvantage; and

(e)

without access to transport, participation in critical activities such as education, employment and healthcare is difficult, if not impossible; and

(6)

calls on the Government to provide leadership and improve participation rates of people with a disability. (Notice given 9 February 2011.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mrs Moylan—10 minutes.

Next 3 Members speaking—10 minutes each.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

2 MR L. D. T. FERGUSON: To move:

That this House notes that:

(1)

the Sri Lankan Government declared an end to the war in Sri Lanka in May 2009;

(2)

on 22 June 2010 the United Nations Secretary General appointed a panel of experts to advise him on accountability concerning any alleged violations of international human rights and humanitarian law during the final stages of the conflict in Sri Lanka;

(3)

the panel:

(a)

officially began its work on 16 September 2010; and

(b)

is looking into the modalities, applicable international standards and comparative experience with regard to accountability processes, taking into account the nature and scope of any essential foundation for durable peace and reconciliation in Sri Lanka;

(4)

through the panel, the Secretary General expects to enable the United Nations to make a constructive contribution in this regard;

(5)

on 18 October 2010 the panel invited individuals and organisations to make submissions in respect of its work, and will accept submissions until 15 December 2010;

(6)

in light of the panel’s review, Australia’s close ties with Sri Lanka and continuing reports by several reputable human rights organisations, such as the International Crisis Group, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the Elders, as well as governments including in Britain, there has been a call for an international independent investigation into war crimes committed by all parties during the final stages of the war in Sri Lanka; and

(7)

Australia, as a respected and responsible member of the international community and Asian neighbourhood, can help accomplish better outcomes in Sri Lanka in the return towards a civil society, particularly for the Tamil minority, and that such actions:

(a)

would further assist with the creation of durable solutions to what has been a humanitarian crisis on Australia’s doorstep in Sri Lanka; and

(b)

could also help partially alleviate the flow of asylum seekers from Sri Lanka. (Notice given 18 November 2010.

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr L. D. T. Ferguson—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

3 MR ENTSCH: To move:

That this House:

(1)

notes:

(a)

the judgment of the Federal Court of Australia in Comcare v The Commonwealth (FCA 1331), and the report of the Queensland Coroner Inquest into the loss of the Malu Sara and in particular that:

(i)

the Court found that the respondent admitted liability;

(ii)

the Coroner found significant aspects of the investigation into the incident were severely flawed; and

(iii)

a number of agencies of both the Queensland Government and the Commonwealth Government were strongly criticised for their involvement in events leading up to and during the incident; and

(b)

the Court fined the respondent $242 000, the maximum penalty;

(2)

in light of both the judgment and the Coroner’s report, calls on the Government to:

(a)

legislate to establish a Trust for the benefit of the families of the victims to commemorate the tragic loss;

(b)

transfer the fine imposed by the Court to the Trust, as well as allocate additional funds to provide continuing financial support to the victims’ families and provide a lasting legacy to the community;

(c)

fully examine the Court’s judgment, including the contractors and others named in the report of the Queensland Coroner into the same incident; and

(d)

construct appropriate memorials on Badu and Thursday Islands to properly commemorate this tragic event and provide respectful places for the families of the victims to pay their respects and remember their loved ones;

(3)

strongly encourages the Government to ensure that the Department of Immigration and Citizenship’s contract and tendering procedures are fully reviewed to ensure that lapses such as this do not occur again; and

(4)

expresses its deep sympathy to the victims of this tragedy. (Notice given 9 February 2011.

Time allotted—40 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Entsch—10 minutes.

Other Members speaking—10 minutes each.

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

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

4 MR HAYES: To move:

That this House:

(1)

notes that:

(a)

Sunday 20 February to Sunday 27 February 2011 is Donate Life Week, Australia’s national awareness week to promote organ and tissue donation; and

(b)

organ donation is giving the gift of life, yet is a gift that most people do not know how to give;

(2)

acknowledges that:

(a)

one third of Australians do not know that family consent is needed for organs to be donated when someone dies;

(b)

there are more than 1000 people on organ donation waiting lists and were only 279 donations in 2009-10, despite the year being our highest annual donation rate in a decade; and

(c)

on average, every deceased organ donor in Australia may contribute to between three and ten transplants;

(3)

encourages all Australian men and women to:

(a)

set some time aside during the week to talk about organ and tissue donations with people closest to them; and

(b)

consider organ donations and sign up for the Australian Organ Donor Register; and

(4)

pays tribute to organ donors who have kindly given the gift of life. (Notice given 8 February 2011.)

