Mitch Fifield (Victoria, Liberal Party, Manager of Government Business in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I present three government responses to committee reports as listed at item 14 on today's Order of Business. In accordance with the usual practice, I seek leave to have the documents incorporated in Hansard.

Leave granted.

The documents read as follows—

Australian Government response to the Senate Select Committee into the Abbott Government's Budget Cuts report:

First interim report

February 2016

A response to each recommendation from the first interim report from Senate Select Committee into the Abbott Government's Budget Cuts Senate Select Committee is provided below.

Recommendation 1

(2.31)–The government maintains the age of eligibility for Newstart at 22 years of age.

The Government notes this recommendation.

Recommendation 2

(2.32)–The committee recommends that the government abandons the 2014-15 Budget measure providing for a six-month waiting period for Newstart payments for new claimants.

The Government notes this recommendation.

As announced in the 2015-16 Budget the Stronger Participation Incentives for Job Seekers Under 30 measure announced in the 2014-15 Budget will no longer proceed. In its place, the Government has announced a Growing Jobs and Small Business package, which includes a new four week waiting period for job seekers applying for Youth Allowance (other) or Special Benefit, who are aged under 25 and assessed as job ready. This will commence on 1 July 2016, subject to the passage of legislation. The package provides additional supports for young people under 25 to find employment and/or become work ready. Job seekers who have been assessed as having significant barriers to finding a job, including parents caring for children, and young people leaving state care, will not be required to serve the four week waiting period. Students will not be subject to the four week waiting period. Additional funding has also been allocated to providers of Emergency Relief services, who may assist young people with material aid, if required.

In addition, as part of the Growing Jobs and Small Business package, the Government will provide over $330 million to implement a Youth Employment Strategy to improve employment outcomes for Australia's young people and make it easier for them to enter the workforce. The package provides targeted support for groups of young people who are more susceptible to long term unemployment or are at risk of welfare dependence. This includes:

o establish an innovative youth programme to engage vulnerable young people early in their transition to work

o provide support for parents to plan and prepare for employment

o deliver specialised individual placement employment support for young people with mental illness, including those in Disability Employment Services

o help young refugees and other vulnerable young migrants make a successful transition to work through support in the areas of employment, education, sports engagement and vocational opportunities.

Recommendation 3

(3.44) –The committee recommends that the government reinstate funding for Youth Connections immediately.

The Government does not agree with this recommendation.

The Youth Connections programme (2010–14) targeted school-age young people; 74 per cent of programme participants were under the age of 17. State and territory governments are responsible for keeping school-age children engaged in education, with families playing a central role.

As part of the 2015 Budget the Government focused youth efforts on new initiatives to provide opportunities for young Australians to participate in education and employment. These include the $330 million Youth Employment Strategy to improve employment opportunities and outcomes for Australia ' s young people and make it easier for them to enter the workforce. This package includes $18 million over four years for 6000 job seekers annually to undertake work experience for up to four weeks while they continue to receive income support.

The Government is also investing in the Industry Skills Fund - Youth Stream which includes two pilot programmes, Training for Employment Scholarships and Youth Employment Pathways. The programmes assist business by supporting job specific training for new, young employees; and community organisations to help young people return to school, start vocational training or move into work.

Recommendation 4

(3.48) — The committee recommends that the government reinstate Commonwealth funding for Reclink Australia immediately.

The Government notes this recommendation.

The Government recognises the work that Reclink does in assisting people experiencing disadvantage. However, as a terminating measure with funding not provided for in the Forward Estimates, the Government was unable to further extend funding for the Reclink National Programme. The Government will continue to support disadvantaged Australians though sport including through funding the Australian Sports Commission. The Commission works with National Sporting Organisations to support under-represented groups and encourages all National Sporting Organisations to provide products and programmes that are inclusive.

Recommendation 5

(4.35) –The committee recommends the government keep the promise made to the Australian public not to cut education funding.

The Government notes this recommendation.

School Funding

There are no cuts to school funding. The Government has honoured its election commitment and delivered funding for all states, territories and school sectors by investing $69.5 billion in total funding to schools over the forward estimates period. This includes the reinstatement of $1.2 billion removed by the previous government and takes Commonwealth investment in schooling over the forward estimates to a record high.

