COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Official Hansard No. 12, 2003 MONDAY, 2 JUNE 2003

FORTIETH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION—FIFTH PERIOD

BY AUTHORITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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CONTENTS

MONDAY, 2 JUNE Committees— Employment and Workplace Relations Committee—Report...... 15557 Criminal Code Amendment (Hezbollah External Terrorist Organisation) Bill 2003— First Reading ...... 15559 Private Members’ Business— Prostate Cancer...... 15560 Statements by Members— Bruce Electorate: Immigration ...... 15575 Cancer Council of New South Wales ...... 15575 Indonesia: Aceh ...... 15576 Queensland Government: Budget...... 15576 Fowler Electorate: Immigration ...... 15576 Dunkley Electorate: Mornington Community Information and Support Centre...... 15577 Burke Electorate: Immigration...... 15577 Moncrieff Electorate: Film and Television Industry...... 15578 Sydney Electorate: Immigration...... 15578 Bushfires...... 15578 Bass Electorate: Flight 1737...... 15579 Ministerial Arrangements ...... 15579 Questions Without Notice— Transport: Aviation Security...... 15579 Transport: Aviation Security...... 15580 Transport: Aviation Security...... 15581 Transport: Roads of National Importance ...... 15582 Transport: Aviation Security...... 15583 Taxation: Tax Rates ...... 15584 Medicare: Bulk-billing ...... 15585 Economy: Performance ...... 15586 Education: Higher Education ...... 15587 Zimbabwe...... 15588 Liberal Party of Australia: Donations...... 15590 Human Rights: Burma...... 15591 Parramatta Electorate: Program Funding ...... 15592 Drought: Assistance...... 15593 Immigration: Visa Approvals...... 15594 Workplace Relations: Australian Workplace Agreements ...... 15594 Liberal Party of Australia: Donations...... 15595 Health Insurance...... 15595 Immigration: Visa Applications...... 15596 Great Barrier Reef Marine Park ...... 15596 Her Majesty The Queen— 50th Anniversary of the Coronation ...... 15597 Questions to the Speaker— Question Time ...... 15600 News Clipping Service...... 15601 Personal Explanations...... 15601 Petitions— Medicare: Bulk-billing ...... 15602 Family and Community Services: Child Care...... 15602 Telecommunications: Radio Licence...... 15603

CONTENTS—continued

Immigration: Asylum Seekers ...... 15603 Immigration: Asylum Seekers ...... 15603 Medicare: Logan City Office...... 15603 Telstra: Privatisation...... 15604 Medicare: Belmont Office...... 15604 Medicare: Belmont Office...... 15604 Medicare: Belmont Office...... 15604 Kirkpatrick, Private John Simpson...... 15605 Telstra: Privatisation...... 15605 Health: Outer Metropolitan Doctors Scheme ...... 15605 Medicare: Easy Claim Agency ...... 15605 Health Care...... 15606 Immigration: Asylum Seekers ...... 15606 Health: MRI Machines ...... 15606 Environment: Sea Cage Fish Farms ...... 15606 Medicare: Bulk-billing ...... 15607 Private Members’ Business— Taxation...... 15607 Scoresby Freeway...... 15615 Grievance Debate— Parliamentary Debate ...... 15624 Families: Living Standards...... 15626 Autism ...... 15629 Telstra: Telecommunications Infrastructure ...... 15631 Drugs: Medicinal Marijuana...... 15633 Health: Mental Illness ...... 15635 Howard Government: Economic Policy...... 15638 Iraq ...... 15641 Main Committee ...... 15643 Bills Referred to Main Committee...... 15643 Migration Legislation Amendment (Protected Information) Bill 2002— Report from Main Committee ...... 15643 Third Reading...... 15646 Customs Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2003— Report from Main Committee ...... 15646 Third Reading...... 15646 Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2003— Report from Main Committee ...... 15646 Third Reading...... 15647 National Handgun Buyback Bill 2003— Report from Main Committee ...... 15647 Third Reading...... 15647 Intellectual Property Laws Amendment Bill 2002— Report from Main Committee ...... 15647 Third Reading...... 15647 Maritime Legislation Amendment (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Bill 2003— Report from Main Committee ...... 15647 Third Reading...... 15647 Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2003-2004— Second Reading...... 15647

CONTENTS—continued

Adjournment— Indigenous Affairs: Deaths in Custody...... 15685 Environment: Conservation...... 15686 Holt Electorate: Child Care ...... 15688 Dunkley Electorate: 2nd Mornington Sea Scout Group; Mornington Heritage Rail....15689 Lalor Electorate: Inner West Migrant Resource Centre...... 15691 Hansen, Mr Len...... 15692 Notices ...... 15693 Questions on Notice— Taxation: Bankruptcy Laws—(Question No. 97)...... 15695 Immigration: Refugees—(Question No. 652) ...... 15695 Community Landcare Associations—(Question No. 915) ...... 15696 Immigration: Visas—(Question No. 1142)...... 15697 Taxation: Tax Concessions for Farmers—(Question No. 1323)...... 15697 Nuclear Waste: Transportation—(Question No. 1456)...... 15698 Education, Science and Training: Program Funding—(Question No. 1495) ...... 15699 Health: Electromagnetic Radiation—(Question No. 1543)...... 15712 Transport: Passenger Movement Charge—(Question No. 1554)...... 15715 Transport and Regional Services: Program Funding—(Question No. 1564) ...... 15717 Transport and Regional Services: Program Funding—(Question No. 1610) ...... 15718 Medicare: Bulk-billing—(Question No. 1642) ...... 15720 Employment and Workplace Relations: Program Funding—(Question No. 1689)...... 15721 Shipping: Piracy—(Question No. 1715) ...... 15731 Fire Fighting Brigade: Mount Stromlo—(Question No. 1738) ...... 15732 Health: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme—(Question No. 1743)...... 15732 Colston, Former Senator: Criminal Proceedings—(Question No. 1760) ...... 15738 Systematic Infrastructure Investment Fund—(Question No. 1798) ...... 15739

Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15557

Monday, 2 June 2003 vice providers, lawyers, insurance companies ————— or workers compensation schemes—there The SPEAKER (Mr Neil Andrew) took was quite a degree of difference of opinion the chair at 12.30 p.m., and read prayers. on the part of those who made submissions. It appeared that the level of employee fraud COMMITTEES was generally considered to be low, although Employment and Workplace Relations some who made submissions considered that Committee there was a significant level of fraud. The Report committee has therefore made strong rec- Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY (Dawson) ommendations about data collection in order (12.31 p.m.)—On behalf of the Standing to be able to quantify whether fraud is sig- Committee on Employment and Workplace nificant within the workers compensation Relations, I present the report of the commit- industry. There are also enhanced strategies tee entitled Back on the job: report into as- suggested in the report to identify employer pects of Australian workers’ compensation noncompliance and the need for increased schemes, together with the minutes of pro- accountability of service providers. ceedings and evidence received by the com- There are currently 10 different schemes mittee. operating in Australia for nine million em- Ordered that the report be printed. ployees. A move towards greater national consistency would provide opportunities for Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY—Back on the the various schemes to review their current job: report into aspects of Australian work- activities in terms of best practice. The ers’ compensation schemes should provide committee is concerned at the extent to interesting discussion in all sectors of the which there appears to be cost shifting to the workers compensation industry. The aim of a Commonwealth, either covertly or overtly, workers compensation scheme should be to from state based workers compensation provide workers with a meaningful and sus- schemes. The primary responsibility for tainable outcome following a workplace in- workers compensation should remain with jury. The majority of injured workers are the states and territories. There needs to be a committed to an early and successful return network of memoranda of understanding to to work. The committee’s inquiry was timely, ensure that employees injured in one juris- as there are substantial human and economic diction are not left without cover in another. costs of work related injuries. Premiums for Social security was not established to subsi- employers have increased, notwithstanding a dise state based workers compensation reported drop in injury rates, and there are schemes. The committee recommends a important changes to the labour market. The study to determine whether injured workers challenges for the workers compensation who have received workers compensation industry over the next decade include chang- subsequently access income support entitle- ing work arrangements, the ageing of the ments. The extent to which Medicare is sub- work force and changing lifestyles. sidising the workers compensation industry The committee received 84 submissions also needs to be determined. and heard evidence from 82 witnesses across It was generally agreed that there is in- Australia. While the committee could not adequate data to support analysis of some quantify the significance of fraud within any national trends. The committee has a number sector—that is, employees, employers, ser- of concerns about a national database on

CHAMBER 15558 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 fraudulent activities. Also, the advice offered and thank the committee secretariat, headed by lawyers may not always be in the best by Richard Selth, and especially the inquiry interests of the clients in achieving the goal secretaries, Cheryl Scarlett and Julia Morris. of a timely return to work. Common law can I place on record my thanks to the chair, De- often be a barrier to successful injury man- Anne Kelly, for conducting the inquiry and agement or return to work. The committee the committee’s proceedings as a whole in a believes that educational material on the very professional and parliamentary manner. various options available and the possible The report makes a number of significant associated pitfalls should be forwarded to findings and recommendations that would injured workers. Financial counselling and not have been possible but for the profes- support should also be offered through Cen- sionalism of the people I just mentioned. trelink, with a view to ensuring a timely re- Unfortunately the same professional parlia- turn to work where possible. The committee mentary approach was not exhibited by the is particularly concerned by the level of sui- Minister for Employment and Workplace cide amongst injured workers and believes Relations, Tony Abbott, who sought to rail- that this is worthy of further attention. road the inquiry into a partisan political There are advantages to be found in the witch-hunt of workers that was totally im- implementation of nationally consistent re- proper, leading Labor members to issue a habilitation and return to work practices and rare, if not unprecedented, press release enti- in the measurement of rehabilitation out- tled ‘Abbott wrecks parliamentary commit- comes to identify best practice. It was plainly tee’. Unlike most members of the parliament, evident to the committee that there is a great Minister Abbott has not worked out when to deal of knowledge and expertise in what is behave like a parliamentarian and when to be best practice in every aspect of the workers a politically partisan head kicker. compensation industry. The committee be- The SPEAKER—Order! The member for lieves that greater cooperation and liaison Brisbane will come back to the report. between the various partners would enable a Mr BEVIS—It was very much part of the number of improvements to the workers inquiry. Committees are not part of the ex- compensation industry. ecutive and are not playthings of ministers; In conclusion, I would like to thank all they are essential and unique forums that those who assisted the committee during the enable the parliament, not the executive, to inquiry. My thanks particularly go to the inquire into matters of current importance. committee for their work on this, their first The executive has the entire Public Service report, and to the deputy chair, who worked bureaucracy at its disposal to do that. We very hard with me and other committee should fiercely guard the independence and members to bring forward the report. I would the authority of the parliamentary committee also like to thank the secretariat for their as- system. sistance. (Time expired) Partly as a result of Minister Abbott’s Mr BEVIS (Brisbane) (12.36 p.m.)—I conduct and decisions, the committee too rise to speak on the House of Representa- adopted a suitably wide interpretation of the tives Standing Committee on Employment terms of reference and has tabled a useful and Workplace Relations report Back on the contribution to the debate on workers com- job: report into aspects of Australian work- pensation systems in Australia. It is impor- ers’ compensation schemes. I congratulate tant to recognise that, whatever our preju-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15559 dices and notwithstanding the occasional Mr BEVIS—Mr Speaker, I am happy to anecdote to the contrary, the overwhelming continue my remarks later. weight of evidence makes clear that fraud— The SPEAKER—Does the member for particularly workers fraud—in our workers Dawson wish to move a motion in connec- compensation system is not a major issue tion with the report to enable it to be debated impacting on the overall operational costs of at a later time? the system. A number of references cited on Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY (Dawson) pages 26 and 27 of the report refer to this (12.40 p.m.)—I move: fact. I quickly refer to a couple of those. The report states: That the House take note of the report. The Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association I seek leave to continue my remarks later. pointed out that all official inquiries over the last Leave granted. two decades have been unable to identify cogent The SPEAKER—In accordance with evidence that there is widespread claimant fraud. standing order 102B, the debate is adjourned. The Queensland Government stated that the The resumption of the debate will be made incidence and associated cost of fraud is difficult an order of the day for a future sitting. The to quantify but estimated to be relatively low. member for Dawson will have leave to con- … … … tinue speaking when the debate is resumed. The Western Australian government ... con- CRIMINAL CODE AMENDMENT cluded that the incidence of fraud in that jurisdic- tion is negligible. (HEZBOLLAH EXTERNAL TERRORIST ORGANISATION) BILL And the Chief Executive Officer of the 2003 Commonwealth’s own Comcare, Barry Leahy, gave evidence that fraud is not a sig- First Reading nificant issue as far as Comcare is con- Bill presented by Mr Crean. cerned. Mr CREAN (Hotham—Leader of the The incidence of employer fraud, too, was Opposition) (12.41 p.m.)—I present the seen to be very low, although it is interesting Criminal Code Amendment (Hezbollah Ex- to note that the evidence would seem to indi- ternal Terrorist Threat Organisation) Bill cate a more significant problem. The evi- 2003. This private member’s bill does what dence from Queensland WorkCover cited at the government failed to do: act quickly and page 43 is that ‘hundreds of penalties are decisively against the Hezbollah External imposed every year for noncompliance’. Security Organisation. Last week I proposed That is interesting to compare with the fig- through a private member’s bill that parlia- ures that were given by Mr Leahy of Com- ment take immediate action against the care. He noted that, out of some 18,000 ac- growing threat to Australia from the Hezbol- tive claims each year, 23 were the subject of lah External Security Organisation. In an investigation last year and, he believed, 22 unprecedented manner, this government has the year before that. been forced to introduce the same legislation The SPEAKER—I indicate to the mem- before this debate has even occurred. This ber for Brisbane that the time allotted for the may be the most successful private member’s debate has expired. I will allow the member bill in this country’s history. There have only to make a few concluding remarks if he been 15 successful private members’ bills wishes to do so. and only seven have originated in this

CHAMBER 15560 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

House. Today we add to that, and we do it in did not write back to me on this crucial issue record time. until 12 May and in his response he flatly Although the government will not admit rejected Labor’s proposed changes. That is it, the threat to Australia is a direct result of why I acted at the first available opportunity. the increased global terrorist activity follow- The government was not prepared to ac- ing the war in Iraq. Yet the Prime Minister cept our approach until it was forced to do so continues with the absurd fantasy that the by the weight of evidence and public opin- war in Iraq has made Australians safer. Even ion, and I genuinely welcome that change of as they erect barriers around Parliament heart by the government. But let us be clear House and armour plate the Prime Minister’s on this: the legislation that it said last week personal vehicle, they want us to believe we was unconstitutional is now presented by the are safer. Australians know otherwise, and government as a solution to the very prob- they want to know as well that their security lem. It waited eight weeks to bring forward is being looked after. That is what Labor is legislation that it said was so urgent. The committed to doing. government’s backdown on this matter is a The Hezbollah External Security Organi- humiliating but welcome defeat for wedge sation is a terrorist group. It is based in politics in this country—wedge politics that Lebanon and it has a global network. It has a we have seen far too much of by this gov- record of terror and murder. We all know that ernment. this terrorist organisation has threatened Aus- Labor stand prepared to work with gov- tralians, because the Attorney-General pub- ernments to protect our citizens. Labor are licly stated so last week. Therefore, we are prepared to initiate to ensure that our citizens determined to ensure that the terrorist wing feel safer. The truth is: this government is of Hezbollah is blacklisted. But at the same being forced into this position simply be- time we see no desire, and we have no de- cause of Labor’s determination to act and to sire, to ban legitimate political and social act quickly. We provided the solution; the organisations in the process. government simply wanted to play politics. Australians want their governments to act This is another example of the government decisively against threats to our security and leading and exposing its wedge politics. I they want a strong, bipartisan approach to commend the bill to the House. national security issues. The Prime Minister Bill read a first time. first wrote to me on this matter on 2 April The SPEAKER—In accordance with this year. I was briefed by intelligence agen- standing order 104A, the second reading will cies on 3 April and I replied in writing to the be made an order of the day for the next sit- Prime Minister on 8 April. In my response I ting. specifically said: PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS In the event the government fails to secure a list- ing for Hizballah through the UN Security Coun- Prostate Cancer cil … Labor would support a specific amendment Mr LLOYD (Robertson) (12.46 p.m.)—I to the Criminal Code to name the Hizballah Ex- move: ternal Terrorist Organisation as a terrorist organi- That this House: sation within the Principal Act. (1) acknowledges that prostate cancer is now a Despite my offering this legislative solution major cause of death in Australian men with almost two months ago, the Prime Minister

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15561

more than 2,500 men dying from prostate ago was immediately followed up, an early cancer cancer annually; detected and dealt with. (2) recognises the importance of prostate In contrast my brother-in-law did not have PSA specific antigen (PSA) testing as a reliable tests and when he finally and reluctantly went for and effective method of diagnosing early examination of symptoms he had been ignoring, prostate cancer, providing the best possibility he had a rampant cancer which had already of a successful outcome; spread to his bones. He died 18 months ago of (3) notes the reported collapse of a proposed Prostate Cancer. His widow and I feel that had he national television awareness campaign had PSA tests, and an early diagnosis he might about prostate cancer; and well still be alive today. (4) calls on the Federal Government to examine In March 2000 my local GP recommended funding options which will enable increased that, despite having no symptoms, I have a research into prostate cancer, and provide PSA test, and the results showed a slight ele- additional and more effective awareness vation. Six months later I had another test, programs to assist in the early detection of which showed further elevation. A biopsy prostate cancer. confirmed a moderately aggressive prostate More than 10,000 Australian men are diag- cancer, and I underwent a successful radical nosed with prostate cancer every year and, prostatectomy on 17 February this year, at typically, 2,600 men die annually from this the Sydney Adventist Hospital. disease. This makes it the second most pro- Prior to being personally involved I, like lific cancer for men, next to skin cancer. most Australian men, knew very little about Many lives could be saved through the com- prostate cancer—despite my father also suf- bination of a nationwide campaign, increased fering from the disease. I knew nothing funding for research and a better understand- about the PSA test or about the incredible ing of the prostate specific antigen—PSA— incidence of the disease. Recent research test as a useful tool in the early diagnosis of conducted on behalf of the Prostate Cancer the disease. Foundation of Australia indicates that only I take issue with comments from Ray 10 per cent of men in the 50- to 70-year age Lowenthal of the Cancer Council. He stated, bracket had undergone an appropriate test for ‘We do not yet know whether early detection prostate cancer, and many of them did not saves lives.’ As with all cancers, early detec- feel that they were adequately informed tion is critical in the treatment and possible about prostate cancer. This appalling lack of cure. Once cancer has spread outside the knowledge could be costing countless lives prostate gland, it almost certainly cannot be and must stop. An awareness campaign for cured. It can be treated and managed, but both the public and health professionals usually not cured. There is much debate, should be implemented as a matter of ur- even controversy, over the importance of the gency. It will save lives. PSA test. Certainly in my own case I firmly Some of the letters we have received are believe that the PSA test saved my life, and I very sad. I will read part of a letter that was know I am not alone. I have received many written to Prime Minister John Howard. It letters, and I would like to read part of one. It says: states: Both my G.P. and I were relying upon digital ex- … I owe my survival to my enlightened GP who aminations. In my case I was simply unaware that put me on annual PSA tests some 10 years ago. such a test was useless. My G.P. should have The significant rise which occurred about 2 years known better, but didn’t. Why is it that men’s

CHAMBER 15562 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 lives are exposed to such lack of knowledge of epidemiological studies, such as the Austrian simple facts? study indicating a distinct advantage for early The letter goes on to say that we should do screening and intervention. I would have thought everything we can ‘to ensure that fewer Aus- that it was a man’s right to know about these stud- ies as well. tralian fathers end up putting their families through the agonies that I have imposed on It is not just an issue of long term cure with early mine’. It is a very sad letter. prostate cancer detection, it is also a matter of avoiding the misery and complication of progres- Since the listing of my private member’s sive untreated prostate cancer. That relates to motion on the Notice Paper, I have received recurrent bladder obstruction, pain, bleeding, hundreds of letters from prostate cancer suf- retention and metastatic bone pain. Simon Chap- ferers and their families all over Australia. I man would not detect this human suffering by know that most other members have also reading “the world’s largest database”. It is a received many supportive letters. The fact shame that he has no clinical experience in this that so many of my colleagues, on both sides field. of the House, are in the chamber today indi- You can see Dr Katelaris to be very passion- cates the level of interest that this motion has ate about this issue. I recently attended a generated. meeting of a prostate cancer support group and met with many survivors and their Much of the controversy over the PSA test wives. At that meeting there were many men relates to the effectiveness of treatment and with advanced prostate cancer undergoing the possible side effects. Unfortunately, radiation and hormone treatment. When I left many of the negative comments are based on that meeting I was overwhelmed with sad- outdated information. After the publication ness and guilt. Why? Because I feel so well of my letter on this subject in the Sydney and because I was lucky enough to be diag- Morning Herald on 10 March 2003, I re- nosed early and receive successful treatment. ceived a critical email from Simon Chapman, I saw sadness in the eyes of these men and Professor of the School of Public Health. In a their wives. I saw suffering. I saw pain. It typically academic approach, he claimed that made me determined to do what I can to end he had consulted the world’s largest database this suffering. of published medical research and then pro- ceeded to provide me with data that showed Government funding for research and incontinence levels could be up to 50 per education into prostate disease is minimal cent. Dr Phillip Katelaris, a noted urological when compared to funding provided to fight surgeon, responded to Professor Chapman’s breast cancer, despite the incidence of both claims in a letter dated 11 March 2003. The these diseases being similar. Could it be the letter reads, in part: fact that almost 90 per cent of all prostate It is every man’s right to know whether or not he cancers occur in men over 60 years of age? I may have early prostate cancer and whether or hope not, because 60 or 70 years of age these not he chooses to avail himself of potentially days is not exactly the end of a man’s mean- curative therapy. This goes to the very crux of ingful contribution in his life. Even if you consumer rights in our society. Furthermore, it is accept this ridiculous proposition, it still every man’s right to know best practice morbidity means that more than 1,000 men aged be- for curative prostate cancer, not to be told by ‘Ex- tween 45 and 60 will be diagnosed with perts’ like Professor Chapman that incontinence prostate cancer this year and every year. The rates are 50%. It is interesting that Professor government is funding Andrology Australia, Chapman makes no reference to contemporary an Australian centre for excellence in male

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15563 reproductive health, to the tune of $4 million untreated prostate cancer. I hope that it is not over the next four years. This is an important a factor of finances, because the costs of bi- initiative, but just $1 million per year is not opsies and PSA tests are minimal compared enough. Much more needs to be done. Aus- to the costs of treating someone with ad- tralia has already made significant progress vanced prostate cancer. in research into medical procedures, and one I thank my colleagues for being in the way in which the department of health can chamber, and I thank the member for Lilley, show it is serious is to be financially suppor- Wayne Swan, for seconding this motion. I tive of these endeavours. also thank the people in my family and my The Sydney Adventist Hospital currently support group who have rallied around me in has a research project utilising an endorectal my battle and my recovery process. I hope MRI with spectroscopy to accurately diag- that this motion does achieve some positive nose prostate cancer. I personally volun- initiatives for the many thousands of men teered to be part of this research program. and their families who are suffering from this We are very fortunate at the Sydney Advent- terrible disease. (Time expired) ist Hospital to have a dynamic, cooperative Mr SWAN (Lilley) (12.56 p.m.)—I sec- interface between clinical medicine and re- ond the motion and acknowledge the role of search scientists. I believe it is the only insti- the member for Robertson in bringing this tute in the world that is able to coordinate a issue of prostate cancer to parliament for study that includes preoperative MRI as- debate. It is a very important debate for the sessment to correlate these findings with parliament and the country. There is an old radical proctectomy specimens post- saying that, in helping one another, we al- operatively. Yet all this is being placed at ways help ourselves. Who amongst us in this risk. The MRI monitoring and evaluating chamber can know who in their family, in group has rejected an application for Medi- their circle of friends or indeed in this House care funding for this MRI machine simply on will at some time in the future be touched by the basis of geography—the fact that there is cancer? The more we do as a society, the another MRI machine in the area. This is not more we do as the custodians of the public good enough. The losses being incurred by health, we do for each other but we also do the Sydney Adventist Hospital on this MRI for ourselves. We are all in this together— project are simply unsustainable. If the gov- male, female, young and old. ernment wants to show that it is serious Today we are talking about prostate can- about increased funding for prostate cancer cer, but we could easily be talking about research, it should immediately provide breast cancer, cervical cancer or throat can- Medicare support for this project, otherwise cer. It is in the nation’s interest that more is all this world leading research could be lost. done to detect, diagnose, treat and cure the There seems to be a serious culture of re- ravages of this disease. As a survivor of pros- sistance within the federal department of tate cancer, which claims the lives of 2,600 health in funding prostate cancer research men each year—a similar number to the and education programs. I know that there is number of women who die from breast and debate and even controversy between the lung cancer—I have a direct emotional at- academic and clinical experts in this field, tachment in this issue. I readily acknowledge but this should not be a reason for resistance. that. But it is said by people like Professor Early detection is vital and will stop men Alan Coates, CEO of the Cancer Council, suffering misery, pain and early death from

CHAMBER 15564 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 that people like me and the member for In the medical revolution of the last 20 Robertson may be too emotionally involved years where great strides have been made in in this issue to be objective. I readily con- detection, prevention and cure, public educa- cede that I am emotionally involved in this tion campaigns have saved lives. But that is issue. I watched my father die the most ago- not the case when we come to prostate can- nising death from the spread of an aggressive cer. Repeated public statements by Professor prostate cancer. He survived the war but he Coates of the Cancer Council and now his could not beat the death sentence of prostate board have set back the campaign for greater cancer. public awareness and confused many people. Surprisingly, when I was diagnosed in Professor Coates has said that he personally 2001, in spite of my father’s experience, I will not get tested for prostate cancer and has knew very little about this disease. A diagno- also publicly advised men not to get tested. sis like that brings a feeling of powerlessness He says to men, ‘Don’t bother to find out,’ from which, for many, instantly flows a deep arguing that testing has not yet proven to be feeling of terror. In my experience and my reliable and that the disease is not in all cases father’s experience, this terror can only be a killer. His statements have caused great dealt with in one way, and that is with distress and confusion to many men cur- knowledge. In many cases, access to reliable rently making their decision about treatment. information and good, relevant medical ad- Having been through the dark tunnel of vice calms the situation. That has certainly diagnosis and, following surgery, emerging been the case in my situation. It enabled me into the light of now a full recovery, I will and my family to cope. Knowledge gave us not stand by and see a generation of men and the power. Knowledge gave us the tools to their families sidelined by the medical fight this disease and face the future. I be- equivalent of Hansonism—a head-in-the- lieve it is this experience that qualifies me to sand approach which completely ignores accurately and emotionally discuss and be modern realities. The ivory tower elitism of objective about this issue. some cancer experts like Professor Coates, The first and most important point is a who refuse to empower Australian men by very simple one that is not readily acknowl- sharing their knowledge about prostate can- edged—that there is a very low level of cer and its treatment, is a disgrace. They op- knowledge about prostate cancer in our pose an awareness campaign because they do community. That is really why Jim and I are not give Australian men and their families here today. The research is absolutely damn- enough credit to weigh the evidence and ing. Only five per cent of Australian men and come to sensible decisions. This arrogance is women between 46 and 70 see prostate can- absolutely lethal. cer as a serious disease. Forty per cent of These are strong words but, to fully un- men are too afraid, embarrassed or even pig- derstand something, you must not only ex- headed to be examined and tested. These are perience it but also try and change it. The damning figures. Yet we know that men with deeper I have looked at this issue, the more a first-degree family history of prostate can- appalled I have become. My criticisms may cer are three times more likely to develop the be harsh but they are necessary. Like the disease themselves. Only one in 10 men are member for Robertson, I will do everything tested for this disease, compared to seven in in this place to make sure that we do get an 10 women for breast cancer and nine in 10 accurate and informative public awareness for cervical cancer. campaign, because the alternative is to sen-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15565 tence many Australian men to death. It is as Can members imagine the outcry if these simple as that. statements were made about breast cancer Professor Coates has already torpedoed a screening and testing? These statements are multimillion dollar Prostate Cancer Founda- all code for the Cancer Council being op- tion campaign to raise community aware- posed to a public campaign that (1) identifies ness, which would have advised men to visit at-risk groups of men, and (2) alerts all men their doctor to become better informed. He is to issues of prostate cancer. Why? Because absolutely opposed to such a campaign, and Professor Coates and the Cancer Council do he continues to spread inaccurate and scien- not want men to make additional visits to tifically false assertions. In his endeavours he doctors for physical examination or PSA appears to have the support of the federal tests, or both. It is that simple. That is, they health department and perhaps the federal do not want to spend the money. That is, minister. awareness campaigns lead to testing. Profes- sor Coates does not advocate information; I want to deal briefly with some state- what he advocates is ignorance. ments that have been made by the chair of Professor Coates’s board, Professor Lowen- The facts are these. If prostate cancer is thal, in a letter to all members of parliament. detected early, curative therapy does save Page 1 of that letter states that, as a nation, lives. As for there being side effects, surely we do not know whether early detection that is up to the man and his family to evalu- saves lives. This is just Hansonism—stick ate and decide on. Professors Lowenthal and your head in the sand and ignore modern Coates do not want to have an information realities. We do know that a 48-year-old man campaign to give a man the information he who is detected with prostate cancer will die needs to save his life. They argue that more from it. What we do not know statistically is men die with prostate cancer than from it. whether mass screening will reduce mortal- That is completely untrue; it lacks any scien- ity. But do we let the 48-year-old and others tific validity. Men are now living longer, giv- like him die when we know that early detec- ing the cancer more time to spread beyond tion does save lives, particularly when we the prostate. More men are now diagnosed know that international data shows that we much younger—even in their 40s—and pros- can affect mortality rates? Data from Can- tate cancer tends to be more aggressive in ada, the United States and Austria has shown younger men. that mortality has fallen considerably when Also Professors Coates and Lowenthal early detection has been a matter of national play to outdated stereotypes of the conse- policy. quences of surgery. They can be very serious, The letter from Professor Coates and Pro- I admit, but medical outcomes are improving fessor Lowenthal also includes an outrageous all the time. However, Professors Coates and statement that screening: Lowenthal never mention the alternatives. As one prominent urologist said to me, ‘You ... should not be performed if an individual wants to maximise his quality of life, minimise the risk can’t have sex in a coffin.’ That seemed to be of complications and only undergo medical tests a very pertinent point to make. What I can which they clearly know as beneficial. say is that men can only make informed de- It goes on to state: cisions if they can access accurate informa- tion and medical advice. ... many men go on to have treatment that may have been unnecessary.

CHAMBER 15566 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

At a meeting with prominent medical spe- rate information so they can make informed cialists, Professor Coates has said that he did decisions—informed decisions on the most not want an information campaign which common cancer killer of Australian men. suggested that men talk to their doctor be- (Time expired) cause ‘it would lead to testing’. That is the Mr LINDSAY (Herbert) (1.07 p.m.)— whole problem. They do not want to spend During this sitting today three Australian the money on testing; it is as simple as that. men will die from prostate cancer. They are To further discourage information cam- three Australian men who do not need to die. paigns, this current Cancer Council letter in I think that underlines the necessity and the the hands of members states: importance of the motion that has been pre- ... screening for prostate cancer is different to sented to the parliament this afternoon. screening for breast cancer in that rigorous medi- Unlike the member for Robertson and the cal studies have proven that screening for breast member for Lilley, I am not emotionally in- cancer saves lives. volved in this particular issue. But many men That is a blatant lie. This statement is dis- are. Because I am not emotionally involved I proved by an article in the December 2001 can speak with clarity and support sensible edition of the Lancet, which followed an ear- ideas in relation to issues where we can do lier paper by the highly regarded Cochrane better for our male community in Australia review—there is no more or less proof about today. the effectiveness of screening for breast can- I welcome this discussion. Some people cer as compared to prostate cancer. Of course think that perhaps you should not talk about we should screen for both. We should screen prostate cancer—that perhaps it is something for all cancers, if the means are available. So that should not be discussed openly. Times the situation is roughly equivalent. There is have changed, and I think it is particularly no more evidence that a 48-year-old woman relevant that this matter should be discussed detected early with breast cancer will live in the Australian parliament. I want to thank longer than a man who is detected early with Les Payne, Malcolm Wallace, Bert Verheyen prostate cancer at a comparable age. We and Des Peters, who are the leaders of a spend something like 20 times the amount on prostate cancer support group in Townsville. breast cancer research than we spend on re- They have been to see me on a number of search into prostate cancer. We are all in this occasions. They are passionate advocates and together. This is not an argument about one very strong supporters of the member for form of cancer against another. It is an argu- Robertson’s motion this afternoon. ment about one cancer which has been side- lined—left in the cupboard, if you like—with I think it is very clear that, in relation to no-one wanting to talk about it, and the con- breast cancer, women are extraordinarily sequences are that it has not had the re- aware of the dangers. The member for Lilley sources that it ought to have. has pointed that out. But men are not aware of the dangers of prostate cancer. I think that The truth is that Professor Coates and his is the nitty-gritty of this problem. I am par- board are not the peak prostate cancer clini- ticularly pleased, member for Robertson, to cal body; the Urological Society is. It is see paragraphs (3) and (4) of your motion. about time that the Cancer Council stopped Paragraph (3) notes the reported collapse of running this disgraceful campaign and the proposed national television awareness started putting out accurate information. campaign about prostate cancer. The impor- Australian men, like women, deserve accu-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15567 tance of that was, of course, to get the under- this deadly cancer. I started this discussion standing out there—the understanding that is by saying that a man dies of prostate cancer needed for men to know what potential prob- every three hours in our community. This lems are there and what they might be able to cancer is curable if it is detected early, so let do about them. us do that. (Time expired) I am also pleased to see the member for Ms HALL (Shortland) (1.12 p.m.)— Robertson, in paragraph (4), calling on the Firstly, I would like to acknowledge the con- federal government to examine funding op- tributions of the member for Robertson and tions that will enable increased research into the member for Lilley, and congratulate them prostate cancer. According to the Cancer on bringing this important issue to the Council, it is very important that there be House. Cancer is a disease that has enormous more research into this area. Currently, there impact on the lives of those who develop it. is a good deal of controversy—we have It is an insidious disease that is often viewed heard it articulated already in the parlia- as a death sentence by a person when he or ment—even within the medical fraternity. It she is diagnosed with it. It impacts not only is only through quality research that these on the individual who has the diagnosis but issues will be resolved and we will get the also on that person’s family. It has a psycho- best outcome not only for the government logical impact, the treatments associated and the medical community but also for the with it have enormous impact, and there are patients themselves—those people who po- always side effects associated with those tentially could have prostate cancer. Better treatments. understanding and a balanced education pro- Today this House turns its attention to gram are extraordinarily important, and I prostate cancer, a disease that is responsible wholeheartedly support the member for for the deaths of over 2,500 Australian men Robertson’s motion. each year. It is important for we in this par- I illustrate my concern this way. About liament to note that two members of this three years ago there was no breast screening House—the two members who are jointly process on Magnetic Island in Townsville. I sponsoring this motion, the member for thought that was unusual and that women on Robertson and the member for Lilley—have Magnetic Island should have access to breast been victims of prostate cancer. Both are cancer screening. I arranged for the cancer relatively young men and, as I said, both are screening unit to go to Magnetic Island for supporting this motion. It shows just how the very first time. About three months later I common the disease is that two relatively was on the island and a woman came up to young members of the House—two members me and said, ‘You know, you saved my life.’ out of 112 male members—have been diag- It is a really humbling experience to have nosed and treated for the disease in the last that happen. She had not intended to go and two years. It also demonstrates that this dis- be screened but, because the facility was ease must be taken seriously. It must be available, she went, was screened and was taken seriously by the medical community, found to have an aggressive breast cancer by the Cancer Council and by men. that was curable. That is a wonderful thing. Prostate cancer, like most other cancers, is The same should occur in relation to prostate difficult to detect. The cause is unknown, cancer. Men should be aware of, and have although there is information that supports the opportunity to have full information on, the theory that there is a tie within families. I how they might protect themselves against

CHAMBER 15568 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 think that men who have close relatives who research is needed into prostate cancer—its have had prostate cancer should take the identification, cause and treatment. It is a threat very seriously. As I say, the cause is disease that afflicts many men in Australia. unknown, and the treatments have unwanted Its incidence appears to be increasing. Public side effects and varying degrees of success, awareness of the disease can be increased as is the case with all cancers. The most only through active promotion by the gov- commonly used tool is the PSA test, which ernment. (Time expired) measures the PSA levels in a person’s blood. Dr SOUTHCOTT (Boothby) (1.17 It is a strong indicator as to whether a person p.m.)—Members of parliament and people in has prostate cancer. For one in three people medicine always have an urge to do some- that have elevated levels of PSA and go on to thing: ‘If you see a problem, do something: further testing it is shown that they have correct it.’ In the area of prostate cancer, it prostate cancer. That demonstrates quite ef- may seem counter-intuitive that early detec- fectively how important this test is. tion is not always going to lead to lives Testing can and does identify the presence saved. In breast cancer and colonic cancer, of prostate cancer. What is needed is a test the focus is on early detection and getting the that differentiates between aggressive and cancer out with surgery, using radiotherapy, non-aggressive types of cancer. Unless we chemotherapy, hormone therapy or whatever. have more research and more education, this Prostate cancer is very different. You have a will not happen. If we want to achieve this, whole spectrum from almost benign disease we must have those dollars. We must have to very aggressive disease. I urge members to money for research and longitudinal studies. look at the web site www.prostatehealth. We really need the government, the medical org.au, which is part of the prostate collabo- community and the research community to ration and which I think has been generated take this seriously. It is a very important is- by the repatriation hospital in my electorate sue that is affecting our community. Prostate as part of the Lions Australian prostate site. cancer has become a lot more predominant in As members of parliament, we should en- recent years. That is an issue that should be courage evidence based practice. In terms of researched as well. prostate cancer and this motion, anything There has been controversy over whether which leads to an increased relationship be- men should be checked routinely for prostate tween men and their GP is positive. I wish to cancer. The most important thing is for men endorse most of the motion by the member to have the information—to be aware that for Robertson, but I want to qualify some of prostate cancer is so prevalent within our it and perhaps question whether widespread community, that there are tests that can assist screening leading to early detection is actu- them and identify the cancer and that there ally going to lead to lives saved. The impor- are many treatments for it. It is important to tant thing—rather than just having popula- recognise the symptoms of prostate cancer. tion screening—is to understand the natural As I do not have very much time remaining, history of prostate cancer. The authors of an I will not go through the symptoms, but I article in the British Medical Journal of 6 recommend that anyone who is at all con- October 2001, looking at the British evi- cerned should see their doctor. dence, talked about surveys which concluded It is the role of government to invest in re- that there is insufficient evidence to recom- search and health promotion. Much more mend the introduction of PSA screening be- cause of concerns that it may not improve

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15569 survival or quality of life and may thus cause and a brother with a cancer at an early age. more harm than good. For these people, a PSA test would be pru- Having a PSA test is an individual matter. dent. But then there are people with lower It is important to balance the risk of the can- risks—men younger than 40 and people with cer—and to understand how it might be- no family history. Many men over 75 will have—and the risk of unnecessary treatment have prostate cancer. In most cases it is not and side effects. It is an individual decision. threatening their life; in most cases they will What people need to do is, firstly, assess the ultimately die from something else. But there threat with their general practitioner, and, are men aged 50 to 75 who are at moderate secondly, think about what they will do if risk of cancer and are being threatened by it. they find early stage or low-grade prostate The PSA test is useful—people need to cancer. They need to think about whether consider whether they are going to have one they will have the cancer treated or not. Then or an annual screen—it also needs to come they need to discuss with their partner and with a rectal examination. In the treatment of their GP where their preference lies between prostate cancer, sometimes the best thing to the risk of the threat and the problems with do if the cancer is early stage and low grade, the treatment. is to watch and wait—defer treatment. With As I said, testing in prostate cancer is an prostatectomy and radiotherapy, there are individual decision. It should be an informed other side effects: impotence, incontinence decision. Any awareness campaign needs to and sometimes, with radiotherapy, bowel encourage people to spend at least 20 min- injury. (Time expired) utes with their general practitioner and to Ms PLIBERSEK (Sydney) (1.22 p.m.)— read the sorts of documents that are available The member for Boothby pointed out that on the prostate health web site. People need universal screening for prostate cancer is to know about prostate cancer. They also perhaps not useful, but this motion does not need to know about the tests, the diagnosis argue for universal screening; it argues for and the treatment. screening for groups of men that are at risk. Most prostate cancers are slow growing. The debate we have gotten into with the Ninety per cent of them are in men over 60. Cancer Council of Australia and others—that Many are not a threat to life. For example, a universal screening is not desirable—really quarter of men in their 50s, 40 per cent of detracts from the fact that, for many people, men in their 60s, and 60 to 80 per cent of screening is not just desirable, it can save men in their 80s will have some microscopic their lives. Without telling people about the evidence of prostate cancer. In the majority importance of screening, without telling of cases, this is not life threatening. them about the likelihood of prostate cancer, and without letting men know about screen- It is true that surgery or radiotherapy can ing processes that are available to them we cure early cancer. A PSA test can show pros- will not make a dent on the death rate from tate cancer at an early stage, when the cancer prostate cancer. is often asymptomatic. But the treatment can also lead to the side effects of impotence and The member for Boothby was suggesting incontinence. The cancers grow at different that early detection is not necessarily desir- rates. We do not always know whether able because in many cases prostate cancer is treatment is necessary. There are high-risk very slow growing. I understand that argu- groups such as people who have had a father ment but I have to say that, if you are one of

CHAMBER 15570 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 those men for whom early detection means cause they are frightened of it and because it the difference between life and death, you do may be unpleasant. If they have prominent not hold very strongly to the argument that Australian doctors telling them that it is not early detection can have its drawbacks. Cer- necessarily a wise or essential thing to do, tainly it has its drawbacks in a statistical for many men—who perhaps have a family sense, but for some men it is the difference history of prostate cancer or a higher than between life and death. It is the difference usual risk profile for other reasons—it is the between dying in your 50s and dying in your perfect excuse not to be tested. 70s, and I certainly would not be dismissing The majority of prostate cancer deaths— that as unimportant. 83 per cent, in fact—occur in men over the We say that only men get prostate can- age of 70. To some people 70 might sound cer—that is very true. But women suffer old, but it is not old anymore. I know very from prostate cancer as well. One of the rea- healthy, fit, active people who are well over sons we need to talk about screening proce- 70, including my own parents. They have dures and about really thorough public edu- many years of life left in them. To disregard cation campaigns is that, while of course we particular conditions because they appear care about the health of the men who are predominantly in older people seems to say affected by prostate cancer, we need to re- that if people are not in the work force any- member that whole families are affected by more they are not of much use to society. the possible loss or illness of a man who suf- Many people in their 60s and 70s make an fers from this disease. After skin cancer it is enormous contribution. I will conclude by the second most common cancer in Austra- saying that I believe we need to see a much lian men, and it is the second most common greater investment in research about the lethal cancer in Australian men after lung causes of prostate cancer—lifestyle factors cancer. Over 2,500 men die each year of such as diet, the impact of heredity, genetic prostate cancer, but a much greater number factors—and about the efficacy of treatment live with it—that is true. We have 10,000 options so we can properly inform people new diagnoses every year. For many of those who face a diagnosis of prostate cancer. We men, their cancers grow slowly and they may cannot do that by hiding our heads in the not require treatment. But that decision is for sand. those men and their families to take. It is not Mrs MAY (McPherson) (1.27 p.m.)—In up to us as parliamentarians and it is cer- the last few weeks I have learned a lot about tainly not up to public educators to say that prostate cancer through Mr Don Baumber people should not worry about this. They and my local support group. I am pleased to should be educated, and there is no way of have the opportunity to support the motion doing that without a public education cam- that is before the House. Statistics indicate paign. that over 2,500 Australian men die from If we start telling men that they should not prostate cancer every year. That is around worry, it gives them the perfect excuse not to one death every 3½ hours. It is the most have a test for prostate cancer, which is a test common cancer in Australian men after skin many men are frightened of. They will not cancer and the second most lethal male can- decide against being tested because they cer after lung cancer. One in 11 Aussie men have made a thoughtful, well-informed deci- will develop prostate cancer by the age of 75. sion that prostate cancer testing is not for However, it occurs rarely before the age of them; they will decide against the test be- 45. Almost 90 per cent of prostate cancers

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15571 occur in men aged 60 years and over, and 97 Sadly, the major corporate sponsor of the per cent of deaths from prostate cancer occur TV campaign withdrew their funding offer of in men aged 60 or over. $1.5 million because of opposition from Figures for prostate cancer almost exactly leading cancer organisations and the federal mirror those for breast cancer in women. Department of Health and Ageing. Informa- However, my own research indicates that, tion indicates that some organisations op- unlike women in relation to breast cancer, posed the campaign because of what they most men are either basically unaware or, at believed to be an apparent lack of scientific best, only vaguely aware of their risk to pros- evidence that early diagnosis of prostate can- tate cancer, while others are simply unaware cer saves lives. I understand the campaign they even have a prostate or of its vital role was aimed at encouraging men to visit their in sexual function and health. Who is at risk? doctor and discuss whether or not they We know that the majority of prostate can- should be tested. In my mind, this would cers occur in men aged over 60 years, but it have been a way of raising the awareness of would appear that men with a family history prostate cancer and certainly would have had of prostate cancer are at a higher risk of get- men stopping and thinking about whether or ting the disease. What causes prostate can- not to make that appointment. The campaign cer? This is a difficult question to answer and would have sent a signal to Aussie men and the absolute cause is not known, although would have at least heightened the awareness just getting older would appear to be the for men in the crucial age bracket that they most significant risk factor in its develop- need to be better informed about the cancer ment. and the choices available to them with regard to testing, the long-term prognosis for those Researchers are currently investigating who are detected with the cancer and the factors such as family history, physical activ- treatment options that are available. ity and diet to determine if any of these have a role in the development of prostate cancer. There are differing views on whether or The motion before the House today notes the not PSA testing is reliable and whether or not reported collapse of the proposed national it saves lives. I am not a doctor but, from all TV awareness campaign on prostate can- I have read, the PSA testing appears to be a cer—a campaign to raise community aware- reliable and effective method of diagnosing ness about the cancer. Research conducted early prostate cancer. However, I do not be- on behalf of the Prostate Cancer Foundation lieve that a national screening program is of Australia in 2001 indicated that only 54 justified until there is a high level of evi- per cent of men felt adequately informed dence to suggest that screening does reduce about prostate cancer compared with 80 per deaths from the cancer. Having said that, I cent of women who felt informed about believe that more should be done to raise the breast cancer. I would have thought that, awareness of prostate cancer and to provide with those sorts of research figures, a na- information on the pros and cons of testing tional awareness campaign to inform men so that men can make informed decisions on about the risks of prostate cancer and en- whether or not to undergo testing and possi- courage them to talk to their doctor about ble surgery. whether they should be tested was the ideal It would appear from the statistics avail- way to get the message across. able that a national awareness and education program is warranted, and I would certainly encourage the federal government to explore

CHAMBER 15572 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 avenues by which such a program could be death—around 2,600 men per year die from developed and the information delivered in a this form of cancer. practical and worthwhile way to enable When you look at the incidence of breast maximum exposure to what is a very serious and prostate cancer, there is a glaring differ- problem claiming the lives of far too many ence, and that is that the community—and men. Don Baumber, the Convenor of the women, in particular—have responded over Gold Coast Prostate Cancer Support Group, the past period of time to very successful has indicated in correspondence to me: public awareness campaigns and programs. Those men that do seek out information for them- Awareness is very central to the motion be- selves report dissatisfaction in that the informa- fore us today. Women generally know of the tion is inadequate, incomprehensive and inconsis- risks to them of breast cancer and other gy- tent. naecological cancers affecting the female These inadequacies must be addressed so population. But it seems to me that the same that Aussie men feel confident that they can priorities and effort have not gone into rais- make informed decisions about the choices ing the awareness of the Australian commu- available to them for testing and treatment. nity, and men in particular, to the risks of I commend the member for Robertson and prostate cancer. the member for Lilley for bringing to the I am not sure whether this is a so-called attention of the federal parliament the urgent male phenomenon, but I have been interested need for further research in the area of pros- in reading about this issue, particularly the tate cancer and the urgent need for a national views of those who are not supportive of awareness program to assist in the early de- greater emphasis being given to prostate tection of prostate cancer. (Time expired) cancer and the constant references to poten- Ms GEORGE (Throsby) (1.32 p.m.)—I tial side effects from treatment. There is a lot too have been contacted by the Secretary of said about the possibilities of incontinence the Illawarra Prostate Cancer Support Group, and impotence as a result of treatments. That urging that I support the private member’s is somehow being argued by some in the motion that has been moved today by the academic elite as a reason for not giving member for Robertson and supported by the prostate cancer the kind of emphasis that we member for Lilley. I commend both mem- are urging in this motion. It would almost be bers of parliament for the bipartisan support like saying to women, ‘One of the side ef- for this motion, which I believe is very fects of treatment may be that you have to timely. It is important that we bring greater have your whole breast removed or even public awareness to the issue of prostate can- both breasts removed.’ I am sure that most cer. women, like men, would consider that option Prostate cancer is, as other speakers have in discussions between them and their family pointed out, the second most lethal male if that option meant that their life would be cancer. I was surprised to read that its inci- saved and they would have a chance of liv- dence is almost the same as that of breast ing their life to the full. I think it is amazing cancer in women: almost one in 10 men over that there is all this emphasis on incontinence the age of 50 will develop prostate cancer and potential impotence rather than on the during his lifetime; more than 10,000 new means of potentially saving lives. cases are diagnosed every year; and, regret- I am only a lay person, but I would defy tably, there is a very high incidence of the academics and those who speak from an

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15573 elitist point of view in this debate to tell me ignoring the problem it will simply disap- why it is that, in the case of prostate cancer, pear. Moreover, investigation and diagnosis the earlier the diagnosis the better the prog- is not a simple matter of just attending a doc- nosis for the patient does not apply. It applies tor, so mostly their health takes second place in every form of cancer that I am aware of— to everything else. In some cases in my elec- and I speak not totally dispassionately, be- torate, it would mean days away from their cause I lost a husband to cancer. His cancer farming properties or their small businesses developed into secondary cancer from, I be- in smaller regional communities whilst they lieve, the lack of early diagnosis and, unfor- travel to major centres, regional centres or tunately, some misdiagnosis. Any lay person city centres in order to have diagnosis and will tell the academics that the earlier you testing take place. Of course that all leads to detect something the better the prognosis and them being away from their livelihood— the better the chance of living life to the full. their farms, properties, small businesses et In the context of this debate I also want to cetera—with nobody else to pick up the raise the issue of Zometa, a new treatment reins. So instead they think to themselves, that my support group is urging be on the ‘Maybe this will go away if I don’t confront Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. It is a very it and if I don’t actually allow it to enter my costly treatment, but I understand it is very lifestyle.’ effective in treating the awful spread of pros- I believe it is important in that case that tate cancer into the bones, which sometimes education campaigns should be appealing to happens with prostate cancer. all men, both in metropolitan and in rural I commend both the mover and seconder areas. While it is imperative that any educa- of this very timely motion. If we can adopt tion program and campaign is focused on the same sense of urgency, the same national men, I think all sectors of the community importance and the same program of aware- need to be made aware of prostate cancer. ness raising and research which we have Every one of us has a father, a brother, a done in the field of breast cancer, we will partner, a friend or a colleague who may in have done something positive for our com- his lifetime be diagnosed with prostate can- munity. Many future lives may be saved if cer. With an understanding of the disease, we adopt the proposals contained in this mo- testing and treatment, individuals are far bet- tion. ter informed and are able to support their loved ones and are particularly able to en- Mrs HULL (Riverina) (1.37 p.m.)—I courage them to have the necessary testing in congratulate both the member for Robertson order that they can start to address this issue and the member for Lilley in bringing forth before it is out of hand. this motion to the House. We have certainly come a long way in bringing these issues to For many in the community prostate can- the forefront and for men to be comfortable cer is seen as a disease that affects just older in discussing their health, as we have wit- men, yet statistics show that while it is rare nessed here today. for men under 40 years of age to be diag- nosed it is possible. It is certainly not just Education is crucial for all men to gain a older men who need to be aware of prostate better understanding of the diseases that can cancer but men of all ages. The medical affect them and impact on their lives. Men in community is aware that many older men rural and regional areas often find it difficult have small amounts of prostate cancer in to discuss their health. Many hope that by their gland but lead normal lives without any

CHAMBER 15574 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 problems. So in understanding the disease, into the main types of cancer that many ordi- the community should also understand living nary Australians face daily on the basis of a normal life with prostate cancer is indeed giving not just quality of life but indeed a possible. choice—a choice as to whether you want to Testing for prostate cancer is not as simple undertake it or you do not. (Time expired) as it may seem. It is quite an invasive proce- Ms O’BYRNE (Bass) (1.42 p.m.)—I am dure. For many diseases or illnesses a num- pleased to support the motion by the member ber of relatively simple tests are required, for Robertson, which I understand is in effect whereas the side effects of tests to identify cosponsored by the member for Lilley. This prostate cancer can be pretty serious. The is certainly one of those issues where biparti- Cancer Council of Australia still cannot con- sanship is totally appropriate and fully justi- firm if early detection saves lives. It is a de- fied. cision that needs to be made by each indi- In my home state of Tasmania there has vidual, taking into account his age, prefer- been a significant attempt to raise awareness ences and life situation with much education, of prostate cancer and, in particular, to en- knowledge and assistance thrown in. Men courage men to consider health checks and need to be given the options available to treatment. We have also been very prominent them in a simple and easy to comprehend in treatment. In my own electorate, we have manner. The current problem facing men a very fine cancer treatment facility, the W.P. suspected of having prostate cancer is that Holman Clinic. The Holman Clinic describes there is no test available that is good at dif- itself as a leader in Australia in using high- ferentiating between aggressive cancers and dose rate brachytherapy for cancer of the those that can be left without treatment. prostate by providing a method of intensify- Prostate specific antigen detected in a blood ing the radiation dose delivered to the af- test is the first indicator for men who are fected area. It is appropriate that the clinic concerned that they may have prostate can- has placed a high emphasis on the treatment cer. The existence of high levels of PSA in- of prostate cancer as Tasmania has reported dicates that cancer is present. the highest rate of prostate cancer after the I support the Chief Government Whip’s ACT—156.3 per 100,000 population. On the calls for funding options to be examined by other hand, it has also been suggested that the federal government to enable increased Tasmania may have a higher reported rate research into prostate cancer and to provide because of the awareness campaign that has additional and more effective awareness pro- been run and the uptake of prostate specific grams to assist in the early detection of this antigen testing. cancer. The choice that men need to make in According to figures provided by the having a test for prostate cancer is balancing Tasmanian Cancer Council for 1999, the the risk of having a cancer which can be de- most recent year for which such is available, tected, cured or slowed down against the risk prostate cancer was the most common cancer that detection and treatment of an early pros- in Tasmanian males, with 276 new cases di- tate cancer may not be necessary and could agnosed. While the number of cases was reduce quality of life. As a society we have greater than that of any other cancer, num- come an enormous way in detecting, treating bers have continued to decline since the peak and saving lives from cancer as well as being in 1994 when 420 new cases were reported. able to openly discuss this disease. I encour- But, sadly, prostate cancer accounted for age everyone to continue funding research

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15575

13 per cent of all cancer related deaths in constituent believes he was being harassed Tasmania for that year, with 71 men dying of and targeted by government troops for suspi- the disease. This is far higher than it should cion of assisting the LTTE and was fearful be. It is thus essential that we remain vigilant for his and his family’s safety. This case was about the need to keep Australian men, par- supported by nine statutory declarations from ticularly those in the most at-risk categories, his brother, nephews and cousins—all per- aware of the existence and implications of manent residents or Australian citizens. prostate cancer. The summary of the second case is that In this regard, I specifically refer to para- my constituent arrived in Australia on 25 graph (3) of the member for Robertson’s mo- May 1997. He applied for a refugee visa on tion, which draws attention to the reported 17 May 1999 and then applied for an exer- collapse of a proposed national awareness cise of ministerial discretion on 6 November program. There is a very high chance if pros- 2000. Again, there are strong humanitarian tate cancer is detected and treated before it reasons why this visa should be granted, as extends beyond the prostate itself that it can my constituent was fearful for his safety due be cured. Even if it is not detected early, its to his ethnicity and his belief that govern- development can be restricted by hormone ment troops and police were targeting people treatment. There is thus every reason and a who were considered to be sympathetic to high level of justification for awareness pro- the LTTE. His case was supported by his two grams about prostate cancer. All sides of this young sons, who provided affidavits to the parliament have been strong supporters of Minister for Immigration and Multicultural awareness, screening and treatment programs and Indigenous Affairs. He had arrived in for breast cancer. We should not hesitate to Australia to attend his wife’s funeral. In light take a similar line with prostate cancer. of recent events surrounding the minister’s The SPEAKER—Order! It being 1.45 exercise of his discretionary power under p.m., the debate is interrupted in accordance section 417, it remains unclear to me why with standing order 106A. The debate may my constituents were unable to receive a be resumed at a later hour and the member favourable decision. will have leave to continue speaking when Cancer Council of New South Wales the debate is resumed. Mr BAIRD (Cook) (1.46 p.m.)—I rise STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS today to draw the attention of the House to Bruce Electorate: Immigration another great display of the magnificent community spirit alive in the Sutherland Mr GRIFFIN (Bruce) (1.45 p.m.)—I Shire in Sydney. Over the weekend I had the wish to bring to the attention of the House pleasure of attending the launch of the Suth- two instances where, on behalf of my con- erland Shire’s Relay for Life, a 24-hour relay stituents, I sought the exercise of ministerial which raised over $75,000 for the Cancer discretion under section 417 of the Migration Council of New South Wales. Over 1,000 Act. The summary of the first case is that my people participated in the 75 teams and as constituent arrived in Australia on 14 De- individual entries. They collectively walked cember 1995. He applied for a refugee visa and ran thousands of kilometres around the on 14 March 1996 and then applied for an Sylvania Waters Athletics Track over the 24- exercise of ministerial discretion on 29 Janu- hour relay. Through the dedication of these ary 1998. There are strong humanitarian rea- people and the generosity of the local busi- sons why this visa should be granted, as my

CHAMBER 15576 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 ness community and private individuals, the Indonesian government to guarantee that over $75,000 was raised for the Cancer international norms and conventions on the Council’s research programs, educational protection of civilians in war will be strictly initiatives, and patient and family support. At adhered to and that the Indonesian govern- the launch I had the pleasure of meeting ment remains accountable for the actions of some of the survivors of cancer who are now their security forces deployed in Aceh. participating in this event, and their outlook Queensland Government: Budget on life is truly inspirational. Ms GAMBARO (Petrie) (1.49 p.m.)— Cancer in some form will touch the life of Tomorrow the Queensland government will every Australian. The Relay for Life is a hand down its third consecutive budget. De- great community initiative, and I commend spite proclaiming last June that this year the organising committee for the great work there would be a surplus of $23 million, the they have done in making this event a suc- figure has been revised to a deficit of $741 cess. I often marvel at the level of commu- million. We have been promised no increases nity support for events such as this, particu- in taxes beyond CPI increases in tomorrow’s larly at a time when participatory involve- budget. This is despite the $88 ambulance ment in organisations is rapidly declining. levy—dismissed by the Queensland Treas- Indonesia: Aceh urer as a levy not a tax—from 1 July. The Mr ORGAN (Cunningham) (1.48 p.m.)— Queensland Property Council states that the In light of the Indonesian military action in Queensland government will secure $1.2 Aceh—reports of murder, torture, rape and billion alone in stamp duty—$300 million humanitarian rights abuses—and increasing above its own estimate. concern in the Australian community that a Tomorrow’s state budget will be the third humanitarian crisis similar to that witnessed consecutive budget deficit under Premier in East Timor is in the making, the Australian Beattie. Yet from 2000-01 to 2003-04 the Greens call on the federal government to (1) Queensland government will receive in- make provision for immediate humanitarian creases of over $1 billion in untied funding relief to those civilians who are now without from the federal government. In Queensland, food, shelter and access to medical assis- hospital waiting lists grow while the actual tance; (2) urge the Indonesian government to number of patients declines. The government revoke the imposition of martial law in Aceh name health as a priority issue and yet they and to pull troops back to a defensive posi- reject the $8 billion under the Common- tion; (3) call on the Indonesian government wealth-state health agreement. People want to return to the Cessation of Hostilities more teachers in the classrooms and they Agreement (CoHA) process and to resume a want more policemen on the beat, but in the dialogue in pursuit of a political solution to last two years only 1,302 full-time equivalent the problems in Aceh; (4) urge the Indone- jobs in the public sector out of 6,043 have sian government to allow the involvement of been for teachers, police officers and nurses. a third party, preferably a United Nations It appears in Queensland you can be sure of special envoy, to mediate in future dialogue; two things: budget deficits and cuts. (5) offer a temporary safe haven to those Fowler Electorate: Immigration who are already displaced and whose lives Mrs IRWIN (Fowler) (1.50 p.m.)—I are under immediate threat by the actions of wish to bring to the attention of the House an the Indonesian security forces; and (6) urge instance where, on behalf of my constituent,

