Official Hansard No

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Official Hansard No COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES SENATE Official Hansard No. 3, 2002 WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH 2002 FORTIETH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION—FIRST PERIOD BY AUTHORITY OF THE SENATE INTERNET The Journals for the Senate are available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/senate/work/journals/index.htm Proof and Official Hansards for the House of Representatives, the Senate and committee hearings are available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/hansard SITTING DAYS—2002 Month Date February 12, 13, 14 March 11, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21 May 14, 15, 16 June 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 August 19, 20, 21, 22, 26, 27, 28, 29 September 16, 17, 18, 19, 23, 24, 25, 26 October 14, 15, 16, 17, 21, 22, 23, 24 November 11, 12, 13, 14, 18, 19, 20, 21 December 2, 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 12 RADIO BROADCASTS Broadcasts of proceedings of the Parliament can be heard on the following Parliamentary and News Network radio stations, in the areas identified. CANBERRA 1440 AM SYDNEY 630 AM NEWCASTLE 1458 AM BRISBANE 936 AM MELBOURNE 1026 AM ADELAIDE 972 AM PERTH 585 AM HOBART 729 AM DARWIN 102.5 FM SENATE CONTENTS WEDNESDAY, 20 MARCH Migration Legislation Amendment (Transitional Movement) Bill 2002— First Reading ................................................................................................. 1031 Second Reading............................................................................................. 1031 Business— Rearrangement............................................................................................... 1032 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games............................................................. 1037 Business— Consideration of Legislation ......................................................................... 1037 Business— Consideration of Legislation ......................................................................... 1045 States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Bill 2002— Second Reading............................................................................................. 1049 In Committee................................................................................................. 1053 Matters of Public Interest— Zimbabwe...................................................................................................... 1067 Attorney-General: Address to Senior Officers .............................................. 1070 Homosexual Legal Rights ............................................................................. 1073 Telstra: Telecommunications Infrastructure .................................................. 1076 Superannuation: Quarterly Payments ............................................................ 1078 Questions Without Notice— Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1081 Economy: Growth ......................................................................................... 1082 Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1082 Car Industry................................................................................................... 1083 Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1084 Zimbabwe...................................................................................................... 1085 Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1086 Taxation: Forest Plantation Industry.............................................................. 1087 Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1087 Social Security: Compliance ......................................................................... 1088 Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1089 Stuart Shale Oil Project ................................................................................. 1090 Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1091 Telecommunications: Media Services ........................................................... 1092 Health: Program Funding .............................................................................. 1093 Answers to Questions on Notice— Questions Nos 105, 107 and 115 ................................................................... 1093 Questions Without Notice: Additional Answers— Telstra: Services and Sponsorship ................................................................. 1094 Questions Without Notice: Take Note of Answers— Privilege: Senator Heffernan ......................................................................... 1094 Taxation: Forest Plantation Industry.............................................................. 1099 Petitions— Health: MRI Machine, Princess Margaret Hospital....................................... 1100 Notices— Presentation ................................................................................................... 1100 SENATE CONTENTS—continued Committees— Selection of Bills Committee—Report.......................................................... 1102 Business— Rearrangement................................................................................................1111 Notices— Postponement .................................................................................................1111 Committees— Economics References Committee—Reference.............................................1111 Senate: Dress Code..............................................................................................1111 Human Rights: China.......................................................................................... 1112 Committees— Privileges Committee—Reference ................................................................ 1112 Health: MRI Machine, Princess Margaret Hospital............................................ 1112 Health: Nuclear Testing ...................................................................................... 1112 Health: Mental Illness......................................................................................... 1113 Family Court: Property Issues— Suspension of Standing Orders...................................................................... 1113 Committees— Community Affairs References Committee—Meeting ................................. 1116 Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee— Reference................................................................................................ 