Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present report No. 30 of the Selection Committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation reports and private members' business on Monday, 17 September 2018. 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 of private Members' business

1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 11 September 2018.

2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified, private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper and notices lodged on Tuesday, 11 September 2018, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 17 September 2018, as follows:

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MS COLLINS: To move—That this House notes that:

(1) the R U OK? Conversation Convoy began on 30 July 2018 to raise awareness that a conversation could change a life, and the Convoy will:

(a) travel across 14,000 kilometres and 25 communities to show Australians that every day is the day to ask: Are you Ok?; and

(b) conclude in Sydney on 13 September 2018 which is also R U OK? Day, an important day which was first established in 2009 to raise awareness around suicide prevention and mental ill health;

(2) the statistics around suicide and mental ill health are heartbreaking and confronting:

(a) in 2016, 2,866 Australians lost their lives to suicide;

(b) research reveals that around 65,000 Australians attempt suicide every year and hundreds of thousands of people are impacted by each suicide death; and

(c) one in five Australians experience mental ill health in any year;

(3) all levels of government and the community are urged to work together to reduce the impact of suicide and mental ill health in our society; and

(4) work must continue towards reducing stigma and raising community awareness around suicide prevention and mental ill health.

(Notice given 13 August 2018.)

Time allotted 30minutes.

Speech time limits

Ms Collins 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

2 MR VAN MANEN: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that over the year, the economy grew 3.4 per cent, which is the fastest rate of growth since the 2012 September quarter during the height of the mining investment boom, and the 27th year of consecutive economic growth;

(2) recognises that strong employment outcomes have been accompanied by an elevated rate of labour force participation, particularly for women, and that wages can be expected to rise if economic growth remains strong; and

(3) calls on the Government to remain resolute in its effective economic management to ensure funding for the essential services we need.

(Notice given 11 September 2018.)

Time allotted 50minutes.

Speech time limits

Mr van Manen 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

3 MR ZAPPIA: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) an estimated 25 million Uyghur people live in Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region;

(b) many Uyghur people have fled their homeland and sought refuge in other countries including Australia;

(c) in recent years there have been increasing reports of violations of human rights of Uyghurs by Chinese Government authorities including arrest, interrogation, detention and incarceration in what are referred to as re-education camps; and

(d) many Uyghurs now living in Australia have lost contact with family members and relatives in their homeland and they hold grave concerns for their safety; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) raise concerns about allegations of human rights abuse against Uyghurs with the Chinese Government through whatever opportunities are available;

(b) assist in whatever way is possible Australian Uyghur residents to make contact with family members and relatives in their homelands; and

(c) expeditiously process permanent resident visa applications for Uyghur people in Australia on temporary protection visas.

(Notice given 11 September 2018.)

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

Speech time limits

Mr Zappia 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 MR FITZGIBBON: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) 2019 marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Greta Army Camp and the 70th anniversary of its transition to a migrant training and reception centre—Greta Migrant Camp;

(b) around 60,000 soldiers of the Second Australian Imperial Force trained at the Camp between 1939 and 1945;

(c) more than 100,000 new arrivals passed through the Greta Migrant Camp between 1949 and 1960;

(d) the army training centre played a significant role in Australia's outstanding contribution to the Second World War;

(e) the Greta Migrant Camp played a major role in delivering on the objectives and commitments of the Government's humanitarian and nation building programs; and

(f) the Hunter region and Australia more generally remain enriched by the contribution of those who spent time living at the Greta Migrant Camp; and

(2) calls on the Government to ensure the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Greta Army Camp and the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Greta Migrant Camp are appropriately commemorated and celebrated anniversaries.

(Notice given 20 August 2018.)

Time allotted 20minutes.

Speech time limits

Mr Fitzgibbon 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

2 MR JOYCE: To move—That this House:

(1) commends the hard working men and women of Australia's farms and rural industry;

(2) notes that Australia's total farm production is worth $62.3 billion in 2016-17, which is up almost 30 per cent since the Government came to office;

(3) notes that the value of agricultural exports is $49 billion in 2016-17, which is up 28 per cent since the Government came to office;

(4) notes the contribution of agriculture, forestry and fishing sector's to Australia's economy is $45.7 billion in 2016-17, which is up 9 per cent since the Government came to office;

(5) commends the Government for its investment in Australian agriculture to create jobs and prosperity in rural communities; and

(6) stands with farmers across Australia facing severe hardship as a result of drought and recognises the Government's drought assistance measures.

(Notice given 11 September 2018.)

Time allotted 40minutes.

