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

I present report No. 17 of the selection committee relating to the consideration of committee and delegation reports and private members' business for this sitting. Copies of the report have been placed on the table.

The report read as follows—

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

SELECTION COMMITTEE

REPORT No. 17

Committee and delegation business

and

private Members' business

24 August 2020

MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

Chair Hon A. D. H. Smith MP, Speaker

Members Mr B van Manen MP (Chief Government Whip)

Mr C Hayes MP (Chief Opposition Whip)

Hon D Drum MP (Chief Nationals Whip)

Mr R Broadbent MP

Ms N Flint MP

Ms P Murphy MP

Mr K O'Dowd

Mr R Ramsey MP

Ms J Ryan MP

Ms R Sharkie MP

Ms A Stanley MP

Mr L O'Brien MP, Deputy Speaker

Secretary Mr G Worthington

Committee support

Ms F Hall

Mr D Pecar

Mr G Taylor

Report relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and of private Members' business

1. The committee met in private session on Tuesday, 4 August 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 the next sitting Monday, as follows:

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

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 Ms Claydon: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) more than 140,000 Australians were on social housing waitlists in June 2018;

(b) the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute has identified a shortfall of 433,000 social housing dwellings over the next 20 years;

(c) much of Australia's existing social housing stock is in dire need of maintenance and repairs; and

(d) the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development has urged the Government to consider investment in social housing as a means of protecting Australia's economy from the impacts of COVID-19;

(2) recognises the success of Labor's $5,638 billion investment to build 20,000 new social housing dwellings and renovate a further 80,000, as a key economic stimulus measure during the global financial crisis; and

(3) calls on the Government to:

(a) ensure that stimulus measures are focused on delivering maximum ongoing public benefit; and

(b) work with the private and community sectors and superannuation funds to invest in more social housing and repair existing social housing.

(Notice given 16 June 2020.)

Time allotted — 60minutes.

Speech time limits —

Ms Claydon — 5minutes.

Other Members — 5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 12 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

2 Ms Flint: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that cultural and creative activity plays an important role in:

(a) the lives of 98 per cent of Australians, who engage with the arts by making art, viewing, attending or going online to experience arts and culture;

(b) Australia's international tourism industry, with 43 per cent of all international tourists engaging with the arts while in Australia, who are travelling further, staying longer and spending more than other tourists;

(c) Australia's domestic tourism industry, with Australians taking 12.3 million arts day trips and 13.4 million arts overnight trips within Australia that include arts activities—this travel will play a role in helping communities rebuild and recover from disasters by supporting local jobs and economies; and

(d) Australia's economy, contributing more than $112 billion to our economy this year, or over 6 per cent of our gross domestic product, and this has increased by 30 per cent since 2008-09; and

(2) further notes that the Government is providing a record amount of funding to the arts, of around $750 million.

(Notice given 3 March 2020.)

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

Speech time limits —

Ms Flint — 5minutes.

Other Members — 5 minutes each.

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

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

Items for Federation Chamber (11 am to 1.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices

1 Dr Haines: To move—That this House:

(1) recognises that:

(a) in the 19th century it was regional Australia that led the transition from gas to electricity and that in the 21st century it is again regional Australia that is leading Australia's transition to renewable energy; and

(b) according to the Australian Energy Market Operator's Integrated System Plan, around 15 gigawatts of coal-fired power will retire over the next 20 years;

(2) recalls the analysis from the leaked report of the National COVID-19 Coordination Commission Manufacturing Taskforce indicated that renewables plus storage are the lowest cost form of new electricity generation, and therefore a lowest-cost energy transition will be based on significant investment in renewables;

(3) welcomes the recent comments from the International Energy Agency that 'governments have the opportunity to accelerate renewables deployment by making investment in renewables a key part of stimulus packages designed to reinvigorate their economies. This offers the prospect of harnessing the structural benefits that increasingly affordable renewables can bring, including opportunities for creating jobs and economic development, while reducing emissions and fostering innovation';

(4) notes analysis by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation that projects that up to $1,000 billion will be spent on Australia's electricity system until 2050 and that local communities should benefit from this investment boom;