The Government will be considering longer term funding arrangements within the context of the White Paper on the Reform of the Federation. This paper is an important part of our commitment to stable and sustainable government and will help inform negotiations of funding arrangements from 2018 with all state and territory governments and non-government education authorities.

Higher Education

The Government has not cut funding to higher education.

The Government is seeking to implement changes to higher education to create a system that is higher in quality, more accessible, more competitive and more sustainable. To achieve these objectives, the Government remains committed to delivering policies that ensure the higher education sector delivers the educational opportunities and research outcomes Australia needs to succeed in the future.

The Government is consulting with students, their parents, institutions, employers, members of parliament, senators and other stakeholders, to ensure ongoing, fair and sustainable support for an adaptive, world-class higher education system, with equitable access for students.

To provide certainty to the Australian higher education community as this consultation process is undertaken, the Government has determined that 2016 higher education arrangements will be the same as 2015, indexed for inflation.

Recommendation 6

(4.42)–The committee recommends the government abandons plans to deregulate fees in the higher education sector.

The Government notes this recommendation.

The Government will continue to pursue reform in the higher education system to find a fair and sustainable way to fund an adaptive, world-class higher education system, with equitable access for students.

All options remain on the table as the Government consults with with the higher education sector, students, employers, members of parliament and senators, and other stakeholders, on the future of higher education reform.

Recommendation 7

(4.43) –The committee recommends the government maintain HELP debt repayment arrangements and assistance for disadvantaged and low SES groups.

The Government notes this recommendation.

The Government will continue to give students access to the Higher Education Loan Programme (HELP), meaning that they are not required to pay any tuition fees up front and are not required to start making repayments until they are earning a decent income.

The Government has moved to ensure that Australians working overseas are required to pay back their HELP loans in just the same way they would be required to if they were working in Australia.

The Government will continue to provide assistance for disadvantaged and low socioeconomic status students. The Higher Education Participation and Partnerships Programme will continue to support opportunity and success in higher education.

Recommendation 8

(4.42) –The government restore funding cuts in the 2014-15 Budget to the VET Sector.

The Government notes this recommendation.

Australian Government support for vocational education and training (VET) is at record levels. Through providing funding to the states, running Commonwealth own programmes and the provision of student loans, total funding for VET will soon surpass $6 billion per annum.

Recommendation 9

(4.50) — The committee recommends the government restore the funding cuts to school funding.

The Government notes this recommendation.

There are no cuts to school funding. The Government is investing $69.5 billion in total school funding over the forward estimates period taking Commonwealth investment in schooling to a record high.

From 2018, school education funding will increase based on student enrolment growth and the government-wide indexation rate of the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This will consolidate the substantial increases in Government funding made from 2014 to 2017 and allow sustainable growth into the future for Australian schools.

Funding from 2018 will be negotiated with all states and territories and non-government education providers to develop arrangements which are equitable, address student need, and help governments to deliver quality education outcomes in a sustainable and affordable manner. These negotiations will provide the opportunity to further consider the issue of indexation.

While funding is important, national and international research indicates that, by itself, it isn't a sufficiently effective driver of improved outcomes — countries that spend a high proportion of their GDP on education do not automatically produce high performing education systems. The Government's approach recognises that states, territories and the non-government school sector are best placed to determine how policies should be implemented in their schools. The Government's Students First policy is focused on supporting a national approach in teacher quality, school autonomy, engaging parents in education and strengthening the curriculum.

Australian Government response to the Finance and Public Administration Legislation Committee report:

Annual reports (No. 1 of 2015)

November 2015

Response to recommendations

The Australian Government has considered the recommendation made in the Senate Committee's report and provides the following response.

Recommendation 1

1.40 The committee recommends that the Minister for Indigenous Affairs and the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations review the previous process of incorporating information about the Registrar in the annual report of the portfolio department which supported accountability to the Parliament, and advise the committee on future arrangements.

Australian Government response:

Information about the Office of the Registrar of Indigenous Corporations was included in the 2014–15 PM&C Annual Report.

The Chair of the Committee, Senator Cory Bernardi, has received advice to this effect.