1116 Scrutiny of Bills Committee—Report ........................................................... 1117 Delegation Reports— Official Visits to the Assembly of the Republic, Portugal, and the Senate, Spain......................................................................................................... 1117 Parliamentary Zone— Proposal for Works ........................................................................................ 1117 Delegation Reports— Parliamentary Delegation to the 47th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference................................................................................................. 1117 Committees— Membership................................................................................................... 1117 Health: Nuclear Testing— Return to Order.............................................................................................. 1117 Notices— Withdrawal .................................................................................................... 1118 States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Bill 2002— In Committee................................................................................................. 1118 First Speech......................................................................................................... 1123 Committees— Economics Legislation Committee—Report................................................. 1127 States Grants (Primary and Secondary Education Assistance) Amendment Bill 2002— In Committee................................................................................................. 1127 Third Reading................................................................................................ 1140 Taxation Laws Amendment (Baby Bonus) Bill 2002, Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2002, Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2002, SENATE CONTENTS—continued Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medical Devices) Bill 2002 and Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2002— First Reading ................................................................................................. 1140 Second Reading............................................................................................. 1140 Business— Rearrangement............................................................................................... 1144 Disability Services Amendment (Improved Quality Assurance) Bill 2002— Second Reading............................................................................................. 1144 In Committee................................................................................................. 1145 Third Reading................................................................................................ 1146 Migration Legislation Amendment (Transitional Movement) Bill 2002—
Recommended publications
  • Australia Dossier: CEC Launches Federal Campaign
    Click here for Full Issue of EIR Volume 31, Number 22, June 4, 2004 Australia Dossier by Allen Douglas CEC Launches Federal Campaign portunity Commission’s (HREOC) on LaRouche’s associates have shaken up the country. “Immigration Detention Centers” (IDCs) around Australia (see EIR, May 28, 2004). To clarify the last point, the candidates released infor- mation—for the first time publicly in Australia—that the father of current At a dozen press conferences all page ads in another 15 newspapers PM John Howard had been a member over the country on May 19, the Aus- covering all major population centers of the 1930s Synarchist/fascist army tralian associates of Lyndonin Australia. All of the ads featured known as the New Guard. “Like fa- LaRouche in the Citizens Electoral a toll-free phone number at the CEC ther, like son,” the candidates Council (CEC) launched their cam-national office in Melbourne, and a charged. paigns for the Federal elections ex- clip-out coupon to send for a free copy Although most major media pected in October. Numerous mediaof the New Citizen; over the following blacked out the conferences, some attended the conferences, along with week, the CEC received 600 calls and good coverage was garnered on local well over 200 Australian citizens sup-300 coupons, and 1,300 people down- radio and regional papers and televi- porting the CEC. Some of these latter loaded the entire 72-page paper from sion. Notwithstanding the blackout, were members of the CEC, but manythe CEC website; 16,000 others read the establishment was stung, as re- were not, reflecting the widespread part of the issue on the site.
    [Show full text]
  • Pandering to the Government Surveys Have Shown That Voters Trust Non-Government Organisations Much More Than They Trust Politicians and Businesses
    Pandering to the Government Surveys have shown that voters trust non-government organisations much more than they trust politicians and businesses. With the election upon us, political parties need the support of environment groups to win over key constituencies. But all is not what it seems in the environment movement. Clive Hamilton reports. No. 40 September 2004 On 7th September, the Federal organisations, most of which have Environment Minister Senator Ian been campaigning on the issue for Pandering to the Government Campbell issued a media release years, wrote an excoriating letter to Clive Hamilton announcing some new Commonwealth WWF directors. It declared of WWF’s grants for projects to protect threatened Blueprint for Tasmanian Forests: species. While the announcement was a Making private schools dull affair, the remarkable feature of the “The document is incredibly accountable media release was that it included the damaging to the cause of forest Deb Wilkinson panda logo of the World Wide Fund for conservation in Tasmania. We Nature and quotes from the acting CEO believe it will do irreparable harm of WWF praising the Government’s to the reputation of WWF in The next gender wars program. Australia and internationally.” Barbara Pocock The fact that WWF is actively promoting The environment groups were not the Pets and foreign aid the Howard Government’s only ones to feel betrayed. The Age Richard Denniss environmental policies in the middle of reported that some wildlife an election campaign is difficult to square photographers whose work is due to with its angry reaction to the Australia be published in a new WWF book on Quotes from the Tenth Institute’s July report which concluded the Tarkine have withdrawn Anniversary Dinner that the relationship between WWF and permission to use their photos.
