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Wednesday, 8 February 2012
Page: 368

NOTICES

The following notice(s) were given:

Mr Gray: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to the Life Gold Pass scheme and Parliamentary superannuation, and for other purposes.

Mr Shorten: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to social security and Indigenous education, and for related purposes.

Mr Oakeshott: To move:

That the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 5), as contained in the Select Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 222, and made under the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000, be disallowed.

Mr Oakeshott: To move:

That this House:

(1) supports the unanimous recommendations contained in the report of January 2012, titled 'Recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in the Constitution: Report of the Expert Panel' and

(2) calls on the Prime Minister to hold a referendum on Saturday 24 November 2012 that will:

(a) repeal section 25 of the Constitution;

(b) repeal section 51 (xxvi) of the Constitution; and

(c) contain a new section, 'section 51A' along the following lines:

Section 51A Recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples

Recognising that the continent and its islands now known as Australia were first occupied by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

Acknowledging the continuing relationship of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with their traditional lands and waters;

Respecting the continuing cultures, languages and heritage of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples; and

Acknowledging the need to secure the advancement of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

the Parliament shall, subject to this Constitution, have power to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Commonwealth with respect to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;

(3) proposes together, the repeal of section 51 (xxvi) and insertion of section 51A;

(4) inserts a new section, 'section 116A', along the following lines:

Section 116A Prohibition of racial discrimination

(1) The Commonwealth, a State or a Territory shall not discriminate on the grounds of race, colour or ethnic or national origin.

(2) Subsection (1) does not preclude the making of laws or measures for the purpose of overcoming disadvantage, ameliorating the effects of past discrimination, or protecting the cultures, languages or heritage of any group.

(5) inserts a new section, 'section 127A', along the following lines:

Section 127A Recognition of languages

(1) The national language of the Commonwealth of Australia is English.

(2) The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages are the original Australian languages, a part of our national heritage.

Mr Zappia: To move:

That this House:

(1) notes that the General Motors Holden plant in Elizabeth is an iconic South Australian industry directly employing around 2,500 people;

(2) acknowledges the important contribution the General Motors Holden Elizabeth plant makes to the South Australian economy and to the broader Australian manufacturing industry;

(3) recognises the importance of the visit to Detroit in January 2012 by the Minister for Manufacturing, Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, and South Australian Premier, the Hon. Jay Weatherill, in securing the long term future of the General Motors Holden Elizabeth plant, and commends both of them for their efforts in support of the jobs of thousands of South Australians; and

(4) condemns the Coalition for the uncertainty being created by its policy to cut $500 million from the auto industry.

Mr Ruddock: To move:

That this House

(1) express its deep regret at the death on 28 January 2012 of the late Most Venerable Thich Phuoc Hue OAM, the Spiritual Leader of the Phuoc Hue Buddhist Monastery and leader of the Vietnamese Buddhist community in Australia;

(2) places on record its appreciation of his long and meritorious public service; and

(3) tenders its profound sympathy to the Vietnamese Buddhist community in its bereavement.