NOTICES

Senator Xenophon and the Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown): To move on the next day of sitting—That the Senate—

 (a) notes that basic food products, including pasta, coriander, fruit jams, instant coffee and fresh meat, none of which have any link to national security, have been banned under Israel's blockade on Gaza; and

 (b) expresses its concern for the social, humanitarian and economic impact of Israel's blockade on Gaza. (general business notice of motion no. 820)

Senator Milne: To move on the next day of sitting—That the Senate—

 (a) notes that:

  (i) Australia needs to reverse its current trend of increasing carbon emissions if it is to contribute to efforts to reduce the risks of climate change,

  (ii) a significant proportion of Australia's energy use is represented by energy waste, with estimates by researchers suggesting that cost-effective (i.e. budget neutral) opportunities exist to reduce energy use in residential and commercial buildings by 30 to 35 per cent, and

  (iii) energy costs are increasing and will continue to do so, placing a growing burden on industry and households; and

 (b) resolves to:

  (i) work multilaterally with industry, the community, the Government and all opposition parties to ensure that reducing energy waste is considered as a policy opportunity commensurate with its potential for environmental and economic benefit,

  (ii) publicise the findings of the Prime Minister's Energy Efficiency Task Group and support action for far-reaching recommendations to create a step change in energy efficiency implementation at the earliest opportunity, and

  (iii) work with the Australian Alliance to Save Energy to ensure that Members of Parliament are well informed on the opportunity that energy efficiency presents to improve Australia's economic competitiveness and the large contribution that it can make to reducing greenhouse emissions. (general business notice of motion no. 821)

Senator Back: To move on the next day of sitting—That the following matters be referred to the Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 August 2010:

 (a) the implications to the Australian horse industry of committing to an Emergency Animal Disease Response Agreement (EADRA);

 (b) the options for equitable contributions by horse owners to a levy scheme to meet their obligations under an EADRA in the event of an emergency animal disease outbreak in horses;

 (c) the criteria by which the cost burden of a levy would be shared between Commonwealth, state and territory governments, horse industry groups and owners;

 (d) quarantine and biosecurity threats to Australia's horse industry; and

 (e) any other related matters.

The Leader of the Opposition in the Senate (Senator Abetz): To move on the next day of sitting—That the Senate notes the Prime Minister's continued unprincipled attacks upon the Senate. (general business notice of motion no. 822)