    [Show full text]
  • Australian Labor Party (Wa Branch)
    AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY (WA BRANCH) Ephemera PR10891 To view items in the Ephemera collection, contact the State Library of Western Australia CALL NO. DESCRIPTION PR10891/1 Federal Politics. To the electors. Senator Needham will address the Electors on Current Federal Politics at the following places: Cue, Wed, July 25 at 8pm; Mingenew, Tues. July 31 at 8pm; Mullewa, Thurs. July 26 at 8pm; Three Springs, Wed, Aug 1 at 8pm; Dongara, Mon, July 30 at 8pm; Moora, Thurs. Aug 2 at 8pm. 1923. Poster. PR10891/2 State Executive Australian Labor Party WA Branch. Statement of receipts and payments and balance sheet for the year ended 31 January 1924. 1p. PR10891/3 Is Preference to Unionists Worth While? Paper. 4p. c1934. PR10891/4 Labor and the Unemployed. Statement of the advantages of the Labor Party being in government and their dealing with the employment problem. For the 1936 elections. PR10891/5 State Executive ALP. A Public Meeting will be held at Assembly Hall on Friday, 8th October, addressed by Arthur Henderson. Flyer. 1937. PR10891/6 Important! Mr T. Burke will address the electors at North Perth Freemasons' Hall, Wednesday, 6th October at 8pm. Flyer. 1937. PR10891/7 Thirteenth General Council (Nineteenth Labour Congress). December 4. 1944. List of member organisations and their votes. PR10891/8 A meeting at Byford Hall, Monday, August 29, at 8pm. Flyer. 1949. PR10891/9 Subiaco Branch ALP invites you to attend at St Andrew's Hall, Barker Road, Subiaco on Tuesday, October 31. at 8pm to hear Mr. T P Burke MHR. Flyer. 1950. PR10891/10 Membership card for the Australian Labour Party (WA Branch).
    [Show full text]
  • Lady Thatcher Celebrated Her 80Th Birthday Last
    LADY THATCHER CELEBRATED HER 80TH BIRTHDAY LAST NIGHT WITH 650 GUESTS Andrew Pierce reports The Times Friday, October 14, 2005 BARONESS THATCHER had the perfect excuse to be a little late last night for her 80th birthday party in the presence of the Queen, Tony Blair and some unlikely names from the show-business world. She was delayed by an unexpected telephone call from President Bush wishing her a happy birthday. The ten- minute call from the White House was the latest in a series of tributes that poured in from around the world. It marked yet another highlight in the life of a woman who still casts a huge shadow over the Conservative Party. The red carpet was rolled out for Lady Thatcher, who was dressed in a navy blue cocktail coat and silk chiffon dress designed by Camilla Milton. Lady Thatcher, who looked frail, made no public comment as a crowd of wellwishers lined the streets to catch a glimpse of Britain's first woman Prime Minister. The 650-strong guest list was a roll call of honour from the 1980s Thatcher heyday. Michael Portillo, who was once seen as her anointed heir, made a surprise appearance. He said: "She was influential in her day but not now." But the former Prime Minister also sprinkled the list with some surprise names from both sides of the political divide. The Queen, in a shimmering silver dress, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prime Minister were the principal guests at the drinks party in the gold-embossed ballroom of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel Hyde Park, in Knightsbridge.