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15577

I sought an exercise of ministerial discretion tinue to provide outstanding services to the under section 417 of the Migration Act. My Mornington community. constituent arrived in Australia in 1990 and I would like to say a bit more about Bluey applied for a refugee visa in 1994. She ap- the Bunyip. Myke Mollard, a local artist and plied for an exercise of ministerial discretion a very creative person, sought assistance on 21 February 2000. There are strong hu- from the centre and returned the favour by manitarian reasons why this visa should have producing the mural. The mural is out- been granted. standing and I am sure that everybody’s fu- As an outspoken opponent of female geni- ture, including Myke’s, is very bright and I tal mutilation in Ghana, she was subjected to wish the Mornington Community Informa- death threats and physical attacks which tion and Support Centre many more birth- caused her to flee Ghana. She feared for her days. Good on you, Myke, and good on you safety and that of her two daughters should Mornington Lions Club and all those people she return to Ghana. This case was supported who help to make sure the community sup- by Elder David Syme, Executive Director of port and information centre continues to the Adventist Development and Relief meet the needs of the local community. Agency, and Pastor Israel Nana-Tuffour, Burke Electorate: Immigration President of the Seventh Day Adventist Mr BRENDAN O’CONNOR (Burke) Church, South Central Ghana. In light of (1.53 p.m.)—I wish to bring to the attention recent events surrounding the Minister for of the House an instance where, on behalf of Immigration and Multicultural and Indige- a constituent, I sought an exercise of ministe- nous Affairs’s exercise of his discretionary rial discretion under section 417 of the Mi- power under section 417, it remains unclear gration Act. My constituent arrived in Aus- to me why my constituent was unable to re- tralia on 28 November 1998 and applied for ceive a favourable decision. Shame, Minis- a refugee visa on 8 January 1999. She then ter, shame. applied for an exercise of ministerial discre- Dunkley Electorate: Mornington Com- tion on 5 April 2002. There are strong munity Information and Support Centre humanitarian reasons why this visa should be Mr BILLSON (Dunkley) (1.52 p.m.)— granted. The applicant would face harass- On the weekend there was a great celebration ment from police and physical abuse from in the community of Mornington. Not only her former husband on return to her home was it the 21st birthday celebration of the country; she is a single parent; the applicant Mornington Community Information and has two young children attending a local Support Centre, it was also the birth of Bluey primary school; and her only other family is the Bunyip. Bluey the Bunyip is part of a a brother who is an Australian citizen. This mural at the community information and case was supported by me, the applicant’s support centre which was designed to make employer, the children’s teachers and the families feel at ease when they go to the cen- applicant’s parish priest. In light of recent tre to access services. The team at the sup- events surrounding the minister’s exercise of port centre do a fantastic job. We were joined his discretionary power under section 417, it by the ‘Queen Mum’ of Mornington, Helen remains unclear to me why my constituent Hendry, who had been running that facility was unable to receive a favourable decision for many years, to celebrate the 21st birth- from the minister. day. Carmel Spirakis and the team there con-

CHAMBER 15578 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Moncrieff Electorate: Film and Television this visa should have been granted, includ- Industry ing, firstly, an arrest order issued by Syria to Mr CIOBO (Moncrieff) (1.54 p.m.)—On its Tripoli intelligence centre in Lebanon Friday, 30 May I had the opportunity to visit seeking my constituent’s arrest; and, sec- Dreamworld to inspect the set of Big ondly, clear evidence that my constituent was Brother. I raise this in the chamber not for wanted by Syrian authorities and, if forced to voyeuristic reasons but because it showcases return to Lebanon, would be immediately a very important industry that is growing and arrested and handed over to Syrian military developing on the Gold Coast—the film and intelligence—most likely to face persecutory television industry. I am very grateful to treatment during his interrogation and an Howard Parker, the production executive of uncertain fate. This case was supported by a Southern Star Endemol and his personal as- petition signed by family, friends and mem- sistant, Daniel Trotter, for organising the bers of the Lebanese community in Australia. visit. It was a very good visit and it provided In light of recent events surrounding the min- me with a great opportunity to see first-hand ister’s exercise of his discretionary power the 275 people employed by Southern Star under section 417, it remains unclear to me Endemol that help bring Big Brother to our why my constituent was unable to receive a screens each and every night. Apart from favourable decision. these 275 people, there is a whole range of Bushfires indirect beneficiaries who live on the Gold Mr McARTHUR (Corangamite) (1.57 Coast and who make a contribution. It is im- p.m.)—I wish to draw the attention of the pressive to know that there were some 35 House to the anger and upset of farmers and postproduction staff and some 80 technical land-holders in northern Victoria and south- operations staff that were involved in manu- ern New South Wales over the recent fires. facturing the set and setting up the millions The state governments have not fulfilled of dollars worth of equipment, as well as their obligation to pay for fencing and prob- postproduction. I am delighted to bring this lems caused by back-burning. In northern to the attention of the House so people un- Victoria, there were 56 fires burning for derstand in full the economic value of opera- about 50 days, and very little was done to put tions such as this and understand that it con- these fires out. The Department of Sustain- tributes so very much more to the Gold ability and Environment was in control of the Coast economy than just the show that peo- fires. There was very little cooperation with ple watch. the CFA to put out these fires and, generally, Sydney Electorate: Immigration the farmers and local land-holders were very Ms PLIBERSEK (Sydney) (1.56 p.m.)— upset with the way in which the fires were I wish to bring to the attention of the House fought. One day you were a criminal to go an instance where, on behalf of a constituent, into the park and the next day you were a I asked the minister for immigration to exer- hero to go and fight the fire in the park on cise his discretion under section 417 of the behalf of the state governments. I challenge Migration Act. My constituent arrived in the Premier of New South Wales and the Australia in 1996 and applied for a refugee Premier of Victoria to argue the case of why visa in that year. He applied for an exercise the forest should be locked up and how they of ministerial discretion on 12 July 1999. will handle the next major fire, both in the There are strong humanitarian reasons why Kosciuszko National Park and the national parks of north-east Victoria.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15579

Bass Electorate: Flight 1737 MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS Ms O’BYRNE (Bass) (1.58 p.m.)—As Mr HOWARD (Bennelong—Prime Min- the House would be aware, flight 1737 from ister) (2.00 p.m.)—I inform the House that Melbourne to Launceston last Thursday was the Minister for Trade will be absent from subject to a potentially life-threatening inci- question time today, tomorrow and Wednes- dent. Two Tasmanian Qantas staff were in- day. He is in Thailand to attend the APEC jured and a number of Tasmanian residents MRT meeting. The Minister for Foreign Af- and visitors had a harrowing experience. I fairs will answer questions on his behalf. I would like to use this time to congratulate also inform the House that the Minister for Qantas purser Greg Khan for his incredible Industry, Tourism and Resources will be ab- bravery during the attack and leadership in sent from question time. He is on leave for the aftermath; cabin attendants Denise Hick- some six to eight weeks. The minister has son, who was injured, Fiona Arnold and undergone throat surgery, and pathology re- Catherine Coventry; Captain Corey Purves ports have confirmed the presence of an and First Officer John Morgan, who ensured early stage tumour on the vocal chords re- a safe return for all those on board; and those quiring radiation therapy. He is required to passengers who assisted. They are Dominic remain in Brisbane. I know that all members Borden, who was one of the first to step for- of the House will wish the minister a speedy ward to help, also the brother-in-law of and full recovery. purser Greg Khan; Derek Finlay, who helped Honourable members—Hear, hear! and also administered medical attention; and Mr HOWARD—I have appointed the Keith Charlton and the other passengers Minister for Small Business and Tourism as whose names have not been released who Acting Minister for Industry, Tourism and bravely assisted in restraining the assailant. I Resources. As a consequence, he will natu- also pass on my congratulations to all Qantas rally answer questions on the absent minis- staff at both Melbourne and my home of ter’s behalf—and answer them well, as he Launceston for their compassion and profes- always does. sionalism during this incident. Mr CREAN (Hotham—Leader of the I am, however, very concerned, especially Opposition) (2.01 p.m.)—On indulgence, I in the light of last Thursday’s vital and cou- join with the Prime Minister in wishing the rageous role played by the airline attendants, Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources about reports that the minister is considering a safe and speedy recovery. Even though we a CASA proposal permitting a reduction in are adversaries in this place, I have had a the ratio of cabin crew to passengers on Aus- long association with him. I wish him well, tralian flights from one to 36 to one to 50. and I know that we on this side of the House Flight 1737 emphatically demonstrates the wish him well in his recovery. critical importance of a well-trained airline cabin crew. Any proposal to reduce numbers The SPEAKER—I thank the Prime Min- must be immediately and swiftly dismissed ister and the Leader of the Opposition. by the minister. QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE The SPEAKER—Order! It being 2 p.m., Transport: Aviation Security in accordance with standing order 106A the Mr CREAN (2.01 p.m.)—My question is time for members’ statements has concluded. to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. I preface my remarks by referring

CHAMBER 15580 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 to the brave actions of the flight attendants It is a fact that we have in place in Austra- on flight 1737. Before question time the lia one of the most robust systems in the member for Bass was referring to Greg Kahn world. Indeed, the ANAO acknowledged this and Denise Hickson, who sustained the terri- when it commended the responsiveness of ble facial injuries that we all saw. Flight at- our aviation security systems following the tendants Fiona Arnold and Catherine Coven- events of September 11. We have moved to try serve as a reminder of the courage that improve security in a number of wide- they showed and the risks and selfless ac- ranging ways: tighter passenger and carry-on tions that they took. In light of last week’s bag screening, the very substantial and ongo- events, can the minister confirm that CASA ing upgrading of equipment and the exten- is considering changing its regulations to sion of security arrangements to more air- permit fewer flight attendants after being ports. lobbied by airlines to do it as a cost-saving We have seen the deployment of more measure? Will the minister today acknowl- than 150 extra Australian Protective Service edge the critical safety and security role of officers trained in the counter-terrorism first flight attendants and rule out any reduction response role to 11 airports throughout Aus- in the Australian minimum crew to passenger tralia, bringing the total number of APS offi- ratio? cers at airports to more than 400; the intro- Mr ANDERSON—Yes. duction of armed air security officers—sky Transport: Aviation Security marshals, as they are euphemistically known—on domestic flights, and negotia- Mr HAASE (2.03 p.m.)—My question is tions are under way to expand that interna- addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister and tionally on selected routes; the very effective Minister for Transport and Regional Ser- training of flight crews to deal with security vices. Would the Deputy Prime Minister ad- threats in flight; the introduction, completed vise the House of the government’s response on international airplanes belonging to the to the weekend reports about Australia’s air- Australian fleet, of upgraded cockpit security line security? measures—and that will shortly be com- Mr ANDERSON—I thank the honour- pleted on domestic aeroplanes—and the in- able member for his question and, although I troduction of 100 per cent checked bag have already done so, I again commend the screening for all international and major do- very brave actions of the flight attendants on mestic flights by 31 December 2004, which, that aeroplane and also of the travelling pas- it is worth noting, is a full year ahead of the sengers who sought to make a contribution to deadline imposed by the International Civil the actions in hand. It is, nonetheless, unfor- Aviation Organisation. tunate that some in the media have chosen to Mr Sidebottom interjecting— depict last Thursday’s incident involving a Qantas aircraft as indicating that Australia’s The SPEAKER—The member for Brad- aviation security arrangements are lax. That don! is not correct and nor is it helpful to aviation, Mr ANDERSON—We have written to to tourism or to a general and balanced un- Qantas seeking a full report on the incident derstanding in the community about the very on the Melbourne to Launceston flight. They real efforts that we have made to ensure the are taking forward their investigation; so too safety of the travelling public. are the Australian Federal Police. But it has not just been the media who have unneces-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15581 sarily inflamed this debate. The opposition I urge the member for Batman to follow the spokesman, who has spoken frequently about more measured, reasonable and responsible the parlous state of the aviation industry, lead of some of his state and, indeed, federal wasted little time last week in describing the colleagues. Qantas incident as a ‘major security breach’ Transport: Aviation Security before he allowed the facts to come to light. Mr MARTIN FERGUSON (2.08 This sort of shallow political opportunism p.m.)—My question is directed to the Minis- only raises unnecessary alarm and is highly ter for Transport and Regional Services. Will irresponsible. So is the sort of shallow op- the minister confirm that the averted hijack- portunism that saw the member for Batman ing last week highlights the need for more claim today in a media release that there is action on aviation security? Can the minister no security screening at Coffs Harbour and also confirm advice in Senate estimates late Gove. last week that, as at 30 March 2003, the An- I inform the member for Batman that sett ticket levy has collected $240.2 million? screening does take place at Coffs Harbour— Why doesn’t the minister use that money to as the member would know—and, as a result tighten screening at places like Burnie, of the measures we have put in place, screen- which had 91,694 passengers last year, and ing is in the process of being introduced at other major regional airports like Port Mac- Gove. In direct contrast, as so often happens, quarie, Albury, Tamworth, Wagga Wagga and some of his senior Labor colleagues have Devonport? When will the minister start de- made far more reasoned comments about this livering security in regional Australia, or incident. For example, the Premier of Tas- does the minister buy the line of his Minister mania said on the ABC in Hobart: for Small Business and Tourism that, ‘The This incident happened with a flight out of Mel- cost of providing full security at all Austra- bourne, where there is at least as high a degree of lia’s regional airports would make the up- security as any other airport, not only in Australia grade prohibitive’? but, in my experience, internationally. Mr ANDERSON—As I have said in the Premier Beattie said: media over the weekend, plainly, with the I do not think we should have an overreaction to investigations that have been taken forward this. It is impossible in this country of 19½ mil- by the Transport Security Division of my lion across a wide area to check every airport. own portfolio, by Qantas and by the Austra- Mr Sidebottom interjecting— lian Federal Police—which is of course The SPEAKER—The member for Brad- undertaking the chief investigation—we will don! garner all of the facts and all of the informa- Mr ANDERSON—Senator Kerry tion we can and we will seek to respond ap- O’Brien, the opposition transport spokesman propriately and properly. You would expect in the Senate, stated: that of the government. I think the main issue here was that there were Mr Crean—You’ve done nothing! weapons that were available, and it is very diffi- Mr ANDERSON—I hear the Leader of cult to understand how they would have been the Opposition saying that we have done intercepted in a conventional sense other than a nothing. That is nonsense, as he well knows. full search of every passenger going on board the The categorised airports across Australia all plane. have to have security plans in place which are relevant to their circumstances. It is all

CHAMBER 15582 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 very well for the opposition to jump up in part. I will get to it. Again I make the offer this place and seek to sensationalise—to go we have made before to airport owners: beyond what wise heads in industry, in the come and talk to us if you want to upgrade state governments and in the tourism indus- your security arrangements and if you think try are saying. it is necessary. One regional airport in Aus- Mr Sidebottom interjecting— tralia has done it—none in New South Wales have, but one in Australia has. They came to The SPEAKER—The member for Brad- inquire of us, we worked them through the don! facts and they went away saying, ‘We don’t Mr ANDERSON—We have the task of believe it would warrant the cost, the ex- looking to the security of the Australian trav- pense and the inconvenience,’ based on the elling public at the same time as we seek to information given to them. These things have ensure that transport remains viable—that to be risk assessed; otherwise, almost by people can get around and that airports are definition, you will clog everything hope- not completely clogged and unworkable. lessly. Mr Sidebottom interjecting— Let me come to the Ansett ticket levy. We The SPEAKER—I have on four occa- have made it quite plain that it will be re- sions reminded the member for Braddon of moved as soon as we are sure that there is no his responsibilities. remaining exposure for the taxpayer. The Mr ANDERSON—In relation to those member for Batman, as a former leader in regional airports that do not have security the trade union movement, will be fully plans, I first make the very important point aware that it is the Ansett ground workers’ that we respond to risk assessments put to- superannuation trustees who are delaying gether by Australia’s intelligence agencies. I this matter by insisting on a higher priority repeat: we respond to risk assessments given for a couple of hundred million dollars in the to us by highly competent agencies in Aus- creditors’ queue. As soon as that matter is tralia. There is something of a tendency on resolved, we may have the certainty needed the part of one or two people in this place to to be able to wind up something that I would apparently presume a greater degree of like to see out of the way as quickly as pos- knowledge than our intelligence agencies sible. have. If they know something, or believe Transport: Roads of National Importance they may know something, those agencies do Mr PEARCE (2.13 p.m.)—My question not know or if they have some facts those is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister agencies might not be in possession of, the for Transport and Regional Services. Would responsible thing would be to approach our the Deputy Prime Minister update the House office, and we would then put them in touch on the current status of Roads of National with those organisations. Furthermore, if Importance, particularly in Victoria? Is the local councils or airport owners believe that Deputy Prime Minister aware of any alterna- further security upgrades are needed— tive policies relating to specific roads of na- Mr Martin Ferguson—What about the tional importance? ticket tax? Tell us about the ticket tax! Mr ANDERSON—I thank the honour- Mr ANDERSON—The member for Bat- able member for his question and note his man does not want to hear this part of the particular interest in it and his very hard lob- answer, so he wants me to go on to the next bying to ensure a fair deal for people in his

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15583 part of Melbourne. We do run a program from the other side that they think this is an called RONI—Roads of National Impor- issue that matters and that they believe they tance—which gives us an avenue over and ought to come clean. above the national highway to fund roads I call on the Victorian government to fulfil which will directly benefit Australia and to its commitment and deliver the freeway that particularly address local needs. As a gov- it promised. I was asked about alternative ernment, we can point to the upgrading of policies. It is interesting that the member for the Pacific Highway, which I think every Aston should ask. A couple of weeks ago, at Australian would now agree has been a ma- the time of the budget, I stood here in this jor and worthwhile program. I hear a lot of House and challenged the Leader of the Op- people saying, ‘It’s great to see major na- position to make his position clear. I chal- tional infrastructure projects going on.’ The lenged him to state whether he supports a toll Pacific Highway project is worth about $3½ on the Scoresby Freeway and whether or not billion—almost of the order of the Snowy he thinks it is okay to break a written com- Mountains scheme. Then there is the recently mitment. We have not heard anything yet. completed Geelong Road, better linking the Mr Martin Ferguson—You supported a growing economies of Melbourne and Gee- toll on the national highway! long. The member for La Trobe, of course, acknowledges the importance of the Paken- Mr ANDERSON—What about the mem- ham bypass. ber for Batman? Do you support it? I heard yesterday that the member for Aston I want to come to a very important point. launched a bumper sticker, which I suspect Of all of the roads of national importance in will sell very well down in Melbourne and Victoria—three-quarters of a billion dollars all over Victoria. It is very simple. It says, worth—not one of them would have at- ‘Scoresby—no toll’. I thought the Leader of tracted one red cent under Labor, because the Opposition might like one, and I chal- they did not have a program like this. Having lenge him to put it on his car. I will send it said that, I have to say that I am extraordi- around after question time. narily disappointed that the Scoresby Free- way is now in serious jeopardy. Out of the Transport: Aviation Security $750-plus million we have made available in Mr WINDSOR (2.17 p.m.)—My ques- Victoria, there is $425 million for the tion is to the Prime Minister. Today I flew Scoresby Freeway—but it was to be a free- from Tamworth to Sydney in a 36-seat Dash way, not a tollway. We went as far as to write 8 aircraft, with one flight attendant to ensure into a formal agreement with Victoria that it the safety of passengers, without going would be a freeway, not a tollway. That was through any security screening. I then flew signed without any duress at all by the Victo- from Sydney to Canberra in a security- rian Minister for Transport. We want to keep screened, 36-seat Dash 8 aircraft. Prime that promise. We have frozen the funding; it Minister, given the heightened terrorist alert, is available to be picked up when Victoria as instanced by the increased security of Par- agree with the terms of the MOU that we liament House and other buildings, and nu- signed with them. The Victorian Labor gov- merous statements of yours, will the gov- ernment does not want us to keep our prom- ernment use any of its increased national ise. Not only do the Labor Party feel that it is defence budget to boost security at regional okay to break their promise to people in Vic- airports, so that city and country travellers toria; we are still waiting for any indication have equity of safety—regardless of where

CHAMBER 15584 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 their journey commences—or will it be left Opposition members interjecting— as an unaffordable dilemma for local gov- Mr HOWARD—I am simply saying that, ernment airport owners? if the honourable member is asking for a re- The SPEAKER—Before I recognise the affirmation of a commitment from this gov- Prime Minister, in order to be consistent I ernment to putting the maximum resources point out to the member for New England towards airport security, I give him that reaf- that the use of the term ‘yours’ is not appro- firmation. If the honourable member is ask- priate. ing for the expenditure of such an amount of Mr HOWARD—I will answer the hon- money as would cover all conceivable risks, ourable member’s question in two parts. As however remote, no government could give for Tamworth, I am informed by the Deputy that undertaking, and I do not intend to try to Prime Minister that Tamworth does have a do so. security plan and that it is based on a risk Taxation: Tax Rates assessment. I am quite sure that, if the hon- Mr HUNT (2.21 p.m.)—My question is ourable member wants some more informa- to the Treasurer. Would the Treasurer advise tion about that, it will be provided by the the House of the findings of the OECD’s Deputy Prime Minister. recent report on comparative tax rates? How Speaking more generally, there is of does Australia compare with other OECD course no limit to the amount of money that countries, and is the Treasurer aware of any you could spend on airport security in this alternative policy approaches? country—no limit at all. You could spend an Mr COSTELLO—When I was looking unlimited amount. I do think it is important, at the media yesterday, my eye was attracted particularly in the wake of the incident last to an article in the Sunday Age. I thank the week, that the country keep a sense of pro- member for Flinders for asking me a ques- portion. We have very safe airlines in Austra- tion in relation to it. The Sunday Age re- lia. This is the first major incident of this ported that, on the basis of the OECD reve- kind in more than 20 years. There is no sug- nue statistics, including social security con- gestion that this incident was in any way re- tributions, Australia is the sixth lowest taxed lated to an act of terrorism. The Deputy country in the OECD. In fact, the countries Prime Minister has already pointed out that that have lower rates are the United States, the passenger who has allegedly offended Mexico, Korea, Japan and Ireland, margin- boarded the aircraft in Melbourne, which is ally below Australia. Above Australia in an airport which is subject to a very high terms of the tax to GDP ratio, according to level of security checks. the OECD, are countries like New Zealand, I think we have to have a sense of balance Switzerland, Canada, the United Kingdom, and a sense of proportion. We are all con- Norway, the Netherlands, France, Austria, cerned about security, we are all concerned Belgium, Germany and, of course, all of the about the dangers, but I suggest to the hon- Nordic states. According to the OECD, Aus- ourable member—and to all honourable tralia is sixth from the bottom, with some members—that it could well be that the countries which do not have social security causes of this particular attack are causes that systems anything like Australia’s, such as could have emanated whether or not we lived Mexico and Korea, the only ones that are in an environment of a heightened threat of below it. That confirms Australia’s position terrorism. as a low tax to GDP country.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15585

After reporting that, the Sunday Age re- Minister’s department—slated Labor for ported something else even more interesting. criticising Treasurer Peter Costello on the It reported Labor’s pledge to cut tax and to grounds of tax. He said that Labor should spend. This apparently was a speech given to instead be considering increasing taxation. the Fabian Society by none other than the He said: member for Fraser. I have heard of Labor’s Taxation can’t be divorced from expenditure plans to spend more, because Labor claims needs, and expenditure needs are likely to rise in more should be spent on Medicare, Labor future ... claims more should be spent on health care Dr Michael Keating knows what everybody agreements, Labor claims more should be in Australia knows—that every time the La- spent on pharmaceutical benefits and Labor bor Party promise to spend more, behind it is claims more should be spent in relation to a promise of increased taxation. They have higher education. Labor claims more should not changed their spots. They are high tax, be spent in relation to practically every area high spend, high budget deficit and high in- of government activity. What I did not un- terest rates. When it all comes back down at derstand was that Labor plans to increase the Fabian Society they stand absolutely ex- spending in all of those areas by cutting posed on that front. taxes. I thought to myself, ‘Why haven’t we Medicare: Bulk-billing thought of that before? All you have to do to spend more is to cut taxes.’ Mr CREAN (2.26 p.m.)—My question is to the Prime Minister. Isn’t it the case that So I read very carefully as to how this was the most recent Medicare figures show that all going to be done down at the Fabian So- bulk-billing by GPs fell by a further 1.1 per- ciety from the member for Fraser—his first centage points over the March quarter to big economic outing on how he is going to only 68½ per cent, the lowest rate since spend more by cutting taxes. I thought I 1989—a fall from over 80 per cent when the would get some idea of the taxes he was go- government came to office? Prime Minister, ing to cut, because we all know he thought how will the government’s proposal to limit the tax cuts in the budget Tuesday a fortnight bulk-billing to pensioners and concession ago were not large enough. Alas, there was card holders help stop the fall in bulk-billing no idea at all about how to cut taxes. There for Australian families, and why does the was just a grab bag of promises which are Prime Minister not simply adopt Labor’s unfunded to spend more and cut less. And, of plan to save Medicare as the first instalment course, we should not leave the third leg of to restore bulk-billing to 80 per cent? the trifecta out—the promise we had from the member for Hotham. Remember that, Mr HOWARD—I first of all say to the BS? BS: bigger surplus Crean. We tax less, Leader of the Opposition that it is not our spend more and have bigger surpluses— plan to limit bulk-billing to pensioners and Labor’s plan for the economy. card holders. That is a completely dishonest, reckless and desperate attempt to smear a I do want to say in defence of the Fabian policy which is designed to give a balanced Society that they did have one person down response to the needs of the Australian health there who decided that it was time to call system at the present time. The reality is that Labor’s policy for what it was. Dr Keating— neither the government nor the opposition is not the Keating who was a onetime Treasurer trying to undermine Medicare. We both sup- but Dr Michael Keating, former head of the port Medicare. But our method of supporting finance department as well as of the Prime

CHAMBER 15586 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 and improving Medicare is not only more flowing through into national accounts and, affordable but is infinitely preferable to that as has been pointed out before in this House of the Labor Party. by the Deputy Prime Minister, the minister Economy: Performance for agriculture and others, the drought has not yet ended. The drought will be showing Mr HAWKER (2.28 p.m.)—My question up in relation to the March quarter. It is a is addressed to the Treasurer. once-in-a-century drought; the worst ever Mr Zahra interjecting— recorded, according to Australian meteoro- The SPEAKER—I warn the member for logical records. The main impact is that farm McMillan! The member for Wannon has the production in 2002-03 is expected to fall by call. He will start his question again. 27 per cent and to detract one per cent from Mr HAWKER—My question is ad- GDP growth. That is an extraordinary detrac- dressed to the Treasurer. Would the Treasurer tion from a once-in-a-century drought which advise the House of the results of the latest has not yet ended. The fact that the Austra- survey of the Australian Bureau of Statistics lian nonfarm economy continues to grow so quarterly business indicators, and what is the strongly means that Australia continues to outlook for gross domestic product growth lead the industrialised world, notwithstand- within Australia? ing such a significant downturn in relation to drought. Mr COSTELLO—I thank the honour- able member for Wannon for his question, We hope that the drought will end. It has and I indicate to him that the business indica- ended in some parts of Australia but not in tors released by the Australian Bureau of all parts. Unless it rains very shortly, winter Statistics today show that inventories in- crops will not be able to be planted and will creased by 1.6 per cent in the March quarter go through another season without contribut- after falling 0.5 per cent in the December ing. In terms of farmers, that means that their quarter. This suggests that inventories will be incomes again will be very subdued and they substantially contributing to growth in the will be drawing down on the assistance that March quarter, with the national accounts the government has put in place in relation to due to be released on Wednesday. In addi- drought assistance and farm management tion, company gross operating profits in- deposits. creased by 1.4 per cent in the March quarter The picture we get of the Australian econ- to be 8.6 per cent higher over the year. Com- omy again is this. In the midst of an interna- pany profits were up a very strong 20.7 per tional downturn and a once-in-a-century cent in the March quarter and are up 44 per drought, the Australian economy continues cent over the year, which is pretty extraordi- to grow because the nonagricultural product nary really when you think about the year is strong, led by company profits, under- that the Australian economy has been pinned by low interest rates and also under- through in relation to the international down- pinned by the fact that the new tax system turn, the war in Iraq, the threat of SARS, the takes taxes on business inputs out of the sys- increase in oil prices that were brought on by tem and gives them an opportunity to invest the war and, in addition to that, the drought. and to grow. We have seen that those factors Detracting from the March quarter na- have been very significant in relation to the tional accounts, however, will be the rural figures which have been released today. sector. The impact of the rural sector is still

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15587

Education: Higher Education ing, unsubsidised government place to an Ms MACKLIN (2.32 p.m.)—My ques- Australian citizen who is eligible for it in the tion is to the minister for education. Didn’t same way that a student from Beijing or Ja- the minister for education recently state that karta would be offered one. he would not be prepared to pay $135,000 Ms Macklin interjecting— for his medical degree? Is the minister for The SPEAKER—The minister will re- education aware that the Vice-Chancellor of sume his seat. In order to allow question time the University of Melbourne confirmed last to take its normal course, I did not interrupt week that Melbourne University will charge the member for Jagajaga even though her Australian full-fee medical students question did contain some argument which $150,000 for their degree? Does the minister would, in a technical way, have placed it out- stand by his statement that ‘it wouldn’t be side the standing orders. I expect her to ex- fair to make students pay $135,000 for a uni- tend the same courtesy to me and, through versity medical degree, because that’s not me, to the minister. what’s happening’? Minister, if it is unfair to Dr NELSON—Just to explain it in terms charge students $135,000 in full fees for a that might perhaps be more understandable medical degree, why do the proposed unfair to the opposition, I was thinking of drivers changes allow the University of Melbourne and mechanics— to charge even more? If the minister would not pay that much for a degree, aren’t full- Dr Emerson interjecting— fee degrees out of the reach of most Austra- The SPEAKER—The member for Ran- lians? kin. Dr NELSON—I thank the member for Dr NELSON—So I thought to myself, let Jagajaga for her question. In response to a us imagine that a university is a bus. The question from a young person who asked me driver of the bus is quite distressed, quite whether I thought it would be fair to force distracted. The driver has to look back all the young people going into medicine to pay time over his shoulder to see what is going $135,000 to do a medical degree, I said, no, I on behind him. Into the bus are crowded did not think it would be fair and that pre- rows and rows—each row representing a cisely is not what the government is doing. course—of students. They are crammed in, The persistent and rather repetitive nature packed into luggage racks and hanging on to of the questions from the opposition suggest the straps in the aisle, and there are rows of that they do not understand the nature of mechanics sitting there with their tool boxes. these reforms, so I thought it might be ap- Dr Emerson—And you’ve slashed the propriate to explain the reforms to higher seats. education in a way that the opposition might The SPEAKER—I warn the member for understand. I should firstly say that in rela- Rankin! tion to medicine the government is increas- Dr NELSON—The government has now ing by 1,170 over the first five years the come along and said, ‘Right, we will now number of fully funded HECS places in Aus- buy you a brand-new bus. It’s going to be a tralian medical schools. But, having ex- longer bus; there are going to be a lot more panded the number of HECS places in medi- seats on this bus; every person is going to be cine, the government is also allowing univer- sitting down on the bus and they are going to sities for the first time to offer a full fee pay-

CHAMBER 15588 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 have a quality journey as they go through Dr NELSON—that she missed out on a their educational experience.’ place in medicine, having wanted to be a Let us assume that we are talking about doctor since she was five—as he is explain- medicine. We have the Vice-Chancellor of ing that there will now be a full fee paying the University of New South Wales, Profes- place available in the trailer at the back of sor Rory Hume, standing at the door count- the bus—the member for Werriwa is stand- ing down the university entrance scores. He ing on his toolbox and yelling out the win- goes, ‘99.7, yes, you’ve got into medicine; dow, ‘Don’t let her on. I’m smarter than her. 99.6, yes, you’ve got in; 99.5, yes, you’ve I got a HECS place at university and I don’t got in; 99.4, sorry, you haven’t got in.’ The want any of these people playing the full fare vice-chancellor then says, ‘You can take up to get in.’ another seat in the bus. You can do engineer- Mr Howard interjecting— ing or you can do science or, if you like, if Dr NELSON—Exactly. It is reverse elit- you’ve had your heart set on being a doctor ism of the worst possible kind. This govern- since you were a very young girl, we’ve got ment is expanding the number of HECS a trailer on the back of the bus and you can places that are available at universities, and get into that trailer. You’ll get a quality ex- creating a world-class, quality educational perience in the trailer; you will train to be a experience for Australian students and future doctor in the same way as the people in the generations. For the first time, those students bus will train. But, unlike the people in the who miss out on a HECS funded place— bus, the taxpayer is not going to pay for which are expanding in number—will be three-quarters of your journey; you’ll have to offered full fee paying places and loans to pay full tote odds. If you want to, to help you help pay for them. As Maxine McKew asked to pay for your trip to study to be a doctor, the member for Melbourne last week in the you’ll be able to get a loan from the govern- Bulletin magazine—she asks good questions, ment.’ this lady, very good questions; I wonder who Honourable members interjecting— is having lunch with her this week—where Ms Burke—Mr Speaker, I rise on a point on earth is Labor’s blueprint for universities? of order. Everybody is finding this amusing, ‘I dunno,’ says Tanner, ‘but there’s no ques- but the point of relevance is the absolute tion we’ve got a big challenge there.’ You contempt for this parliament— sure have. The SPEAKER—The member for Chis- Zimbabwe holm will resume her seat. I warn the mem- Ms JULIE BISHOP (2.40 p.m.)—My ber for Chisholm! That was a direct abuse of question is addressed to the Minister for For- the standing orders. eign Affairs. Would the minister update the Dr NELSON—Of course, what is hap- House on the crisis in Zimbabwe? What pening, as the vice-chancellor is carefully steps is the government taking to increase explaining to the student who is disap- pressure on the government of Zimbabwe to pointed— rectify this situation? Mr Albanese interjecting— Mr DOWNER—First, I thank the mem- ber for Curtin for her question. I appreciate The SPEAKER—I warn the member for that she has an ongoing interest in Zimbabwe Grayndler! after she was there for the Zimbabwe elec- tions as an observer. Beginning today the

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15589 opposition in Zimbabwe is going to conduct The SPEAKER—The member for Grif- a series of what they call ‘democracy fith! marches’. It is worth noting that, typically, as Mr Rudd interjecting— a government we would not become in- The SPEAKER—The member for Grif- volved in the political affairs of other coun- fith is defying the chair. tries. But it is entirely understandable that the opposition in Zimbabwe would want to Mr DOWNER—On 20 May I was in mount protest action against the oppression London to participate in a meeting of the of the government. There are reports that the Commonwealth Ministerial Action Group, a Zimbabwe government is determined to group of eight foreign ministers from a selec- ‘crush these protests’, to use their words. tion of Commonwealth countries. It has the There have been reports of armoured vehi- job of upholding the Harare Declaration and cles and soldiers moving into the centre of the Millbrook Plan of Action, and ensuring Harare in preparation to do just that. This that the Commonwealth members adhere to government would urge the government of the standards set by those documents. While Zimbabwe to exercise restraint and allow the troika that the Prime Minister presides people to protest peacefully in a democratic over is currently responsible for the Com- society. After all, the government of Zim- monwealth’s response to the issue of Zim- babwe says that it is democratic, in which babwe and has suspended Zimbabwe from case it should allow the right of peaceful pro- the councils of the Commonwealth, I did use test. the opportunity of the CMAG meeting in London to press the other countries partici- The situation in Zimbabwe nevertheless pating in that meeting to ensure that the continues to deteriorate at every level. In CMAG kept as much pressure on the gov- addition, state-sponsored violence, human ernment of President Robert Mugabe as was rights violations, erosions of the rule of law possible. and a general climate of impunity for the regime are features of this crisis. There does The truth, though, is that for one reason or not seem to be any short-term prospect of another there is no consensus in CMAG to change. It is worth noting that the economy maintain pressure on the government of in Zimbabwe is in such a disastrous state President Mugabe. Consequently, I tabled a that, with an inflation rate of 269 per cent, paper in the CMAG meeting highlighting the the Zimbabwe central bank can no longer problems of Zimbabwe so that the govern- afford to purchase ink and paper in order to ments and, of course, the ministers would be print banknotes. That really is the ultimate a little more aware of the seriousness of the definition of the failure of an economy: that situation in Zimbabwe than they might oth- they cannot even afford to print banknotes. erwise have been. I table that paper in the Zimbabwe was once the bread basket of Af- House today because I know that it will be of rica—or, at least, of southern Africa. Now it interest to a number of members of the can no longer feed its people. The World House who are interested in the issue of Food Program estimates that about 7.2 mil- Zimbabwe. lion people in Zimbabwe, which is over half Let me just say in conclusion that the the population, need food aid. Prime Minister, through the troika, has been Mr Rudd interjecting— responsible for the suspension of Zimbabwe from the councils of the Commonwealth. We will continue as best we can to place pres-

CHAMBER 15590 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 sure on the government of Zimbabwe to en- Mr RUDDOCK—I observe the Liberal gage in dialogue with the Movement for Party’s fundraising code, which is quite pre- Democratic Change, to uphold international scriptive in terms of— norms of human rights and to start to make Mr Martin Ferguson—Take what you some progress in restoring the Zimbabwean can when you can. economy. But the responsibility does not just The SPEAKER—The member for Bat- rest on us; it rests in particular on other coun- man is warned. tries in southern Africa. We urge Zimbabwe’s neighbours to continue to do everything they Mr RUDDOCK—It is quite prescriptive possibly can to persuade the Zimbabwe ad- in relation to the way in which we should ministration to undertake a substantial pro- engage ourselves in fundraising events—not gram of reform. to collect money, but to leave it to office bearers of the party to be involved in those Liberal Party of Australia: Donations matters. That is the case with me. The Ms GILLARD (2.45 p.m.)—My question Berowra— is to the Minister for Immigration and Multi- Mr Ripoll interjecting— cultural and Indigenous Affairs. On what date or dates did the minister visit the Maha The SPEAKER—I warn the member for Buddhist monastery in Galston in the last Oxley. three years? What representations did the Mr RUDDOCK—The Berowra federal minister receive on the question of visas for electorate conference of the Liberal Party religious workers during those visits or sepa- from time to time receives donations and, as rately from them? On what date did the min- required by the Electoral Act—let me make ister first become aware that the monastery it very clear—those matters are properly re- had made a $100,000 donation directly to his ported and included in the party’s return. The own local election campaign? On what date time at which I became aware— did the department of immigration resolve Mr Brereton interjecting— the monastery’s difficulties with religious The SPEAKER—The member for Kings- workers’ visas and how many such visas ford-Smith is warned. have been issued in respect of religious workers at the monastery since that date? Mr RUDDOCK—The time at which I became aware that a substantial donation had Mr RUDDOCK—In relation to the ques- been made— tion asked by the honourable member, and to dates in particular, I will endeavour to find Mrs Irwin—You’d already spent the out from my diary what dates may be rele- money. vant to the question asked. In terms of my The SPEAKER—The member for knowledge of this issue, I became aware of it Fowler will excuse herself from the House. on reading an article in the Sydney Morning The member for Fowler then left the Herald of Saturday, 2 February 2002. I do chamber. not involve myself in fundraising. Mr RUDDOCK—As I said, I do not ask Opposition members interjecting— for my party organisation to tell me who has The SPEAKER—If members on my left donated. These matters frequently, as in this wish me to, I will gladly exercise the right of case—in terms of the quantum of the dona- a general warning. The minister is entitled to tion involved—come to my attention when be heard in silence. they are reported, and publicly reported—

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15591

Mr Crean—Not before? to give. I was tempted to ask the member for Mr RUDDOCK—And not before. Lalor to place it on notice but, given that the question had already had some publicity, I Mr Crean—You didn’t know? thought it possible that the minister would Mr RUDDOCK—No, I did not know. I want to respond. I deem the minister’s re- did not know. sponse in order. Mr Crean interjecting— Mr RUDDOCK—This is an old report— The SPEAKER—I have already called it has been around since 2002 for people to on those on my left to exercise restraint. That ask questions about if they were serious. It is includes the Leader of the Opposition. not a matter about which questions should Mr RUDDOCK—I did become aware of have been asked but, the fact is, they have it when it was reported in the press, when sought to ask them. In this story it was made somebody had been trawling through the clear that the ALP, when asked if it would party’s returns. It came in an article in the refund the donation when the company had Sydney Morning Herald on Saturday, 2 Feb- been liquidated, said, ‘Unfortunately, all ruary 2002 under the heading ‘Froggy went those contributions went towards the federal a’courting ALP’. It said: election and they have been spent.’ Too bad. Given what happened last week, I anticipated The discredited former head of Froggy.com, Karl Suleman, was one of the biggest donors to the that you might bring forward a question like Labor Party last year, new records released ... by this. In relation to that, my department ad- the Electoral Commission reveal. vises me that, since the beginning of 2002, Mr Suleman, whose private companies are un- New South Wales officers of my department der investigation ... gave about $170,000 to the have approved 23 religious worker nomina- NSW branch of the ALP ... tions and 10 religious worker visas. The Told yesterday of the donations, the liquidator nominations are broader—they cover the of Mr Suleman’s companies, Neil Cussen— person who might be nominated. Again, that when asked whether he would investigate does not mean a religious visa is granted; whether he could retrieve any of the money that is a nomination. There were 13 employer on behalf of the investors— scheme nominations of which 10 have re- sulted in nomination scheme visas. I have said ... ‘They are of interest to us. We will be also been advised by my department that looking at any transactions like this.’ there have been no ministerial intervention But Labor’s NSW secretary, Eric Roozendaal, cases related to the monastery. told the Herald yesterday that Mr Suleman’s do- nations had already gone. Human Rights: Burma Mr Swan—Mr Speaker, I raise a point of Mrs HULL (2.53 p.m.)—My question is order. My point of order concerns relevance. addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. This was a very specific question about a Following reports over the weekend that donation to the minister’s electorate council. Aung San Suu Kyi has been detained by the authorities in Burma, would the minister in- The SPEAKER—As all members are form the House of current developments in aware, questions about the funding of politi- Burma? What is the government’s response cal parties fall generally outside the standing to these reports? orders. The minister was asked a question that sought a great deal more detail than I Mr DOWNER—I thank the honourable thought it would have been possible for him member for Riverina. I very much appreciate

CHAMBER 15592 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 the interest she shows in the situation in very disappointing that, although there have Burma. I know that many members on this been talks from time to time between the two side of the House are very interested. The sides, a high level of dialogue—which the government has been very concerned to hear Burmese authorities, the SPDC, committed that Aung San Suu Kyi, who is the secretary- themselves to—has still not taken place, de- general of the National League for Democ- spite an assurance given to our ambassador racy in Burma, has been taken into custody, in Rangoon in the last few days when he and so too have a number of other senior made a farewell call on the Foreign Minister members of the National League for Democ- of Burma. We very much hope that if Mr racy. These actions were taken by the Bur- Razali continues with his visit to Burma at mese authorities ostensibly in response to the end of this week he will be able to have incidents that took place on 30 May when some success in encouraging the Burmese there were clashes between Aung San Suu authorities to understand the importance of Kyi supporters and pro-government support- engaging in serious dialogue about constitu- ers in the northern part of Burma. Aung San tional reform and the liberalisation of gov- Suu Kyi was travelling in that part of the ernance in Burma, and the upholding of in- country at the time. I understand that around ternational norms of human rights. four people were killed and 50 were injured Parramatta Electorate: Program Funding in those confrontations. Mr LAURIE FERGUSON (2.57 p.m.)— It is the view of the Australian govern- My question is addressed to the Minister for ment that this is not a justification to detain Employment and Workplace Relations repre- Aung San Suu Kyi and her supporters. The senting the Special Minister of State and re- government urges her release immediately. I lates to the activities of a registered organisa- instructed our ambassador in Rangoon to tion under the Commonwealth Electoral Act. convey the government’s concerns straight- Is the minister aware that the organiser of a away to the Burmese authorities. This morn- Liberal Party function at Romeo’s Restaurant ing I had my department call in the Burmese at Parramatta is reported in the Australian of Ambassador here in Canberra also to explain 29 May as stating that the function raised our concerns and call for the release of Aung $22,000 towards the election campaign of San Suu Kyi and her supporters. I note that the member for Parramatta? Is the minister the United Nations Secretary-General’s spe- also aware of newspaper reports on the cial envoy on Burma, Mr Razali, is due to weekend of a previously undisclosed dona- visit Burma on Friday of this week. I hope tion of $10,000 to the member for Par- that during his visit it will be possible for ramatta’s election campaign? Has the minis- him to take up with the Burmese government ter since made inquiries as to whether the these concerns of the detention of Aung San $10,000 donation, which has now been de- Suu Kyi. Indeed, I very much hope she is clared, is additional to the $22,000, and released by that time. whether all these moneys have been declared But there is a broader and more funda- as required by the Commonwealth Electoral mental issue, and that is that the Burmese Act? If the minister has not made such in- authorities have for quite some time pro- quiries, will he now do so and report back to fessed that they would be prepared to re- the House? engage in dialogue with the National League Mr ABBOTT—I am broadly aware of the for Democracy with a view to taking forward newspaper reports that the member for Reid Burma’s constitutional development. It is

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15593 refers me to. Let me make three simple been able to commence—particularly in points. The first point is that members of Western Australia but there has also been parliament and ministers are not responsible some quite good plantings in parts of the for the administration of Liberal Party fund- eastern states—but in other areas there has raising, and should not be responsible for the not yet been adequate rain to enable planting administration of Labor Party fundraising—I to commence. In other places, the crops that do not know what the arrangements are on have just come up are already starting to face the other side of this chamber. The second some stress. point is that, if anything untoward has hap- So whilst there has been rain in some pened in respect of any fundraising and any places—indeed, in some of the city areas and disclosure, it will no doubt be looked at by on the coast, quite generous rain—the reality the Australian Electoral Commission, which is that most of the drought stricken areas of will take appropriate action. The third point Australia are still facing significant difficul- is that it is not unusual at all for political par- ties. The Commonwealth is continuing to ties to amend their disclosures. In fact, I am assist drought stricken farmers. On the latest advised that the national Australian Labor figures I have received, 14,600 Australian Party has amended its disclosure for the rele- farm families are now receiving income sup- vant year twice. I am advised that the Austra- port and 3,480 are receiving interest assis- lian Labor Party ACT branch has amended tance. The Commonwealth remains commit- its disclosure twice. I am advised the Austra- ted to helping drought stricken farmers lian Labor Party NSW branch has amended through these difficult times. its disclosure once. The Northern Territory The honourable member asked whether branch has amended its disclosure once. The other benefits are being withdrawn. I have South Australian branch has made one already reported to the House on a number of amendment to its disclosure. The Queensland occasions that the Victorian government, as branch has amended its disclosure twice. The soon as the state election was over, revoked Victorian branch has amended its disclosure drought assistance in the state of Victoria—a twice. What has happened with the matter in despicable action which demonstrated that question is entirely in accordance with the Victoria’s drought assistance was all about usual practices of political parties. election stunts, not about providing real as- Drought: Assistance sistance to farmers. Mr BALDWIN (3.00 p.m.)—My ques- I can recall warning, before the New tion is addressed to the Minister for Agricul- South Wales state election, that a similar ture, Fisheries and Forestry. Would the min- thing was likely to happen in New South ister inform the House how much of Austra- Wales. I am sorry to report to the House that lia is still in drought and whether the drought that indeed is precisely what is happening. has broken? Is the minister aware of drought Not with any fanfare, but quietly and se- assistance being withdrawn from farmers? cretly, the New South Wales government Mr TRUSS—I thank the member for have been delisting areas that were previ- Paterson for his question. As the Treasurer ously eligible to receive drought assistance. mentioned just a few moments ago, the On their web site over the last four to six drought in Australia is far from over. There is weeks, you see that New South Wales have some welcome rain outside, and in some delisted from areas eligible to receive parts of Australia the wheat planting has drought assistance parts of the Tweed-

CHAMBER 15594 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Lismore area, parts of Kempsey, parts of The reality is that we are seeing the col- Gloucester, parts of Moree, parts of Tam- lapse of the facade of care for drought af- worth, parts of the Walgett Rural Lands Pro- fected areas. As soon as the state elections tection Board and all of the Narrabri, North- were over, the Labor Party were no longer ern Slopes and Maitland Rural Lands Protec- interested in the concerns of drought affected tion Boards. The farmers in those areas are farmers. This is a despicable action by the no longer eligible to receive any assistance New South Wales state government— from the New South Wales government. following on the lead of Victoria. They have This was all done quietly on their web no concern for farmers. This roll back of site. Indeed, the farmers in Tamworth were drought aid is the only roll-back we have reported in the Northern Daily Leader on heard from Labor for a long time, and they Friday as saying that they were not told ought to be ashamed of it. about the fact that the drought relief had Immigration: Visa Approvals been axed until three weeks later—when I Mr LAURIE FERGUSON (3.04 p.m.)— made it clear in their local media that it had My question is directed to the Minister for been withdrawn by the New South Wales Immigration and Multicultural and Indige- government. The New South Wales govern- nous Affairs. I refer to the minister’s state- ment did not even have the courage to tell ment to this House last Thursday that he re- them that they had axed their drought relief. ceived representations from Mr Kisrwani in This is an area that is receiving exceptional relation to visa application N96-003378. Is circumstances assistance from the Com- this the same Mr Kisrwani whose firm do- monwealth. Indeed, some of the other areas nated $10,000 to the Liberal Party—which, where the New South Wales government until last Friday, was not declared? have axed their relief are, we are told, going Mr RUDDOCK—The answer is yes. to be the subject of new EC applications. So New South Wales is asking the Common- Workplace Relations: Australian Work- wealth to declare these areas to be in excep- place Agreements tional circumstances while they are quietly Dr WASHER (3.05 p.m.)—My question revoking their eligibility for state assistance. is addressed to the Minister for Employment What a contrast that is with the occasions and Workplace Relations. Would the minister when the drought assistance was announced. update the House on the spread of Australian Premier Carr was rushing around New South workplace agreements, especially in my state Wales with plane loads of journalists to make of Western Australia? How are these helping announcement after announcement about to boost productivity and increase pay for drought assistance for the farmers. I am told Australian workers? there were over 50 announcements. Most of Mr ABBOTT—I thank the member for them were pretty empty and provided very Moore for his question. I can inform him little assistance, but there he was with all that, in April, the number of Australian these journalists from outer Sydney and the workplace agreements that have been regis- metropolitan media to announce drought tered since 1998 reached 334,000. Nearly assistance for the farmers. But is Premier 10,000 Australian workplace agreements Carr travelling around the drought stricken were registered in April alone. That is a 50 areas of New South Wales to announce he per cent increase on April last year and a 100 has revoked the assistance? per cent increase on April 2001.

