Save Search

Note: Where available, the PDF/Word icon below is provided to view the complete and fully formatted document
 Download Current HansardDownload Current Hansard    View Or Save XMLView/Save XML

Previous Fragment    Next Fragment
Wednesday, 13 February 2002
Page: 197

Senator Conroy to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a) expresses its concern about the significant increase in public liability insurance premiums and the effect it is having on the viability of many small businesses and community and sporting organisations;

(b) condemns the Government for its inaction; and

(c) urges the Minister to propose a solution to this pressing issue, as quickly as possible, not just look at the problem.

Senator Ian Campbell to move on the next day of sitting:

That, upon their introduction in the House of Representatives, the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime Bill 2002 and the provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2002 be referred to the Legal and Constitutional Legislation Committee for report by 14 March 2002.

Senator Allison to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a) notes that:

(i) Victorian school principals are struggling to fill teaching vacancies for the 2002 school year,

(ii) Victoria has a shortage of mathematics, science, information technology, languages other than English, accounting and woodwork teachers, and

(iii) schools in regional areas and country towns experience the greatest difficulty filling teacher vacancies; and

(b) urges the Government to do more to increase the number of available teachers by improving conditions and incentives for teachers, particularly in rural areas, and by increasing university places and funding for teacher education.

Senator Harris to move on the next day of sitting:

(1) That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on the Lindeberg Grievance, be appointed to inquire into and report, by 30 June 2002, on the following matters:

(a) whether any false or misleading evidence was given to the Select Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing, the Select Committee on Unresolved Whistleblower Cases or the Committee of Privileges in respect of its 63rd and 71st reports;

(b) whether any contempt was committed in that regard, having regard to previous inquiries by Senate committees relating to the shredding of the Heiner documents, the fresh material that has subsequently been revealed by the Dutney Memorandum, and Exhibits 20 and 31 tabled at the Forde Commission of Inquiry into the Abuse of Children in Queensland Institutions, and any other relevant evidence; and

(c) whether this matter should be taken into account in framing the proposed legislation on whistleblower protection recommended by the Select Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing.

(2) That the committee consist of 7 senators, 2 nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, 2 nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, 1 nominated by the Leader of the Australian Democrats, 1 nominated by the One Nation Party and 1 nominated by the Australian Greens or Senator Harradine.

(3) That the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that not all members have been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.

(4) That:

(a) the chair of the committee be elected by and from the members of the committee;

(b) in the absence of agreement on the selection of a chair, duly notified to the President, the allocation of the chair be determined by the Senate;

(c) the deputy chair of the committee be elected by and from the members of the committee immediately after the election of the chair;

(d) the deputy chair act as chair when there is no chair or the chair is not present at a meeting; and

(e) in the event of the votes on any question before the committee being equally divided, the chair, or deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote.

(5) That the quorum of the committee be a majority of the members of the committee.

(6) That the committee and any subcommittee have power to send for and examine persons and documents, to move from place to place, to sit in public or in private, notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or dissolution of the House of Representatives, and have leave to report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken, and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit.

(7) That the committee have power to appoint subcommittees consisting of 3 or more of its members and to refer to any such subcommittee any of the matters which the committee is empowered to consider, and that the quorum of the subcommittee be a majority of the members appointed to the subcommittee.

(8) That the committee be provided with all necessary staff, facilities and resources and be empowered to appoint investigative staff and persons, including senior counsel, with specialist knowledge for the purposes of the committee, with the approval of the President.

(9) That the committee have access to, and have power to make use of, the evidence and records of the Select Committee on Public Interest Whistleblowing, the Select Committee on Unresolved Whistleblower Cases and the Committee of Privileges in respect of its 63rd and 71st reports.

(10) That the committee be empowered to print from day to day such documents and evidence as may be ordered by it, and a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings as take place in public.

Senator Brown to move on the next day of sitting:

That the Senate—

(a) notes the death in custody of Aboriginal Australian Douglas Bruce Scott in Darwin on 5 July 1985;

(b) expresses its regret and condolences to his widow, Mrs Letty Scott, and their family;

(c) notes that Mrs Scott considers inquiries into her husband's death to have been flawed and inadequate, and that this matter is currently the subject of litigation; and

(d) calls on the Government to work with Mrs Scott to open a fresh investigation into Mr Scott's death, through which all the evidence can be considered.


The DEPUTY PRESIDENT —I draw the attention of the chamber to the standing order relating to the handling of notices of motion.