    [Show full text]
  • Monthly Update October 2013
    NSWIC Monthly Update NEW SOUTH WALES IRRIGATORS’ COUNCIL October 2013 Thank you for agreeing to receive our monthly update. We appreciate you taking the time to keep abreast of what NSWIC is doing to represent Water Access License holders in NSW. This electronic bulletin is a collation of our weekly updates which are sent to our Member organisations. If you would like more details about your local Member of NSWIC, please don't hesitate to contact us. Basin Plan Related Recommitting to Buyback Cap A win! Or, at very least a reaffirmation of a previous win. You'll recall that then Opposition Leader and now Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, wrote to NSWIC last year committing to cap buybacks at 1,500 gigalitres. We distributed that letter far and wide to make certain it couldn't be walked away from. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the Environment (the bloke in charge of water), Senator Simon Birmingham, gave his first interview in the role to Lauren Wilson from The Australian. In the article, published on Thursday (10 Oct) and available here, he again committed to the buyback cap. This time, of course, the commitment is from the Government - and hence has practical implications. We issued a media release (here) calling it a "great result". Well done to all who were involved in securing this commitment in the first instance. It's always good to see a real, material outcome after such a prolonged engagement. Constraints Management Strategy The Murray-Darling Basin Authority released its draft Constraints Management Strategy (available here). It doesn't provide solutions (and probably wasn't designed to) but rather identifies both physical and rules-based constraints that need to be "further investigated".
    [Show full text]
  • Impact Analysis Legislative and Policy Achievements of EMILY's List
    When Women Support Women, Emily’s LIST Women Win AUSTRALIA Impact analysis Legislative and policy achievements of EMILY’s List women in power Federal Parliament 2007-2013 Emily’s LIST AUSTRALIA When Women EMILY’s List Australia Phone (03) 8668 8120 Fax (03) 8668 8125 Support Women, [email protected] www.emilyslist.org.au Women Win 1/3/14 9:01:26 PM Contents Foreword 2 Introduction 3 EMILY’s List - a snapshot 4 Legislative reform 5 EMILY’s List in Federal Parliament 7 Case study: Julia Gillard 8 Legislative Achievements 9 Choice 9 Case study: Jenny Macklin 10 Child Care 11 Diversity 12 Equity 13 When Women Equal Pay 14 Case study: Tanya Plibersek 14 Support Women, Conclusion 16 Women Win Acknowledgments 16 Appendix 1: EMILY’s List supported women MPs 2007-2013 18 Appendix 2: EMILY’s List supported women in ministries, 2007-2013 19 Appendix 3: Legislation and policy initiatives 2007-2013 20 References 25 Background Note: This impact analysis was commissioned by the EMILY’s List National Committee and prepared by Sophie Arnold as part of a Bachelor of Legal Studies (Latrobe University) placement with EMILY’s List Australia. We gratefully acknowledge contributions from EL’s National Co-Convenors Tanja Kovac and Senator Anne McEwen, EL’s National Coordinator, Lisa Carey and Leonie Morgan, as well as all of our EMILY’s List MPs in the preparation of this report. Contents Foreword 2 Introduction 3 EMILY’s List - a snapshot 4 Legislative reform 5 EMILY’s List in Federal Parliament 7 Case study: Julia Gillard 8 Legislative Achievements
    [Show full text]
  • Social Intelligence and Leadership
    THINKING WITH FEELING : SOCIAL INTELLIGENCE AND LEADERSHIP PhD Submitted by Daphne Freeder 2019 University of Technology Sydney UTS Business School Management Discipline Group Primary supervisor: Distinguished Professor Stewart Clegg Alternate supervisor: Associate Professor Judy Johnston CERTIFICATE OF ORIGINAL AUTHORSHIP I certify that the work in this thesis has not previously been submitted for a degree nor has it been submitted as part of requirements for a degree except as fully acknowledged within the text. I also certify that the thesis has been written by me. Any help that I have received in my research work and the preparation of the thesis itself has been acknowledged. In addition I certify that all information sources and literature used are indicated in the thesis. Signature of Student: Production Note: Signature removed prior to publication. Date: 3rd September, 2019 This research is supported by an Australian Government Research Training Program Scholarship Copyright © Daphne Freeder 2019. All Rights Reserved ii Acknowledgements This thesis is dedicated to my parents Barbara and Neville and grandparents Elle, Elsa, Joachim, Ivy and Henry; and to Žanis; and to Helle. And to my dear Aunty Ira who like my parents always believed in the power and freedom education provides and missed out on such opportunities. Malicious leadership inflicted much cruelty, pain, and upheaval in your lives but your great strength as individuals was in countering evil by being warm, generous, humane, kind and exceptionally intelligent and loving people. The love and memories you all created are still here. Thank you. You are with me every day, Uz redzēšanos. My heartfelt thanks and love are extended to my brothers Uģis and Vidis for the special part they played in the completion of this thesis.