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It is not surprising that workers and man- the Liberal Party of Australia—a registered agers should be embracing Australian work- political party under the Commonwealth place agreements, because they invariably Electoral Act—received a donation of mean better work practices and that means $19,450 from the Lebanese friends of Mr higher productivity, which means higher pay Ruddock for the 2001-02 disclosure year? In and higher profits can go hand in hand. Ac- light of the New South Wales branch’s fail- cording to the most recent available data, the ure to disclose a donation over $10,000, will average worker on an Australian workplace the minister investigate to ensure that this agreement earns $895 a week, compared to donation of $19,450 is not made up of indi- the average worker on a federally registered vidual donations of over $1,500, which certified agreement who is earning only $721 would be separately declarable under the a week. Commonwealth Electoral Act? I have been asked about Western Austra- Mr ABBOTT—Why would I or any other lia. I can inform the member for Moore that, member of this parliament or minister in this under the Court government, there were parliament know about donations to the Lib- more than 200,000 Western Australian work- eral Party, because under the Liberal Party’s place agreements. These were abolished by rules these matters are entirely handled by the incoming Gallop government and re- the party organisation? placed by a form of individual contract sub- Ms Gillard interjecting— ject not only to the no disadvantage test but The SPEAKER—The member for Lalor also to a form of union veto. Since May of has asked her question. I indicate for clarifi- last year, there have been 37,000 Australian cation that I allowed the question to stand in workplace agreements registered in Western the capacity of the Minister representing the Australia. How many Western Australian Special Minister of State. individual contracts have been registered? Not 10,000, not 1,000, not even 100—just 12 Mr ABBOTT—I invite the member for Western Australian individual contracts have Lalor or any other member opposite who has been registered. This flight from the Western any evidence, as opposed to innuendo, to Australian system is a vote of confidence in present that evidence to the Australian Elec- the federal system. The Gallop government toral Commission and the commission will set these contracts up to fail, and fail they investigate it as it should and as it always have. While the Gallop government’s poli- does. cies are failing, Western Australian workers Health Insurance and managers are embracing the freedom Mr BARRESI (3.10 p.m.)—My question and fairness of the federal system in ever is addressed to the Minister for Ageing. Is increasing numbers. the minister aware of any threats to Austra- Liberal Party of Australia: Donations lia’s private health insurance sector and its Ms GILLARD (3.08 p.m.)—My question role in Australia’s world-class health system? is to the Minister for Workplace Relations Mr ANDREWS—I thank the member for and Employment representing the Special Deakin for his question. For the past 18 Minister of State and relates to the activities months, the Australian Labor Party have of a registered organisation under the Com- been hiding behind the member for Perth’s monwealth Electoral Act. Is the minister so-called review of private health insurance aware that the New South Wales branch of and refusing to come clean as to whether

CHAMBER 15596 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 they will strip Australian families of the 30 applicant since he has been a minister? Can per cent private health insurance rebate. If the minister advise the House how many they take the rebate off ancillaries, which has times he intervened following a second re- been suggested, this will slug Australian quest to do so? And can the minister tell the families who have private health insurance House how many times he has intervened an extra $230 a year. And if they remove the following a third request to do so? whole private health insurance rebate, that Mr RUDDOCK—I thank the honourable will mean a tax slug of $750 to Australian member for Watson for his question. I think I families who have such insurance. Just last answered that matter in large part last week week, the opposition again suggested slash- and I was going to refresh my memory, so ing the rebate when they asked: the figures I will use are indicative. Under … why does the rebate apply to ancillaries? section 417, I am advised it is about 1,100— Could you contemplate a system where the rebate maybe a little higher—and under section was capped so far as individual payments are 351, I think the number is about 600. That concerned and means tested so far as individual would be from amongst at least 20,000 re- payments are concerned? jected asylum claims. I think I also advised This is a statement from the shadow spokes- the House last week that it was something in man for health, the member for Perth. So we the order of 80 cases where I had intervened know what Labor will do; they are consider- when approached on a second occasion. The ing a range of options, including rolling back point I made last week was that I asked the the entire private health insurance rebate, department not to refer matters to me again capping means testing and taking it off the after initial requests unless there is fresh in- ancillaries. This means that they should ex- formation that warrants me looking at the plain to those nine million Australians that matter. going to the dentist, getting new spectacles I advised the House last week that I had or having physiotherapy treatment, for ex- one case in which I had been approached on ample, will be 30 per cent more expensive a second occasion by the Leader of the Op- under the Labor Party. They should explain position and had intervened. In the case of why those one million people on incomes of the member for Reid, I think I advised that less than $20,000 a year are going to be there had been five cases where Mr Ferguson slugged up to $750 in tax increases under the subsequently approached me where the ini- Labor Party should they ever win govern- tial request for consideration had been de- ment. The ALP will not come clean about clined. this but we know that they are a high-taxing party when they are in government. One Mr Crean interjecting— thing that Australians should know is that Mr RUDDOCK—I do not know. private health insurance will always be 30 Mr Crean interjecting— per cent cheaper under this government. Mr RUDDOCK—No, I do not. I will ask. Immigration: Visa Applications I only make the point that, if new and addi- Mr LEO McLEAY (3.12 p.m.)—My tional information has been provided to me, question is to the Minister for Immigration it would be churlish of me not to look at it. and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs. Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Can the minister advise the House how many Mr LINDSAY (3.15 p.m.)—My question times he has used his powers under section is addressed to the Minister for the Environ- 417 of the Migration Act to grant a visa to an

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15597 ment and Heritage. Minister, would you ad- tion to a report in this morning’s Townsville vise the House of the steps being taken by Bulletin, quoting Mr David Bateman, Chief the Howard government to protect the biodi- Executive Officer of Sunfish Queensland— versity of the Great Barrier Reef—one of the the major representative organisation for rec- world’s greatest icons? reational fishers—who said: Dr KEMP—I thank the honourable What they’ve come up with, with the increased member for Herbert for his question and ac- yellow zones throughout the marine park, will knowledge that he is one of the great sup- give our members the space to go fishing, and we porters and defenders of the Great Barrier consider it very reasonable. We’re extremely Reef—Australia’s greatest natural icon. Two happy with the way in which it has been done ... weeks ago I was in Brisbane to release the I also draw attention to the fact that some 95 draft water quality protection plan—a pro- per cent of the area currently open for com- gram that seeks to protect the quality of wa- mercial trawling remains open under the ter flowing into the Great Barrier Reef la- plan. In particular, of course, the plan has goon from the threat of sediments and nutri- been welcomed by the billion-dollar tourist ents. Today I am pleased to announce an- industry on the Great Barrier Reef. The tour- other major effort by the Howard govern- ist industry attracts people to the reef through ment to protect the Great Barrier Reef and its thriving biodiversity—the fish popula- put it on a sustainable basis for the long tions, the coral, the dugong and the other term. animals that frequent the reef. This plan will make sure that that tourist industry has a se- This morning I released the draft zoning cure basis to plan for the future. The Howard plan under the representative areas program government is determined to protect the for the reef, which increases the high protec- Great Barrier Reef for our children and for tion zones on the reef from some 4.5 per cent future generations, and this plan is one of the of the reef to over 30 per cent. The effect of most important steps that have ever been this plan will be to put the reef on a long- taken to achieve this objective. term sustainable basis. It will lead to an in- crease in the fish in the reef and the size of Mr Howard—Mr Speaker, I ask that fur- those fish. It is a plan which has been wel- ther questions be placed on the Notice Paper. comed up and down the Queensland coast HER MAJESTY THE QUEEN and across Australia. 50th Anniversary of the Coronation The reason why this plan has been so Mr HOWARD (Bennelong—Prime Min- widely welcomed and received is the highly ister) (3.19 p.m.)—by leave—I move: consultative process used by the government That: to develop the plan. Thus far, there have been something like 1,500 community ser- We, the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Austra- vice announcements on regional television in lia, express to Her Majesty The Queen our warm Queensland and 38,000 hits on the Great congratulations on the 50th Anniversary of Her Barrier Reef Marine Park’s web site, leading Coronation. to some 10,000 submissions being available We express our ongoing respect and regard for to help draw up the plan. I am delighted with the dedication She has displayed in the service of the response from interest groups in Queen- the Commonwealth and Her deep and abiding sland, particularly from the recreational fish- commitment to Australia and its people. ers. The member for Herbert drew my atten-

CHAMBER 15598 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

This is the 50th anniversary of the coronation interesting program on Radio National this of the Queen, and I think it is appropriate morning which involved a discussion with, that the parliament pause for a moment to amongst other people, that very famous and I convey its respects to the Queen for the way think very talented British author, William in which she has discharged her duties over Shawcross, who had some very interesting the last 50 years. The world in which we now things to say about the Middle East roadmap live is a very different world from what it being a road through Baghdad—but I will was 50 years ago. It would be unthinkable, not allow that to intrude any more. He made for example, that 50 years ago there would some very interesting observations. One of have been serious debate in either Australia the more interesting observations was the or the United Kingdom regarding the place very relevant one that, in the time that she of the monarchy in our society. has been on the throne, the Queen has dis- The world has changed a great deal over played a very strong, consistent and genuine the last 50 years. It is, therefore, all the more interest in the multiracial Commonwealth remarkable that over that period of time the and has displayed a commitment to achiev- Queen has displayed a remarkable consis- ing solutions to Commonwealth problems tency of commitment to her duties and her which has been at all times quite persistent responsibilities, has displayed an amazing and quite determined. commitment to duty and has acquired an It is fair to say that, over the period that experience and understanding of world af- she has been on the throne, the attitudes of fairs that would, I believe, enable her to the public towards the monarchy have equal or indeed better the experience and changed. There is legitimate debate within understanding of world affairs of most of the Australia about the role of the monarchy in people who have exercised political office our community, and that is part of the de- and power in different countries over that mocratic process. In 1953, when she was period of time. crowned, it would have been unthinkable In 12 years, the Queen, if she is still on the that the party I now lead, the Liberal Party of throne, will be the longest serving monarch Australia, would have allowed its members a in British history. She now is one of the free vote on the issue of whether or not this longest serving monarchs and, given the ex- country should become a republic. It is an traordinary longevity of her mother, it must indication of how things have changed, but I be a reasonable expectation that she will in think it is also an indication of how one thing fact turn out to be the longest serving mon- has remained the same—that, despite the arch in British history. It is, of course, re- different views within the community and markable to reflect that, when she became within political parties regarding the role of Queen, Winston Churchill was Prime Minis- the monarchy, the respect and regard for the ter of the United Kingdom and Robert Men- Queen herself as an individual and her per- zies was Prime Minister of Australia. Over sonal popularity and the personal belief of so that period of time, she has been sovereign to many people not only here but in other parts 10 British prime ministers and the same of the world that she is in every sense a tal- number of Australian prime ministers. ented and dedicated person who has a very strong sense of duty and a very strong com- She has displayed a remarkable interest in mitment have remained very consistent and the affairs of the multiracial Commonwealth. strong. Other members may well have heard a very

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I am reminded—if I can digress for one tion in Western civilisation after the see of moment on the attitude of people holding Rome. different views on the role of the monar- The links between Australia and Her Maj- chy—of a report I read some years ago of esty the Queen are, of course, very extensive. one of the early meetings of the Republican She has visited this country on 13 occasions Movement in Sydney, where it seemed to and she has always been accorded a warm have some of its origins. This meeting was and, I think, very genuine welcome. Al- attended by the former Premier of New though, inevitably, with the passage of time South Wales, Neville Wran, who was a very and the more blasé attitudes towards institu- strong republican and a person whose politi- tions, including the monarchy, within our cal views I did not share but whose political community, the reaction of people has been skills I quite respected. As the time over different, it has, nonetheless, been the case lunch wore on and as discussion turned to that, on every occasion, she has been seen in how the republic would be brought about, he this community as being a person who is warned all those gathered around him that very genuinely interested in and committed one of the things that would make the battle to and who has very great affection for the difficult, no matter what people’s views were people of Australia. In any conversations that on the institution, was the personal regard in one has with her, she has a remarkable inter- which the monarch was held by different est in and knowledge of affairs in this coun- generations of Australians. I think that is but try. one of many indications of the extraordinary I think she has been a person who has car- regard and affection in which Her Majesty ried out her duties with remarkable dedica- the Queen is held by people, whatever their tion, great good humour and consistent political views and constitutional views may commitment to duty. Through all the changes be. and through all the challenges of the last 50 Mr Speaker, as you reflect upon the ex- years, she has continued to impress the peo- perience that the Queen has had in her time ple of the United Kingdom and the people of as monarch and you reflect upon the history this country with her commitment and her of the British monarchy, you are perhaps dedication to duty. In those circumstances, I reminded—in touching on some debate we think it is welcome, appropriate and entirely have had in Australia in recent weeks—that spontaneous that we should express our re- the institutions are remarkably resilient and gards to her, convey our congratulations and remarkably durable. I think many people will to wish her well on the 50th anniversary of know from their reading of history—not her coronation. many in this room from their own personal Honourable members—Hear, hear! experience—that at the time many people regarded the abdication crisis in 1936 as be- The SPEAKER—Is the motion sec- ing likely to herald the end of the monarchy. onded? In reality, the two monarchs that followed Mr CREAN (Hotham—Leader of the the abdication of Edward VIII have proved Opposition) (3.29 p.m.)—I second the mo- to be two of the most popular, two of the tion, Mr Speaker. Whilst it is no surprise that most dutiful and two of the most well- I and many on this side of the House are re- regarded monarchs that have sat on the publicans and believe that we should have an throne in the history of that institution— Australian as our head of state, that does not which does remain the second oldest institu- diminish our respect for Her Majesty the

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Queen. I have had the opportunity to meet the Queen herself is still held in the highest her on many occasions over a long period, regard by the overwhelming majority of Aus- and hers have been 50 years of remarkable tralians. success for the institution and for her person- Enthusiasm towards a young Queen has ally. She has ruled at a time of enormous matured, I believe, into a quieter respect and social and political change, but she has en- admiration for her strong sense of duty and sured that the royal family has evolved with her commitment to the role. It also manifests the times. She has kept it modern and rele- itself in a genuine concern for Her Majesty’s vant, while maintaining the traditions which personal welfare. I think Australians of all underpin its legitimacy and popular support. political persuasions felt for the Queen last I pay tribute to her great interest in the year at the passing of the Queen Mother and Commonwealth and, in particular, the sig- of Princess Margaret. The great success of nificant transition of an equal body of na- the Golden Jubilee year shows that the tions into a group of nations that pursue im- Queen remains a most popular and respected portant political, developmental and envi- head of the royal family. On behalf of the ronmental concerns. She has fulfilled her opposition, I join with the government in constitutional responsibilities as Queen of supporting this motion. We wish the Queen Australia with great aplomb and has always many years of continuing happiness. fully and properly respected Australia’s in- The SPEAKER—This is a motion of dependent and democratic institutions. She celebration endorsed by both sides of the has taken an active interest in the welfare of House. I think it would be appropriate if we Australia’s citizens, and she is currently the indicated our assent by rising in our places. patron of up to 20 community organisations All members having risen in their places— dedicated to serving the Australian commu- nity. The SPEAKER—I thank the House. I think it is also fair to say, as the Prime Question agreed to. Minister has remarked, that the period over QUESTIONS TO THE SPEAKER which the Queen has reigned has seen sig- Question Time nificant changes in the way in which Austra- Mr TANNER (3.33 p.m.)—Mr Speaker, lians respond to her, although they respond my question relates to the conduct of ques- no less affectionately. I agree with the com- tion time last Thursday—I ask it now be- ments the Prime Minister attributed to cause we did not have an opportunity to ask Neville Wran; I think that the circumstances questions of you at the conclusion of ques- of her personal involvement have seen the tion time last week—and to the use of indul- affection not just for her but for the monar- gence in this chamber. Mr Speaker, you may chy itself sustained a lot longer in this coun- recall that during question time last Thursday try across a broader section of the commu- the Prime Minister sought indulgence from nity than might otherwise have been the you and was granted that indulgence. During case. The early days of her reign were the comment that he made as a result of get- marked by huge popular enthusiasm, as we ting that indulgence, he described the behav- are all reminded when we see those early iour of the member for Reid as ‘quite repre- visits. And, even though it is true that the hensible’ and demanded that the member for crowds in recent years have not been as great Reid apologise for questions he had asked in in number and that Australians’ attitudes to this chamber. the concept of the monarchy have changed,

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Having understood that the indulgence indicate to me or show me how it might be ac- mechanism is usually used in this place for, cessed. essentially, noncontroversial and nonpartisan I thank you for your response to that ques- purposes, and noting that it is not subject to tion, Mr Speaker. I need to advise you that a the same, shall we say, slightly unbalanced representative of AAP has enthusiastically rules that apply to questions and answers, I contacted me to advise me that, indeed, AAP would like to ask you: if a minister at some does offer a clipping service, and that clip- future time launches an attack on a member ping service is currently under examination of the opposition during question time, will by Mr Templeton’s department. I think you you then grant indulgence to either the would agree, Mr Speaker, that it is difficult Leader of the Opposition or the member so for me to access a clipping service if it is not criticised in order that they might respond in currently subscribed to by the Department of an equivalent way to the way in which the the House of Representatives. When did the Prime Minister responded to the member for departments commence examining the clip- Reid? ping service of AAP, and when is it likely to The SPEAKER—I thank the member for be made available to all members? Melbourne. As the member for Melbourne is The SPEAKER—I will take both ques- well aware, subsequent events in the cham- tions on notice—I think the member for ber indicated that the chair was, in fact, not Chifley will understand that—and report in a mood to be other than even-handed. I back to him in any instance and to the House hope that is the prevailing atmosphere in the if appropriate and necessary. I also add to my chair at all times. So far as indulgence is reply to the question from the member for concerned, I will check the Hansard record Melbourne. I place on the record that it and, even more pertinently, the tape, because would not be my intention, and nor would it I was concerned when the Prime Minister have been the intention of anyone occupying made that comment. From memory, I did the chair during my time in the parliament, to intervene by interrupting the Prime Minister. have indulgence abused. I give that assur- As I said, I will check the tape and report ance to the member for Melbourne. back to the member for Melbourne. As the PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS member for Melbourne is aware, subsequent Mr McMULLAN (Fraser) (3.38 p.m.)— events indicated that the chair was exercising Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal appropriate balance on that occasion. explanation. News Clipping Service The SPEAKER—Does the honourable Mr PRICE (3.36 p.m.)—Mr Speaker, on member claim to have been misrepresented? 13 May I asked you a question in the House Mr McMULLAN—Yes, I do. regarding the availability of press clippings on the intranet service. You replied—and I The SPEAKER—Please proceed. thank you for that—on 15 May. I again Mr McMULLAN—The Treasurer today raised the issue on 26 May, when I said: in question time referred to an article in the The AAP, as I understand it, actually runs a news Sunday Age reporting a speech which I made service wherein its reporters report the news. in Melbourne on Saturday. He said that he There is available on AAP a press release service, had read the article and could find no way in but this in no way constitutes a press clipping which the Labor Party outlined how it could service. If a press clipping service is available on fund its programs without increasing taxes. It AAP, I would be most grateful if the staff might

CHAMBER 15602 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 is impossible for the statement the Treasurer • That the average out-of-pocket cost to see a made to be true, because the first paragraph GP who does not bulk bill has gone up by of the article answers the question and so do 55% since 1996 to $12.78 today; the third and fourth paragraphs. It is clear • That public hospitals are now under greater that the Treasurer has not read the article to pressure because people are finding it harder which he referred; it is clearly impossible. to see bulk billing doctors. We therefore pray that the House takes urgent The SPEAKER—The member for Fraser steps to restore bulk billing by general practitio- indicated that he was misrepresented. He is ners and reject John Howard’s plan to end univer- now advancing an argument. sal bulk billing so all Australians have access to Mr McMULLAN—There is only one the health care they need and deserve. by Mr Crosio (from 305 citizens) and other point on that, and it is very brief. The same matter was also accurately reported on Ms Hoare (from 83 citizens). the same day in the Sunday Herald Sun, Family and Community Services: Child which also made it clear. There was a second Care point of misrepresentation when the Treas- To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of urer said that there was no indication of what the House of Representatives assembled in Par- the tax cuts would be. The first stage of the liament: tax cuts was of course outlined by the Leader This petition of citizens of Australia draws the of the Opposition here in his reply to the attention of the House to the decision not to pro- budget and was accurately reported from that vide In-Service Provider training funds to Queen- speech by the Herald Sun of the same day, sland childcare services. Our opposition to this which makes it clear that the first stage of decision is based on the following: • cuts is the superannuation tax cuts. The Government has singled out Queen- sland from any other state by halving by The SPEAKER—The member for Fraser $500,000 in childcare in-service training has indicated where he was misrepresented. funds; PETITIONS • Childcare workers across Queensland will not have the same access to in-service train- The Clerk—Petitions have been lodged ing as in other states; for presentation as follows and copies will be • This decision is also of concern to children referred to the appropriate ministers: and families across the State who are using Medicare: Bulk-billing child care services; • To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of The Government should not be able to axe the House of Representatives assembled in par- funding to a program that is currently under liament: review. The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws Your petitioners therefore request that the House to the attention of the House: turn its urgent attention to: 1. Seek an urgent review of this decision. • That under proposed changes to Medicare, families earning more than $32,300 a year 2. To reinstate in-service training funds to will miss out on bulk billing, and doctors Queensland childcare services. will increase their fees for visits that are no 3. To adequately fund the following longer bulk billed; Queensland childcare training and • That the rate of bulk billing by GPs has resource organisations—Lady Gowrie plummeted by 11 % under John Howard; Queensland; QCOSS—Child Care • That more than 10 million fewer GP visits Management Training and Support Unit; were bulk billed this year compared to when Family Day Care Association John Howard came to office; Queensland Inc.; and Queensland

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Children’s Activities Network QCAN mediate family members available to perma- Inc. to deliver ongoing quality in-service nent residents. training to all Queensland childcare Your petitioners therefore urge the House to im- services. plement these changes which are basic to the re- by Mr Hardgrave (from 45 citizens) and spect for the human rights and dignity of Asylum seekers. Mr Sciacca (from 15 citizens). by Ms Corcoran (from 17 citizens). Telecommunications: Radio Licence Immigration: Asylum Seekers To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of To the Honourable the Speaker and the Members the House of Representatives assembled in Par- of the House of Representatives in Parliament liament: assembled: The petition of certain citizens of Australia, Whereas the 1998 Synod of the Anglican Diocese namely ‘Radio for all Australians Association Inc’ of Melbourne carried without dissent the follow- draws to the attention of the House the need for ing motion: the establishment of a radio station for the benefit ‘That this Synod regrets the Government’s adop- of those people who suffer the inability to read tion of procedures for certain people seeking po- the spoken word and for the benefit of the com- litical asylum in Australia which exclude them munity in general. from all public income support while withholding The Federal Government has spent millions of permission to work, thereby creating a group of dollars making sure that deaf people in this coun- beggars dependent on the Churches and charities try receive television services, but for those who for food and the necessities of life; can’t read or write, which is some 6.8 million and calls upon the Federal government to review Australians, there is a need for a special radio such procedures immediately and remove all licence and frequency, so these special programs practices which are manifestly inhumane and in can be broadcast all over Australia. some cases in contravention of our national obli- Your petitioners therefore request the House to gations as a signatory of the UN Covenant on urgently consider the need for the introduction of Civil and Political Rights.’ legislation to provide this essential service. We, therefore, the individual, undersigned atten- by Mr Andren (from 10 citizens). dees at St Aidan’s Anglican Church Parkdale Vic- Immigration: Asylum Seekers toria 3195, petition the House of Representatives To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of in support of the above mentioned Motion. the House of Representatives assembled in par- AND we, as in duty bound will ever pray. liament: by Ms Corcoran (from 15 citizens). The petition of certain women of Victoria draws Medicare: Logan City Office to the attention of the House the urgent need for To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of revision of the current policy and practice relating the House of Representatives assembled in par- to Asylum seekers. Your petitioners therefore liament: request the House to ensure that: The petition of certain electors in the State of • After initial processing for health, identity Queensland draws to the attention of the House and security checks (maximum one month) that a Medicare Office is not located in the west- all Asylum Seekers be accommodated in ern suburbs of Logan City. community housing in family and other ap- In the main, these signatories are from residents propriate groupings. of the suburbs of Logan, the northern suburbs of • Asylum seekers m offshore centres be relo- Beaudesert Shire and the southern suburbs of cated to the Australian mainland. Brisbane. • All Asylum Seekers granted refugee status be This area has been consistently recognised in entitled to the full range of social security, consecutive censuses as being amongst the high- education, legal, health and reunion of im- est population growth areas in the country.

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This area contains a large percentage of young Medicare: Belmont Office families who have indicated that a Medicare Of- To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the fice in the area is important to them. In addition, House of Representatives assembled in Parlia- the residents of this region have indicated that the ment. office should be located in the Grand Plaza Shop- We the undersigned request that the government ping Centre which is a major regional centre and reopen Belmont Medicare Office as there is no is the hub of retail, community and social interac- Medicare office between Charlestown and Lake tion for the western suburbs of Logan City Coun- Haven and there has been a drastic decline in the cil, together with the residents and signatories to numbers of general practitioners bulkbilling. the petition, believes it to be an ideal location for The closure of Belmont Medicare Office has the establishment of this desperately required caused great hardship to many local residents service. particularly the elderly and those with young Your petitioners therefore, request the House and, children. in particular, the Federal Minister for Health and Your petitioners therefore respectfully request Ageing, Senator the Hon Kay Patterson, to care- that the House of Representatives do everything fully consider establishing a Medicare Office in in their power to ensure that Belmont Medicare the western suburbs of Logan, preferably in the Office is reopened as a matter of urgency. shopping centre precinct known as Grand Plaza. by Ms Hall (from 26 citizens). by Dr Emerson (from 500 citizens). Medicare: Belmont Office Telstra: Privatisation To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of House of Representatives assembled in Parlia- the House of Representatives assembled in par- ment. liament: We the undersigned request that the Government The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws take action to preserve bulkbilling and to the following issues to the attention of the House: strengthen the Medicare system. • The Howard Government is determined to The cessation of bulkbilling by many General sell Telstra even though submissions to its Practitioners as a direct result of Government own inquiry, the Estens Inquiry, overwhelm- policy has caused great hardship to many local ingly show that services are still inadequate. residents on low incomes particularly the elderly • These submissions also reflect widespread and those with young children. concern that services will decline further if Your petitioners therefore respectfully request the rest of Telstra is sold. that the House do everything in their power to • The Greens, Democrats and Independents ensure that Belmont Medicare Office is reopened may make deals with the Liberal government as a matter of urgency. to allow the sale to go ahead, despite increas- by Ms Hall (from 118 citizens). ing community opposition to the sale. • A fully privatised Telstra will focus on prof- Medicare: Belmont Office its not people; shareholders will be more im- To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the portant than customers. House of Representatives assembled in Parlia- • Services will suffer under a fully privatised ment. Telstra, particularly in outer metropolitan, ru- We the undersigned request that the Government ral and regional Australia. take action to preserve bulkbilling and to We therefore pray that the House oppose the Lib- strengthen the Medicare system. eral/National plan to sell Telstra and that all The cessation of bulkbilling by many General Greens, Democrats and Independents join Labor Practitioners as a direct result of Government in opposing the sale of Telstra. policy has caused great hardship to many local by Ms Hall (from 13 citizens). residents on low incomes particularly the elderly and those with young children.

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Your petitioners therefore respectfully request creased research and development funds for our that the House introduce legislation. to ensure that scientists and doctors, and more money for rural bulkbilling is preserved and that our Medicare and regional Australia. system is strengthened. Your petitioners therefore respectfully request by Ms Hall (from 26 citizens). that the House reject any further sale of the Kirkpatrick, Private John Simpson Commonwealth’s shares in Telstra and that the annual profits from Telstra be used for the benefit To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of of all Australians. the House of Representatives assembled in Par- by Ms Hall (from 15 citizens). liament. We the undersigned request that John Simpson Health: Outer Metropolitan Doctors Kirkpatrick, of Simpson and donkey fame be Scheme awarded the Victoria Cross for Australia. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of Under the Imperial Award system, the Victoria the House of Representatives assembled in par- Cross was denied to Simpson as a result of some liament: confusion in the original application. In 1915 We the undersigned call on the Federal Govern- John Monash (later General) recommended ment to extend its plan to encourage doctors to Simpson for the VC. In 1967 Lieutenant Casey outer metropolitan areas including the Central who also witnessed Simpson’s work (later Gover- Coast. nor General, Lord Casey) together with Prime There is a chronic shortage of doctors in the area Minister Holt and the Chief of the General Staff, and people told are waiting between 7 and 14 Major General Brand (also a witness) recom- days to get an appointment with their doctor. mended him for the VC. This was also denied. Doctors are over worked and people’s lives are The British government claimed that a dangerous being put at risk by the chronic shortage of doc- precedent would be set. Your petitioners request tors in the area. that the House of Representatives do everything The average doctor patient ratio through out Aus- in their power to honour integrity and wishes of tralia is 1 doctor to 1000 people in the Northern these fine Australians and overturn the original part of Wyong Shire the ratio is 1 doctor to 2500 decision not to award the VC to Simpson. Simp- people. son is a symbol of the self-sacrifice, mateship and Your petitioners therefore respectfully request all those values that Anzacs now stand for and that the House encourage doctors to outer metro- Australians treasure. By honouring him, we hon- politan areas including the Central Coast. our them all. by Ms Hall (from 20 citizens). by Ms Hall (from 24 citizens). Medicare: Easy Claim Agency Telstra: Privatisation To the Honourable Speaker and members of the To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in parlia- House of Representatives assembled in Parlia- ment: ment. We the undersigned request the Government open These petitioners of the Division of Shortland and a Medicare Easy Claim Agency for the Toukley adjoining areas are deeply concerned at any plans area. Local doctors have ceased to bulkbill pa- to further privatise Telstra. tients and many people simply cannot afford to Further privatisation of Telstra will result in the pay the doctor and then wait (possibly days) for loss of thousands more Telstra jobs, worsening their Medicare refund. They often depend on their services to regional and rural Australia, and the refund to buy the necessities of life—sometimes loss of up to $1 billion a year for all Australians even the medicine prescribed by the doctor. earned from Telstra profits. Lake Haven is the nearest Medicare office and for We believe these profits, both now and in the those without private transport or money it is future, should be set aside to secure improved unreachable. The closure of Toukley Medicare educational opportunities for our children, in- Office has caused great hardship to many local

CHAMBER 15606 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 residents particularly the elderly and those with introduced to enable this group of long-term asy- young children. lum seekers to be granted permanent residence. Your petitioners therefore respectfully request Your petitioners therefore request that the House that the House do everything in their power to turns its urgent attention to addressing this injus- ensure that Toukley Medicare Office is reopened tice and create a new humanitarian visa class for as a matter of urgency. the East Timorese people living in Australia. by Ms Hall (from 25 citizens). by Ms Hoare (from 31 citizens). Health Care Health: MRI Machines To the Honourable Speaker and members of the To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of House of Representatives assembled in parlia- the House of Representatives assembled in Par- ment: liament: The petition of certain general pensioner, super- The petition of certain residents of the State of annuant and self funded retiree citizens of Austra- New South Wales draws to the attention of the lia draws the attention of the House to the great House the refusal by the Federal Government to concern being felt by the above mentioned citi- license a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) zens at the fact that the government is, in the peti- facility at the Concord Repatriation and General tioners’ humble opinion grossly under-funding, Hospital denies equitable access to vital health and thus jeopardizing, Australia’s Public Health services for cancer, heart, orthopaedic, burns and Care system. MS patients. Your petitioners have witnessed a declining Despite a commitment by the NSW Government Budget for the Public Health system since 1996 to purchase a MRI machine, Concord Hospital resulting in major decline in the availability of remains the only teaching hospital in Sydney not public hospital beds, a dramatic decline in doc- approved to provide MRI diagnostic services via tors’ use of Bulk Billing and attacks on the Phar- the Medicare system. maceutical Benefits Scheme. This means Concord’s frailest patients are unable Your petitioners therefore pray that the House act to locally access vital diagnostic services. to encourage the government to: Your petitioners request the House to protect the Restore the Public Health Care budget to pre- public’s interest and provide equitable access to existing levels; Increase the MEDICARE Levy; the Medicare system for inner western Sydney Means test the Private Health Insurance rebate; residents by licensing MRI diagnostic services at Ensure that all high income earners pay the Medi- the Concord Repatriation and General Hospital. care Levy surcharge; Increase doctors’ payments by Mr Murphy (from 953 citizens). for Bulk Billing in order to encourage doctors to Environment: Sea Cage Fish Farms continue their participation in Bulk Billing. The funds thus created to be provided to the Universal To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of Health Care System—MEDICARE. We further- the House of Representatives assembled in Par- more request that Dental care be included in liament: MEDICARE. The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws by Ms Hall (from 180 citizens). to the attention of the House the impact of sea cage fish farms in Moreton Bay. Immigration: Asylum Seekers • Sea cage fish farms will significantly in- To the Honourable Speaker and members of the crease levels of nutrients into the bay derived House of Representatives assembled in parlia- from excess feed, faeces, dead fish, opera- ment: tional pollution and cage cleaning; This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws • Increase the risk of algal blooms; the attention of the House to the current situation • Contribute to lowering dissolved oxygen in of The East Timorese asylum seekers currently in the water which leads to the death of marine Australia. We request that a special visa class be life;

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15607

• Place at risk the wild populations of fish, PRIVATE MEMBERS’ BUSINESS bird, and fauna species through introduced Taxation diseases, genetically modified breeding stock, and pollution plumes; Mr BRENDAN O’CONNOR (Burke) • Require the use of tetracyclin and formalin (3.42 p.m.)—I move: as medication in the feed, and anti-fouling That this House: agents to clean cages, the long-term envi- (1) recognises that, because of the Family Tax ronmental effects of which are not known; Benefit system, parents of middle incomes • Create a blight on the visual amenity of pay an effective marginal tax rate of between Moreton Bay significantly affecting the tour- 60% to 77%; ist potential of Moreton Bay; (2) recognises that, because of the Allowances • Compromise the millions of dollars that has Income Test, an individual claiming Newstart been invested to date to remove nitrogen who earns more than $62 in a fortnight pays from Moreton Bay to protect the fragile eco- an effective marginal tax rate of 67%; system. Your petitioners therefore request the House to (3) recognises that, because of the Allowances immediately implement legislation that will pre- Income Test, an individual claiming Newstart vent the establishment of sea cage fish farms in who earns more than $150 in a fortnight pays Moreton Bay. an effective marginal tax rate of 87%; by Mr Sciacca (from 11 citizens). (4) recognises that, because of the parental Medicare: Bulk-billing income test of Youth Allowance, 40,000 families face effective marginal tax rates of To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of up to 111.5%; the House of Representatives assembled in par- liament: (5) acknowledges that these effective marginal The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws tax rates are much higher than those for to the attention of the House: persons with high incomes; • That the biggest ever drop in GP bulk billing (6) notes that the number of individuals facing since the introduction of Medicare occurred effective marginal tax rates of more than in the last 12 months; 60% has nearly doubled since 1997; • That the rate of bulk billing by GPs has been (7) calls on the Government to reform the tax, in serious decline and has fallen by almost welfare and family payment systems to avoid 10% since 1996; the development of poverty traps and • That the average cost to see a GP who does disincentives to work; and not bulk bill has gone up from $8.32 in 1996 (8) affirms its commitment to a tax system that to $12.89 today—an increase of 54.9%; is progressive. • That unless the rate of bulk billing by GPs is I have moved this motion in order to bring increased, a greater burden will fall on our public hospitals to treat Australians who can- closer attention to the inequities and en- not afford a visit to the doctor. trenched poverty trap many people in Austra- Your petitioners therefore request the House take lia are confronting today. As a relatively steps to ensure that all Australians can access bulk wealthy country we should be able to do billing. more for our less well off, but we are failing by Mr Sciacca (from five citizens). them. With increasing pressure upon family Petitions received. budgets in areas such as health, education and children’s services, the need to make our social welfare and tax systems fairer is a critical development required.

CHAMBER 15608 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

It is often argued, particularly by those on individual to take up work that is offered, the other side of the House, that Australia’s you can understand how little incentive there top marginal tax rate of 48.5 per cent, includ- would be for a person taking home, say, ing the Medicare levy, is too high and comes $2.60 per hour—which is 13 per cent of the into effect at too low a level. It is said to act amount paid to a person receiving $12 per as a disincentive to work, reducing efficiency hour. Perhaps we should ask the Treasurer and productivity and encouraging tax avoid- why he supports a system where people who ance. Indeed, the Treasurer only four years are earning less than the average income lose ago in this House mocked Labor, asking: a lot more than 50c in every dollar they re- Why would you support a system ... whereby ceive. This is not a new problem. It has been people that are just getting past average earnings, a problem ever since social security pay- maybe doing a bit of overtime, have to pay $1 in ments were introduced, but the problem was $2 in tax? once confined to a small, albeit significantly The reality is that the combination of the disadvantaged, sector of society. social security system and the taxation sys- As the final report of the McClure com- tem delivers effective marginal tax rates far mittee discusses in the section on incentives higher than those the Treasurer was referring and financial assistance, with the introduc- to when he made those comments. tion of the flawed family tax benefit, the The awful truth of it is that the highest problem has been extended so that it affects marginal rates are being paid by those on low nearly twice the number of people than pre- and middle incomes—those least able to af- viously. And, in conjunction with the intro- ford it—not by those receiving high incomes. duction of a parental income test for youth A person trying to move from unemployment allowance, the ludicrous situation has been into the work force can face an effective created where a family could be worse off if marginal tax rate of up to 87 per cent, and their paid income increases. So much has higher under some circumstances. An adult already been said about the numerous other claiming Newstart who earns some extra problems with the family tax benefit—and I money currently pays 17 per cent tax on that am sure more will be said this afternoon in income. On top of that tax, if he or she earns debating this motion—particularly about the more than $62 in a fortnight then every dol- propensity of the system to drive ordinary lar earned above that amount reduces the families into debt, that you would think the Newstart payment by 50c. That is an effec- government would have got the message and tive rate of 67 per cent. If they earn $142 per reformed this a long time ago. Instead, the fortnight—$71 per week—Newstart is re- government have ensured that families on duced by 70c for every dollar, producing an middle incomes, between about $30,000 and effective marginal tax rate of 87 per cent. $50,000, are faced with a tax rate of 30 per If the Treasurer were right, and 48.5 per cent, plus a 30 per cent clawback of family cent is a disincentive for those in higher pay- tax benefit entitlement on extra income ing jobs, how much harder must it be for earned. This is an effective marginal tax rate someone who is unemployed, most often of 60 per cent, and it is paid by ordinary earning an hourly rate considerably lower families on ordinary incomes. than average, and facing a tax rate higher That government is not concerned about than those on 48.5 per cent? While there are the interests of the poor and disadvantaged, a lot of good non-financial reasons for an and it does not really surprise me, but I would have hoped that we might at least see

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15609 some action from it on looking after middle But he got caught in the family tax benefit- Australia—the area it professes to represent. disability support pension-youth allowance The youth allowance system is the worst of poverty trap. the lot. The parental income test for youth Even though the hourly rate that he earns allowance—whereby the allowance is re- is quite reasonable, the end result of Mr C duced by $1 in every $4 over the threshold— working full time is a net gain of about $90 a combined with the personal income test, week. Mr C is prepared to do that—he wants family tax benefit and income tax, can de- to work and he needs the money—but he has liver an effective marginal tax rate exceeding found that, in earning that money, his access 100 per cent. As the McClure report points to other benefits such as the health care card out on page 30: has been reduced. He also has other costs as … certain additional benefits are lost when a de- a result of working—such as increased pendent child moves onto YA, notably FTB and transport and child-care costs—that further rent allowance. Furthermore, the lower threshold erode any benefit he might get from em- for the YA parental means test results in a “sud- ployment. We want Mr C to take employ- den death” loss of all of the YA when the parents ment opportunities that are presented, but the move off allowance. system we have at the moment not only does Let me give you just one story about how the not help but also actively discourages people social security, family tax and income tax to find employment. systems have combined to discourage a con- stituent in my electorate from continuing I would like this House to affirm its sup- employment and improving his lot. Mr C is a port for a progressive tax system. A progres- single father residing in Sunbury, and he has sive tax system is supposed to mean, among five children. He receives the disability sup- other things, that people on higher incomes port pension and family tax benefit A and B. pay higher tax rates. As I have shown, there It is a tough enough job bringing up five kids are certain elements of the Australian tax and overcoming a serious injury without system that are not progressive. The gov- having to live off a limited income; neverthe- ernment may claim that it supports a pro- less, Mr C survives and by all accounts is a gressive tax system, but its policies continu- loving and caring father. ally work to undermine this principle. The government, of course, introduced the goods Recently, Mr C has been offered work and services tax—the singularly most regres- driving a school bus. It is not too demanding sive tax ever imposed upon the Australian on him physically and it is great for his self- community by an Australian government— esteem after many years out of the work and now it has overseen the creation of a force. Although it would put him under con- family tax benefit scheme that penalises or- siderable time constraints, given the re- dinary families trying to get ahead. quirements of fathering five kids, Mr C hoped that the money he would earn would In January this year, the Minister for Em- relieve some of the terrible financial pressure ployment and Workplace Relations ad- he and his children are under. It could mean dressed that bastion of the less well off in our new school shoes for the youngest boy, who society, the Young Liberals. While he ac- has always had to put up with hand-me- knowledged the problem of poverty traps, he downs from his older siblings, or it could had no answers. In his speech entitled ‘Re- mean he would be able to afford to pay for form with a social conscience’—which, swimming lessons for his oldest daughter. given the speaker and his fondness for the

CHAMBER 15610 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 term ‘job snobs’, should be renamed ‘Re- to be unravelled and examined by both sides form with a guilty conscience’—he recog- of this House, but it is certainly not because nised systemic failure without attributing any of effective tax rates, which is the narrow fault to the Howard government. Nor did he and somewhat prescriptive view that has mention the adverse effects of GST upon been taken today. those on low to middle incomes. It is important to recognise at the outset In Sunday’s Age, economics editor Tim that this government is committed to provid- Colebatch, in comparing OECD countries’ ing a range of incentives to help unemployed tax and welfare systems, indicated that work- people find work and achieve self- ing single parents are ‘locked in the most sufficiency. With this in mind, many of those severe poverty trap of any Western country’. receiving benefits are in fact in a transition He went on: ‘The trap is that if he/she earns period in their lives—as we would recognise another dollar, 70c of it would go to the gov- when you receive Newstart benefits—where ernment.’ This is a disgrace and it should be they are looking for work and are receiving changed. (Time expired) an allowance to cover this. But this is a tem- The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jen- porary situation—at least, it is with this gov- kins)—Is the motion seconded? ernment, which has created over one million new jobs since coming to office. Under La- Ms Grierson—I second the motion and bor it might not be so temporary. We antici- reserve my right to speak. pate that not everyone on Newstart will al- Ms LEY (Farrer) (3.53 p.m.)—It gives ways be on Newstart, so the effective tax me great pleasure to speak to this private rates that our attention has been drawn to are member’s motion moved by the member for not going to apply on and on. This govern- Burke, who has presented a wide-ranging ment believes that people are generally better and somewhat confusing motion which re- off working than receiving income support, lates generally to the effective tax rates that a because paid work increases self-reliance, person receiving allowances and benefits makes people feel part of the society in may face under various circumstances. Dur- which they live, prevents that feeling of iso- ing his speech, the member said that this lation, and promotes families and communi- government is not concerned about the poor ties that thrive. and disadvantaged. I remind members oppo- We accept that there are taxation disincen- site about some of the poorest and most dis- tives, but they are not necessarily the reasons advantaged Australians, our Indigenous Aus- that people do not continue to seek work. We tralians, and comments made about their cir- recognise that there are some situations cumstances by Noel Pearson, who says that where the reward that you get for the work the worst thing that you can do is to consign you do can act as a disincentive and, this group of people to a place at the bottom amongst other things, encourage the cash of the welfare system. He talks about de- economy. This government has acknowl- manding their place in the real economy, not edged this in the consultation paper Building just the passive economy. This highlights an a simpler system to help jobless families and important fact, which is that welfare is not a individuals. Consultation around the paper, good place to be. Indigenous Australians and which is under way at present, will guide the other poorer people are not in that position government’s thinking about how we reform because of effective tax rates. They are in income support for working age people. The that position for all sorts of reasons that need system in place is good, and we are working

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15611 to make it better. I do not believe that we on welfare forever, contributing to that dire need to apologise for it. One of the features social ill, intergenerational unemployment— of any tax system is that the simpler it is, the and I refer to those comments by Noel Pear- less fair it becomes. So the challenge is al- son mentioned earlier. This is about reducing ways to balance equity with simplicity and unemployment. One narrow perspective is efficiency. People are critical of the family effective tax rates, but to reduce unemploy- tax benefit, but we are providing support ment you need three things. (Time expired) where support is most needed. By being as Ms GRIERSON (Newcastle) (3.58 equitable as we can, complexities obviously p.m.)—I rise to support the private member’s creep in. motion put forward to the House by the We have been acting to improve incen- member for Burke. It asks us to recognise tives for unemployed people. In the Austra- that our social security system currently lians Working Together package, the working combines with the taxation system to deliver credit measure makes irregular part-time or to this nation’s lowest earners effective mar- casual work more attractive because it raises ginal tax rates that are higher than those any the $62 threshold where payments to work- other income group is asked to pay. The mo- ers start reducing. It should also be noted that tion also calls on the House to affirm its the majority of Australian families have bet- commitment to a taxation system that is pro- ter work incentives as a result of the new tax gressive. system introduced by this government. In- The current system of taxing any income come testing arrangements allow people to earned by those entitled to certain social se- earn income without automatically losing curity benefits is punitive and, as such, acts their full allowance or other assistance. Some as a disincentive to gain paid employment or income testing is required to ensure that the increase salary levels. Under this govern- social security system remains both targeted ment, the system has an in-built trap that at those most in need and financially sustain- claws back moneys through a taxation pen- able. I point out that the combined effects of alty system as soon as someone receiving the income support reduction, income tax benefits or entitlements improves their work and the income support rebate result in some or financial situation. So, for those on our variation in the effective marginal tax rate lowest incomes, there is instantly a taxation across the income ranges that have been penalty for any financial gain or employment identified. success. Low-income earning families are Clearly, the welfare system that we have is well and truly trapped, discouraged from oriented more towards paying people bene- getting ahead but left struggling to make fits than getting them into work, and we must ends meet on benefits that could never be accept a suitable safety net in this country. regarded as generous. This reality was ac- We will not reduce benefits, but nor should knowledged by the OECD report card on the we increase wages at entry levels. We must Australian economy, which clearly stated look at other measures. I believe one impor- that in Australia: tant and very successful measure is Work for ... marginal effective tax rates remain high for the Dole. Under this program, long-term many low-income earners, which tends to create Newstart beneficiaries are less likely to be poverty traps. trapped in a welfare system. The cruellest Even the OECD knows that there are differ- thing you can do is run a system that sucks ent ways to measure the health of a nation’s the unemployed into welfare and leaves them

CHAMBER 15612 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 economy. A nation’s bottom line has a lot to ernment’s taxation system, the working sin- do with the degree of opportunity that exists gle parent can pay 70c tax on every single for each individual to create some personal additional dollar earned. However, the reality wealth. With 2½ million Australians living in for single income families is that benefit en- poverty, this government continues to ac- titlements do not go far enough in meeting tively discourage wealth creation by low- the costs of raising children. Such costs in- and middle-income families through its so- clude visits to the doctor, where most fami- cial security system and the marginal taxa- lies need to find almost $40 for every visit; tion rates that apply. over $20 for every prescription; up to $10 for But the tax trap also applies to middle- any performance at a school; and sometimes income Australians who are raising a family hundreds of dollars for children to participate or supporting students. One example that in educational excursions. These are not lux- was given by the member for Burke is the ury items; they are just the costs that families family tax benefit, which is available to mid- face every day. dle-income earners who earn between You do not have to be an economist to $30,000 and $50,000. Over 10,000 people in work out that under the current system it just my electorate receive family tax benefits and would not pay to find extra work. I am not an they are faced with this disincentive to in- economist—and I do not think Noel Pearson crease their income. Much attention has been is—but I am a former educator and I know given in previous debates to the FTB’s quite a lot about behaviour theory. Research flawed income estimation system that deliv- shows that time after time the most effective ers a debt to families that earn more than behaviour modification systems are those they anticipated. Most Australians under- that are built on incentive and reward, those stand how their taxes are collected, but they that empower the individual. Perhaps this is do not expect—as was the case with one of what Mr Pearson means when he talks about my constituents in Newcastle faced with a a welfare system that gives power to indi- family benefit tax debt—to have a financial viduals to exercise some control over their institution give, at the demand of Centrelink, own destiny. It is time that this government information about and withdraw money from learned a little more about real human behav- their personal bank account, an account sepa- iour and reformed this inequitable taxation rate to the one normally accessed by Centre- system—a system that sees the rich getting link, even though the constituent was still richer, the middle getting squeezed and the within the negotiating period regarding pay- poor being kept in their rightful place, ac- ment arrangements for that FTB debt. This cording to the taxation hierarchy. government apparently has no regard for This motion calls on the government to re- privacy laws when it comes to collecting the form the tax, welfare and family payments debt fallout from its flawed family tax bene- systems to avoid poverty traps and disincen- fit system. tives to work. It also calls on the House to We have also heard of the ludicrous situa- affirm its commitment to a taxation system tion where Youth Allowance recipients and that is progressive. The existing progressive their families can receive a marginal tax rate taxation system has generally been accepted exceeding 100 per cent. When families are by the Australian public and it is seen as a investing in their children’s future and in the fair way of calculating what we should con- future of this nation, they should be re- tribute to the social economy of the nation. warded and not punished. Under this gov- Most Australians do not mind paying their

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15613 tax if they are receiving services. Most Aus- on unemployment, with over one million tralians do not mind providing a safety net people being unemployed at the time of La- for the aged, the chronically ill, youth estab- bor being in office. There is no social justice lishing their education for their future careers in unemployment and there is no self-esteem and those who live amongst us who have in unemployment, and Labor has great form fallen on hard times. I support the motion. there. When the member for Hotham was (Time expired) minister for employment, he scored pretty Mr HARTSUYKER (Cowper) (4.03 well on the unemployment scales—he scored p.m.)—I was quite interested to see the mo- a 10.3 per cent unemployment rate. He cer- tion on the tax system by the member for tainly was not the king of unemployment. Burke, given the track record of members The king of unemployment title went to the opposite when they were in government on member for Brand, with a 10.9 per cent rate matters of tax and the economy, and I was of unemployment. also interested to hear the comments that The fact is that jobs build self-esteem, have been made on poverty traps. Since jobs empower and jobs are the way to create coming to office, this coalition has been ab- a better way of life and a higher living stan- solutely committed to replacing what basi- dard. This government has created over one cally is a culture of welfare dependency with million jobs. That is the best way out of a a spirit of self-reliance and to empowering poverty trap, to get people back to work and people to achieve, as opposed to lowering to raise their self-esteem. In my electorate them to the lowest common denominator. there is an organisation called the Men’s Labor policy, in comparison to that of the Shed. The Men’s Shed caters for men who coalition, drags Australians down to the low- are down on their luck and suffering the est common denominator, with some sort of hardships of unemployment. Part of the role misplaced notion of social justice, when all of that shed is to bring men together in al- Australians really want is a fair go and an lowing them to try and rebuild their self- opportunity. This government offers oppor- esteem. That is what this government is tunities, whereas the members opposite pro- about—providing jobs, building self-esteem mote welfare dependency. and building self-reliance. Those opposite are in a state of disarray as The members opposite knocked Work for their traditional base deserts them. The old the Dole. The old Labor dogma says that it is hackneyed Labor dogma is really wearing slave labour et cetera. But the Australian thin out there. As I travelled here early this people love Work for the Dole. The partici- morning, I listened to the AM radio program pants love Work for the Dole. They enjoy on which there was discussion of the fact contributing to the community. They enjoy that the grim reaper, Mr Roozendaal, was the opportunity to learn new skills. Best of coming to bring a message. I understand that all, they are 76 per cent more likely to get a the members for Banks, Greenway and Lowe job and get out of the poverty trap by con- will be very interested in that message. I do tributing to that scheme. not know the contents of the message that The motion also refers to the Youth Al- Mr Roozendaal has to bring, but basically lowance. Youth unemployment under Labor the message is that the members opposite are peaked at 34½ per cent. That is hardly show- out of touch. We talk about poverty traps, but ing concern for youth. That unemployment really the best way to alleviate a poverty trap rate has been halved under this government. is to reduce unemployment. Labor have form

CHAMBER 15614 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Interest rates have also been mentioned. One competitors, the United States of America, the of the major elements in the wellbeing of United Kingdom, Japan, Singapore and Hong families is a stable economic environment. Kong. Significantly, in terms of personal tax, Under previous Labor governments we had Australia is also the fourth highest taxing nation the recession we had to have, which harmed in the developed world. According to the KPMG report, Australians now pay as much income tax a lot of families. We also had an interest rate as they did before the GST was introduced. This of 17.1 per cent. What does that mean? On a includes the much vaunted and self-promoted tax mortgage of $100,000, the saving incurred cuts promised by Prime Minister Howard. Con- by an average family—the saving out of their trary to comments made at the time, it appears pocket—is $200 a week. Under Labor it was these tax cuts were no more than compensatory an interest amount of $327 a week; under the carrots. coalition it is $106. My colleague the member for Burke has Why were interest rates so high? Because clearly demonstrated that there is much more members opposite could not balance the to the taxation story than this general over- books. They were busy out there in the mar- view. Clearly, the Australian taxation system ket; they were selling the farm, selling off is still regressive. The member for Burke has our assets and, at the same time, competing demonstrated that the further one is down the in the money markets for loan funds because income scale, the greater the comparative they could not run a balanced budget. The and relative tax burden can be. The member only response that members opposite have to for Burke is to be commended for his work any situation is increased government spend- in exposing what is a reality for thousands of ing and increased welfare. This government Australian families. As the member for empowers families and builds a stronger Burke has demonstrated, the reality is that Australian community; it is committed to a the combination of the social security system balanced budget and good economic man- and the taxation system delivers effective agement. Members opposite are purely inter- marginal tax rates higher than those required ested in dragging people down and commit- of, and paid by, the more income wealthy. ting them to welfare outcomes. (Time ex- Low- and middle-income people are the pired) people least able to afford these higher mar- Mr SIDEBOTTOM (Braddon) (4.08 ginal tax rates. In my speech of 5 March I p.m.)—I believe it is a fact that Australia’s specifically targeted the issue of high taxa- top marginal tax rate of 48.5 per cent, includ- tion rates in this country. I said: ing the Medicare levy, is too high and that it … the twin problems of a comparatively low- comes into effect at too low a level. Indeed, I income threshold to enter the highest tax rate would like to quickly demonstrate how tax- and— ing this government is of its citizens. the insidious, all-pervading— Mr Brough interjecting— bracket creep are acting as disincentives for working additional hours. Mr SIDEBOTTOM—So listen up, Min- ister, and you will hear what I have to say. I I also pointed out that Brian Toohey, in his raised this matter in a speech I delivered in major study of the taxation system in Austra- the House on 5 March when dealing with lia and as reported in the Australian Finan- appropriation bills. I said: cial Review on 2 February 2003, concluded that, even on raw numbers, Australia’s top According to a recent KPMG report, Australia is the sixth highest taxing nation, ahead of its major

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15615 marginal rate was on the high side. In the Prime Minister and the Treasurer to look same article, he asserted: positively at tax credits and the support that The real sting is that it cuts in so far down the Minister Abbott has given to Labor’s tax income scale, scooping up another 270,000 tax- credit. Congratulations to the member for payers since July 2000. Burke for highlighting these tax debt traps He went on to substantiate that in more de- that Australian families are now in. tail. My speech of 5 March continued: The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jen- More significantly and compounding this is- kins)—Order! The time allotted for this de- sue— bate has expired. The debate is adjourned the one Mr Toohey reinforced— and the resumption of the debate will be made an order of the day for the next sitting. is the fact that lower income families face effec- tive or marginal tax rates that are almost double Scoresby Freeway those for the highest earners. Whilst there is a Mr BARRESI (Deakin) (4.13 p.m.)—I case to reduce the 47 per cent tax rate, there is a move: more pressing need to tackle the 90 per cent ef- fective marginal tax rates for low- and middle- That this House: income families throughout Australia. (1) recognises: My colleague the member for Burke’s mo- (a) the importance of the Scoresby Freeway tion clearly demonstrates that. It moves that to the people of the East and Southeast the House: of Melbourne and the Federal Government’s continued commitment to (7) calls on the Government to reform the tax, this project; and welfare and family payment systems to avoid the development of poverty traps and disincentives to (b) the inclusion of funding for the work; and Commonwealth’s share of project costs as agreed with the Victorian (8) affirms its commitment to a tax system that is Government in the 2003/04 Federal progressive. Budget; We all know about the family tax grab and (2) takes note of: the problems associated with the administra- (a) the conditions contained in the tion of that. Nobody in this House could Memorandum of Understanding and the deny that. In my speech of 5 May, I said: obligations on the Victorian Government The Labor Party believes that tax credits are the to comply with the agreement; best way to deliver tax assistance to middle- and (b) the payment of funds by the low-income families and to assist in the transition Commonwealth to the Victorian from welfare to work. This was advocated at the Government under the terms of the last federal election and has even been taken up Memorandum of Understanding; and by Tony Abbott— (c) reports that the Victorian Government the Minister for Employment and Workplace was seeking support for tolls on the Relations himself— Scoresby Freeway while publicly as a worthwhile consideration. claiming to be committed to the toll-free condition of the Federal Government It was immediately jumped on by the Prime funding; Minister and the Treasurer. But, unfortu- (3) condemns: nately, those people involved with welfare and welfare organisations supported Labor’s (a) the Victorian Bracks Government for tax credits and said that they wanted the lying to the Victorian people about

CHAMBER 15616 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

supporting a toll-free Scoresby Freeway the promised tollway goes through his elec- prior to the last State election; and torate. (b) ALP members of the Victorian It is unfortunate that we are brought to a Parliament elected under false pretences position where such a motion is necessary. by communities in the East and Last year on 24 September the Victorian Southeast of Melbourne by misleading the people they claim to represent; and Premier, Steve Bracks, on 3AW said: (4) calls on: We’re not going to build projects with tolls, that’s our policy, it has been our policy, no tolls on the (a) the Bracks ALP Government in Victoria Scoresby or Eastern freeways, no shadow tolls— to honour the binding agreement and that’s our policy position. deliver a completed toll-free Scoresby Freeway by 2008 as promised to the All of us, as we sat in our cars along Spring- people of the Eastern and Southeastern vale Road, Whitehorse Road or Burwood suburbs of Melbourne; Highway would have felt a great deal of re- (b) all Victorian Federal and State Members lief and comfort in hearing the Premier make of Parliament to support the honouring such an unequivocal statement. of the Memorandum of Understanding This commitment was echoed throughout between the Commonwealth and the following state election campaign by the Victorian Governments; and Bracks, Batchelor and Brumby cabal. The (c) the Victorian Government to release all voters in the east can still clearly recall documents relating to tolls on the Bracks’ co-conspirators—the newly elected Scoresby Freeway and Eastern Freeway state ALP members—supporting it with their Extension from the time the Scoresby Memorandum of Understanding was statements, their handshakes and their grins. signed by the Transport Ministers. They can still recall the ALP electoratewide mail-out saying that the only threat to a toll- I am very pleased to be able to move the mo- free road was the state National Party. tion that appears in my name today, having ‘Bracks will build it, build it on time and the support in this motion of my fellow Vic- build it without tolls’ was the great claim. I torian colleagues the members for Dunkley am afraid to say that the Bracks ALP gov- and Aston. I know that if we had had more ernment do not know how to deliver any in- time the members for Casey and La Trobe frastructure project on time, on budget or in would also have contributed. All of us have full. But they do know how to deflect atten- for a number of years dedicated ourselves to tion away from their incompetence and how pursuing the matter of a toll-free Scoresby to shift the blame to other parties, making Freeway running from Ringwood in the excuses such as, ‘We can’t deliver Scoresby north to Frankston in the south. For over because of Kennett’s public transport con- seven years we have spoken with one voice tractual arrangements,’ ‘We can’t deliver it on this issue on behalf of the people of the because of the high cost of the Eastern Free- eastern and south-eastern suburbs. We also way extension tunnels,’ and ‘We can’t de- welcome the maiden contribution on liver it because of Canberra.’ It is always Scoresby by the members for Chisholm and someone else’s fault. Well, I say to Bracks, Isaacs. As the federal ALP contemplates its Batchelor and Brumby: if you cannot deliver leadership, it might have been more appro- infrastructure projects on time, in full and on priate for the member for Hotham to lead on budget, then give the game away. Moreover, this issue and pressure his counterparts in I call on Batchelor, if he cannot deliver a Victoria to honour their promise. After all,

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15617 toll-free Scoresby as promised, to hand over support their betrayal by also breaking our the keys to the VicRoads bulldozers, earth- promise. Yesterday, Peter Batchelor, after the movers and graders to a government that can launch of the ‘Scoresby no tolls’ bumper deliver. stickers by my colleague the member for The Bracks betrayal was made on 14 April Aston, called our campaign ‘grubby local 2003. The resulting response from the local politics’. Asking us to break our promise, Mr community has been like no other. Over the Batchelor, is grubby local politics. We are past month and a half, my electorate office— not going to absolve your lack of morality in and I know also the electorate offices of my failing to honour the contract and your prom- colleagues, the members for Aston and ises by doing the same thing. Dunkley—has been inundated with re- And Batchelor is not alone in his deflec- sponses. Thousands of surveys have been tive attempts. As reported in Fairfax’s Ma- returned to my office. Furthermore, signature roondah Journal on 20 May, John Brumby after signature continues to be received via told a business breakfast: petitions. Yet Bracks and Batchelor believe There is no government in Australia that can fund the hard yards have been done and tolls are a project with that type of budget. There just inevitable. isn’t! It is incumbent on me to report to the Why didn’t he tell the public that prior to the House the comments from thousands of an- election? It really does make a mockery of gry constituents in Deakin. The local paper using the public transport contractual ar- has done its own survey and has found over rangements as an excuse. 87 per cent of the public are angry over the As for state Labor member for Silvan betrayal by Bracks and his team of local ALP Province, Carolyn Hirsh, describing the fed- accomplices, headed by Tony Robinson, eral government’s call for the agreement to Dympna Beard, Peter Lockwood and Caro- be honoured as ‘political blackmail’ in the lyn Hirsh. Since the decision was made the Maroondah Leader on 20 May 2003, I find it usually outspoken member for Mitcham, absolutely naive and offensive of Ms Hirsh Tony Robinson, has gone to water on the to make such a claim. She along with her issue. He cannot be found; Tony is missing colleagues sold out the people of the east. To in action. Yet he owes his very existence to a hold a government to its promise is not ‘no tolls on the Eastern Freeway’ campaign blackmail, Ms Hirsh; it is called making you going back to 1999. and your government accountable. In calling We have news for the meek ALP local for our meek acceptance, I fear the Victorian members. In my office alone we have re- government, aided and abetted by its federal ceived over 2,600 pieces of correspondence members up here in Canberra from the east- and over 2,000 signatures on a petition de- ern suburbs, are missing the point. This mat- manding that Bracks honour his agreement ter is not debatable. An agreement was struck with the people of the east. There is no between the federal and Victorian govern- greater issue on the lips of those in the east ments in October 2001. No amount of heavy- and south-east of Melbourne than the broken handed tactics can stem the rage about that promise of tolls. Scoresby and roads remain broken agreement. four of the top 10 issues in my constituency. Even as recently as last week, Peter Bracks and Batchelor now want us, the fed- Batchelor, the Minister for Transport, had a eral members and the federal government, to series of meetings with local councils, pres-

CHAMBER 15618 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 suring them to desist in their opposition. He ALP members: if you want a chance of hold- visited four councils—Maroondah, Yarra ing your seats next time round, don’t invite Ranges, Knox and Frankston—to read them Batchelor to your electorates in the eastern the riot act. ‘Come aboard or we’ll play hard suburbs. ball on future funding,’ was the implied The Commonwealth has an agreement. threat from Batchelor. No wonder councils More than that, it signed a contract with the such as Whitehorse Council have been state. In years gone by, a mere gentleman’s scared off, fearing a possible loss of road handshake stood in the place of a signed le- funding. gal agreement. These days we reinforce the The MOU clearly outlined that the road gesture with documents, memorandums of running from Ringwood to Frankston would understanding and the like. But to Bracks, not be tolled. The Commonwealth has ad- Batchelor and company, this was still not vanced funds and made the forward estimate enough. They have shown their contempt not for the allocation of its $445 million share of only to the federal government but to the the cost of the project. In anticipation, the motorists and public of the eastern suburbs. Commonwealth forwarded close to $25.3 As simple as it sounds, as in any other com- million for the environmental preliminary mercial context the Commonwealth is legally studies to be carried out along the site. I un- empowered to enforce the conditions of the derstand a further $63 million has been allo- contract. As a leader of the alternative gov- cated in this year’s budget. I congratulate the ernment and as a member for an electorate federal government for its consistent support affected by the tollway, the member for of this project and note that the Treasurer, Hotham owes it to the Australian public to Peter Costello, has once again allocated make sure that those sorts of contracts be- funds in the forward estimates. This is lead- tween federal and state governments are ership from the Liberal federal members of honoured. He owes it to his constituents to parliament for Victoria. We have not seen stand up and insist that Bracks honour the that same level of leadership from those contracts with us. members from the ALP who are affected by For Steve Bracks and Peter Batchelor to this freeway. be talking about the hard decisions is an ab- In contrast to this solid commitment by solute joke. If I can paraphrase another fed- the federal government, I well remember the eral ALP leader: this is a toll we had to have. flag-waving publicity stunt by Peter But we will not be laughing on the night of Batchelor at the start of the geotechnical bore Tuesday, 10 June. On that night a second drilling in Ringwood just prior to the elec- public meeting has been organised to follow tion. On the site, I confronted him on the the one that was organised by the member state’s financing arrangements. He reassured for Aston. I have invited the state Labor MPs me in the presence of other witnesses that a to come along to the Karralyka Centre in report would be due soon and would not in- Ringwood to justify their about-face and ex- clude tolls as an option. ‘Slippery Pete’ is plain why they sold out their constituents. how we know him out in the east. All I can Honour is an important element in public say to him is, ‘You poked the people of the life. The decisions we make should reflect east in the eye over the Nunawading by- our character. We want a toll-free road. (Time election scandal and you’ve come back for a expired) second poke. There won’t be a third.’ In fact, I have some gratuitous advice for local state

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15619

The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jen- Monash and Whitehorse—have all said that kins)—Is the motion seconded? the freeway is needed and needed now. It Mr Billson—I second the motion and re- recognised that reducing other services was serve my right to speak. not on—that schools and hospitals, for ex- ample, are critical to the wellbeing of people Ms CORCORAN (Isaacs) (4.23 p.m.)— and not to be toyed with. It made the very Let us get a few facts about this issue on the sensible judgement that tolls on the new road table. The vast majority of people and busi- would allow the new road to go ahead with- nesses in the south-east of Melbourne want out cutting into other critical services. the Scoresby Freeway, or the Mitcham- Frankston freeway, built. The cost of this It is time that other issues were also rec- huge project will be about $1.8 billion. The ognised. A large part of the reason for the federal government has committed to $445 unexpected budget situation was the collapse million—less than a quarter of the project’s of the private consortium’s involvement in cost. The state government has committed the public transport system. National Express the balance of $1.4 billion. walked away from their contractual obliga- tions because they could not sustain the costs A little while ago the Victorian govern- involved. They talked about losses of hun- ment was faced with a difficult choice. The dreds of millions of dollars. The National budget situation had changed dramatically Express contract was negotiated and signed from the position the government was in off by the previous Liberal Kennett govern- when it committed itself to the $1.4 billion ment—a government that had an obsession for the Mitcham-Frankston freeway. A large with the notion that anything in the public part of the change in circumstances was due sector was done in a second-rate fashion and to the sudden withdrawal of National Ex- that the private sector could do everything press from the public transport service. The better. The private sector occupied an almost Victorian government was forced to sud- god-like status in the eyes of the previous denly find $1 billion to keep the public state government and, worryingly, the private transport system operating. The Victorian sector occupies that status in the eyes of the government’s choice was between continu- present federal government. This glorified ing its commitment to the Mitcham- private sector experiment just did not work Frankston freeway and reducing services in and the present Victorian government has other areas, changing the way it funded the been left to pick up the pieces. The next freeway or not proceeding with the freeway thing to recognise is that, in picking up the at all. pieces and making the best decision it could, Faced with this awful situation the gov- the Victorian government did not walk away ernment took the best decision it could. It from explaining itself. It did not talk about told the Victorian community what had hap- core and non-core promises; it stood up and pened and apologised for not being able to explained the situation. It did not back away meet the freeway commitment. The Victorian from the tough decision and it said sorry. government recognised several things in the This is a refreshing change from what we process. It recognised that the people and have seen here in the federal parliament. businesses in the south-east of Melbourne While I am on my feet I want to put on re- wanted the freeway. It recognised that local cord my support for the City of Greater Dan- governments all along the route—Frankston, denong’s plea for the South Dandenong by- Kingston, Greater Dandenong, Casey, pass. I urge that, in the negotiations for the

