BUSINESS ACCORDED PRIORITY FOR Monday, 6 February 2023

PURSUANT TO STANDING ORDERS 34 AND 35

10.10 AM TO 12 NOON

PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS

Notices

         1   Mr Bates: To present a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to elections and referendums, and for related purposes. (Electoral Legislation Amendment (Lowering the Voting Age) Bill 2023)

              (Notice given 29 November 2022. Time allowed—10 minutes.)

    †2   Dr Gillespie: To move—That this House:

(1)       notes that:

(a)        Australia has been at the forefront of nuclear science and technology since 1953 when the Australian Atomic Energy Commission was established and operated two research reactors at Lucas Heights in Sydney;

(b)       since the Australian Atomic Energy Commission became the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation in 1987, it has operated the HIFAR Research Reactor, and subsequently the OPAL Research Reactor, which has delivered significant benefits for nuclear medicine in Australia and around the world;

(c)        Australia has developed one of the world’s leading regulatory and safety authorities to oversee the operation of its nuclear industries with the establishment of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency;

(d)       Australia is a signatory to international non-proliferation treaties which is overseen by the Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office; and

(2)       considers the deployment of nuclear energy to deliver energy security for the nation, as part of Australia’s transition to a decarbonised electricity grid, utilising emerging nuclear technologies such as Generation III+, Generation IV Small Modular Reactors and Micro Modular Reactors; and

(3)       further considers the following legislative actions:

(a)        removing the blanket prohibition on:

(i)         the Minister for Environment and Water declaring, approving, or considering actions relating to the construction or operation of certain nuclear facilities as described in sections 37J, 140A and 146M, and paragraph 305(2)(d) of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, by repealing those provisions; and

(ii)       the construction or operation of certain nuclear facilities as described in section 10 of the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Act 1998, by repealing that section; 

(b)       leaving unaffected:

(i)         the other elements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999, pursuant to which the Minister would assess any application to establish a facility previously named in the repealed provisions; 

(ii)       state and territory powers to protect their citizens and the environment from potential adverse radiation impacts; and

(iii)     the power vested in the Minister for Foreign Affairs to determine whether or not to issue a permit under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation (Safeguards) Act 1987 for such a proposed facility.

              (Notice given 29 November 2022. Time allowed—40 minutes.)

    †3   Ms Stanley: To move—That this House:

(1)       notes that:

(a)        1 February 2023 marks the 39th anniversary of the introduction of Medicare by the Government of Prime Minister Hawke; and

(b)       Australia’s healthcare system is based on equitable and fair access for all Australians; and

(2)       acknowledges that:

(a)        as of 1 January 2023, the Government will have reduced the cost of the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme co-payment by $12.50 to a maximum of $30; and

(b)       the Government is making medicines cheaper and more accessible for Australian families.

              (Notice given 29 November 2022.  Time allowed—40 minutes.)

    †4   Ms Le: To move—That this House

(1)       notes that the Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Cheaper Child Care) Bill 2022:

(a)        will increase demand on the early childhood education sector and does not address supply, namely:

(i)         training individuals that wish to seek a future in the early childhood education sector; and

(ii)       a retention strategy for the early childhood education sector, specifically childcare; and

(b)       does not guarantee an increase in workforce participation; 

(2)       further notes the Government subsidy for high income families is occurring simultaneous to the abolition of the Lower and Middle Income Tax Offset which will increase the cost of living pressures on low and middle income families that need the support most; and

(3)       calls on the Government to:

(a)        implement the National Children’s Education and Care Workforce Strategy which is a co-design piece conducted by the entire sector addressing key supply issues such as:

(i)         recruitment;

(ii)       retainment; and

(iii)     sustainability and quality of the sector workforce;

(b)       acknowledge the child care service gaps in facilities and staffing in remote, rural, and regional Australia; and

(c)        acknowledge the barriers in the childcare sector that impact multicultural communities across Australia such as:

(i)         English not being the primary language for children at home;

(ii)       training and upskilling; and

(iii)     understanding the unique needs of culturally diverse children.

              (Notice given 29 November 2022. Time allowed—remaining private Members’ business time prior to 12 noon.)