Download PDFBUSINESS OF THE MAIN COMMITTEE
The Main Committee meets at 9.30 a.m.
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS
Orders of the day
* 1 death of FORMER GOVERNOR-GENERAL (THE RIGHT HONOURABLE SIR ZELMAN COWEN)—condolence motion: Resumption of debate ( from 7 February 2012—Mr Albanese ) on the motion of Ms Gillard.
Statements
*1 PETER VENESS: Further statements by indulgence ( from 7 February 2012 ).
Orders of the day — continued
* 2 ADDRESS OF CONGRATULATION TO HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN—DIAMOND JUBILEE: Resumption of debate ( from 7 February 2012—Mr Albanese ) on the motion of Ms Gillard.
Committee and delegation reports
Orders of the day
1 Corporations and Financial Services—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT—Statutory oversight of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Ripoll—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
2 Corporations and Financial Services—Parliamentary Joint Committee—interim REPORT—Inquiry into the collapse of Trio Capital—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Ripoll—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
3 National Broadband Network—Joint Standing Committee—second REPORT—review of the rollout of the National Broadband Network—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Oakeshott—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
GOVERNMENT BUSINESS — continued
Orders of the day — continued
3 afghanistan—ministerial statement—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 22 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Albanese—That the House take note of the document.
4 National Broadband Network—Joint Standing Committee—Review of the rollout of the National Broadband Network (First report)—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 22 September 2011—Mr Hayes ) on the motion of Mr Albanese—That the House take note of the document.
5 prime minister’s report 2011—CLOSING THE GAP—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 22 March 2011—Mr S. P. Jones ) on the motion of Mr Dreyfus—That the House take note of the document.
6 commemoration of the second anniversary of the black saturday bushfires—ministerial statement—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 21 February 2011—Mr C. R. Thomson ) on the motion of Mr Rudd—That the House take note of the document.
† 7 GRIEVANCE DEBATE: Question—That grievances be noted—Resumption of debate ( from 21 November 2011 ).
Committee and delegation reports — continued
Orders of the day — continued
4 Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee—REPORT 427: inquiry into national funding agreements—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Oakeshott—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
5 Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee—REPOR 428: review of the auditor-general’s reports nos 16 to 46 (2010-11)—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Oakeshott—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
6 Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry—Standing Committee—REPORT—Seeing the forest through the trees: Inquiry into the future of the Australian Forestry Industry—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2011—Dr Leigh ) on the motion of Mr Adams—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
7 National Capital and External Territories—Joint Standing Committee—REPORT — Etched in stone? Inquiry into the administration of the National Memorials Ordinance 1928 —MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 24 November 2011—Dr Leigh ) on the motion of Mr Simpkins—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
8 Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee—Report 426: Ninth biannual hearing with the Commissioner of Taxation—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 23 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Oakeshott—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2011. )
9 Infrastructure and Communications—Standing Committee—REPORT—finding the right balance: cabin crew ratios on australian aircraft—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 23 November 2011—Mr Chester ) on the motion of Ms Bird—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
10 Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT—inquiry into integrity testing—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 23 November 2011—Mr Symon ) on the motion of Ms Parke—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
11 Economics—Standing Committee—Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2010 (Third Report)—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 21 November 2011 ) on the motion of Ms Owens—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
12 Infrastructure and Communications—Standing Committee—REPORT—Broadening the debate: Inquiry into the role and potential of the National Broadband Network—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 14 September 2011 ) on the motion of Ms Bird—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
13 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—REPORT—inquiry into australia’s trade and investment relations with asia, the pacific and latin america—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 12 September 2011 ) on the motion of Ms Saffin—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
14 Regional Australia—Standing Committee—report—Of drought and flooding rains: Inquiry into the impact of the Guide to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 17 August 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Windsor—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
15 Electoral Matters—Joint Standing Committee—REPORT ON the conduct of the election and related matters—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 7 July 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Melham—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
16 Christmas Island Tragedy—Joint Select Committee—REPORT—christmas island tragedy of 15 december 2010—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 6 July 2011—Mr Melham ) on the motion of Mr Keenan—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 2 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
17 Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade—Joint Standing Committee—REPORT—inquiry into australia’s relationship with the countries of africa—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 6 July 2011—Mr S. P. Jones ) on the motion of Mr Fitzgibbon—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