Australian Government Response to the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report: Australia's future activities and responsibilities in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters

Introduction

The Australian Government welcomes the Senate Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade References Committee report on Australia's future activities and responsibilities in the Southern Ocean and Antarctic waters. The Australian Government thanks the Committee members for identifying the importance of Australia's engagement in an area of scientific and strategic importance immediately to the south of the Australian mainland.

The Australian Government is committed to ensuring Australia's future engagement in Antarctica and the Southern Ocean. To this end the Australian Government commissioned Dr Tony Press to prepare the 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan report, which was delivered in July 2014. The Australian Government is currently carefully considering Dr Press' report, and will present the Government's 20 year Antarctic Strategy later this year. Many issues identified by the Committee in the Report have concurrent recommendations within Dr Press' report, and the Australian Government will provide a more fulsome response to these recommendations at a later time.

Response to the Recommendations

The Australian Government has considered the 18 recommendations made in the Report and provides the following responses.

Recommendation 1

The committee recommends that the government reaffirms the primacy of the Antarctic Treaty System to Australia ' s sovereignty and national interests, and continues to support and resource Australia ' s robust engagement in Antarctic Treaty processes and fora in the pursuit and promotion of those interests.

Response:

The Australian Government agrees that the Antarctic Treaty system protects and preserves Australia's Antarctic interests. The Australian Government is committed to full and robust support for, and engagement in, the Antarctic Treaty system and its fora. The Government will respond more fully in its 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan.

Recommendation 2

The committee recommends that Antarctic and Southern Ocean issues be a standing theme for Australian ministers and officials in relevant multilateral and bilateral diplomatic discussions, particularly those with our Asian neighbours, and that Australia continues to seek all possible opportunities for constructive, practical cooperation with other nations engaging in that region.

Response:

The Australian Government is committed to working closely with international partners on Antarctic and Southern Ocean issues. These issues are raised, when appropriate, by Australian ministers and officials in multilateral and bilateral contexts. Australia engages regularly with our Asian neighbours as well as key states active in East Antarctica and is committed to continuing to build these key Antarctic relationships and international cooperation in the Antarctic more broadly. Most recently, in November 2014 to coincide with the visit of the Chinese President to Hobart, Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the People's Republic of China on Cooperation on Antarctic and Southern Ocean Affairs.

Recommendation 3

The committee recommends that Australia commits to re-commencing maritime patrolling in the Southern Ocean, including a minimum of two 40-day patrols by the Ocean Shield in the 2014-15 and 2015-16 financial years.

Response:

The Australian Customs and Border Protection Service is committed to planning for two 40-day patrols in the Southern Ocean to be conducted each financial year. The Australian Government provided funding in the 2015-16 Budget for 300 vessel patrol days per annum across all maritime zones by the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service Vessel Ocean Shield in the 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 financial years and 180 patrol days in the 2018-19 financial year.

The conduct of these patrols is an operational decision for the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service (then from 1 July 2015 the Australian Border Force) in consultation with relevant agencies including the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Department of Defence. The decision to undertake a patrol will be based upon operational priorities at the time.

The Ocean Shield conducted its first Southern Ocean patrol for 2015 during April and May. The patrol included Australia's sub-Antarctic territories, Macquarie Island, Heard Island and McDonald Islands to the French waters in the Southern Indian Ocean surrounding the Kerguelen Islands.

Recommendation 4

The committee recommends that Australia explores the possibility of concluding new agreements with neighbouring and like-minded countries to cooperate in patrol and deterrence in the Southern Ocean, based upon the example of the arrangements presently in place with France.

Response:

The Australian Government is committed to continuing to take action to address illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing in the Southern Ocean, including in collaboration with our international partners. The Australian Government appreciates our close cooperative working relationship with France to combat IUU fishing in the Southern Ocean, a relationship which is underpinned by our bilateral treaty arrangements.

The Australian Government remains committed to continuing to work with like-minded states to explore effective strategies and measures to combat Southern Ocean IUU fishing, including through exploring, where appropriate, specific bilateral arrangements. When considering arrangements with like-minded states consideration will be given to ensuring that appropriate agreements are in place to allow participation, where judged necessary, by Australian officials and personnel in a host nation's operations.