(5) acknowledges that 'community energy', which is where a renewable energy project is developed by, owned by or delivers benefit to local communities, offers a compelling model for capturing the immense benefits of renewable energy, including jobs and investment, for local communities in regional Australia;

(6) welcomes the findings of Sustainability Victoria into the Victorian Community Power Hub pilot program which found that Government investment into community energy of $1.16 million created 15 projects delivering economic benefits worth $25.6 million; and

(7) calls on the Government to support the development of community-owned renewable energy projects across regional Australia through:

(a) direct financial support for regional communities in the form of grants and concessional loans;

(b) technical support for local communities to develop renewable energy projects based on the Community Power Hub model successfully deployed in Victoria; and

(c) a dedicated national community energy agency to enable capacity-building across the regional community energy network and to administer financial and technical support over the medium-term.

(Notice given 15 June 2020.)

Time allotted — 35minutes.

Speech time limits —

Dr Haines — 5minutes.

Other Members — 5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

2 Mr Connelly: To move—That this House:

(1) notes the Census and Statistics Amendment (Statistical Information) Regulations 2020 tabled in Parliament on 11 February 2020 seek to ask a question in the 2021 census about whether someone has served in the Australian Defence Force (ADF); and

(2) recognises that having a census question around the ADF service will:

(a) for the first time, give a complete picture of the number of veterans in Australia; and

(b) allow governments of all levels to deliver the right services in the right areas to support veterans and their families.

(Notice given 3 March 2020.)

Time allotted — 30minutes.

Speech time limits —

Mr Connelly — 5minutes.

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.

3 Mr Jones: To move—That this House notes:

(1) the purpose of superannuation is to enable Australians to save for a dignified retirement;

(2) superannuation has made an enormous contribution to converting Australia from a nation that borrows to a nation that lends, creating a pool of funds to invest locally and abroad;

(3) Australia is the 16th largest economy in the world, but because of universal superannuation has a pool of savings owned by Australian workers worth $2.8 trillion, which is the fourth largest pool of retirement savings in the world;

(4) before universal superannuation, 68 per cent of Australians and 85 per cent of all women had no retirement savings;

(5) the average superannuation balance at retirement is now approximately $160,000 for women and $280,000 for men;

(6) under current policy settings, the median balance on retirement for full-time workers will be $310,819 for women and $628,634 for men;

(7) over the past decade the average rate of return has been between 6 and 8 per cent—last year it grew by 9.2 per cent and Australia was among only a handful of countries that saw pension fund growth; and

(8) superannuation is critical to Australia's economic growth and resilience and must be strengthened so it can play a pivotal role in Australia's economic recovery from COVID-19.

(Notice given 13 May 2020.)

Time allotted — 35minutes.

Speech time limits —

Mr Jones — 5minutes.

Other Members — 5 minutes each.

[Minimum number of proposed Members speaking = 7 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

Orders of the day

1 Roads to Recovery Program: Resumption of debate (from24February2020Dr Haines, in continuation) on the motion of Mr R. J. Wilson—That this House:

(1) notes:

(a) that from 2013-14 to 2023-24, the Government will provide a record $6.2 billion under the Roads to Recovery Program, with an ongoing commitment of $500 million each year following; and

(b) the significant benefits to the 128 Local Government Areas which will receive an additional $138.9 million in Roads to Recovery drought support funding; and

(2) recognises the real and meaningful difference Roads to Recovery is making to communities right across the country.

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 matter should continue on a future day.

2 Precision medicine: Resumption of debate (from25November2019) on the motion of Mr Simmonds—That this House:

(1) recognises that precision medicine, enabled by advances in genomics, data analysis and artificial intelligence represents an exciting leap in healthcare that will improve the outcomes of preventative and targeted medicine for countless Australians and their families;

(2) acknowledges that:

(a) our world class healthcare system ensures Australia is well placed to lead the world in precision medicine innovations;

(b) Australian researchers, including those at the University of Queensland, are world leaders in their field and their work is at the forefront of precision medicine; and

(c) research in precision medicine stimulates the economy, leads to growth in highly skilled jobs and supports Australia's $185 billion healthcare industry;

(3) welcomes the Government's significant investment in precision medicine research including as part of the recently announced $440 million in National Health and Medical Research Council grants; and

(4) encourages the Government and private enterprise to continue to invest in the genomics, data analysis and artificial intelligence research required to grow the precision medicine sector in Australia in order to create jobs, keep Australia at the forefront of medical advances and improve the healthcare outcomes for everyday Australians.

