Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:

That the time for the presentation of the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on its inquiry into Australia’s future oil supply be extended to 19 October 2006.

Senators Moore, Allison and Ferris to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 19 October 2006:

Gynaecological cancer in Australia, and in particular the:

(a)

level of Commonwealth and other funding for research addressing gynaecological cancers;

(b)

extent, adequacy and funding for screening programs, treatment services, and for wider health support programs for women with gynaecological cancer;

(c)

capability of existing health and medical services to meet the needs of Indigenous populations and other cultural backgrounds, and those living in remote regions;

(d)

extent to which the medical community needs to be educated on the risk factors, symptoms and treatment of gynaecological cancers;

(e)

extent to which women and the broader community require education of the risk factors, symptoms and treatment of gynaecological cancers; and

(f)

extent to which experience and expertise in gynaecological cancer is appropriately represented on national health agencies, especially the recently established Cancer Australia.

Senators Barnett, Polley and Bob Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

acknowledges the amazing courage and tenacity of Mr Todd Russell and Mr Brant Webb since the underground accident at the Beaconsfield Gold Mine on Anzac Day, 25 April 2006;

(b)

applauds the actions and resilience of the rescue team during the 14 day ordeal when these men were entombed 925 metres underground, and specifically acknowledges the work of the emergency services, mine management, the Mayor Barry Easther and his council, the Australian Workers Union, Tasmanian Minerals Council Limited, the Beaconsfield churches, and numerous community groups and volunteers, and the spirit of the Beaconsfield community in conducting and assisting the delicate exercise resulting in their successful rescue;

(c)

notes that the elation felt from this rescue feat is tempered by the death of Mr Larry Knight in the same accident, and pays tribute to his wife Jackie and family for deferring the funeral to afford priority for the rescue mission, and extends sincere condolences to Jackie and her family; and

(d)

records that Australia, and the world, will long remember this tragic accident and amazing, successful rescue with admiration.

Senator Lundy to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate condemns the Howard Government for ignoring in the Budget the urgent needs of parents struggling with the cost, availability and quality of child care, noting:

(a)

the incompetence of the Howard Government in allocating $60 million for child care places that will never be delivered given that there are already 100 000 unallocated places due mainly to the shortage of child care professionals;

(b)

the failure to bring forward the 30 per cent rebate on out-of-pocket child care expenses despite criticism of the rebate from the Government’s own backbench and the fact that child care fees are rising far in excess of other goods and services; and

(c)

that parents who can not find child care, can not work, adding to the skills shortage.

Senator Ellison to move on the next day of sitting:

(1)

That the 2006-07 Budget estimates hearings by legislation committees be scheduled as follows:

Monday, 22 May to Thursday, 25 May (Group A)

Monday, 29 May to Thursday, 1 June (Group B).

(2)

That committees meet in the following groups:

Group A:

Environment, Communications, Information Technology and the Arts

Finance and Public Administration

Legal and Constitutional

Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport

Group B:

Community Affairs

Economics

Employment, Workplace Relations and Education

Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade.

Senator Nettle to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that:

(i)

the United Nations (UN) sponsored Act of Free Choice which sanctioned the Indonesian occupation of West Papua consisted of 1 022 West Papuans hand-picked by Indonesia and pressured to support integration, and

(ii)

a recent Newspoll found that 77 per cent of Australians were in favour of the people of West Papua having ‘the right to self determination, that is, the right to determine their own political future, including the option of independence’; and

(b)

calls on the Government to make representations to the UN Secretary-General regarding the Act of Free Choice requesting that he establish an inquiry into the validity of the process.

Senator McLucas to move on the next day of sitting:

That the following matter be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by the last sitting week of 2006:

An examination of the funding and operation of the Commonwealth-State/Territory Disability Agreement (CSTDA), including:

(a)

an examination of the intent and effect of the three CSTDAs to date;

(b)

the appropriateness or otherwise of current Commonwealth/state/territory joint funding arrangements, including an analysis of levels of unmet needs and, in particular, the unmet need for accommodation services and support;

(c)

an examination of the ageing/disability interface with respect to health, aged care and other services, including the problems of jurisdictional overlap and inefficiency; and

(d)

an examination of alternative funding, jurisdiction and administrative arrangements, including relevant examples from overseas.