In addition, the Australian Government remains committed to working with South-East Asian countries to combat IUU fishing, including in the Southern Ocean, through the Regional Plan of Action to Promote Responsible Fishing Practices including Combating Illegal, Unreported and Unregulated Fishing in South East Asia (RPOA-IUU). Measures taken by RPOA-IUU participating countries to deny port access to suspected IUU listed vessels and to undertake vessel inspections serve to complement surveillance and enforcement patrol efforts and form part of the necessary broader strategy to prevent, deter and eliminate IUU fishing in the Southern Ocean.

Recommendation 5

The committee recommends that the government actively investigates the potential for further use of non-vessel technologies, including consideration of the potential application of new Defence assets, to support law enforcement and border patrolling in the Southern Ocean.

Response:

The Australian Government will continue to explore civil and defence capabilities that could contribute to surveillance and enforcement operations in the Southern Ocean.

The Government's decisions about long-term Australian Defence Force capability will be outlined in the forthcoming Defence White Paper.

Recommendation 6

The committee recommends that the government commits to continued funding of the Southern Ocean Research Partnership for at least a further five years beyond the completion of the current funding in 2015.

Response:

The Australian Government has provided funding support for the Southern Ocean Research Partnership through the $38 million International Whale and Marine Mammal Conservation Initiative established in 2008 that ends on 30 June 2015. The Government has not made a decision on a forward program.

Australia initiated the Southern Ocean Research Partnership that has evolved into an International Whaling Commission led, collaborative consortium of 11 countries undertaking non-lethal research on whales in the Southern Ocean. There are 11 Partnership members: Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Chile, France, Germany, Italy, New Zealand, Norway, South Africa and the United States.

Scientists participating in the Partnership lead the world in the development and application of a range of innovative non-lethal cetacean research methods including satellite tagging devices, acoustic techniques, tissue sampling, photographic identification, sophisticated genetic techniques, and ecological theory and analyses.

Members contribute to the Partnership in number of ways. Financial support can be provided through voluntary contributions to the International Whaling Commission. Members also contribute other assistance such as scientific expertise and staff time, research vessels, equipment, and laboratory time.

Recommendation 7

The committee recommends that Australia prioritises the active pursuit of further diplomatic discussions with Japan about its future whale research plans, including extending a formal invitation to Japan to join the Southern Ocean Research Partnership.

Response:

Australia engages on international whale conservation matters, including the assessment of special permit (scientific) whaling plans, through the International Whaling Commission and its Committees. Australia considers that the International Whaling Commission, which has primary responsibility for the conservation and management of whales, is the appropriate forum in which to address international issues relating to whales and whaling.

Australia would welcome Japan becoming part of the International Whaling Commission led Southern Ocean Research Partnership that is undertaking non-lethal whale research in the Southern Ocean. There is a standing open invitation for new members to join the Partnership. The Government continues to explore opportunities for non-lethal scientific cooperation with Japan.

Australia will continue to work through the International Whaling Commission to promote global whale conservation and the benefits of non-lethal research on whales, including opportunities to work with Japan and others on research initiatives under the Southern Ocean Research Partnership.

Recommendation 8

The committee recommends that researching the impact of changes in the Southern Ocean on the Australian and global climate remain a strategic priority in Australia ' s future planning and resourcing of scientific research.

Response:

The Australian Government is committed to research on the impacts of changes in the Southern Ocean on the Australian and global climate. The Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan has as a key theme 'Climate processes and change' which includes Australian science contributions to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other global climate bodies. The Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan is due for its mid-cycle review in 2015 and the Australian Government will respond further on Antarctic science in its 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan.

Recommendation 9

The committee recommends that Australia continues its advocacy for the establishment by CCAMLR of new Marine Protected Areas in the waters of East Antarctica.

Response:

The Australian Government agrees with this recommendation and remains committed to the establishment of the East Antarctic Representative System of Marine Protected Areas in CCAMLR, and will continue to advocate strongly for this outcome.

Recommendation 10

The committee recommends that an immediate commitment be made by the government to continue funding for Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research beyond the sunset dates of existing collaborative initiatives in 2017 and 2019.

The committee further recommends that appropriate funding for Antarctic and Southern Ocean science be assured through a commitment in the Budget process to a funding cycle reflecting, and integrated with, the ten-year cycle of the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan, and in line with Recommendation 13.