CHAMBER 15620 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 contract to build the freeway, room or oppor- gest that there is any sort of comparison to be tunity is left to make some change to what I made there. They stooged the voters of the understand are the present plans around southern and south-eastern suburbs of Mel- Dandenong. I ask that the minister seriously bourne and then had the gall to promise sev- consider altering the present plans to remove eral hundred million dollars more for a by- the full diamond from the interchange of the pass ring-road around Geelong. So bereft freeway at Cheltenham Road. Instead, a half were they of a commitment to the Scoresby diamond should be built, with the opportu- Freeway that they junked that, trashed their nity to build a run onto the freeway in what no tolls promise and then went off and prom- will become the Dandenong bypass. Essen- ised to spend money somewhere else. It is an tially this means a road connecting Chandler appalling example of how the people of the Road to the South Gippsland Highway. This eastern and south-eastern suburbs have been would mean that traffic would not congest let down by Labor. The ALP have recklessly Cheltenham Road through Dandenong— played with the future of our community and already a difficult situation—and it would its citizens, displayed a breathtaking indiffer- allow easier access to the freeway for traffic ence to their aspirations and traded on the to and from further out—namely from areas hopes of ordinary people, their communities in the City of Casey. I do not support this and their trust, for the grubbiest of short-term motion. political gains. Labor lied. This much is un- Mr BILLSON (Dunkley) (4.28 p.m.)—I contested by anybody. Labor lied, and they wholeheartedly support this motion and I am have disadvantaged our community because appalled that my adjoining colleague chose of it. to talk about something other than the most There is no single endeavour that will en- significant infrastructure issue facing the hance the viability, vitality and living stan- community that we represent. The Scoresby dards of our region more than this project. Freeway was a promise—a promise made in Let me remind people why Scoresby matters good faith, one had hoped, by the Bracks and why a toll-free Scoresby is the way to go government, but as time has gone by we forward. The Scoresby corridor contains up have found that it was not made in good faith to one-third of the population of metropoli- at all. Unlike what the member for Isaacs tan Melbourne. Up to 50 per cent of Mel- tried to suggest, the same crowd that were in bourne’s manufacturing and production ac- government before the election were in gov- tivity is located in the Scoresby corridor, ernment after the election. If anybody was to producing a major source of exports for Aus- know about the state of finances of Victoria tralia and an annual turnover of $35 billion. it was them. They were there; they were not The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. I.R. deceived like the Howard government was Causley)—Would the member for Dunkley when Minister Beazley in the former Keating remove the sign that he is holding? government said before the 1996 federal Mr BILLSON—Certainly. The project, election that the budget was in surplus—and when factored into a general equilibrium it was $10½ million in deficit. There were model of the Victorian economy, is estimated not challenges like that. This was grief all of to boost GDP by $400 million per year and their own making. add 0.3 per cent to Victoria’s rate of growth. The people that were guiding the Victo- It links the centres of Frankston, Dandenong, rian government were the same people be- Knox and Ringwood. Why does that matter? fore and after, so it is arrant nonsense to sug-

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It matters for a range of reasons. For the tolled the Scoresby Freeway, the net eco- community that I represent—and, in fact, in nomic benefits would be neutral or negative. the area represented by the member for It is forecast that 55 per cent of the Isaacs—there are 450 hectares of vacant in- Scoresby traffic will not use the freeway if dustrial and commercially zoned land wait- there is a direct toll. That was the advice ing to be developed. That land is waiting for given to the state and federal members of the investors: why don’t they come? They do not Labor Party, but they still went ahead. Why come because the transport network is cac- do they hate our people in this part of the tus. It is not up to it, and they go and invest world? Do they know that more than 55 per elsewhere, disadvantaging our community cent of our people are from two-car families, and leaving that land just sitting there vacant. because they need cars to get to school and We are crying out for some decent links to educational institutions and to leisure activi- ports, airports and interstate highways. The ties? Why do they so hate the residents of the picture is clear, it is plain and it is simple for south-east and the eastern suburbs of Mel- everybody to see. Three-quarters of all tour- bourne where 80 per cent of travel under- ists coming to Greater Frankston and to the taken by women is in cars? What is wrong Mornington Peninsula come from the with women in cars? The ALP hate our Scoresby catchment. It is a project that all community. They have let them down appall- the councillors had road trains up to Can- ingly, and they knew what they were doing. berra talking about, all saying, ‘Feds, where They got the advice from respected transport is your money?’ We put $445 million in real economists, they understood the implications money on the table, while we heard about of tolling Scoresby and they went around fake promises and spin doctoring from the betraying the electorate. They lied and got ALP. I said, ‘I am not convinced that the elected on the back of an electoral fraud. ALP in Victoria are committed to this pro- The DEPUTY SPEAKER—The member ject.’ Didn’t we say that they were behaving for Dunkley will withdraw that comment. as reluctant converts? They have done that You cannot use the word ‘lied’. ever since it occurred. Mr BILLSON—I have used the word Let us talk about this great revelation that ‘lied’ with regard to Scoresby about five all of a sudden there is a problem here. Back times, and no-one has contested it. on 7 July 2000, state and federal Labor Party members of parliament were briefed on The DEPUTY SPEAKER—Not while I Scoresby. They were not only briefed on have been in the chair. Scoresby; they then had the Macquarie Bank Mr BILLSON—My apologies. I with- in a few hours later to talk about it. This oc- draw the comment that the state government curred on 7 July 2000. We have already lied. Everyone knows what happened. heard reports about Transurban being ap- Ms BURKE (Chisholm) (4.33 p.m.)—I proached by the Labor government in Victo- am not here to agree to this motion, nor am I ria to see if they would cop a toll on here to agree to the words that the member Scoresby. We have heard about how the for Dunkley has just spoken. However, I am RACV was approached. This is a stooge that pleased to have the opportunity to address was a number of years in the making, and it the House on the important issue of the is just unbelievable that the Labor Party Scoresby Freeway and the actions of the Vic- could say that it is anything different. They torian state Labor government in construct- were told back on 7 July 2000 that, if you ing this important infrastructure. It is a road

CHAMBER 15622 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 the community want to see built as soon as vital infrastructure for political gain. I want possible, and the community are pleased that to bring a couple of facts before the House. they will finally see it built after years of The Commonwealth government has already empty Liberal promises, empty Liberal breached the memorandum of understanding stunts. Let us talk about stunts. Let us talk with the Victorian government by never about standing out there with people and ads. committing 50 per cent of the government’s There is, I believe, genuine recognition in contribution to the road. The preamble to the the broader community, the Victorian par- MOU reads: liament and this parliament about the impor- ... that the Federal Government will contribute tance of the Mitcham-Frankston freeway. 50% of Government contributions to the con- Unlike my colleagues opposite, I have not struction costs of the Freeway. The Victorian had one phone call to my office concerned Premier, the Hon Steve Bracks MP, has commit- about the tolling of this road—not one. It is ted Victoria to fund 50% of Government contribu- tions for the construction cost of the Freeway. just a pity that, when it comes to this road, the federal government has only ever played Despite knowledge that the Scoresby portion politics. It has played politics with this im- of the freeway will cost $1.3 billion, the fed- portant infrastructure that will facilitate eco- eral government has committed only $445 nomic growth in the east and south-east of million. That is only 37 per cent of the cost, Melbourne. not 50 per cent. The Victorian state govern- ment is committed to building this road The recent history of this project is very while the federal government just plays poli- simple. We only need to remember the poli- tics. The communities to the east and south- tics played in the Aston by-election and what east of Melbourne understand that the con- was done by the Liberal government there. struction of this vital infrastructure is in the Let us not talk about who plays politics with interests of their local economy and the this road. The Victorian government have economy of Victoria as a whole. These are committed to the project but, due to the out- facts that are not disputed by anyone. rageously incompetent administration by the previous government of the public transport It is instructive to see that mayors of the system, the government have been forced to local municipalities that will be affected by turn Scoresby into a toll road. This has cost the Scoresby Freeway all want to move for- the Victorian government politically, but it is ward and ensure that the road is built. May- a cost they have borne. They have borne it on ors whose municipalities are contained the chin and they have had the guts to say within Chisholm and those for the cities of sorry, unlike the Liberal federal government Monash, Whitehorse and Kingston have all about the numerous promises it has broken. spoken of their wish for the road to be con- structed. The Mayor of Monash has said: But it is a measure of the Victorian gov- ernment’s commitment to the road that it has ... we want this freeway built now and we want it built right, and we will work with the government gone ahead, has been open with the commu- to get the best outcome for Monash. nity and is going to build the road. This is in stark contrast to the federal government, The Mayor of Whitehorse has said: which, rather than having acted in the inter- Council looks forward to continuing opportunities est of Victorians—who will benefit from the to meet with the government and work together economic growth that this road will facili- on getting the road built. tate—has at all turns attempted to exploit this And the Mayor of Kingston has said:

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The Mitcham-Frankston Freeway is essential for lose his livelihood as a tradesperson because the economic development of this region and for he will need to use this new tollway and it is this reason we welcome the Government’s un- going to cost him an enormous amount of equivocal commitment to the project. money. The road will be built. The Victorian gov- So I think, firstly, that is the issue that has ernment is committed to it; local communi- been forgotten—the actual impact that it is ties are committed to it and the only level of going to have on the lives of families that government that continues to play politics live up and down the Scoresby corridor. It is with this road is the federal government. The that impact that concerns me. How are these federal government is prepared to play poli- families and these small business operators tics with this road: the money has suddenly going to be able to run their businesses and disappeared. The time for games and politi- go about their normal daily activities and cal stunts has passed. It is time for the How- afford to pay the tolls being imposed on the ard government to park the political band- freeway? wagon and to help to drive this project with the Bracks Labor government for the benefit The second point that is very important to of the eastern and south-eastern suburbs of remember is that we hear a lot from our La- Melbourne and for the economic develop- bor colleagues about the fact that we want ment of the area that everybody recognises is this road to go ahead. That is not in question. important. It will come with the development Everybody wants this road to go ahead. It is of this road. not a matter of whether or not the road should go ahead. Of course, everybody Mr PEARCE (Aston) (4.38 p.m.)—It is wants the road to go ahead. That is not what my great pleasure to rise in the House today we are talking about. What we are talking to support the motion put forward by the about is a point of principle: it is a point of member for Deakin. From the outset I would doing what is right versus doing what is like to say that we have heard a lot of discus- wrong. You can hear a lot of debate about sion in this place about the Scoresby Free- this issue but at the end of the day the Victo- way but it seems to me that there are a cou- rian state government went to an election and ple of key issues that are quite often forgot- they promised me, my wife, my family, my ten. I think the most important thing to bear next door neighbours, the people across the in mind is that as a result of the Victorian street from where I live and the people that state government’s decision the losers are the operate their business next to my electorate community. It is the people who live and office—they promised each and every one of work within the corridor that lose out from us—that they would build the Scoresby this decision. It seems to me that we hear a Freeway. lot of talk about a lot of things, but unfortu- nately the Victorian state government do not Mr Pyne—They were lying. seem to understand the impact that this deci- The DEPUTY SPEAKER—The member sion is going to have on people. Yesterday, for Sturt will withdraw that comment. when I launched the Scoresby ‘No tolls’ Mr Pyne—I withdraw it. bumper sticker campaign in my electorate Mr PEARCE—Now they have decided there was a person that stopped on Ferntree to impose tolls. Before you start talking Gully Road and was interviewed by one of about the ins and outs and what happened on Melbourne’s TV stations. That person was this date and so forth, the fundamental point saying that he is very concerned that he may is that it is an unprincipled action on their

CHAMBER 15624 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 part. It is unprincipled and it should not hap- lege. On 12 February 2002, the Leader of the pen. Opposition had this to say: Ms Ellis—You’ve never seen broken I believe we have to improve the standards of this promises on your side. place and I admit that I have been part of the problem in the past ... I am prepared to turn over a Mr PEARCE—We hear a lot about bro- new leaf ... ken promises and so forth from the other side. All I can say is that since I have been He has not so much turned over a new leaf as the member for Aston there have been no polished his switchblade and driven it into broken promises in Aston. When I ran for the the standards of this place. Last week in par- Aston by-election, I promised the people of liament, the Leader of the Opposition en- Aston that I would work hard to see the gaged in over-the-top attacks on the Gover- Scoresby Freeway built. I then ran 17 weeks nor-General and the Prime Minister, using later in the general election and I promised language that even he did not understand. He that again. If the state government and the accused the Governor-General of moral tur- federal opposition think that I am going to do pitude. When asked on the ABC’s Lateline what they did and break my promise to the program on 26 May by the host, Tony Jones, people of Aston, I am not going to. It is a whether he knew what it meant, he could not serious issue: it is an issue that the people of tell the interviewer, even though he was the outer eastern suburbs and southern sub- given the opportunity on five separate occa- urbs of Melbourne will have to sustain for 30 sions. or 40 years. My young son will be almost my So we had the Leader of the Opposition age by the time these tolls are supposedly calling the Governor-General depraved, withdrawn. He will be an adult with his own wicked, base and shameful, when he did not family and he will still be paying tolls on the even know himself what he was doing. It Mitcham-Frankston tollway. This is the was an extraordinary example for the Leader wrong decision, it is unprincipled, it is un- of the Opposition to give. What hope do we necessary and the state government could do have for standards in this place and for the it a different way. (Time expired) misuse of parliamentary privilege if that is The DEPUTY SPEAKER—The time al- the example that the Leader of the Opposi- lotted for private members’ business has ex- tion gives his frontbenchers and backbench- pired. The debate is interrupted in accor- ers? Not much, judging by the activities of dance with standing order 104A. The debate some other members of the opposition. is adjourned and the resumption of the de- The member for McMillan, in his maiden bate will be made an order of the day for the speech, said of Liberals, ‘What can you ex- next sitting. pect from a hog—except that it will grunt?’ GRIEVANCE DEBATE That was in the maiden speech by the mem- ber for McMillan. The member for Question proposed: Grayndler shouted, ‘Sieg Heil!’ at another That grievances be noted. MP in this chamber. His hypocrisy is vomi- Parliamentary Debate tous. Listen to what he had to say in his Mr PYNE (Sturt) (4.43 p.m.)—I grieve maiden speech, quoting Martin Luther King: for the standard of parliamentary debate and There is no progress in hate ... like an unchecked disavow the abuse of parliamentary privi- cancer, hate corrodes the personality and eats away its vital unity. Hate destroys a man’s sense of values and his objectivity.

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Well said, but unfortunately he is not practis- Canberra Times, Kerry Packer, Tony Staley, ing what he preaches. And this week and last Tony Abbott, Andrew Parker and the entire week, we have seen the member for Reid and Liberal Party in general. It is quite a list of the member for Lalor’s disgraceful, low at- people who cannot defend themselves that tempt to smear the minister for immigration. the member for Werriwa has slandered in this But the worst follower of the Leader of place. the Opposition’s example is the Mohammed Outside parliament, he has plenty to say Saeed al-Sahaf, or ‘Comical Ali’, of the par- about his own colleagues—Laurie Ferguson, liament, the member for Werriwa. Like Martin Ferguson and particularly the man he ‘Comical Ali’, he is very quick to shoot his calls ‘knucklehead’, Kevin Rudd. But I di- mouth off with rhetoric, but the rhetoric does gress. not match the record. I have known and The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. I.R. watched the member for Werriwa for 10 Causley)—The member for Sturt will refer years in this place, and there was a time to members by their electorates. when he revelled in having considered, Mr PYNE—The member for Werriwa thoughtful debates outside the square and in and I regularly appear on the Lateline pro- making useful suggestions. Some of them gram on the ABC, and as a consequence I am were quite good ideas. He should return to no stranger to his style. As he himself said in those days when he gave considered the House of Representatives on 23 Septem- speeches about policy issues; he would do ber 2002, ‘I am not adverse to a bit of mus- himself a lot more good. He is letting himself cling up.’ But how true is that? Bob Carr down, he is letting his party down and he is offers us an insight in the new book by letting this parliament down by engaging in Marilyn Dodkin, Bob Carr: the reluctant his self-described ‘maddie’ behaviour. leader. When the member for Werriwa was How mad is that ‘maddie’ side of the dudded for preselection in the safe New member for Werriwa? Only last week, he South Wales seat of Liverpool, Bob Carr was glorifying the assault on the Treasurer wrote in his diary: by Red Bingham when the Treasurer was at As soon as I got the news I summoned Peter university. I wonder if taxi drivers do U- [Anderson] and did a news conference in which I turns in Melbourne to avoid Red Bingham boldly endorsed him as my choice. Earlier I’d had like they do in Sydney to avoid the member a phone conversation with Mark Latham, unsuc- for Werriwa. He has slandered, defamed and cessful right-wing candidate and staff member. traduced many good Australians with his He in tears. Hung up on me. He later phoned in to abuse of parliamentary privilege—as well as resign. Bugger him. He failed to do the grassroots the Queen Mother and George W. Bush. He organisation that was necessary for a clear cut, has attacked in this place in the last few unambiguous win. We bled on the canvas for years Malcolm Turnbull, Anne and Gerard three weeks as a result. Henderson, the Sydney Institute, Greg Lind- What? ‘He in tears.’ Did I hear right when I say, Peter Saunders, the Centre for Inde- read it out? So it is true—the member for pendent Studies, Janet Albrechtsen, Piers Werriwa does have a yin and a yang. Obvi- Akerman, Christopher Pearson, Paddy ously, while Balmain boys do not cry, Liver- McGuinness, Andrew Bolt, Brian Toohey, pool boys do! Labor’s self-styled hard man, Miranda Devine, Michael Duffy, Phillip Ad- head kicker and bovver boy is, after all that, ams, Laurie Oakes, Michelle Grattan, Jack really just a bit of a Caramello Koala—soft Waterford, who is the Editor in Chief of the in the centre. By way of contrast, what Bob

CHAMBER 15626 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Carr had to say about the Prime Minister is that, if applications are made to the Privi- also indicative: leges Committee in the future by people who To my intense relief [Howard] says he won’t— feel that their reputations have been tra- cannot—overturn a recommendation of the duced, defamed and slandered by members Grants Commission unless the States are unani- of this House, the Privileges Committee will mous. Strong. Fair. I won’t hear ill of this man. take a much more open-minded view to al- Bob Carr got it right on both points. lowing people to have their stories placed on Parliamentary privilege has a purpose in the record so that they can protect and de- this place. It is designed so that MPs can fend their reputations. If the Privileges raise issues of real concern that they could Committee were to do so, it would send a not otherwise raise without facing potentially clear message to members of this House like expensive legal action. It is not supposed to the member for McMillan, the member for be used to make this place degenerate into a Grayndler, the member for Reid, the member slander house. It has a specific purpose, and for Lalor and the member for Werriwa that the member for Werriwa constantly breaches using parliamentary privilege as a weapon to its purpose. The member for Werriwa, ironi- attack one’s colleagues was not what parlia- cally, has himself written about raising the mentary privilege was intended for in the standards of public life and of his dedication first place and that parliamentary privilege to ethical ideals. I wonder if he would be so has been seriously undermined by the actions courageous if the Privileges Committee of of some of our colleagues in recent years. this House actually facilitated members of Families: Living Standards the public to use the right of reply that was Ms LIVERMORE (Capricornia) (4.52 granted to them in 1997 under the changes to p.m.)—I would like to use this debate today the standing orders that we passed at that to speak up for the increasing number of time. Under those changes, members of the Australians who are finding life more and public can apply to the House to have their more difficult, particularly those bringing up side of the story placed on the public record. our nation’s children. Every new set of statis- Since 1997, how many do you think have tics you read tells you that inequality is applied and been granted permission by the growing in this country. Whether you are Privileges Committee? Not one has been talking about absolute income figures or granted permission by the Privileges Com- relative positions, the gap between the rich mittee to appear and have their side of the and the rest of the community has deepened story placed on the record in the Hansard. In and widened in recent years, and the Howard the Senate, it is commonplace; in this place, government seems more than happy to let it the Privileges Committee has never let it keep drifting. The figures are mind-boggling. happen—not once. If you are doing well in this country, you are I know that some of the people whom the doing exceptionally well. member for Werriwa has sullied in this place The annual incomes of the top five per would like the opportunity to respond and to cent of earners in Australia are roughly apply to have their story recorded in the equivalent to those of the entire bottom 40 Hansard, but they do not do that, because per cent. The wealthiest five per cent of Aus- they do not see any point, because they think tralians have enjoyed a 28 per cent jump in the Privileges Committee will not allow it, their earnings over the past five years—an since the record is zero since 1997. I hope increase of over $31,000 a year—yet this

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15627 government has the gall to walk into the In- are now 1.2 million salary earning house- dustrial Relations Commission each and holds suffering financial stress. Eighty-seven every year and oppose a wage rise for the per cent of the additional jobs created in the lowest paid workers in this country. High- 1990s paid less than $500 per week. Cur- income earners are doing all right out of this rently, 28.6 per cent of Australian households government; they get their private health earn under $500 a week. There are 800,000 insurance rebate, millions of dollars for elite children growing up in families where nei- category 1 schools and the baby bonus. If ther parent has a job. Nearly one-third of our you are a seriously wealthy but failed execu- work force are casual employees. Behind tive, you get a 30 per cent subsidy on your those statistics are real stories, real lives and golden handshake. You have to hand it to the real people who are being denied the oppor- Howard government: they look after their tunity to make the most of their lives and the own. Meanwhile, those on the wrong side of lives of their children. As their representa- the divide, those on minimum or even aver- tives in the federal parliament we are not just age wages, the unemployed and the disabled, along for the ride as this country plots its see their chances of a decent life, let alone course. We have to be prepared to take a cer- their dreams of a better life, disappear as the tain measure of responsibility for every kid services they rely on—state schools, public who could not afford to go on a school ex- hospitals, bulk-billing doctors and employ- cursion today and for every parent who had ment services—fall apart under a govern- to make a choice between taking their child ment that does not know about hardship and to a doctor and buying them school books. does not care. Make no mistake—that is what is happening I believe that we are at a crossroads in our in households every day. country’s development. We have to ask our- In its submission to the Senate Commu- selves: do we want to pay lip service to the nity Affairs References Committee inquiry principle of egalitarianism that has defined into poverty in Australia, the Liquor, Hospi- our nation up until now or will we commit to tality and Miscellaneous Workers Union making fairness and equality of opportunity quoted figures from the Australian Bureau of the birthright of every Australian in a mean- Statistics Household Expenditure Survey. ingful and tangible way? Clearly John How- They paint a picture of working families liv- ard and his ministers are not asking those ing on a knife edge: only one medical emer- questions. If they were, surely we would gency or broken-down car away from debt have seen some action by now to address the and despair. One in five working Australians growing levels of financial hardship and ine- cannot go out once a fortnight; over a quarter quality in our community that threaten the of Australians cannot have a week’s holiday stability and cohesiveness of Australian soci- away from home once a year. In any one ety. You have to ask yourself: what are they year, 30,000 low-income working families waiting for? How bad do things have to get? go without meals and one-fifth cannot raise It is not like the evidence of what this is do- $2,000 for an emergency. I will give the ing to families in our community is hard to House an illustration from the LHMWU’s find. submission that describes what that means I will help the government out with some for a family—the stress that comes from re- statistics that show it is no accident that peo- lentless financial pressure and the disap- ple feel they are being left behind. According pointment of not being able to realise the to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, there dreams that you have for your kids. Maria is

CHAMBER 15628 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 a 30-year-old married mother of one son. She family’s circumstances and the struggle they earns $487 per week after tax working in the have to just keep their heads above water. hospitality industry. Her husband is em- Her husband works full time and earns $420 ployed casually and their incomes support per week. He would like to do some over- Maria’s pensioner mother. The three genera- time, but that would make their position tions of the family share a two-bedroom flat. worse in terms of tax and Centrelink pay- In her testimony to the Industrial Relations ments. Sharon has a casual job in the hospi- Commission, Maria said: tality industry, but it is costing them too We would love to buy a house for Martin to have much to run two cars so they are faced with a backyard and if we have any other children. the dilemma of selling Sharon’s car. Of However, based on our current incomes and the course, then they have to do without her in- fact that my husband is not in permanent em- come. ployment, neither of these are likely to happen. With teenage children, food and school I would like to get private health insurance but expenses take up much of the family’s just can’t afford it. My teeth need to be fixed but I budget, so clothes come from St Vincent de am scared to go to the dentist in case it costs a lot of money. Paul or they just do without. There is no money for holidays or treats, and the cost of We try to go on holidays at Christmas time each their children’s ambitions to go to uni is just year but did not go last year because of my hus- band’s redundancy and now being casual he too daunting for her to think about. Sharon doesn’t receive any holiday pay. said to me, ‘We are trying to do the right thing, but we are just getting nowhere.’ I do not save enough money to save anything for emergencies. Each fortnight I go to a loan com- Sharon wants to know that someone under- pany who will cash a cheque before pay day. By stands what her family is going through, that the time I receive my pay it is already half spent. someone is listening and that there is some This is a vicious circle I can’t break. light at the end of the tunnel. The failure of the Howard government to The Labor Party are giving this issue the understand the daily struggle just to get by attention it deserves. We are trying to make that so many people in our community ex- the living standards of Australian families a perience is shameful. In fact, it is more than priority for whoever governs this country. shameful; it is criminal. The hardship being We have initiated the Senate’s inquiry into experienced by so many Australians is not poverty and financial hardship that is right the result of carelessness or neglect on the now exposing what life is really like for part of this government; it is the direct and working families and the unemployed in our inevitable result of this government’s poli- community. It is a long way from the relaxed cies—policies that have seen an explosion in and comfortable vision that the Prime Minis- low-paid, casual and short-term jobs and that ter promised seven years ago and it con- at the same time have eroded universal ser- demns his government’s failure to provide vices, such as health and education, that used support for families in the crucial areas of to provide Australians with security, oppor- job security, health, education, housing af- tunity and dignity regardless of their income. fordability and savings. This speech came about as a result of a That support will come from the kinds of conversation I had with a woman who lives initiatives that the Australian Labor Party is in Yeppoon in my electorate. I will just call developing—things like our plan to restore her Sharon. Sharon came to tell me about her bulk-billing, matched savings accounts, in-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15629 come tax credits that are properly integrated true is that the style of parenting does not with the social security system so that people cause autism. The latest research indicates are rewarded for work and not penalised, that about one person in 100 has an autism and, of course, our ongoing commitment to spectrum disorder ranging from very mild to the living wage. In his recent budget speech, profoundly impaired. The way that each per- the Treasurer committed $100 million to the son is affected and the extent of that effect job of rebuilding the country of Iraq. That differ between individuals. That is why au- might be the government’s priority, but we in tism is sometimes so very difficult to under- the Labor Party are firmly focused on the job stand and to manage. of rebuilding a fair and just Australia. Autism is lifelong. There is no cure, al- Autism though with early diagnosis and intervention, Mrs HULL (Riverina) (5.01 p.m.)— appropriate therapies and educational pro- Today I rise in the House to congratulate An- grams you can make significant progress. drew Brien and his organising team for a Yesterday we heard of the milestones chil- very successful conference on autism that dren had reached, making significant pro- was held here in the ACT yesterday at the gress in their lives. People had thought that a National Convention Centre. This is the first child might never speak; now the child is time a conference such as this has been held reading fluently. Under so-called normal cir- outside a major city. It enabled parents, prac- cumstances, we might take it for granted that titioners and departmental people to share a child may be able to just get on and ride a information and to network. It gave parents bike without trainer wheels. Once this mile- the opportunity to just share with somebody stone is achieved in an autistic child, it is as who understands. It also gave them the op- though he has climbed Mount Everest. One portunity to access factual information that is person commented that when Hillary reliable and is able to be acted upon. It was climbed Mount Everest it was groundbreak- also great to see some of the departmental ing, but every day there is an achievement in people in attendance, particularly those from the life of an autistic child is a milestone for Family and Community Services, in order them and their parents. that they could understand the confronting At the conference, I heard of issues asso- issue of autism. ciated with the difficulties that families face I attended the conference for a very short in their role as parents and the way in which time but, whilst I was sitting there, I hap- they are confronted with personal situations. pened to be in the segment with the dads of Dealing with autism can impact on a family’s autistic children. I was absolutely in awe of lifestyle and their ability to hang together as those fathers—who were there to openly and a family. One area of concern is that, in some honestly discuss the issues—and in awe of areas, it is reported that about 80 per cent of the courage that it took to come forth with families go through a marriage break-up due honesty on their children’s behalf. That was to the inability of one or both partners to inspiring to me. cope with the very trying and restrictive case management issues involved. The cause of autism is not known. There are many theories about it. There does not As a child grows older, impairments that appear to be a single cause, but it is now he or she may have had usually diminish thought that in a number of cases there may with appropriate therapy and educational be some sort of genetic component. What is intervention. However, the impairments will

CHAMBER 15630 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 always exist to some extent. A person with people say and mean, especially when refer- autism will always need some form of assis- ring to more abstract concepts. tance, depending upon their level of disabil- While some autistic people can speak ity. People with autism vary enormously in fairly well, other sufferers may have a very terms of their personalities, intelligence lev- limited ability to speak, despite having nor- els, skills, behaviour, ability to interact with mal intelligence as measured by non-verbal others and ability to participate in the world tests. Learning at school may be limited around them. At the conference it was clearly unless the type and extent of the communica- pointed out that, should you have an external tion difficulties are identified and there are and physical disability such that your behav- precise strategies put in place tailored to the iour is not so-called ‘acceptable behaviour’ specific needs of that child to help him or her in the community’s eyes, it is acceptable. It understand instructions and move forward in is acceptable if a child has a physical look a learning capacity. Regarding social skills, that may suggest that there is something people with autism or Asperger’s syndrome wrong with the temperament or the health of have significant difficulties in forming rela- that child. Because autistic children are gen- tionships with other people. Of course this is erally perfect looking little children and have a terribly tiring and demanding role for the no appearance of any kind of disability, soci- parents. As I said, I cannot help but come ety does not expect them to behave in the back to the commitment of those parents—it way that they sometimes cannot help behav- is absolutely outstanding that about 180 peo- ing. It is less acceptable for them. Yesterday, ple attended the conference. I heard issues raised by dads saying that in Autistic people struggle to understand so- some areas they had been confronted with cial rules governing relationships and inter- people saying, ‘Either you smack that child actions—rules that everyone else takes for or I’ll smack that child.’ They are some of granted as normalcy. As a result, they can be the difficulties that some of these families unresponsive to, or reject, attempts by others are confronting. to interact with them. This leaves families Other obvious difficulties are that it is totally isolated and, indeed, the isolation can very hard for families to keep relationships also impact on the sufferer of autism. If there going with their friends. If your child is not is no adult help given, an autistic child re- behaving in what we call a socially accept- mains isolated from all people. Other chil- able way, it is very hard for people to under- dren give up trying to initiate interactions stand—it is very hard for people who are not and play, both in the classroom and in the absolutely committed to the care of an autis- playground. I am aware that that is some- tic child to cope with it. People with autism times confusing for children who attempt to have significant difficulties in communicat- undertake friendships with autistic children. ing with other people. The type and extent of These little children cannot understand the the difficulties varies widely. While I was at divergence of attitudes of an autistic child, so the conference yesterday I realised that not they find they question themselves and are every autistic child excels in maths or is a upset with their relationship with their friend genius in some other area such as we might and not able to understand it. It does not just see depicted on television or movie screens. impact on the families; it impacts on the The fact is that their difficulties vary widely. friends of those autistic children and their They generally have difficulty in expressing families as well. themselves and in understanding what other

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15631

People with autism have very inflexible failed to respond to the very limited recom- behaviour and a very restricted range of in- mendations of that whitewash inquiry. terests and activities. They like to follow Mr Anthony—You wanted to break it up! exact daily routines and they may be highly The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr attached to seemingly ordinary objects, such Causley)—Order! The minister will resist as stones, and insist that these always be car- debate. ried with them. Sometimes it is hard for the general public to understand these issues. I Mr TANNER—Senator Alston has been would like to point out that autism is a disor- to cabinet three times with proposals about der. Yes, autism can be improved with early those responses, and three times he has been intervention, but it is a lifelong illness. It knocked back. Thousands of workers are requires the understanding of governments, being sacked by Telstra as the network the understanding of departments—(Time crumbles. IT capacity is being outsourced to expired) India, so we will see several thousand work- ers lose their jobs and the IT heart of Austra- Telstra: Telecommunications Infrastruc- lia sent over to India. Capital investment is ture continuing to decline and, of course, Telstra Mr TANNER (Melbourne) (5.11 p.m.)— has lost billions of dollars in Asia. Line This evening I am going to outline to the rental fees are up. They were $11.65 only House the extraordinary recent track record three years ago and now they are heading of the world’s worst ever communications towards $30 per month. According to recent minister, Senator Alston—the man who is in estimates, that is reaping Telstra upwards of charge of major institutions and critical poli- $200 million a year in extra revenue, even cies and who has managed to mangle every- after you take into account reductions in call thing he has touched. From Telstra to the costs that are very minor. ABC, from digital to broadband, from the We still have inadequate competition. Tel- ACA to the ABA: everything he has touched stra still totally dominates the market. That is has turned into a disaster. He has left a why we are falling behind the rest of the swathe of disasters in his wake. world in broadband. When I first took over Under his administration, Telstra has been this portfolio about 18 months ago, Australia a catalogue of complete disasters. The net- was 13th in the world and not doing very work is crumbling with gas bottles being well. We are now 21st in the world under used all around the network to prop up the Senator Alston, and yet he refuses to take air pressure for temporary fixes. The gel that any action about this and as yet, again, there was applied to improve the network has is no response to the report of the Broadband turned into a disaster. There are figures about Advisory Group. While all of this has been network reliability that are almost as good as happening, the Telstra share price has plum- Saddam Hussein-like plebiscite figures. The meted. It actually went below $4 not so long government has responded to the concerns ago, in part because of the bumbling incom- about communications in regional Australia petence of the minister and the way he dealt by having its own inquiry headed by a mate with a number of issues in Telstra, including of the Deputy Prime Minister and a member his stunt of calling an inquiry that he then of the National Party, Mr Estens. That was cancelled the day before it was due to com- seven months ago, yet the government has mence and announcing major regulatory

CHAMBER 15632 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 changes to the competition regime without Kroger, a notorious political head kicker and consulting Telstra. close mate of the Treasurer, and Ron Brun- We have also seen in recent times expo- ton, an ideological zealot whose credentials sure of some aspects of Telstra’s behaviour for being on the ABC board were described that really do defy description: plasma TVs by the minister as ‘he has actually written worth $15,000 to $20,000 being provided some things that the ABC covers in its pro- free of charge for months to both the Prime grams’—some record justifying appointment Minister and the Minister for Communica- to the board. Their appointment of Donald tions, Information Technology and the Arts McDonald—an appointment that they to keep them all cosy and comfortable with thought was going to be a means of bringing Telstra—which they are supposed to be ad- the ABC to heel—blew up in their face be- ministering—stadiums being named with cause he turned out to be a man of integrity, Telstra’s name and brand at a cost of around a true conservative and a defender of the $70 million over 10 years; huge corporate ABC. They have tried to turn the ABC into a entertainment bills; and, the most recent out- Liberal Party branch meeting. rage, the disclosure that the Telstra CEO, if Now the inadequate funding of the ABC is he is sacked for nonperformance, will benefit all coming home to roost. The two digital to the tune of over $1 million in redundancy channels, which were a small but significant payouts—a great reward for failure. To top it part of a very limited digital rollout in Aus- all off, T3—the full privatisation of Telstra— tralia, have collapsed because of inadequate which this government has been trumpeting funding. We have seen the ABC unable to as a key agenda item for this parliament, has extend its metropolitan and major provincial been deferred until 2005-06. The end result: city services—like Radio National, Triple J, a disaster on every front. Classic FM and NewsRadio—to many other Believe it or not, this minister for commu- regional areas. The latest disaster in this cata- nications has actually got everything wrong. logue of disasters is the full-on attack on the He has got wrong every single issue that you ABC that the minister launched last week, can name with respect to Telstra policy and with an absolutely ludicrous dossier that telecommunications policy. Is there anything would have taken hours and hours of work in at all going right? The answer is no. This is his office, going through transcripts on AM truly a unique record throughout the world. seeking to prove the ABC’s reporting of the He is the Wile E. Coyote of communications. war was pro-Iraq and anti-American—anti- He has an inexhaustible supply of Acme dy- American, mind you, not anti-Australian— namite and he is busily, bit by bit, applying it when this reporting was very similar in tone to every aspect of telecommunications pol- and content to the reporting of the war of icy. major reputable news organisations around the world. It is a similar story with the ABC. This government and Senator Alston, as the min- The minister sought to establish that the ister, started by slashing funding to the ABC ABC is biased. What he has in fact estab- in a full-on brutal assault back in 1996, and lished is that he is seeking to turn the ABC subsequent funding increases have essen- into a Liberal Party propaganda arm. The tially been with strings attached for political minister is spending all his time and all his purposes. They have attempted to stack the energy not on a response to the Estens report ABC board, appointing people like Michael about regional telecommunications and not on getting Australia back in front—back to

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15633 its world leadership role—in broadband, mercial media and totally dominate public where it should be, but on attacking the ABC debate and public expression. But he wants because he wants to nobble it, cripple it and to do it in a totally convoluted and shambolic turn it into a propaganda arm of the Liberal way: a notion of editorial separation where Party. He is the Mohammed Saeed al-Sahaf we would have to have editors in various of Australian politics, the ‘Comical Ali’ of media outlets, with organisational charts, communications—ranting nonsensically flowcharts and diagrams being scrutinised by while everything collapses around him. some sort of government agency—an abso- On digital TV we have had a datacasting lutely ludicrous proposition which has auction that failed, two channels that ended rightly been condemned by the Press Council up nowhere, and high-definition television as an attack on freedom of speech. going nowhere—he has had to change the But where is this issue? It was the first is- rules on that several times. The minister for sue that was raised after the November 2001 communications supported multichannelling, election. It was the first issue that emerged in but nothing has happened. He has gone to public debate after that election and it is still cabinet a couple of times and sought to get in the Senate. I will make a prediction now: multichannelling for the commercial net- when this parliament is dissolved, that matter works, and that has got nowhere. Now, of will still be in the Senate. And he has not course, contrary to his statements, the minis- even gotten round to the issue of the deregu- ter for communications has had to suffer the lation of Australia Post. But we can rest as- indignity—which he was warned about on sured that he will get around to that. That is several occasions—of the ABC cancelling its on his agenda, and he will muck that up too. digital multichannels. Only 50,000 to 60,000 It is time that ‘Digital Dick’ was put out to digital units have been taken up by consum- pasture. He has been angling for a diplomatic ers around Australia. The digital rollout was appointment for years. For the sake of Aus- proceeding at an absolute snail’s pace; now it tralian consumers, for the sake of the Austra- is in reverse. Now Australia is gloriously lian information economy, for the sake of heading back to the world of analog. The Australian communications networks and for digital rollout that this minister set in place the sake of Australian democracy I beg the five years ago is now heading in reverse. Prime Minister to appoint him High Com- Cross-media ownership—the most outra- missioner of Botswana as soon as possible. geous attack on democratic institutions that (Time expired) this minister for communications has been Drugs: Medicinal Marijuana responsible for—has been a catalogue of Mrs GALLUS (Hindmarsh— disaster and difficulty for him. First he could Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for not get his proposal through his own party Foreign Affairs) (5.21 p.m.)—Today I want room—he could not get it through the Na- to address an issue that has bedevilled gov- tional Party—and then he was unable to get ernments and societies since 3000 BC. But it on the Notice Paper, so he had to go first of all I dedicate this grievance debate through a special motion in the chamber just speech to an 83-year-old friend of mine who to get the matter on the Notice Paper. And believes that smoking marijuana would re- now, of course, he cannot get it through the lieve the pain associated with his prostate Senate. He wants to abolish the cross-media cancer and would alleviate the debilitating ownership laws so that we can have two or pain suffered by his 80-year-old wife, who three people dominate completely our com-

CHAMBER 15634 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 has arthritis in her leg, her hip, her hands and America have guidelines which allow medi- her feet—in fact in all her joints. Currently cal use, and I believe several more states are he clearly does not have access to marijuana looking at this. In 2001 Canada declared that and he is not sure where to go for it or what the medical use of marijuana would be al- its legal status is were he to acquire it. lowed. We know the situation in the Nether- On that basis I had a look at the legisla- lands where you can get it in a coffee shop. tion. Not surprisingly—or perhaps surpris- Both the American and British medical asso- ingly, depending on which way you look at ciations have recommended clinical trials of it—it differs between the states. In New smoked marijuana for a variety symptoms. South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia This brings me to what has brought this and Tasmania it remains a criminal offence debate up, other than my elderly friend: the to possess marijuana. In Queensland you can New South Wales Premier declaring that he get two years imprisonment for having mari- would consider the medical use of marijuana juana—and I am not talking about large in the state of New South Wales. I am no amounts; I am talking about amounts less great fan of the Premier of New South than 50 grams—and/or a $60,000 fine. In- Wales; however, I think at this time he has deed, you can actually get up to 15 years made a good move. He says: imprisonment in Queensland. In New South After a long period of careful deliberation, the Wales and Western Australia it is a $2,000 Government now intends to establish a medicinal fine and/or two years in jail. In Tasmania it is cannabis scheme in New South Wales. a $5,000 fine and/or two years imprison- … … … ment. In Victoria, South Australia, the Under the proposal … patients will be able to Northern Territory and the ACT the posses- access cannabis through a new Office of Medici- sion of a small amount of marijuana is a less nal Cannabis to be established within the New serious offence and no conviction is recorded South Wales Department of Health. unless the fine is challenged or not paid. In While we can say that is an excellent move Victoria the fine is $500, in the Northern Ter- forward for the people of New South Wales ritory it is $200, and in South Australia and who are in pain or are suffering from AIDS the ACT it is between $50 and $100. So you or any other of those wasting diseases which can see why my 83-year-old friend and his marijuana has been shown to help, again it wife are somewhat confused as to the status adds to the confusion facing my elderly and what would happen to them if they could friend and his wife because they are in Victo- get a hold of marijuana. ria and this will not apply to them. The current statistics on use are not good However, it is a move that is being echoed in Australia but the best surveys that we have around the world. I refer to the Institute of come up with so far indicate that 33 per cent Medicine, a United States organisation which of people have used marijuana in Australia. was recently asked by the White House to That compares very closely to the levels in have a look at the use of marijuana for medi- the United States—32 per cent in the States cal purposes. The recommendations of this have used it. The US has some very good highly prestigious and conservative organisa- surveys, and that figure has come up over tion include that trials for patients with de- and over again. Of that 32 per cent who have bilitating symptoms, which includes pain and used it, five per cent indicated that they are vomiting, be allowed under much the same current users. Moving from that to medical way that has been suggested by New South use, eight states in the United States of

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15635

Wales if there has been a failure of all ap- study which for seven years followed 1,600 proved medication to provide relief and this Australian school pupils aged 14 to 15. Daily is documented and if the symptoms can rea- cannabis use was associated with a fivefold sonably be expected to be relieved by the increase risk of depression at the age of 20. marijuana; that such treatment would be sub- Weekly use was linked to a twofold increase. ject to medical supervision; and that an over- I know that there have been other studies that sight strategy would have to be put in place. have questioned those findings; however, the That seems to be a highly reasonable way of fact that they did find this is quite disturbing. looking at the situation and it is from an or- Similarly, a study in the UK evaluated data ganisation that can hardly be called left of over 50,000 Swedish conscripts and found wing. that those who used cannabis by the age of However, I would be doing the IOM an 15 were four times as likely to have a diag- injustice if I suggested that they said there nosis of a minor schizophrenic disorder by were no problems with it. They have looked the time they were 26. at a number of problems. On dependence, It is because of these figures that the they basically dismissed the argument that, if Prime Minister has expressed cautious ap- people are allowed to go on marijuana, they proval of the move in New South Wales. The will become dependent on it. They said there Prime Minister has said that he would cer- was no physiological reason why this should tainly look at permitting the medical use of be so. Indeed the figures in the Netherlands marijuana but not if it involved smoking the would also indicate this. Although marijuana drug. However, I would like to make a plea is legal there, the incidence of using mari- for the elderly people in the community who juana is no greater than in the United States. have chronic pain, who cannot have it re- There is also the argument that it could be lieved any other way and who would enjoy used as a gateway drug to heroin, but in the the social aspects of sitting down in their Netherlands the incidence of young people own home to smoke marijuana once or twice moving on to harder drugs is 0.3 per cent a week to relieve their pain. In this case we compared to 1.7 per cent in the United cannot be looking at the long-term effects States, where marijuana is banned. There are that it has on young people nor at the effects good reasons for dismissing those two argu- of tobacco smoking—which we all know of ments against the use of marijuana for medi- and would not want to encourage in the cal purposes: one, it is a dependence drug, younger members of our community—but at because it is not, and, two, that it is a gate- the effect marijuana has on those who are way drug, because it is not—although clearly chronically ill or elderly and for whom it is people who have used harder drugs have highly appropriate. (Time expired) started off using marijuana. Health: Mental Illness Having removed those two arguments Ms BURKE (Chisholm) (5.31 p.m.)— against the medical use, two very important There is a cry for help in my constituency—a arguments remain—that is, the arguments in loud cry, which unfortunately is echoed in regard to schizophrenia and the smoking of every other electorate represented in this marijuana, as it is similar to the smoking of House. It is an agonising cry for help from tobacco. I will firstly address the issue of those who, in most cases, are least able to schizophrenia. There have been three studies seek help for themselves either from unnec- lately that have looked at marijuana smoking essary embarrassment or simply from the and schizophrenia. One was an Australian

CHAMBER 15636 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 inability to do so. It is a desperate cry that, if such a label just cloaks the disease with in- made, often falls on deaf ears or, if heard, correct and unwarranted negativity. often is ignored due to fear or lack of under- A publication more deserving of mention standing. A cry, even if it is made on some- and one which should be praised has recently one else’s behalf, still brings an unwanted been released by one of my constituents—a stigma from those in our society who are remarkable person, indeed. In his book You unable or do not want to understand. are not alone: a sane guide to mental illness The group within our society I refer to are for children, 15-year-old Dan Halloran aims those in our community, our neighbourhood, to help young people who have a parent or our street or our family who suffer from family member with a mental illness. Dan’s mental illness. Mental illness will affect one mother, Virginia, who sadly passed away last in five adult Australians a year. That is a year and to whom the book is dedicated, suf- staggering 20 per cent of all Australian fered from schizophrenia. Although a loving adults. They will suffer from schizophrenia, and dedicated mother, her behaviour was at bipolar disease, depression, anxiety or Alz- times unpredictable and necessitated her be- heimer’s disease—just to name some of the ing separated from Dan at an early age. In more common forms of mental illness. Aside his book Dan and other children in similar from the destructive effects of severe mental circumstances offer advice on how to cope in disorders, what is also frightening is that six such a situation. It is a groundbreaking book per cent of these sufferers will commit sui- that has never been produced before. cide—that is about one in every 17 people Dan’s plight was recently documented in suffering from such an illness compared to the ABC program Australian Story. I hope one per cent of the population as a whole. people saw it. His spirit, maturity and Sadly, suicide is the main cause of premature strength are truly remarkable, especially con- death amongst people with mental illness. sidering his young age. He has had the cour- What is also tragic about mental illness, age to use what were personal and hurtful which I alluded to in my introduction, is that experiences to help others in similar situa- it carries with it a real stigma. Although it is tions and not to be frightened by what might a disease like any other—diabetes, asthma or be said of him or his family by an ignorant even heart disease—sufferers are given little minority. Dan and John Halloran are remark- sympathy or support; rather, they are labelled able people, and I wish them well in their life with derogatory names and cruel titles. Many journey. times, if a sufferer is fortunate enough to Ignorant people exist in all levels of soci- have close family, the stigma extends to ety and include, I am embarrassed to say, them as well. even those in this very House. I was abso- I recently took great offence and objection lutely stunned recently when I heard the when I read an article in a major national Minister for Immigration and Multicultural newspaper that referred to a serial killer as and Indigenous Affairs, Philip Ruddock, say ‘the Schizo’. This not only offends sufferers in an interview that he did not think depres- and their families; it also propounds any sion was seen as a mental illness by the misgivings about the disease and shows the broader community. This was in response to ignorance and irresponsibility of the news- a question on whether he was concerned that paper. It has taken many years to bring men- DIMIA does not currently classify depres- tal illness out of the darkness, and to use sion among detainees as a mental illness.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15637

One cannot help but wonder in which mil- having real monetary investment. That lennium Minister Ruddock lives or, possibly means raising mental health expenditure to at more pertinent, where he has been hibernat- least 12 per cent of total health expenditure. ing for the past 50 years or so. Depression is This is more than reasonable considering recognised nationally and internationally as a mental health accounts for at least 20 per major mental disorder. Sadly, it is one of the cent of total health costs due to death and most common forms of mental disorder suf- disability. Other First World countries, by fered by our community today. Until Mr comparison, already report spending between Ruddock and others in his position of re- 10 and 14 per cent of their total health ex- sponsibility come to terms with it, they are penditure on mental health. This same report doing nothing—actually, they are doing also notes that 38 per cent of persons with more than nothing: they are doing harm—to mental disorders access care from their GP. raise the awareness and understanding to- This accounts for about 10 million encoun- wards mental illness. Having said that, I ters with GPs per year, a total of about seven must be honest and say that this general in- per cent of all problems managed by GPs. eptitude on behalf of the present Liberal The premeditated and disgraceful decline in government comes as no surprise to me. As bulk-billing orchestrated by the Liberal gov- always, when it comes to helping those who ernment in the latest budget will therefore need it most, this government seems to take place further pressure on this already very perverse pleasure at giving them even less. limited access to basic care services neces- To illustrate what I mean, for the year sary to persons with mental illness. 2000 the Republic of Ireland spent just over Another action the report calls for is real eight per cent of its total health expenditure intent, accountability and national leader- on mental health specific programs and for ship. This means that under the auspices of the year 1999-2000 the UK spent 6.6 per the federal government there needs to be cent of the total UK Health Authority expen- developed an agreement with state govern- diture on mental health. But what about Aus- ments to support and review mental health tralia? This government has the dishonour of reform. However, based on the absolute lack having spent only 3.4 per cent of total health of interest and the arrogance shown by the expenditure in 1999-2000 on mental health. health minister in her dealings with her state Although this figure has recently risen—it is colleagues in the recent past, this will, unfor- a bit sad, really, that it has actually risen to tunately, also be a difficult aim to achieve for 3.4 per cent—it is still pitiful compared to the present Liberal government. what is actually needed in this area. On the subject of the input by the states, I My condemnation is supported by the re- take this opportunity to congratulate the Vic- cent report Out of hospital, out of mind!—a torian state government for its continued ef- report detailing mental health services in fort in this area. Firstly, it should be noted Australia in 2002 and community priorities that the states contribute nearly double the for national mental health policy for 2003- amount that the federal government contrib- 2008. This Mental Health Council of Austra- utes to mental health. Secondly, Victoria is lia report highlights the inadequacy of the the leading state in the extent of structural federal government’s role and its disgraceful reform, with resource distribution greater lack of contribution to this important issue. than all jurisdictions combined. Thirdly, Vic- Of the many recommendations in this report, toria is the top-ranking jurisdiction in the the first action that is noted as necessary is development of disability support services

CHAMBER 15638 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 provided through NGOs. Also very worthy him. We spoke in this House at great length of mention is that the Bracks government is about needing to ensure that that did not hap- funding 25 separate depression research pro- pen again. To ensure that this situation does jects through the Victorian Centre of Excel- not happen again, we on both sides of this lence in Depression and Related Disorders, House need to realise that mental illness is a to the tune of $2.1 million. This research serious issue and accord it the attention it funding is part of the Victorian Labor gov- deserves. ernment’s commitment of $3.5 million per Howard Government: Economic Policy year over five years toward the treatment of Mr RANDALL (Canning) (5.41 p.m.)— depression. It is on the record that one of the issues I am Lastly, and on a local level, I want to committed to is ensuring conditions for the praise the continued work that is being done working poor, particularly for such families by Upton House, a mental illness facility in my electorate of Canning, continue to im- within the Box Hill Hospital, an important prove. By its very definition, the working hospital within my electorate. Their valuable, poor need to work or have a job. These low- hands-on assistance to mental illness suffer- income workers should be able to keep more ers has been and continues to be exemplary of their gross income for their families and and very worthy of mention. themselves. It should not be eroded by a raft In concluding, it is unfortunate yet quite of taxes, charges and economic forces. A apparent that those afflicted with a mental distinction needs to be made between the disorder, unlike others afflicted by other dis- low-income workers of Australia and the eases, receive no sympathy. No-one laughs at welfare mindset. I will indicate how a How- or mocks a person with arthritis or diabetes, ard government has set out to reward these yet a person with a mental illness is very genuine workers and seekers of work. often ridiculed. This needs to stop. We as a As I have said before, there is nothing parliament need to do more. This govern- more upsetting than seeing men and women ment needs to do more. I believe that, as the working long hours to provide a better qual- representatives of all Australians, we in this ity of life and opportunities for their chil- House are given the responsibility to ensure dren, only to sadly observe they are making that all Australians are treated with dignity little headway. For those who genuinely want and respect. We must, therefore, set the ex- to work to improve their lot, the Howard ample by providing these people that are in government continues to introduce measures need and crying out for help with the support to ensure the working poor and low-income and assistance that they deserve and to which earners get to keep more of the money they they are entitled. Regrettably, inaction and earn so they can provide better opportunities comments like those of Minister Ruddock for themselves and their families. I am proud just push this issue back into the Dark Ages, to be part of a government which has intro- where the Liberal government has kept it for duced measures and policies so that low- far too long. income earners retain more of their earnings On the issue of mental illness, I would and have a better ability to use that retained like to commemorate the death of Greg Wil- income for their families. Importantly, these ton, one of our colleagues, who took his own measures also provide greater incentive for life. A mental disorder at the time probably lower income earners to work and to distance contributed to his suicide. The system failed themselves from the welfare system.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15639

There are many ways in which people compared to then. The first home owners who might fit into this category have, di- grant has also enabled many young people rectly and indirectly, been assisted by seven and low-income earners to realise the dream years under the coalition government. Dur- of owning their own home. Without this as- ing this time an extra 1.3 million new jobs sistance, that goal might never have been have been created. A strong economy means achievable. more jobs, and responsible economic man- The coalition has a long history of reduc- agement by this government has helped re- ing income taxes. In 2000, income taxes duce the unemployment rate to around six were reduced by $12 billion a year, and the per cent—the lowest figure since Labor’s replacement of wholesale sales tax by the peak of 10.9 per cent unemployment in De- GST means that those who previously es- cember 1992 when Kim Beazley, now the caped paying taxes now have no option but member for Brand, was minister for em- to pay their fair share of tax. Lower tax rates ployment—from the average unemployment and increased thresholds mean the working rate of 9.2 per cent during Labor’s last two poor are better assisted, because families get terms in office. to keep more of their hard-earned income By their own shadow minister’s admission and also benefit from the increases in family in a speech he gave on 18 March 2003 in the benefits and child-care support. Under the House, under Labor: new tax system, a single-income family on Unemployment is, without question, still one of $38,000 per annum with two young children the greatest policy challenges we face. is over $57 a week better off because of the In contrast, the coalition government has increases in family benefits and annual tax turned this state of affairs around so that em- cuts. ployment has increased to almost 9.6 mil- Low-income earners are also gaining from lion, the highest level ever, and the rate of the government’s commitment to delivering job creation has been nearly three times as real increases in the wages of Australian fast as jobs growth under Labor. Full-time workers and more flexible workplaces. La- jobs have been the coalition’s hallmark. bor’s record in this area is abysmal. Under Since March 1996, full-time jobs have grown Labor, award wages for low-paid workers by 584,900—over 10 times more new full- fell in real terms—a situation Labor minis- time jobs than Labor created in its last two ters publicly boasted about, claiming it was a terms of government. Since the 1996 elec- deliberate economic strategy. During the last tion, the number of unemployed Australians financial year of the previous Labor govern- has fallen by 16.2 per cent to 619,900. The ment, real wages growth was zero. Over the peak under Labor was 934,000 in December life of the much lauded Labor-ACTU accord, 1992—a vast difference. even low-paid workers suffered a five per The working poor and low-income earners cent decline in real wages. Under Labor, the have also benefited from home loan interest number of working poor actually increased. rates which, under the coalition government, The coalition has introduced—and contin- are at their lowest levels for almost 30 years. ues to try to introduce, despite obstruction Home mortgage rates are now at 6.55 per from Labor and the minor parties in the Sen- cent compared to Labor’s record of 17 per ate—workplace relations reform. Despite the cent. This means that the average borrower is interference, the coalition has managed to paying $300 per month less in interest costs create more jobs, better pay and higher pro-

CHAMBER 15640 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 ductivity. For example, Work for the Dole times for families financially follows the opportunities have provided young Austra- birth of a first child, when a family could lians with improved employment prospects lose one of its two incomes for a period. A and delivered better opportunities for over total of 118,000 Australians received the 215,000 participants. A study into Work for baby bonus payment. The vast majority of the Dole has found that job seekers who have payments—$31.4 million, which is 82 per participated in this program have a 76 per cent of the total of $38.2 million—went to cent better chance of finding jobs than those people with taxable incomes of less than who have not. Labor intends to scrap this $20,000. I believe the opportunity exists in program. the future for corporate Australia to put in Mandatory literacy and numeracy testing place programs addressing incentives for in schools will provide all children in their families in the workplace. formative years with the best possible start The sad fact is that there will always be by working to improve their ability to read, people who fall through the cracks through write, spell and acquire basic maths skills, marriage breakdown, financial hardship or ultimately leading to better job prospects any number of contributing factors. While all later in life. And the 30 per cent private Australians would agree that a safety net health insurance rebate has made private should exist to provide for these people in health insurance more affordable, and more hard times, the government makes no apol- than one million Australians on incomes of ogy for trying to reduce dependence on the less than $20,000 per year have taken out welfare system or for introducing policies private health cover—so it is not for the rich. that strengthen the importance and wellbeing The coalition recognises that nearly 70 per of the family structure. The working poor cent of Australians do not go on to higher must be given the opportunity to make in- education and has revitalised the vocational roads and to provide for themselves and their education and training sector so that there are families. All of the initiatives I have spoken now more than twice as many apprentice- about give them an enhanced opportunity to ships and traineeships as there were under do just that. Labor. During the last two years of the Labor The Labor Party have sat in opposition for government, apprenticeships and trainee- seven years and while they profess to cham- ships as a proportion of the working age pion the cause of the working poor—and I population declined to the lowest level for have heard a number speak in that vein to- two decades. New apprenticeships have day—no-one else has a clue what their poli- more than doubled since the years when the cies are about or what they stand for. It is just Labor Party were in office. There were empty rhetoric. They say that they are in fa- 367,800 new apprentices in training in Sep- vour of Medicare, but they propose tax rises tember 2002—compared to 135,000 under in order to provide this support. They will Labor in 1995—which represents an increase increase taxes on a mother giving birth to her of 13 per cent from the previous June and is first child by abolishing the baby bonus, and more than double the 1995 numbers; a com- they will abolish the private health insurance mendable record. rebate. The price tag with Labor is always Low-income families have also profited the same: higher taxes. This is further borne through this government’s baby bonus. This out by the comments of Senator Conroy. initiative recognises that one of the hardest When caught out by a young school student asking how Labor would pay for their initia-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15641 tives, he said they would have to raise taxes But what did Hans Blix say in his reports? or scrap programs. (Time expired) He described the extent to which the inspec- Iraq tions had been made, the actions that had been taken and the fact that nothing had been Mr JENKINS (Scullin) (5.51 p.m.)—My found, and he asked for more time. At no grievance today relates to the situation we time did he say that his job was complete. At confront in post-conflict Iraq. There has been no time did he indicate that; in fact, he said an eerie silence on this since this parliament the work needed to continue. But what was reconvened for the budget session; in fact, the cry in return? The cry was that it was up there have been only two speeches in this to Saddam Hussein to ensure that there was place devoted directly to Iraq and the conse- no conflict in Iraq by destroying the weapons quences of the conflict. If you compare this of mass destruction, whilst at the same time to the two lengthy debates the House held on the message coming out of Iraq was that they the ministerial statements of the Prime Min- claimed not to have those weapons. ister in the autumn session, you will see how ironic the silence is. It is as if the job were all So it is very important to note that the over—all finished. We have had the Prime Prime Minister’s February statement, espe- Minister’s ministerial statement, we have had cially, was totally devoted to the connection a reply by the Leader of the Opposition and of Iraq with weapons of mass destruction and as yet we have had only incidental references with terrorist actions. In his March statement to Iraq in the budget debate. the rhetoric of the Prime Minister was still about WMDs—weapons of mass destruction. The two issues I go to today are the credi- But, following the decision to deploy Austra- bility of the reasons for the deployment of lian troops to the Middle East, slowly but troops and the incursion into Iraq by the coa- surely there was a subtle change in the way lition of the willing, and the lack of a credi- in which the case for that deployment was ble program in post-conflict Iraq for winning presented in this place. We all remember that the peace. There has been plenty of discus- day after day dorothy dixers were asked of sion—and in recent times the amount of dis- the Minister for Foreign Affairs about human cussion has become even greater—about the rights abuses by Saddam Hussein’s regime. It fact that the weapons of mass destruction was never in question that some of the things which were used as the reason for a potential Saddam Hussein had done during his reign in UN action against Iraq have not been found. Iraq—the way in which human rights were We remember the debates here in which the abused—were things that we would like to Prime Minister, supported by the Minister have seen wiped out. But that was not given for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for De- as the reason for Australia’s involvement fence, said on the basis of intelligence re- with the coalition of the willing in the con- ports from both the United Kingdom and the flict in Iraq. United States that it was imperative that Aus- tralia be involved in an action to remove It strikes me as strange that, even in the weapons of mass destruction from the hands aftermath, there has been no debate about the of Saddam Hussein and the regime that was reasoning behind our involvement, because then in control of Iraq. the way in which the decisions were made to involve Australia in this conflict are sure to Much of this discussion was on the basis form the basis for future decisions about dif- that the inspection team, UNMOVIC, set up ferent conflicts. There is no doubt that the by the United Nations was not doing its job. United States itself has given no indication

CHAMBER 15642 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 that it is not determined to follow this up of the conflict. That is a sad thing, because with incursions into other regimes. The doc- the winning of a peace in the Iraqi situation trine of pre-emption is there; it is written in is going to be difficult. It is something that history. That is the problem. The Australian we should be concentrating on; it is some- public, in the context of Australia’s involve- thing which we should be seeing our way ment, needs to be sure that the basis for deci- clear to attain. There are reports that the in- sions made by the Australian government is cidence of diarrhoea and cholera in Basra are credible and is of sufficient strength to re- even higher than normal, and that is of con- quire placing the lives of our troops on the cern because the chain of supply of medi- line. cines is being disrupted by looting and other It almost goes without saying that all Aus- problems. If we look at the repair of impor- tralians are proud and thankful that the Aus- tant infrastructure, we see that as quickly as tralian troops that were deployed to Iraq and it is repaired somebody goes around and the Middle East and were involved in the pulls it apart. As these things are happening conflict have returned home safely. We ad- in Iraq today, we need to concentrate more mire the fact that they did the tasks that were on our efforts to ensure that the humanitarian given to them by the government with great needs of the Iraqi people are addressed. diligence and efficiency. But, having said We should also be looking at putting in that, I do not wish to see them placed in a place structures so that there is a sustainable similar situation on the basis of information administration to replace the discredited that now seems to be at least a bit flaky. That Saddam Hussein regime. This is important, is the debate we have got to have. I have said and it will not be decided by military might. all along that on a number of these questions Perhaps the winning of the conflict was the I hope to be proven wrong. The fact that we easy part, because the technology was there. may be proven right about the doubtful na- Now we have inspectors still looking for ture of the way in which we got involved is those weapons of mass destruction, and we cause for a great deal of disquiet. It has been remember that UNMOVIC, at the time of its said that the term ‘WMDs’ should mean not last report, had something like 86 inspectors, ‘weapons of mass destruction’ but ‘words of at a maximum. There is now a 14,000-person mass deception’. That is what we have to Iraq Survey Group. Some 300 of those are avoid in future. inspectors; the rest will be interrogating peo- I turn in conclusion to post-conflict Iraq ple who have been captured as part of the and the difficulties that we see. Next week it conflict. I hope that they find more evidence will be two months since the American ma- than two empty containers that might have rines rolled into Baghdad. It is two months been used as laboratories, because it is im- next week since the visions of the toppling of portant that a decision by a government to the statues of Saddam Hussein were heralded deploy troops into a conflict be on a better as a conclusion, heralded with great recep- basis than we saw over the last few months tion by the Iraqi people. But the truth behind in the run-up to sending troops to Iraq. It is those scenes is a much different picture. If important that, in future, the Australian peo- you look at reports that are coming out of ple are treated with a great deal more trust Iraq at present, you see the difficulties. There about information—that we are not at the are some estimations that there are more vic- mercy of spin doctors who try to create a tims of looting, by gunshots or stabbing, in situation that is out of all proportion to the hospitals in Iraq now than there were victims realities. I hope that the debate will be held, I

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15643 hope that the truth will be known and I hope Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2003-2004 that the Australian public can have greater Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2003-2004 confidence in our decision makers. (Time Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) expired) Bill (No. 1) 2003-2004 The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. L.R.S. Question agreed to. Price)—Order! The time for the grievance MIGRATION LEGISLATION debate has expired. The debate is interrupted AMENDMENT (PROTECTED and I put the question: INFORMATION) BILL 2002 That grievances be noted. Report from Main Committee Question agreed to. Bill returned from Main Committee with MAIN COMMITTEE amendments; certified copy of the bill pre- The DEPUTY SPEAKER (Hon. L.R.S. sented. Price)—I advise the House that the Deputy Ordered that the bill be considered forth- Speaker has fixed Tuesday, 3 June 2003, at 4 with. p.m., as the time for the next meeting of the Main committee’s amendments— Main Committee, unless an alternative day or hour is fixed. (1) Clause 2, page 1 (lines 7 and 8), omit the clause, substitute: BILLS REFERRED TO MAIN 2 Commencement COMMITTEE (1) Each provision of this Act specified in Mr LLOYD (Robertson) (6.03 p.m.)—by column 1 of the table commences, or is leave—I move: taken to have commenced, on the day That the following bills be referred to the Main or at the time specified in column 2 of Committee: the table.

