Katy Gallagher (ACT, Australian Labor Party, Shadow Minister for Finance) Share this | Hansard source

I move general business notices of motion Nos 1074, 1075, 1076 and 1078 together:

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 1074

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) JobKeeper has been a crucial lifeline to millions of Australian workers and businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic,

(ii) over one million Australians will lose the financial support payment when JobKeeper is cancelled on 28 March 2021, including:

(A) 9,687 people in the Australian Capital Territory,

(B) 357,052 people in New South Wales,

(C) 4,128 people in the Northern Territory,

(D) 172,240 people in Queensland,

(E) 51,705 people in South Australia,

(F) 13,942 people in Tasmania,

(G) 413,418 people in Victoria, and

(H) 75,354 people in Western Australia;

(iii) the Morrison Government had committed to administering 4 million vaccinations by the time the JobKeeper program is cut at the end of March,

(iv) to date the Federal Government's vaccine rollout has only administered approximately 200,000 vaccines, and

(v) several economists have forecasted that more than 100,000 additional jobs could be lost across Australia due to the withdrawal of JobKeeper; and

(b) calls on the Morrison Government not to withdraw crucial financial support to those who continue to need it, particularly in hard hit sectors of the economy that continue to be significantly impacted by the pandemic like tourism and hospitality.

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 1075

That the Senate—

(a) notes that 21 March 2021 will be the 8th anniversary of the National Apology for Forced Adoptions;

(b) renews, to mark this anniversary, its commitment to:

(i) hear the voices of those that were forcibly removed, along with their families and loved ones, and

(ii) ensuring all of those affected get the help they need, are supported in finding the truth and are assisted in reconnecting with lost family;

(c) continues to acknowledge the profound effects of the policies and practices of forced adoptions on mothers, fathers, grandparents, brothers, sisters and partners; and

(d) further notes that the Senate remains resolved to ensuring the practices of forced adoption are never repeated, and that protecting the rights of children and the importance of a child's right to know and be cared for by their parents.

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 1076

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) family and domestic violence is a leading cause of death, disability and illness for women aged between 15 and 44,

(ii) leaving an abusive or violent relationship is one of the most dangerous periods for a woman and employment provides an important safety net; women are more able to escape if they are earning an income and have the financial capacity to do so,

(iii) employment allows women to maintain their social connections, financial independence and provides a pathway for rebuilding their lives, and

(iv) many women resign, are fired, or lose their connection with their work because they need to take time off to find a new place to live; see a lawyer or doctor; or enrol their children in a new school; and

(b) calls on the Federal Government to support Labor's proposal to legislate for 10 days' paid domestic violence leave.

GENERAL BUSINESS NOTICE OF MOTION NO. 1078

That the Senate—

(a) notes that education is a fundamental human right;

(b) welcomes the commitment embodied in Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4): Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all;

(c) acknowledges that the world is decades behind in delivering SDG 4, and the long-lasting impact of COVID-19 on learning is an immense risk to delivering the promise envisioned in Agenda 2030 of leaving no one behind; and

(d) commits to achieving the goals outlined in the Founding Declaration of the International Parliamentary Network for Education:

(i) higher total and better financing for education, ensuring that spending is efficient, accountable and in line with the SDG 4,

(ii) prioritisation of the furthest behind, so that no child is denied their right to education simply because of who they are or where they live, and

(iii) higher-quality education which delivers learning outcomes.