House debates
Thursday, 11 June 2020
Committees
Selection Committee; Report
3:11 pm
Tony Smith (Speaker) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source
I present report No. 16 of the Selection Committee, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday, 15 June 2020 and the consideration of bills. The report will be printed in the Hansard for today 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 and consideration of bills introduced 10 June 2020 to 12 June 2020
1. The committee met in private session on Thursday, 11 June 2020.
2. The Committee deliberated on items of committee and delegation business that had been notified and private Members' business items listed on the Notice Paper, and determined the order of precedence and times on Monday, 15 June 2020, as follows:
Items for House of Representatives Chamber (10.10 am to 12 noon)
COMMITTEE AND DELEGATION BUSINESS
Presentation and statements
1 STANDING COMMITTEE ON PROCEDURE
Inquiry into the practices and procedures relating to question time.
The Committee determined that statements may be made all statements to conclude by 10.15 am.
Speech time limits
Mr Vasta 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
2 JOINT STANDING COMMITTEE ON MIGRATION
Inquiry into migration in regional Australia.
The Committee determined that statements may be made all statements to conclude by 10.25 am.
Speech time limits
Mr Leeser 5minutes.
Next Member speaking 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
3 AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENTARY DELEGATION
Report of the Parliamentary Delegation to the 40 th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly in Bangkok, Thailand, and to the Philippines and Malaysia.
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made all statements to conclude by 10.30 am
Speech time limits
Mr Hogan 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
4 JOINT COMMITTEE OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS AND AUDIT
Report 481, Efficiency and Effectiveness: Inquiry into Auditor-General ' s Reports 25, 29, 38, 42, 44, 45 and 51 (2018-19).
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made all statements to conclude by 10.40 am.
Speech time limits
Mrs Wicks 5minutes.
Next Member speaking 5 minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 2 x 5 mins]
5 JOINT SELECT COMMITTEE ON AUSTRALIA'S FAMILY LAW SYSTEM
Update on the activities of the committee.
The Committee determined that statements on the report may be made all statements to conclude by 10.45 am.
Speech time limits
Mr K. J. Andrews 5minutes.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 1 x 5 mins]
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR BANDT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Fair Work Act 2009, and for related purposes. (Fair Work Amendment (One in, All in) Bill 2020)
(Notice given 10 June 2020.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
2 MR WILKIE: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013, and for related purposes. (Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Amendment (Sustainable Procurement Principles) Bill 2020)
(Notice given 10 June 2020.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
3 MR PERRETT: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the Family Law Act 1975, and for related purposes. (Family Law Amendment (A Step Towards a Safer Family Law System) Bill 2020)
(Notice given 2 March 2020.)
Presenter may speak to the second reading for a period not exceeding 10 minutes pursuant to standing order 41. Debate must be adjourned pursuant to standing order 142.
4 MR B. K. MITCHELL: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) in 2019 the independent 11-member Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal did unanimously recommend that the extraordinary bravery of Ordinary Seaman Edward 'Teddy' Sheean should be recognised with the posthumous awarding of the Victoria Cross; and
(b) the Government rejected the Defence Honours and Awards Appeals Tribunal's unanimous recommendation; and
(2) calls on the Prime Minister to take immediate action to reverse the Government's rejection of the tribunal's recommendation, and take the actions necessary to progress the tribunal's recommendation.
(Notice given 10 June 2020.)
Time allotted 25minutes.
Speech time limits
Mr B. K. Mitchell 5minutes.
Other 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.
5 MRS MCINTOSH: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth of Australia and the United States of America;
(2) recognises the diplomatic relationship is the foundation of the broader strategic, defence and economic partnerships between Australia and the United States;
(3) acknowledges:
(a) the significance of the recent state dinner between President Trump and Prime Minister Morrison on 20 September 2019; and
(b) the appointment of United States Ambassador to Australia, Mr Arthur Culvahouse Jnr, on 19 February 2019;
(4) encourages that the anniversary be a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to promote and uphold democratic values, freedoms and the rule of law at home and abroad;
(5) further acknowledges that a strong, bilateral relationship is vital for our continued shared economic prosperity and national security, as Australia and the United States:
(a) face increasingly complex and frequent threats that aim to undermine the integrity of democratic institutions and national sovereignty; and
(b) share the benefits of a robust trade and investment relationship valued at US $1.1 trillion that creates and sustains jobs; and
(6) commemorates the bravery, service and sacrifice of United States firefighters Captain Ian H McBeth, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson, and Flight Engineer Rick A DeMorgan Jr who tragically lost their lives while fighting bushfires in the Snowy Monaro area, New South Wales, on 23 January 2020.
