Senate debates
Wednesday, 27 October 2010
Notices
Presentation
Senator Fifield to move on the next day of sitting:
- That the Poker Machine Harm Reduction Tax (Administration) Bill 2008 [2010] and the Poker Machine (Reduced Losses—Interim Measures) Bill 2010 be referred to the Joint Select Committee on Gambling Reform for inquiry and report in line with the terms of reference of the committee.
Senators Xenophon and Bushby to move on the next day of sitting:
- That the following matter be referred to the Economics References Committee for inquiry and report by 31 March 2011:
Competition within the Australian banking sector, including:
- (a)
- the current level of competition between bank and non-bank providers;
- (b)
- the products available and fees and charges payable on those products;
- (c)
- how competition impacts on unfair terms that may be included in contracts;
- (d)
- the likely drivers of future change and innovation in the banking and non-banking sectors;
- (e)
- the ease of moving between providers of banking services;
- (f)
- the impact of the large banks being considered ‘too big to fail’ on profitability and competition;
- (g)
- regulation that has the impact of restricting or hindering competition within the banking sector, particularly regulation imposed during the global financial crisis;
- (h)
- opportunities for, and obstacles to, the creation of new banking services and the entry of new banking service providers;
- (i)
- assessment of claims by banks of cost of capital;
- (j)
- any other policies, practices and strategies that may enhance competition in banking, including legislative change;
- (k)
- comparisons with relevant international jurisdictions;
- (l)
- the role and impact of past inquiries into the banking sector in promoting reform; and
- (m)
- any other related matter.
Senator Bob Brown to move 16 November 2010:
- That standing order 104, relating to the correction of divisions, be amended to read as follows:
104 Correction of divisions
- (1)
- If there is misadventure, or in case of confusion or error concerning the numbers reported (unless it can be otherwise corrected), the Senate shall proceed to another division.
- (2)
- A division under this standing order must be taken as early as is convenient.
Senator Nash to move on the next day of sitting:
- That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to amend the Social Security Act 1991 to improve income support for regional students, and for related purposes. Social Security Amendment (Income Support for Regional Students) Bill 2010.
Senator Siewert to move on the next day of sitting:
- That the Senate—
- (a)
- recognises the grief and anguish suffered by thousands of mothers who were victims of the forced adoption policies of the recent past;
- (b)
- acknowledges the recent apology given by the Western Australian Parliament to those mothers whose children were removed and given up for adoption from the late 1940s to the 1980s in that state; and
- (c)
- urges the Australian Government to commence the process of developing a national apology in consultation with state and territory governments, mothers and their families, experts and advocacy groups.
Senator Siewert to move on 15 November 2010:
- (1)
- That the Senate:
- (a)
- acknowledges the recent apology given by the Western Australian Parliament to those mothers whose children were removed and given up for adoption from the late 1940s to the 1980s; and
- (b)
- notes that policies and practices resulting in forced adoptions were widespread throughout Australia during that time.
- (2)
- That the following matters be referred to the Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 April 2011:
- (a)
- the role, if any, of the Commonwealth Government, its policies and practices in contributing to forced adoptions; and
- (b)
- the potential role of the Commonwealth in developing a national framework to assist states and territories to address the consequences for the mothers, their families and children who were subject to forced adoption policies.