Speech time limits

Mr Joyce 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

3 MS MCGOWAN: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the population of Australia has reached 25 million, a decade earlier than anticipated;

(b) there are significant opportunities to grow the population in regional Australia and the planning needs to be put in place and the plan needs to be developed together with the communities it will impact;

(c) this Parliament has completed multiple inquiries that outline:

(i) the actions governments should take to address the impacts of population pressure; and

(ii) actions to address the pressure on the telecommunications, infrastructure, social services, education and health care needs of regional Australia;

(d) the Standing Committee on Infrastructure, Transport and Cities report Harnessing Value, Delivering Infrastructure (November 2016) called for the Government to promote a better balance of settlement through decentralisation to the regions linked by faster transport connectivity and particularly through high speed rail; and

(e) the Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation report Regions at the Ready: Investing in Australia's Future (June 2018) called on the Government to state its regional development policy through a comprehensive Regional Australia White Paper, considering:

(i) regional Australia's population needs as part of the broader national context, including urbanisation, ageing, depleting populations in smaller towns, and migration;

(ii) the use of the skilled migration program to support regional development;

(iii) improving education and training of young people, in particular Year 12 completion rates—in regional areas;

(iv) the development of a national regional higher education strategy;

(v) the need for access to information technology, strong and reliable communication, specifically mobile phone and NBN;

(vi) the need for strong and reliable transport infrastructure to support passenger and freight requirements;

(vii) the role of amenity and social infrastructure, specifically the cultivation of social, cultural and community capital in supporting regional development;

(viii) incentives and strategies to improve private sector investment in regional areas; and

(ix) the role and funding of local governments to better support regional areas; and

(2) calls on the Government to deliver on the recommendations of the Select Committee on Regional Development and Decentralisation, Regions at the Ready: Investing in Australia's Future, including stating its regional development policy through a comprehensive Regional Australia White Paper, following a Green Paper public consultation process.

(Notice given 21 August 2018.)

Time allotted 30minutes.

Speech time limits

Ms McGowan 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

Orders of the day

1 INCOME TAX: Resumption of debate (from20August2018) on the motion of Mr Evans—That this House:

(1) notes that the Parliament recently passed the Government's Personal Income Tax Plan;

(2) further notes that:

(a) this legislation gives everyone who works a cut in their income tax bill; and

(b) the effect of this legislation means that over the next seven years 94 per cent of Australians will not face a tax rate of higher than 32.5 cents; and

(3) congratulates the Government for supporting working people and providing the economic leadership our country needs.

Time allotted 30minutes.

Speech time limits

All Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

2 EQUAL PAY: Resumption of debate (from10September2018) on the motion of Ms Plibersek—That this House:

(1) expresses concern that despite recent improvements in the gender pay gap, Australian women continue to experience sustained economic disadvantage, in particular women working in undervalued, traditionally female dominated industries;

(2) notes that on 5 September, early childhood educators around the country staged industrial action to highlight the need for equal pay and proper recognition for the value of their work;

(3) acknowledges the important contribution these workers, along with workers in other undervalued care professions such as aged care, health and disability care make, not just to our nation's economy but to Australian society; and

(4) calls on the Government to take action to support equal pay and recognition for women working in undervalued care professions.

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

Speech time limits

All Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices—continued

4 MR HAYES: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that National Police Remembrance Day will be observed on 28 September;

(2) acknowledges the significant role police officers across Australia play in our local communities and the great deal of risk and sacrifice that comes with their duty;

(3) honours the lives and memories of those police officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the course of their duty, and tragically this year we specifically honour Constable Dennis Green of the Western Australian Police Force, who was killed during pursuit training in West Toodyay;

(4) pays tribute to the families and friends of police officers who have been killed in the line of duty throughout our nation's history;

(5) commends the good work of Police Legacy, who look after the loved ones of police officers that have fallen; and

(6) reaffirms its support for the nation's police officers and honours their courage, commitment and dedication to ensuring the peace and safety of our communities.

(Notice given 10 September 2018.)

Time allotted 40minutes.

Speech time limits

Mr Hayes 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

5 MRS MARINO: To move—That this House:

(1) recognises the vital importance of mobile phone coverage to people living, working and travelling in regional and remote parts of the country;

(2) notes that:

(a) the Government has committed $220 million to the Mobile Black Spot Program to invest in telecommunications infrastructure that improves mobile coverage across Australia;

(b) over 600 base stations have already been activated under the program; and

(c) base stations constructed under the program have already connected approximately 10,800 Triple Zero emergency calls; and

(3) calls on the Government to maintain its commitment to regional communications.