(Notice given 2 March 2020.)
Time allotted remaining private Members ' business time prior to 12 noon
Speech time limits
Mrs McIntosh 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 at a later hour.
Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)
PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS
Notices
1 MR GILES: To move—That this House:
(1) recognises:
(a) the significant contribution made by Chinese-Australians to Australia;
(b) that all people in Australia, regardless of their ethnicity, cultural or religious background, deserve to be respected in our society;
(c) that Australia is the most successful multicultural society in the world and that Australia is strengthened by our diversity; and
(d) the important role our multicultural communities have played in stopping the spread of the coronavirus;
(2) notes that the COVID-19 crisis has seen a number of appalling racist attacks on Chinese-Australians;
(3) condemns these shocking racist attacks; and
(4) supports promoting a zero tolerance approach to racism in Australia.
(Notice given 10 June 2020.)
Time allotted 40minutes.
Speech time limits
Mr Giles 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.
2 MR RAMSEY: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that there are:
(a) 1.3 million Australians with diabetes registered on the National Diabetes Services Scheme, with over 280 new people diagnosed and registered each day and an estimated 500,000 Australians with type 2 diabetes which remain undiagnosed; and
(b) an estimated 2 million Australians with pre-diabetes and at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes in the next 5-10 years;
(2) acknowledges:
(a) diabetes is a complex metabolic disorder, which if not diagnosed early and treated well may lead to serious health complications such as blindness, limb amputation, heart disease and stroke, and kidney disease; and
(b) the Government's long standing commitment to improving the treatment and care of people with diabetes through establishing the Australian National Diabetes Strategy, the roll out of continuous glucose monitors and flash monitors to children, young adults, health care card holders and women with type 1 diabetes who are pregnant, while noting the need for all type 1 diabetics to have affordable access to this important technology, as well as the recently launched Diabetes in Schools program, the KeepSight program, and programs to prevent diabetes related amputations;
(3) congratulates Australian of the Year 2020, Dr James Muecke AM for his work as an ophthalmologist working in many poor and developing nations, and for raising public awareness of the need to prevent type 2 diabetes through encouraging healthier lifestyles and healthier environments; and
(4) calls on all state and federal governments to re-commit to a refreshed Australian National Diabetes Strategy and to fund and develop a national diabetes prevention program.
(Notice given 2 March 2020.)
Time allotted 40minutes.
Speech time limits
Mr Ramsey 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 SHARKIE: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) water is a scarce and highly valuable resource in Australia; and
(b) Australia is prone to droughts and many parts of our country have recently experienced their worst droughts in living memory;
(2) registers its concern that:
(a) foreign entities, some implicitly backed by foreign governments, are substantially increasing their holdings of Australian water rights;
(b) Australian agriculturalists are increasingly competing with these foreign entities to secure the water rights upon which their livelihoods depend; and
(c) the acquisition of water rights is not directly subject to the approval of the Foreign Investment Review Board;
(3) congratulates the Government on committing to reform the legislation governing the Foreign Investment Review Board; and
(4) calls upon the Government to, in those reforms:
(a) ensure that water rights are directly subject to Foreign Investment Review Board approval, independent to the acquisition of agricultural land to which those rights sometimes attach; and
(b) lower the threshold for Foreign Investment Review Board approval for agricultural and water rights to $5 million.
(Notice given 10 June 2020.)
Time allotted 35minutes.
Speech time limits
Ms Sharkie 5minutes.
