NOTICES

The Chair of the Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries (Senator Heffernan): To move on the next day of sitting—That the time for the presentation of the report of the Select Committee on Agricultural and Related Industries into pricing and supply arrangements in the Australian and global fertiliser market be extended to 2 December 2008. (general business notice of motion no. 249)

Senator Hanson-Young: To move on the next day of sitting—That the Senate—

 (a) notes:

  (i) the important work being done by the international `Make Poverty History' campaign and the tireless effort of the many non-government agencies, faith groups, community organisations and individuals working around the world to end poverty, and

  (ii) the impact that poverty has on child and maternal health;

 (b) recognises:

  (i) the 2008 United Nations report on the Millennium Development Goals that highlights maternal mortality decreased by less than 1 per cent between 1990 and 2005, far below the 5.5 per cent annual reduction needed,

  (ii) more than half of the 29 developing countries are not on track to achieve the child health goal or the maternal health goal, and

  (iii) each year 34 000 mothers and more than 400 000 children die in our immediate region; and

 (c) calls on the Government to work with each of the key maternal health agencies in the region to identify the core funding arrangements they require to ensure that Australia is actively promoting the need to reduce the current child and maternal health mortality rate in developing countries. (general business notice of motion no. 250)

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

 (a) notes that the eighth round of the Sino-Tibetan dialogue is due to take place in October or November 2008;

 (b) recognises the Dalai Lama's `middle way' approach to autonomy for Tibet within China; and

 (c) appreciates the offer by the People's Republic of China to host the dialogue and wishes both parties a successful breakthrough and outcome. (general business notice of motion no. 251)

The Leader of the Australian Greens (Senator Bob Brown): To move on 11 November 2008—That the following bill be introduced: A Bill for an Act to require a plebiscite on whether Australia should become a Republic. Plebiscite for an Australian Republic Bill 2008. (general business notice of motion no. 252)

The Minister for Human Services (Senator Ludwig): To move on the next day of sitting—That the provisions of paragraphs (5) to (8) of standing order 111 not apply to the following bills, allowing them to be considered during this period of sittings:

 Archives Amendment Bill 2008

 Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital Radio) Bill 2008

 International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2008.

 Documents: Senator Ludwig tabled the following documents:

  Consideration of legislation—Statements of reasons [3] for introduction and passage of the bills in the 2008 spring sittings.

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

 (a) notes ABC Radio National's decision to axe the Religion Report, the Media Report and the Sports Factor;

 (b) notes that:

  (i) the Religion Report is one of the most important programs on the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) with a rapidly growing international audience, and

  (ii) this program broke the Peter Hollingworth scandal, has applied critical analysis of the Exclusive Brethren, Anglican, Catholic and Muslim religions amongst others and provided insightful commentary of various religions over many years; and

 (c) calls on the ABC management:

  (i) publicly to reveal all formal and informal criticisms made against this program over recent years, and

  (ii) immediately to make public the reasons for this decision. (general business notice of motion no. 253)

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

 (a) notes:

  (i) that the week beginning 19 October 2008 is Carers Week,

  (ii) that there are more than 2.5 million carers in Australia today, and

  (iii) the release on 14 October 2008 of a report into carers by the Australian Bureau of Statistics which stated that:

   (A) almost half of all carers provided care for more than 40 hours per week, the equivalent of a full-time job, and

   (B) more than 15 per cent of carers reported difficulties in paying bills and more than 20 per cent had borrowed money; and

 (b) calls on the Government to ensure that carers are provided with greater access to respite services and financial support to ensure they are able to continue in their vital work. (general business notice of motion no. 254)