(Notice given 11 September 2018.)

Time allotted 40minutes.

Speech time limits

Mrs Marino 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

Orders of the day—continued

3 Privatising the ABC: Resumption of debate (from20August2018) on the motion of Ms Sharkie—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) in the 2013 federal election, the then Leader of the Opposition, the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, promised no funding cuts to the ABC;

(b) since 2014 the Government has announced cuts of $338 million in funding from the ABC, comprised of:

(i) $254 million since 2014; and

(ii) $84 million over three years as announced in the 2018 budget;

(c) these funding cuts are privatising the ABC by stealth;

(d) many members of the Government are former staffers and/or members of the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA);

(e) the IPA has advised the Government to privatise the ABC and has published Against Public Broadcasting: Why We Should Privatise the ABC and How to Do It;

(f) on 7 October 2008 Senator Fifield, now Minister for Communications, gave a speech entitled Fiscal Contraception:Erecting Barriers to Impulsive Spending in which he stated that 'Conservatives have often floated the prospect of privatising the ABC and Australia Post and there is merit in such proposals.';

(g) strong and independent Australian public broadcasting is important to Australian culture and the quality of our country's democracy;

(h) the Liberal Party of Australia's 2018 Federal Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the 'full privatisation of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, except for services into regional areas'; and

(i) no Government ministers present at that Federal Council spoke against the motion during the debate; and

(2) calls on the Government to reverse the funding cuts it has imposed upon the ABC since 2014.

Time allotted 40minutes.

Speech time limits

All Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

Notices—continued

6 MR HASTIE: To move—That this House:

(1) recognises the industrial action undertaken by Alcoa workers since 8 August 2018;

(2) acknowledges the cost this action has had on both Alcoa and its workforce, including families and communities in the Peel region;

(3) notes the impact the high cost of energy has had on working families and Australian industry, particularly aluminium refinement;

(4) recognises the resolve of the Government to get power prices down; and

(5) calls on Alcoa and the Australian Workers' Union to reach an agreement that protects the job security of their workers.

(Notice given 11 September 2018.)

Time allotted 20minutes.

Speech time limits

Mr Hastie 5minutes.

Other Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

Orders of the day—continued

4 AUSTRALIA AND INDONESIA: Resumption of debate (from21May2018) on the motion of Mr Gosling—That this House:

(1) acknowledges the importance of Australia's bilateral relationship with Indonesia;

(2) notes that:

(a) two-way investment between Australia and Indonesia was valued at $10.4 billion in 2016;

(b) 16,200 Indonesian tourists visited Australia and 1.248 million Australians visited Indonesia in 2016, making Indonesia Australia's second most popular holiday destination;

(c) cultural engagement programs like those fostered by the Australia-Indonesia Institute, the Australia-Indonesia Centre and CAUSINDY: the Conference of Australian and Indonesian Youth, are paramount to continuing to develop strong people-to-people links;

(d) Darwin has a key role to play in Australia's relationship with Indonesia through:

(i) educational opportunities such as Charles Darwin University's exchange programs, research groups, and international student places;

(ii) assisting Indonesia in building their emergency and disaster management capacity;

(iii) quick-response health resources like the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre; and

(iv) further strengthening trade capabilities and opportunities in the cattle industry, with Indonesia taking approximately 60 per cent of Australia's overall live cattle exports and more than a third of Australia's live cattle exports currently shipped through the Port of Darwin; and

(e) there are many areas in which cooperation between Indonesia and Australia could be strengthened for mutual benefit, including:

(i) countering transnational crime through cyber-security capacity building;

(ii) improving Defence capabilities and humanitarian aid/disaster relief assistance;

(iii) sharing the expertise of NT health professionals through clinical training and trainee/specialist exchange programs;

(iv) partnering on tourism initiatives like Indonesia's Beyond Bali campaign to provide opportunities to regional areas such as Eastern Indonesia; and

(v) expanding trilateral cooperation with Timor-Leste to improve humanitarian aid/disaster relief and strengthen maritime security, with opportunity for inclusion of other nations;

(3) encourages Members to reflect on recent occasions when the strength of the Australia-Indonesia relationship has been strained by decisions that, with the benefit of hindsight, didn't adequately balance all aspects of the relationship between our nations; and

(4) calls on Members to ensure our words and actions at all times demonstrate our deep, enduring respect for Indonesia and the value we place in maintaining a positive relationship.

Time allotted remaining private Members ' business time prior to 7.30 pm

Speech time limits

All Members 5 minutes each.

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

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

THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP

Speaker of the House of Representatives

12 September 2018