18 Social Policy and Legal Affairs—Standing Committee—REPORT—reclaiming public space: Inquiry into the regulation of billboard and outdoor advertising—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 6 July 2011—Ms Owens ) on the motion of Mr Perrett—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
19 Health and Ageing—Standing Committee—REPORT—Before it’s too late: report on early intervention programs aimed at preventing youth suicide—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 6 July 2011—Ms Owens ) on the motion of Mr Georganas—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
20 Law Enforcement—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT ON the Inquiry into the adequacy of aviation and maritime security measures to combat serious and organised crime—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 6 July 2011—Ms Rishworth ) on the motion of Mr Hayes—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
21 Cyber-Safety—Joint Select Committee—High-Wire Act, Cyber-Safety and the Young—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 6 July 2011—Mr Hayes ) on the motion of Mr Hawke—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
22 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs—Standing Committee—REPORT—doing time - time for doing: Indigenous youth in the criminal justice system—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 6 July 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Neumann—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
23 Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee—REPORT 423: Review of Auditor -General’s Reports Nos. 39 (2009-10) to 15 (2010-11)—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 4 July 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Oakeshott—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
24 Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee—Report 424: Eighth biannual hearing with the Commissioner of Taxation—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT: Resumption of debate ( from 4 July 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Oakeshott—That the House take note of the report. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS
Orders of the day
1 Meals on Wheels: Resumption of debate ( from 21 November 2011—Mr E. T. Jones , in continuation ) on the motion of Ms Hall—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the:
(a) important role played by Meals On Wheels organisations throughout Australia in delivering nutritious meals for frail aged and disabled Australians; and
(b) role played by volunteers in preparing and delivering meals;
(2) notes that Meals on Wheels volunteers provide the only so cial contact to many house bound elderly and disabled Australians; and
(3) further notes that the strength of Meals On Wheels organisations is linked to their ability to deliver to their clients in many diverse ways which recognises the needs of their clients and reflects the communities they service. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 24 November 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
2 World Osteoporosis Day: Resumption of debate ( from 21 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Georganas—That this House:
(1) joins Osteoporosis Australia and the International Osteoporosis Foundation in promoting World Osteoporosis Day on Thursday 20 October 2011;
(2) notes that:
(a) more than 1.2 million Australians have osteoporosis;
(b) an Australian is admitted to hospital with an osteoporotic fracture e very six minutes;
(c) half of all women aged over 60 and one third of men will have an osteoporotic fracture in their lifetime; and
(d) after suffering a hip fracture, about a quarter of people will die within a year;
(3) recognises and supports Osteopo rosis Australia in its campaign to raise awareness about this silent disease that affects our health and independence as we age;
(4) acknowledges how simple it is to prevent osteoporosis with calcium from eating the rights foods, vitamin D from safe levels of sunlight and regular weight-bearing exercise throughout life; and
(5) works to ensure all Australians are aware of the risk factors and the measures they can take to prevent this debilitating disease. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
3 Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grants Program: Resumption of debate ( from 21 November 2011 ) on the motion of Dr Stone—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) in the 2011 Budget, the Labor Government announced the extension of the Exceptional Circumstances Exit Grants program as part of its drought assistance measures;
(b) less than 6 weeks into the extended 52 week program, the Government announced that funds had run out;
(c) this Exit Grant was often the only means by which some farmers could exit their farms with sufficient support to transition to a new l ivelihood;
(d) many farmers who applied and were assessed as eligible for the grant, proceeded to put their farms on the market, and had sold their farms through exchange of contracts, prior to the announcement that the funds have now run out;
(e) many of these farmers, on the basis of the Exit Grant support, have made financial commitments to buy alternative accommodation so they can transition to their new locality and employment; and
(f) many of these farmers who trusted the Government's commitment and Centrelink's documentation approving their eligibility are now in dire financial straits with no capacity to borrow, no income, and no opportunity to become re-established; and
(2) calls on the Government to provide the Exit Grant to the farmers that ha ve sold their farms through exchange of contracts by 10 August 2011, and were eligible under the guidelines for the exit grant had funding not run out. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 24 November 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
4 White Ribbon Day: Resumption of debate ( from 21 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Hayes—That this House:
(1) notes that 25 November 2011 marks White Ribbon Day, the symbol of the United Nations' International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women;
(2) recognises that White Ribbon day aims to prevent violence against women by increasing public awareness and education by challenging attitudes and behaviours that allow violence to continue;
(3) asks all Australian men to challenge these attitudes and behaviours by joining ‘My Oath Campaign’ and taking the oath ‘I swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women’;