    [Show full text]
  • Dulwich Hill
    Sydney Journal 2(2) June 2010 ISSN 1835-0151 http://epress.lib.uts.edu.au/ojs/index.php/sydney_journal/index Dulwich Hill Chrys Meader Dulwich Hill, a suburb of the Marrickville local government area, is located seven kilometres south-west of Sydney. The traditional owners of the land were Cadigal of the Eora nation. The suburb is located on both sides of a ridge, and consists of a number of low hills, which were once heavily timbered. The lower land slopes towards Cooks River and was covered in dense ti-tree scrub. In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, Dulwich Hill developed as a desirable residential district with a small village shopping centre and isolated but significant pockets of industry. It is a suburb shaped by twentieth-century subdivisions. Dulwich Hill has retained a village atmosphere, even with the late twentieth and early twenty-first century developments where former factory sites have been redeveloped for large apartment complexes. These complexes are themselves small villages within the suburb of Dulwich Hill. Early European settlement Dulwich Hill was part of the land grant to Thomas Moore, who was the colony’s shipbuilder. In 1799 Moore received a large grant of 700 acres (283.3 hectares). He called it Douglas Farm. It took in the present suburbs of Marrickville and Petersham and parts of Dulwich Hill and Stanmore. It was the highly prized stands of timber on the estate that most interested Moore and a later owner, Dr Robert Wardell. Present-day Dulwich Hill also contained a number of smaller land grants, mainly to emancipated convicts.
    [Show full text]
  • Part 3 Parliamentary Library
    Part 3 Parliamentary Library Parliamentary Librarian’s review Joint Standing Committee on the Parliamentary Library Introduction The Library Committee membership for 2010–11 was: The Australian Parliamentary Library’s services are established under the statutory office of The Hon. Dick Adams MP (Joint Chair) the Parliamentary Librarian with the following Senator Russell Trood (Joint Chair) functions1: Senator Guy Barnett Senator Catryna Bilyk (a) to provide high quality information, Senator Doug Cameron analysis and advice to Senators and Senator Steve Fielding Members of the House of Representatives Senator Steve Hutchins in support of their parliamentary and Mr Russell Broadbent MP representational roles; and Mr Nick Champion MP (from 25.10.10) (b) to undertake such other responsibilities Mr George Christensen MP (from 25.10.10) within the joint Department, consistent The Hon. David Hawker MP (to 19.7.10) with the function set out in paragraph Ms Sharryn Jackson MP (to 19.7.10) (a), as are conferred in writing on Mr Daryl Melham MP the Parliamentary Librarian by the Mr Robert Oakeshott MP (to 19.7.10) Secretary of the joint Department with Mr Graham Perrett MP (to 19.7.10) the approval of the Presiding Officers. Mr Craig Thomson MP (from 25.10.10) 1. Parliamentary Service Act 1999 section 38B (1). Parliamentary Library | 23 The Hon. Dick Adams MP (Joint Chair), Roxanne Missingham (Parliamentary Librarian) and Senator Russell Trood (Joint Chair) The Library Committee met on 18 November Achievements 2010–11 2010, 24 March 2011 and 23 June 2011. The Committee discussed: The Library’s vision is an informed Parliament supported by a Library that delivers services to (a) additional funding of $500,000 in meet client needs.