Other Members 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
4 MR YOUNG: To move—That this House:
(1) commends the Government's Pacific Step-up and its focus on building prosperity across the regions, including by encouraging close links between Australian business and investors with the Pacific;
(2) recognises that the Pacific is part of Australia's family and that we have a special relationship with our Pacific neighbours; and
(3) notes that the significant Australian investment in key infrastructure projects, such as the Coral Sea Cable, is providing positive economic and social opportunities to communities in the Pacific.
(Notice given 2 March 2020.)
Time allotted remaining private Members ' business time prior to 1.30 pm
Speech time limits
Mr Young 5minutes.
Other Members 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 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
5 MS COLLINS: To move—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on older Australians, their families, their carers and the aged care workforce;
(b) the valuable contributions made by the more than 360,000 aged care workers who have continued to deliver care and support to older Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic;
(c) all aged care workers play a valuable role to deliver care and support to older Australians in residential and home care;
(d) many aged care workers are low paid and around 87 per cent of them are women;
(e) the Government's decision to exclude a large proportion of aged care workers from receiving the retention bonus;
(f) excluded aged care workers who will not receive the retention bonus include those delivering services under the Commonwealth Home Support Program as well as in-direct care workers in residential aged care facilities including lifestyle and leisure therapists, cleaners, hospitality workers and gardeners;
(g) the exclusion of any aged care worker from receiving the retention bonus is unwarranted and unfair;
(h) on 20 March 2020 the Minister for Aged Care and Senior Australians issued a media release that stated the retention bonus payment would be 'after tax'; and
(i) on 5 June 2020 the Department of Health's retention bonus guidelines stated the payment would be 'subject to income tax';
(2) conveys its disappointment that the Government made:
(a) a decision to exclude about 40 per cent of aged care workers from receiving the retention bonus; and
(b) a late decision to switch the retention bonus from being after tax to being before tax that will see aged care workers lose hundreds of dollars they were previously promised;
(3) calls on the Government, as a matter of urgency, to reconsider its decision and pay the retention bonus to all aged care workers irrespective of their role or where they work and to explain why it changed the rules around the payment being after tax to the payment now being subject to income tax; and
(4) acknowledges the work all aged care workers undertake each and every day and thanks them for their continued dedication to care and support older Australians in residential and home care.
(Notice given 10 June 2020.)
Time allotted 45minutes.
Speech time limits
Ms Collins 5minutes.
Other Members 5 minutes each.
[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 9 x 5 mins]
The Committee determined that consideration of this should continue on a future day.
6 MR THOMPSON: To move—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) the work the Government is doing to address the issue of veteran suicide with the announcement of an independent National Commissioner for Defence and Veteran Suicide;
(b) that a new independent National Commissioner will be appointed to identify and investigate suicide amongst Australian Defence Force and veteran population; and
(c) that a new Veteran Family Advocate will be appointed to lead engagement, liaison and advocacy amongst families and will be at the heart of policy and decision making with the Department of Veterans' Affairs; and
(2) recognises mental health and suicide are complex issues, but issues that are everyone's business—families, friends, employers, community organisations, governments and the ex-service community.
(Notice given 3 March 2020.)
Time allotted 40minutes.
Speech time limits
Mr Thompson 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.
7 MS CLAYDON: To move—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that:
(a) an effective public service relies on skilled public servants who have fair and equitable conditions of employment and job security;
(b) the Government's arbitrary average staffing level (ASL) policy is:
(i) driving privatisation as it forces agencies to outsource their core functions;
(ii) causing a blowout in spending on contractors, consultants and labour hire; and
(iii) leading to a hollowing out of the public service; and
(c) evidence to the Australian Public Service (APS) Review indicates that contractors cost 40 per cent more than permanent APS employees;
(2) notes that:
(a) the Australian National Audit Office Information Report No 19 of 2017-18, Australian Government Procurement Contract Reporting, indicates that in 2016-17:
(i) Government spending on consultants was close to $700 million, up from around $380 million in 2013; and
(ii) 'the big four' had 1,617 consultancy contracts worth $502.1 million since 2012-13;
(b) more than $400 million has been spent on privatising Department of Human Services call centres, including a $135 million contract for Stellar Asia Pacific, $132 million to Concentrix Services, $120 million to Datacom Connect and $36 million to Serco Citizen Services;
(c) the National Disability Insurance Agency:
(i) recorded a 600 per cent increase in consultants and contractors over two years—from $70 million in 2016 to $430 million in 2018; and
(ii) has previously stated its staffing levels would be 10,595 staff in 2018-2019—this is now capped at 3,230 in the 2019-20 budget with core functions such as local area coordinators outsourced; and
(d) the Government's billion dollar plan to privatise Australia's visa system will lead to increased visa costs, data and national security risks and job losses; and
(3) calls on the Government to:
(a) abolish the arbitrary and damaging ASL policy;
(b) ensure that workers doing the same job get the same pay to stop the use of labour hire from undermining the pay and conditions of existing workers; and
(c) end the secrecy on government spending on contractors, consultants and labour hire firms.