(4) notes with concern that one in three women will experience physical violence, and one in five will experience sexual violence over their lifetime;
(5) understands that domestic and family violence are primary causes of homelessness;
(6) acknowledges the community cost of violence against women and their children to the Australian economy was estimated to be $13.6 billion in 2008-09, and that if we take no action to shine a light on this violence, that cost will hit an estimated $15.6 billion in 2021-22; and
(7) asks all Members to show that they are challenging violence against women by wearing a white ribbon or wristband on White Ribbon Day. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 24 November 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
5 Tuberculosis in Papua New Guinea: Resumption of debate ( from 21 November 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Entsch—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the scale of the tuberculosis threat to Papua New Guinea, and the mortality, morbidity, economic and social costs, and risk to Australia if this threat is not managed;
(2) notes that since 1978, the Torres Strait Islands Treaty has included Commonwealth compensation for the impacts of the care of Papua New Guinea nationals on the Queensland health system;
(3) condemns both the Federal and Queensland governments for indicating they will terminate the tuberculosis clinics on Saibai and Boigu islands which currently provide vital tuberculosis surveillance and clinical care for Papua New Guinea nationals, and reduce the risk of the emergence of drug resistant strains of tuberculosis;
(4) calls on the Federal Government, through AusAID, to immediately provide long-term funding to clinics that provide tuberculosis services to Papua New Guinea nationals and front line health protection for Torres Strait Islander Australians; and
(5) calls on the Federal Minister for Health and Ageing to consult with frontline public health experts to formulate a long-term strategy which ensures that Papua New Guinea programs and Torres Strait Islands clinics deliver a combination of disease surveillance and tuberculosis care for Papua New Guinea and Torres Strait Islander Australians. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 8 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 24 November 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
6 Harkin-Engel Protocol: Resumption of debate ( from 31 October 2011—Mr McCormack , in continuation ) on the motion of Mr L. D. T. Ferguson—That this House:
(1) notes the tenth an niversary of the Harkin-Engel Protocol signed in September 2001, designed to encourage voluntary standards for the certification of cocoa production that prohibits and eliminates engagement in the worst forms of child labour, as defined by the International Labour Organization (ILO) Convention 182 which has been ratified by Australia; and
(2) calls upon the Australian Government to:
(a) b e proactive in measures to counter people trafficking or slavery;
(b) actively engage in international fora to ensure greater priority for consideration of measures against child slavery and trafficking;
(c) work co-operatively to improve traceability of products through the monitoring of their derivation where practical with reference to people trafficking or slavery;
(d) co-operate closely with organisations and entities against people trafficking. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 7 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
7 The Fair Work Act 2009 : Resumption of debate ( from 31 October 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Champion—That this House:
(1) the industrial system under the Fair Work Act 2009 is working well with low unemployment and low levels of industrial disputation;
(2) under the Fair Work Act 2009 , 10,800 agreements have been made covering almost 1.5 million employees;
(3) since the introduction of the Fair Work Act 2009 , the number of days lost to industrial action has continued its historical downwards trend; and
(4) the Fair Work Act 2009 is meeting its objective to balance the needs of employees and employers without taking away basic rights and guaranteed minimum standards. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 7 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
8 Surf lifesavers: Resumption of debate ( from 19 September 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Lyons—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the:
(a) surf lifesavers who risked their lives to perform approximately 11,000 rescues in Australia last year; and
(b) work done by surf lifesavers in northern Australia as its surf season comes to an end;
(2) recognise s the:
(a) importance of water safety in Australia as we head into the warmer months in the southern parts of Australia; and
(b) vital work of Surf Life Saving Australia and its efforts in patrolling our beaches and educating swimmers; and
(3) encourage s all:
(a) Australians to learn to swim so that every Australian is a swimmer and every Australian swimmer a lifesaver; and
(b) users of aquatic environments, such as pools, rivers, lakes and the surf, to understand those environments and be safe as they swim. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 6 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 24 November 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
9 National Police Remembrance Day: Resumption of debate ( from 19 September 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Hayes—That this House:
(1) recognises and acknowledges t he significant contribution that officers across all Australian policing jurisdictions make to our local communities as we approach National Police Remembrance Day on 29 September 2011;
(2) remembers and commemorates the ultimate sacrifices made by all po lice officers who have been killed in the course of their duties, in particular, that we commemorate the lives of:
(a) Detective Constable William Arthur George (Bill) Crews of the NSW Police Force who was killed in Sydney on 9 September 2010;
(b) Sergea nt Daniel Stiller of the Queensland Police Force who was killed on 1 December 2010; and
(c) Detective Sergeant Constable Damian Leeding of the Queensland Police Force who was killed on 1 June 2011;
(3) honours the courage, commitment and memory of the ma ny fine men and women who lost their lives during the execution of their official duty made in serving our community;
(4) pays respect to the work of Police Legacy which undertakes vital services in looking after the families and friends of the fallen police officers; and