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 = 4 x 5 mins]

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

Items for Federation Chamber (4.45 pm to 7.30 pm)

PRIVATE MEMBERS' BUSINESS

Notices – continued

4 Mr Gorman: To move—That this House:

(1) recognises that Australia's tourism sector is vital to a strong, growing economy;

(2) notes:

(a) that 2020 has seen an incredibly tough start to the year for tourism operators with devastating bushfires, an inevitable Coronavirus pandemic and a sluggish domestic economy;

(b) Australia is a tourism dependent economy with the Australian Bureau of Statistics noting a $60 billion contribution to gross domestic product; and

(c) 666,000 people worked in tourism in Australia in 2018-19;

(3) encourages Australians to support our local tourism operators and where possible holiday here, at home, in the best country in the world;

(4) commits Members of this House to work with members of the tourism industry and local operators and encourage the development of new tourism businesses and assets; and

(5) agrees that Australia is the best country in the world and a must visit country for any international tourist.

(Notice given 3 March 2020.)

Time allotted — 40minutes.

Speech time limits —

Mr Gorman — 5minutes.

Other Members — 5 minutes each.

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

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

5 Mr Pearce: To move—That this House:

(1) recognises the importance of working with our Pacific neighbours to deliver a region that is secure and sovereign; and

(2) notes:

(a) the Government's Pacific Maritime Security Program is providing the region with a modern and coordinated security capability; and

(b) the Government is delivering important infrastructure projects that will enhance their security capability—this includes:

  (i) Fiji's Blackrock Peacekeeping and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Camp;

  (ii) gifting of Guardian Class Patrol Boats; and

  (iii) the joint initiative with Papua New Guinea and the Lombrum Naval Base.

(Notice given 3 March 2020.)

Time allotted — 40minutes.

Speech time limits —

Mr Pearce — 5minutes.

Other Members — 5 minutes each.

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

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

6 Ms Collins: To move—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately impacted women's economic security, and that:

  (i) in April over half a million Australians lost their jobs, of which 55 per cent were women;

  (ii) women's underemployment ratio now sits at an unprecedented 16 per cent, compared to 14 per cent for men; and

  (iii) modelling has estimated that more than 200,000 women casual workers in the accommodation, food services, and retail trade sectors alone will miss out on the JobKeeper wage subsidy;

(b) women typically retire with half the superannuation balance as men and if they choose to withdraw funds, women will suffer a significantly greater impact on their retirement income than men;

(c) Australian women have been on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis in Australia in underpaid and undervalued roles—women account for:

  (i) 87 per cent of registered nurses and midwives;

  (ii) 87 per cent of aged care workers; and

  (iii) 96 percent of early childhood educators; and

(d) as a result of COVID-19, mothers are spending an extra hour each day on unpaid housework and four extra hours on childcare; and

(2) calls on the Government to recognise that women have been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 crisis and deliver a plan to reduce gender inequality.

(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 matter should continue on a future day.

7 Mrs McIntosh: To move—That this House:

(1) recognises the importance of environmental management and conservation in our local communities;

(2) acknowledges the importance of local environmental volunteer groups who devote their time to look after our natural environment;

(3) congratulates our local volunteers on their dedication to supporting our local communities and our environment; and

(4) acknowledges the Government's continued support of environmental groups through the Communities Environment Program, which provides each of the 151 electorates across Australia with up to $150,000 to fund small, community-led environment projects, totalling $22.65 million.

(Notice given 2 March 2020.)

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

Speech time limits —

Mrs McIntosh — 5minutes.

Other Members — 5 minutes each.

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

The Committee determined that consideration

of this matter should continue on a future day.

THE HON A. D. H. SMITH MP

Speaker of the House of Representatives

24 August 2020