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Wednesday, 29 February 2012
Page: 1236

Presentation

Senator Boyce To move:

That the Senate—

   (a)   recognises:

      (i)   the importance of World Plumbing Day on 11 March and its aim of highlighting the role that the plumbing industry plays in relation to health through the provision of safe water and sanitation, and

      (ii)   the environmental role of the industry in water conservation and energy efficiency and the increasing use of renewable sources of energy;

   (b)   notes that it is estimated that 3.1 million children die each year as a result of water related diseases; and

   (c)   congratulates the World Plumbing Council on its role in promoting the importance of the plumbing industry, both in developed countries and in developing countries where good plumbing could save lives.

Senator Bernardi and Senator Stephens To move:

That the Senate—

   (a)   supports freedom of religion as a universal human right;

   (b)   does not support the imprisonment or persecution of individuals on the basis of their religious belief;

   (c)   calls on the Iranian authorities to release Pastor Youcef Nadarkhani, who has been sentenced to death for the sole reason of his refusal to recant his Christian faith;

   (d)   recognises that this action is a breach of Iran's international obligations, its own constitution and stated religious values; and

   (e)   stands in solidarity with Pastor Nadarkhani, his family and all those who seek to practise their religion without fear of persecution.

Senator Brandis To move:

That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to establish a process for assisting victims of overseas terrorist acts, and for related purposes. Assisting Victims of Overseas Terrorism Bill 2012.

Senator Hanson-Young To move:

That the Senate—

   (a)   notes the deteriorating human rights situation in China and Tibet over recent months, including the following developments:

      (i)   the imposition of a media blackout by Chinese authorities in Sichuan, Qinghai and the region of Tibet since 24 January 2012, including shutting down the presence of international and non-government media organisations and coverage of pro-Tibetan activities, which has been documented by global press freedom organisation Reporters Without Borders,

      (ii)   the continuation of Tibetan people self-immolating as a form of protest that now amounts to 23 self-immolations and 15 deaths since February 2009,

      (iii)   the increased Chinese military presence since early 2012 on the streets of Lhasa, Serthar and parts of eastern Tibet which has been described by the exiled Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay as a state of 'undeclared martial law', and

      (iv)   a reported increase in arbitrary arrests of hundreds of Tibetans by Chinese authorities since 6 February 2012 upon the Tibetans' return from the annual Buddhist Kalachakra ceremony in Bodhgaya, India, which has been condemned by international organisation Human Rights Watch; and

   (b)   calls on the Australian Government to:

      (i)   urge the Chinese Government to restore press freedom and release any Tibetan people who have been arbitrarily arrested on account of their political or religious views, and

      (ii)   support the call by exiled Tibetan Prime Minister Lobsang Sangay on 21 February 2012 for a United Nations special investigator to undertake a fact-finding mission in Tibet to better inform the international community of the situation.

Senator Heffernan To move:

That the time for the presentation of the report of the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee on the Foreign Investment Review Board national interest test be extended to 27 June 2012.

Senator Colbeck To move:

That the Fishing Levy Regulations 2011, as contained in Select Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 241 and made under the Fishing Levy Act 1991 and the Fisheries Management Act 1991, be disallowed. [F2011L02665]

Fifteen sitting days remain, including today, to resolve the motion or the instrument will be deemed to have been disallowed. (to be resolved on 21 June 2012)

Senator Ludlam To move:

That the Senate—

   (a)   notes the publication of evidence that a sealed grand jury indictment against Australian citizen Mr Julian Assange has been in existence for more than a year; and

   (b)   calls on the Government to obtain confirmation of its existence from the Government of the United States of America and report to the Senate.

Senator Hanson-Young To move:

That the following matter be referred to the Environment and Communications References Committee for inquiry and report by 28 June 2012:

   The Murray Darling draft Basin Plan, and in undertaking the inquiry the committee must consider:

      (a)   the science and modelling relevant to the development of the draft Basin Plan;

      (b)   the outcomes of various scenarios of water recovery, including, but not limited to, the 2750GL featured in the draft Basin Plan, and the implications of groundwater extraction;

      (c)   the operation of the review mechanisms contained in the draft Basin Plan;

      (d)   system constraints that have an impact on the draft Basin Plan, and the information and research available to the Murray-Darling Basin Authority (MDBA) relating to redesigned river management options;

      (e)   the interaction of the draft Basin Plan with relevant legal requirements;

      (f)   the MDBA's engagement with basin communities, including original Indigenous owners; and

      (g)   any other matters.

Senator Milne To move:

That the Senate—

   (a)   notes that:

      (i)   solar hot water is among the most cost-effective way to reduce householders' power bills and cut greenhouse gas emissions,

      (ii)   the Australian solar water heating industry employs more than 1 000 people in manufacturing and many more in installation around the country, and is beginning to develop as an export industry, and

      (iii)   the Australian solar water heating industry is already under pressure from the high Australian dollar, low renewable energy certificate prices and imports of instantaneous gas hot water systems; and

   (b)   calls on the Government to:

      (i)   immediately reinstate and extend the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme which has helped a quarter of a million Australians to reduce their power bills and which has supported the development of a clean manufacturing and installation industry, and

      (ii)   release information about the extent to which the scheme's forecast expenditure will exceed actual spending in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 financial years.