(5) supports and thanks all serving police throughout Australia for their invaluable dedication and commitment to make a difference, defend our way of life and safeguard our communities. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 6 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
10 community based organisations: Resumption of debate ( from 12 September 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Melham—That this House:
(1) acknowledges the contributions of:
(a) Pole Depot;
(b) Riverwood Community Centre;
(c) the Chinese Australian Services Society;
(d) Padstow Community Centre;
(e) Mortdale Community Services; and
(f) Community Services Alliance;
to the overall welfare of the people in the Hurstville, Kogarah, Bankstown and Canterbury local government association areas;
(2) notes the contributions of all community-based organisations to the welfare and support of the neighbourhoods they service through:
(a) family, youth and children's services;
(b) health, ageing and disability services;
(c) migrant settlement and support;
(d) carer respite and support;
(e) education and training; and
(f) sport and recreation;
(3) recognises the support of the Government to those community groups through:
(a) the Community Investment Program;
(b) community grants;
(c) volunteer grants; and
(d) the Diversity and Social Cohesion Program;
(4) acknowledges the advocacy of the management and boards of those organisations to ensure that local needs are bein g met; and
(5) affirms the Government's ongoing commitment to assisting those organisations. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
11 Parliamentary Budget Office Bill 2011 ( Mr Hockey ) : Second reading—Resumption of debate ( from 12 September 2011 ). ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 14 September 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
12 Charter of Budget Honesty Amendment Bill 2011 ( Mr Hockey ) : Second reading—Resumption of debate ( from 12 September 2011 ). ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 14 September 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
13 Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month: Resumption of debate ( from 12 September 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Hayes—That this House:
(1) notes that the month of August is Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Awareness Month;
(2) further notes that:
(a) 52 Au stralians die each month from this rare genetic motor neuron disease;
(b) SMA is the leading genetic killer of infants under the age of two; and
(c) this debilitating disease can occur in both adults and children;
(3) expresses support for:
(a) the Spi nal Muscular Atrophy Association Inc.; and
(b) all Australian families affected by this incurable disease; and
(4) calls for the Government to:
(a) lodge SMA as a keyword with the National Health and Medical Research Council;
(b) provide support for p ractical initiatives for those affected by SMA; and
(c) promote awareness of SMA. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
14 Football Queensland licencing scheme: Resumption of debate ( from 12 September 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Ripoll—That this House:
(1) acknowledges that the Football Queensland l icensing scheme is anti-competitive because it:
(a) excludes smaller and new apparel manufacturers who cannot afford to pay the annual fee from the market;
(b) increases costs for clubs and players as licensed suppliers pass on the cost of the licence fe e and the ‘Q Logo’ to consumers;
(c) forces clubs to purchase what some regard as inferior and expensive products as Football Queensland strictly enforces penalties against clubs that wear apparel from non-licensed suppliers in competitive matches;
(d) increases cost for regional clubs as manufacturers large enough to pay the licensing fee are based in the large population centres, not in the regions; and
(e) protects licensed suppliers form true competition as there is only a limited number of licensed suppliers and most are aware of each others prices;
(2) recognises that the current immunity from prosecution granted to Football Queensland by the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has been instrumental in allowing Football Queensland to conduct this anti-competitive behaviour and sets a precedent for other sporting administration bodies within Australia to instigate similar schemes;
(3) calls on the ACCC to consider the anti-competitive nature of the Football Queensland licensing scheme when deciding on the continuation of the immunity from prosecution granted to Football Queensland; and
(4) acknowledges that Football Queensland and other similar organisations have special exemptions and conditions in relation to their status in their community and as a consequence also carry special responsibility and duty of care in the exercise of its charter for clubs and players, as well as its commercial relationships. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 5 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
15 Conflict in Sudan: Resumption of debate ( from 22 August 2011 ) on the motion of Ms Parke—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) on 9 July 2011 two new nat ions emerged, the nations of South and North Sudan, which follows an overwhelming vote for independence by voters in South Sudan's referendum for independence on 9 January 2011;
(b) the future of these nations are interdependent and their stability has regional border security implications for North and East Africa;
(c) the emerging picture confronting both new nations is dire and with significant political, humanitarian and developmental challenges;
(d) the overall security situation in Sudan is deteriorating at an alarming rate, having severe humanitarian consequences with millions of civilians in both North and South Sudan in need of protection and critical humanitarian assistance;
(e) Sudan, after Zimbabwe, is the second largest recipient of Australia's humanitarian and development assistance in Africa—since 2004, the Australian Government has provided $136 million to Sudan;
(f) the North/South Comprehensive Peace Agreement signed in 2005 that ended over two decades of civil war is at risk, due to recent violence, with outstanding issues such as border demarcation, oil revenue sharing, currency and citizenship status, unresolved;
(g) Sudan has the highest level overall of people remaining internally displaced according to the United Nations Office fo r the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and the highest number of people newly displaced by conflict; and