Commencement information Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Provision(s) Commencement Date/Details 1. Sections 1 to 3 and The day on which this Act receives the anything in this Act not Royal Assent elsewhere covered by this table 2. Schedule 1, items 1 to 5 The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent 3. Schedule 1, items 5A to The day after this Act receives the Royal 5D Assent 4. Schedule 1, item 6 The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent 5. Schedule 1, item 6A The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent 6. Schedule 1, item 7 The day on which this Act receives the Royal Assent

CHAMBER 15644 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Commencement information Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Provision(s) Commencement Date/Details 7. Schedule 1, item 8 The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent 8. Schedule 2 The day after this Act receives the Royal Assent Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally passed by the Parliament and assented to. It will not be expanded to deal with provisions inserted in this Act after assent.

(2) Column 3 of the table is for additional intelligence in a foreign country or a information that is not part of this Act. part of a foreign country. This information may be included in 5D Subsection 503A(9) (definition of any published version of this Act. gazetted agency) (2) Schedule 1, page 4 (after line 10), after Repeal the definition, substitute: item 5, insert: gazetted agency means: 5A At the end of subsection 503A(8) (a) in the case of an Australian law Add: enforcement or intelligence body—a Note: This section is specified in body specified in a notice published Schedule 3 to the Freedom of by the Minister in the Gazette; or Information Act 1982 with the (b) in the case of a foreign law effect that documents enforcement body—a body in a containing information foreign country, or a part of a protected from disclosure by foreign country, that is a foreign this section are exempt country, or part of a foreign country, documents under that Act. specified in a notice published by 5B Subsection 503A(9) the Minister in the Gazette; or Insert: (c) a war crimes tribunal established by Australian law enforcement or or under international arrangements intelligence body means a body, or international law. agency or organisation that is (3) Schedule 1, page 11 (after line 26), after responsible for, or deals with, law item 6, insert: enforcement, criminal intelligence, 6A After section 503C criminal investigation, fraud or security Insert: intelligence in, or in a part of, Australia. 503D Details of gazetted agency to be treated as protected information 5C Subsection 503A(9) (1) If section 503A or 503B applies to Insert: information communicated by a foreign law enforcement body means a gazetted agency to an authorised body, agency or organisation that is migration officer so that the responsible for, or deals with, law information cannot be divulged or enforcement, criminal intelligence, communicated except as provided for criminal investigation, fraud or security in sections 503A, 503B and 503C, then sections 503A, 503B and 503C apply

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to similarly protect the agency’s details with before the commencement of from being divulged or communicated this item; and as if the details were the information (d) agency details in relation to communicated by the agency. protected information given to an (2) A reference in subsection (1) to authorised migration officer before agency’s details is a reference to any the commencement of this item if, information in relation to the gazetted after the commencement of this agency including the agency’s name item, the details or information and the conditions on which the becomes either: communication of information by the (i) the subject of a request for access agency occurred. under the Freedom of (3) In this section: Information Act 1982; or gazetted agency has the same meaning (ii) the subject of a process for the as in section 503A. production of documents. (4) Schedule 1, page 12 (after line 4), at the end (2) In this item: of the Schedule, add: process for the production of 8 Application—section 503D of the documents includes discovery and a Migration Act 1958 subpoena for production of documents. (1) Section 503D of the Migration Act protected information means 1958 applies to: information that is: (a) agency details in relation to (a) communicated to an authorised protected information if the migration officer by a gazetted information is given to an authorised agency on condition that it be migration officer on or after the treated as confidential information; commencement of this item; and and (b) agency details in relation to (b) relevant to the exercise of a power protected information given to an under section 501, 501A, 501B or authorised migration officer before 501C. the commencement of this item if: (5) Page 12, (after line 4), at the end of the Bill, (i) the details or information is the add: subject of a request for access Schedule 2—Amendment of the Freedom under the Freedom of of Information Act 1982 Information Act 1982; and 1 Subsection 38(2) (ii) no decision under the Freedom of Omit “Where”, substitute “Subject to Information Act 1982 in respect subsection (3), if”. of the request has been made, or has been taken to be made, 2 At the end of section 38 before the commencement of this Add: item; and (3) This section applies in relation to a (c) agency details in relation to document so far as it contains personal protected information given to an information about a person if: authorised migration officer before (a) the person requests access to the the commencement of this item if document; and the details or information is the subject of a process for the (b) disclosure of the document, or production of documents that has information contained in the not been completed or complied document, is prohibited under

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section 503A of the Migration Act gazetted agency has the meaning given 1958 as affected by section 503D of in subsection 503A(9) of the Migration that Act. Act 1958. 3 Schedule 3 Question agreed to. Insert in its appropriate alphabetical Bill, as amended, agreed to. position, determined on a letter-by-letter basis: Third Reading Migration Act 1958, section 504A as Miss JACKIE KELLY (Lindsay— affected by section 503D of that Act Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minis- 4 Application ter) (6.04 p.m.)—by leave—I move: (1) The amendments made by this That this bill be now read a third time. Schedule apply to a request for Question agreed to. access to protected information made under the Freedom of Bill read a third time. Information Act 1982: CUSTOMS AMENDMENT BILL (No. 1) (a) on or after the commencement of 2003 this Schedule; or Report from Main Committee (b) before the commencement of this Bill returned from Main Committee with- Schedule if no decision under the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in out amendment; certified copy of the bill respect of the request has been presented. made, or has been taken to be made, Ordered that the bill be considered forth- before the commencement of this with. Schedule. Bill agreed to. (2) In this item: Third Reading protected information means: Miss JACKIE KELLY (Lindsay— (a) information that: Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minis- (i) is communicated to an authorised ter) (6.05 p.m.)—by leave—I move: migration officer by a gazetted agency on condition that it be That this bill be now read a third time. treated as confidential inform- Question agreed to. ation; and Bill read a third time. (ii) is relevant to the exercise of a power under section 501, 501A, CUSTOMS TARIFF AMENDMENT 501B or 501C of the Migration BILL (No. 1) 2003 Act 1958; and Report from Main Committee (b) the agency details in relation to the Bill returned from Main Committee with- protected information. out amendment; certified copy of the bill (3) In the definition of protected presented. information in subitem (2): Ordered that the bill be considered forth- agency details has the meaning given with. in subsection 503D(2) of the Migration Act 1958. Bill agreed to. authorised migration officer has the meaning given in subsection 503A(9) of the Migration Act 1958.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15647

Third Reading Bill read a third time. Miss JACKIE KELLY (Lindsay— MARITIME LEGISLATION Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minis- AMENDMENT (PREVENTION OF ter) (6.06 p.m.)—by leave—I move: POLLUTION FROM SHIPS) BILL 2003 That this bill be now read a third time. Report from Main Committee Question agreed to. Bill returned from Main Committee with- Bill read a third time. out amendment; certified copy of the bill presented. NATIONAL HANDGUN BUYBACK BILL 2003 Ordered that this bill be considered forth- with. Report from Main Committee Bill agreed to. Bill returned from Main Committee with- out amendment, appropriation message hav- Third Reading ing been reported; certified copy of the bill Miss JACKIE KELLY (Lindsay— presented. Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minis- Ordered that the bill be considered forth- ter) (6.09 p.m.)—by leave—I move: with. That this bill be now read a third time. Bill agreed to. Question agreed to. Third Reading Bill read a third time. Miss JACKIE KELLY (Lindsay— APPROPRIATION BILL (No. 1) 2003- Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minis- 2004 ter) (6.07 p.m.)—by leave—I move: Second Reading That this bill be now read a third time. Debate resumed from 29 May, on motion Question agreed to. by Mr Costello: Bill read a third time. That this bill be now read a second time. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LAWS upon which Mr McMullan moved by way AMENDMENT BILL 2002 of amendment: Report from Main Committee That all words after “That” be omitted with a Bill returned from Main Committee with- view to substituting the following words: out amendment; certified copy of the bill “whilst not declining to give the Bill a presented. second reading, the House condemns the Government for: Ordered that the bill be considered forth- (1) its obsession with shifting the cost of health with. and education from the budget to Australian Bill agreed to. families; Third Reading (2) imposing higher costs of doctors’ visits on Miss JACKIE KELLY (Lindsay— families without concession cards and a 30 per cent hike in essential medicine prices; Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minis- ter) (6.08 p.m.)—by leave—I move: (3) allowing HECS fees to rise by 30%, introducing a loan scheme with a 6% interest That this bill be now read a third time. rate and doubling the number of places Question agreed to. reserved for full fee paying students;

CHAMBER 15648 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

(4) its cynical attempt to distract the public from Four years ago this squandering Treasurer these higher costs by offering miserly tax promised that this very budget would be in cuts of $4 a week for the average family; surplus by $14.4 billion. Where has the sur- (5) its failure to address the complexity of plus gone? I have heard just about every sec- superannuation and its determination to offer ond member on the other side, when they got super cuts only to the wealthiest families; up to discuss this squandered budget, say, (6) its willingness to deliver tax cuts to corporate ‘We’ve had a terror campaign to wage, and Australia while imposing a record tax burden we’ve had a war to wage,’ as my colleague on Australian families; and friend the member for Scullin just al- (7) its failure to protect the superannuation luded to. Let me tell you that that has not savings of Australian families by protecting squandered $14.4 billion. Despite this being them from corporate greed; the highest taxing government ever in Aus- (8) its decision to hire yet more tax officials tralian history, today’s figures show a surplus rather than take steps to ease the BAS of just $2.2 billion—not $14.4 billion but compliance burden on small business; and $2.2 billion. Not all of it has been spent on (9) its failure to provide leadership on fighting terror and a war in Iraq; it has been environmental issues and in particular its squandered on political decisions to buy failure to address water reform”. votes. Mr SIDEBOTTOM (Braddon) (6.10 On the budget’s prediction of an average p.m.)—I was impressed by the member for four per cent wage increase, a worker earn- Scullin’s comments in the grievance debate ing $40,000 today will, after 12 months, pay today, particularly in relation to what has $480 more in tax on their income, yet they happened to the weapons of mass destruction will be rewarded with only a $208 tax cut. and the reasoning that was offered in terms That is a fact. The government is returning of why we participated with the forces of the much less in tax cuts than it has taken coalition of the willing in the invasion of through bracket creep. That is a fact. The Iraq. However, we are here to discuss appro- smallest tax cut—that is, just $4 a week— priations and Appropriation Bill (No. 1) goes to families earning $30,000 to $50,000 2003-2004. Not being an economist but a year. someone who is very interested in matters of the Treasury and how they affect my com- What do families have to look forward to munity on the north-west coast of Tasmania from this budget? Most families will pay and King Island, since 1998 I have had to try more for a trip to the doctor. Most families and assess the import, intentions and out- will pay more to educate their children. The comes of various budgets by the current tax changes will still leave average families Treasurer. My assessment is that the Treas- paying tax of more than 60c for each addi- urer is a squanderer. He has squandered a tional dollar earned, and they will reduce massive surplus over these years. It was a benefits. Contrary to the comments made by surplus squeezed out of Australian families a previous speaker, the member for Canning, and workers by a variety of means—the that this government assists families to get GST, the insidious bracket creep, the $3 bil- out of debt traps and poverty traps, the facts lion worth of additional levies that face Aus- speak for themselves—the government does tralians through increased costs, massive not assist families. When families move into service shedding, asset sales and increased higher income tax brackets the government pay as you go user-pays services. will tax them—gleefully take that tax and offer them $4 a week in return. That is the

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15649 fact. What does the budget offer to the ma- lovely system—‘and, I’ll tell you what, we’ll jority of struggling families in my electorate do it in the name of choice.’ People on low on the north-west coast of Tassie and King income do not have choices. Secondly, it will Island to cope with these increased costs and make our society less fair as it imposes a charges? Do not hold your breath, Mr Dep- pay-as-you-go user-pays system based on the uty Speaker—it is a whopping $4. We on all ideological hoax of providing so-called sides of this House will receive more. How is choice and market force delivery. The long that fair, equal and equitable? Yet they are overdue but wimpish tax cut in this budget the words that this government used to jus- will do nothing to take away from this tify me getting a larger tax cut than those on Treasurer’s record as the highest taxing incomes much lower than mine. Treasurer in Australia’s history. Australian families have worked hard to On the government’s own figures, tax make this economy strong, and the Howard revenue will surge from $159.8 billion in government has failed to repay them for their 2002-03 to $166.5 billion in 2003-04. More efforts. Each of the government’s hits to than three-quarters of this extra revenue grab Medicare, education and family tax benefits will be from extra tax on individuals. This is on its own will far outweigh this miserly tax before considering the GST. Once the cut. The $4 a week tax cut will be swallowed GST—that is, $32.1 billion in 2003-04—is up over 12 months by just five visits to a added back in, as the government’s two fi- doctor who does not bulk-bill. These are the nancial watchdogs, the Auditor-General and same families this government wants to slug the Bureau of Statistics, say it should be, the an extra $5.50 every time they buy essential real tax take is $198.6 billion. The highest medicines. These are the same families that, taxing government in Australia’s history has due to the government’s insidious clawback, offered the smallest tax cut in Australia’s will get, on average, $400 less in family tax history. benefits than was promised this financial So where has this historic high tax take year by the government. These are the same gone? It has been little more than squan- families that this Treasurer and those oppo- dered. The hoax of all this is that the tax cut site expect to pay more in HECS or to take is so miserable it does not even give back the out loans to pay for their education and their bracket creep of $3.3 billion that the gov- children’s education. These families face up ernment is harvesting this year. Fewer than to $32 a week in increased HECS debts and 10 per cent of taxpayers will face a lower up to $125 a week in education loan repay- marginal tax rate because of these threshold ments. These are the same families that will changes. Clearly, this Treasurer is the highest not be eligible for a health care concession taxing Treasurer in Australian history. He for bulk-billing and that will be required to remains the only Treasurer in our history to pay more for a visit to the doctor. collect on average more than 17 per cent of This squeeze on families has two effects. national income in income tax. Even with his Firstly, it will increase families’ costs far tax cut, income tax revenue will surge from beyond any benefit gained from tax cuts as it $127.9 billion in 2002 to $134.2 billion in shifts the cost of services more and more 2003-04. onto families and away from an ever- There has never been an Australian gov- rapacious taxing government: ‘We’ll tax you, ernment as reliant on income tax—that is, the but we won’t give you the services; we’ll tax tax on the income of individuals—as a pro- you and you’ll pay for these services’—a

CHAMBER 15650 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 portion of its total tax take as this one is. It is it is the Labor Party. For the last seven years rapacious in its tax intake, and this is despite the Howard government has been running the fact that the Prime Minister promised that down bulk-billing—that is a fact—to a point the GST would take pressure off income tax. where bulk-billing has declined by 12 per But why should we be surprised that that has cent from the high of 1996. I notice that that not happened? The Prime Minister promised is not a figure that those opposite brandish it and it has not happened, but why aren’t we around very frequently in this House. After surprised? The Howard government in its 13 years of Labor, bulk-billing was at its budget remains addicted to introducing new highest rate in the history of Medicare; now hidden taxes or maintaining the $3 billion of it is at its lowest, but we do not hear about existing levies and taxes by any other name. that fact. That is a matter I spoke about at length in Both the Prime Minister and the health this House on 5 March 2003—that is, these minister have refused to guarantee that bulk- hidden taxes of $3.3 billion, these levies billing will not continue to fall under the which they are still taking at a rapacious rate, government’s Medicare changes. The How- particularly the Ansett levy. ard government’s Medicare changes can The budget papers clearly outline a cyni- mean only one thing: many Australian fami- cal exercise that this Treasurer and the Prime lies will pay more for a visit to the doctor. Minister have carried out to pay for their Under the changes, doctors will be allowed very unhealthy, unfair Medicare proposal— to bulk-bill concession card holders, but they that is, ‘How shall we pay for this? How will be given the green light to charge co- shall we give with the one hand and take payments for everyone else. It is a fact that with the other; how shall we use our smoke- there are seven million Australians who cur- and-mirror tricks that we have developed rently have pensioner and concession cards. over the years to perfection?’ It is quite sim- That means that two out of three Australians ple: you reduce the funding to public hospi- will miss out under John Howard’s plan; for tals by $1 billion to $1.5 billion to fund your them, bulk-billing will progressively dimin- Medicare package of $917 million. That is ish and perhaps eventually end. how you do it. For those who cannot sleep at Australian families who have two children night, I suggest they read Budget Paper No. and earn more than $32,300 a year are not 2; it contains very good reading to show you eligible for a healthcare card. For them bulk- how you give with one hand, take with the billing will end bit by bit and visit by visit to other, have a little bit left over and beat your the doctor, and they will be asked to pay breast and stand up here unctuously and say more for the privilege of seeing that doctor. that you are here to support the Australian The architect of Medicare, John Deeble, has people and their families. described the effect of the government’s I do not need to remind the House what package as follows: this duplicity will result in in our public … there will be GP co-payments for most people health institutions. This budget confirms … These would be uncapped and unpredictable Australia’s worst fears about Medicare. But and only a fool would believe that they will not we should not be surprised because this rise or eventually extend to other services. Prime Minister, from the 1980s onwards, has So, clearly, the Howard government’s com- shown that he is no supporter of Medicare; mitment to creating a two-tiered health sys- he never was and never will be. There is only tem stands in stark contrast to Labor’s belief one supporter of Medicare in this House, and

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15651 in a universal and institutionalised health their advantage. Knowing that they are mak- insurance system. Without easy access to ing money out of the system now makes you bulk-billing—under threat as it is with the wonder what they would make out of it if we Howard government’s unhealthy Medicare did not have this important health brake— plan—access to medical services increas- this important safety brake—that the Austra- ingly will rely on an individual’s capacity to lian government has on the pharmaceuticals pay rather than on their health needs. I think available in this country. We know the PBS you will find that substantiated by a very works because, as with Medicare, other interesting parliamentary services paper by countries are looking at our system and Amanda Elliott on 13 May 2003 on Medi- wanting to replicate it. There is no greater care and universalism, which has some inter- success or compliment than to have others esting definitions and commentary relating to try to replicate your system. this whole debate and also discusses the im- The other major plank in this govern- pact of these proposed changes on the con- ment’s drive to a user pays, market force cepts of universalism and institutionalised system of essential service delivery is its so- health insurance. It clearly establishes the called higher education reform package or, principle that this government is now work- more accurately, higher education slug. The ing on: in effect, to dismantle Medicare. 30 per cent increase announced in this Effectively, the government’s proposals budget on the average HECS fee will cost further implement what I call a user pays, students and their families $1,650 per year pay-as-you-go health system. Not only will a by 2005. That is $32 per week more that stu- visit to the doctor cost more for most fami- dents may be required to pay. Under the lies but also essential medicines on the Howard government the average HECS fee Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme will cost will be up by over 116 per cent. Student and more. This government has persisted with its family debt is set to increase dramatically unfair plan to increase the price of essential under this package. We already know that medicines despite its admission that 5.5 mil- Australian families now live under record lion prescriptions for pensioners, concession debt levels. Yet all this government can offer card holders and Australian families will go is, ‘We’ll increase the costs of medical health unfilled because Australians under financial and higher education, and we’ll give you pressure cannot afford to pay the higher four bucks and the GST. How’s that?’ price. Price increases of up to 30 per cent for Students and their families will have to go essential medicines on the PBS will hit the into further debt to pay for their full fee uni- sickest and the poorest Australians hardest. versity places. Student debt is projected to Just to add another real concern to this, we increase by $800 million. So far, under the know that the Pharmaceutical Benefits Nelson proposals, students will be able to Scheme is on the negotiating table for the so- borrow $50,000—although I notice that the called US-Australia free trade treaty. We all minister is now wavering on that and may up know what that could mean. US pharmaceu- it. That is tremendous! Students could then tical companies are absolutely livid at this have some more debt. That $50,000 will par- government’s control—its monopoly, thank- tially pay for students’ university fees. They fully—on the prices we pay for these phar- will be charged a rate of interest of 3.5 per maceuticals. If the United States pharmaceu- cent plus CPI. That will add over $16,000 to tical manufacturers can have that monopoly a $50,000 loan, which is a new burden of broken down in any way, of course it is to $125 a week. You can just see the students

CHAMBER 15652 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 and their families lining up to take up these initiatives that will have a direct benefit for loans so that they can go and do the most the people of Paterson. These include roads, prestigious courses. They will be lining up to defence, health and education. do them and saying, ‘Give me more debt.’ Before I go into the specifics of the I have raised in this House several times budget, I want to talk about economic man- the matter of the cost to families and students agement. When a government can manage when students have to move away from the economy effectively despite forces out- home to study. There was not one mention of side its control, it can spend the money it in the budget. On top of all the other costs where it needs it most. There is no question that they will be required to bear, you can that the Howard government has succeeded add another $8,000 to $10,000 per year in managing the economy despite one of the forked out of their pockets. That will make worst droughts in history, a war, severe bush- students go and do part-time work or part- fires, the threat of terrorism and a downturn time university to make up the extra costs to in the international economy. The Howard pay for their accommodation and living al- government has been able to pay back a lowances. It is totally and utterly unfair. But hefty $63 billion of the $96 billion debt left there has not been a word about it in the by the Labor Party. This equates to an annual budget—or from the other side either. You saving of $5 billion in interest payments. cannot tell me that they do not have students This is money that can be reinvested into in these positions. programs to help families, support people I put out a little pamphlet in my electorate who want to take on an apprentice, hospitals, called $4: it’s not enough. It certainly is not. securing our borders and quality education. It In it I noted the 20 May Nielsen poll, where demonstrates the kind of economic manage- they asked people, ‘Would you prefer to keep ment that is responsible, and it has been one the tax cut or have the money go to services of the great pillars of this government. like health and education?’ Seventy-seven Let us look at the economic record of the per cent said, ‘Put it into health and educa- Howard government. The Howard govern- tion; we don’t want the cut.’ Another ques- ment has had $22.9 billion in total surpluses tion was, ‘As part of the federal budget, uni- over the last five budgets. Debt has fallen to versity students will pay higher fees. Do you five per cent of GDP, Australia’s AAA credit support it or oppose it?’ rating has been restored and more than one Miss Jackie Kelly interjecting— million jobs have been created since this government came into office. Interest rates Mr SIDEBOTTOM—Listen to this, Par- are currently the lowest they have been in liamentary Secretary. Seventy-two per cent some 30 years, saving Australians about said they would oppose it. They do not want $3,950 on a home loan of $100,000. The any more arguments about increased debt, overdraft rate for small business has dropped Parliamentary Secretary. It is all right for you significantly, to around eight per cent, and and me to get a tax cut that is higher. But we have one of the most strongly growing what are they going to do on $4 a week? It is economies in the world. not enough. (Time expired) When I look at the members opposite, I Mr BALDWIN (Paterson) (6.30 p.m.)— can only wonder what would have happened It is a great pleasure to be able to speak on to Australia if Labor had been in power in the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2003-2004 the circumstances that faced this country last today. This year there are a number of budget

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15653 year. Let us have a look at Labor’s record on roads. It is an issue that I know Mayor Steve the economy. The ALP racked up $80 billion Low is very passionate about. Programs like of debt in their last five years of office, peak- Roads to Recovery are providing much ing at 20 per cent of GDP. Labor spent more needed funds to councils. So far this program in interest payments in 1995-96 than in edu- has provided over $1.4 million to council cation. Australia’s credit rating was down- roads in Dungog. I am pleased to see in this graded twice. The national unemployment budget that the Roads to Recovery funding rate was around 8.6 per cent when Labor left will continue for 2003-04, with $302.2 mil- office; it peaked nationally at 10.9 per cent in lion being allocated, and that more funding 1992 and at over 17 per cent in the Hunter. will be provided to local councils from the Interest rates were 10.5 per cent when Labor Commonwealth. left office; mortgage rates peaked at 17.1 per Another federal road program which is cent in 1990. Small business did it extremely popular in my electorate of Paterson is the tough, with the overdraft rate peaking at 20.5 Black Spot Program. This particular program per cent in 1989. With an economic man- provides funding to improve dangerous loca- agement record like this, I can only imagine tions. Again, it provides a great deal of that Australia would be in real strife right money to local councils. Some $45 million now if Labor were running the country. will be spent on the Black Spot Program in Thankfully, they are not—not only because 2003-04. Again, I am sure that local councils we cannot afford to go back to Labor but are looking forward to the funds flowing because Labor ignored the needs of all their way. Since the Howard government Australians. came to power, over $7.5 million has been I mentioned earlier that there are some spent on black spots in Paterson. That in- particular funding measures in this budget cludes $1.8 million on the Bucketts Way, that have had special significance for the $2.47 million on the Lakes Way, $300,000 residents of Paterson. Firstly, I would like to on the Myall Way, over $400,000 on Nelson address road funding. There are many mem- Bay Road and in excess of $1 million on bers here from both sides of the House who roundabouts on the Raymond Terrace Road. represent regional electorates and who un- These are but a few examples of where work derstand the importance of road funding to has been carried out. Interestingly enough, regional communities. Good infrastructure the Black Spot Program is a program that does not just mean a safer trip for motorists. Labor scrapped when in power—to the hor- It also is an attraction for businesses and de- ror of many councils. Fortunately, the How- velopment in communities. ard government understands the importance Dungog council, which is in my elector- of such funding; it not only has brought this ate, has over 100 roads that it has to maintain program back to life but will continue to and upgrade, and it has quite a small income fund it into the future, because this program base from which to gather its funds. There is saves lives. a range of projects that Dungog has been Aside from national roads programs that fighting for and that it has achieved through received funding in this budget, some key the Dairy Regional Assistance Program and roads that affect residents in Paterson re- the Regional Assistance Program. These pro- ceived funding. It was announced that the jects are aimed at generating employment Weakley’s Drive project will receive $25 and stimulating the local economy. Equally million over three years. Many members important in Dungog is the need for better here will know that this is a project that I

CHAMBER 15654 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 have been working very hard to make hap- Highway. It has been neglected by the New pen and that I have been very vocal about. South Wales government for many years. The project involves the intersection where Councils such as Gloucester and the Great the end of the F3 freeway meets the New Lakes have been drip-fed their funding for England Highway. It is, without doubt, one this road, which is an issue I took to the gov- of the most dangerous intersections in the ernment during the election campaign. As a Hunter region. At peak periods, motorists result, the Prime Minister committed $20 experience long delays to get through this million to this road and in the recent budget intersection, and its record for crashes has the first allocation of funding was an- been well documented. One of the major nounced. In 2003-04, $3.5 million will be problems with the intersection is that a large spent on a range of projects. I stress that this range of vehicles have to use this road. There road is not a federal road—indeed, it is a are all the vehicles travelling between New- state road. castle and Maitland, trucks from Brisbane The fact is that the Commonwealth has di- and beyond to Sydney, heavy trucks from the rect responsibility for two roads that affect recycling depot, trucks and buses from the the residents in Paterson: the New England transport hub, school buses, and motorists Highway and part of the Pacific Highway. To travelling from Thornton, Beresfield, Tarro help local councils and speed up the progress and Woodberry. The region itself has out- of the work of making this road safer for grown this intersection. In order to keep up motorists the government will be investing with local growth rates, an upgrade is ur- some $20 million on the Bucketts Way over gently required. four years. It is funding that councils have I have spoken about this need many times welcomed, and I thank the Mayor of here in this parliament. Since November Gloucester Council, Barry Ryan, the general 2001, I have put the case in three speeches, manager of Gloucester Council, Norm in a notice of motion, in letters to transport McLeod, the Mayor of Great Lakes Council, ministers and the Prime Minister, in a budget John Chadban, and the general manager of submission earlier this year, in a meeting Great Lakes Council, Keith O’Leary, for with the minister in my electorate in Decem- their assistance and support for this project. ber last year and in the petition presented on Another road project that received funding behalf of my community to this parliament. is the Karuah bypass on the Pacific Highway. It is this work and effective lobbying by I had the opportunity last week to visit the members of my community that resulted in site of the bypass and look at the construc- this great budget announcement. Since the tion in progress. It is really an amazing feat announcement has been made, it has been of bridge engineering and is expected to be quite interesting to see a number of faces pop completed by December 2004, ending the up taking credit for the funding. They are long bottleneck at Karuah. The government faces I have not seen before on this issue, but will increase its funding on the Pacific nonetheless the funding is there and this pro- Highway by over 34 per cent to $57.8 mil- ject will be delivered. lion this year. Defence projects in Paterson Another project that I am passionate about also received funding in the budget, which and that has received funding in this budget will create local jobs and boost our local is the Bucketts Way. This road links the economy. The government announced some communities of Krambach, Gloucester, time ago that it planned to purchase the air- Stroud, Booral and Stratford to the Pacific borne early warning and control aircraft and

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15655 that RAAF Williamtown would play an im- the government has been very supportive of portant role in this project. Budget 2003-04 health measures in the Hunter region. An confirmed this role with the announcement example of that is the Maitland After Hours that $19 million will be spent on the con- GP Service. This service has been so suc- struction of the AEWAC headquarters. This cessful that it has now been granted approval project has already started and the parliamen- to expand throughout the Hunter region. Last tary secretary recently visited the site for the November this government—the Howard start of that construction. government—also announced a grant of This project has significant benefits to our $27,654 for the Hunter Rural Division of local area. The AEWAC headquarters will General Practice to develop and implement involve around 200 construction jobs and an after hours primary Medicare service more indirect jobs related to the prefabrica- plan. The after hours service is a project I tion, supply and distribution of material. would dearly love to see up and running in Once operational, 350 permanent positions the Forster-Tuncurry and Cape Hawke Hos- will be created at Williamtown. I believe pital. they will start sometime in February. That is Earlier this year, I invited the Minister for around $15 million in extra pay packets com- Health and Ageing to Paterson to meet with ing into Port Stephens, and there will be local doctors and representatives from the more families in the area. It also means that health industry. I would like to see more doc- the government will be spending $2.1 mil- tors come into the communities in my elec- lion over 2003-04 for a child care facility at torate, in particular in the townships of Ka- Williamtown RAAF base. Naturally, with ruah and Lemon Tree Passage. I would also more families coming into the area, support like to see more bulk-billing in regional areas for these defence families is very important, and as such I am particularly pleased with so I welcome this child care facility. the measures in this budget that encourage The work being carried out at the RAAF doctors to do this. My office has phoned all base also means that a sewerage line will be of the GP practices in Paterson, and one of going through the area. There has been a the problems we have found is that there is a need in the community for this infrastructure heavy concentration of bulk-billing in some for a long time now and the commitment areas and no bulk-billing at all in others. So, given to RAAF Williamtown through this it is not evenly distributed throughout my government and the importance it has in communities. For example, there are quite a Australia’s capabilities will also mean that few GPs in the Great Lakes area, but no-one facilities like the sewerage line will be part bulk-bills. In comparison, the majority of of the works to be carried out. That will help doctors in Medowie, Beresfield and Ray- further development in the area. The budget mond Terrace offer bulk-billing services. In also involved the announcement of $515 mil- Paterson, residents can access bulk-billing in lion in major capital projects for the AEWAC Raymond Terrace, Tea Gardens, Beresfield, planes. This is a significant investment in Shoal Bay and Medowie, but they are unable Australia’s defence capabilities and it shows to access bulk-billing in Nelson Bay, Sala- the importance of RAAF Williamtown in mander Bay, Gloucester and Forster. defence planning in the future. The initiatives announced in the budget Budget 2003-04 saw an enormous com- will go a long way to attracting doctors to mitment to health care in this country, and bulk-bill their patients, and as such I look forward to these initiatives being passed in

CHAMBER 15656 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 the Senate to assist residents in Paterson. For support our hospitals, the Commonwealth example, doctors will receive incentives to will provide an extra $10 billion to help them bulk-bill 7 million people covered by a run public hospitals under the 2003-2008 Commonwealth concession card and, of Australian health care agreements. This course, all Australians will remain eligible to means that over the next five years the fed- be bulk-billed if their doctor chooses. For eral government will provide states and terri- example, for doctors in outer metropolitan tories with up to $42 billion to support the areas that cover some practices in the Hunter, provision of free public hospital services. It GPs will have an annual payment of is an incredible commitment to hospitals and $10,250, while for rural centres it will be I certainly hope the states sign up to it, even $18,500. though they dismissed this funding out of Another measure involves reducing up- hand before they even looked at the detail. front medical costs. At the moment there are The government will also be putting more many people who go to the doctor who have funding into training doctors and nurses. to pay their GP fee and then go to a Medicare From 2004 there will be an extra 234 pub- office or claim facility. Under the changes licly funded medical school places each year. proposed by this government, patients with- Students who take up these places will be out a concession card attending participating bonded to areas of work force shortages for a practices will only have to pay the gap be- minimum of six years. On top of that, there tween the Medicare rebate and what their will be an additional 150 training places doctor chooses to charge. Once you have added each year to the GP training program. visited your doctor, there is no more to do Up to 800 practices will also be able to em- and no more to pay. For regional areas in ploy a nurse or an allied health worker with particular, I know this will be a very wel- the extension of the nurses program. This come initiative as many areas in my elector- includes positions such as physiotherapists. ate rely on the easy claim facilities and are I will also add some points on education. not as fortunate as those living in the city, Over the last year I have had the privilege of who are able to visit Medicare offices. visiting many of the schools in my electorate My electorate also has a significant num- which have benefited from Commonwealth ber of veterans and there are measures in this funding. Gloucester Public School, for ex- budget to assist them, with the introduction ample, received over $1.7 million from the of a veteran access fee paid to local medical Commonwealth for the construction of a officers registered under the repatriation multipurpose hall, a covered outdoor learn- scheme. At a cost of $61.7 million over four ing area, a food service unit, a library and years, GPs registered under the Local Medi- four new classrooms; St Josephs at Bulahde- cal Officer Scheme will be eligible for a vet- lah received over $539,000 for the construc- eran access fee of $3 for each consultation tion of a building services store, three gen- with an eligible veteran or war widow pa- eral learning areas, a library, a physical edu- tient, in addition to the 100 per cent of the cation store, a canteen and toilets; Salt Ash Medicare benefit schedule currently paid for Public School received $350,000 to go to- gold and white repatriation health card pa- wards two classrooms and to refurbish the tients. administration area; Medowie Christian The government is also committed to free School received $300,000 for the construc- hospital treatment for all Australians. To tion of three general learning areas; and Morpeth Public School received $12,000 for

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15657 a covered outdoor learning area—not to for- cer had in Perth over the weekend. I think it get the federal funding for the Forster- is a great reflection of the team and the tre- Tuncurry campus which has opened this mendous amount of work, dedication and year. There is also a new school being built professionalism which have emerged from in Clarence Town, there will be additions at that club—which have come about only after Anna Bay and Soldiers Point schools—and perseverance and a number of blues and the list goes on. They are but a few examples problems. I do not think there is a sports of how the Commonwealth is supporting lover anywhere in Australia who would deny education in Paterson. It is investing in our Perth Glory their success. schools and investing in our children’s fu- A crowd in the vicinity of 40,000 was ture. In 2003-04, the Commonwealth will there to see the victory, and I think that is a spend $6.9 billion on Australian schools, great tribute to Western Australian sports which represents an increase of $528 million followers and to the sport of soccer—a sport on last year. which I know, as a past minister for sport in I am also pleased that the New Appren- Western Australia, has gone a fairly long and ticeships scheme will receive $2.8 billion tortuous route. It was tremendous to see over four years. With a number of businesses Perth Glory gain the Grail over the weekend. in my electorate that take on apprenticeships, I hope that their win and the profile it has this is definitely a program that I am pleased given soccer will benefit all the young kids to see continue into the future with increas- who love the game and all the soccer follow- ing investment. This funding will build on ers who want to see the game thrive in Aus- the success the government already has in tralia. It was a tremendous effort which training, which has increased from 142,400 should be noted in this place. We talk about in December 1995 to almost 375,000 at the all sorts of things here—for example, politics end of last year. and wars—and it is pretty easy to get stuck As I mentioned earlier, I am pleased with into each other but, as I think someone else the funding that has been allocated to my remarked, this is much more important than electorate in this budget. There are also a life and death; this is about sport. I think number of programs that businesses or com- sometimes that should help to put things into munity groups in my electorate can benefit proper perspective—particularly after listen- from, such as the Regional Solutions Pro- ing to the previous speech. gram or Saluting Their Service, which I will I do not want to go down the route of poli- continue to promote. As a federal member, I tics too much tonight. I want to talk about an take a great deal of pleasure in the partner- issue which has interested me for some time: ship you can form to bring a project to life. It anti-personnel mines. I was fortunate enough is a partnership that this government has to be invited by a group called MIVAC—the been very successful at, and I look forward Mines Victims and Clearance Trust—to ad- to continuing that work over the next year. I dress a lunch in Tasmania on Friday and then commend the budget to the House. to speak at a public meeting. MIVAC is an Mr EDWARDS (Cowan) (6.47 p.m.)—I initiative of Australian Vietnam veterans who first want to place on the record and recog- cleared landmines there and who have seen nise a matter which I know is close to your firsthand the devastation caused by these own heart, Mr Deputy Speaker Wilkie; that indiscriminate weapons. The group has is, the tremendous win that Perth Glory Soc- broadened to include humanitarian aid work-

CHAMBER 15658 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 ers, members of peacekeeping forces and behind on their return to Australia. I want to also many interested civilians. congratulate this group of Vietnam veterans, While MIVAC have started off in Tasma- and the others who have come around them nia, they have members from many other to support them. I want to wish MIVAC well. states and it is their intention to establish a They are a dedicated group of community chapter of MIVAC in each state and territory minded people and I know that, given some in Australia. I encourage Vietnam veterans of them have had the experience of laying from all states and territories to have a look mines, putting them in situ and training with at the tremendous work that this Tasmanian them, they know the devastation that these group is doing to see whether it can be emu- things cause. lated in other parts of Australia. We attended a lunch at Parliament House Primarily, the aim of MIVAC is to be a in Hobart last Friday and there was a good fundraiser. Money raised will be allocated to roll-up of people. We then had a public meet- projects identified to the trustees by Austra- ing that was attended by about 25 to 30 peo- lian de-miners and other non-government ple. There was a good representation from organisations or federal government agencies the community, including members of Sorop- which are, or have been, involved with de- timist International. This group has just mining, health or education projects over- raised over $1 million worldwide for the seas. A few examples of the projects they are provision of prosthetics for landmine survi- looking at include medical assistance to indi- vors in their Limbs for Life campaign. Other viduals affected by mine warfare; farming groups there were the Women’s International equipment supplied to communities, ena- League for Peace and Freedom, the Medical bling them to hopefully become self- Association for the Prevention of War, the sufficient; assistance for Australian mine- Quakers’ peace and social justice committee, clearing operations; provision of artificial the Women in Black, the RAE Association, limbs through an Australian medical team for the Peace Coalition of Vietnam Veterans and those injured by landmines; and support to a few others. I know the MIVAC group were schoolchildren whose communities have very pleased to have tremendous support been affected by landmines. down there from Lara Giddings, who is the member for Franklin. I am told that she is Secondly, MIVAC wants to undertake to happy to cross over her electoral boundaries communicate these projects to all parts of in support of this group. Australian society, including schools, clubs, the media and the general public, by giving The issue of landmines is a big one. I have talks, holding awareness meetings and giving read a lot of statistics and facts. Sometimes interviews. MIVAC is a voluntary organisa- you have to weave your way through them tion and this will ensure that 80 or 90 per and try to interpret them, but there are esti- cent of funds collected will be effectively mations, for instance, that every year there delivered to reach the people in need around are something like 25,000 mine incidents, the identified projects. The concept of mainly involving civilians. Of that 25,000, MIVAC is not only to bring relief to those approximately half are killed and half are people living in areas affected by mine war- injured. Virtually all of those who survive fare, it also provides a positive focus to those require an amputation. Most of the children, who served overseas in any capacity and young people and kids at play who stand on who are concerned about what has been left or activate landmines—I understand about 80 per cent of them—die. That is a horrific

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15659 number. Even if people want to argue There are and have been some tremendous whether 25,000 is right or whether it should things done, as I said, but it is true to say that be 20,000 or 23,000, the fact is this: if the the focus has come off this issue. It has been same number of people were dying every covered over by the talk of terrorism and year as a result of, say, the SARS epidemic, some of the international things that we have there would be tremendous focus and support seen happen in the last couple of years. As a going into such an area. But because they are result, this very deserving issue has lost landmine victims and because they do not some traction. An example of that occurred impact on the big dollars that are generated with the previous American administration. through tourism, and because the landmines The US budget for 2000 included something campaign now does not have someone as like $60 million for research into finding high profile as Princess Diana was—who alternatives to landmines—that is, finding gave a tremendous profile and support to other military equipment or strategies that those people who were injured as a result of could replace landmines. The US had a pol- landmines—the focus and the profile is just icy that, by the year 2006, it would have not there, and it needs to be. As I said, if as signed up to and moved to ratify the Ottawa many people died or were as seriously in- convention. America is a country of great jured each year through a SARS virus then influence and leadership in these areas. It is a the tremendous amount of focus, media pity that it has now changed its policy. The space and hysteria almost that we have seen current administration is reviewing that pol- in relation to SARS would bring tremendous icy and saying that it will not be able to sign focus to the other issues about which I am up by the year 2006 and it will not be spend- talking. I guess the reason that there is such a ing as much money. It is not going to spend difference in the focus is that with SARS a that amount of $60 million on trying to find lot of big international companies around the alternatives to landmines. world are losing money because of the im- It is not just America. China and Russia pact on tourism. Because that does not hap- are a couple of the other countries which pen in the area of landmine victims, it just have yet to sign up to this agreement. Here is does not get that focus. a list of some of the countries that have not There has been some tremendous work yet signed up to ban landmines: China, India, done by governments in recent years, includ- Iran, Israel, North Korea, South Korea, Ku- ing the Australian government. But there has wait, Myanmar or Burma—where, unfortu- also been some tremendous work done by nately, we have just seen that Aung San Suu individuals, groups and people in the com- Kyi has been taken into ‘protective’ custody munity—those people, for instance, who again. Also on the list are Pakistan, Papua came together to fight the landmines issue New Guinea, Saudi Arabia, our fairly close with the international campaign to ban land- neighbour Singapore, Sri Lanka—although mines. It has been a tremendous reflection of Sri Lanka earlier this year did give a com- what can be done to address such serious mitment that, as soon as it was able to, it issues when people from all over the world would join the ban on landmines—Turkey can come together, stand shoulder to shoul- and, as I said, the United States. A lot of der and pull on some of the big corporations work remains to be done. A lot of countries and governments across the world and de- are yet to confront and deal with this issue. I mand that some action be taken. know that America would say that it has a special problem on the Korean Peninsula. It

CHAMBER 15660 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 does have a problem there and we recognise cacy and support of the Mine Ban Treaty. that, but ignoring landmines and turning its They called on all governments of the region back on them will not help resolve the very to enhance their cooperation, coordination serious issues confronting civilians when it and transparency in all aspects of mine ac- comes to landmines. tion between themselves and with Asian In January this year, the International members of the International Campaign to Campaign to Ban Landmines and the Land- Ban Landmines, including its Landmine mine Monitor regional meeting held in Co- Monitor researchers. They also called on lombo, Sri Lanka expressed a number of donor governments to provide adequate re- concerns. Among them were that 19 coun- sources to support comprehensive mine tries of the region remain outside the Mine clearance, mine risk education and survivor Ban Treaty, including eight of the 14 mine assistance programs in all mine affected producers remaining in the world: China, countries in the Asia-Pacific. The last call India, North Korea, South Korea, Myanmar, was for all relevant stakeholders to continue Pakistan, Singapore and Vietnam. They also to vigorously work towards the creation of a noted that five countries of the region— mine-free Asia-Pacific. Brunei, the Cook Islands, Indonesia, the It is my strong view that every child in Marshall Islands and Vanuatu—signed the this world should have a birthright which Mine Ban Treaty in December 1997 but have includes the right to go out and play—to play not yet ratified it. They also noted that China with their friends without the fear of stepping has the world’s largest stockpile of antiper- on landmines. They have the right to go sonnel mines—calculated at something like about the things that kids in countries do, 110 million. Pakistan, the fourth largest, has such as collecting firewood or herding sheep, six million mines; India, the fifth largest, has goats or cattle. As part of their birthright, four to five million; and South Korea has every child should be able to do those sorts two million in stock. They also noted that of things in safety. As long as there are these since December 2001 India and Pakistan landmines and as long as countries continue have laid more mines than has been the case to produce them, sell them, stockpile them anywhere else in the world. and use them indiscriminately, that birthright They called on a number of nations to ac- will never be realised. cept a challenge in relation to these things One doctor said recently that we are clear- and they called on all the countries of this ing this planet limb by limb of landmines. region to support efforts to achieve that. The The great tragedy is that so many of those media release from the regional meeting limbs belong to young kids and that, once states: they have stood on a mine and lost a limb, All governments of the region to support efforts they are condemned to an incredible life of to achieve a total antipersonnel mine ban by non- poverty and misery because of the social state actors by, among other measures, allowing nature of these countries. We in this world NGOs to safely engage non-state actors on this can do better than that, and it is only through issue and by humanitarian mine action by non- the leadership of countries such as Australia state actors ... that we will be able to do that. I know that Further, they called for ASEAN and other Australia has played a good, strong role. I regional and subregional bodies to develop a support that, but I think that there is more concrete and comprehensive program of that we can all do. I commend the bill. mine action in the region, including advo-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15661

Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY (Dawson) (7.07 of the education of somebody who has the p.m.)—I would like to deal with three topics opportunity to earn considerably more than tonight in discussing the Appropriation Bill they do over their working life. At the same (No. 1) 2003-2004: the education measures time, there is no differentiation: these tax- announced in the budget and also in the payers in my electorate equally subsidise higher education reforms, the changes to those who are well able to subsidise their health, and communications and the ABC. own education and those who do not have With regard to education, the $15.8 billion the capacity to do that. The HECS changes that has been put into higher education in this are very welcome in that regard, particularly budget includes an additional $1.5 billion for full-fee paying students who now have over 10 years specifically for higher educa- the opportunity of being able to pay their tion for a total of $10 billion over 10 years. It education off over a period of time as other is imperative that education is affordable and students do. accessible to students right across Australia The changes are very welcome for some- and I believe that the changes that the minis- one coming from a rural and regional area ter has made, particularly with regard to where there have been insufficient places in higher education, will make it more accessi- the past and where access has been difficult. ble to students in rural and regional areas— In many cases, it still is; the local university and, I trust, more affordable. campuses certainly need a broader range of Central Queensland University is a band 3 subjects and faculties, but it is coming. I am university and will get an additional loading pleased that the minister has resisted the of five per cent on the funding that they pleas from those in areas of sandstone uni- would otherwise have received. James Cook versities that attention be given to them. I University in North Queensland, a band 2 firmly believe that higher education has to be university, will have an additional loading of accessible right across Australia, so I am 7.5 per cent. Further, many of the additional very supportive of these changes. I believe places will go to growth areas such as re- they will benefit people in my area as they gional Queensland and, I understand, West- will students across Australia. ern Australia. That is timely, because there I would like to move now to health and have been many young people in those areas the changes that the minister has announced who have not had the access to higher educa- in the Fairer Medicare: Better Access, More tion that perhaps their counterparts in other Affordable budget package. The government areas of Australia have had with the same— announced in April that they were going to to use an old-fashioned phrase— invest $916.7 million over four years to en- matriculation result. sure that medical services would be, again, There is partial deregulation of the system more accessible and affordable—the sort of for higher education. Universities will be thing that we are trying to see in education. able to set fees that recognise the socioeco- For the first time, we will see that doctors nomic reality of the pool that they draw their will have a financial incentive to bulk-bill students from. That really is welcome. I be- patients with concession cards. That is very lieve that it is most unjust to expect that tax- welcome. I understand, for instance, that payers in my electorate, those who are ap- from November this year a GP in a capital prentices or perhaps going to work in the city will get an additional $3,500 a year as an mills or the mines, should pay a proportion incentive to bulk-bill those concession card holders; places like to Geelong or Newcastle

CHAMBER 15662 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 will receive $10,250 a year; rural centres— ferred attendances in the cities, it is quite Toowoomba, I presume Mackay, Cairns, plain to see that there are more doctors in the Broken Hill—will receive $18,500; and re- cities than in the country. I firmly believe mote and outer rural areas will receive that the only way we will change this is by $22,050. looking at geographically allocated Medicare For many GPs that will offer an incentive provider numbers. to bulk-bill those concession card holders, At the heart of Australian life is the prin- and that will be very welcome—as will the ciple that people should have fair and $3 payment for each consultation with a vet- equal—or, at least, comparable—access to eran who has a gold or white repatriation servcies; perhaps we cannot have access to health card. Bulk-billing in Dawson is run- every service, much as we would like to. It is ning at about 65 per cent; it is up from about not going to be possible to have a brain sur- 58 per cent two years ago, so it is on the in- geon, for instance, working in every country crease. We are certainly not at the dizzying town. But at present there is certainly a heights of some of the inner city electorates maldistribution of doctors across Australia. where it is in the 80 or 90 per cent range, nor Ultimately, the government will have to face are we in the very despairing situation of the fact that, while these incentives have many of the more remote electorates where great merit and will go some way to making bulk-billing is very low. Nonetheless, a great health care more accessible and affordable, number of people in my electorate go in and there is no way you can persuade doctors to pay the fee to the doctor when they have fin- leave metropolitan cities and serve in country ished being seen for the consultation. These areas. In particular, rural and remote areas changes will make it a great deal more attrac- and Aboriginal communities have even more tive for those low-income families who do difficulty than most of us do, and much not have a concession card. They will just stronger measures, such as geographically pay the difference between the Medicare allocated Medicare provider numbers, will rebate and whatever the doctor’s fee is. For have to be taken in the future. them, rather than having to pay out $40 or I turn now to the budget as it relates to $45—perhaps a couple of times if they have communications and the arts, with special a few kiddies with them or they have all got emphasis on the Australian Broadcasting colds or whatever—they will be paying $10 Corporation. The ABC’s triennial funding or $15 up front and not having to worry base will be maintained in real terms for about getting their Medicare rebate and go- 2003-04. The government will provide the ing to the Medicare office, or Medicare ABC with $488.7 million in 2003-04, $501 Easyclaim, as they currently are. So it is a far million in 2004-05 and $512 million in 2005- more attractive proposition for patients, par- 06. The ABC will receive a total of $742.6 ticularly low-income patients, who will not million in 2003-04, taking into account addi- have to find the full amount up front. tional funding sources such as that for ABC As welcome as the minister’s changes Pacific. While there has been no overt in- are—particularly those to private health in- crease in funding, funding is being main- surance which allow for the insurance of out tained. of hospital medical expenses—they do not Those of us in rural and regional areas change the fact that, ultimately, there are not who depend on the ABC obviously would enough doctors in rural and regional areas. have preferred the ABC receive more fund- When you look at the vast number of re-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15663 ing. Nonetheless, we are in a difficult budg- know Brisbane is a bit of an outpost, I think etary climate. We are facing one of the worst they have pretty good capability to do edit- droughts in the last 100 years across much of ing—so the journalist was flown to Sydney. Australia. Having seen Australia participate It is only a small example, and it may just in a righteous war in Iraq, we are looking at be one of those things that occur. I do not the needs of our defence forces over the next wish to be sanctimonious about it or pretend 10 years and the requirement to properly that every level of government—even my resource our young defence personnel. This own electorate office—could not be more budget, in a difficult situation, maintains efficient in administrative matters. But I funding in real terms for the ABC and a think it is symptomatic of the fact that there whole host of other programs. The Treasurer needs to be a sharper look at accountability. has done very well; this budget balances our Channel 7 and Channel 9, for instance, have security needs with the need to go forward two overseas bureaus and fly journalists in and the need to maintain programs. and out as required. The ABC has 15 bu- There has been debate recently about edi- reaus—in Amman, Auckland, Bangkok, Bei- torial accountability in the ABC, but we jing, Brussels, Jakarta, Jerusalem, Johannes- should focus on financial accountability as burg, London, Moscow, New Delhi, New well. I would like to deal with the latter first. York, Port Moresby, Tokyo and Washington. In the recent Senate estimates hearings, one That is a considerable number of bureaus and of the senators went fairly close to the heart it may well be that they are all necessary. On of the problem. I will deal firstly with where the other hand, it may be necessary to look at I think financial accountability could be im- the way in which the existing funding is allo- proved. Recently, in response to a question cated and at whether some of it could not be Senator Santoro elicited that there was a $25 used to better effect. million shortfall of which, I understand, $20 I would like to make a few points about million was due to digital conversion and the financial situation at the ABC. While some technical shortcomings—factors that there is concern over funding and the fact could have been better managed. that funding is only being maintained, I If financial accountability were much would be very disappointed—as I have men- tighter—and this is not a criticism of the tioned—if resources were diverted from rural board or the new CEO of the ABC—there and regional services to what appear to be would be a great deal more sympathy with extraordinarily well resourced studios in funding requests. I will give a small example Sydney and Melbourne. I realise that this is a from my own area. Radio National recently decision to be made by the ABC. I would sent a Brisbane based reporter to do a reef certainly have liked to have seen additional based story in Mackay about jellyfish or funding. That has not been possible, although crown-of-thorns starfish. The journalist was the funding is being maintained. There are flown up for a couple of days, leading to ac- areas of the ABC that could be looked at a bit commodation costs and, obviously, the cost more closely. I hope we do not see what of the flight. Many of our local journalists in normally happens in statutory organisations the ABC are very capable people and I am which are dissatisfied with their funding ar- sure that several could have undertaken the rangements; I hope they do not decide to take role. When this journalist arrived back in funding from some of the most vulnerable Brisbane, Radio National decided that the parts of the organisation, which happen to be editing could not be done there—and, while I rural and regional services.