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

Speech time limits—

Mr Hayes—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

Items for Main Committee (approx 6.30 to 9 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

Notices

5 MR S. P. JONES: To move:

That this House:

(1)

notes that climate change is a serious economic and environmental challenge; and

(2)

acknowledges a carbon price is the cheapest and fairest way to cut pollution and drive investment in clean energy. (Notice given 22 February 2011.)

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr S. P. Jones—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

6 MR SECKER: To move:

That this House:

(1)

recognises the important role that community hospitals play in the lives of regional communities and in providing early access to care for life threatening conditions and trauma;

(2)

condemns the South Australian Government for deciding in its 2010 State Budget to cut funding to three community hospitals in regional areas;

(3)

recognises the critical role that the Keith and District Hospital Inc., Moonta Health and Aged Care Service Inc. and the Ardrossan Community Hospital Inc. plays in the lives of those living and travelling in regional South Australia; and

(4)

calls on the Government to:

(a)

reduce the National Healthcare Specific Purpose Payment to the South Australian Government by $1 046 000 in 2011-12;

(b)

index the above amount by the growth factor contained in Schedule D of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Federal Financial Relations;

(c)

make a direct financial transfer to the Keith and District Hospital Inc. of $600 000 and annually index this amount by the growth factor contained in the Intergovernmental Agreement;

(d)

make a direct financial transfer of $300 000 to the Moonta Health and Aged Care Service Inc. and annually index this amount by the growth factor contained in the Intergovernmental Agreement; and

(e)

make a direct financial transfer to the Ardrossan Community Hospital Inc. of $146 000 and annually index this amount by the growth factor contained in the Intergovernmental Agreement. (Notice given 22 February 2011.)

Time allotted—50 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Mr Secker—10 minutes.

Next 3 Members speaking—10 minutes each.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

7 MS HALL: To move:

That this House:

(1)

notes:

(a)

that Australia is one of the most obese nations in the developed world;

(b)

that obesity is a growing problem in Australia;

(c)

the recommendations of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing tabled on 1 June 2009;

(d)

the findings and research of the George Institute and the Baker IDI Foundation;

(e)

the findings and strategies developed by the National Preventative Health Taskforce in relation to obesity; and

(f)

that the cost of the obesity epidemic to government at all levels is enormous and urgently needs to be addressed;

(2)

calls on all:

(a)   levels of government to recognise the severity of the obesity problem in Australia and its cost;

(b)   levels of government to continue to develop strategies to address Australia’s obesity epidemic; and

(c)   communities, and those living in them, adopt healthy lifestyles which include healthy eating and exercise; and

(3)

acknowledges the contribution of the Minister for Health and Ageing in:

(a)

raising community awareness of the obesity epidemic; and

(b)

investing in preventative health programs. (Notice given 25 October 2010.)

Time allotted—30 minutes.

Speech time limits—

Ms Hall—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Member—5 minutes each.

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

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

8 MR NEUMANN: To move:

That this House:

(1)

notes the outstanding contribution of organisations and individuals in Queensland during the natural disasters of January 2011;

(2)

acknowledges the following who all worked tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of residents in the evacuation period and beyond:

(a)

the State Emergency Service, Queensland Fire and Rescue Service, Rural Fire Brigades, St John’s Ambulance Service, Queensland Ambulance Service, Queensland Police Service and Australian Defence Force;

(b)

the Salvation Army, Lifeline, churches, charities and other community organisations; and

(c)

flood affected school principals, teachers, staff and school communities; and

(3)

expresses its deep appreciation for the courage, commitment and professionalism shown by these organisations and individuals. (Notice given 10 February 2011.)

Time allotted—remaining private Members’ business time prior to 9 pm

Speech time limits—

Mr Neumann—10 minutes.

Next Member speaking—10 minutes.

Other Member—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.