(h) the plight of internally displaced people and Sudanese refugees will therefore continue to be a shared legacy of decades of conflict;
(2) co ndemns the most recent violence that has seen conflict spread across North and South Sudan and has recently escalated in the contested border region of Abyei and in two of the ‘three protocol areas’—South Kordofan and the Nuba Mountains—causing mass displacement;
(3) recognises that the inter-ethnic conflict also affects South Sudan, and people in South Sudan's Western Equatoria region are still victims of attacks by the Lords Resistance Army along the border areas of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic;
(4) expresses deep concern at the:
(a) protracted nature of the conflict and displacement in Darfur, now in its eighth year;
(b) United Nations estimate that 300 000 people have been killed as a result of violence, malnu trition and starvation, and 4 million people are in desperate need of aid, representing nearly two thirds of the entire estimated Darfur population of 6.5 million; and
(c) estimated 2.5 million people that live in refugee camps in Darfur and neighbouring Chad, while others struggle to survive in remote villages;
(5) notes that:
(a) humanitarian relief efforts to provide assistance to vulnerable populations are being hampered by limited humanitarian access in some of the most affected conflict areas inclu ding in South Kordofan and Darfur; and
(b) insecurity and inaccessibility remain amongst the biggest challenges facing the delivery of assistance by humanitarian agencies to vulnerable populations;
(6) urges the Government of South Sudan and the Governme nt of Sudan to reaffirm their commitment to peace, conflict prevention, the inclusion of the peripheral regions and ethnic minorities in political representation and decision making, and the recognition of cultural and ethnic diversity through durable political solutions; and
(7) encourages the Australian Government to provide ongoing and predictable diplomatic and funding resources to address humanitarian and development needs in North and South Sudan. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 4 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
16 Mandaean humanitarian issues: Resumption of debate ( from 22 August 2011 ) on the motion of Mr L. D. T. Ferguson—That this House notes the:
(1) continuing discrimination and attacks upon Mandaeans on the basis of their religious beliefs;
(2) minimal opportunities for internal relocation of Mandaeans within Iraq due to their limited numbers and lack of Government protection;
(3) significant numbers that have fled the country either to other nations in the Middle East and from there to nations such as Australia;
(4) need for Australia to continue to focus on Mandaean claims in our refugee/humanitarian intake; and
(5) humanitarian imperative for Australia to raise continuing human rights abuses in Iraq within varied multicultural fora and bilateral dealings with Iraq. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 4 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
17 Burmese community in Australia: Resumption of debate ( from 22 August 2011—Ms Owens , in continuation ) on the motion of Ms Owens—That this House:
(1) recognises:
(a) the important contribution of the Burmese community in Australia;
(b) the strength of the Burmese community and professional organisations and the part they have played in assisting others to settle successfully in Australia; and
(c) the extensive charity work of the Burmese community in Australia for the broader Australian community; and
(2) acknowledges the Burmese community’s:
(a) strong advocacy over the plight of the Burmese refugees in the region; and
(b) deter mination to raise awareness of the difficult situation facing internally displaced people in Eastern Burma. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 4 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
18 Polio eradication: Resumption of debate ( from 22 August 2011 ) on the motion of Dr Leigh—That this House:
(1) commends the efforts of successive Austra lian governments, working with multilateral, non-government organisations such as Rotary International and other national governments, in wiping out polio in the Pacific and reducing the total number of polio cases worldwide by 99 per cent since 1988;
(2) notes that polio remains endemic in four countries—Afghanistan, Nigeria, India and Pakistan—three of which are Commonwealth nations;
(3) recognises that in 2010, there were only 1,290 cases of polio worldwide, down from 350,000 cases in 1988, indicating the unprecedented opportunity the world has to eradicate polio once and for all;
(4) notes that the Global Polio Eradication Initiative currently faces a funding shortfall of US$665 million for the full implementation of its 2010-12 Polio Eradication Strategic Plan; and
(5) calls upon the Government to support efforts to deliver a polio-free world and to advocate for the inclusion of a strong statement urging Commonwealth countries to strengthen immunisation systems, including for polio, in the Final Communique of the 2011 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 4 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
19 Income Management: Resumption of debate ( from 22 August 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Champion—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) t he positive impact compulsory and voluntary income management is having on the wellbeing of families and children in Perth and the Kimberley in Western Australia;
(b) an independent evaluation of compulsory and voluntary income management in Western Australia showed that participants believed it had made a positive impact on their lives;
(c) that a non discriminatory income management system linked to the child protection system and school attendance has been rolled out in the Northern Territory to help children who are being neglected or are at risk of neglect;
(d) that more than 1,700 people have moved off income management across the Northern Territory because they have found jobs and apprenticeships or improved their parenting skills; and
(e) that inco me management produces positive life impacts for individuals acquiring new skills through training and getting jobs; and
(2) c alls for this initiative to be trialled in other communities to help those families and individuals receiving welfare payments who are:
(a) iden tified as high risk by Centrelink social workers;
(b) recommended by child protection workers; and
(c) or who volunteer to participate to improve their ability to manage and save money and provide the essentials of life for their children.
— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Champion, viz. —That motion be amended to read—That the House:
(1) notes:
(a) the positive impact compulsory and voluntary income management is having on the wellbeing of families and children in Perth and the Kimberley in Western Australia;
(b) an independent evaluation of income management in Western Australia reported that income management had made a positive impact on the lives of women and children including increasing their ability to meet essential needs and save money;
(c) that a non discriminatory model of income management system has been rolled out in the Northern Territory to help children who are being neglected or are at risk of neglect;
(d) that more than 1,700 people have moved off income management across the Northern Territory including because they have found jobs and apprenticeships or improved their parenting skills; and
(e) that income management produces positive life impacts for individuals acquiring new skills through training and getting jobs;
(2) welcomes the Government’s decision to trial income management in other communities to help those families and individuals receiving welfare payments who:
(a) are identified as vulnerable by Centrelink social workers;
(b) are referred by child protection workers; or
(c) volunteer to participate to improve their ability to manage and save money and provide the essentials of life for their children; and
(3) calls for continued evaluation and monitoring of income management in the new and existing locations with a view to assisting further expansion for the benefit of vulnerable Australians. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 4 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
20 International Year of the Forests: Resumption of debate ( from 4 July 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Adams—That this House:
(1) recognises that for est and sustainable forest management can contribute significantly to sustainable development, poverty eradication and the achievement of internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium Development Goals;
(2) supports concerted efforts to focus on raising awareness at all levels to strengthen the sustainable management, conservation and sustainable development of all types of forests for the benefit of current and future generations;
(3) calls upon State Governments, relevant regional and international organisations, and major groups to support activities related to the Year, inter alia, through voluntary contributions, and to link their relevant activities to the Year. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
21 Human rights in Vietnam: Resumption of debate ( from 4 July 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Hayes—That this House:
(1) notes with concern that on 30 May 2011 in the People's Court of Ben Tre, Vietnam, the following seven people were tried and convicted under Section 2 of Article 79 of the penal code, ‘Attempting to overthrow the pe ople's administration’:
(a) Ms Tran Thi Thuy (8 years imprisonment and 5 years probation);
(b) Mr Pham Van Thong (7 years and 5 years probation);
(c) Pastor Duong Kim Khai (6 years and 5 years probation);
(d) Mr Cao Van Tinh (5 years and 4 years probat ion);
(e) Mr Nguyen Thanh Tam (2 years and 3 years probation);
(f) Mr Nguyen Chi Thanh (2 years and 3 years probation); and
(g) Ms Pham Ngoc Hoa (2 years and 3 years probation);
(2) further notes all seven were advocates for democratic reform, and had:
(a) participated in non-violent protest;
(b) prepared and distributed material affirming Vietnamese sovereignty over the P aracel and Spratly Islands;
(c) petitioned the State for redress on behalf of local landholders; and
(d) as members of the ‘Cattle Shed Congregation’ of the Mennonite Church, engaged in peaceful advocacy for social justice; and
(3) expresses its concern that the authorities of Vietnam appear to be using legal processes to rationalise human rights abuse and to silence peaceful opposition; and
(4) calls on the Government to use the full weight of its diplomatic relations with Vietnam to lobby for substantial reform in human rights and basic freedoms in accordance with the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to which both Australia and Vietnam are parties. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
22 Electromagnetic exposure via mobile phones: Resumption of debate ( from 4 July 2011 ) on the motion of Ms O'Neill—That this House notes:
(1) the release by the World Health Organisation’s cancer research report by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) which says that radio frequency electromagnetic fields gen erated by mobile phones are ‘possibly carcinogenic to humans’ and asserts that heavy usage could lead to a possible increased risk of glioma, a malignant type of brain cancer;
(2) the warnings of Dr Charlie Teo, one of Australia’s leading brain surgeons and former Australian of the Year finalist, that ‘there is an increasing body of evidence that there is an association between brain tumours and mobile phones’;
(3) that the Australian Government, through the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA), welcomes the report and considers that the classification by IARC corresponds to the current ARPANSA advice, including its advice on practical ways in which people can reduce their exposure to the electromagnetic fields produced by wireless telephones;
(4) that the methods to reduce exposure include:
(a) limiting call time;
(b) preferring the use of land-line phones;
(c) using hands-free or speaker options;
(d) texting instead of making voice calls; and
(e) using phones in good signal areas which reduce power levels for communication; and
(5) that ARPANSA has also recommended parents encourage their children to use these methods of reducing exposure. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
23 Organ donation in Australia: Resumption of debate ( from 4 July 2011—Mr E. T. Jones , in continuation ) on the motion of Ms Brodtmann—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Australia had a record year in 2010 with 309 multiple organ donors;
(b) activity in 2011 shows that Australia is on track to steadily sustain this improvement with 112 donors already this year;
