Senator Brandis to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Economics Committee be authorised to hold a public meeting during the sitting of the Senate on Thursday, 19 October 2006, from 3.30 pm, to take evidence for the committee’s inquiry into petrol pricing in Australia.

Senators Murray and Heffernan to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes the fundamental human rights and protections contained in the United Nations (UN) Convention on the Rights of the Child, and notes in that regard:

(i)

the release on 11 October 2006 of the UN Secretary-General’s ‘Study on violence against children’, which sheds light on the scale and impact of violence done to children across cultures, classes and ethnic origins,

(ii)

that the report states that the majority of violence perpetrated on vulnerable children around the world is carried out by people who are part of their daily lives, and

(iii)

that the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission urges the Government to consider the report’s recommendations to counter violence against children; and

(b)

supports the Government investing heavily to protect children in Australia from violence, including by:

(i)

investing in violence prevention programs that address immediate risk factors, such as lack of parent-child attachment, family breakdown, abuse of alcohol and/or drugs,

(ii)

developing economic and social policies that address in a substantial way significant economic and social circumstances such as poverty, income gaps and other forms of inequality that negatively affect children, and

(iii)

placing the issue of child abuse and neglect front and centre in the Coalition of Australian Government’s processes.

Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes that 15 October to 21 October 2006 is Anti-Poverty Week;

(b)

acknowledges that the main aims of Anti-Poverty Week are to:

(i)

strengthen public understanding of the causes and consequences of poverty and hardship around the world and in Australia, and

(ii)

encourage research, discussion and action to address these problems, including action by individuals, communities, organisations and governments;

(c)

expresses concern about the unacceptably high levels of poverty in Australia and the growing gap between rich and poor;

(d)

recognises that children growing up in poverty face poorer health, education, employment and life outcomes (the National Centre for Social and Economic Modelling suggests that more than 10 per cent of Australian children can be said to be growing up in poverty);

(e)

acknowledges that a disproportionate percentage of Indigenous Australians live in poverty and that studies show that nearly half of all Indigenous children live in families where incomes are below the Henderson poverty line;

(f)

supports using Australia’s strong economy to improve the living standards and life chances of all Australians; and

(g)

urges the use of poverty impact statements in government reporting and decision-making.

Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a)

recognises the devastating impact of the continued drought on Australian communities;

(b)

acknowledges the scientific consensus that climate change is impacting on Australia’s water resources; and

(c)

calls for a national water summit to address Australia’s water crisis.

Senators Bartlett and Lundy to move on Thursday, 19 October 2006:

That the Senate—

(a)

notes:

(i)

that 19 October 2006 is the fifth anniversary of the sinking of the boat known as the SIEV X, which was bound for Australia and sank with the loss of 353 lives, including 146 children,

(ii)

that a ceremony was held on 15 October 2006 at Weston Park, Yarralumla, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin in Canberra to mark the anniversary and to display a proposed memorial, featuring 353 decorated wooden poles, which was created by people from more than 200 church, school and community groups from every state and territory in Australia, and

(iii)

the continuing grief that is still suffered by those who lost husbands, wives, mothers, fathers and children in the event;

(b)

calls on the National Capital Authority to give permission for the SIEV X memorial project to be established as a permanent memorial on the Canberra lakeshore as soon as possible; and

(c)

expresses its regret and sympathy at the tragic loss of so many innocent lives.