CHAMBER 15664 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Mr McGauran—And digital television. informed judgment or form an opinion on Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY—Yes. I do not something as important to Australia as the believe that that will be the case. I hope it recent deployment of troops to Iraq. will not, because our rural and regional radio It is here that the ABC really has almost a services in particular are very much sacred duty. It is the only medium that can stretched. I know that the people in my own reach people right across Australia at any area work very hard and very long hours to time of the day. Even if you live in one of the put out their local news. The member for most remote parts of Australia you can Corio is laughing! The ALP thinks it is funny probably still listen to ABC news, AM, PM that I mention that ABC people in rural areas or World at Noon. In a complex world it will work hard—they do. It is lovely to know that become increasingly important that the ABC the ALP thinks that is funny. I am sure the be able to deliver to people right across Aus- member for Corio will mention it in his ad- tralia a broad range of views, detailed infor- dress. mation and the opportunity to make an in- I go now to the matter of editorial ac- formed judgment on the events of the day. countability. There has been quite a debate The ABC needs in some ways to develop recently about bias in the ABC. Bias is a bit more of a corporate culture that enables it to like beauty—it is very much in the eye of the focus on professionalism, and I think that Mr beholder. But I think there is a wider ques- Balding, the new CEO, is working to en- tion about balance and bias in the ABC hance those credentials through greater atten- which concerns the unique role the ABC has tion to corporate governance. But that does in Australia. It was entirely through the re- not change the fact that only the ABC can porting on ABC radio in particular—and that deliver every day to my constituents and to includes News Radio and Radio National— our constituents right across Australia de- as well as ABC television that most of my tailed information, a broad range of views, constituents had access to detailed informa- and opinions for and against whatever the tion and a broad range of views on the recent argument of the day may be and allow them Iraq conflict. to make an informed judgment. It is abso- In rural areas most people do not get a lutely fundamental in a democracy that every daily newspaper. For those who do, the citizen be able to do that. (Time expired) newspapers have very much a local focus. Mr MOSSFIELD (Greenway) (7.27 They might talk—quite properly—about lo- p.m.)—I rise to speak on the Appropriation cal families who have people in the defence Bill (No. 1) 2003-2004—the budget bill or, forces and so on, but there did not appear to to put it more accurately, the sandwich and a be an opportunity to flesh out the arguments milkshake bill. In doing so I support the on both sides about the recent military action amendment moved by the member for Fra- in Iraq. Local television, while it is fair and ser, Mr McMullan. This is a budget that lacks balanced, is not a medium that lends itself to vision. It is a budget that punishes ordinary complex debate; it tends to run short stories. Australian families, and no amount of $4 That is entirely appropriate to the medium sugar coating will make the bitter pill easier but, again, it is not easy in a 15-minute local to swallow. The government gives with one or perhaps even statewide news bulletin to hand and slugs with the other. A $4 a week flesh out the arguments and provide the in- tax cut is supposed to offset the disgraceful formation people need to be able to make an

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15665 neglect of our health and education system. It sity of Western Sydney since this govern- does not, and people know it. ment came to the treasury bench. Next year The government’s changes to Medicare the University of Western Sydney will share will give doctors unrestricted access to the a bare $68 million with the other 38 universi- family’s hip-pocket nerve. The smallest tax ties in Australia. Western Sydney is one of cut in history from the biggest-taxing gov- the fastest-growing regions in Australia. ‘Re- ernment in history—that is what this budget gion’ is a very important word. Western Syd- is all about. The Treasurer wanted his ‘Tax ney is a region; it is an identifiable geo- cut’ headline in order to cover up the grubby graphical region with long-established deal that is being handed down to families in boundaries. It has a population of some 1.7 regard to Medicare and education. The $4 a million and comprises 12 federal seats, 24 week means that if you wait two weeks you state seats and 14 local government areas. could go to the cinema for half-price on The economy of the region of Western Syd- Tuesday night. Save for a month and you ney has a gross regional product of some $54 could get popcorn and a drink as well. Of billion per year, making it the third largest course, if you wanted to take somebody with economy in Australia—behind Sydney CBD you that would be another month’s worth of and Melbourne. Yet the University of West- savings. That is what this government is of- ern Sydney, which serves our region so very fering: a milkshake and a sandwich if you are well, is not considered by the government to lucky. be a regional university. There appears to be no set definition for what a regional univer- At the same time bulk-billing is being de- sity is. It seems that a regional university is stroyed. The government, in their classic whatever the government wants it to be on Orwellian manner, claim they will fix Medi- any given day, and it changes for whatever care. They are fixing Medicare in the way reason the government cares to think of at that a shady businessman would fix a race- any particular time. The mission statement of horse or a greyhound—fix it so that it will the University of Western Sydney is: never run again. They claim benevolence and generosity in putting $917 million into this To be a University of international standing and so-called Medicare package when of course outlook, achieving excellence through scholar- ship, teaching, learning and research and service they are ripping $918 million out of the pub- to its regional, national and international commu- lic hospitals to do it. In Greenway, over 94 nities, beginning with the people of Greater West- per cent of doctors bulk-bill. The changes ern Sydney. that are being proposed to end bulk-billing The words ‘region’ or ‘regional’ appear eight for all but concession card holders will ad- times in the statement of mission goals and versely affect almost 27,000 households, or values of UWS. The statement finishes with 80,000 people, in the Greenway electorate a list of core values. The final one, placed alone. there for emphasis, is ‘relevance and respon- This budget does nothing to address the sibility to our communities’. future of our country; it is a narrow, vi- I challenge the Minister for Education, sionless piece of drab accounting. It puts Science and Training—who is here in this back into the tertiary education system only a chamber—to explain to the House and to the fraction of what has been ripped out over the 1.7 million people who live in Western Syd- past six years. Over $270 million has been ney why their university, the one that was cut from the federal funding of the Univer- established specifically for their region, is

CHAMBER 15666 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 not considered a regional university. It took they receive adequate training. TAFE is a the University of Sydney and the University vital rung in the education ladder, and yet of Melbourne 100 years to establish them- this government has no interest in it. At a selves as centres of excellence. It has taken time when we need to be investing in our many other universities decades to establish nation’s future through improvements in our their reputations. UWS is a new university, education system, this government is walk- and the funding cuts it has experienced since ing away from that responsibility. 1996 have had the effect of tying one arm There are now twice as many students in behind its back. Over the next three years, TAFEs as there are in universities, yet there there will be 510 fewer students at UWS than is still a huge unmet demand for places. there are today. Our population is growing, Across Australia there were around 38,000 and this government is presiding over falling unmet places last year. At the Western Syd- numbers at our universities. Falling student ney Institute the figure was over 3,200. numbers, budget cuts, fee increases and Casualisation of the teaching work force at higher student debt are the enemies of ac- TAFE might look good to the accountant but cess, and access is the key to equality. it does nothing for the long-term education This budget represents fee increases, this requirements of the sector; and surely the budget represents higher student debt, this education outcomes for the students are more budget is the enemy of access and equality. It important than the accounting outcomes for is not fair, it will not create a fair society. It the institutions. Some people may say that will not allow future generations to share in TAFE is a state issue—pass the buck. It is the opportunities that time and innovation too easy to pass the buck. The federal gov- will bring. The budget allows universities to ernment must take its share of responsibility, increase their fees to students by 30 per cent because this is an issue that affects every- above HECS. The new student loan system, body. ensuring a real interest rate of three per cent Funding cuts and funding freezes in the above CPI, will raise an extra $800 million TAFE sector must stop. If we are to compete, in student debt. HECS payments will in- vocational education is vital. Well-resourced crease by $32 per week—eight times the $4 TAFE colleges with equipment that is not tax cuts. The new system of student loans, obsolete are fundamental. What employer ironically called HELP, will add an extra will hire somebody if they have been trained $16,000 to a $50,000 loan—an extra $125 on a machine that has been obsolete for five per week in repayments and over 31 times years? TAFE requires support and constant the $4 tax cut. The government gives with upgrading or it will lose its relevance, and one hand and slugs with the other. Australia will be poorer for it. To add insult to injury, the federal gov- Labor has a plan for education—a new ernment has also walked away from TAFE. deal for Australian families. It starts with Not one more cent was in this budget to sup- early childhood learning, because the forma- port TAFE. There are no additional places at tive years are so critically important to an TAFE to address the serious skill shortages individual’s future. Labor’s education plan facing Australian industry. The world is starts with early childhood and it never ends. changing and the new technologies are the We believe in lifelong learning. Our commu- future of our society. If our people are to nities change, our societies change and, as share in the prosperity that these new tech- time goes on, challenges grow and we must nologies can bring, then we must ensure that

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15667 have a population that is able to adapt. Flexi- A new government corporation, Riverbank ble lifelong learning programs, training and will be kick-started by federal funds and will retraining, are the keys to creating a flexible attract state government and private sector and adaptable work force. contributions. Riverbank will invest in inno- The government’s only response to this vative projects that will set a new direction critical need for our future seems to be fear for water use in Australia. Federal Labor will and fridge magnets. The future that we can provide the national leadership that is so create with investment in education, training desperately needed in this vital area. and the skills of our work force will be noth- Health care is about our future, and the ing if we do not do something to address the government wants to tear it down. Education catastrophic effects of the neglect of our is about our future, and the government will natural environment. Salinity, land clearing not invest. The environment is about our fu- and overdevelopment are destroying our ture, and the government walks away. An- natural resources. The new housing estates in other pressing issue regarding our future is the north-west sector of Sydney are being superannuation, and again we see the gov- built on the breadbasket of Sydney. Some of ernment sitting idly by and hoping nobody the best farming land in the country has now will notice that they are doing nothing about been built out by residential development. it. The Treasurer wants to reduce the super- Twelve per cent of New South Wales agricul- annuation surcharge. It was not in this tural output comes from around one per cent budget; there was no mention of superannua- of the land, located in the Sydney basin. This tion in this budget at all. This is the great is worth around $1 billion annually, with a reform that the Treasurer wants. Of course, flow-on effect of up to $5 billion. With every as is usual with this government, unless you new housing development, valuable and, earn $90,500 per annum, his changes will not more importantly, productive agricultural affect you at all. This is a government again land is being lost. Drought is destroying the looking after the top five per cent of income inland farms and, as a consequence, we are earners in this country while ignoring the having to increasingly rely on imported food average Australian family. Labor will address products. We are losing coastal farming land this by giving every working Australian a to development and inland farming land to superannuation tax cut. Labor will cut the salinity and drought. It is simply unsustain- superannuation contribution tax from 15 per able in the long term. cent to 13 per cent, which will mean thou- The Natural Heritage Trust set up by this sands of dollars extra for people’s retirement. government has been exposed as a pork bar- It was Labor which introduced compul- rel joke. The environment is a serious prob- sory superannuation to help deal with the lem and we need to have serious solutions. long-term impacts of our ageing population. We need a national strategy and we need Only Labor had the long-term vision— national leadership. Labor will provide that something that has not changed in the inter- leadership. Labor will ratify the Kyoto pro- vening years. The Treasurer wants high- tocol, which will help address the catastro- income earners to get more in retirement. phic effects of global warming. Labor will Labor wants to give everybody more in re- save the Murray, the lifeblood of many farm- tirement. The choice is startlingly clear. On ing communities. Simon Crean, our leader, the government side, you have ministers in- announced in his budget reply that Labor terested in feathering the nests of the already will establish the Murray-Darling Riverbank. well off. On this side, we want everybody to

CHAMBER 15668 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 share in the wealth that is created by the hard saturation point and now there is almost an work of everyday Australian families. As Joe equal flow of people out of the area as there Caddy, the chair of the social policy and re- is into it. But the area still suffers from grow- search committee of Catholic Welfare Aus- ing pains arising out of being Australia’s tralia, wrote recently in the Australian Fi- fastest growing residential area. There have nancial Review on the budget: been some major improvements in road con- I am afraid that we will wake up in 10 years and struction in my electorate, such as the com- discover that the unique egalitarian nature of this pletion of Old Windsor Road and the com- nation has simply faded away. We have to reverse mencement of the Western Sydney Orbital. I this trend rather than fuel it, as the budget has am pleased to see that construction has done. commenced on the orbital with some funding In the same article, Mr Caddy also wrote: from the federal government. However, that Make no mistake—we are heading for two Aus- road will have a toll—a toll that is quite un- tralias. We have more wealthy Australians today just for the residents of Western Sydney. To than we had 10 years ago, while the number of travel in their own area on what is really a Australians relying on government benefits and part of a national highway, they will have to assistance from welfare organisations is on the pay a toll. It is predicted that for people from increase. Poverty is not restricted to those without areas such as Glenwood to get into Black- jobs but includes the new working poor. town, which has the major shopping centre in To support that statement relating to more the area, they will have to pay 80c initially. It wealthy Australians than ever before, we is unfair for local residents to have to pay to have an article in today’s Sydney Morning travel on what is really their own suburban Herald entitled ‘The rich will double their road. However, it appears as though that de- wealth in three years’. Part of the article cision has been made. says: The area is still suffering from a lack of According to a recent study by the Boston Con- overall planning from a federal government sulting Group, there are 500,000 rich households perspective. We believe that the federal gov- in Australia, and they control more than 63 per ernment should be more involved in this type cent of the nation’s wealth. of general planning, particularly for new I believe that is a very telling statement, and residential areas. In most cases, we have seen it is an independent verification of the state- considerable residential development prior ment from Mr Caddy. A further quote from issues relating to public transport, employ- Mr Caddy is: ment, education and health services being The budget involved a major escalation of the addressed. On the socioeconomic side, we push to force Australians into a more user-pays need to understand that new and thriving model for basic social services. The burden of suburbs are being built on top of infrastruc- these extra costs will fall on the working poor and ture provided years ago for what are now will exacerbate existing inequalities. well established areas. The rail system, for In the region I represent, Western Sydney, example, has not kept pace with population one thing we are not short of is reports. Now growth or distribution. These new residential we have another report commissioned by areas will bring their own challenges in the WSROC, the Western Sydney Regional Or- future—two incomes being needed to con- ganisation of Councils. This report shows tinue to pay the mortgage and a falling birth that areas around the major cities in the re- rate are two issues that will impact on future gion—Penrith and Blacktown—have reached generations.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15669

The British sociologist Catherine Hakim, budget, giving a pittance with one hand whom some of the members of the govern- while slugging a fortune with the other. It ment side often quote, has warned in her will make life tougher for ordinary Austra- book Models of the family in modern society lians over the long haul. I am sure all Austra- that substantial debt required to finance a lians recognise this and will judge the gov- home purchase means that some women de- ernment accordingly. (Time expired) lay child rearing while others who would Mr HAWKER (Wannon) (7.48 p.m.)—I prefer to be at home with their children are rise in this debate on Appropriation Bill (No. forced to work full time. Mr Coller from the 1) 2003-2004 to support the eighth Costello Anglican Rooty Hill office, referring to as- budget. I congratulate the Treasurer on yet sistance given to working poor families in another excellent budget, one that I think Western Sydney, said, ‘Over 40 per cent of a every member of the government is very family’s budget goes towards housing costs, proud of. Also just in passing I must note a the highest in history.’ comment made by the member for Green- What is happening is that we are expand- way. He lamented the fact that in New South ing too fast and we are not laying down the Wales a toll is being placed on a road. I necessary economic, physical and social in- would hope that he might extend such re- frastructure to sustain our communities into marks to the state Labor government of Vic- the future. Economically we are becoming a toria, which is now talking about trying to divided community, as Joe Caddy pointed build the Scoresby Freeway. The Common- out. Many people are unable to keep up due wealth promised $425 million to make sure to age, ill-health and underemployment. Ac- of its being built. The state would only have cording to the Bureau of Statistics, 574,000 to match that, but it is apparently not pre- Australians were underemployed last Sep- pared to do so now and wants to have a road tember as well as 628,000 being unem- toll instead—and I am sure the member for ployed. Over the past 10 years we have seen Greenway would disapprove of that too. unemployment, long-term unemployment As I say, this is another excellent budget and underemployment all increase, while by the Treasurer, ably supported by the many in full-time employment are now Prime Minister and every member of the working in excess of 40 hours per week. government. There are a few salient points What Labor stands for and what we all we ought to reinforce yet again about the fact should stand for is a fairer society. That is that this budget, contrary to the comments of why the retention of Medicare and bulk- some opposition members, reduces taxes— billing is so important. there is an income tax cut there—and at the Mr Deputy Speaker, I think you would same time continues to produce a surplus, agree with these remarks. Let us be gener- which is sound economic management. It is ous. Let us even be extravagant. Let health sound economic management particularly care be a growth industry. Let us attract more given that there is a drought which has young people into the medical professions by caused so much devastation across so much ensuring that they are generously rewarded of rural Australia, given the fact that we have for their skills and commitment and the re- had to finance our part in the Iraq war and, of sponsibilities they accept. This budget is not course, given that there has been a big in- a budget for the future and it is not a budget crease in security spending. I know that all for families; it is a budget that will create members would agree with the sentiments of problems in the long term. It is a cynical increasing our security, but we also know

CHAMBER 15670 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 that it has to be paid for. When you put all those opposite seem to have great difficulties that together, I think it is a very impressive with the excellent work that the minister for result. education is doing with his higher education It goes further than that. This budget talks policy—which I think is quite an outstanding about a 3¼ per cent growth in the coming effort. As has been pointed out in this cham- year, and I think we ought to put that into ber day after day, that policy is a way of al- some sort of context. While 3¼ per cent is lowing more Australians to get to universi- reasonably impressive, when you look at ties. Yet the opposition seems to be con- other countries, particularly OECD countries, stantly carping, bringing up negatives and it is extremely impressive. Looking at the failing to observe what clearly is a very latest Economist and at the Economist poll of beneficial policy for young Australians and, gross domestic product forecasts this year indeed, for the whole of Australia. and next year, we find that not only does I would now like to turn to a couple of Australia come at the top alphabetically but other issues. The first one is the question of it also comes at the top on the growth fig- budget equity and financing inside the par- ures. You could not get a better example of liament. I am sure that all honourable mem- just how high Australia is rated in the world bers will be quite interested in this and I when you read in the Economist that we are hope that they will listen closely. Earlier this at the top of the table when it comes to year I put a question on notice to the growth in this year and in the next year Speaker. I wanted to get some indication amongst OECD countries. That is a measure about the comparison between the budget of of how this government is helping Australia the Department of the House of Representa- to perform well above the average. Even the tives and that of the Department of the Sen- Reserve Bank—which is never noted for ate. From this some very interesting figures overstating the case—in its May Bulletin, in have come forth. I wanted to find out what which there is the statement on monetary the comparative budgets for the two depart- policy, makes the observation that the Aus- ments in this building were, how they related tralian economy ‘has continued to perform to the number of members and senators and, relatively well against the background of a particularly, what that meant for committees. difficult international environment’. That As Chairman of one of the standing commit- from the Reserve Bank gives support for the tees, I am very conscious of the difficulties excellent work that the government, particu- House standing committees are facing in larly the Treasurer, is doing. trying to provide proper backup and service We could compare that with some of the to the members all-party committees. I think comments we have heard from the opposi- that all members appreciate the value of our tion. Frankly, all they talk about is wanting to House committees and support them. increase the cost of health care. They talk These figures tell a very interesting story. about possibly removing the rebate on pri- Let us start from the premise that members vate health insurance. As everyone knows, and senators are treated equally in most that is just code for increasing taxes. Because ways. We have equal salaries and we have, we now have a significant proportion of the basically, the same allowances, travel enti- Australian population back in private health tlements, superannuation and so on. It raises cover, to remove part of that would do noth- the question: how does that translate into the ing more than increase costs, which is the departments? Interestingly, if you look at the equivalent of an increase in taxes. Likewise, overall budgets for the departments’ activi-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15671 ties you find that, again, they are the same or counting. If we bring them back to 25 we almost the same. They are both just over $28 then can start to look at the budgets of the million. Then you start to think, ‘Hang on, relative committees of the House of Repre- what about when you translate back to the sentatives and the Senate. Remember: there number of members and senators?’ If you are twice as many members as there are just do simple arithmetic you find that, ac- senators. According to the figures produced cording to the department of the House, it is by the department of the House, the average $192,480 per member. The Department of actual budget per committee is $225,000- the Senate seems to have some difficulty in odd. The Senate tried to say that it was answering that question. They say: $245,000 but, if you cut the number of This figure is not related to the number of sena- committees back to 25, the actual figure is tors. $323,320, which is nearly a third, or nearly I thought that that was exactly what the ques- $100,000, more. tion was. They go on to point out: My point in asking this question was to The security costs for all of Parliament House, highlight the fact that House of Representa- including its environs, are shared equally by the tives committees, if you look at it from one Department of the Senate and the Department of perspective, are working on very tight budg- the House of Representatives. ets. I think that those of us who are very That is interesting but not necessarily the much involved in those committees recog- same point. It is one thing that it is equal, but nise that it is not easy. The committee secre- it does not go back to the question of sena- taries have to share two committees nowa- tors and members. As we all know, there are days, which they did not have to do in the twice as many members of the House of earlier days, and that is putting a lot of strain Representatives as there are senators. Yet the on the staff. Of course, it means that the budgets are the same. workload has certainly become far greater. When we try to go back to what it means The question then is: if the Senate believes for committees we find that each department that it needs so much for its committees— gives an estimate of the cost of committees, nearly $100,000 more for each committee— which is only part of this $28 million. I then why is it that the House has to make do with asked the question: how many committees so much less? I think that is a very important are there for each department? The Depart- question, and it is one that I hope will be ment of the House of Representatives has 28 addressed. Frankly, I believe that members of committees and the Department of the Sen- the House deserve better. I am not trying to ate, in its response, says that it has 33. How- suggest that the Senate does not need the ever—and it is important to note this—it number of committees it has or the resources says on its web site: it has. I just think that it seems a trifle curi- In October 1994 the Senate restructured its com- ous that there is such an imbalance between mittee system by establishing a pair of standing the two chambers of this parliament when it committees—a References committee and a Leg- comes to the resources that are being allo- islation committee—in each of eight subject ar- cated to standing committees. eas. Mr King—Are you suggesting that we In other words, the same committee does two should abolish the Senate? lots of work: legislation and references. So to Mr HAWKER—I had a very interesting count them as 33 is really a bit of double interjection there, which I had better ac-

CHAMBER 15672 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 knowledge, but I do not think it is quite rele- doubt, as the conference was told, that the vant to tonight’s debate. I would now like to devastation that occurred in eastern Austra- turn to another subject in the time available: lia’s forests, parks and farms at the beginning the impact that bushfires have had on Austra- of this year was cruelly exacerbated by the lia this year, and some of the consequences failure to conduct adequate prescribed burn- of them. A very interesting conference was ing. That is a very important point. organised back in March. It was addressed It is difficult not to conclude that much of by Dr Phil Cheney of the CSIRO. I think that the 1.6 million hectares of parks and forests anyone who has been involved with bush- that were destroyed this year could have fires would know that he is probably Austra- been saved had proper prescribed burning lia’s most pre-eminent expert on the whole been carried out. The question is: why was it question of bushfires and bushfire control, not carried out? The three experts noted that having had four decades of experience work- there were limitations on the skills and, ing in that area. Dr Syd Shea, Professor of equally importantly, the resources available Environmental Management at the Univer- to conduct prescribed burning and that there sity of Notre Dame Australia and former were elements of community opposition to head of Western Australia’s Department of such burning. That is a nice polite way of Conservation and Land Management, and Dr saying that, as the delegates from fire af- Kevin Tolhurst, of the Forest Science Centre fected regions put much more strongly, there at the University of Melbourne, also ad- has been a lot of ill-informed debate going dressed the conference. on in Australia in the last few years, particu- It was a very useful conference that larly from some of the green groups. They brought out some of the frustrations that so have been the ones most opposed to pre- many in Australia are feeling nowadays scribed burning and, equally, those most vo- about the way the bushfires were allowed to cal in trying to expand the size of our native occur—and I choose those words carefully— forests and parks, at the same time not de- the impact they had and the reaction after- manding of the state governments—because wards when so many of those who probably it is a state responsibility—adequate re- should have been a bit more open in admit- sources to properly manage them. ting their failures and where things had gone This failure of policies has brought about wrong were doing so much to try to cover the devastation that we saw earlier this year. up—and I choose the words ‘cover up’— It is not just the devastation within the public what has been a real policy failure in Austra- land, but also the devastation on adjoining lia when it comes to managing our fire prone private lands that have been burnt out, and forests. burnt out so comprehensively, in a way that At the conference, the experts were told has caused extreme misery for those who are that prescribed burning was the most effec- affected. tive tool for controlling major bushfires in The point that seems to get lost on some Australia—something that most people know of these green groups is that, if the scale of but something that has been constantly human suffering—that is, the burnt out worked against by a number of policy deci- homes and the scorched farms—was terrible, sions. Prescribed burning is also seen as en- the damage to the natural environment was vironmentally beneficial, because it repli- awesome. It is a cruel reminder to say that cates the conditions under which Australia’s millions of small marsupials and other native forests and scrub lands evolved. There is no

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15673 animals died in these infernos. The question city and the country. People in the city no is not what we did to try to stop it but what longer appreciate the experience of those in we did not do that allowed those fires to the country who have lived with fire all their reach such horrific proportions. There is no lives, who know how to manage the risk and doubt that one of the points that has to come whose views are being increasingly ignored, out of the inquiries—one of which is being at the peril of our parks. conducted by the House of Representa- One aspect is interesting, and I will de- tives—is that there are obligations on public velop this theme further on another occasion. land managers similar to those on private The Institute of Public Affairs, in a recent land-holders when it comes to helping pre- publication, made the observation that only vent the spread of fires. Clearly the failure to 10,000 hectares of Australia were logged in prevent the build-up of fuel on neighbouring the last year, and 1.6 million hectares were public lands was a significant factor in the burnt last summer. All this timber was either intensity of the fires that struck in their own lost or partially destroyed. It does seem that areas. What better example is there than we have an extraordinary imbalance. Pres- Canberra, with over 500 homes lost? sure to reduce or eliminate logging in public But it was not only the fuel. A lot of these lands is coming through from those who areas were choked with noxious weeds, pro- claim to be conservationists, yet at the same viding a sanctuary for feral cats, dogs and time they are quite happy to see the land goats, which in turn invade private property. locked up, with a build-up of fuel that creates It is not just the fires; it is all the other prob- these infernos when they come through every lems associated with the lack of resources to few years. It is important to remember that manage these public lands. That is the sad often they come through from natural causes, thing about it. The ACT Sustainable Rural started by lightning and in other ways. Lands Group made a presentation. Their evi- It is worth just looking back at a bit of his- dence was very similar to the evidence they tory on this. The management of our public gave to the ACT Coroner investigating lands is not something that has come into deaths from fires in 1991. It really is quite question recently. Management through tragic. fire—the judicious use of fire—is something Unfortunately, nowadays we have state that has been around for a long time. I re- governments that are far more enthusiastic cently looked at a publication called The about creating electorally popular national People of Gariwerd: The Grampians’ Abo- parks than they are about funding the man- riginal Heritage. It is about the Grampians in agement of those parks. It has certainly come western Victoria. This book documents some back in spades with these horrific fires and of what the early European settlers found the tragedy that has come with them. Despite when they came to Australia. For example, in many warnings, people have refused to face 1840 one settler wrote: up to this. ... on our way we met a party of natives engaged The question that often comes to my mind in burning the bush, which they do in sections is this: why haven’t the media joined in with every year. The dexterity with which they manage the local knowledge and questioned state so proverbially a dangerous agent as fire is indeed governments more? Unfortunately, it is hard astonishing. Those to whom this duty is espe- cially entrusted, and who guide or stop the run- not to conclude that this is just further evi- ning flame, are armed with green tree boughs, dence of the ever widening gap between the

CHAMBER 15674 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 with which, if it moves in the wrong direction, its citizens here in my electorate and they beat it out. throughout our great country, then I will The book goes on to talk about firestick judge the budget’s influences on those issues. farming and how the Aboriginals managed My electorate, like those of all of us in this land. The question is: why have we for- this place, has individual needs and particu- gotten this? lar requirements. A predetermined budget In conclusion, I would again like to say template does not necessarily see those needs what an excellent budget the Treasurer has met and addressed. I tried to look at this brought down and to again raise the question budget’s impact on my families—I will at- of why it seems that the Department of the tempt to personalise it. Having various min- House of Representatives is being treated isters stand up in this place and wax lyrical less than fairly when it comes to the budget. about the hundreds of millions of dollars Finally, to come back to the bushfires, I being proposed to be spent in the out years is would like to say that I hope that, from these fine, but what does it really mean for fami- inquiries, particularly the House of Repre- lies in Bridgewater, Lauderdale, Blackmans sentatives inquiry, we are going to get some Bay, Cygnet, Lindisfarne and Dover? Fami- commonsense brought back into the whole lies in my electorate need jobs and job secu- question of management of public lands so rity. Those with pre school-aged children that we can try to manage them better and want to be able to access child care facilities, not see infernos and the tragic loss of not and be able to afford this care. They want only private property but also many of our their school-aged children to have the best native animals. available cost-effective educational opportu- Mr QUICK (Franklin) (8.08 p.m.)—This nities. They want to be able to access a doc- budget, like so many put up by the Treasurer, tor locally, and preferably one who bulk- has disappeared off the media radar screen, bills. They want to be able to readily access but not for most Australian families. The Job Network programs if made redundant. budget, like those stones I used to flick They want to be able to have their frail, aged across the river, bounced several times and parents gain places in hostels and nursing then sank without trace. True, it raised some homes. instant comment as it skimmed stylishly. Health is the right of all Australians. It True, it sent out large ripples as it sank be- should not matter where you live or how neath the surface, and those ripples did cause much you earn. All Australians are entitled to wash around the edges. In discussing this access affordable quality health care. The budget, I am not going to boringly rave on consequences of the philosophy that people about statistics, percentage increases and should pay for this right can be seen when a alleged decreases, or whether or not states sick child is not treated by a doctor because and territories have matched funding. Rather her parents simply do not have the up-front than ideologically attacking the budget, I fees, or when a 94-year-old man is being believe it is far better to realistically assess separated from his lifetime partner because the budget against its impact on families in he does not meet the subjective bureaucratic my electorate. Let us take off the blinkers ACAT criteria. These cases—the reality of and the rose-tinted glasses and genuinely see what is happening to people in my elector- what it means for them. Following this, I ate—are what the budget should address so wish to raise issues that I see as crucial to the that we can pride ourselves in our universal development of society and the well-being of health system, that is for all Australians.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15675

Health is one of the most important issues Another case that touched the hearts of my for Australian families. The lack of funding staff and me was that of Mr James Gribbin. for the state governments in the Australian Mr Gribbin, a 94-year-old man, was continu- health care agreements is not understood in ally assessed by the Aged Care Assessment the glib media coverage it receives, but it Team—ACAT—as low care. His 94-year-old certainly is by someone on a hospital waiting wife was in a high care nursing home. Mr list who understands that more funds are Gribbin desperately wanted to gain admis- needed if his or her operations are to be sion to the same place but was not even on scheduled quickly. I believe all Australians the waiting list due to his assessment as low have the right to expect access to doctors and care. Mr Gribbin was hospitalised three to a health system that treats people with times this year—once for a stroke, once for dignity and respect throughout their life- pneumonia and once for malnourishment. Mr times. Gribbin required a walking frame for mobil- I have nothing but respect for health pro- ity, no longer held a driver’s licence and re- fessionals but, no matter how good these ceived visits from the district nurse, home people are, without a properly funded and help and Meals on Wheels. Mr Gribbin was resourced system there are going to be major in hospital again in April, where a reassess- problems. This may seem unsubstantiated, so ment took place. Yet again he was classified I would like to share some cases that my as low care. While in hospital he was diag- constituents have brought to my attention. nosed with pancreatic cancer, with a progno- Hospital waiting lists are of great concern to sis of only a few weeks to live. On compas- many people. One of my constituents re- sionate grounds alone it would seem obvious cently wrote to me: that the solution should have been to place Mr Gribbin in the high-care category to en- I had an unfortunate accident and was fitted with a colostomy bag which the hospital informed me able him to be considered by the home his would be removed in six months time. Now two wife was a resident in. years later on I rang the hospital to see what was Finally, after much discussion and many happening only to be told it will be several more phone calls, the federal Department of years before this minor surgery can be performed. Health and Ageing put forward a suggestion: I understand the hospital system is over loaded that the home could take in Mr Gribbin with but this is totally unacceptable and inhumane way to treat tax payers and citizens. their own assessment. But, by this time, it was worked out that Mr Gribbin was gravely The only advice I could pass on to this man ill and he chose to be placed in the Whittle was that the limited availability of the spe- Ward, the palliative care hospice. Mr Gribbin cialist surgeon and the number of urgent died on 25 April this year. After spending cases on the waiting list had led to the hospi- most of their adult life together, Mr and Mrs tal’s inability to confirm a date. A review by Gribbin were separated because Mr Gribbin a specialist may move him up the list. There did not meet a partly subjective, bureaucratic was only one colorectal surgeon at the Royal criterion. Without real compassion in guide- Hobart Hospital with so many patients re- lines, the humanity of aged care is devalued. quiring surgery for illnesses such as bowel cancer. One wonders when minor surgery The demise of bulk-billing and the attack will be seen to—in this case minor surgery on Medicare has resulted in people who sim- would give this 40-year-old constituent a ply cannot afford to take themselves or their much higher quality of life. children to their local GP, putting yet more pressure on our emergency departments,

CHAMBER 15676 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 which are already suffering from lack of government will lead to unfair outcomes. funds. Medicare was founded to ensure uni- Francis Sullivan of Catholic Health Australia versality in our health system. It is not about said: free health. As taxpayers and citizens, Aus- This package disproportionately hits the hard up tralians have already paid for it with taxes and the sick and erodes the value of the Medicare and their Medicare levy. The latest offering entitlement for people without concession cards. from the Howard government, the so-called Families and people on meagre incomes will find ‘fairer Medicare’, penalises the people who bulk billing elusive. pay for Medicare and reduces Medicare to a Tim Woodruff of the Doctors Reform Soci- safety net for a two-tiered system. ety stated: Bulk-billing increased every year under Working families with one income will be re- Labor governments, but it has been in de- duced to taking just one of three sick kids to the cline since the Howard government was doctor and then sharing the treatment in a desper- elected in 1996. Bulk-billing by GPs has ate attempt to afford health care. fallen by 11 per cent since the Howard gov- As I said, the issue of Medicare has been ernment came to office. I am afraid to say prominent in this budget. that, in my electorate of Franklin, the rate of My GP, Dr Riddoch, has raised this sub- GP bulk-billing has fallen to 53.6 per cent— ject with me on numerous occasions. I re- a decline of almost five per cent in the last ceived from him on Friday a concise, con- year. The average patient contribution in structive solution to what I consider a real Franklin has risen by 12.5 per cent to $9.34. national health problem—one that will not What this means for the average family is go away. It needs bipartisan support and that, hopefully, they or their children get sick should be considered in terms of what is best on payday. Families without health care for Australian families, not from a position of cards are expected to pay upfront fees. A cost-benefit analysis. He says in his letter: constituent of mine recently asked whether The Scheduled Fee and its reduced rebate failed the doctor would bill her, and she was told to keep pace with the cost of living, and have that you pay on the day. This meant that she done so ever since. This is why the AMA recom- could not see her GP. mended fee for a standard GP consultation is now The latest package that the Howard gov- about twice the Scheduled Fee. ernment has offered will see families with All along the majority of GPs, even if they have two children, who earn over the cut-off point not bulk-billed have generally continued to for a health care card, $32,000, pay even charge pensioners and health care card holders, more to visit a doctor. I can assure you that lower income earners and many children lower fees. By so doing they have demonstrated their there are many families in my electorate who altruism, but at the same time they have continued cannot afford this increase. This limits their to subsidise the health system and have inadver- choice and many will go to hospital casualty tently fed the lie that the price of a standard GP departments, putting even more pressure on consultation is worth $25.05. public hospitals—yet the Howard govern- Almost all GPs would bulk bill if the rebate were ment is offering the states and territories less appropriate. in hospital funding. The package offered by Compare GP fees with those of other profession- the Howard government is heading towards als and tradesmen. They are lower than a visit to an Americanised, user pays, two-tiered the hairdresser. health care system. It is not merely political rhetoric that a ‘fairer Medicare’ from the

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15677

Small wonder that General Practice is in a state of • A “no fault” insurance scheme for the vic- crisis. Why train for years, remain committed to tims of medical misadventure should be in- continuing education, work for long hours, deal troduced. with many varied and complex health issues and He goes on to say: put up with being so undervalued? Failure to implement these essential changes will Successive Federal Governments— result in further degradation of General Practice and I will add here, mine too— to the detriment of health care throughout Austra- have imposed a mass of impositions on GPs. lia. There are more certificates than the proverbial Yours faithfully, stick can be poked at. Examples include special Dr Graeme Riddoch certificates for Centrelink, authority for the PBS, extra forms for childhood immunisation. I now turn to the much vaunted, by the gov- ernment at least, Job Network. What a sham- In relation to medical indemnity, he bles the Job Network competitive tendering goes on to say: process has been. What a waste of resources Contrary to the utterances of the Minister for and time and what an insult to the long-term Health, and her colleague the Minister for Reve- unemployed in this country. Let me put on nue & Assistant Treasurer, this has not been han- the record how this government have short- dled well and, for us in Tasmania at least, does not offer a secure future. changed the unemployed of this country. Since they came to government in 1996, He goes on to say: seven years ago, the number of long-term What can be done to improve the situation? unemployed has barely changed. From the • The most important and immediate action inception of the Job Network process, it has must be the restoration of the confidence and become a lottery to see who will be awarded self-esteem of the current General Practice contracts and for the duration of each con- workforce. tract transition, believe it or not, the system • They should receive adequate remuneration shuts down for two months. In my electorate for their services. When Medibank was cre- of Franklin, ‘Geoff’ came to my office be- ated we were “rewarded” with 85% of the cause he had qualified for intensive assis- “common fee”. The Relative Values Study tance during May but none of the Job Net- has shown that an appropriate fee for a stan- dard consultation should be in the range of work agencies was able to register him dur- $45-50, 85% of which is $38.25-42.50. ing the transition period. He had the oppor- tunity to commence work as a security guard • There are many other items of GP which deserve to be remunerated more highly, no- but he needed assistance to pay for his first tably home and nursing home visits. aid course and the security licence. • Together with a raising of the status of GPs In Bridgewater, an area of exceptionally should come increased funding for places in high unemployment, Job Network 3 has cut medical schools and in GP training pro- down the number of providers from three to grams. Ideally there should be one pro- two. Mission Employment was closing and gram—in my opinion this should be run by could not take him on. Job Futures were set- the RACGP. ting up but their contract commences from 1 • The recent plethora of time-consuming in- July. Workskills, which were continuing, centives for General Practice ... should be were adamant, as was the department, that abolished. nothing could be done to help ‘Geoff’. My office put a call through to the minister’s

CHAMBER 15678 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 office and they were very helpful. They cation in all Australian schools with over 150 helped organise for Workskills to take students. I would argue that concerns over ‘Geoff’ on and he was able to commence $150,000 university fees are irrelevant if work. The question that arises is: why does it students entering our high schools will not be require ministerial intervention to get some- taught by premium maths and science teach- one registered for and access to intensive ers. Many of those students are not capable assistance? One wonders how many other of coping socially and academically. people across Australia are affected in the In the last few moments, I would also like same way but do not have access to ministe- to raise the issue of the inability of many of rial assistance? How good is a system that my constituents to access legal aid. Once virtually shuts down for two months to again we have this territorial stupidity be- change providers? I really feel for the long- tween state and Commonwealth governments term unemployed who have to ply their way about whose fault it is and who is specially through such a ridiculous system. required to top up funding. I am lucky that Before I leave this subject, Mr Deputy just around the corner from my electorate Speaker, I draw your attention to the fact that office there is a wonderful community legal half the Job Network provider offices are centre. It is the first point of call for many closing by 1 July. There will be fewer than people who do not understand the complex 1,000 offices for the country and many re- nature of our legal system. But to send peo- gional areas will be without direct access to a ple around there only for them to be told, ‘It provider. In Bridgewater, as I have said, the doesn’t seem to quite fit the criteria’; ‘The number of providers will be reduced to two. funding is only for Commonwealth issues’; For the eastern shore area of Rosny there will ‘This is a state issue’; ‘Go away and see a be only two providers, reduced from five—a lawyer’ is just like saying to poor old Mr great choice for the unemployed. One won- Gribbin, ‘You’re 94 and you don’t meet the ders and speculates that Job Network 4 will criteria. Fend for yourself. You are one of probably see just two or three providers for those victims of society.’ the whole country. By that stage it will be We are a country rich in resources and in close to a complete privatisation of the CES, wonderful people. We have so much going except that it will have been done by stealth for us. In the last few parliaments I have said over 10 years. that our priorities are all screwed up. I am There is much more that could be said and not a great advocate for spending endless elaborated on about this budget—the issue of amounts of money on defence. I think that early intervention, the crisis in the unmet some of the initiatives taken by this govern- need for child care for thousands of Austra- ment in our allocation of resources in the lian families and, in my mind, the wrongful area of antiterrorism and the like would be emphasis by this government in restructuring better placed in strengthening our communi- education. Where is this government’s real ties. We need to be proactive rather than re- commitment to liaise with and adequately active. Hopefully state and territory ministers resource state education ministers to see the can get together, come up with packages and following issues properly addressed: smaller stop this stupid silo mentality. Let us make class sizes for every one of our early child- decisions for the benefit of all Australians hood students and the mandating of full-time and ensure that in this wonderful country specialist teachers in the areas of music, there are opportunities for all to reach their physical education, libraries and special edu-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15679 potential. I thank you for the opportunity to He was referring there to the extraordinary speak on the 2003-04 budget. series of deficits which had been handed Mr KING (Wentworth) (8.28 p.m.)—I down by Labor administrations and which rise to speak on Appropriation Bill (No. 1) were the core challenge then facing the fi- 2003-2004. I suggest to the House tonight nancial and economic regimes in the country. that this is the most significant budget for the In this year’s budget the Treasurer spoke Howard government and the Treasurer since somewhat differently. He spoke about the the 1996-97 budget. In world terms it com- challenges for security and prosperity and pares most favourably with any other budget about the need to address structural change delivered in this fiscal year. This budget not in education and health. Those challenges only achieves the trifecta that has been so were addressed in the context of a series of eloquently spoken about by the Treasurer— budgets that have delivered a million jobs namely, a balanced budget, tax cuts and since March 1996 and a level of growth and meeting expenditures of an unusual kind— prosperity that has not been seen before in but also addresses major structural issues, this country over a sustained period. particularly in the areas of health and educa- How does the budget continue those out- tion. comes? Perhaps the first and most important In my address I want to deal, firstly, with way is to propose a series of tax cuts. These some general aspects of the budget, which I have been scorned by our opponents, but wish to draw to the attention of those who they do add up to significant tax cuts for have elected me and others and, secondly, various groups of our people. For example, with three special issues: firstly, the SARS the threshold increases in relation to income debate and certain opportunities that it opens tax cuts for persons whose annual taxable up economically for Australia; secondly, se- income is between $21,600 and $30,000 are curing Australia both domestically and over- up to 10 per cent. The annual reduction in tax seas in the current international terrorism liability for someone on a taxable income of context; and thirdly, and importantly, heri- $21,600 is $329, which is an estimated per- tage conservation in which, in this budget, an centage reduction of 10.7 per cent. In addi- important vision has become a reality. If time tion to those tax cuts, there is an increase in permits, I then want to briefly address some the low-income tax offset to $235 per year— aspects of the Labor alternatives and draw an increase of $85 per year. my remarks to a close in that context. It is unnecessary to go through the detail It is worth while going back to the re- of these measures, which are set out in the marks of the Treasurer in 1996—by the very budget papers, but it is important to note that same Treasurer, I am pleased to say, who it is not only income tax cuts but also bene- delivered this budget. He noted that the pro- fits through tax cuts for senior Australians gram anticipated at that time was one for through the senior Australians tax offset that families, small businesses, older Australians have been proposed in this budget. This al- and to improve health care and plan and re- lows many senior Australians to earn up to pair the nation’s finances. Of the inherited an additional $500 annual income before deficit, he said: they have a tax liability. The same proposals We could not stand back and ignore the problem. provide that Medicare levy thresholds for Although we did not create it, we will take the senior Australians will be increased to ensure responsibility to fix it.

CHAMBER 15680 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 that they do not pay Medicare levies until expanded role. APRA, the important regula- they begin to incur an income tax liability. tory body for prudential regulation, will re- There are also tax cuts involved in the in- ceive a significant injection of funds, and its ternational taxation arena. These are de- structure will be reformed and financed ade- signed in a comprehensive way to ensure that quately to ensure that it continues to play a Australia is encouraged as a regional head- significant and enhanced role in prudential quarters for foreign groups and to improve regulation so that the business community, our country’s attractiveness as a continuing ordinary customers and consumers will have base for multinational companies. It is im- greater confidence in the operation of our portant that we address those structural prob- free enterprise economy. lems; otherwise countries that envy our re- It is against that background that it is cord and have highly competitive regimes at worth while remembering that, apart from the moment will, for their own reasons, at- the significant achievements that this budget tract Australian companies and potential achieves nationally, it is also applauded in- companies overseas, which will impact nega- ternationally. The OECD Economic Survey tively upon our employment and growth. It is of Australia in its March 2003 review states: therefore important that the Senate approach Australia’s current and recent economic outcomes these reforms very seriously and construc- place it among the top performers in the OECD. tively, as advised by the board of review. A little further down it states: I want to mention a couple of measures The Government’s commitment to reform, its that, in my assessment, are significant in the willingness to commission expert advice and to overall context of this budget. The Australian heed it, to try new solutions, and to patiently build Reinsurance Pool Corporation, which was constituencies that support further reforms, is also recently established under the terrorism in- something that other countries could learn from. surance legislation and about which I spoke Another comment worthy of note, which in the House not so long ago, will be estab- relates to the importance of achieving eco- lished with a $5 million equity injection, nomic policy objectives, states: leading through collections to a $100 million Dogged pursuit of structural reforms across a very equity base per annum which will be built up broad front, and prudent macroeconomic policies over time to ensure that there is a proper firmly set in a medium-term framework, have backdrop for terrorism insurance in this combined to make the Australian economy one of country. the best performers in the OECD ... Another important reform is the support Immediately following the budget, the re- given to the CLERP 9 reforms in relation to spected commentator William Pesek Jr on improving disclosure by Australian corpora- Bloomberg News commented: tions. This issue has been aired through a Unusual, indeed. While most major economies number of inquiries and royal commissions. are struggling, Australia’s is thriving. In the U.S., It is significant that the budget is addressing Japan and Germany, it’s stagnation and rising the concerns of commissioners and others unemployment that folks worry about. Here, it’s who have commented upon these problems how to keep the good times going. relating to corporate collapses in the last He continues: couple of years and is responding positively But domestically, it’s hard to see Australia as any- to the proposed reforms. Apart from that, the thing but a role model for the world’s biggest Financial Reporting Council will achieve an economies.

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15681

He also states: It still does not appear as if the epidemic has Australia isn’t getting much credit domestically been brought under control. Most adversely or internationally, and that’s a shame. affected, especially in our part of the world, … … … are Hong Kong and China, although Singa- Yet if you’re looking for an example of an econ- pore and Taiwan have also been seriously omy that’s forging its own path, independent of affected. Professor Warwick McKibbin of the the weakness slamming most, Australia is it. Centre for International Economics and a By way of budget comparison, these points member of the Reserve Bank board has esti- are worth making. This budget is expected to mated that SARS would cost Hong Kong record a budget surplus of $2.2 billion—or some 5.5 per cent of GDP in this fiscal year 0.3 per cent of GDP. According to data from and China some 2.4 per cent of GDP. the OECD’s Economic Outlook April 2003 I have had an opportunity to discuss these edition, in the 2004 fiscal year the UK is ex- matters with some leaders in the tourist in- pected to record a deficit of 2.2 per cent of dustry, including the Australian Tourism Ex- GDP. In Australia, this would be a deficit of port Council, who have indicated that, far around $16.2 billion. In 2004, the US is ex- from seeing this as a challenge for Australia, pected to record a deficit of 4.2 per cent of it ought to be seen as an opportunity. While GDP. In Australia, this would be a deficit of the epidemic is progressing and is to be around $30.8 billion. When one compares brought under control there are opportunities the record internationally of the government, for Australian businesses, especially in the one sees that this is not just a very significant area of tourism. For example, it has been budget but perhaps the most significant estimated that some two million Japanese budget in fiscal terms in the contemporary visitors have elected not to proceed to China world—certainly amongst the OECD coun- in the first six months of this year. Australian tries with whom Australia is traditionally tourist authorities and businesses could do compared. It is on that basis that all Austra- well to look in that direction and encourage lians can be proud to have a government that them to come to Australia. We could do well has put in place a budget which has brought to promote our country as the clean, green such strong results for continued prosperity nation that it really is. Our stability and secu- and also for continued change and reform. rity, which have been obvious in the last Let me comment on a couple of issues that eight years or so, ought to be used not just as I have mentioned earlier which, it seems to a basis for securing our future but also as an me, are worthy of note in the current context. attraction for others such as those tourists The first is SARS. It must be said that one of who might otherwise go to China—or, in- the issues that faced the framers of this deed, in their case, in the first six months of year’s budget was the unusual and unex- this year stay at home. pected expenditures required. The first, of Likewise in relation to investors, it has course, was the war in Iraq. There were very been suggested that banking industry inves- significant expenditures which were not ex- tors have withdrawn from the growing mar- pected and had to be provided for in the kets of China and possibly Taiwan and Ko- budget context. That has been achieved. An- rea. Australia should do what it can in the other was SARS and the epidemic which has current climate, at least until the current epi- now, on one estimate, affected by death or demic is over, to seek to attract those inves- illness some 8,000 persons around the world. tors to this country. In this context, I have recently written to Mr Draffin, the Chief Ex-

CHAMBER 15682 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 ecutive Officer of Invest Australia, suggest- not to be noticed. We have to address the ing to him that the policy division of Invest challenges of international terrorism—and Australia examine and investigate the poten- that is what we are doing. The best way that tial investment opportunities for international we can do that, as he and others have said, is businesses in tourism, in banking and in by ensuring that we have the best intelli- other areas so as to continue to establish Aus- gence sources and that we are continuing, as tralia as a strong, clean and green economic we have done in recent times, to punch zone for the purposes of investment, tourism above our weight. and other services. Let me speak of a third issue of impor- There are other possibilities open to us in tance. One of the major achievements of this this regard. The Rugby World Cup later this budget for me and for my constituents has year itself opens up opportunities for us to been the government’s funding commitment encourage tourism to this country and to to the protection of our heritage. I know that spread this country’s name around the globe residents in my electorate will particularly to a number of areas and a number of busi- welcome the decision to commit $115.5 mil- nesses and people who would otherwise not lion over eight years to the Sydney Harbour be considering travelling and promote this Federation Trust, which has responsibility country as a clean, green destination. In that for managing two sites within Wentworth. regard, I would urge the Tourism Export The trust is the institutional face of the How- Council of Australia, with Mr Peter Shelly as ard government’s visionary commitment to its able managing director, Invest Australia Sydney Harbour and its foreshores, and it has and other authorities to give very careful been doing a magnificent job in restoring and consideration to these opportunities. It does preparing management plans for the sites not mean that we should try to do down our within its charge. Public interest in trust land neighbours—of course it doesn’t; we should is understandably high, and it is of great do our best to try and help them. But, on the credit to the leaders of the trust, Kevin other hand, if opportunities are going beg- McCann and Geoff Bailey, that they have ging and Australia is in a position to exploit brought those community interests together them, we should do what we can to continue in such a way. to establish this country as a place of initia- In my electorate, the former marine bio- tive and to maintain and improve the levels logical research station at Watsons Bay and of prosperity that we currently enjoy. the Macquarie light station—an icon of the The second issue that I wanted to mention eastern suburbs—will both benefit as a result concerned the interests of securing this coun- of this budgetary decision. I know that they try. This budget spends an additional $2.1 will continue to be heritage places of great billion on defence in addition to the $645 significance to the local community, and I million spent on the war in Iraq, the $100 am delighted that the trust can proceed with million for humanitarian relief for recon- its planning functions confident of a long- struction in that country and the $411 million term and secure funding base. for domestic security, especially in the area The budget also included the exciting an- of intelligence gathering. Mr Rohan Guna- nouncement that over $52 million has been ratna, the security expert, has eloquently ex- allocated to fund a new heritage program, plained that countries like Australia cannot Distinctively Australian. This program pro- hide from the terrorism scourge. We cannot vides a financial base for the reforms the roll ourselves up into a little ball and hope

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15683 government has proposed to the way in commend the budget to the House. (Time which the Commonwealth manages places of expired) national heritage significance. It provides a Ms HALL (Shortland) (8.48 p.m.)—I be- considerable financial backbone to the pro- gin my speech on the Appropriation Bill (No. posed new heritage regime, and I hope that 1) 2003-2004 by saying that a government the Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2003-2004 should be judged by how effectively its will be quickly passed in the Senate so that budget delivers a fair and equitable society in Distinctively Australian can become opera- a financially responsible way. A good gov- tional. ernment governs for all its citizens, not just a The proposed regime involves the estab- few. In Australia, we have come to expect lishment of a list of heritage places—those that our governments will be inclusive and sites, be they Indigenous, built or natural, that, within the financial constraints of the that are truly of national significance. For the day, each government will deliver a budget first time, these sites will enjoy the protec- that creates opportunities for all, encourages tion of the Commonwealth to the extent of innovation and creates a framework that will our constitutional power in this area. Distinc- ensure that all those who need a little extra tively Australian will also ensure that the assistance get that assistance. Commonwealth is able to assist property Unfortunately, the philosophy of the owners in protecting, managing and promot- Howard government is to make the strong ing places on the national list. I mention stronger and marginalise even further those promote because the national list offers a in our community who look to the govern- wonderful opportunity for local communities ment for assistance and support. The gov- to maximise the tourist potential of these ernment are slaves to the doctrine of compe- sites. Just as tourists are often attracted to tition; they believe that the winner takes all. World Heritage sites because of their interna- The ideologues within the government are tional recognition and importance, I believe pushing Australia even further down a path that visitors will be drawn to places that have that will see us become a two-tiered society the status of being on Australia’s National with two classes of citizens: those who are Heritage List. I am enthusiastic about these very rich and those who are very poor. reforms because they come at the end of a It was interesting to read the article in the long process of community consultation and Sydney Morning Herald today entitled ‘Gen- input, including that undertaken by the Aus- eration $ stretching the poverty gap’. The tralian Heritage Commission while I had the article identified that while, on the one hand, honour of being its chair. That community 20 per cent of wealthy Australians control involvement included Australia’s first ever more than 50 per cent of the country’s National Heritage Convention in 1998, wealth, on the other hand, the poorest 20 per which made a valuable contribution to the cent of Australians control only one per cent government’s deliberations on these issues of Australia’s wealth. These figures show and was one of the highlights of my time as just how much our Australian society has the chair. I congratulate the minister and the been allowed to slip and how much some chair of the Australian Heritage Commission, people in Australia have been marginalised. Tom Harley, for their drive and initiative. Australia is a wonderful place for the select Once again we see demonstrated the gov- 20 per cent to live, but if you are in that bot- ernment’s commitment to an area virtually ignored by the previous Labor government. I

CHAMBER 15684 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 tom 20 per cent it is a pretty miserable place situation? What has done to create a more to live. equal society?’ The answer is quite simple: it I found some other figures detailed in an has given us more of the policies that have article in the Catholic Weekly in 2000. The created the problems we have in Australia. article stated: The Howard government gave us the GST and is now seeking to destroy Medicare and Forty-two per cent of Australian men aged 25 to 44 earn less than $32,000 a year, according to make university education the prerogative of Prof Bob Birrell of the Centre for Population and the wealthy. It is a government that has no Urban Research at Monash University. This is commitment to the environment. Its only less than 66 per cent of the average weekly wage. commitment is to big business and the dollar. This means that it is harder for people to buy It gives lip-service to restoring our river sys- a house and it is harder for people to start a tems—in stark contrast to the Labor Party, family. The article went on to say that one- which provides a solution and makes a third of Australian men in their early 30s commitment to the restoration of the Murray have no partner and are forced to either live River. at home with their parents or live in substan- It is a government that has continually dard conditions. In Australia, we have a very failed our frail aged, who rely on the gov- low birthrate, which is of great concern to us ernment to ensure that they receive proper as we have an ageing population. The birth- care. It has cut funding to nursing homes and rate is 1.7 and, as a nation, we need to ad- introduced the RCS—the classification scale dress this issue. To do that, we need to look that has led to a running down of our nursing at the issue of families and come to terms homes and put a great burden upon those with the fact that families are struggling. We residential facilities that are seeking to pro- need to support the 20 per cent of people, vide quality accommodation. It is difficult to talked about in today’s Sydney Morning Her- attract nurses to residential care facilities, ald, who are really struggling. both nursing homes and hostels. There is a The other article I referred to says: shortage of registered nurses and assistant nurses in these facilities, and there is no way Of men aged between 45 and 65, 51 per cent earn less than $32,000, and a staggering 26 per cent anything in this budget will change that fact. earn less than $16,000. The government has done nothing to reverse the situation whereby nurses working in aged This demonstrates quite aptly the fact that in care facilities continue to receive less money Australian society we have some people who than those working in the health system. work very hard, work very long hours and are very poor. The article also mentions the This is the government that is determined issues of unemployment, insecurity in em- to sell Telstra. It is the government that has ployment and the impact that the casualisa- watched Telstra’s network deteriorate and tion of the work force has had upon people seen the sacking of thousands of workers and and how this has affected their ability to earn it is the government that is supporting the a reasonable living, buy homes and live the sacking of a further 3,000 workers and the kind of life all of us have lived. disappearance of a further 4,200 jobs. This is the government that is guaranteeing the CEO Given that there is an obvious problem of Telstra, Dr Ziggy Switkowski, one year’s with the distribution of wealth in Australia salary—$1 million—if they sack him whilst you may ask, ‘What is the Howard govern- opposing the ACTU’s attempt to increase the ment doing? What has it done to create this redundancy package for workers from eight

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15685 weeks to 16 weeks. This is the government are allocated. On the Central Coast many of that has inflated the price of Telstra shares to the wires and cables in the highly sensitive make the budget’s bottom line look better. network are being protected by plastic bags! In the Hunter and on the Central Coast of Is this the way to ensure that we have an New South Wales—where the Shortland adequate service? Telstra’s network has been electorate is located—we are feeling the ef- allowed to run down. The government has fects of the government’s ideological deter- failed to invest in it and has constantly at- mination to sell Telstra. We are feeling the tacked the work force. effects of a network that has been allowed to The people of the Central Coast have been deteriorate and we are feeling the effects of subjected to many hours without phones. We thousands of Telstra jobs being slashed. I lose our phone service on a regular basis on have been advised by numerous Telstra the Central Coast and at Lake Macquarie, workers of many problems that exist in the and it is very disappointing that the govern- electorate. Eight workers have already been ment has failed to recognise this. I recently retrenched in the Newcastle-Lake Macquarie raised an issue in the Main Committee relat- area and six workers have been retrenched ing to an extensive outage. I called on the on the Central Coast. Staff are being forced member for Dobell to join with me in asking to work on weekends and to start early and the government to restore funding to Tel- finish late. stra—to make a commitment to Telstra and a Staff from outside the area are having to commitment to the people of the Central be brought in to maintain the network. These Coast. Unfortunately, his response was to staff are paid $132 a day extra in travelling attack me. allowance, above their wages, plus excess Debate interrupted. travelling time. Newcastle staff have been ADJOURNMENT working in Merriwa, and staff from as far The SPEAKER—Order! It being 9.00 away as Dubbo have been working in the p.m., I propose the question: Hunter and particularly on the Central Coast, where there have recently been a number of That the House do now adjourn. problems. These have definitely been exac- Indigenous Affairs: Deaths in Custody erbated by the government’s actions. All staff Mr MELHAM (Banks) (9.00 p.m.)— are pressured to work overtime because of Shortly I will seek leave to table a report the shortage of staff. On Fridays they are provided to me by the family of the late sent an SMS message to work on Saturdays. Douglas Bruce Scott. Mr Scott was on re- They cannot change their rostered days off, mand for more than a month in Berrimah because there is no flexibility there. They are Prison, near Darwin, when he died in 1985. unable to take their holidays, because there He was detained on a charge of using ob- are no replacements, so they have to continu- scene language. It was a very minor offence, ally put off taking holidays. This means that but the circumstances around the case are staff are carrying well in excess of the eight anything but minor. Mr Scott was found weeks they are supposed to carry. hanged in his prison cell. It is of particular concern that the mainte- Fifteen years later, a team of American nance that is taking place on our network is and British forensic scientists found that Mr substandard simply because workers do not Scott’s death was more consistent with have time to properly complete the jobs they strangulation. Their findings are detailed in a