(Notice given 15 October 2019.)
Time allotted 40minutes.
Speech time limits
Ms Claydon 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
AUSTRALIA-US RELATIONSHIP: Resumption of debate on the motion of Mrs McIntosh—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that this year marks the 80th anniversary of the establishment of formal diplomatic relations between the Commonwealth of Australia and the United States of America;
(2) recognises the diplomatic relationship is the foundation of the broader strategic, defence and economic partnerships between Australia and the United States;
(3) acknowledges:
(a) the significance of the recent state dinner between President Trump and Prime Minister Morrison on 20 September 2019; and
(b) the appointment of United States Ambassador to Australia, Mr Arthur Culvahouse Jnr, on 19 February 2019;
(4) encourages that the anniversary be a reaffirmation of our shared commitment to promote and uphold democratic values, freedoms and the rule of law at home and abroad;
(5) further acknowledges that a strong, bilateral relationship is vital for our continued shared economic prosperity and national security, as Australia and the United States:
(a) face increasingly complex and frequent threats that aim to undermine the integrity of democratic institutions and national sovereignty; and
(b) share the benefits of a robust trade and investment relationship valued at US $1.1 trillion that creates and sustains jobs; and
(6) commemorates the bravery, service and sacrifice of United States firefighters Captain Ian H McBeth, First Officer Paul Clyde Hudson, and Flight Engineer Rick A DeMorgan Jr who tragically lost their lives while fighting bushfires in the Snowy Monaro area, New South Wales, on 23 January 2020.
Time allotted 20minutes.
Speech time limits
All 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.
Notices—continued
8 MR ALEXANDER: To move—That this House:
(1) notes that between 1 and 2 per cent of the Australian population suffers from heart failure, with this proportion higher in Indigenous communities;
(2) acknowledges with concern the rising cost of care for the growing number of Australians with heart failure, including the duration and frequency of hospitalisation, medical management and health complications;
(3) further notes that research from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare states that over 60,000 heart failure hospital admissions, amounting to over 400,000 bed days and a cost to the healthcare system of $3.9 billion are potentially preventable;
(4) welcomes the arrival of proven technologies, including trans catheter mitral valve repair, which have demonstrated transformative improvements in addressing underlying causes of heart failure including functional and degenerative mitral regurgitation;
(5) commends the support given by clinicians, advocates, carers and families of Australians suffering from heart failure;
(6) welcomes with appreciation the announcement of the Government's commitment of $220 million over 10 years for the Cardiovascular Mission under the Medical Research Fund;
(7) acknowledges the Government's commitment to address all forms of heart disease under the National Action Plan for Heart and Stroke;
(8) notes the current consideration by the Medical Services Advisory Committee of transcatheter mitral valve repair; and
(9) calls on the Government to ensure all Australians have early access to proven procedures and technologies, such as transcatheter mitral valve repair, where indicated, to address the rising healthcare burden and premature mortality represented by heart failure.
(Notice given 3 March 2020.)
Time allotted remaining private Members ' business time prior to 7.30 pm
Speech time limits
Mr Alexander 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.
3. The committee determined that the following referral of a bill to a committee be made—
Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs:
Speaker of the House of Representatives
11 June 2020