    [Show full text]
  • Wednesday, 2 May 2001] 65 the 1995 Act and Before the Commencement of This Bill
    [Wednesday, 2 May 2001] 65 the 1995 Act and before the commencement of this Bill. These clauses validate the registration of persons and the sale of goods that may have occurred in accordance with mutual recognition principles during the expired period. Western Australia benefits from being part of the mutual recognition scheme. The scheme encourages the movement of goods between States and Territories and the mobility of labour. I commend the Bill to the House. Debate adjourned, on motion by Mr Bradshaw. ADDRESS-IN-REPLY Motion Resumed from 1 May. MR KUCERA (Yokine - Minister for Health) [1.14 pm]: It is with a profound sense of the honour, respect and responsibility that has been afforded me by the electors of Yokine that I rise to give my first speech as a member of the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia. I thank each and every one of them for the confidence, trust and faith that they have placed in me, and I assure them that I will do my utmost to represent their interests in Parliament over the next four years. I also wish to pay special tribute to my campaign director, Sharryn Jackson, the Labor candidate for Hasluck, and my campaign manager, Bruce Campbell-Fraser. They, together with a tireless group of unsung heroes - that is, the special volunteers from the community, the unions and a host of community organisations - helped me week in, week out for 10 long months to ensure my election. True believers such as Ed Hutchinson, Judy Webber, Katrina Monteau, Steed and Karen Farrell, Patrick Behan, Fred Birnie and many more pounded the pavement and walked the Yokine beat alongside me doing what parliamentarians must always do, but what some were not doing, that is, listening to the people.
    [Show full text]
  • Religious Dynamics in Australian Federal Politics
    Department of the Parliamentary Library Informati nand Research Services For God and Countryo' Religious Dynamics in Australian Federal Politics Dr Marion Maddox 1999Australian Parliamentary Fellow Department of the Parliamentary Library For God and Country Religious Dynamics in Australian Federal Politics Dr Marion Maddox 1999 Australian Parliamentary Fellow ISBN 0-642-52724-5 © Commonwealth of Australia 2001 Except to the extent of the uses permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, no part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means including information storage and retrieval systems, without the prior written consent of the Department of the Parliamentary Library, other than by Senators and Members of the Australian Parliament in the course of their official duties. For God and Country: Religious Dynamics in Australian Federal Politics The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and may not be attributed to the Information and Research Services (IRS) or to the Department of the Parliamentary Library. Readers are reminded that the paper is not an official parliamentary or Australian government document. Presiding Officers' Foreword Established in 1971, the Australian Parliamentary Fellowship has provided an opportunity for an academic analysis of many aspects of Parliament and the work of Parliamentarians. The work of Dr Marion Maddox, the 1999 Fellow, has been the first to assess and set in context the religious influences felt by current and past Senators and Members as they pursue their parliamentary duties. With two doctorates (in theology and political philosophy) Dr Maddox brought both fields together in her Fellowship project. In for For God and Country: Religious Dynamics in Australian Federal Politics Dr Maddox explores religious influences and debate in and around the Thirty-Eighth and Thirty-Ninth Parliaments.
    [Show full text]
  • AFTINET Bulletin No. 48, 22 November 2002 If You Would Like to Contribute to the Bulletin, Please Contact Pat Ranald Via Email A
    AFTINET Ltd Level 1, 46-48 York Street Sydney NSW 2000 Phone: 02 9299 7833 Fax: 02 9299 7855 Email: [email protected] Website: www.aftinet.org.au ABN 83 659 681 462 ACN 097 603 131 AFTINET Bulletin No. 48, 22 November 2002 If you would like to contribute to the Bulletin, please contact Pat Ranald via email at [email protected]. Our website is www.aftinet.org.au. Contents 1. Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement: Call for Submissions by 15 January 2003 2. Points for Submissions 3. All the Way with the USA: Sydney Morning Herald article, 15 November 2002 1. Australia-United States Free Trade Agreement: Call for Submissions by 15 January 2003 The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade's Office of Trade Negotiations has called for public submissions on the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Australia and the United States. The proposed FTA has met with widespread criticism from community groups, including AFTINET, because of the unequal bargaining situation for Australia, in economic terms we are a mouse bargaining with an elephant. The US has targeted important Australian social policies as barriers to trade. The US wants abolition of the Foreign Investment Review Board, an end to Australian content rules in film and television, the abolition of the pharmaceutical benefits scheme and reductions in quarantine standards. The National Farmers' Federation has criticised this agenda and said that they are doubtful that any gains would be made in access to US agricultural markets. All the Opposition Parties, including the Australian Labor Party, have also been strongly critical of the proposed agreement.
    [Show full text]