CHAMBER 15686 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 forensic report that was prepared at the insti- but not in others, prompting the committee’s gation of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal concern about an ‘unexplained difference in Nation in the United States. These First Na- articles located within the crime scene’ in the tions people from Connecticut have lent photographs available. At the same time, enormous assistance to Letty Scott, the there were no diagrams or measurements widow of Douglas. The forensic report was concerning the heights of the bed and the requested by the Pequots on 1 November wall table, or as to their relative position to 1999, and the expert committee provided its Mr Scott. Similarly, no evidence had been report on 29 June 2000. It was instigated prepared that would allow the committee to after the Royal Commission into Aboriginal assess whether there were fingerprints or Deaths in Custody found that Mr Scott had footprints on the table. Questions were also hanged himself. The forensic team was led raised about whether Douglas could have by Dr Henry Lee, then Director of the Con- threaded a sheet through the grate in the ceil- necticut State Police Forensic Science Labo- ing and whether the grate could have sup- ratory and professor of forensic science at ported his weight for any extended period. the University of New Haven. The team also Based on all the information that was pro- included a professor of medicine from the vided to them, the committee concluded that University of Pittsburgh, the co-director of whether the manner of death was suicide or the New York Police Medicolegal Investiga- homicide could not be accurately deter- tions Unit, and a forensic medical examiner mined. The report states: for the Metropolitan Police in London. The reported and visible external and internal The committee set out to answer some un- injuries, along with observations regarding the resolved questions and to ‘review the avail- scene in which the death occurred, raise serious able documentation regarding the death of concerns about the security of the death scene and Douglas Scott’. In their summary and obser- the possibility of the cause of death being other vations in the report, the committee said, than suicidal. Additional information is necessary ‘There appears to be a significant possibility for determining the manner and circumstances of the death of Douglas Scott. that the death scene integrity might be com- promised.’ The committee cast doubt on the Mr Speaker, earlier I showed a copy of the idea that Mr Scott hanged himself—a con- report to my colleague across the table, the clusion it reached only after sifting through honourable member for McEwen. In re- the evidence with trained forensic eyes. The sponse to a request from Letty Scott, I seek report noted: leave to table this report tonight. Based on the height of the ceiling in cell number Leave granted 8, and the height of Douglas Scott, it is impossi- Environment: Conservation ble for Douglas Scott to tie the sheet around the Mrs MAY (McPherson) (9.04 p.m.)— ceiling grate by standing on the floor. If Douglas threaded the sheet through the grate openings and Australians have always had a fascination for tied the knot he would have needed to stand on our continent’s magnificent coastline. We are the bed, wall table or stool. a people attracted to the sea. Around Austra- On the basis of the evidence supplied to it, lia our coastal towns and cities are experi- the committee rules out the possibility that encing population growth as baby boomers Mr Scott would have used the stool to climb make the big shift towards the beach. up and prepare the sheet for his suicide. In Gold Coast city has long been a destina- fact, the stool appears in some photographs tion of choice for retirees and sun seekers; as

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15687 such, it is under ever-increasing pressure Queensland Health and the Queensland from population growth. While significant state government own this rare natural asset. areas of the city’s hinterland and foreshore The Gold Coast Hospital Board purchased it open space are now being preserved by the many years ago for a proposed hospital in current city council, new and infill develop- Miami. The land has sat unused since that ment along the coastal strip has over the time and it was expected that the Gold Coast years eroded important conservation areas. City Council would swap the land with the Only a few significant parcels of high con- state government for a parcel of land in servation value remain in the densely popu- Southport, which was to have been the site of lated coastal strip. One in particular is under a commercial parking station ancillary to the imminent threat—at the hands of Queen- Gold Coast Hospital. sland’s Labor government. It is a site of just Since then, a letter to a resident from the over 5.5 hectares and is one of the few low- Queensland minister for health, Wendy Ed- land remnant native forests left on the Gold mond, has indicated that the Miami land may Coast. be surplus to their requirements and, if so, I want to put this bushland, known as the will be listed on the government land register Miami Bushland, in context. As I mentioned, so that other government departments have the surrounding coastal plan is highly devel- the opportunity to express an interest in ac- oped; as a consequence there are few remain- quiring the property. As there is no identified ing areas in this part of the city landscape requirement within government, Queensland which provide a viable habitat even for Health have indicated their intention to offer common fauna, so the Miami site is of high the land for sale on the open market. There- conservation significance. This elevated for- fore, if the government wishes to sell the est includes massive ancient eucalypts— land on the open market for development, some of which are 150 to 250 years old— they have the ability to undertake a ministe- which support a large range of native birds rial rezoning. This would mean that substan- and animals. Birdlife such as rainbow lori- tial residential development could take place keets nest in the ancient hollow limbs of in this forest. these trees. The bird population will start to Councillor Jan Grew, whose council divi- be whittled away if these trees are destroyed, sion covers the Miami bushland, has been a and the wildlife in the area will disappear, strong advocate of keeping the bushland in because, of course, with our ecosystem all its present state. Councillor Grew recently species are interdependent. urged councillors to support a resolution that The bushland plays host to some signifi- the Gold Coast City Council renegotiate the cant species, including—and I will use their land swap arrangement with Queensland common names—the flemingia pea, the olive Health to exchange the Miami bushland for bush, sandfly zieria and tall sawsedge. The the land in Southport. That resolution was tall sawsedge is the only known food plant of adopted by the full council on 9 May 2003. the endangered swordgrass brown butterfly, There have been many public rallies and but I am afraid that up until the present time petitions to keep the urban bushland in its we have been unable to establish that the present state. I urge the Queensland state Miami Bushland is a habitat for the Labor government to listen to the people and swordgrass brown butterfly. give favourable consideration to this land exchange. The land swap would be a win-

CHAMBER 15688 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 win for all concerned. There is no doubt that have one parent at home full time for five this is a very special and rare piece of bush- years. By the time a child is in its second land. Once it is developed, it is gone forever. year, some 57 per cent of mothers are work- I sincerely hope that the Labor state govern- ing. By the time the child has turned three, ment recognises its environmental signifi- roughly 68 per cent of mothers are back in cance and enters into a land swap with the the work force. Child care is not an indul- Gold Coast City Council. If it does not, in gence or a luxury. It is a necessity, without the years ahead what is now the Miami bush- which ordinary Australians and the Austra- land will just be another residential devel- lian economy would be worse off. opment. But if the state government does One of my constituents, Jennifer Tranter, enter into the land swap with the Gold Coast felt so strongly about this issue that she con- City Council, it will leave an enduring legacy tacted my office to reinforce how important by ensuring the protection of one of the last child care was to her family. Jennifer and her remnant forests in the Gold Coast city. partner have two children: Hannah, aged Holt Electorate: Child Care four, and Blake, aged 18 months. Both Jenni- Mr BYRNE (Holt) (9.09 p.m.)—I rise to- fer and her husband work full time. Jennifer night to talk about an issue of concern in my said: electorate—child care. It is an absolute ne- If I couldn’t send my kids to day care, I would not cessity for many Australians families, par- be able to go to work. With only my partner’s ticularly those living within my electorate of income to live on, we would in a worst-case sce- Holt. In 2001, there were 38,115 children nario end up losing our house. Day-care is just so aged between zero and 11 within the city of important to us. Casey, a council district within my elector- Though other nations have begun to recog- ate. Many of the parents of these children nise the importance of child care and to act work. They have to work to pay bills, to pay to increase investment in child development mortgages and to pay for petrol. Because and care, this government has done the re- they work, their children need child care and, verse. It has refused to acknowledge the in- as they grow older, before and after school creased community demand for child care care. Yet the Howard government has pro- and does not recognise that many mothers vided no assistance for new child-care cen- need to return to work after the birth of a tres in huge growth corridors like those in child. I quote Jennifer Tranter again: my electorate. Mr Costello’s 2003 budget I don’t know anyone who stays at home to look was an opportunity, particularly in my elec- after their kids. People just can’t afford to. I know torate, for the Howard government to pro- many couples who are in the situation where one vide real, tangible help to these families. The partner works days whilst the other works nights government has failed. It has failed to take just so they can have the Australian dream of owning a house and give their kids a good future. this opportunity. It has failed to provide any extra child-care places for the third year in a The Howard government has elected to pro- row. vide incentives for mothers who stay at home whilst ignoring many of these families and Without extra funding for child care, the women who want to return to work. The parents in my electorate will be forced to abandonment of child care has resulted in stay at home. It is a forced decision that a national shortages—shortages which are majority of families simply cannot afford. starkly evident in my electorate of Holt. This The majority of families cannot afford to is illustrated in an article entitled ‘Child care

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“in crisis”’ in the Berwick News written by The school have informed me that they have ap- Jodie Welsh, whom I think the member for plied for extra places but may not receive the full Dunkley would know reasonably well. The 30. article states: Leanne has canvassed every option in vain. Some Casey parents may be forced to leave their None of the City of Casey child-care centres primary school-aged children at home alone be- have any after school placement spots. She cause of an alleged shortage in before and after decided to try and transfer to another school, school care places across the municipality. only to find that that school had waiting lists. According to at least a dozen local parents, who She contacted Nanny Services, only to be were earlier this week struggling to find care for told that demand for nannies in the area is so their school-aged children after a centre in Narre high that it outstrips demand. This lack of Warren changed ownership, the municipality is child-care places in this area is unacceptable. facing— (Time expired) in her words— Dunkley Electorate: 2nd Mornington Sea a “crisis” in terms of placements available. Scout Group; Mornington Heritage Rail Local parent Leanne Cartledge contacted my Mr BILLSON (Dunkley) (9.14 p.m.)—I office to express her concern at the lack of report that community spirit and volunteer- placements available for children attending ism is alive and well in Mornington, the the local school—Berwick Primary School. place where I am fortunate enough to live. Leanne’s daughter, Kirralee, was once able They are at their best when there is a mar- to attend a child-care centre which provided riage between personal interests and hobbies before and after school care to Berwick Pri- and the selfless community support and ser- mary School students. This centre was re- vice to others displayed by so many leading cently taken over by a corporate child-care members of the Mornington community. On chain, and Kirralee’s parents were informed the weekend and in recent weeks, we have it would no longer offer before and after celebrated two examples of this. school care. Leanne and her husband, Ste- On Sunday I was pleased to join the 2nd ven, have tried in vain to find an after school Mornington Sea Scout Group in celebrating placement for their daughter. its 50th anniversary—50 years during which Although Berwick primary does have a the group has developed young people in before and after school program, demand for their seamanship, an understanding of the the service, particularly in this growth corri- characteristics of personal growth and team dor, is so great that the school cannot possi- work, and in learning new skills; 50 years of bly accommodate the number of children providing that support to the local commu- seeking placements. Some families have nity. It all started back in May 1953 when been on the waiting list for this service since some very persuasive leading member of the July last year. In recognition of this demand, scouts community got on to the ANZ Bank, the school is currently awaiting approval of at a benevolent time perhaps, to provide the its application for a further 30 places for the first hut on the beach for the sea scout group. after school program. Yet Leanne has in- It was obviously in need of expansion a few formed me that even if this application is years later and development was started on successful the school may not receive an the new scout hall that can now be seen at adequate number of places to meet the enor- Scout Beach, Mornington. mous demand the program receives. She states:

CHAMBER 15690 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Blair Williams, the group leader, and come down to the Mornington Peninsula. Libby Vagg, President of the 2nd Morning- One of the great things on offer is the Morn- ton Sea Scouts Group, outlined to those ington heritage rail, which now boasts a ‘run- gathered on Sunday the vision ahead for the around loop’. I did not quite know what a group, which included addressing the cost of run-around loop was—I knew it was not scouting. The group has not been spared Run-around Sue—but a run-around loop is from the implications of the public liability actually very important because it enables crisis that is now being resolved progres- the locomotive to operate in both directions sively by governments. The speakers cheer- from the front of each train travelling be- fully shared with the group that numbers tween the Mornington and Moorooduc sta- participating in the group’s activities are in- tions that are part of that heritage rail. creasing, but the cost of scouting is still an The official opening was sensational. It issue to be addressed—and that is a chal- was performed by Kevin Burt, President of lenge for not only this group but many others the Mornington Peninsula Rail Preservation as they battle to raise the funds needed to Society. A jazz band was playing against the support their activities. backdrop of a steaming locomotive engine. Looking ahead, the group is discussing a There was the feeling of yesteryear and it kitchen renovation project in trying to get had an eye to the region’s future tourism ap- some hot water into the building—it is peal. Local state MP Robin Cooper quite probably one of the rare public buildings deservedly praised the railway committee of around that does not have hot water—so that management, its members and volunteers for it can provide shower facilities and a second their vision and dedication in transforming toilet for many of the women and girls who the railway into a leading heritage tourist participate in the program. An extension to attraction before cutting the ceremonial rib- incorporate these improvements and an area bon—and the band kept playing. Tony Sheer, to store its trailers are all part of the vision President of Mornington Peninsula Tourism, the group has for its development. The ANZ was there. He said that the run-around loop are back on board though. I was delighted was symbolic of how the heritage rail in par- that Paul Groves, the Mornington branch ticular and tourism in general on the penin- manager of the ANZ, turned up for the 50th sula was heading in the right direction. Local birthday celebrations and, as an anniversary Mornington Shire councillor and council gift, provided $1,000 as a start for a building delegate to the committee of management, account, as those dedicated individuals seek Josephine Smith, provided the glamour for to expand the services available through their this yesteryear occasion. She was enthusias- activities on the beach at Mornington. So the tic about the heritage railway’s future and Rovers, Venturers, Scouts and Cub-scouts assured the Mornington Railway Preserva- and Joeys are all thriving and going very tion Society of her ongoing work and com- well. That is just one example of some of the mitment. exciting community-spirited and community- With the support of the federal govern- minded activities going on in the Dunkley ment and with rail track from the spur line of community. HMAS Cerberus, with the local shire provid- A second one, though, is probably more ing assistance with ballast—which is the known for its appeal to the visitor commu- rocks and stuff that keep the track in place nity and I emphasise that, if you want to re- and make sure that it dries out—and with the charge your batteries in Greater Melbourne, assistance of local civil engineering con-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15691 struction companies and a dedicated band of in my electorate. This centre has provided volunteers, the railway preservation society settlement support for hundreds of refugees has transformed a dilapidated rail asset into a and migrants over its long years of operation. real feature of tourism on the Mornington The services provided are a vital part of the Peninsula. I commend them all, including network that assists newly arrived people Howard Girdler, whose vision has been driv- who come to Australia and, most specifically, ing this project for many years. To anybody the people who come to live in the west of with a bit of an interest in very big trains Melbourne. who would like to dedicate some time and I have been saddened by the closing of the energy to the Mornington Peninsula Rail MRC and the branch office at Hoppers Preservation Society, your energies would be Crossing and, of course, I am concerned well received, as new marketing initiatives, about the future provision of services for locomotive restoration and further fundrais- people who need them and, most particularly, ing lies ahead. (Time expired) for newly arrived migrants who need them Immigration: Migrant Resource Centre the most. The services provided by the MRC Ms GILLARD (Lalor) (9.19 p.m.)—I rise included assistance with housing, education, as a representative of Melbourne’s multicul- health and employment. All of these services are absolutely vital if people are to make a tural west and most particularly as the repre- successful transition to life in Australia, par- sentative of my electorate of Lalor. Many ticularly in the early years of that new life families that now call Australia home had when the transition is at its most difficult. their start in Melbourne’s multicultural west. Many people have given countless hours Many of these people have come from situa- to the MRC—the staff, on a paid basis, who tions of war and conflict, and many have have done above and beyond what they are lived through incredible suffering that we paid to do; and the many hundreds of volun- can only imagine. My electorate of Lalor is teers who have been associated with the home to a number of people from the older MRC over its life. Mr Speaker, I am sure that communities—if I can use that terminol- you, like me, are always amazed by the de- ogy—the communities that arrived post- gree of voluntary contribution that people in World War II in the great wave of Australian the community will engage in, and this was migration, through to the more newly arrived true of the Inner West Migrant Resource communities, particularly people from the Centre and the Hoppers Crossing branch of- communities of the Horn of Africa who are fice. now making Lalor their home. As a result of this contribution by both the For some 22 years Melbourne’s west was staff and the volunteers, the Inner Western served by the Inner West Migrant Resource Region Migrant Resource Centre has devel- Centre. Unfortunately, this centre has been oped as a pool of great knowledge, skills and forced to close its doors. This MRC started expertise. I fear that now, in the transition to as a small service based in Footscray in the new arrangements, these could be lost. These electorate of Gellibrand and over the years it skills have aided the development of the has grown into the major service provider for community and individuals, and losing them ethnic communities in the western region. would be a matter of great regret for the The Inner West MRC has an established community as a whole. The Inner Western branch office in Hoppers Crossing, which is Region Migrant Resource Centre and the

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Hoppers Crossing branch office have been that has been recorded for posterity in the forced to close because of a financial prob- many histories written of World War II—he lem that is, at the moment, in the hands of was one of the famous ‘Rats of Tobruk’. He the Department of Immigration and Multi- also saw service in the New Guinea cam- cultural and Indigenous Affairs and those of paign—at Lae and Finchafen, on the Huon the Minister for Citizenship and Multicul- Peninsula and in Borneo. He retired from the tural Affairs. It is not my intention to dwell Army with the rank of Major, which he still on the circumstances that led to the devel- holds on the Retired List. opment of those financial problems but to Len followed a business career until his say that I want to look towards the future. eventual retirement in 1981. Through all of The MRC has now shut its doors, and the these years he has retained a close relation- workers involved have lost their jobs. Many ship with his community. He made valuable people from migrant backgrounds who are contributions to Scouting, the Red Cross, the looking for assistance are now looking else- Institute of Management, the Army Reserve where for that assistance. For example, I un- and Rotary. In 1998 he received a multiple derstand that my local council, the City of Paul Harris fellowship from Rotary Interna- Wyndham, is being approached by large tional and the President’s Award from the numbers of people. I also understand that the Australian Society of Certified Practising department will be conducting a meeting to Accountants. discuss the future of service provision in Len remained extremely active in the local Melbourne’s west and in my electorate on community after his retirement, particularly Friday this week. I think that the task before in relation to the Army. He has only recently all of us—the government, the minister, me retired as Chairman of the Mackay branch of as a local representative and, indeed, the the Australia Defence Association, a position other representatives of Melbourne’s west— he held for many years. Along with Council- is to work together to find a way for vitally lor Don Rolls of the Mackay City Council, needed settlement services to continue to be he raised significant funding to build a last- provided in this period and to harness the ing memorial in Mackay to commemorate best of what has been done over the last 22 the heroic achievements of the Rats of To- years by the Inner Western Region Migrant bruk. I am pleased that the Commonwealth Resource Centre. We must ensure that these made a major contribution to this very wor- valuable skills and knowledge are not lost as thy cause. This monument now stands in we build the service provision for the future. memory of the gallantry of the Rats. (Time expired) In 1985 Len assumed the chairmanship of Hansen, Mr Len the Mackay branch of the Australian Na- Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY (Dawson) (9.24 tional Flag Association, a position he has p.m.)—I rise tonight to speak of one of the only recently relinquished. His support for community leaders in my electorate of Daw- the existing Australian flag never wavered in son. Len Hansen lives in Mackay. He was a the nearly 20 years he held this position. He volunteer soldier who enlisted in 1939 and has, for many years, organised an Australian served with the AIF from May 1940 until the National Flag Association stall at the annual end of the war in the Pacific in 1945. He Mackay show. He also runs stalls at the ma- served in North Africa—in Libya, Tobruk jor shopping centres on ANZAC Day and and El Alamein. He was one of the group Remembrance Day. Len organises a flag rais-

CHAMBER Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15693 ing ceremony each year to honour National Mr Tollner to present a bill for an act to Flag Day. I believe that, thanks to Len’s ef- amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act forts, the Mackay branch is the most active 1918 in relation to representation of the Aus- branch of ANFA in Australia. tralian Capital Territory and the Northern Len Hansen is an avowed constitutional Territory, and for related purposes. (Notice monarchist and a proud supporter of our sys- given 2 June 2003.) tem of government. He organised his own Ms King to move: television campaign in regional Queensland That this House: in support of the no vote in the constitutional (1) notes the Report of the January 2003 Joint referendum in 1999. Certainly, the republi- Mission of the Australian Section of the can proposition put in that referendum was International Commission of Jurists and the overwhelmingly rejected by voters in re- Australian Council for Refugees to Papua gional Queensland. As the local leader of the New Guinea, Seeking Refuge: the Status of Australian National Flag Association, which West Papuans in Papua New Guinea; and is a non-political, non-sectarian organization (2) calls on the Australian Government to that relies wholly on volunteers, he has done endorse the Report’s recommendations and, a remarkable job. in consequence; I take this opportunity to thank Len Han- (a) negotiate an agreement with Papua New sen for his efforts on behalf of the Mackay Guinea for the recognition of travel documents based on certificates of community and wish him well in his retire- identity for the purpose of enabling ment. Having said that, I think most of us in students to enter Australia to pursue Mackay cannot imagine that Len will ever educational courses; actually retire and take it easy, such is his (b) provide humanitarian relief through commitment to his community and the vari- AusAID or other appropriate agencies ous causes he has espoused over so many for those West Papuans in Transmitter years. Len, thank you on behalf of Mackay. Camp found to have refugee status; We are deeply grateful for your contribution (c) express its willingness to assist the to the community. government of Papua New Guinea to Question agreed to. implement a long term solution for the West Papuans in Western Province; House adjourned at 9.28 p.m. (d) express its willingness to contribute to NOTICES support and to provide aid funding to The following notices were given: enable Papua New Guinea to put a plan Mr McClelland to present a bill for an act in place to act as an incentive to those to amend the Workplace Relations Act 1996, West Papuans to move from border camps; and and for related purposes. (Notice given 2 June 2003.) (e) provide places for West Papuans found to be refugees in Australia’s resettlement programs. (Notice given 2 June 2003.)

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QUESTIONS ON NOTICE The following answers to questions were circulated: Taxation: Bankruptcy Laws (Question No. 97) Mr Kelvin Thomson asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 13 February 2002: (1) Has his attention been drawn to reports of barristers avoiding large tax debts by declaring them- selves bankrupt. (2) Is the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) able to garnishee notices under S.128 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 to payments made to barristers by their clients in order to repay tax debts; if so, has the ATO been issuing these notices; if not, why not. Mr Costello—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) and (2) Yes. The ATO uses garnishee notices at all stages of the legal recovery process and man- ages this on a case by case basis. The ATO has also prosecuted barristers for failure to provide in- formation about third parties such as solicitors holding money on their behalf. Immigration: Refugees (Question No. 652) Ms Gillard asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 19 August 2002: (1) In each of the last three years, how many detainees who were found to be genuine refugees spent further time in detention awaiting a security clearance. (2) What is the (a) average, (b) longest and (c) shortest length of time a detainee has spent awaiting for such a clearance. (3) What steps are taken in relation to such security clearances and by whom are they taken. (4) Is the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) involved in the security clearance process; if so, is he able to say whether ASIO has received specific resources to enable it to under- take this task; if not, why not. (5) What, if any changes have been made to the security clearance process since 11 September 2001 which impact upon delays to detainee releases and to the resources devoted to the task. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) None. In order for a person to be found to be a refugee a decision maker must be satisfied that they meet the inclusion elements of the definition of a refugee at Article 1A of the Refugees Convention and be satisfied also that the person is not excluded from refugee protection by other provisions of the Convention. The results of the security clearance process are required for this decision. An asylum seeker is released from detention as soon as all criteria have been met. (2) The figures below reflect time elapsed between the initiation of an ASIO assessment to the receipt of the ASIO clearance by the Department. They cover all detainees in the years indicated irrespec- tive of whether or when they may have lodged a protection visa application. ASIO clearances are not required when an applicant is deemed not to be a refugee. As such, time elapsed in periods be- low excludes periods when clearance is not required. Primary year Average days for ASIO Longest days for ASIO Shortest days for ASIO lodged clearance clearance clearance 1999-00 51.69 442 0 (1) 2000-01 32.37 360 0 (2)

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Primary year Average days for ASIO Longest days for ASIO Shortest days for ASIO lodged clearance clearance clearance 2001-02 57.99 242 0 (3) (1) 57 persons cleared on the same day the check was initiated (2) 26 persons cleared on the same day the check was initiated. (3) 4 persons cleared on the same day the check was initiated. (3) Since 1999, my department has been constantly reviewing, streamlining and strengthening the pro- tection visa process to ensure speedy and rigorous processing of protection visa applications made by unauthorised boat arrivals. In May 2000, the security checking work by ASIO was integrated into initial interviews on arrival of the individual in detention. This enabled an ASIO assessment to be initiated immediately, irrespective of whether or when an unauthorised boat arrival may apply for a protection visa. The Protection Program Management Section, Refugee and Humanitarian Division in the Department of Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) con- stantly liaise with ASIO and monitor the outstanding ASIO assessment caseload. (4) Yes, ASIO assess and provide security assessments. ASIO were provided with additional funding to enable them to support the subsection dealing with unauthorised arrivals. DIMIA organise and pay for all ASIO travel for onshore and offshore taskforces. This also includes the arranging and payment of interpreters and overtime. (5) Since September 11 ASIO has been reassessing cases remitted to DIMIA by the RRT. Although these may have been previously cleared by ASIO they now require a reassessment on remittal. Community Landcare Associations (Question No. 915) Ms George asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon notice, on 16 September 2002: (1) Does he support the competitive recruitment process proposed for Community Landcare Associa- tions. (2) Have Coastcare, Bushcare and Waterwatch been granted funds to allow for staff job security until 30 June 2003 but not community Landcare associations; if so, (a) why and (b) will he rectify this inequity and extend grants to Landcare until 30 June 2003; if not, why not. (3) Is the three months time span for recruitment unreasonably short. (4) Is maintaining employment continuity of current staff vital to the completion of many current pro- jects. (5) Is he aware that many projects under the current Natural Heritage Trust will continue to employ staff until 31 March 2003 in order to complete activities and reports even though funding only ex- tends to their projects until 31 December 2002. (6) Can the competitive recruitment process lead to a loss of expertise and established working rela- tionships. Mr Truss—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The Commonwealth is funding landcare facilitator and coordinator positions across Australia until 30 June 2003. The selection and appointment of landcare facilitators and coordinators is up to those employing and managing the positions. Employment arrangements vary from region to re- gion. The Commonwealth simply requires, as always, that the process be open and transparent, and comply with the law. (2) Refer to (1).

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(3) Not relevant. Refer to (1). (4) It is understood that in some regions the landcare facilitators and coordinators will be helping to complete late finishing projects. (5) Interim arrangements have been put in place to fund facilitator and coordinator positions to June 2003. One of the responsibilities of people in these positions is to assist Natural Heritage Trust projects. (6) Where organisations have a need to recruit new people to positions, they should aim to select the best available people for the job. Immigration: Visas (Question No. 1142) Mr Andren asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural and Indigenous Affairs, upon notice, on 2 December 2002: Further to his reply, dated 21 October 2002, to a letter from me concerning Mr Qadir Fedayee, will he detail any or all of the information received from his Department relating to the reasons for not granting a visa to Mr Fedayee, if not, why not. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: Privacy rules permit the disclosure of information held on individuals only in very limited circum- stances. While the Privacy Act 1988 prevents me from disclosing details relating to this person, I can assure you that his case is being handled in accordance with the Migration Act and Regulations. As I indicated in the 21 October 2002 letter, the power to substitute a review tribunal decision with a more favourable decision is non-compellable and is exercised by me personally. I am under no obliga- tion to exercise that power. A case may fall in the category of being within the public interest if it involves unique or exceptional circumstances. I will generally not reconsider a case unless additional information is provided that brings the case within the guidelines. Taxation: Tax Concessions for Farmers (Question No. 1323) Mr Kelvin Thomson asked the Treasurer, upon notice, on 4 February 2003: (1) Are the main tax concessions for farmers to promote sustainable land use (a) accelerated deprecia- tion for water management costs, with full depreciation over three years, (b) the Landcare deduc- tion for conservation related capital works, with full deduction in the year that the expense was in- curred and (c) the Landcare offset conservation related capital works rebate if not eligible for the Landcare deduction. (2) Is the cost of these concessions around $20m per annum; if not what is the cost of these conces- sions. (3) Has any assessment or monitoring of the environmental benefit of these concessions being carried out; if so, what has been its conclusion. (4) Has he considered any alternative funding arrangements or tax concessions to promote sustainable land use; if so, what alternative ideas has he considered. (5) Can he provide an estimate of the cost to revenue of taxing farmer’s income based on the propor- tion of their land which is cleared, for example, farmers whose land is 90% cleared pay tax on 90% of their income, and farmers whose land is 10% cleared pay tax on 10% of their income. Mr Costello—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows:

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(1) The main tax concessions for farmers to promote sustainable land use are: (a) a three-year write-off for the cost of facilities to conserve and convey water, such as dams (b) an immediate deduction for capital expenditure on landcare operations, such as preventing land degradation, and (c) the landcare and water facility tax offset. However, the offset was only available for eligible expenditure incurred between 1 July 1997 and 30 June 2001. The water facility offset was al- lowable in equal parts over three years and claims will still be made in the 2002 and 2003 fi- nancial years for eligible expenditure incurred prior to 30th June 2001. This offset was an al- ternative to the deductions which otherwise would have been allowable and provided low-income taxpayers with a greater tax benefit than the equivalent tax deduction. (2) Yes. (3) Not by the Australian Taxation Office. (4) The Government is making a significant contribution to promoting sustainable land use in addition to these tax concessions. Both the Natural Heritage Trust and the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality promote sustainable land use. Total Commonwealth investment in the Natural Heritage Trust is more than $2.5 billion. The Commonwealth has also provided $700 million to- wards the $1.4 billion National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality. The 2002-03 Budget announced funding of up to $25 million to support eligible primary producers in adopting Envi- ronmental Management Systems. (5) An estimate of the cost of providing such a concession to farmers cannot be made by the ATO and work done by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics (ABARE) doesn’t collect the detailed information needed to answer this question. Nuclear Waste: Transportation (Question No. 1456) Mr Andren asked the Minister for Science, upon notice, on 12 February 2003: (1) From which locations are the more than 30,000 packages of radioactive material routinely trans- ported across Australia each year, and to where are they shipped. (2) What are the distances between starting locations and destinations over which they are transported. (3) How many packages are transported by (a) air, (b) rail, (c) sea and (d) road. (4) What is the number, and what the details, of any incidents and accidents involving vehicles carry- ing nuclear waste by (a) air, (b) rail, (c) sea and (d) road. Mr McGauran—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) ANSTO Radiopharmaceuticals and Industrials (ARI) sends an average of 3,000 packages a month (approx 36,000 per year), although these figures do vary from month to month. More than 99% of ARI shipments are dispatched from Lucas Heights, NSW, with the balance being shipped from the National Medical Cyclotron next to the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Camper- down, NSW. Shipments are sent to over 200 nuclear medicine centres in all states and territories (capitals and country areas) and to a number of industrial customers. ARI also ships to overseas customers, including customers in the Republic of Korea, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Thailand, New Zealand, Malaysia, China, Taiwan, Burma, the United States and some European destinations. It should be noted that ARI is not the only entity in Australia that is involved in the routine trans- portation of radioactive materials. Other entities routinely transport a wide range of radioactive materials across Australia (for example, smoke detectors, industrial gauges and mineral ores). However, details of such shipments are not available, as they are a matter for the relevant State and Territory authorities.

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(2) Delivery distances range from a few kilometres (for example Lucas Heights to Liverpool) to thou- sands of kilometres. Within Australia, packages are often sent to their destination by air, including to destinations as close to Sydney as Brisbane or Canberra. This is due to the short-lived nature of the particular ra- dioisotope product being transported. For example, the product with the shortest half-life supplied by ARI is FDG (Fluorine-18 deoxyglucose), with a half-life of only 110 minutes. For these short- lived products, air transport is chosen due to the speed of delivery. For longer-lived products, transport by road becomes viable for Australian destinations. (3) All packages are transported (initially) by road, while approximately 70% would travel further by air by either freighter or passenger aircraft, including to some country NSW destinations, and then by road to the point of use. Given the short half-life of most ARI isotopes no sea or rail transport is used. (4) Within Australia, there has only been one incident involving a vehicle carrying radioactive waste since 1980. In December 1994, a small amount of liquid was found to have seeped from a drum containing very low level waste soil that was being transported by road from Lucas Heights to Woomera. Some 98% of the soil being transported had levels of radiation so low as to not require compliance with the Australian Code of Practice for Safe Transport of Radioactive Substances (1990). Nevertheless, as a precautionary measure, it was being transported in accordance with the code. The spill was discovered near Port Augusta, South Australia during a routine load inspection. No radioactivity above background levels was found in the spilled material, and the spilled waste was contained on the tray of the truck. The incident posed no threat to the health and safety of workers or the public. Education, Science and Training: Program Funding (Question No. 1495) Ms Grierson asked the Minister for Education, Science and Training, upon notice, on 13 February 2003: (1) Does the Minister’s Department administer any Commonwealth funded programs for which com- munity organisations, businesses or individuals in the electoral division of Newcastle can apply for funding; if so, what are the programs. (2) Does the Minister’s Department advertise these funding opportunities; if so, (a) what print or other media outlets have been used for the advertising of each of these programs and (b) were these paid advertisements. (3) With respect to each of the Commonwealth funded programs referred to in part (1), (a) what is its purpose and (b) who is responsible for allocating funds. (4) With respect to each of the Commonwealth funded programs referred to in part (1), how many (a) community organisations, (b) businesses or (c) individuals in the electoral division of Newcastle received funding in 2001 and 2002. (5) What sum of Commonwealth funding did each recipient receive in 2001 and 2002. (6) What is the name and address of each recipient. Dr Nelson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes. The Department of Education, Science and Training administers the following programmes in the electorate of Newcastle:

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Vocational Education and Training The Department’s Vocational Education and Training (VET) Group administers the following pro- grammes in the electoral division of Newcastle: the Workplace English Language and Literacy (WELL) Programme; • the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Programme (LLNP). The LLNP commenced in Janu- ary 2002 and was formed by amalgamation of the former Literacy and Numeracy Programme and the Advanced English for Migrants Programme. It offers three streams of training: basic English language; advanced English language; and literacy and numeracy; • New Apprenticeships Access Programme (NAAP); • the Group Training New Apprenticeships Targeted Initiatives Programme (TIP). The Pro- gramme was established to promote New Apprenticeships through Group Training arrange- ments. The following organisations are eligible for funding: - Group Training Companies; - Group Training peak bodies; and - other Group Training organisations involved in the provision of Group Training arrange- ments • New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme. Higher Education HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE Price Level - Outturn 2001 2002 $’000 $’000 Operating Resources (a) 152,022 156,863 Research Funding 12,984 15,839 TOTAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE 165,007 172,702 (a) Includes HECS Liabilities Please note that higher education payments are legislated by calendar year. School Education The majority of schools programmes could provide assistance, either directly or indirectly, to the people in the electorate of Newcastle. These include programmes such as General Recurrent Grants, Establishment Grants, Capital Grants, Schools Short Term Emergency Assistance, Special Education – Non-government Centre Support Programme, National Literacy and Numeracy Strate- gies and Projects, Strategic Assistance for Improving Student Outcomes, Enterprise and Career Education, Country Areas, English as a Second Language – New Arrivals, Languages Other Than English, Job Pathways, Partnership Outreach Education Model (POEM) Pilot, Career and Transi- tion (CAT) Pilot and Discovering Democracy. However, under programme administrative ar- rangements with the States, Territories and non-government education authorities, the Common- wealth only collects data by electorate for certain programmes. Information on these programmes is set out below. Indigenous Education The Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) administers the Indigenous Education Strategic Initiatives Programme (IESIP), the Indigenous Education Direct Assistance (IEDA) pro- gramme and the Indigenous Support Funding (ISF). The funding available under these pro- grammes is outlined below in the answer to question 3.

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International Education DEST administers the Australian University Mobility in Asia and the Pacific (UMAP) Programme. Science The Major National Research Facilities Programme funds are fully committed for the duration of the Programme and no further applications are being sought. (2) Yes. Vocational Education and Training WELL Programme (a) the WELL Programme is advertised nationally and in each State and Territory. In NSW, adver- tising has usually been in the Saturday Sydney Morning Herald, at least once and sometimes twice a year. Nationally, the WELL Programme has been advertised in The Australian. In 2002, the WELL Programme was also advertised in Australian Business News, which has a majority of its readers in NSW. (b) Yes. LLNP (a) The competitive tender of late 2001 was advertised nationally in The Australian newspaper and in regional newspapers across the country, including the Newcastle Herald. An Intention to Re- lease Request for Tender was advertised on 11 August 2001 and the Request for Tender was adver- tised on 18 August 2001. (b) Yes. NAAP (a) NAAP is advertised in major metropolitan and national newspapers. (b) Yes. TIP (a) TIP is advertised in major metropolitan and national newspapers and on the Programme web- site. (b) Yes. New Apprenticeships Programme (a) There have been national advertising campaigns for New Apprenticeships which ran periodi- cally between 1999 and 2002 and therefore would have appeared on local television and in the lo- cal press and targeted potential apprentices and employers. (b) Yes. Higher Education Not applicable. School Education (a) The above programmes are advertised on the Department’s Website as part of the Common- wealth Programmes for School – Quadrennial Administrative Guidelines 2001-04. A number of programmes also advertise particular components. The Commonwealth Numeracy Research and Development Initiative - National Strand and Strate- gic Strand projects, which are a part of the National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies and Projects Programme, were also advertised in The Australian newspaper. These were paid advertisements. The request for tender for the Jobs Pathway Programme was advertised through major national newspapers. These were paid advertisements. This programme is fully committed until the end of

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December 2003 and there is no additional funding available. Funding was allocated through a ten- der process conducted in 1999. The Department called for submissions from schools, community organisations, businesses, etc, for funding to deliver the POEM pilots. An advertisement appeared in major capital city newspapers, the Australian, the Koorie Mail, the Department’s Internet site and in the Commonwealth Gazette. The newspaper advertisements were paid advertisements. All advertising resulted in around 240 submissions for funding. 21 pilots are funded nationally in 2002 and 2003 with all funds fully committed. (b) Yes. Indigenous Education There is no advertising of funding opportunities under IESIP, IEDA or ISF. International Education (a) An advertisement is placed in both the Higher Education supplement of The Australian and in Campus Review, once a year, at the opening of the submission period. (b) Yes. Science (a) Media announcements of the 2001 funding round for the programme were released by Senator the Hon Nick Minchin’s office on 29 January 2001 and 9 March 2001. Paid advertisements were also placed in the Australian, the Australian Financial Review, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Age, the Courier Mail, Adelaide Advertiser, West Australian, Hobart Mercury, Canberra Times, Business Review Weekly and New Scientist magazine. (b) Yes. (3) Vocational Education and Training WELL Programme (a) the WELL Programme funds enterprises or training providers to provide workers with English language and literacy skills to help them meet their current and future employment and training needs. It particularly targets workers who are at risk of losing their jobs because of low literacy skills. (b) the Branch Manager, Quality and Access Branch, VET Group in DEST holds the delegation for approving WELL project funding. LLNP (a) LLNP training is designed to lead to a measurable improvement in participants’ language, liter- acy and numeracy competencies, thereby making them more competitive in the labour market, or enabling them to continue with further education or training. Training can also lead to partial rec- ognition of overseas-earned qualifications for migrant participants. (b) the Programme receives an annual budget using Administered funds. Expenditure is largely driven by demand in areas across the country rather than by allocation of fixed amounts to specific areas. The Branch Manager, Quality and Access Branch, VET Group in DEST holds the delega- tion for LLNP funds approval. NAAP (a) the NAAP provides job seekers who experience barriers to skilled employment, with pre- vocational training, support and assistance to obtain and maintain a New Apprenticeship. Alterna- tively, a job seeker may be supported into employment, further education or training. (b) DEST.

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TIP (a) the Programme provides funding to Group Training Organisations to promote and recruit New Apprenticeships in critical, under-serviced, challenging and difficult areas. This includes skill shortages and disadvantaged communities. (b) DEST. New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme (a) the purpose of the New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme is to create a vocational educa- tion and training system that contributes to national economic growth, increased employment and a more highly skilled workforce. (b) New Apprenticeships Centres are contracted to administer New Apprenticeships Support Ser- vices, which include the responsibility for allocating funds. Higher Education Not applicable. School Education Details of these Commonwealth programmes are available on the Department’s website as part of the Commonwealth Programmes for Schools – Quadrennial Administrative Guidelines 2001-04. Indigenous Education (a) Funding under IESIP provides supplementary assistance through recurrent and project funding to education providers and other bodies to achieve improved outcomes for Indigenous students. Supplementary IESIP funding applies across the preschool, school and vocational education and training sectors. The IEDA programme has three elements and does not directly provide funding to education pro- viders. The elements of the programme are: 1. The Aboriginal Student Support and Parent Awareness (ASSPA) programme funds parent committees in preschools and schools to undertake activities to improve education outcomes for Indigenous students and to increase the participation of the parents of Indigenous students in their children’s education; 2. The Aboriginal Tutorial Assistance Scheme (ATAS) provides supplementary tuition and other study assistance to Indigenous students in primary and secondary schools, TAFE, University and formal training programmes; and 3. The Vocational and Educational Guidance for Aboriginals Scheme (VEGAS) funds projects on career information and study options, and projects which foster positive attitudes about par- ticipation in education for Indigenous school students. The Indigenous Support Funding programme provides grants to higher education institutions to as- sist in meeting the special needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and to advance the goals of the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education Policy. Each institution is required to develop an Indigenous education strategy, which forms part of the institution’s educa- tional profile on which Commonwealth funding is based. (b) DEST National Office, in conjunction with the New South Wales DEST State Office and New South Wales DEST District Offices allocate funds under IESIP in line with the Administrative Guidelines. Funding under IEDA is allocated in line with the IEDA Policy and Procedures Manual by the New South Wales DEST State Office and the New South Wales DEST District Offices. International Education (a) The Australian UMAP Programme provides flat rate subsidies to Australian higher education institutions to subsidise the cost of their negotiating and monitoring, and of Australian students’

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participation in, UMAP student exchanges. The student exchanges are required to involve the re- ciprocal waiving of tuition fees and students who successfully complete a minimum of one semes- ter, a maximum of two semesters of study at the overseas counterpart institution on the exchange are granted credit towards the degree for which they remain enrolled at their home university. The Programme aims to • promote credit transfer arrangements between higher education institutions in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region with a view to supporting mutual recognition of educational qualifica- tions; • increase cooperation between higher education institutions in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region including in the development of higher education programmes; and • increase the number of Australian graduates with cultural, language and professional experi- ence relevant to the region. (b) Submissions from Australian higher education institutions are comparatively assessed by a Se- lection Committee comprised of representatives of the Department of Education, Science and Training (DEST) and the Australian Vice-Chancellors’ Committee (AVCC). Science (a) The Major National Research Facilities Programme funds eligible capital and/or operating costs of facilities in the natural sciences and engineering fields. The Programme’s objectives are (1) to improve Australia’s capability in science, engineering and technology; (2) maintain and enhance Australia’s international scientific and industrial competitiveness; and (3) support the rapid com- mercialisation of results. (b)The Major National Research Facilities Committee provided recommendations to the then Min- ister on the proposals that should be funded. In 2001, the Minister for Industry, Science and Re- sources, Senator the Hon Nick Minchin, made the final decision on the proposals to be funded. (4) Vocational Education and Training WELL Programme Of the 8 WELL projects that received funding over the 2001 and 2002 calendar years in the elec- toral division of Newcastle: (a) one was a community organisation (a church-operated aged care organisation). (b) five funding recipients were businesses. (c) no individuals were funded. LLNP (a) one community organisation. (b) no business were funded. (c) no individuals were funded. NAAP (a) one community organisation. (b) no businesses were funded. (c) no individuals were funded. TIP (a) no community organisations were funded. (b) one business was funded.

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(c) no individuals were funded New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme In 2001 there were 2,434 claims processed from employers in the electoral division of Newcastle. In 2002 there were 3,714 claims processed from employers in the electoral division of Newcastle. Higher Education Not applicable School Education Programmes in the electorate of Newcastle Number of Organisation/ Business/Individuals General Recurrent Grants to Non-Government Schools 24 Establishment Grants 2 Capital Grants to Non-government Schools 3 Special Education – Non-government Centre Support 6 National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies and Projects 1 Job Pathway 1 Partnership Outreach Education Model 1 Indigenous Education There are no specific IESIP funds allocated to education providers in the electorate of Newcastle. Schools in the electorate of Newcastle receive the benefit of IESIP as IESIP funding is provided on an aggregate basis to the New South Wales Department of Education and to the New South Wales Catholic Education Office. International Education (a) Nil community organisations, as such, but University of Newcastle received funding under the Australian UMAP Programme in both 2001 and 2002. (b) Nil businesses. [Businesses are not eligible to apply for funding under the Australian UMAP Programme.] (c) Nil individuals. [Individuals are not eligible to apply for funding under the Australian UMAP Programme.] However, under the Programme, the University of Newcastle received student mobil- ity subsidies which it can then allocate to individual students. The University of Newcastle received the following student mobility subsidies, in the 2001 round of the Programme: • 6 student mobility subsidies for study of 12 weeks in Chile; • 4 student mobility subsidies for 12 weeks study in China; and • 2 student mobility subsidies for 13 weeks study in the United States. The University of Newcastle received the following student mobility subsidies in the 2002 round of the Programme: • 9 student mobility subsidies for study of 12 weeks in Chile; • 4 student mobility subsidies for study of 12 weeks in China; • 4 student mobility subsidies for study of 12 weeks in Korea; • 8 student mobility subsidies for study of 12 weeks in Mexico. Science No community organisations, businesses or individuals in the electoral division of Newcastle re- ceived funding in 2001 or 2002.

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(5) Vocational Education and Training The attached tables show the sum of Commonwealth funding each recipient received in 2001 and 2002 for VET Groups programmes: WELL Programme The WELL Programme is administered on a financial year, rather than calendar year basis. Year Name of Recipient WELL Funding Approved for Project (GST incl) 2000-01 Rail Infrastructure Corporation $335,000 2000-01 Hunter Area Health Service $202,565 2000-01 ConvaTech Pty Ltd $170,000 2001-02 Hunter Area Health Service $161,000 2001-02 Newcastle Mater Miseracordiae Hospital $173,800 2001-02 Reliable Conveyor Belt $217,800 2002-03 (to The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the $225,500 date) Diocese of Maitland Newcastle 2002-03 (to ConvaTech Pty Ltd $215,600 date) Please note financial data is only available on a financial year basis (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03 (to date)). LLNP Year Name of Recipient Funding (GST incl) 2000-01 Hunter Institute of Technology $259,150 (Literacy & Nu- meracy Programme) 2001-02 Hunter Institute of Technology $369,040 2002-03 (to Hunter Institute of Technology $213,525 date) Please note financial data is only available on a financial year basis (2000-01, 2001-02, 2002-03 (to date)). NAAP Year Name of Recipient Funding (GST incl) 2000-01 The Salvation Army – This Way Up Furniture Com- $164,937 pany 2001-02 The Salvation Army – This Way Up Furniture Com- $22,550 pany TIP Year Name of Recipient Funding (GST incl) 2001-02 HGT Australia $27,500

New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme In 2001 $3,221,508 was paid to employers in the electoral division of Newcastle. In 2002 $5,062,456 was paid to employers in the electoral division of Newcastle.

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Higher Education HIGHER EDUCATION FUNDING ALLOCATIONS FOR UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE Price Level – Outturn 2001 2002 $’000 $’000 Operating Resources (a) 152,022 156,863 Research Funding 12,984 15,839 TOTAL UNIVERSITY OF NEWCASTLE 165,007 172,702 (a) Includes HECS Liabilities Please note that higher education payments are legislated by calendar year. School Education Special Education – Non-government Centre Support Programme Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 First Chance Parents and Friends of Newcastle - Spe- 272,190 349,535 cial Education Centre Inc University Drive, CALLAGHAN NSW 2308 2 St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing Impaired Children – 16,768 15,976 San Clemente High School 76 Havelock Street, MAYFIELD NSW 2304 3 Autism Association of New South Wales – 23,754 28,225 Newcastle School for Children with Autism 358 Sandgate Road, SHORTLAND NSW 2307 4 Orana Community Preschool Inc Nil 5,990 10 Bean Street, WALLSEND NSW 2287 5 Beresfield Community Children’s Education Centre 10,481 7,988 6 Milton Street, BERESFIELD NSW 2322 6 Newcastle Grammar Preschool Nil 3,000 Cnr Parkway Avenue and Union Street, COOKS HILL NSW 2300 National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies and Projects Programme Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 University of Newcastle University Drive, CALLAGHAN NSW 2308 10,285 4,617 Contact: Dr Julie McLeod Jobs Pathway Programme Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 Penrith Skills for Jobs Ltd trading as Jobquest Mr Ka Chan Commercial-in- Commercial-in- PO Box 58, PENRITH NSW 2751 Confidence Confidence (02) 4732 3923

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Partnership Outreach Education Model (POEM) Pilot Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 St Philip’s Christian Education Foundation 98 Georgetown Road, WARATAH NSW 2298 0 81,323 (02) 4960 2355 Commonwealth Capital Funding to Non-government Schools School Name and Location 2001 2002 $ $ Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Fletcher 250,000 Corpus Christi Primary School, Waratah 553,120 St Philip’s Christian College, Waratah 114,000 Total 0 917,120 Note: Information is based on current electorate boundaries at time of payment. Commonwealth General Recurrent Funding to Non-government Schools School Name and Location 2001 * 2002 * $ $ Alesco Learning Centre, Cooks Hill 103,080 Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Fletcher 590,822 936,333 Corpus Christi Primary School, Waratah 529,025 540,600 Dale Christian School, Waratah 86,773 128,050 Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach 773,888 798,180 Hunter Christian School, Mayfield 1,403,078 1,572,381 Margaret Jurd Learning Centre, Lambton 54,804 64,025 Newcastle Grammar School, Newcastle 1,216,140 1,427,040 Newcastle School for Children With Autism, Shortland 89,628 123,935 Our Lady of Victories Primary School, Shortland 453,450 518,340 San Clemente High School, Mayfield 2,199,041 2,296,306 St Columban’s Primary School, Mayfield 595,531 610,560 St Columba’s Primary School, Adamstown 516,933 588,300 St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing Impaired Children, Mayfield 45,856 48,804 St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton 3,544,008 3,949,478 St James Primary School, Kotara South 583,439 642,360 St John’s Primary School, Lambton 616,692 648,720 St Joseph’s Primary School, Merewether 752,727 807,720 St Patrick’s Primary School, Wallsend 770,865 795,000 St Peter’s Primary School, Stockton 423,220 387,960 St Philip’s Christian College, Waratah 2,536,694 2,811,261 St Pius X High School, Adamstown 3,679,702 3,971,308 St Therese’s Primary School, New Lambton 1,248,499 1,345,140 Toogoolawa School, Wickham 22,860 Total 22,710,815 25,137,741 * Calculated entitlements, not final payment figures. Note: Information is based on current electorate boundaries at time of payment.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15708 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Commonwealth Establishment Grants Funding to Non-government Schools School Name and Location 2001 2002 $ $ Alesco Learning Centre, Cooks Hill 12,000 Toogoolawa School, Wickham 2,500

Total 0 14,500 Indigenous Education The level of IESIP funds for the whole of New South Wales in 2001 was $37.24 million and in 2002 was an estimated $39.47 million. Total funding under IEDA for New South Wales in 2001-02 was $14.45 million, and the allocation for 2002-03 for New South Wales is $14.523 million. Total ISF funding for New South Wales in 2001 was $7.53 million and in 2002, $7.66 million. Of this some $0.78 million in 2001 and $0.84 million in 2002 was provided to the University of New- castle. The University of Newcastle also received $0.27 million in 2001 and $0.30 million in 2002 under the ATAS Bulk Funding. International Education University of Newcastle received $61,500 in funding in 2001 and $98,000 in funding in 2002 un- der the Programme. Science Not Applicable. (6) Vocational Education and Training WELL Programme Name of Recipient Address of Recipient Rail Infrastructure Corporation 237 Wharf Road NEWCASTLE NSW 2300 Hunter Area Health Service Waratah Campus Turton Road WARATAH NSW 2298 ConvaTech Pty Ltd 3-7 Ironbark Close WARABROOK NSW 2304 Hunter Area Health Service Waratah Campus Turton Road WARATAH NSW 2298 Newcastle Mater Miseracordiae Hospital Lorna Street WARATAH NSW 2298 Reliable Conveyor Belt 11 Ayrshire Crescent SANDGATE NSW 2304 The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church 841 Hunter Street for the Diocese of Maitland Newcastle NEWCASTLE WEST NSW 2302 ConvaTech Pty Ltd 3-7 Ironbark Close WARABROOK NSW 2304

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15709

LLNP Name of Recipient Address of Recipient Hunter Institute of Technology Maitland Road TIGHES HILL NSW 2297 Hunter Institute of Technology Maitland Road TIGHES HILL NSW 2297 Hunter Institute of Technology Maitland Road TIGHES HILL NSW 2297 NAAP Name of Recipient Address of Recipient The Salvation Army – This Way Up Furni- 46 Maitland Road ture Company ISLINGTON NSW 2296 TIP Name of Recipient Address of Recipient HGT Australia 1/48 Lambton Road BROADMEADOWS NSW 2292 New Apprenticeships Incentives Programme New Apprenticeships Centres are contracted to administer New Apprenticeships Support Services, which include the responsibility for allocating funds. Higher Education The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 School Education Special Education – Non-government Centre Support Programme Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 First Chance Parents and Friends of Newcastle - Special 272,190 349,535 Education Centre Inc University Drive, CALLAGHAN NSW 2308 2 St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing Impaired Children – 16,768 15,976 San Clemente High School 76 Havelock Street, MAYFIELD NSW 2304 3 Autism Association of New South Wales – 23,754 28,225 Newcastle School for Children with Autism 358 Sandgate Road, SHORTLAND NSW 2307 4 Orana Community Preschool Inc Nil 5,990 10 Bean Street, WALLSEND NSW 2287 5 Beresfield Community Children’s Education Centre 10,481 7,988 6 Milton Street, BERESFIELD NSW 2322 6 Newcastle Grammar Preschool Nil 3,000 Cnr Parkway Avenue and Union Street, COOKS HILL NSW 2300

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15710 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

National Literacy and Numeracy Strategies and Projects Programme Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 University of Newcastle University Drive, CALLAGHAN NSW 2308 10,285 4,617 Contact: Dr Julie McLeod Jobs Pathway Programme Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 Penrith Skills for Jobs Ltd trading as Jobquest Mr Ka Chan Commercial-in- Commercial- PO Box 58, PENRITH NSW 2751 Confidence in-Confidence (02) 4732 3923 Partnership Outreach Education Model (POEM) Pilot Name and address of organisation Programme funding received 2001 2002 $ $ 1 St Philip’s Christian Education Foundation 98 Georgetown Road, WARATAH NSW 2298 0 81,323 (02) 4960 2355 Commonwealth Capital Funding to Non-government Schools School Name and Location 2001 2002 $ $ Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Fletcher 250,000 Corpus Christi Primary School, Waratah 553,120 St Philip’s Christian College, Waratah 114,000

Total 0 917,120 Note: Information is based on current electorate boundaries at time of payment. Commonwealth General Recurrent Funding to Non-government Schools School Name and Location 2001 * 2002 * $ $ Alesco Learning Centre, Cooks Hill 103,080 Bishop Tyrrell Anglican College, Fletcher 590,822 936,333 Corpus Christi Primary School, Waratah 529,025 540,600 Dale Christian School, Waratah 86,773 128,050 Holy Family Primary School, Merewether Beach 773,888 798,180 Hunter Christian School, Mayfield 1,403,078 1,572,381 Margaret Jurd Learning Centre, Lambton 54,804 64,025 Newcastle Grammar School, Newcastle 1,216,140 1,427,040 Newcastle School for Children With Autism, Shortland 89,628 123,935 Our Lady of Victories Primary School, Shortland 453,450 518,340 San Clemente High School, Mayfield 2,199,041 2,296,306 St Columban’s Primary School, Mayfield 595,531 610,560

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15711

School Name and Location 2001 * 2002 * $ $ St Columba’s Primary School, Adamstown 516,933 588,300 St Dominic’s Centre for Hearing Impaired Children, Mayfield 45,856 48,804 St Francis Xavier’s College, Hamilton 3,544,008 3,949,478 St James Primary School, Kotara South 583,439 642,360 St John’s Primary School, Lambton 616,692 648,720 St Joseph’s Primary School, Merewether 752,727 807,720 St Patrick’s Primary School, Wallsend 770,865 795,000 St Peter’s Primary School, Stockton 423,220 387,960 St Philip’s Christian College, Waratah 2,536,694 2,811,261 St Pius X High School, Adamstown 3,679,702 3,971,308 St Therese’s Primary School, New Lambton 1,248,499 1,345,140 Toogoolawa School, Wickham 22,860

Total 22,710,815 25,137,741 * Calculated entitlements, not final payment figures. Note: Information is based on current electorate boundaries at time of payment. Commonwealth Establishment Grants Funding to Non-government Schools School Name and Location 2001 2002 $ $ Alesco Learning Centre, Cooks Hill 12,000 Toogoolawa School, Wickham 2,500

Total 0 14,500 Indigenous Education Names and addresses for recipients of funding under IEDA in the electorate of Newcastle are not available. Funding under ISF was received by the University of Newcastle, University Drive, Callaghan, NSW, 2308 International Education The University of Newcastle, Callaghan NSW 2308 Science Not Applicable. Health: Electromagnetic Radiation (Question No. 1543) Mr Tanner asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, upon notice, on 3 March 2003: (1) Has the Minister’s attention been drawn to the UK’s Stewart Group Report on mobile phones. (2) Did the Stewart Group recommend that the widespread use of mobile phones by children for non- essential calls should be discouraged and that the mobile phone industry should refrain from promoting the use of mobile phones by children, and was the recommendation accepted by the UK Government; if so, (a) what is the Australian Government’s current position on mobile phone use by children and (b) will the Government take any action to minimise mobile phone use by children; if not, why not.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15712 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