Response:

The Australian Government will consider its approach to Antarctic and Southern Ocean scientific research in its 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan.

Recommendation 11

The committee recommends that future allocation of research funding for Antarctica and the Southern Ocean include specific funds to support young and early-career scientists, in recognition of Australia ' s comparative advantage in maintaining world-class scientific expertise in these fields into the future.

The committee further recommends that government agencies and scientific research organisations, particularly the science community based in Tasmania, work to develop a program of mentoring to facilitate information-sharing and professional support between experienced and retired scientists and those commencing in the field.

Response:

The Australian Government considers that the support of early-career scientists is of vital importance to the future of Antarctic and Southern Ocean Research, including mentoring from retiring scientists.

The Australian Research Council funded Antarctic Gateway Partnership ($24 million over three years from 2014-15) is providing opportunities for early career researchers, with funding able to be specifically used for their recruitment and support.

The Australian Antarctic Science Program supports a range of opportunities to support early career researchers. For example, the Australian Antarctic Grants scheme includes co-funded post-doctoral fellowships, together with the prestigious RJL Hawke post-doctoral fellowship and top-up PhD scholarships. Australian Antarctic Science projects currently include around 100 PhD students. These students are formally part of research teams undertaking research within the program.

The Department of the Environment, through the Australian Antarctic Division (AAD), also jointly supports several post-doctoral fellowships with Australian Universities.

The AAD and University of Tasmania (UTAS) jointly offer a PhD Program in Quantitative Antarctic Science (QAS). This is a partnership between the AAD and the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies at UTAS. A similar partnership exists between the CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere Flagship and the Institute of Marine and Antarctic Studies (Quantitative Marine Science Program). Both programs offer scholarships to attract high quality students, who work on quantitative projects of direct relevance to the Australian Antarctic Science Strategic Plan.

Mentoring on a broader scale is available through the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS) (http://www.apecs.is). This is an international association with groups established around the world offering mentors. The Oceania APECS is the group that includes Australian early career scientists. The association includes graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, early faculty members, educators and others with interests in Polar Regions and the wider cryosphere. Their aim is to stimulate interdisciplinary and international research collaborations, and develop effective future leaders in polar research, education and outreach. The AAD supported an APECS workshop at the most recent Australian Antarctic Strategic Science Conference in Hobart 2013.

The Australian Government will continue to look at further opportunities, as they arise and are appropriate, to support young and early-career scientists, and in developing mentoring relationships between experienced and retired scientists and those commencing in the field.

Recommendation 12

The committee recommends that resources be dedicated to the development and implementation of a Southern Ocean mapping program, as a whole-of-government initiative under the guidance and coordination of Geoscience Australia, and that such a strategy be included in future decisions about the allocation of funding and vessel time.

Response:

The Australian Government notes the underpinning role of on-shore and off-shore mapping in supporting safe operational activities, meeting international obligations in relation to geophysical monitoring and safety of marine and air navigation, providing new scientific knowledge about the natural environment, and Australia's administration of the Australian Antarctic Territory. Currently, Geoscience Australia, the Royal Australian Navy through the Australian Hydrographic Service and the Department of the Environment, through the Australian Antarctic Division, cooperate on such mapping programs as the opportunity arises. The Government will respond more fully in its 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan.

Recommendation 13

The committee endorses Recommendation 28 of the 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan, proposing a comprehensive review of the budget and resourcing needs of the Australian Antarctic Division, and recommends that this be adopted and undertaken by the government as soon as practicable.

Response:

The Australian Government is committed to appropriately resourcing Australia's activities in the Antarctic, and will respond in its 20 Year Australian Antarctic Strategic Plan.

Recommendation 14

The committee recommends that all options be examined including that budgetary allocation be provided to restore the ability of the RV Investigator to spend its optimum 300 days per year at sea, in support of Australian and international scientific research.

Response:

CSIRO and the Marine National Facility Steering Committee are investigating options and opportunities to enable full utilisation of the RV Investigator at 300 sea days a year for Australian and international research in the national interest, especially noting the very high demand for the vessel.

Recommendation 15

The committee recommends that an interagency