(c) following the injection of $151 million by the Government to establish a coordinated approach to organ donation, 242 staff have now been appointed in 77 hospitals and DonateLife agencies across Australia, thus enabling all jurisdictions to work cooperatively to support sustained improvements in organ donation;
(d) there were 931 transplants in 2010 and already there have been 327 transplants in 2011; and
(e) States and Territories are committed to supporting this reform agenda; and
(2) acknowledges:
(a) the selfless act of all donor families who have supported new life for transplant recipients;
(b) the introduction of a national protocol for donation after cardiac death that will ensure Australia maximises the number of organ donors;
(c) that many hospitals that have not previously donated organs and tissue are now undertaking this important role as a result of the extra funding and staffing that are available;
(d) that the States and Territories reaffirmed their commitment to the reform agenda in February 2011, in particular the financing of increases in tissue typing, retrieval of organs and transplant surgery;
(e) the success of the two advertising campaigns launched in May 2010 and February 2011; and
(f) the importance of continued input of community groups and non government organisations in raising awareness among the Australian community. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 3 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. On 24 November 2011, the Selection Committee recommended that this order of the day be voted on. )
24 world refugee day: Resumption of debate ( from 20 June 2011 ) on the motion of Ms Parke—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) that 20 June each year is World Refugee Day, celebrating the courageous spirit and resilience of more than 10 million refugees around the world;
(b) that the global theme for World Refugee Day 2011, occurring in the year of the sixtieth anniversary of the United Nations Refugee Convention, is ‘1 refugee without hope is too many.’;
(c) Australia’s history of support for the United Nations Refugee Convention and its objectives, being the sixth signatory to the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention which brought the convention into force in 1954, and having since welcomed 750,000 refugees who have made an enormous contribution to the culture, economy and social fabric of Australian society;
(d) that much of the political, media and public commentary in Australia regarding asylum-seekers and refugees misses or ignores the following facts:
(i) of the more than 10 million refugees identified by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), just over 100,000 or 1 per cent are resettled under orderly programs each year, which means that if someone puts their name on a list today they could wait more than 100 years for processing;
(ii) in many countries wracked by conflict, like Iraq or Afghanistan, there is no list or queue to join;
(iii) Australia’s 8,250 asylum seekers in 2010 is a minimal number compared with the 358,000 people who sought asylum in the 44 major industrialised counties in 2010, and compared with the millions of people from Iraq and Afghanistan who have sought refuge in neighbouring countries like Jordan, Iran and Pakistan.
(iv) only 2 per cent of the world’s asylum claims are made in Australia;
(v) persons fleeing from persecution are not ‘illegals’, they have a legal right under international law to seek asylum, and under the Menzies Government, Australia agreed to this by signing up to the United Nations Refugee Convention; and
(v i) while Essential Research has reported that 25 per cent of Australians believe that 75 per cent of our migrant intake is made up of asylum-seekers, in fact only 1 per cent of Australia’s annual migrant intake comes from them and even less from asylum-seekers who arrive by boat;
(2) n otes the UNHCR report of April 2011 entitled Back to Basics: The Right to Liberty and Security of Person and ‘Alternatives to Detention’ of Refugees, Asylum-Seekers, Stateless Persons and Other Migrants and welcomes the forthcoming parliamentary inquiry into mandatory detention;
(3) recognises that it is possible to protect Australia’s borders while also treating asylum-seekers fairly, humanely and in accordance with international law; and
(4) calls for:
(a) a return to bipartisanship in support of a reasoned, principled and facts-based approach to the issue of asylum-seekers and refugees; and
(b) Australia to continue to work with other nations and the United Nations to address the complex global and regional challenges associated with increased numbers of asylum-seekers and other people movements that cannot be addressed by countries acting on their own. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 2 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
25 Death of Senior Constable Damian Leeding: Resumption of debate ( from 20 June 2011 ) on the motion of Mrs D'Ath—That this House:
(1) expresses:
(a) its condolences to:
(i) the family of Senior Constable Damian Leeding who was shot in the line of duty on Sunday evening, 29 May 2011; and
(ii) the colleagues of Senior Constable Leeding at Coomera CIB, Queensland Police Service; and
(b) our gratitude to men and women who serve in our police forces across Australia for the burden placed upon them and the sacrifices they make to protect others; and
(2) a cknowledges:
(a) the risks associated with the work performed by our men and women in the police forces across Australia and the bravery that they display in the performance of their duty; and
(b) the husbands, wives and partners of serving police officers for their support of those who serve in our police forces. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on any of the next 2 sitting Mondays including 13 February 2012. )
26 Religious minorities in Iraq: Resumption of debate ( from 30 May 2011 ) on the motion of Mr Hayes—That this House:
(1) n otes that:
(a) for more than 2,000 years religious groups such as Assyrians, Mandaeans, Chaldeans, Syriacs and other Aramaic speakers have called Iraq home;
(b) in 2003, Australia was part of the ‘c oalition of the willing’ that invaded Iraq in the belief that Iraq harboured weapons of mass destruction;
(c) since 2003 there have been horrendous acts of persecution against these religious minorities in Iraq, including murders, bombings and extortion; and
(d) the Catholic Church reports that one million Christians have fled Iraq since the 2003 invasion; and
(2) recognises that:
(a) thousands of people are sheltering in Syria, Egypt, Jordan and the northern regions of Iraq because they feel they cann ot return to their homes for fear of death and persecution;
(b) due to our part in the ‘coalition of the willing’, Australia has a moral responsibility to deal compassionately with these displaced people; and
(c) it will be a damning critique on humanity and the Coalition forces, who have vowed to protect the people of Iraq, if religious groups with such a significant historical link to the region are forced out at the hands of terrorists. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on 13 February 2012. )
27 Marine conservation: Resumption of debate ( from 30 May 2011 ) on the motion of Ms Parke—That this House:
(1) note s that:
(a) Australia's oceans are the most diverse on earth but less than 1 per cent of the South-West, North-West, North, Coral Sea and East marine regions are currently protected;
(b) the Australian coastal lifestyles and our coastal economies are dep endent on the good health of our oceans;
(c) evidence from marine sanctuaries around the world, including in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States, has shown that fish populations and fish size dramatically increase inside sanctuaries and in the nearby fished areas;
(d) the marine and environmental science is clear, and in 2008, 900 scientists from the Australian Marine Scientists Association reached a consensus that the creation of networks of large marine sanctuaries will:
(i) protect oc ean life, including threatened species and critical habitats;
(ii) recover the abundance of ocean life within and beyond sanctuary boundaries, fostering more and bigger fish;
(iii) increase the resilience of ocean life to climate change; and
(iv) underpin the future of commercial and recreational fisheries and the sustainability of coastal economies; and
(e) through international agreement under the Convention on Biological Diversity, Australia has committed to establishing networks of marine reserves i n its oceans by the end of 2012;
(2) welcomes the fact that:
(a) during 2011 the Australian Government will be finalising marine bioregional marine plans for the South-West, North-West, North and East marine regions (including the Coral Sea) in keeping w ith the commitment to a national marine conservation scheme first agreed to at the Council of Australian Governments in 1998;
(b) each marine bioregional plan will include a proposed network of Commonwealth marine reserves that will include sanctuary zones; and
(c) 2011 is the year of delivery for the world-class protection of the world's richest marine environments; and
(3) c alls upon the Australian Government to further consider:
(a) establishing networks of large marine sanctuaries in each of the marine regions currently under investigation in the marine bioregional planning process; and
(b) providing sufficient funding fo r the transition of commercial fishing activities displaced by the establishment of marine sanctuaries. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on 13 February 2012. )
28 World Multiple Sclerosis Day: Resumption of debate ( from 30 May 2011 ) on the motion of Ms A. E. Burke—That this House:
(1) notes that:
(a) Thursday 26 May marks World Multiple Sclerosis Day; and
(b) around the world, World Multiple Sclerosis Day in 2011 is being given the theme of employment to acknowledge that staying at work is a key concern for people diagnosed with multiple sclerosis;
(2) recognises that:
(a) multiple sclerosis is most freque ntly diagnosed in people aged between 20 and 40 years, at a stage in life when these people are building their careers and their families;
(b) the Australian Multiple Sclerosis Longitudinal Study reported that 80 per cent of people with multiple sclerosis lose their employment within 10 years of diagnosis;
(c) like many chronic diseases, multiple sclerosis is costly, and enabling people with multiple sclerosis to stay in work not only builds their confidence and self-esteem but helps to meet the costs that come with managing a lifelong disease; and
(d) with the ageing of the population, people with chronic diseases such as multiple sclerosis will increasingly feature in Australian workplaces, requiring enhanced management and support of these employees; and
(3) commits itself to:
(a) ensuring that the labour market and welfare system continue to provide assistance to people with multiple sclerosis in supporting them to both obtain and retain employment; and
(b) encouraging employers to incorporate great er flexibility in workplaces to enable people with multiple sclerosis and their carers to fulfil their productive capacity. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on 13 February 2012. )
29 Conflict in the Philippines: Resumption of debate ( from 30 May 2011 ) on the motion of Mr L. D. T. Ferguson—That this House:
(1) notes:
(a) t here has been a long running armed conflict in the Philippines;
(b) both the new President Benigno Aquino III and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines have expressed the desire to resume the peace negotiations between the two parties which began in 1992 and were suspended in 2005; and
(c) the Royal Norwegian Government is the third party facilitator of these peace negotiations and it is actively supporting the resumption of the peace negotiations; and
(2) welcomes the re-commencement of the formal peace negotiations between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the National Democratic Front of the Philippines from February 15-21 this year; and
(3) encourages both parties in their efforts to resolve the conflict, and expresses a sincere wish for their success. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on 13 February 2012. )
30 MySchool, MyHospitals and MyChild websites: Resumption of debate ( from 30 May 2011—Mr Laming , in continuation ) on the motion of Dr Leigh—That this House:
(1) recognises that:
(a) Australians are keen to have better access to information about government performance;
(b) m ore transparent public services have been shown to perform at higher levels; and
(c) greater access to information helps Australians make the best choices; and
(2) commends the Australian Government on the creation of the MySchool, MyHospitals and MyChild websites. ( Order of the day will be removed from the Notice Paper unless re-accorded priority on 13 February 2012. )