(3) Did the Stewart Group recommend the establishment of clearly defined physical exclusion zones around mobile base stations to which the UK Government agreed; if so, do such zones exist under Australian regulations; if not, why not and will the Government introduce exclusion zones around current base stations. (4) Did the Stewart Group recommend a national database be set up by the Government giving details of all base stations and their emissions; if so, does such a publicly available database exist in Australia; if not, will the Government consider introducing one; if not, why not. (5) Did the Stewart Group recommend an independent random on-going audit of all base stations be carried out to ensure they are operating within exposure guidelines; if so, does such a process exist in Australia; if not, will the Government consider introducing such a process; if not, why not. (6) Did the Stewart Group pose certain recommendations in relation to mobile base stations in or near school grounds to which the UK Government agreed; if so, are there any specific regulations covering the installation of mobile base stations in or near school grounds in Australia; if not, why not. (7) Are there any specific regulations in Australia stating that mobile base stations should not be within a certain distance of household residences; if not, why not. Mr McGauran—The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question: (1) Yes. (2) The issues raised in this part of the question relate to the public health effects of mobile phone use and should be addressed to the Minister for Health and Ageing, as the Minister responsible for the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA). ARPANSA is the Federal Government agency charged with responsibility for protecting the health and safety of people and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation. I am advised by the Australian Communications Authority (ACA) that its role is to ensure that any emissions from radiocommunication equipment identified by qualified health authorities as being potentially harmful are properly controlled. (3) The Stewart Report recommended the establishment of exclusion zones to identify areas where recommended exposure limits are exceeded. The UK Government accepted the recommendation that that exclusion zones be established where necessary – in fact it stated that such zones should already exist. The ACA has advised that it does not require exclusion zones around base stations as a matter of course. However, in addition to incorporating the ARPANSA exposure limits into the new ACA EME regulations, including the Radiocommunications (Electromagnetic Radiation – Human Exposure) Standard 2003 applicable to radiocommunication devices, the ACA also applied the ARPANSA limits as a new licence condition to apparatus licensed base stations. The new licence condition currently applies to GSM 900 base stations. The ACA intends to extend the application of the new licence condition to all other types of base stations, that is CDMA, GSM 1800 and 3G, by the end of 2003. The effect of applying the new condition is that licensees for each transmitter, associated with a base station, will be required by the ACA to ensure a member of the public is not exposed to a level of radiation above the limits recommended by ARPANSA. (4) The Stewart Report recommended that a national database be set up giving the following details of base stations: ‘name of the carrier, the grid reference, the height of the antenna above ground level, the date transmission started, the frequency range and signal characteristics of transmission, the transmitter power and the maximum power output under the Wireless Telegraphy Act. Moreover, this information should be readily accessible to the public, and held in such a form that it would be

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15713

easy to identify, for example, all base stations within a defined geographical area and all belonging to a specified operator.’ I am advised by the ACA that in Australia, the ACA maintains a Register of Radiocommunications Licences. The Register provides detailed information, primarily for interference management purposes, on every licence holder including individual licences held and certain technical data on transmitters. The licenses authorising the operation of base stations do not specify a power output limit, therefore the maximum power output of base stations is not recorded in the Register. However, to the extent that carriers comply with their obligation to supply the relevant data, all base stations and their antenna are listed in the Register. The Register is publicly accessible through the ACA website (at www.aca.gov.au), at ACA offices, and on CD-ROM available for purchase from the ACA. (5) The Stewart Report recommended that ‘an independent, random, ongoing audit of all base stations be carried out to ensure that exposure guidelines are not exceeded outside the marked exclusion zone and that the base stations comply with their agreed specifications.’ ARPANSA periodically surveys base stations for emissions as resources allow and did so last in 1997-1999. In all cases radiation emission levels were thousands of times less than recommended exposure limits. ARPANSA has advised that it intends to conduct a survey in 2003 of radiofrequency (RF) electromagnetic energy (EME) emissions around sixty mobile phone base stations at numerous locations throughout Australia. The 2003 ARPANSA survey is not a requirement of either the ARPANSA standard or ACA EME regulations. The objectives of the 2003 survey are to: • measure base station RF levels at specified distances from the antenna and compare levels with the ARPANSA RF exposure limits; • compare actual RF levels with predicted levels; and • measure environmental levels of RF within 500 metres of the nominated base station’s location. The sites will be selected to ensure that representative numbers of various types of base stations are surveyed. These types of sites will include: • conventional free standing towers with and without co-located carriers; • at least 10 of the sites used in the previous ARPANSA 1997–1999 survey; • ‘low impact’ sites (antenna mounted on existing structures/buildings); and • communications towers supporting a range of services. ARPANSA has also advised that while overall selection of sites will be performed by ARPANSA staff, nomination of sites will come from members of the Local Government Association of Australia and the Mobile Carriers Forum (MCF). A measurement protocol based on the measurement of the control channel/pilot signal will be developed and will be similar to that used in the ARPANSA 1997–1999 survey. Further, the ACA has advised that, while it does not measure base station emissions as a matter of course, it may do so at base stations suspected of non-compliance with the EME regulations. Under the new ACA EME regulations, which came into effect on 1 March 2003, the ACA has advised that from 1 June 2003 it will require licensees of some radiocommunication transmitters to document their compliance with the new regulations. The ACA will be conducting an on-going random audit program of the relevant documentation to ensure licensees are complying with their obligations under the regulations.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15714 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Under the Industry Code on Deployment of Radiocommunications Infrastructure, the public can request, at any time, that a carrier provide information on radiation levels around base stations. (6) The Stewart Report recommended that ‘in relation to macrocell base stations sited within school grounds, that the beam of greatest RF intensity should not fall on any part of the school grounds or buildings without agreement from the school and parents. Similar considerations should apply to macrocell base stations sited near to school grounds.’ The UK Government did not agree to this recommendation, instead stating that the exposure levels at schools should be ‘within [International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection] guidelines’. In Australia, licensees for each transmitter associated with a base station, irrespective of its location, will be required by the ACA to ensure that members of the public are not exposed to a level of radiation above the limits recommended by ARPANSA. This requirement applied to GSM 900 base station transmitters under the now superseded ACA EME regulations and it will apply to all base station transmitters from the end of 2003 under the new ACA EME regulations. The ACA has advised that it has not received any recommendations from ARPANSA in relation to the installation of base stations in or near school grounds. Accordingly, the ACA has not issued any guidelines on the matter. See also the answer to part 2 of the Question, above. The Industry Code on Deployment of Radiocomunications Infrastructure requires carriers to have regard to ‘community sensitive locations’ such as schools when locating base stations. See also the answer to part 3 of the Question, above. (7) The ACA has advised that it has not received any recommendations from ARPANSA in relation to the installation of base stations at a minimum distance from household residences. Accordingly, the ACA has not issued any guidelines on the matter. Some local councils have planning policies to this effect (for example Sutherland Shire), however these apply only to those facilities for which the Council has planning authority, not those installed with authorisation under Commonwealth law. The Industry Code on Deployment of Radiocommunications Infrastructure requires carriers to have regard to ‘community sensitive locations’ such as residential areas when locating base stations. See also the answer to part 3 of the Question, above. Irrespective of base station location, licensees for each transmitter associated with a base station will be required by the ACA to ensure a member of the public is not exposed to a level of radiation above the limits recommended by ARPANSA. Transport: Passenger Movement Charge (Question No. 1554) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, upon no- tice, on 3 March 2003: (1) With respect to the additional $8 per passenger increase in the Passenger Movement Charge that came into effect on 1 July 2001 to fund increased passenger processing costs as part of Australia’s response to the threat of the introduction of foot and mouth disease, what is the total additional revenue raised by the charge in (a) 2001-2002 and (b) 2002-2003 to date. (2) What is the total additional revenue estimated to be raised by the charge in (a) 2002-2003, (b) 2003-2004, (c) 2004-2005 and (d) 2005-2006. (3) What is the total sum of Passenger Movement Charge collected at each airport and port in (a) 2001-2002 and (b) 2002-2003 to date. (4) What is the total sum of Passenger Movement Charge estimated to be collected at each airport and port in (a) 2002-2003, (b) 2003-2004, (c) 2004-2005 and (d) 2005-2006. (5) What sum has been spent by the Government on new quarantine screening equipment at each air- port and port since 1 July 2001.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15715

(6) How much additional money has the Government spent on other quarantine processing costs at each airport and port since 1 July 2001 and what services, measures or expenses comprise that ad- ditional expenditure at each airport and port. (7) How much additional money is estimated to be spent on new quarantine screening equipment and other processing costs, respectively, at each airport and port in (a) 2002-2003, (b) 2003-2004, (c) 2004-2005 and (d) 2005-2006. (8) Which programs are administering costs associated with increased passenger processing costs as part of Australia’s response to the threat of the introduction of foot and mouth disease and what sum has been spent, and is estimated to be spent, from each program in each year it has operated, or is budgeted to operate, and which Department is responsible for the administration of each pro- gram. (9) Are there any outstanding claims by any organisation or individual for expenditure on equipment or measures as part of Australia’s response to the threat of foot and mouth disease; if so, (a) who are the claimants, (b) what is the claim for and (c) will each be paid; if so, when. (10) How many passengers departing Australia were exempted from paying the Passenger Movement Charge and what is the legal basis and number of passengers for each category of exempted pas- sengers. (11) Will the $8 foot and mouth response component of the Passenger Movement Charge be removed, increased or reduced commensurate with the movement in costs associated with Australia’s re- sponse to the threat of the introduction of foot and mouth disease; if so, when; if not, why not. Mr Truss—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) to (4) The answers to these questions do not fall within the responsibilities of the Agriculture, Fish- eries and Forestry portfolio. The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Chris Ellison will provide a response to these questions. (5) The Government provided an additional $596.4 million with effect from 1 July 2001 to enhance Australia’s quarantine controls in response to the increased threat of foot and mouth disease and other quarantine risks. This sum is being spent on increased customs and quarantine screening ar- rangements at all ports of entry to Australia. The funding provides for increased staff, x-ray equip- ment, detector dogs, public awareness and infrastructure changes at international airports and mail centres. (6) Refer to the response to (5). (7) Refer to the response to (5). (8) The quarantine programs administering costs associated with increased passenger processing as part of Australia’s response to the threat of the introduction of foot and mouth disease relate pri- marily to international airports and seaports operations. These programs have operated for many years and have a combined Budget for 2002/03 of approximately $69.9 million. (9) There are no outstanding claims arising from increased quarantine screening activities that are be- ing managed by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. The Department does not maintain information relating to claims from quarantine screening activities that may be out- standing against other border agencies. (10) to (11) The answers to these questions do not fall within the responsibilities of the Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry portfolio. The Minister for Justice and Customs, Senator the Hon Chris Elli- son will provide a response to these questions.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15716 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Transport and Regional Services: Program Funding (Question No. 1564) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 5 March 2003: In relation to the (a) Regional Solutions Program, (b) Regional Assistance Program, (c) Rural Transac- tion Centres, (d) Sustainable Regions Program, and (e) Dairy Regional Assistance Program, what is the value of projects approved for funding in each State and Territory, each month, from 1 July 2002 to 31 March 2003. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is contained in the at- tached table. Regional Programmes Division - Value of projects approved for funding in each State and Territory, each month, from 1 July 2002 to 31 March 2003

Pro- Month NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA gramme DRAP Jul-02 DRAP Aug-02 $1,858,990 $2,774,969 $456,500 $288,250 $1,267,000 $918,568 DRAP Sep-02 $700,000 DRAP Oct-02 $44,000 $66,716 DRAP Nov-02 $275,000 DRAP Dec-02 DRAP Jan-03 DRAP Feb-03 DRAP Mar-03 RAP Jul-02 $330,000 RAP Aug-02 RAP Sep-02 $29,030 $106,000 $52,536 $27,500 RAP Oct-02 RAP Nov-02 $1,516,401 $157,960 $1,106,103 $207,991 $88,000 $722,407 $761,838 RAP Dec-02 $215,545 $190,940 $180,950 $73,700 $140,232 RAP Jan-02 RAP Feb-02 $11,000 $435,050 RAP Mar-02 RTC Jul-02 RTC Aug-02 $144,788 $281,311 $100,502 $40,521 $101,960 RTC Sep-02 $1,264,910 $65,453 $14,467 $234,359 $90,052 RTC Oct-02 RTC Nov-02 RTC Dec-02 RTC Jan-03 RTC Feb-03 $191,870 $919,187 $179,499 RTC Mar-03 $1,079,216 $487,729 $228,247 $495,469 $890,646 SRP Jul-02 SRP Aug-02 $912,835 $1,943,725 SRP Sep-02 $225,000 SRP Oct-02 $2,316,400 $363,191 SRP Nov-02 $1,489,900 $46,200 $150,000 SRP Dec-02 $1,098,222 $74,173 $1,569,700 SRP Jan-03 SRP Feb-03 $2,277,242 $246,400 $50,000 SRP Mar-03

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15717

Pro- Month NSW NT Qld SA Tas Vic WA gramme RSP Jul-02 $238,367 $422,532 $68,200 $5,000 $218,000 $290,598 RSP Aug-02 $1,342,156 $825,582 $965,111 $208,200 $202,000 $550,234 RSP Sep-02 $748,935 $62,900 $505,201 $6,266 $46,650 $303,542 $554,000 RSP Oct-02 $160,500 $139,515 $910,800 RSP Nov-02 $585,975 $102,875 $260,999 $184,000 $489,700 RSP Dec-02 $286,707 $106,634 $153,898 $1,412,841 $408,249 RSP Jan-03 $27,500 RSP Feb-03 $68,152 $1,045,048 $60,500 $10,000 $365,980 $389,674 RSP Mar-03 $924,355 $440,000 $1,269,500 $371,006 Programme identification: DRAP - Dairy Regional Assistance Programme RAP - Regional Assistance Programme RSP - Regional Solutions programme RTCP - Rural Transaction Centres Programme SRP- Sustainable Regions Programme Transport and Regional Services: Program Funding (Question No. 1610) Ms George asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 18 March 2003: (1) How many applications for funding under the Regional Solutions Program in the electorate of Throsby have (a) been submitted and (b) are awaiting determination. (2) Who has applied under the Regional Solutions Program in the electorate of Throsby and what are the details of each application. (3) What is the sum of funds (a) applied for, and (b) granted under the Regional Solutions Program in the electoral divisions of: (i) Throsby, (ii) Hume, (iii) Macarthur, (iv) Cunningham and (v) Gil- more. (4) How many applications under the Regional Solutions Program have been (a) approved and (b) rejected in the electoral divisions of: (i) Throsby (ii) Hume, (iii) Macarthur, (iv) Cunningham and (v) Gilmore. (5) Is he aware of the application by the Shellharbour City Council for funding under the Regional Solutions Program for reconstruction of the main runway at Illawarra Regional Airport. (6) Is he aware that the Shellharbour City Council application was rejected because the responsibility for regional airports rests with local government. (7) Does he agree with the determination of the Department of Transport and Regional Services and therefore the consequence that applications of the type lodged by the Shellharbour City Council are not eligible for funding under the Regional Solutions Program; if so, why; if not, why not. (8) Is he aware that a similar project to that proposed by the Shellharbour City Council was proposed by the Temora Shire Council, that that project was approved by the Department of Transport and Regional Services and that the Temora Shire Council received $550,000 for a significant upgrade of its airport. (9) Why has the Shellharbour City Council application for funding under the Regional Solutions Pro- gram been rejected and the Temora Shire Council application been accepted.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15718 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

(10) Is he aware that the Shellharbour City Council asked for a review of its application for Regional Solutions Program funding in a letter dated 20 November 2002 on the basis that the Department’s reason for its decision is inconsistent with its decision to approve the Temora Shire Council’s pro- ject. (11) Why has the Department not replied to the Shellharbour City Councils letter dated 20 November 2002 and what will he do to rectify the oversight. (12) Will he intervene on behalf of the Shellharbour City Council to demand a review of the decision to reject its application; if not, why not. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (a) Six (b) One (2) Applicant Project Title Bid Amount Status Description of Project Illawarra Motor- Establishing a Sustainable $350,000 Pending To develop a viable regional ing Museum Inc Community Park for Illa- community park for the Illawarra warra region built around the infra- structure of the Illawarrra Motor- ing Museum. Shellharbour City Illawarra Regional Airport - $1,396,096 Not rec- To upgrade the runway and taxi- Council (1) Museum Foundation & ommended ways of the Illawarra Regional Hardstand Area - (2) Run- Airport, as well as establishing a way Upgrade Museum Foundation and hard- stand area. The Flagstaff The Flagstaff Group Limited $25,000 Not rec- To continue providing a bus Group Limited ommended service for the Unanderra Indus- trial Park. Council of the Flinders Child and Family $327,000 Not rec- To contribute towards a child City of Shellhar- Centre ommended care centre in Flinders. bour Council of the The Heart of Warilla- $464,673 Not rec- To create social capital and pro- City of Shellhar- Recreating Community Co- ommended vide a community focus or heart bour hesion for the area in the sense of a Community and Youth centre, reclaiming an existing waste space, and creating Youth Worker positions. Association for A Brighter Future for Youth $223,180 Not rec- To establish a branch of Learning Children with in the Illawarra ommended Links in the Illawarra region to Learning Disabili- help school-aged children with ties learning difficulties and their families.

(3) (a) and (b) Electorate Bid Amount Funds Granted (GST inc) Throsby $2,785,949 Nil Hume $2,303,981 $346,523 Macarthur nil nil Cunningham $488,640 nil Gilmore $3,215,710 $673,400

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15719

(4) Electorate Approved Rejected Throsby 0 6 Hume 5 10 Macarthur 0 0 Cunningham 0 1 Gilmore 9 8 (5) Yes, I am aware of the application from the Shellharbour City Council. (6) Yes. Responsibility for the maintenance and upgrade of aerodromes was handed back to many local government agencies from 1990 onwards, including Shellharbour City Council. At that time each local government was provided with funding to maintain these facilities. (7) The independent Regional Solutions Programme Advisory Committee (RSPAC), following its con- sideration of the Shellharbour City Council’s application, recommended to the Minister for Re- gional Services, Territories and Local Government not to fund the project. The Minister accepted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. (8) I am aware of the Temora Shire Council project. The RSPAC considered the application and rec- ommended to the Minister for Transport and Regional Services and the Minister for Regional Ser- vices, Territories and Local Government that the project be funded. The Ministers accepted the recommendation of the Advisory Committee. (9) Applications under the Regional Solutions Programme (RSP) are considered on a case by case basis against programme guidelines and selection criteria. While on the surface projects may ap- pear similar the specific outcomes sought at the local level can be markedly different. Both pro- posals were considered on their merits by the independent RSP Advisory Committee against the programme guidelines and selection criteria and a recommendation provided to Ministers. Minis- ters approved the recommendations of the Advisory Committee. (10) I am advised that the Department is unaware of the letter from the Shellharbour City Council re- questing a review of the decision. (11) As above. (12) The Shellharbour City Council can request a review of the project by making a submission to the Department. They will be required to provide additional information addressing the concerns raised in the Department’s letter of 4 November 2002. Medicare: Bulk-billing (Question No. 1642) Mr Murphy asked the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, upon no- tice, on 18 March 2003: (1) Did the Minister read an article written by Dr John Deeble, the chief planner for Medicare in the 1980s, titled “Not ailing, but in need of a check up” in The Sydney Morning Herald on 10 March 2003. (2) Which views expressed by Dr Deeble does the Minister accept and why. (3) Which views expressed by Dr Deeble does the Minister not accept and why. (4) What is the Government doing to ensure that all Australians have access to bulk-billing, irrespec- tive of their place of abode. (5) Will the Government grant doctors a minimum increase of $5 in the bulk-billing fee; if so, when; if not, why not.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15720 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Mr Andrews—The Minister for Health and Ageing has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question: (1) Yes. (2) and (3) The Government supports the universal coverage of Medicare for all Australians through: • access to free public hospital care; • the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme; and • the Medicare Benefits Schedule rebate. (4) The Government has recently announced a $917m package, A Fairer Medicare, to strengthen Aus- tralia’s universal health care system, including by making general practice (GP) services more available and more affordable. A key element of this package is the provision of incentives for GPs to bulk bill pensioners and Commonwealth concession card holders. The level of incentives has been designed to make vast majority of GPs financially better off. Bulk billing rates have historically been lower in rural areas and therefore higher incentive payments will be provided in these areas to ensure that all Austra- lians have the same access to affordable medical services. (5) A Fairer Medicare introduces a range of reforms that will benefit all Australians by providing more affordable access to GP services. Simply increasing the level of rebates to GPs would not achieve this. Over the last few years, the bulk billing rate of GP services (non referred attendances) has de- clined despite significant increases to the Medicare rebate and other funding to general practice. Employment and Workplace Relations: Program Funding (Question No. 1689) Ms Hoare asked the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations, upon notice, on 19 March 2003: (1) Does the Minister’s Department administer any Commonwealth funded programs for which com- munity organisations, businesses or individuals in the electoral division of Charlton can apply for funding; if so, what are the programs. (2) Does the Minister’s Department advertise these funding opportunities; if so, (a) what print or other media outlets have been used for the advertising of each of these programs, (b) were these paid ad- vertisements, and if so, (c) what was the cost of each advertisement. (3) With respect to each of the Commonwealth funded programs referred to in part (1), (a) what is its purpose and (b) who is responsible for allocating funds. (4) With respect to each of the Commonwealth funded programs referred to in part (1), how many (a) community organisations, (b) businesses or (c) individuals in the electoral division of Charlton re- ceived funding in (i) 1999, (ii) 2000, (iii) 2001, and (iv) 2002. (5) What is the name and address of each recipient. Mr Abbott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes, the department has provided funded programmes for which community organisations, busi- nesses or individuals in the electoral division of Charlton can apply for funding. These pro- grammes are: Indigenous Employment Programme-under the Indigenous Employment Policy Indigenous Small Business Fund-under the Indigenous Employment Policy General Employee Entitlements and Redundancy Scheme (GEERS) Special Employee Entitlements Scheme for Ansett Group employees (SEESA)

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15721

Work for the Dole Community organisations and businesses can tender to provide Job Network services. Contracts for Job Network have been let for two to three year periods, with the most recent tender being ad- vertised in late 2002 for the next contract period which begins on 1 July 2003 and completes on 30 June 2006. (2) Indigenous Employment Policy (a) and (b) The Indigenous Employment Policy and specific elements under the Policy including Wage Assistance, the National Indigenous Cadetship Project and Indigenous Community Volun- teers have primarily been advertised by my department in the print media. Paid advertising has been undertaken in major metropolitan and regional newspapers, industry bulletins such as Austra- lian Transport News, Australian Cane Growers Monthly and Australian Mining and Indigenous newspapers and magazines including the National Indigenous Times, Koori Mail, Deadly Vibe, Black Business and Indivine. The Indigenous Employment Policy and programmes are also fea- tured on the www.workplace.gov.au Internet site and brochures and other promotional material is also produced. (c) Advertising has been undertaken at various times since 1999 when the Indigenous Employment Policy was launched. Standard government rates are charged and the cost of individual advertise- ments vary depending on a range of factors including the size of the advertisement, how often it appears, the type of media product (eg newspaper, magazine, employer journal) and audience reach. Specific information on the cost of each advertisement is not readily available as it would require significant collation of material across programmes. GEERS and SEESA (a) GEERS and SEESA funding has been advertised in the Australian Insolvency Journal and has been directly marketed to the Insolvency Practitioner Association of Australia (IPAA) members; (b) Yes and; (c) $440 and $3,678 respectively. Work for the Dole (a) (b) and (c) The department has contracted Community Work Coordinators (CWCs) to develop and manage Work for the Dole activities. CWCs employ a range of methods to encourage commu- nity and government organisations to sponsor Work for the Dole places. For the purpose of adver- tising specialised drought force activities under Work for the Dole, in response to the drought, the department placed advertisements in the regional press. The cost of advertising in the Newcastle Herald, which is distributed in parts of Charlton, during December 2002, January 2003 and Febru- ary 2003 was $3,200. (3) Indigenous Employment Policy (a)The purpose of the Indigenous Employment Policy is to improve the employment circumstances and future prospects of Australian Indigenous peoples by generating sustainable employment op- portunities. (b) The department’s national and state offices allocate funds under the Indigenous Employment Policy following assessment of applications and project proposals. GEERS and SEESA (a) To provide assistance to employees who have lost their employment and accrued entitlements due to their employer becoming insolvent or bankrupt they may be eligible to receive payments equivalent to the following: all unpaid wages; accrued annual leave; accrued long service leave; accrued pay in lieu of notice; and up to eight weeks redundancy entitlements (as per community standard).

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15722 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

(b) GEERS is funded through a Special Account established under the FMA Act within the Con- solidated Revenue Fund. Funding is provided for SEESA through the Air Passenger Ticket Levy (Collection) Act 2001 which establishes a special appropriation within the Consolidated Revenue Fund. Work for the Dole (a) The objectives of the Work for the Dole programme are to develop the work habits of eligible job seekers, to involve local communities in activities that provide for the unemployed and help the unemployed at the end of the activities, and to provide communities with activities that are of value to those communities (b) CWCs recommend activities to the department for approval. (4) (a), (b) and (c) Refer to Tables A, B, C, D and E (attached) for details of community organisations, businesses or individuals that received funding in the electoral division of Charlton in 1999 to 2002. These tables must be read in conjunction with Attachment 1 as it includes important infor- mation relating to the derivation of the data. All figures for funding are provided for financial years and not for calendar years. In respect of Work for the Dole (See Table E) - in 1999 there were five sponsors, in 2000 there were four CWCs and 12 sponsors, in 2001 there were five CWCs and 16 sponsors and in 2002 there were six CWCs and 18 sponsors who received funding to deliver the programme. (5) Indigenous Employment Policy - Assistance provided to individuals and some businesses under the Indigenous Employment Policy cannot be supplied for confidentiality and privacy reasons. I an- nounce project based funding approved for organisations on a periodic basis and this information is available by following the Indigenous links at the www.workplace.gov.au Internet site. GEERS and SEESA - These details cannot be supplied for confidentiality and privacy reasons. Work for the Dole - The names and addresses of CWCs in 2000, 2001 and 2002 are at Table E (the CWC model commenced in 2000). The names and addresses of community organisations that sponsored Work for the Dole activities in 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2002 are also at Table E. Not-for- profit CWCs may also operate as sponsors of Work for the Dole activities. Note that this reply excludes organisations in the electoral division of Charlton which have been contracted to provide employment services by the Commonwealth (ie Job Network services, New Enterprise Incentive Scheme, Transition to Work services and, until 30 June 2002, Community Support Programme services). ATTACHMENT 1 The following statements should be read in conjunction with the figures in this document. 1. Funding and expenditure are normally linked to administrative areas which are used for a number of purposes related to the operation of a program, for example, Labour Market Regional (LMR) or Em- ployment Service Area (ESA) location. The borders associated with these administrative areas do not necessarily coincide with electorate boundaries. 2. Where additional information is held such as the location of a program, this has provided a basis to link expenditure to an electorate. The information provided in the attached spreadsheet is therefore an approximation based on information available. 3. Figures in the attached spreadsheet generally indicate monies allocated, not monies spent. However, it should be noted that all IEP programme figures reflect actual expenditure. 4. An asterisk (*) assigned to a programme indicates that allocated funding is GST inclusive. 5. Only those DEWR programmes administered in the examined electorate are detailed in this docu- ment.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15723

In addition, the following disclaimer statements should be read in conjunction with Tables A, B, C, D and E. Indigenous Employment Programme (IEP) Offered under the umbrella of the Indigenous Employment Policy, the Indigenous Employment Pro- grammes were implemented progressively from 1 July 1999 and include: Structured Training and Em- ployment Projects (which replaced the former Training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pro- gramme), Wage Assistance, the Community Development Employment Project Placement Incentive, the Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project, the National Indigenous Cadetship Pro- gramme and Indigenous Community Volunteers (previously the ‘Voluntary Service to Indigenous Communities Foundation’). Services are also offered to Indigenous job seekers through the Indigenous Small Business Fund, Job Network services and Indigenous Employment Centres. • Structured Training and Employment Project (STEP); • Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project (CLIEP); and • Training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Programme (TAP). The expenditure figures for these programmes relate to claims for payment by contracted organisations. The organisation in question may be the employer and/or trainer of the job seeker or may be an inter- mediary such as a Group Training Company, a Job Network Member or an alternative industry or com- munity based organisation. Expenditure has been allocated to electorates on the basis of the postal ad- dress of the contracted organisation that received funding. In many cases this will be the address of a head office of the contracted organisation and does not necessarily reflect the location of actual em- ployment or training. Figures provided reflect actual expenditure excluding GST. These figures are subject to change due to lags in data entry and ongoing systems reconciliations. • Wage Assistance (WA); • National Indigenous Cadetship Project (NICP); and • Direct Assistance. The expenditure figures for these programmes relate to claims for payment by contracted employers. Data is presented on the grounds that the address of the contracted employer that received funding was in the specified electorate. In many cases this will be the postal address of the contracted employer and does not necessarily reflect the location of actual employment. Figures provided reflect actual expendi- ture exclusive of GST. These figures are subject to change due to lags in data entry and ongoing sys- tems reconciliations. • Community Development Employment Project Placement Incentive (CDEP PI); and • Community Development Employment Project Work Preparation and Employment Trial (CDEP Trial). The expenditure figures for these programmes relate to claims for payment by contracted Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) organisations. Expenditure has been allocated to electorates on the basis of the postal address of the CDEP organisation providing the services. However, this ad- dress does not necessarily reflect the location of actual employment. Figures reflect actual GST exclu- sive expenditure. These figures are subject to change due to lags in data entry and ongoing systems reconciliations. Indigenous Employment Centres (IECs) The expenditure figures for the electorate do not include expenditure on Indigenous Employment Cen- tre services provided by Community Development Employment Project (CDEP) organisations located in the electorate. Inclusion of expenditure on IECs would disclose commercial in confidence informa- tion. IECs are located where labour market employment opportunities exist for Indigenous job seekers. The address of the head office of the CDEP providing IEC services has been used to determine the rele-

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15724 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003 vant electorate. However, participants receiving IEC services may live in a different electorate be- cause to be eligible for services from the IEC they have to be on the schedule of the CDEP providing IEC services rather than live in a particular region or area. Employee Entitlements Support Scheme (EESS), General Employee Entitlements and Redun- dancy Scheme (GEERS) Recipient electorates are determined by claimants’ postcode where available. Some postcodes cover more than one electorate and the information contained shows all relevant data for each electorate. Due to postcodes covering multiple electorates, some payments to recipients will be assigned alphabetically to an electorate. This may result in a minor statistical anomaly. Funding figures are based on actual expenditure. Special Employee Entitlement Scheme for Ansett (SEESA) Recipient electorates are determined by claimants’ postcode where available. Some postcodes cover more than one electorate and the information contained shows all relevant data for each electorate. Due to postcodes covering multiple electorates, some payments to recipients will be assigned alphabetically to an electorate. This may result in a minor statistical anomaly. Funding figures are based on actual expenditure. Notes. • There were 28 recipients of SEESA funds ($579,127.18) whose address details did not contain a postcode and as such could not be attributed to an electorate. • There were 105 recipients of SEESA funds ($2,831,862.05) whose postcodes were not listed in the Electorate Database and as such could not be attributed to an electorate. • This amounts to 133 recipients in total with a gross total SEESA entitlement of $3,410,989.23 who could not be attributed to an electorate - row 4 in the attached spreadsheet contains this information Work for the Dole Programme (WfD)* All figures derived in this spreadsheet are based on funding approved. Funding to deliver activities has been linked to electorate by the geographic location or locations where the activity occurs (as advised by the activity sponsor). Where, as a result of this process, the locations associated with an activity fall into more than one electorate, the funds and approved places associated with the activity have been divided equally among the electorates involved. Funding figures are GST inclusive. The number of approved places for which funding is available has been provided because the number of recipients by electorate is not available. Funding and expenditure are normally linked to administrative areas which are used for a number of purposes related to the operation of a program, for example, Labour Market Regional (LMR), Employment Service Area (ESA) or Area Consultative Committee (ACC) location. The borders associated with these administrative areas do not necessarily coincide with electorate boundaries. Figures are based on approved funding, not actual expenditure. Information is current as at 31 January. Wfd activities are approved on a rolling monthly basis and January is the latest month’s data available when these reports were coordinated. Community Support Programme (CSP) * Year and participant numbers: 1998 (3,352); 1999 (5,772); 2000 (13,810); 2001 (17,579); 2002 (5,286). In the 2001-02 Budget the Commonwealth Government announced the Personal Support Programme (PSP) as part of Australians Working Together. The PSP, managed by the Department of Family and Community Services (DFaCS), replaced the CSP and improves on the CSP by expanding the eligibility criteria and tailoring the programme to better meet the needs of its participants. The above figures are allocated to electorate based on the postal address of the recipients. Funding figures are based on actual expenditure.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15725

Working Women’s Centres Working Women’s Centres service the entire State and not just the electorate which they are located in. There are no Working Women’s Centres operating in Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory or Victoria. Funding is allocated annually at the beginning of each financial year. TABLE A: Funding for Charlton in 1998 -1999

Electorate Programme Recipient Project StartDate EndDate Amount Charlton Community Support Westlakes Commu- Not Applicable 1/07/1998 30/06/1999 $14,700.00 Programme (CSP)1 nity Training Services Inc. Charlton Community Support Westlakes Commu- Not Applicable 1/07/1998 30/06/1999 $5,270.00 Programme (CSP) 1 nity Training Services Inc. Charlton Community Support Westlakes Commu- Not Applicable 1/07/1998 30/06/1999 $17,500.00 Programme (CSP) 1 nity Training Services Inc. Charlton Working Women’s Not Applicable Not Applicable 1/07/1998 30/06/1999 $0.00 Centres (WWC) Charlton Work for the Dole See Table E 8 projects 1/07/1998 30/06/1999 $592,398.25 (WfD) Charlton Direct Assistance2 8 Recipients 1/07/1998 30/06/1999 $101,237.00

1 Community Support Programme (CSP) was superseded by the Personal Support Programme (PSP) following the 2001-2002 Budget and is administered by the Department of Family and Community Services. 2 Indigenous Employment Programme comprises Structured Training and Employment Projects (STEP),Wage Assistance, Direct Assistance, Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project, National Indigenous Cadetship Project and Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Placement Incentive.

TABLE B: Funding for Charlton in 1999 - 2000

Electorate Programme Recipient Project StartDate EndDate Amount Charlton Community Support Westlakes Community Not Applica- 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $25,800.00 Programme (CSP)1 Training Services Inc. ble Charlton Community Support Westlakes Community Not Applica- 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $8,100.00 Programme (CSP) 1 Training Services Inc. ble Charlton Community Support Westlakes Community Not Applica- 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $26,600.00 Programme (CSP) 1 Training Services Inc. ble Charlton Working Women’s Not Applicable Not Applica- 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $0.00 Centres (WWC) ble Charlton Work for the Dole See Table E 12 projects 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $305,536.04 (WfD) Charlton Direct Assistance2 3 Recipients 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $55,791.00

Charlton Structured Training & 1 Recipient 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $45,320.00 Employment2 Charlton Wage Assistance2 2 Recipients 1/07/1999 30/06/2000 $3,877.00

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15726 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

1 Community Support Programme (CSP) was superseded by the Personal Support Programme (PSP) following the 2001-2002 Budget and is administered by the Department of Family and Community Services. 2 Indigenous Employment Programme comprises Structured Training and Employment Projects (STEP),Wage Assistance, Direct Assistance, Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project, National Indigenous Cadetship Project and Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Placement Incentive. TABLE C: Funding for Charlton in 2000-2001 Electorate Programme Recipient Project StartDate EndDate Amount Charlton Community Sup- Westlakes Commu- Not Applica- 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $22,807.20 port Programme nity Training Ser- ble (CSP)1 vices Inc. Charlton Community Sup- Westlakes Commu- Not Applica- 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $7,708.80 port Programme nity Training Ser- ble (CSP) 1 vices Inc. Charlton Community Sup- Westlakes Commu- Not Applica- 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $24,572.00 port Programme nity Training Ser- ble (CSP) 1 vices Inc. Charlton Community Sup- Westlakes Training Not Applica- 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $42,880.00 port Programme ble (CSP) 1 Charlton Working Women’s Not Applicable Not Applica- 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $0.00 Centres (WWC) ble Charlton Work for the Dole See Table E 26 projects 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $503,493.36 (WfD) Charlton Direct Assistance2 1 Recipient 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $37,281.00

Charlton Structured Train- 2 Recipients 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $309,280.00 ing & Employ- ment2 Charlton Wage Assistance2 7 Recipients 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $19,816.00

Charlton Employee Entitle- 6 Recipients Not Applica- 1/07/2000 30/06/2001 $8,010.98 ments Support ble Scheme (EESS)3 1 Community Support Programme (CSP) was superseded by the Personal Support Programme (PSP) following the 2001-2002 Budget and is administered by the Department of Family and Community Services. 2 Indigenous Employment Programme comprises Structured Training and Employment Projects (STEP),Wage Assistance, Direct Assistance, Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project, National Indigenous Cadetship Project and Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Placement Incentive. 3 The Employee Entitlements Support Scheme is accessible to eligible claimants who were terminated due to the insolvency of their employer between 1 January 2000 until 11 September 2001. The General Employee Entitlements Scheme (GEERS) is accessible to eligible claimants who were terminated due to the insolvency of their employer on or after 12 September 2001. The Special Employee Entitlements Scheme for Ansett (SEESA) is accessible to employees who were terminated due to the insolvency of the Ansett group of Companies on or after 12 September 2002

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15727

TABLE D: Funding for Charlton in 2001 - 2002 Electorate Programme Recipient Project StartDate EndDate Amount Charlton Community Support Westlakes Com- Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $4,288.00 Programme (CSP)1 munity Training Applicable Services Inc.

Charlton Community Support Westlakes Train- Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $5,360.00 Programme (CSP) 1 ing Applicable Charlton Community Support Westlakes Train- Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $53,600.00 Programme (CSP) 1 ing Applicable Charlton Community Support Westlakes Com- Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $2,144.00 Programme (CSP) 1 munity Training Applicable Services Inc.

Charlton Working Women’s Not Applicable Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $0.00 Centres (WWC) Applicable Charlton Work for the Dole See Table E 39 projects 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $802,850.77 (WfD) Charlton Community Devel- 1 Recipient 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $50,000.00 opment Employment Project Work Prepa- ration and Employ- ment Trial (CDEP Trial)2 Charlton Direct Assistance2 2 Recipients 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $21,435.00

Charlton Structured Training & 2 Recipients 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $120,344.00 Employment2 Charlton Wage Assistance2 21 Recipients 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $57,046.00

Charlton General Employee 25 Recipients Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $207,738.03 Entitlements and Applicable Redundancy Scheme (GEERS)3 Charlton Employee Entitle- 31 Recipients Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $54,211.32 ments Support Applicable Scheme (EESS) 3 Charlton Special Employee 2 Recipients Not 1/07/2001 30/06/2002 $20,657.87 Entitlement Scheme Applicable for Ansett (SEESA) 3 1 Community Support Programme (CSP) was superseded by the Personal Support programme (PSP) following the 2001-2002 Budget and is administered by the Department of Family and Community Services. 2 Indigenous Employment Programme comprises Structured Training and Employment Projects (STEP),Wage Assistance, Direct Assistance, Corporate Leaders for Indigenous Employment Project, National Indigenous Cadetship Project and Community Development Employment Projects (CDEP) Placement Incentive. 3 The Employee Entitlements Support Scheme is accessible to eligible claimants who were terminated due to the insolvency of their employer between 1 January 2000 until 11 September 2001. The General Employee Entitlements Scheme (GEERS) is accessible to eligible claimants who were terminated due to the insolvency of their employer on or after 12 September 2001. The Special Employee Entitlements

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15728 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

Scheme for Ansett (SEESA) is accessible to employees who were terminated due to the insolvency of the Ansett group of Companies on or after 12 September 2002. TABLE E: Work for the Dole – 1999-2002 2000 Name Address Community The Salvation Army Employment Plus Level 1, 576 Hunter Street, NEWCASTLE NSW Work Coordi- 2300 nators Wesley Uniting Employment Services 9-11 Tyrrell Street, WALLSEND NSW 2287 Eastlake Skills Centre Limited 453 Pacific Highway, BELMONT NSW 2280 Westlakes Community Training Services corner Cary St and Brighton Ave, TORONTO NSW 2283

2001 2002 Name Address Name Address Community The Salvation Army Level 1, 576 Hunter The Salvation Army Level 1, 576 Hunter Work Coordi- Employment Plus Street, NEWCASTLE Employment Plus Street, NEWCASTLE nators NSW 2300 NSW 2300 Wesley Uniting 9-11 Tyrrell Street, Wesley Uniting Em- 9-11 Tyrrell Street, Employment Ser- WALLSEND NSW ployment Services WALLSEND NSW vices 2287 2287 Eastlake Skills 453 Pacific Highway, Eastlake Skills Centre 453 Pacific Highway, Centre Limited BELMONT NSW Limited BELMONT NSW 2280 2280 Westlakes Commu- corner Cary St and Lions Club of Hunter Wallsend Enterprise nity Training Ser- Brighton Ave, Wallsend Inc Centre, Dan Rees vices TORONTO NSW Street, WALLSEND 2283 NSW 2287 Conservation Vol- Ground Floor, 518 Conservation Volun- Ground Floor, 518 unteers Australia Hunter St, teers Australia Hunter St, NEWCASTLE NSW NEWCASTLE NSW 2300 2300 Westlakes Commu- corner Cary St and nity Training Ser- Brighton Ave, vices TORONTO NSW 2283

1999 2000 Name Address Name Address Sponsors that are Eastlake Skills Centre 453 Pacific Highway, Lions Club of Hunter Wallsend Enterprise Cen- also Community Limited BELMONT NSW 2280 Wallsend Inc tre, Dan Rees Street, Organisations WALLSEND NSW 2287 Westlakes Community corner Cary St and Brigh- Westlakes Community corner Cary St and Brigh- Training Services ton Ave, TORONTO Training Services ton Ave, TORONTO NSW NSW 2283 2283 Hunter Development Suite 5, 146 Hunter St Macquarie Retirement 12 the Ridgeway Board Newcastle NSW 2300 Care Services Bolton Point NSW 2283 HGT Australia Ltd Level 1, 148 Lambton Rd H&H Accredited Train- Suite 6, Level 4 Broadmeadow NSW 2292 ing Australasia Ltd 44 Miller St North Sydney NSW 2060 Wyong Workwise Old School The Salvation Army 900 Hunter St Alison Rd Rehabilitation Services Newcastle West NSW Wyond NSW 2259 2300

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15729

1999 2000 Name Address Name Address Wesley Uniting Em- 9-11 Tyrrell Street, ployment Services WALLSEND NSW 2287 The Salvation Army Tally Ho Business Park Level 3, 10 Wesley Court Burwood East Vic 3151 Eastlake Skills Centre 453 Pacific Highway, Limited BELMONT NSW 2280 Warners Bay Junior Lot 1 John St Soccer & Cricket Club Warners Bay NSW 2282 The Salvation Army PO Box 346 Endeavour Community Morisset NSW 2264 Charlestown East James St Primary School Charlestown NSW 2290 Samaritans Foundation 14 Torrens Ave, CARDIFF NSW 2285

2001 2002 Name Address Name Address Sponsors that Conservation Volun- Ground Floor, 518 The Salvation Army Level 1, 576 Hunter are also Com- teers Australia Hunter St, Employment Plus Street, NEWCASTLE munity Or- NEWCASTLE NSW (VIC) Property Trust NSW 2300 ganisations 2300 Wesley Uniting 9-11 Tyrrell Street, Westlakes Commu- corner Cary St and Employment Ser- WALLSEND NSW nity Training Ser- Brighton Ave, vices 2287 vices TORONTO NSW 2283 Samaritans Founda- 14 Torrens Ave, Community Support 68-70 Gemvale Rd, tion CARDIFF NSW 2285 Agency REEDY CREEK QLD 4228 Eastlake Skills Cen- 453 Pacific Highway, Conservation Volun- Ground Floor, 518 tre Limited BELMONT NSW teers Australia Hunter St, 2280 NEWCASTLE NSW 2300 Lions Club of Hunter Wallsend Enterprise Trees in Newcastle 252 Parry St, Wallsend Inc Centre, Dan Rees NEWCASTLE WEST Street, WALLSEND NSW 2302 NSW 2287 The Salvation Army Level 1, 576 Hunter Wesley Uniting 9-11 Tyrrell Street, Employment Plus Street, NEWCASTLE Employment Ser- WALLSEND NSW (VIC Property Trust) NSW 2300 vices 2287 Trees in Newcastle 252 Parry St, Newcastle City Level 1, 767 Hunter St, NEWCASTLE WEST Mission NEWCASTLE WEST NSW 2302 NSW 2302 Wallsend Touch 9 Morna Close, Eastlake Skills Cen- 453 Pacific Highway, Football Association ELERMORE VALE tre Limited BELMONT NSW NSW 2287 2280 Westlakes Commu- corner Cary St and Lions Club of Hunter Wallsend Enterprise nity Training Ser- Brighton Ave, Wallsend Inc Centre, Dan Rees vices TORONTO NSW Street, WALLSEND

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15730 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

2001 2002 Name Address Name Address 2283 NSW 2287 Lake Macquarie 18 Main Rd, St Benedicts Primary 840 Main Rd Neighbourhood In- BOOLAROO NSW School Edgeworth NSW formation Centre Inc 2284 2285 H&H Accredited Suite 6, Level 4 Hillsborough Public Waratah Ave Training 44 Miller St School Charlestown NSW Norht Sydney NSW 2290 2060 Warners Bay Junior Lot 1 John St Lake Macquarie 18 Main Rd, Soccer & Cricket Warners Bay NSW Neighbourhood BOOLAROO NSW Club 2282 Information Centre 2284 Inc Garden Suburb Pri- Prospect Rd Toronto Chamber of Suite 4A The Boule- mary School Garden Suburb NSW Commerce & Indus- vard 2289 try Toronto NSW 2283 St John Vianney 60-66 Yambo St HGT Australia Level 1, 148 Lambton School Morisset NSW 2264 Rd Broadmeadow NSW 2292 Edgeworth Cnr Main and Minmi State Forest of NSW 5/464 King St Neighbourhood Cen- Roads Newcastle West NSW tre Edgeworth NSW 2285 2302

Woodrising Haydenbrook Rd Lake Macquarie City 40 Dalmany Dr Neighbourhood Cen- Woodrising NSW Soccer Club Macquarie Hills NSW tre 2284 2285 Heaton Primary Janet St School Jesmond NSW 2299 Samaritans Founda- 14 Torrens Ave, tion CARDIFF NSW 2285

Shipping: Piracy (Question No. 1715) Mr Brendan O’Connor asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 20 March 2003: (1) Is he aware that hundreds of private yachts traverse the waters currently under the control of coali- tion forces off the coast of Yemen and that the majority of these yachts are from Australia, the United States, and Europe including Britain. (2) Is he aware that several yachts have been attacked by pirates recently; including the British regis- tered yacht Bambola on 2 March 2003 and a group of 5 yachts, 4 from Australia and 1 from the USA, on 9 March 2003. (3) What role do coalition forces in the region, including Australian warships, have in providing assis- tance and protection from piracy to private yachts. (4) Will he consider reviewing the role played by coalition forces, including Australian forces, to pro- vide better protection from piracy to private yachts.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15731

(5) Have any discussions taken place with our coalition partners on these matters; if not, will he con- sider raising the issue of better protection for private yachts in this region with Australia’s coalition partners. Mr Downer—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) I am aware that a significant number of international yachts, some of which are registered in Aus- tralia, traverse the waters off the Gulf of Yemen. (2) I am aware of a report about an attempted act of piracy against five yachts, including some Austra- lian registered vessels, off the Yemen coast on 11 March 2003, in which the yachts were reported to have outrun the pirate boats and safely continued their voyage. Our concerns with incidents of acts of piracy against Australian yachts near Yemen are reflected in the Government’s travel advice for Yemen and its advice on Piracy at Sea. The International Maritime Organization also has issued general guidance to shipowners and ship crews on preventing and suppressing acts of piracy and armed robbery against ships. (3) This question should be referred to the Minister for Defence. (4) This question should be referred to the Minister for Defence. (5) This question should be referred to the Minister for Defence. Fire Fighting Brigade: Mount Stromlo (Question No. 1738) Ms Vamvakinou asked the Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Govern- ment, upon notice, on 24 March 2003: What was the role of the Government in funding and supporting the fire fighting brigade service at the Mt Stromlo observatory that ceased operating in 1996. Mr Tuckey—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: The Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Government has advised that the fire fighting brigade at Mt Stromlo observatory was a volunteer unit operated by the Australian National University (ANU) until it was disbanded in 1996. The ANU owned the fire fighting appliances and provided staff and residents as volunteer fire fighters for those appliances stationed at Mt Stromlo. The Territories portfolio (then the Department of the Arts, Sport, the Environment, Tourism and Territo- ries) provided funds to the ACT for fire services until 1992, at which time responsibility for this pay- ment was transferred to the Department of Finance. This payment for fire services was in consideration of the significant Federal Government presence in the Territory and the burden this placed on ACT fire services. I am advised that, as a volunteer brigade, the Mt Stromlo observatory fire fighting brigade did not receive any of the funds from these Commonwealth payments. Health: Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (Question No. 1743) Ms Vamvakinou asked the Minister representing the Minister for Health and Ageing, upon notice, on 24 March 2003: (1) What was the total number of PBS prescriptions filled for concession card holders during (a) 1998- 99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01 (d) 2001-02 and (e) 2002-03 in (i) Victoria, (ii) the electoral di- vision of Calwell and (iii) the postcode areas of (a) 3036, (b) 3037, (c) 3038, (d) 3043, (e) 3046, (f) 3047, (g) 3048, (h) 3049, (i) 3059, (j) 3060, (k) 3061, (l) 3064, (m) 3427, and (n) 3428. (2) What was the total number of PBS prescriptions filled for DVA during (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01 (d) 2001-02 and (e) 2002-03 in (i) Victoria, (ii) the electoral division of Calwell

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and (iii) the postcode areas of (a) 3036, (b) 3037, (c) 3038, (d) 3043, (e) 3046, (f) 3047, (g) 3048, (h) 3049, (i) 3059, (j) 3060, (k) 3061, (l) 3064, (m) 3427, and (n) 3428. (3) What was the total number of PBS prescriptions filled for non-concession or DVA treatment card holders during (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01 (d) 2001-02 and (e) 2002-03 in (i) Vic- toria, (ii) the electoral division of Calwell and (iii) the postcode areas of (a) 3036, (b) 3037, (c) 3038, (d) 3043, (e) 3046, (f) 3047, (g) 3048, (h) 3049, (i) 3059, (j) 3060, (k) 3061, (l) 3064, (m) 3427, and (n) 3428. (4) What was the total number of PBS prescriptions filled for scripts that cost the consumer a maxi- mum of $23.10 during (a) 1998-99, (b) 1999-2000 and (c) 2000-01 (d) 2001-02 and (e) 2002-03 in (i) Victoria, (ii) the electoral division of Calwell and (iii) the postcode areas of (a) 3036, (b) 3037, (c) 3038, (d) 3043, (e) 3046, (f) 3047, (g) 3048, (h) 3049, (i) 3059, (j) 3060, (k) 3061, (l) 3064, (m) 3427, and (n) 3428. Mr Andrews—The Minister for Health and Ageing has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question: (1) The total numbers of Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS) prescriptions dispensed for conces- sion card holders in the following areas were: (i) Victoria (a) 1998-1999 27,407,677 (b) 1999-2000 29,564,369 (c) 2000-2001 31,483,409 (d) 2001-2002 32,739,568 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 27,640,168

(ii) the electoral division of Calwell (a) 1998-1999 655,579 (b) 1999-2000 712,883 (c) 2000-2001 805,365 (d) 2001-2002 847,205 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 719,346 Data relating to the number of prescriptions for the electoral division of Calwell is collected by postcode. Where a postcode crosses electoral division boundaries, the number of prescriptions for Calwell is apportioned according to the percentage of the population in that electorate. (iii) the postcode areas of

3036, 3037 (a) 1998-1999 24,593 (b) 1999-2000 33,473 (c) 2000-2001 44,076 (d) 2001-2002 52,924 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 50,722

3038 (a) 1998-1999 120,200 (b) 1999-2000 134,865 (c) 2000-2001 159,158 (d) 2001-2002 181,079

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(e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 155,140

3043 (a) 1998-1999 70,020 (b) 1999-2000 78,196 (c) 2000-2001 90,654 (d) 2001-2002 95,278 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 82,546

3046 (a) 1998-1999 237,888 (b) 1999-2000 255,553 (c) 2000-2001 259,361 (d) 2001-2002 261,079 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 222,135

3047 (a) 1998-1999 232,407 (b) 1999-2000 245,864 (c) 2000-2001 276,383 (d) 2001-2002 270,911 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 219,622

3048, 3049, 3059 (a) 1998-1999 90,772 (b) 1999-2000 96,806 (c) 2000-2001 106,561 (d) 2001-2002 110,478 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 94,937

3060 (a) 1998-1999 144,937 (b) 1999-2000 138,279 (c) 2000-2001 144,545 (d) 2001-2002 147,415 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 123,623

3061, 3064 (a) 1998-1999 89,647 (b) 1999-2000 97,014 (c) 2000-2001 109,892 (d) 2001-2002 123,183 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 108,348

3427, 3428 Nil Due to the confidentiality restrictions of the National Health Act 1953, it is not possible to release PBS data at the postcode level where it would be possible to identify individual pharmacies. In these cases postcodes have been grouped together.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15734 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

(2) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) supplies prescriptions through the Repatriation Phar- maceutical Benefits Scheme (RPBS). Information in relation to the RPBS is the responsibility of the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. (3) The total numbers of PBS prescriptions dispensed for non-concession card holders and excluding DVA treatment card holders is shown below. These numbers do not include prescriptions, which did not attract a PBS subsidy, ie. prescriptions for non-concession card holders when the dispensed price of the drug was less than $23.10, as there is no data available on these prescriptions.

(i) Victoria (a) 1998-1999 4,618,619 (b) 1999-2000 4,858,581 (c) 2000-2001 5,549,180 (d) 2001-2002 5,891,812 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 5,350,952

(ii) the electoral division of Calwell (a) 1998-1999 81,682 (b) 1999-2000 92,204 (c) 2000-2001 110,586 (d) 2001-2002 119,305 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 109,143 Data relating to the number of prescriptions for the electoral division of Calwell is collected by postcode. Where a postcode crosses electoral division boundaries, the number of prescriptions for Calwell is apportioned according to the percentage of the population in that electorate. (iii) the postcode areas of

3036, 3037 (a) 1998-1999 7,430 (b) 1999-2000 9,620 (c) 2000-2001 12,691 (d) 2001-2002 14,130 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 13,450

3038 (a) 1998-1999 23,008 (b) 1999-2000 27,002 (c) 2000-2001 32,808 (d) 2001-2002 37,040 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 33,510

3043 (a) 1998-1999 13,427 (b) 1999-2000 14,778 (c) 2000-2001 18,003 (d) 2001-2002 19,553 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 18,008

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3046 (a) 1998-1999 17,475 (b) 1999-2000 17,789 (c) 2000-2001 18,642 (d) 2001-2002 18,891 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 16,891

3047 (a) 1998-1999 17,685 (b) 1999-2000 19,218 (c) 2000-2001 22,103 (d) 2001-2002 21,095 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 18,634

3048, 3049, 3059 (a) 1998-1999 11,983 (b) 1999-2000 12,772 (c) 2000-2001 15,556 (d) 2001-2002 16,817 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 15,344

3060 (a) 1998-1999 9,974 (b) 1999-2000 9,141 (c) 2000-2001 10,018 (d) 2001-2002 10,190 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 7,664

3061, 3064 (a) 1998-1999 11,536 (b) 1999-2000 14,163 (c) 2000-2001 17,318 (d) 2001-2002 20,916 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 20,638

3427, 3428 Nil Due to the confidentiality restrictions of the National Health Act 1953, it is not possible to release PBS data at the postcode level where it would be possible to identify individual pharmacies. In these cases postcodes have been grouped together. (4) Data are not available on the number of prescriptions that did not attract a PBS subsidy ie. prescrip- tions for non-concession card holders when the price of the drug was less than the maximum co- payment of $23.10. The data below contains all prescriptions for which a PBS subsidy was paid, including both concessional and non-concessional patients. (i) Victoria (a) 1998-1999 32,026,296 (b) 1999-2000 34,422,950 (c) 2000-2001 37,032,589

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(d) 2001-2002 38,631,380 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 32,991,120

(ii) the electoral division of Calwell (a) 1998-1999 737,262 (b) 1999-2000 805,088 (c) 2000-2001 915,952 (d) 2001-2002 966,511 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 828,489 Data relating to the number of prescriptions for the electoral division of Calwell is collected by postcode. Where a postcode crosses electoral division boundaries, the number of prescriptions for Calwell is apportioned according to the percentage of the population in that electorate.

(iii) the postcode areas of 3036, 3037 (a) 1998-1999 32,023 (b) 1999-2000 43,093 (c) 2000-2001 56,767 (d) 2001-2002 67,054 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 64,172

3038 (a) 1998-1999 143,208 (b) 1999-2000 161,867 (c) 2000-2001 191,966 (d) 2001-2002 218,119 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 188,650

3043 (a) 1998-1999 83,447 (b) 1999-2000 92,974 (c) 2000-2001 108,657 (d) 2001-2002 114,831 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 100,554

3046 (a) 1998-1999 255,363 (b) 1999-2000 273,342 (c) 2000-2001 278,003 (d) 2001-2002 279,970 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 239,026

3047 (a) 1998-1999 250,092 (b) 1999-2000 265,082 (c) 2000-2001 298,486 (d) 2001-2002 292,006 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 238,256

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE Monday, 2 June 2003 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 15737

3048, 3049, 3059 (a) 1998-1999 102,755 (b) 1999-2000 109,578 (c) 2000-2001 122,117 (d) 2001-2002 127,295 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 110,281

3060 (a) 1998-1999 154,911 (b) 1999-2000 147,420 (c) 2000-2001 154,563 (d) 2001-2002 157,605 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 131,287

3061, 3064 (a) 1998-1999 101,183 (b) 1999-2000 111,177 (c) 2000-2001 127,210 (d) 2001-2002 144,099 (e) 2002-2003 to 30 April 2003 128,986

3427, 3428 Nil Due to the confidentiality restrictions of the National Health Act 1953, it is not possible to release PBS data at the postcode level where it would be possible to identify individual pharmacies. In these cases postcodes have been grouped together. Colston, Former Senator: Criminal Proceedings (Question No. 1760) Mr Murphy asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 25 March 2003: (1) Is it the case that; (a) two independent, eminent medical specialists examined former Senator, Dr Malcolm Arthur Colston in May 1999 and both concluded that Dr Colston had only months to live and, (b) the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concluded that, in light of the medical evidence, Dr Colston was terminally ill and unfit to stand trial. (2) Can he confirm that the DPP commenced a third review of Dr Colston’s case in July 2002 in rela- tion to his state of health and his capacity to stand trial on 28 charges of defrauding the Common- wealth; if so, why has it taken the DPP over nine months to establish the veracity of Dr Colston’s claims in respect of his state of health and his capacity to stand trial. (3) Did the DPP tell a Senate Legislation Committee on 20 November 2002 that he expected to have an answer to the review before the end of last year; if so, what is the reason for the delay. (4) Is there anything that he or the DPP can do to expedite the resolution of this serious matter of pub- lic interest. Mr Williams—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (a) Yes. (b) Yes. (2) Yes. I refer to my answer to Question on Notice 1334 (12).

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE 15738 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 2 June 2003

(3) The Director of Public Prosecutions stated that he anticipated that he would be able to make a deci- sion before Christmas but that this was dependent on receipt of material. See (2) above. (4) The review will be completed as soon as possible. Systematic Infrastructure Investment Fund (Question No. 1798) Ms Macklin asked the Minister for Education, Science and Training, upon notice, on 13 May 2003: (1) What is the total amount of funding available under the Systematic Infrastructure Investment Fund (SIIF). (2) What amounts of funding have already been allocated and to what projects. (3) What is the total amount of unallocated funds under SIIF. (4) Against what criteria will remaining funds be allocated. (5) Have guidelines been developed for the allocation of the remaining funds; if not, when will they be developed. (6) By what date must all funds under SIIF be expended in full. Dr Nelson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) $247,470,000 (in 2003 prices) is available under the Systemic Infrastructure Initiative (SII). (2) $122,288,907 – Details of expenditure on projects are available at http://www.dest.gov.au/highered/research/sys_research.htm. (3) $125,181,093. (4) All funding is allocated with reference to the Systemic Infrastructure Initiative programme guide- lines. (5) See answer to previous question. (6) It is expected that funds will be expended in 2007.

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE