COMMONWEALTH OF AUSTRALIA

PARLIAMENTARY DEBATES

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Official Hansard No. 11, 2001 MONDAY, 6 AUGUST 2001

THIRTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION—TENTH PERIOD

BY AUTHORITY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES INTERNET The Votes and Proceedings for the House of Representatives are available at: http://www.aph.gov.au/house/info/votes 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—2001 Month Date February 6, 7, 8, 26, 27, 28 March 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 26, 27, 28, 29 April 2, 3, 4, 5 May 9, 10, 22, 23, 24 June 4, 5, 6, 7, 18, 19, 20, 21, 25, 26, 27, 28 August 6, 7, 8, 9, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27, 28, 29, 30 September 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 October 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25 November 12, 13, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21, 22 December 3, 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12, 13

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THIRTY-NINTH PARLIAMENT FIRST SESSION—TENTH PERIOD

Governor-General His Excellency the Right Reverend Dr Peter Hollingworth, Officer of the Order of Australia, Officer of the Order of the British Empire

House of Representatives Officeholders Speaker—The Hon. John Neil Andrew MP Deputy Speaker—Mr Garry Barr Nehl MP Second Deputy Speaker—Mr Harry Alfred Jenkins MP Members of the Speaker’s Panel—The Hon. Godfrey Harry Adams MP, Mr Kevin James Andrews MP, the Hon. Ian Raymond Causley MP, the Hon. Janice Ann Crosio MBE, MP, Mrs Joanna Gash MP, Mr David Peter Maxwell Hawker MP, Mr Colin Hollis MP, Mrs De-Anne Margaret Kelly MP, Mr Frank William Mossfield AM, MP, Mr Harry Vernon Quick MP

Leader of the House—The Hon. Peter Keaston Reith MP Deputy Leader of the House—The Hon. Peter John McGauran MP Manager of Opposition Business—The Hon. Robert Francis McMullan MP Deputy Manager of Opposition Business 7KHÃ+RQÃ/HRÃ%R\FHÃ0F/HD\Ã03

Party Leaders and Whips Liberal Party of Australia Leader—The Hon. John Winston Howard MP Deputy Leader—The Hon. Peter Howard Costello MP Chief Government Whip—The Hon. Michael John Clyde Ronaldson MP Government Whips—Mr James Eric Lloyd MP and Mr Fergus Stewart McArthur MP

National Party of Australia Leader—The Hon. John Duncan Anderson MP Deputy Leader—The Hon. Mark Anthony James Vaile MP Whip—Mr John Alexander Forrest MP Assistant Whip—Mr Paul Christopher Neville MP

Australian Labor Party Leader—The Hon. Kim Christian Beazley MP Deputy Leader—The Hon. Simon Findlay Crean MP Chief Opposition Whip—The Hon. Leo Boyce McLeay MP Opposition Whips—Mr Rodney Weston Sawford MP and Mr Robert Charles Grant Sercombe MP

Printed by authority of the House of Representatives

Members of the House of Representatives Member Division Party Abbott, Hon. Anthony John Warringah, NSW LP Adams, Hon. Dick Godfrey Harry Lyons, Tas ALP Albanese, Anthony Norman Grayndler, NSW ALP Anderson, Hon. John Duncan Gwydir, NSW NP Andren, Peter James Calare, NSW Ind. Andrew, Hon. John Neil Wakefield, SA LP Andrews, Kevin James Menzies, Vic LP Anthony, Hon. Lawrence James Richmond, NSW NP Bailey, Frances Esther McEwen, Vic LP Baird, Hon. Bruce George Cook, NSW LP Barresi, Phillip Anthony Deakin, Vic LP Bartlett, Kerry Joseph Macquarie, NSW LP Beazley, Hon. Kim Christian Brand, WA ALP Bevis, Hon. Archibald Ronald Brisbane, Qld ALP Billson, Bruce Fredrick Dunkley, Vic LP Bishop, Hon. Bronwyn Kathleen Mackellar, NSW LP Bishop, Julie Isabel Curtin, WA LP Brereton, Hon. Laurence John Kingsford-Smith, NSW ALP Brough, Hon. Malcolm Thomas Longman, Qld LP Burke, Anna Elizabeth Chisholm, Vic ALP Byrne, Anthony Michael Holt, Vic ALP Cadman, Hon. Alan Glyndwr Mitchell, NSW LP Cameron, Ross Alexander Parramatta, NSW LP Causley, Hon. Ian Raymond Page, NSW NP Charles, Robert Edwin LaTrobe, Vic LP Corcoran, Ann Kathleen Isaacs, Vic ALP Costello, Hon. Peter Howard Higgins, Vic LP Cox, David Alexander Kingston, SA ALP Crean, Hon. Simon Findlay Hotham, Vic ALP Crosio, Hon. Janice Ann, MBE Prospect, NSW ALP Danby, Michael Melbourne Ports, Vic ALP Downer, Hon. Alexander John Gosse Mayo, SA LP Draper, Patricia Makin, SA LP Edwards, Hon. Graham John Cowan, WA ALP Ellis, Annette Louise Canberra, ACT ALP Elson, Kay Selma Forde, Qld LP Emerson, Craig Anthony Rankin, Qld ALP Entsch, Hon. Warren George Leichhardt, Qld LP Evans, Hon. Martyn John Bonython, SA ALP Fahey, Hon. John Joseph Macarthur, NSW LP Ferguson, Laurence Donald Thomas Reid, NSW ALP Ferguson, Martin John, AM Batman, Vic ALP Fischer, Hon. Timothy Andrew Farrer, NSW NP Fitzgibbon, Joel Andrew Hunter, NSW ALP Forrest, John Alexander Mallee, Vic NP Gallus, Hon. Christine Ann Hindmarsh, SA LP Gambaro, Teresa Petrie, Qld LP Gash, Joanna Gilmore, NSW LP Georgiou, Petro Kooyong, Vic LP Gerick, Jane Frances Canning, WA ALP Gibbons, Steven William Bendigo, Vic ALP Gillard, Julia Eileen Lalor, Vic ALP Griffin, Alan Peter Bruce, Vic ALP Haase, Barry Wayne Kalgoorlie, WA LP

ii Members of the House of Representatives Member Division Party Hall, Jill Griffiths Shortland, NSW ALP Hardgrave, Gary Douglas Moreton, Qld LP Hatton, Michael John Blaxland, NSW ALP Hawker, David Peter Maxwell Wannon, Vic LP Hoare, Kelly Joy Charlton, NSW ALP Hockey, Hon. Joseph Benedict North Sydney, NSW LP Hollis, Colin Patrick Throsby, NSW ALP Horne, Robert Hodges Paterson, NSW ALP Howard, Hon. John Winston Bennelong, NSW LP Hull, Kay Elizabeth Riverina, NSW NP Irwin, Julia Claire Fowler, NSW ALP Jenkins, Harry Alfred Scullin, Vic ALP Jull, Hon. David Francis Fadden, Qld LP Katter, Hon. Robert Carl Kennedy, Qld Ind. Kelly, De-Anne Margaret Dawson, Qld NP Kelly, Hon. Jacqueline Marie Lindsay, NSW LP Kemp, Hon. David Alistair Goldstein, Vic LP Kernot, Cheryl Dickson, Qld ALP Kerr, Hon. Duncan James Colquhoun Denison, Tas ALP Latham, Mark William Werriwa, NSW ALP Lawler, Anthony John Parkes, NSW NP Lawrence, Hon. Carmen Mary Fremantle, WA ALP Lee, Hon. Michael John Dobell, NSW ALP Lieberman, Hon. Louis Stuart Indi, Vic LP Lindsay, Peter John Herbert, Qld LP Livermore, Kirsten Fiona Capricornia, Qld ALP Lloyd, James Eric Robertson, NSW LP McArthur, Fergus Stewart Corangamite, Vic LP McClelland, Robert Bruce Barton, NSW ALP McFarlane, Jann Sonya Stirling, WA ALP McGauran, Hon. Peter John Gippsland, Vic NP McLeay, Hon. Leo Boyce Watson, NSW ALP McMullan, Hon. Robert Francis Fraser, ACT ALP Macfarlane, Hon. Ian Elgin Groom, Qld LP Macklin, Jennifer Louise Jagajaga, Vic ALP Martin, Hon. Stephen Paul Cunningham, NSW ALP May, Margaret Ann McPherson, Qld LP Melham, Daryl Banks, NSW ALP Morris, Allan Agapitos Newcastle, NSW ALP Mossfield, Frank William, AM Greenway, NSW ALP Moylan, Hon. Judith Eleanor Pearce, WA LP Murphy, John Paul Lowe, NSW ALP Nairn, Gary Roy Eden-Monaro, NSW LP Nehl, Garry Barr Cowper, NSW NP Nelson, Hon. Brendan John Bradfield, NSW LP Neville, Paul Christopher Hinkler, Qld NP O’Byrne, Michelle Anne Bass, Tas ALP O’Connor, Gavan Michael Corio, Vic ALP O’Keefe, Hon. Neil Patrick Burke, Vic ALP Pearce, Christopher John Aston, Vic LP Plibersek, Tanya Joan Sydney, NSW ALP Price, Hon. Leo Roger Spurway Chifley, NSW ALP Prosser, Hon. Geoffrey Daniel Forrest, WA LP Pyne, Christopher Maurice Sturt, SA LP

iii Members of the House of Representatives Member Division Party Quick, Harry Vernon Franklin, Tas ALP Reith, Hon. Peter Keaston Flinders, Vic LP Ripoll, Bernard Fernando Oxley, Qld ALP Ronaldson, Hon. Michael John Clyde Ballarat, Vic LP Roxon, Nicola Louise Gellibrand, Vic ALP Rudd, Kevin Michael Griffith, Qld ALP Ruddock, Hon. Philip Maxwell Berowra, NSW LP Sawford, Rodney Weston Port Adelaide, SA ALP Schultz, Albert John Hume, NSW LP Sciacca, Hon. Concetto Antonio Bowman, Qld ALP Scott, Hon. Bruce Craig Maranoa, Qld NP Secker, Patrick Damien Barker, SA LP Sercombe, Robert Charles Grant Maribyrnong, Vic ALP Short, Leonie Marjorie Ryan, Qld ALP Sidebottom, Peter Sid Braddon, Tas ALP Slipper, Hon. Peter Neil Fisher, Qld LP Smith, Stephen Francis Perth, WA ALP Snowdon, Hon. Warren Edward Northern Territory ALP Somlyay, Hon. Alexander Michael Fairfax, Qld LP Southcott, Andrew John Boothby, SA LP St Clair, Stuart Roy New England, NSW NP Stone, Hon. Sharman Nancy Murray, Vic LP Sullivan, Hon. Kathryn Jean Martin Moncrieff, Qld LP Swan, Wayne Maxwell Lilley, Qld ALP Tanner, Lindsay James Melbourne, Vic ALP Theophanous, Hon. Andrew Charles Calwell, Vic Ind. Thompson, Cameron Paul Blair, Qld LP Thomson, Hon. Andrew Peter Wentworth, NSW LP Thomson, Kelvin John Wills, Vic ALP Truss, Hon. Warren Errol Wide Bay, Qld NP Tuckey, Hon. Charles Wilson O’Connor, WA LP Vaile, Hon. Mark Anthony James Lyne, NSW NP Vale, Danna Sue Hughes, NSW LP Wakelin, Barry Hugh Grey, SA LP Washer, Malcolm James Moore, WA LP Wilkie, Kimberley William Swan, WA ALP Williams, Hon. Daryl Robert, AM, QC Tangney, WA LP Wooldridge, Hon. Michael Richard Lewis Casey, Vic LP Worth, Hon. Patricia Mary Adelaide, SA LP Zahra, Christian John McMillan, Vic ALP

PARTY ABBREVIATIONS ALP—Australian Labor Party; LP—Liberal Party of Australia; NP—National Party of Australia; Ind.—Independent Heads of Parliamentary Departments Clerk of the Senate—H. Evans Clerk of the House of Representatives—I. C. Harris Departmental Secretary, Parliamentary Library—J. W. Templeton Departmental Secretary, Parliamentary Reporting Staff—J. W. Templeton Departmental Secretary, Joint House Department—M. W. Bolton

iv HOWARD MINISTRY

Prime Minister The Hon. John Winston Howard MP Minister for Transport and Regional Services The Hon. John Duncan Anderson MP and Deputy Prime Minister Treasurer The Hon. Peter Howard Costello MP Minister for Trade The Hon. Mark Anthony James Vaile MP Minister for Foreign Affairs The Hon. Alexander John Gosse Downer MP Minister for the Environment and Heritage and Senator the Hon. Robert Murray Hill Leader of the Government in the Senate Minister for Communications, Information Senator the Hon. Richard Kenneth Robert Technology and the Arts and Deputy Leader Alston of the Government in the Senate Minister for Defence and Leader of the House The Hon. Peter Keaston Reith MP Minister for Health and Aged Care The Hon. Dr Michael Richard Lewis Wooldridge MP Minister for Finance and Administration The Hon. John Joseph Fahey MP Minister for Education, Training and Youth The Hon. Dr David Alistair Kemp MP Affairs and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Public Service Minister for Industry, Science and Resources Senator the Hon. Nicholas Hugh Minchin Attorney-General The Hon. Daryl Robert Williams AM, QC, MP Minister for Immigration and Multicultural The Hon. Philip Maxwell Ruddock MP Affairs and Minister for Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and The Hon. Warren Errol Truss MP Forestry Minister for Family and Community Services Senator the Hon. Amanda Eloise Vanstone and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women Minister for Employment, Workplace The Hon. Anthony John Abbott MP Relations and Small Business

(The above ministers constitute the cabinet)

v HOWARD MINISTRY—continued Assistant Treasurer Senator the Hon. Charles Roderick Kemp Minister for Financial Services and Regulation The Hon. Joseph Benedict Hockey MP Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Senator the Hon. Ian Douglas Macdonald Local Government Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of The Hon. Peter John McGauran MP Federation and Deputy Leader of the House Minister for Community Services The Hon. Lawrence James Anthony MP Minister for Veterans’ Affairs and Minister The Hon. Bruce Craig Scott MP Assisting the Minister for Defence Minister for Aged Care The Hon. Bronwyn Kathleen Bishop MP Special Minister of State Senator the Hon. Eric Abetz Minister for Sport and Tourism The Hon. Jackie Marie Kelly MP Minister for Justice and Customs Senator the Hon. Christopher Martin Ellison Minister for Forestry and Conservation and The Hon. Charles Wilson Tuckey MP Minister Assisting the Prime Minister Minister for Employment Services The Hon. Malcolm Thomas Brough MP Minister for Small Business The Hon. Ian Elgin Macfarlane MP Parliamentary Secretary to Cabinet Senator the Hon. William Daniel Heffernan Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Senator the Hon. Ronald Leslie Doyle Boswell Transport and Regional Services Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Senator the Hon. Kay Christine Lesley Patterson Foreign Affairs and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for the The Hon. Sharman Nancy Stone MP Environment and Heritage Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Senator the Hon. Ian Gordon Campbell Communications, Information Technology and the Arts and Manager of Government Business in the Senate Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for The Hon. Dr Brendan John Nelson MP Defence Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Health Senator the Hon. Grant Ernest John Tambling and Aged Care Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for The Hon. Peter Neil Slipper MP Finance and Administration Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for The Hon. Patricia Mary Worth MP Education, Training and Youth Affairs Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for The Hon. Warren George Entsch MP Industry, Science and Resources Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Senator the Hon. Judith Mary Troeth Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for The Hon. Christine Ann Gallus MP Reconciliation and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs

vi SHADOW MINISTRY Leader of the Opposition The Hon. Kim Christian Beazley MP Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Shadow The Hon. Simon Findlay Crean MP Treasurer Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, Shadow Senator the Hon. John Philip Faulkner Minister for Public Administration and Government Services and Shadow Minister for Olympic Coordination and the Centenary of Federation Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Senator the Hon. Peter Francis Salmon Cook and Shadow Minister for Trade (The following members of the Shadow Ministry are listed in alphabetical order) Shadow Minister for Industrial Relations The Hon. Archibald Ronald Bevis MP Shadow Minister for Environment and Heritage Senator the Hon. Nick Bolkus Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs The Hon. Laurence John Brereton MP Shadow Minister for Financial Services and Senator Stephen Michael Conroy Regulation Shadow Minister for Family Services and the Senator Christopher Vaughan Evans Aged Shadow Minister for Science and Resources The Hon. Martyn John Evans MP Shadow Minister for Defence Science and Per- Mr Laurie Donald Thomas Ferguson MP sonnel and Shadow Minister for Forestry and Conservation Shadow Minister for Regional Development, Mr Martin John Ferguson MP Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Services and Population Shadow Minister for Small Business and Tourism Mr Joel Andrew Fitzgibbon MP Shadow Minister for Employment and Training Ms Cheryl Kernot MP Shadow Minister for Justice and Customs and The Hon. Duncan James Colquhoun Kerr MP Shadow Minister Assisting the Shadow Minister for Population Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation and The Hon. Dr Carmen Mary Lawrence MP Technology and Shadow Minister for the Status of Women Shadow Minister for Education The Hon. Michael John Lee MP Shadow Minister for Sport and Youth Affairs and Senator Kate Alexandra Lundy Shadow Minister Assisting the Shadow Minister for Industry, Innovation and Technology on Information Technology

vii Shadow Ministry—continued Shadow Attorney-General Mr Robert Bruce McClelland MP Shadow Minister for Regional Services, Territor- Senator Susan Mary Mackay ies and Local Government Shadow Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait The Hon. Robert Francis McMullan MP Islander Affairs, Shadow Minister for Reconciliation, Shadow Minister for the Arts and Manager of Opposition Business Shadow Minister for Health Ms Jennifer Louise Macklin MP Shadow Minister for Defence The Hon. Dr Stephen Paul Martin MP Shadow Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Mr Gavan Michael O’Connor MP Forestry Shadow Minister for Veterans Affairs Senator the Hon. Christopher Cleland Schacht Shadow Minister for Immigration and Shadow The Hon. Con Sciacca MP Minister Assisting the Leader of the Opposi- tion on Multicultural Affairs Shadow Minister for Communications Mr Stephen Francis Smith MP Shadow Minister for Family and Community Mr Wayne Maxwell Swan MP Services Shadow Minister for Finance and Shadow Mr Lindsay James Tanner MP Minister for Consumer Affairs Shadow Assistant Treasurer Mr Kelvin John Thomson MP

(The following Parliamentary Secretaries are listed in alphabetical order) Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister Mr Anthony Albanese MP for Family and Community Services Parliamentary Secretary representing the Shadow Senator Thomas Mark Bishop Minister for Communications in the Senate Manager of Opposition Business in the Senate Senator Kim John Carr and Parliamentary Secretary representing the Shadow Minister for Education in the Senate Parliamentary Secretary representing the Shadow Senator Jacinta Mary Ann Collins Ministers for Industrial Relations and Employment, Training and Population in the Senate Parliamentary Secretary representing the Shadow Senator Michael George Forshaw Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in the Senate Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister Mr Alan Peter Griffin MP for Health Parliamentary Secretary to the Shadow Minister Mr Robert Horne MP for Regional Development, Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Services

viii Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29099

Monday, 6 August 2001 need not produce any evidence to support the ————— allegations of criminal conduct; instead, the requesting country need only supply a state- Mr SPEAKER (Mr Neil Andrew) took ment of the alleged conduct. the chair at 12.30 p.m. and read prayers. This model represents a radical departure COMMITTEES from the requirements that had previously Treaties Committee applied, and that still apply, under Austra- Report lia’s extradition arrangements with other Mr ANDREW THOMSON (Wentworth) Commonwealth countries—that is, a prima (12.31 p.m.)—On behalf of the Joint Stand- facie standard of evidence must be shown ing Committee on Treaties, I present the before a person can be surrendered. During committee’s report entitled Extradition: A our examination last year of Australia’s pro- review of Australia’s law and policy—Report posed extradition treaty with Latvia, we on 40, together with the minutes of proceedings the committee became concerned that the no and evidence received by the committee. evidence model may not provide sufficient protection for Australians who are accused Ordered that the report be printed. of crimes in other countries. Accordingly, we Mr ANDREW THOMSON—The report decided to conduct this review. I have just tabled contains the results of an Having received and considered evidence inquiry by the treaties committee into Aus- on the issue, we do not favour the continua- tralia’s extradition law and policy. Over the tion of the no evidence approach to extradi- past 20 years some high profile extradition tion. Other countries such as the United cases, including those involving Robert States, which is our main extradition partner, Trimbole, the late Christopher Skase and and Canada require a higher standard of certain alleged World War II criminals such proof before their courts will agree that one as Konrad Kalejs, have attracted consider- of their citizens should be surrendered. We able public attention and debate in Australia. consider that similar standards should be It is clearly in the interests of Australia, and applied in relation to requests for extradition other nations, to have in place an effective of our own citizens from Australia. We are network that prevents criminals from escap- not suggesting that a minitrial should be held ing justice, especially those involved in in Australia before a person is surrendered to transborder crimes such as money launder- another country to face charges, but we are ing, drug trafficking and people-smuggling. strongly of the view that justice demands that We believe it is in our interest to ensure that our courts should be able to scrutinise at Australia does not become a haven for those least some evidence more closely than is who have committed serious offences else- currently the case before one of our own citi- where. zens is surrendered to face prosecution At the same time, however, it is important abroad. to ensure that people are protected against Because our inquiry has revealed a wide false allegations, unlawful prosecution and range of views on precisely what higher possible punishment in countries outside standard should apply before surrender takes Australia. It is balancing these competing place, we believe there should be further concerns that is at the very heart of extradi- consultation with the legal profession and tion policy. Australia’s current approach to other interested parties before a final model extradition derives from the Extradition Act is determined. We think the most appropriate 1988. This act introduced major changes to vehicle for this further consultation and con- our extradition arrangements, the most sig- sideration is the Australian Law Reform nificant of which was to introduce a ‘no evi- Commission. The commission has the expe- dence’ model as the default option for new rience, resources, expertise and, more im- treaties that Australia entered into. Under portantly, the independence necessary to this model, a country requesting extradition conduct a comprehensive examination of the of an Australian citizen to face trial abroad merits and consequences of raising the evi- 29100 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 dentiary standard. It must be said in this a government may wish to describe its grounds context that some officials within the execu- for refusing an extradition in less confrontational tive in this country do not favour raising the terms than a strict legal consideration of the posi- evidentiary standard: they see anything in the tion might suggest. Moreover, a government may way of a successful extradition as somehow have access to confidential sources of information on the internal affairs of a requesting country; being against public policy. We disagree significant problems could result from any need with that. We consider that the terms of ref- to substantiate such information in court. erence for the commission’s review should There may be occasions when consideration be sufficiently broad to allow examination needs to be given to the possibility of refusing not just of the evidentiary standard but also extradition of an otherwise eligible person be- of certain other matters that I do not have the cause of concerns about whether an extradition time to go into now. I urge those listening to partner is fulfilling its obligations under the rele- the debate today to pay attention to what vant arrangement or treaty, or indeed whether other members of the committee have to say there are conditions or developments in the coun- about this report. We considered it in great try which make it an unsuitable treaty partner. detail, and it was a matter of conscience for These are all matters which a minister is better some members. I commend the report to the positioned to handle than are the courts ... House. (Time expired) There were strong arguments throughout the Mr ADAMS (Lyons) (12.36 p.m.)—The hearings to suggest that courts should have purpose of the inquiry of the Joint Standing an expanded role in scrutinising the evidence Committee on Treaties was to deal with the presented by a requesting country. This problems of extradition, about which—with should include consideration of objections to some high profile people attracting public extradition and other evidence, such as attention—there has been considerable de- strong exculpatory evidence led by persons bate in Australia. It seems somewhat ironic who are subject to extradition, to help deter- that this report, entitled Extradition: A review mine whether a person is an extraditable per- of Australia’s law and policy, has been tabled son. There were also arguments to suggest on the day Christopher Skase has purport- that the presumption against bail may be edly died. According to his lawyers and oth- overly strict in some cases, with the current ers in Majorca, it seems that he has finally threshold being too low, and that a person escaped the extradition proceedings alto- who has been surrendered to another country gether. to face trail should not have to pay for the cost of his or her return to Australia. Other important issues were raised in submissions and during our hearings. They Overall the committee recommended that, were: the appropriate division of responsi- because the law relating to extradition is so bility between the executive and the courts in complex and changes could have significant determining extradition matters; the inability consequences, a further consultation and an of the person whose extradition has been ongoing review should give consideration to sought to present evidence, such as alibi evi- these matters in more detail. It is important dence; the presumption against bail; and, the that we work on the premise of Western de- type of offence for which extradition is mocracy and law that a person is innocent available. As noted previously, the Attorney- until proven guilty. We must be sure that the General—or the Minister for Justice and rights of a person being sought for extradi- Customs, acting on the Attorney-General’s tion are not in any way expunged by admin- behalf—has final responsibility for deter- istrative expediency. I commend the report to mining whether to surrender a person on re- the House. A good deal of work has gone quest by a foreign country. Traditionally ex- into the report. This is a very complex issue, tradition has been an executive function. As which the committee has given good consid- the Attorney-General’s Department ex- eration to in the report. plained: Mr HARDGRAVE (Moreton) (12.41 Extradition involves issues of international rela- p.m.)—I am also pleased to lend my support tions as well as justice. For reasons of diplomacy to the 40th report of the Joint Standing Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29101

Committee on Treaties entitled Extradition: the Horn of Africa with a political belief dif- A review of Australia’s law and policy. The ferent from that of the ruling party. We do member for Lyons remarked on the irony of not want to see these people being levered the apparent passing of Christopher Skase on out of a safe haven here in Australia just be- the same day that this report has been tabled. cause someone wanted to put them on some Perhaps it will be of far more relevance and sort of trial for some kind of political reason. interest to the fourth estate, which may find The committee do not see extradition as sim- some interest in reading through this report. ply an administrative process where a re- This report is not framed in a hugely ho- quest is filled over a period of time; we be- listic tome sort of way, although there are lieve it is quite fair and reasonable to de- some learned legal types on the committee. mand some sort of proof of evidence—some Without wishing to be offensive, the com- sort of understanding—that the charge made mittee is made up of far more practical peo- is not spurious, and that it is something that ple—ordinary members of parliament from will stick. various walks of life. I am sure that the QCs We also express some concern about the and others who are deliberately interested in penalty that may face someone should they this area will pull it apart and seek some face trial. There are arrangements in place to views from other bodies such as the Law ensure that people taken out of this country Reform Commission, which is one of the are not going to face the death penalty and recommendations of the inquiry. other penalties such as torture, because we in The report proves that Australia has some this country do not believe in those sorts of very tough immigration laws. When you re- penalties. But, as I said, there are those who view the whole matter of extradition in Aus- would like to see illegal migrants or aspiring tralia, there are not too many cases of people refugees who land on this shore dealt with in wanting to take those who come to this a far more curt way—in other words, sent country out of this country to face some trial straight back. But we, as a generous nation, somewhere else. The recent case of Konrad offer them the opportunity to put their case, Kalejs perhaps stands out against that broad to produce their evidence and to stake their statement. Our immigration laws put some claim for refugee status. If they do establish very hard pressure on those aspiring to come that—as some five per cent of the people and live here—or, indeed, to visit here—to who come to this country seem to manage to prove the quality of their character. Australia do—they are afforded the opportunity to has not become a safe haven for criminals stay. We even go so far as to extend the gen- around the world. I remember Ronald Biggs erosity of the right of appeal in these matters. was here at one stage in the 1960s, but Of course, those opposite are very slug- moved on to somewhere else. This perhaps gish in their support of us trying to stream- proves the efficacy of inquiring into the line these matters and are, in fact, facing a character of those who try to come here. By deal of condemnation from the broad com- the same token, there are many in our com- munity. There are a lot of people who are munity who would like to see us apply lower more than a little dissatisfied with the way standards to some who come here as refu- our generous systems are being abused by gees and to deal with them in a far more those who seek to make a lot of money out timely fashion. of the process of appeal and the process of This country has standards that value in- representing people who may face forced dividuals. As this report highlights, the proof extradition from this country. of evidence—the demand for a case to be put With CHOGM coming, and some of the for someone to be taken from our shores to notable hoons and hooligans who come from somewhere else—is very demanding. We are countries whose standards are not as good as not advocating a series of minitrials for any ours who want to bring violent and heated who may come this way, but we do not want protests into my city of Brisbane, I hope that to see countries lever out someone who was we will look at a big stick approach to perhaps a political activist in their old coun- threaten those people with far faster extradi- try. Many in my electorate have come from tion than is currently the case. But those 29102 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 matters are not directly associated with this on the level of evidence that would need to report. I commend the report to the House. be presented before extradition could take (Time expired) place. Until that investigation has taken Mr WILKIE (Swan) (12.46 p.m.)—In the place, I believe that parliament could not be course of this inquiry, the Joint Standing adequately informed to allow it to make rec- Committee on Treaties heard conflicting evi- ommendations on this aspect of extradition dence from various witnesses about the suit- policy. It is logical to recommend, for exam- ability of a no evidence provision in the ex- ple, that the no evidence model be discontin- tradition process. On the one hand, there ued while at the same time recommending were those who supported the no evidence that the Australian Law Reform Commission provision because it represents a practical undertake an investigation into this matter. It means of facilitating the extradition proc- is good to see that we are actually going to ess—a position that reflects the original rea- be investigating those issues. son that the no evidence rule was introduced The treaties committee identified several in around 1985 by the government of the different models in addition to the no evi- day. It is a practical approach because of the dence model that is available at the moment differences between countries in their legal that the Australian Law Reform Commission systems and the rules of evidence which ap- could consider and provide recommenda- ply. It is still a requirement under the no evi- tions on. It is far more appropriate to pursue dence provision that a statement of the al- this course of action, so that the parliament leged conduct be supplied. can ultimately make informed decisions on We received evidence from the Attorney- extradition policy. It is also appropriate that General’s Department, who stated that the the Australian Law Reform Commission adoption of the no evidence procedure had investigate some of the broader aspects of facilitated entry into extradition treaties with extradition policy. Again, the treaties com- civil law countries and that, since the option mittee should base its recommendations on had become available, 30 bilateral treaties extradition policy on the advice it receives had been negotiated or renegotiated, com- from the Australian Law Reform Commis- pared with only five in the previous 19 years. sion. These two recommendations are appro- Australia has entered into extradition treaties priate, and should be supported. I commend only with countries where it believes that an the report to the House. individual would receive a fair trial if they Mr ANDREW THOMSON (Went- were extradited. So some very good argu- worth)—I move: ments and evidence have been presented as That the House take note of the report. to why a no evidence provision should apply. I seek leave to continue my remarks later. On the other hand, the accused must be af- Leave granted. forded fair treatment by the legal system, and Mr SPEAKER—In accordance with there are those who are of the belief that ‘no standing order 102B, the debate is adjourned. evidence’ does not allow for this. The resumption of the debate will be made We received evidence regarding the prima an order of the day for the next sitting, and facie case. Several witnesses to the inquiry the member will have leave to continue criticised the abandonment of that test in speaking when the debate is resumed. favour of the no evidence model. They were GOVERNMENT ADVERTISING particularly concerned that this move had (OBJECTIVITY, FAIRNESS AND effectively taken from the courts the respon- ACCOUNTABILITY) BILL 2001 sibility of safeguarding the rights of indi- First Reading viduals and left it in the hands of the execu- Bill presented by Mr Beazley, and read a tive. It is, therefore, appropriate that the first time. Australian Law Reform Commission under- take a more detailed investigation into this Mr BEAZLEY (Brand—Leader of the matter and make recommendations to par- Opposition) (12.50 p.m.)—Mr Speaker, in liament. These recommendations could then presenting the Government Advertising be used to develop a framework for Australia (Objectivity, Fairness and Accountability) Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29103

Bill 2000, we note that the Australian public months. As my colleague Jenny Macklin, have a right to be cynical about politicians Labor’s health spokesperson, has said, this spending their money on advertising cam- amount could fund 1,250 hip replacements or paigns. Since the government came to power 1,000 operations. Should we be elected to in 1996, every Australian family has paid at office, we have already identified, in the area least $108 in tax towards this government’s that Jenny Macklin will represent as minister advertising. That is $108 per family. In five for health, $90 million for a cancer pro- years this government has spent at least $550 gram—something which affects the lives of million in advertising expenditure. Com- just about every Australian family. How pared to the last five years when Labor was much better that we spend it on that, rather in office, government advertising under this than looting the public purse for the purposes government has trebled. of this ignoble government and the wretched But it gets worse. In the lead-up to the political party underpinning it. If the gov- next election, the government will spend ernment wants to inform private health in- around $20 million a month—all in an at- surance subscribers of their rights, it should tempt to save its political hide. To anyone get the information to those people alone, not who has seen those ads, it is abundantly clear the entire electorate. Why does the govern- that this is not advertising simply to inform ment have to spend millions of dollars ad- the community about government programs, vertising something that should be paid not but advertising to promote the political by the Australian taxpayer but by the private agenda of this government. That is why the health insurance companies? They are not Labor Party will do its best to try to stop this short of a quid, with absolutely bulging cof- misuse of taxpayers’ funds with this bill I fers at this moment. present today. We have also seen a $4.1 million ad cam- Last year this government was Australia’s paign to publicise budget measures for pen- biggest spender on advertising—beating sioners and retiree benefits. This figure could Coca-Cola, Telstra, Coles Myer, McDon- rise as high as $6 million once production ald’s, Toyota and other major corporations. and research costs are taken into account. Think of the number of times you have seen But this information could have been sent a McDonald’s commercial or a Coca-Cola through a mail-out to those affected. This commercial in recent times; then ponder on would have been a much cheaper and more the fact that the Howard government has effective method. There is no reason why the actually spent more on advertising. This is government needed to spend millions to in- money that should have been spent on better form pensioners anyway; the $300 that they hospitals and better schools, not on a desper- are getting from the budget would be auto- ate bid to be re-elected. This government matically deposited into their accounts. It is will not address the need for better hospitals an absolute scandal that the money is spent and schools, but it will spend millions of on this advertising rather than on the many dollars on advertising to help it win the next other needs of the elderly. election. No wonder people are cynical about Then there was the $5 million campaign politics, when they see the huge amount this on the abolition of the financial institutions government is wasting on advertisements. duty. This is a state tax—and the whole kit Australians will not be tricked into believing and caboodle of any benefit of that financial this propaganda. institutions duty change has been seized by In the last two months, we have been the banks in massively increased bank bombarded with political advertisements on charges. This government does not even issues ranging from social matters to tax is- have the guts to go to the banks and say, sues. But this is just the beginning. In recent ‘You will pass this on to consumers. You months you would have seen several cam- will put in place a social contract to ensure paigns, including the private health insurance that the elderly and families are given decent gap ads, which will cost the Australian tax- services.’ It has not got the courage to do payer $15 million over the next three that. It put out that $5 million campaign on 29104 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 that state tax—the financial institutions it is trying to play catch-up with Labor’s duty—and the banks got it all; the public got Knowledge Nation. We are flattered, but it nothing. But I did not notice that featuring in will spend $5 million on advertising, which any of the ads. could have been spent on those very pro- Let us not forget the $6 million for an ad- grams, its catch-up with Labor’s Knowledge vertising campaign to encourage farmers to Nation. apply for a grant on the Agriculture—Ad- We also hear that there is going to be an- vancing Australia scheme. With this money, other major advertising campaign, would every Australian farmer could have received you believe: $4.5 million going into adver- 60 letters encouraging him or her to apply tisements for a Jobs Network campaign in for the grant. But wait, there’s more! The the first half of the financial year, to maintain Howard government will soon launch three, the momentum of information. It will be possibly four, more advertising campaigns. maintaining the momentum of corruption— The government has already started produc- and there will be no information associated ing its $6.7 million Telstra Networking the with that. There will be $4.5 million of pub- Nation advertising program, in an attempt to lic funds going to that effort. try to highlight the service delivery to the These are not genuine information cam- bush. But rural and regional Australia is not paigns. Paul Gardner, chairman of one of the going to be fooled by the propaganda. In- top advertising agencies in Australia, Grey stead of actually spending the $6.7 million Worldwide, recently told the Australian, on programs that will help the bush, it has when asked his opinion on the ‘no gap’ ads spent that amount on advertising, in the vain and the new pension payment advertise- hope that it will convince the electorate to ments: vote for the third round of Telstra privatisa- And I think in some cases, the Government is tion. ‘Not on your nelly,’ say the people in selling rather than telling ... they certainly deliver regional Australia—as I have occasion to information in a way that paints the Government know, having spent a couple of weeks with in a better light. them in the course of the last six weeks, He is absolutely right. This government is in talking to them about Telstra. I know exactly the business of selling rather than telling, and what they think about the proposition on pri- always has been. vatisation, and they are our views, not the views of this government. Who could forget the ‘Unchain my heart’ campaign last year in the lead-up the GST? We also know that the government has This campaign was not informative, it was started filming a $4.2 million advertising certainly not objective, and it was definitely campaign to promote its Work for the Dole political. If the government had followed the program. This program has failed to help the Auditor-General’s recommended rules, the unemployed, and it has no real training com- ‘Unchain my heart’ campaign would never ponent, particularly for the long-term unem- have been aired. And yet this government ployed. We are just starting to see the corrupt spent $46 million on the ‘Unchain my heart’ scandals emerging with the government’s ads—the most expensive ad campaign ever Job Network program—and I bet they will undertaken in this country. The ‘Unchain my not be advertising any of the corruption on heart’ ads claimed that Australia would that front! move from a tax regime that was restrictive There is also in the pipeline a $5 million to a tax regime that was simpler. What a re- campaign to highlight John Howard’s inno- markable assertion that was. It never pointed vation strategy—a totally inadequate strategy out that there would be a surge in employ- unveiled last January. Why have they waited ment at the tax office, with excise inspectors this long to highlight it with an expensive and officials—at least 4,000 at the tax office advertising campaign? We all know that this and the ACCC and 500 in Customs—to government decimated research and devel- monitor this simpler tax regime. opment programs, industry research and uni- Nor did the campaign point out that the versity funding over the last five years. Now number of pages in legislation would sky- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29105 rocket under their new simple system. Nor spect to objectivity, fairness and account- did it explain the number of people who ability. It will prohibit expenditure of tax- would now find themselves unpaid tax col- payers’ money on advertising which pro- lectors. Even the tax office is admitting to motes party political interests. The bill customers how complex this tax system is, makes it improper to use, or permit to be and yet the advertisements claimed it would used, any public money for a government ‘unchain our hearts’. It has unchained our information program unless that program is anger; there is no doubt about that. This is in accordance with the principles and guide- one of the scandals for which the Australian lines for use of government advertising. This people are unanimous in their condemnation is in addition to the other ways in which of the Howard government. public money may be improperly used or It is important to be reminded of the cen- disposed of. tral tenets on advertising adopted by the Joint The bill has been redrafted from its earlier Committee on Public Accounts and Audit version to streamline and improve some of which the Howard government has refused its language and provisions. Importantly, it to adopt. The committee stated last year that allows an advertising campaign to be imme- information campaigns should be justified by diately stopped by a court order if it breaches a cost benefit analysis. The nature of the the guidelines. A failure to stop such an ad- campaign should be justified in terms of so- vertisement would then be punishable as a ciety’s needs, efficiency and effectiveness. It contempt of court. This means that a gov- stated that care should be taken to ensure that ernment minister who allows, or continues to media placement of government advertising allow, improper advertising would face a is determined on a needs basis and targeted hefty fine or a period of imprisonment. The accordingly. But do you think that John bill sets out principles and guidelines for the Howard has paid any attention to these rec- use of government advertising which are ommendations? Of course he has not. If he substantially the same as the draft guidelines had, he would not be spending $20 million a recommended in October 1998 by the Audi- month in the lead-up to the next federal tor-General. This followed a report on the election. Not only has he ignored the Audi- government’s $15 million tax reform adver- tor-General’s recommendations; he has also tising campaign in the lead-up to the 1998 ignored his Liberal led Joint Committee on general election. You will remember that Public Accounts and Audit which signed off campaign. Nowhere in the two weeks of on these guidelines. campaigning and the huge expenditure were That is why I present this bill today. It will the words ‘goods and services tax’ men- do what this government will not: stop the tioned. The Auditor-General found that to be blatant waste of money for political gain. If an absurdity, given that at the heart of the Labor is elected, we will get rid of the ‘sell’ government’s proposals was a $30 billion in political advertisements and make sure gorilla of a new tax. that all political advertising is informative. It The Labor Party understands that gov- was the Prime Minister who in September ernments have to inform people. We are not 1995 said: saying that governments should be excluded We will ask the Auditor-General to establish a set from advertising, and this bill would not do of guidelines and we will run our advertisements that. We know that there are a number of past the Auditor-General and they will need to campaigns such as health warnings, health satisfy those guidelines. problems and modest, well-targeted defence That promise, like so many others, was a recruitment—governments are obliged to non-core promise. spend money in the community’s interest. Let me outline what this bill does and But there is the potential for abuse here, and where it comes from. This bill will amend therefore there need to be sensible safe- the Financial Management and Accountabil- guards. ity Act 1997 to require government adver- The principles and guidelines we propose, tising to meet minimum standards with re- among other things, are: government adver- 29106 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 tising material should be relevant to govern- (a) support and fund the construction of an ment responsibilities; this material should be all weather road from Kokoda to Ower’s presented in an objective and fair manner; Corner, and of educational memorials at that the information in government advertis- each of the battle sites along the Track; ing should be based on accurate, verifiable (b) commemorate the 60th anniversary of facts which are carefully and precisely ex- our brave armed forces campaign with pressed in conformity with those facts; no an Anzac Day Dawn Service in 2002 at claim or statements should be made that can- Ower’s Corner; and not be substantiated; the recipient of the in- (c) establish a project team to oversee these formation should always be able to distin- matters, consisting of representatives of guish clearly and easily between facts on one the Departments of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs, Defence, hand and comment, opinion and analysis on Veterans’ Affairs and Environment and the other; material should not be liable to Heritage. misrepresentation as party political; infor- mation campaigns should not be intention- It gives me enormous pleasure to introduce ally promoting, or perceived to be promot- into the House and to speak on this motion ing, party political interests; material should today, because I think what we are trying to be presented in an unbiased and objective achieve today is something that all Austra- language and in a manner free from partisan lians can identify with. In giving some back- promotion of government policy and politi- ground on what brought me to be so enthusi- cal argument; material should not directly astic about this proposal to commemorate the attack or scorn the views, policies or actions diggers and the local fuzzy wuzzy angels and of others; no information campaigns should what they did in the Second World War on be undertaken without a justifiable cost the Kokoda Track, it would be remiss of me benefit analysis; the cost of the chosen scale not to mention the long and untiring efforts and methods of communicating information of the Hon. Charlie Lynn, a member of the must be justifiable in terms of achieving the New South Wales upper house, who first identified objectives at the least practicable brought my attention to this proposal. I first heard about it earlier in the year when Char- expense. lie spoke at a function held in Meningie, in Nobody should be fooled by this govern- the electorate of Barker, which I was privi- ment’s campaign of advertising. Nobody is leged to attend. Over 100 people were as fooled. Everybody knows it to be the cor- spellbound as I was when Charlie spoke at ruption that it is. And everybody knows and length of his own personal experiences and has their favourite program which would the stories that he had learned over the years. really serve the needs of the people of Aus- tralia if that program were to be funded out I also have a personal connection in that of this advertising money. In our case you my middle name of Damien was selected by can bet your bottom dollar it will be. (Time my parents because of the famous and heroic efforts of that great wartime photographer expired) Damien Parer, the first Australian to win an Ordered that the second reading be made Oscar for his work and who in fact died in an order of the day for the next sitting. action. As I was born on the anniversary of PRIVATE MEMBERS BUSINESS D-day in the Second World War, it was quite Kokoda Track appropriate. If it were not for Charlie Lynn, I would not be here today trying to repeat Mr SECKER (Barker) (1.06 p.m.)—I some of his enthusiasm for this memorial. I move: know he had planned to be here today, but That this House: unfortunately circumstances beyond his (1) expresses its support for the development of control have not allowed this to happen. the Kokoda Track as a National Memorial I do not think it is too full of hyperbole to Park; and state that our diggers’ efforts at Kokoda are (2) calls on the Government to: the Second World War equivalent of Galli- poli, and it is a shame on this country that Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29107 people know more about the story of the annihilate the Australians and on 17 Septem- Alamo in Texas, United States, than they ber 1942 were ordered to conduct a fighting know about the Kokoda Track. The horrific withdrawal to the beachheads of Buna and odds faced by our diggers at Kokoda were Gona on the northern coast of Papua New far greater than those heroes at the Alamo, Guinea. Australian reinforcements and Japa- but we still have not seen a film about it, for nese setbacks at Guadalcanal and the Battle instance, even though there has been a film of Milne Bay saved Port Moresby. script written. I have no doubt that if this The Australians pursued the Japanese with were an American story there would have great courage and vigour and reoccupied the been several films made about our service village of Kokoda on 2 November 1942. The men and women’s efforts to stop the Japa- fighting from July to November cost 607 nese invasion in horrific conditions and lives, with more than 1,000 serious injuries. against all odds. One would only have to trek across the On 24 July 1942, a superior Japanese Kokoda Track now to realise what an almost force launched an attack on a small band of impossible task it would have been against Australian defenders, and the Papuan infan- the overwhelming odds faced by our diggers. try dug in on the Kokoda plateau. Their ob- It was Sir William Slim who said, ‘Some of jective was to cross the Owen Stanley range us may forget that of all the allies it was the in Papua New Guinea and capture the strate- Australian soldiers who first broke the spell gic city of Port Moresby. The Australian of invincibility of the Japanese army.’ Not diggers were young, outnumbered and out- only that, they succeeded and won the bat- gunned. During the next three months the tles. Australians forced the Japanese to contest There is a proposal for a master plan to every inch of the rugged and treacherous develop the Kokoda Track into a memorial Kokoda Track as they advanced towards the park, and because of time constraints and my Japanese objective of capturing Port Mo- inability to speak at length on it, I seek leave resby. In fact, the first Victoria Cross won on to incorporate three tables from that plan into Australian soil was posthumously awarded to Hansard which relate to, firstly, the depart- Private Bruce Kingsbury of the 2/14th Bat- ments involved; secondly, some key dates talion during the Battle of Isurava. for action; and, thirdly, a possible agenda for The Australians rallied at the last ridgeline a joint project team operation. at Imita Ridge, a mere 40 kilometres from Leave granted. Port Moresby. The hugely more powerful and numbered Japanese force had stretched The tables read as follows— their resources to the limit in attempting to

DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITY Foreign Affairs Relations with PNG. Management of AUSAID budget Defence Restorations of defensive positions at Kokoda, Isurava, Eora Creek, Brigade Hill and Imita Ridge. Restoration of small arms weapons and the Ford Tri-Motor Air- craft at Myola. Veterans’ Affairs Design and construction of educational memorials at Ower’s Corner, Imita Ridge, Iorabaiwa Ridge, Menari, Brigade Hill, Efogi, Myola, Templeton’s Crossing, Eora Creek, Alola, Abuari, Isurava, Deniki and Kokoda. Environment and Heritage Expertise in establishment and operation of National Parks. Tourism Expertise in the marketing of eco-adventure tourism activities. Education and Youth Affairs Increasing awareness of our Australian Military History through our educational curriculum. Arts Encouraging the production of films, documentaries and books on our military campaigns in the South West Pacific. 29108 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

It should also include service representatives from the RSL and Rotary International. The PNG component will be determined by the PNG Government. I recommend that key dates for the development of the proposal be:

DATE DAYXHASE ACTION 15 Aug 2001 VP Day Official Announcement of the Project 1-13 Oct 2001 PNG Phase Joint Project Team walks the Kokoda Track, inspects the battle- sites, meets with villagers and local landowners and prepares the first draft of the master plan. 29 Oct-3 Nov 2001 Australian Phase PNG component travels to Australia, visits the Kokoda Track Memorial Walkway in Sydney, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra and meets with returned service representatives and government officials. The final draft of the plan to be completed by the end of this phase. 25 Apr 2002 Anzac Day - 60th Project formally commenced with an official

Project Kokoda Trek 1-13 October, 2001 DAY DATE TREK DETAILS 1 Mon, 1 Oct Fly Sydney to Port Moresby Accommodation at Loloata Island Resort (Briefing on strategic situation in South West Pacific Area in early 1942). 2 Tue, 2 Oct Visit PNG Parliament (Briefings by PNG Government and Australian High Com- mission representatives). 3 Wed, 3 Oct Charter Flight: Port Moresby to Kokoda Inspect Museum and Memorials on Kokoda Plateau Trek to campsite at Hoi Village 4 Thu, 4 Oct Trek to Alola Village via Isurava Village Inspect the Isurava battlesite which has been described by Professor David Homer as ‘the battle that saved Australia’. 5 Fri, 5 Oct Trek to Templeton’s Crossing Follow the Australian withdrawal route after the defeat at Isurava. Inspect delaying defensive positions occupied by the Australian 2/14th and 2/16th Battalions south of Eora Creek. Inspect the area that took the Australian 25th Brigade 17 days to fight through as they forced the Japanese back across the Track. 6 Sat, 6 Oct Trek to Lake Myola. Location of a major Australian base camp. 7 Sun, 7 Oct Trek to Naduli Village. 8 Mon, 8 Oct Trek to Efogi Village via Kagi. Inspect the area where the Japanese 144th South Seas Island Regiment formed up for their attack against the Australian 21st Brigade located on Brigade Hill. Inspect the small village museum which contains weapons, ammunition and the remains of Australian soldiers. 9 Tue, 9 Oct Trek to Menari Village via Brigade Hill. Inspect the Brigade Hill battlesite and gravesite (site of the biggest battle of the Kokoda campaign). Camp in the area where Lt Col Honner held the first parade of the gallant 39th Militia Battalion after the battle of Isurava. 10 Wed, 10 Oct Trek to Naoro Village. Site of a major Australian staging depot. 11 Thu, 11 Oct Trek to Ua Ule Creek via Iorabaiwa Ridge which is the furthest point reached by the Japanese in their quest to capture Port Moresby. 12 Fri, 12 Oct Trek to Ower’s Corner via Imita Ridge, the infamous ‘Golden Staircase’ area and the Goldie River. Bus transport to Port Moresby. 13 Sat, 13 Oct Debrief in Port Moresby. Fly Port Moresby to Sydney Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29109

Mr SECKER—Thank you. I sent this the Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the proposal around to colleagues on both sides Department of the Environment and Heritage of the House not expecting too much re- must be formed. Not only that, this project sponse because of the time constraints that team should trek across the Kokoda Track we all have, but I was ecstatic at the response themselves, preferably next month or in Oc- I received. I am pleased that the member for tober. Urgent action is needed and warranted. Cowan, as the first member to respond, has I am indebted to the Minister for Veterans’ honoured me with his support in seconding Affairs, the Hon. Bruce Scott, for providing this motion. I also thank in anticipation the me with some information concerning the members for Lowe and Canning from the federal government’s plans for a major series opposition, my good friend here, the member of commemorations in 2002 to mark the 60th for Hume, and very appropriately the mem- anniversary of the defence of Australia cam- ber for Robertson, who is chairman of the paign, which will include Kokoda amongst Papua New Guinea-Australia Friendship such events as the fall of Singapore, the Bat- Group. I must have had responses from at tle of the Coral Sea, the bombing of Darwin least 20 members within a couple of days of and the Milne Bay action. The minister has this proposal, and I thank you all for your reacted quickly to establish an interdepart- continued interest and support. I also pass on mental committee on the future of the what I am sure would be Charlie Lynn’s Kokoda Track, which will be incorporated in thanks to all those members who have enthu- the 2002 defence of Australia commemora- siastically supported his ideas that I will now tions. briefly outline. I also thank the Prime Minister for his Whilst I have previously compared support in this matter; he has taken a per- Kokoda with Gallipoli, I think the pilgrimage sonal interest in ensuring that this committee to Kokoda could be quite different. Some is formed and is operational as soon as pos- will want to walk the track, while others will sible. There has been a hold-up in negotia- want to drive from Port Moresby to the be- tions with the Papua New Guinea govern- ginning of Ower’s Corner where the track ment, but Charlie Lynn made a separate visit starts. Ower’s Corner provides a majestic in late June and had considerable success in view over the Owen Stanley Ranges and is breaking the deadlock by reaching an agree- ideally suited as the future location of an ment with the local governor of Oro Prov- annual Anzac Day service, and wouldn’t it ince to permit 300 fee paying people to walk be great if we could have our first on the the Kokoda Track during the rest of 2001. 60th anniversary of this campaign next year Charlie Lynn informs me that he met with in 2002? To realise this vision, we need to PNG ministers, members, local government ensure that an all-weather road is constructed councillors and individual landholders along through to Ower’s Corner. Education memo- the Kokoda Track who have given their sup- rials need to be constructed at each of the port to the proposal and welcome the oppor- battle sites along the track, and local Kiora tunity to develop a master plan. guides need to be trained in the military and I will conclude by saying that my enthusi- cultural history of the Kokoda. A memorial asm for this project is enormous and, when- site with suitable facilities for large groups of ever I have spoken of this to the constituents visitors needs to be constructed at Ower’s in the electorate of Barker, I have been grati- Corner. Urgent action is needed if we are to fied to feel the same sort of enthusiasm being meet a deadline of having the inaugural returned—because this is part of our noble dawn service at Ower’s Corner on 25 April history that captures the imagination of peo- 2002. ple of all ages and all backgrounds. I com- Urgent liaison with the government of mend the proposed resolution and seek the New Guinea is essential, and a project team support of the House for what is truly a bi- from the Department of the Prime Minister partisan goal to commemorate our armed and Cabinet, the Department of Foreign Af- services during the Second World War. fairs and Trade, the Department of Defence, 29110 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl)—Is which were, of course, interests which we could the motion seconded? not accept and could only abhor. Mr EDWARDS (Cowan) (1.16 p.m.)—I The lesson of this place is that these young men second the motion. I am very pleased, in a believed in Australia and we need to give Austra- bipartisan spirit, to second this motion so lians, all Australians, particularly young Austra- lians, an Australia to believe in. We can’t deny ably moved by the member for Barker and to young Australians their birthright to a past with compliment him, indeed, for bringing this meaning for them and a future with meaning. It important issue before the House. This is an has to be a future with meaning and everything important issue. Like many in the chamber we see here—there can be no deeper spiritual here, I am a baby-boomer whose father was a basis to the meaning of the Australian nation than veteran of the Second World War; I and the blood that was spilled on this very knoll, this many others like me, I suppose, grew up very plateau, in defence of the liberty of Austra- learning the stories of Kokoda and learning lia. about the heroes—the people like Damien So Prime Minister— Parer, of course—who were so well re- and that was, of course, the Prime Minister spected by the Australian service men and of Papua New Guinea— women of that time. can I thank you on behalf of your countrymen, But, in doing a bit of research for this mo- some who I’ve met here today who actually tion, I came across a speech that was made fought in that campaign, for those who died in on Sunday, 26 April 1992, by the former that campaign, to the relatives here today of loved Prime Minister Paul Keating. He was at ones who were lost in that campaign but who Kokoda for the 50th anniversary of this bat- gave their lives selflessly in the defence of Papua tle. I will quote from his speech, because I New Guinea and the defence of Australia and the think it is indeed a very moving speech. Paul broader defence of liberty in the Pacific. Keating, on that date, said: This was the place where I believe the depth and soul of the Australian nation was confirmed. If it This is the place where the rock of friendship and was founded in Gallipoli it was certainly con- the foundation stone of relations between our two firmed in the defence of our homeland here. So I countries rests and while we’ve had a long history thank you Sir for inviting me and my wife to this together in places like Port Moresby and Lae and fiftieth anniversary of the Papua New Guinea other places it is really here that the soul of the campaign and particularly on behalf of the Aus- relationship sits, here in Kokoda. Because it was tralian people I thank the people of Papua New here that Australians decided to defend your lib- Guinea, the people of Kokoda, the people of the erty as well as their own and you decided to de- surrounding areas and the people of the Papua fend yourselves and help us defend ourselves. It New Guinea defence force and its forebears for was here young Australian men fought for the their support of Australians at war. first time against the prospect of the invasion of their country, of Australia. I will come back to that issue of support in a minute, but I think it is fitting that our past Never before, even though we fought in many conflicts, mostly imperial conflicts, in conflicts Prime Minister and our current Prime Min- where we felt pangs of loyalty to what was then ister have very strong thoughts and views known as the “Mother Country” to Britain and to about this place we are talking about today. the empire to fight in Gallipoli with heroism and Given their strong views and given the inter- in Belgium in Flanders and in France and in other est of this parliament, I have no doubt that if places, this was the first and only time that we’ve we are prepared to pursue this issue, then fought against an enemy to prevent the invasion indeed we could have the Kokoda Track de- of Australia, to secure the way of life we had built veloped as a national memorial park, as is for ourselves. And those young Australian men suggested in this motion. fought here, 2,000 of them died, 600 Americans died later and we should never forget their sacri- Prime Minister Keating spoke about the fice, that the families who live so distantly in the support that the Australian diggers received United States lost 600 sons here should never be on the Kokoda Track. When researching this forgotten and they cost the lives of 13,000 Japa- issue, I also came across a poem that I would nese who fought for their country and what they like to relate to the House. It was written by believed were their country’s strategic interests a sapper, H. Beros, who was in the 7th Divi- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29111 sion AIF with the Royal Australian Engi- what Kapyong is to those who fought in Ko- neers. Bert Beros served, according to this rea and what Long Tan is to those who note, in both World War I and World War II. fought in Vietnam. Though these battles He wrote this poem at 4 a.m. one morning on were in fields far flung from Australia, they the Kokoda Track after having been on had one thing in common: the courage of the stand-to. It may never have been printed but Australian servicemen, their love of freedom for the fact that an officer sent a copy home and their uncompromising approach to to his mother, and she was so impressed that mateship. If we feel anything about those she had it published in the Brisbane Courier- issues and if we feel anything about Mail. The poem reads: mateship, we should feel strong enough in The Fuzzy Wuzzy Angels that mateship to want to do something to Many a mother in Australia, ensure that the sacrifices that those men When the busy day is done, made on the Kokoda Track and the spirit of Sends a prayer to the Almighty support that they received from the fuzzy For the keeping of her son. wuzzy angels is not forgotten. The way to Asking that an Angel guide him remember those people and those sacrifices And bring him safely back is contained in this motion before us. I am Now we see those prayer are answered very pleased to, in a bipartisan way, give On the Owen Stanley Track, For they haven’t any halos, support to the member for Barker and to this Only holes slashed in their ears, motion. While there are limitations on the And with faces worked by tattoos, number of people who can speak on the mo- With scratch pins in their hair, tion, I am sure that most members of this Bringing back the wounded, House, and of this parliament, would speak Just as steady as a hearse, in support of this motion were there time for Using leaves to keep the rain off them to do so. I commend the motion to the And gentle as a nurse. House. Slow and careful in bad places, On the awful mountain track, Mr SCHULTZ (Hume) (1.25 p.m.)—It is And the look upon their faces’ an honour for me to stand here as an Austra- Makes us think that Christ was black. lian member of parliament to support this Not a move to hurt the carried, motion by my friend the member for Barker, As they treat him like a Saint, ably backed up by the member for Cowan. I It’s a picture worth recording, am also mindful of the magnificent contribu- That an Artist’s yet to paint. tion of my old mate Charlie Lynn, the hon- Many a lad will see his Mother, ourable MLC for the New South Wales par- And the Husbands, Weans and Wives, liament. He has been fighting this battle on Just because the Fuzzy Wuzzy Carried them to save their lives. behalf of the memory of those fellows who From mortar or machine gun fire, died on the Kokoda Trail. I commend him Or a chance surprise attack, for the diligence and the compassion with To safety and the care of Doctors, which he has driven himself to ensure that At the bottom of the track. this issue is raised in the parliament here to- May the Mothers in Australia, day. When they offer up a prayer, Let me go back to 1942. It was the year Mention those impromptu Angels, With the Fuzzy Wuzzy hair. Australia lost its innocence. Pearl Harbour That concludes the poem. I think the spirit of had been bombed. Hong Kong and Singa- that poem, the spirit of what was said by the pore had fallen. Darwin had been bombed member for Barker here today and the spirit and midget submarines had raided Sydney of what was said by Prime Minister Keating Harbour. Another nation was trying to steal embrace the spirit of what most Australians our country, and we were not prepared. In feel about the Kokoda Track and those who August 1942 a small band of diggers was lost their lives there. The Kokoda Track is to thrown against the might of the Japanese those who fought in New Guinea what Galli- army in a last-ditch defence of Australia’s poli is to those who fought in that campaign, northern doorstep. The diggers were out- 29112 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 gunned and outnumbered six to one. Many of man selflessness refused a stretcher and them were recent conscripts, aged 18, who crawled for 10 days dragging his leg shat- had never fired a shot in anger. These young tered by a machinegun, before being mur- men, together with units of the AIF rushed dered by the Japanese. The battle for back from the Middle East, confronted the Kokoda, as my parliamentary colleague the Japanese high in the Owen Stanley mountain member for Barker quite rightly said, is range in Papua New Guinea. There they Australia’s Alamo. If Gallipoli symbolised formed a ragged line of defence between the the Anzac spirit in World War I, then invaders and the Australian mainland. The Kokoda is its Second World War equivalent. Japanese 144th Regiment, crack troops of the The Aussies fought with such vigour and Emperor’s South Seas Force, had been in- valour that their Japanese opponents were vincible since they had been blooded in convinced they were facing a massive force Manchuria in 1937. They had surged un- of defenders. checked through Asia and the Pacific. Thir- That is what the Australian fighting man is teen thousand of them landed in New renowned for and it is because of the legend Guinea, their last step before conquering of those heroes who unselfishly gave their Australia itself. lives in very difficult circumstances on the At best, the Aussies could gather about Kokoda Track. I join my parliamentary col- 2,000 troops to oppose them. The battle- leagues on both sides of parliament in sup- ground was a narrow, meandering and pre- porting the push to have the Kokoda Track cipitous path through impenetrable jungle made a national memorial in memory of which led to Port Moresby and then Austra- those men who died so unselfishly in very lia. On the Kokoda Track there was no es- difficult circumstances. cape: no helicopters or air support to medi- Mr MURPHY (Lowe) (1.30 p.m.)—I be- vac the wounded, no aerial bombardment, no gin by congratulating my good friend the artillery—although the Japanese lugged member for Barker on his worthy motion mountain guns through the jungle. This was before the House today. I endorse fully his the last major man-to-man battle in history. speech and the speeches of the member for If you could not walk out, or the brave Pap- Cowan and the member for Hume. In making uan fuzzy wuzzy angels could not carry you my contribution to the debate, I wish to let out, you died. In this cauldron, many diggers members know that within my electorate of joined the immortals. There were men like Lowe, which is on the shores of the Par- Bruce Kingsbury VC, who single-handedly ramatta River, we have our own Kokoda charged into the heart of the enemy, killing Track Memorial Walkway. This rainforest 30 or 40 or them and saving his battalion walkway is some 800 metres in length and it headquarters, only to be struck down by a runs around Bray’s Bay between Concord sniper at the moment of his glory. These are Hospital, the famous repatriation hospital, the words of Sergeant Allan Avery, 39th and Rhodes railway station. Battalion: The origin of this walkway is found in the I reckon he almost gave his life because there was Australia Remembers program, when the nothing scared about it. No, he just went straight Keating government and the then Minister into them as if bullets didn’t mean anything, you know. And we all got a bit of the action, you see, for Veterans’ Affairs, the Hon. Con Sciacca, when we saw him. When you see something like announced plans for the walkway in 1994. that, you sort of follow the leader, don’t you? And The objective of building the walkway was that is what we did. to provide a permanent memorial to all vet- And there were men like Sergeant ‘Teddy’ erans who served in World War II, with par- Bear, a hero of the battle for Isurava, who ticular emphasis on the south-west Pacific launched a ferocious solo charge at the in- area. When the plans for the walkway were vaders, so ferocious that some Japanese sol- announced, Concord Council, Concord Ro- diers were seen to jump to their deaths over a tary, the Returned Services League of Aus- precipice rather than face him, and men like tralia, the New South Wales Department of Corporal John Metson, who with superhu- Urban Affairs and Planning and Concord Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29113

Hospital all got behind this great project. I speak on behalf of Rusty Priest, Alice Kang also acknowledge the Howard government’s and Hilary Nourse in issuing all members of ongoing support for the walkway and the this House, particularly the member for contribution by the Minister for Veterans’ Barker, an invitation to visit the Kokoda Affairs, the Hon. Bruce Scott. One of the Track Memorial Walkway in my electorate great constants in Australian politics is the of Lowe. I know that they will be very wel- bipartisanship in this House for the veteran come. For the benefit of the House, I seek community, and rightly so. leave to table an information leaflet and I cannot let this occasion pass without some supplementary information describing giving special recognition to the New South the 22 stations and the Memorial Rose Gar- Wales State President of the RSL and den, which comprise the Kokoda Track Me- Chairman of the Kokoda Track Memorial morial Walkway in my electorate of Lowe. Walkway, Mr Rusty Priest AM, and the Di- Leave granted. rector of the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk- Mr LLOYD (Robertson) (1.34 p.m.)—It way, Ms Alice Kang, and her assistant, Ms is indeed a pleasure and an honour to rise in Hilary Nourse. They have all done a mag- this House today to support the motion by nificent job in promoting the walkway and in my good friend and colleague the member organising numerous memorial services as- for Barker to develop a master plan for the sociated with the walkway and Concord Kokoda Track and to establish it as a na- Hospital. tional memorial park in memory of the many There are 22 stations along the walkway young Australians who lost their lives on the that reflect particular battles and events of Kokoda Track. That would be a great symbol significance relating to the New Guinea of the depth of feeling that Australians have campaign. Visitors can reflect on the service for those who fought on the Kokoda Track and sacrifice of our Australian soldiers at and for the many who died on the Kokoda each of the 22 stations: Milne Bay; McDon- Track. ald’s Corner, the beginning of the Kokoda Australia and New Guinea are linked not Track; Ower’s Corner, the end of the jeep only geographically but also historically. track; Uberi, the first staging camp on the Almost every person that you speak to in Kokoda Track; Imita Ridge, the Australians’ Australia has some links with Papua New final defensive position; Ioribaiwa, the fur- Guinea, whether it be through working there, thermost point of the Japanese advance; particularly prior to independence, through Menari; Efogi, the desperate battles of Mis- having a father or grandfather who was a sion Ridge and Brigade Hill; Myola, the veteran of the Kokoda Track, or some other forward supply depot and medical post; link with Papua New Guinea. It is important Myola Ridge; Templeton’s Crossing, where that we develop this master plan. There is a a determined Japanese rearguard delayed the need for a master plan because geographi- Australians; the Coast Watchers; Eora Creek, cally the Kokoda Track is in very difficult a bitter Japanese defensive battle in the terrain. I have spoken to a number of people mountains; Isurava, the vital delaying battle; who have walked the track. Unfortunately, I Deniki; Kokoda; Oivi, the death of Captain have not had the opportunity to do so, al- ‘Uncle Sam’ Templeton; Gorari; Wairopi; though my friend the MLC Charlie Lynn has Buna; Gona; and Sanananda, a bloody stale- tried on many occasions to encourage me to mate and the climax of the Papuan campaign. undertake the arduous track, but I have spo- Rusty Priest reminded me last Friday, ken to other colleagues, including the mem- when I advised him that this motion was ber for Gosford in New South Wales, who is coming before the House today, that most a good friend of mine, Jackie Kelly, the Australians will never see the Kokoda Track Minister for Sport and Tourism, and Senator in New Guinea. However, as Rusty pointed Julian McGauran. They have all walked the out, many Australians can come to Concord track at some stage. One of the messages that and Rhodes and journey along our Kokoda they bring back is the mud. As Chris Track Memorial Walkway. I know that I Hartcher said, ‘I cannot get out of my mind 29114 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 the mud in walking that track.’ The entire we are going to encourage young Australians time that they struggled up and down the to go to Papua New Guinea, they have to terrain, which is incredibly steep, there was know that they can go there in safety and in constant mud—mud in the bed, mud in the friendship so that they can go and recognise boots, mud in the clothes and mud in the the sacrifices made by the young Australians eyes. That was in peacetime, when they had and the young Papua New Guinea people support. You can imagine the sacrifice and who fought and died in the sacrifices of the struggle that our young veterans went Second World War. (Time expired) through when they were suddenly thrown Ms GERICK (Canning) (1.39 p.m.)—I into that area without support. That is the am pleased today to add my support for the message that came back from the people who development of the Kokoda Track as a na- had walked the track. They mentioned the tional memorial park. I congratulate the terrain of the track, how steep it is, and the member for Barker on bringing this issue to gullies that they had to cross. There were the parliament, and I congratulate the previ- gushing streams—one slip off the plank and ous speakers. you knew that you would be dead. As a Western Australian, it is important It is a difficult thing but it is an essential for me to note the contribution of the thing that has to be done to develop a master 2nd/14th and the 2nd/16th Battalions, as they plan so that this track can be dedicated as a were among the first of the AIF units sent up national memorial park. As part of that plan, the Kokoda Track. My dad was one of those it is very important to have an all-weather soldiers and from early childhood I heard the road to Ower’s Corner. Many young Austra- tales of his time on the Kokoda Track and lians backpack their way to Gallipoli every how it rained every day; how difficult it was Anzac Day, and many young Australians to get supplies through; how often they went would be very keen to participate in dawn without food because there was none; how services at Ower’s Corner. Many people difficult it was to get the wounded out; how would not be physically capable, or have the kind the fuzzy wuzzy angels were and how time, to go along the whole of the track. So if many had died. Also, of course, you have to there was an all-weather road to Ower’s remember that those who came back had Corner, we could have those dawn services made a huge sacrifice as well—they had lost and hundreds of Australians would be able to their youth. If you had been one of those sol- participate in them. That would be a further diers going up the Kokoda Track and had to recognition of what Australia owes to the decide which of the wounded were likely to young Australians and to the fuzzy wuzzy make it, and which were sent back and which angels who supported them during the Sec- were not, that is not something you easily ond World War. live down and it is in your memory always. There are other ways in which we can as- As it is nearly 60 years since the battle sist. The Australian parliament works very took place, I think it is time that the soldiers’ closely with the parliament of Papua New courage was recognised and that there is a Guinea. As president of the friendship group, memorial on the Kokoda Track to those who I am encouraged by our exchanges and the lost their lives. While most Australians are education process for the parliamentarians of familiar with the major battles of World War Papua New Guinea. Theirs is a young de- I, we need to do much more to increase the mocracy and they are still struggling to come awareness of other conflicts which took to terms with it. It is important that we help place closer to our home. By supporting the them through the process of our democracy building of an all-weather road from Kokoda and our system of parliament. I know that to Ower’s Corner with educational memori- they have appreciated the number of ex- als at each battle site, another step is going to changes that we have been able to provide to be taken to ensure that the bravery of our help and encourage them in a stable democ- soldiers is never forgotten and that the gen- racy and a stable parliament which will erations that come after ours will have the hopefully bring them peace and stability. If opportunity to pay tribute to that courage Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29115 shown by previous generations as they pro- Mr SPEAKER—Order! The debate is tected the Australian way of life. adjourned and will be made an order of the In the many battles that Australian sol- day for the next sitting. diers have fought, Kokoda was the first that STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS directly protected Australian shores. It was a Governor-General: Working battle where our soldiers were helped by the Arrangements local people and, without their help, many more soldiers would have died. In the prepa- Ms ELLIS (Canberra) (1.44 p.m.)—It is ration of the memorial, it is important that more in sorrow than in anger that I want to the government and the people of PNG are bring to the House’s attention the announce- involved and support the plans. The memo- ments in the press over the weekend in rela- rial should also pay tribute to the Papua New tion to the indication from Government Guineans who lost their lives, and those who House that our new Governor-General is continue to live who did everything to ensure going to be spending quite a bit more of his that our troops had as much safety and as- time in Sydney than in Canberra. I have sistance as possible, for their contribution never had to make a speech that was having must never ever be forgotten. a go at a Governor-General before and I am finding it a little bit difficult— Like many Australians, I have always thought that one day I would like to go up Mr SPEAKER—I remind the member the Kokoda Track and see where my father for Canberra that speeches that have a go at spent many of the war years. I think I would the Governor-General are not in fact toler- be defeated by lack of fitness, so I was most ated in the chamber. encouraged to hear that it is possible to drive. Ms ELLIS—I understand that, Mr Improving the track will give many more Speaker, and that is why I am saying that the people an opportunity to visit an important announcement that has been made by the part of our history and it will ensure that our staff at Government House in Canberra is young people go to New Guinea for Anzac what has really got me upset. I do not know Day in as large numbers as they go to Galli- the reason for the announcement. It is true to poli. I also support the holding of the Anzac say that Governors-General in the past have Day service next year. I spoke to my local spent time in all places, including of course RSLs and they were very enthusiastic about Admiralty House in Sydney. But I do not that and already a great number are saying understand why there was the requirement in that they would love to attend. this particular instance for such an an- For the veterans of Kokoda, the 60th an- nouncement to be made. niversary would be a special time to have the Canberra is in fact the national capital. I chance to return and attend a dawn service. It am not standing here trying to defend it as is important that the country give the honour such so much as to remind everybody that that they deserve. In the building of this me- that is the case. An announcement like this morial, not only will we be paying tribute to being made yet again brings into question those who lost their lives, we need also to Canberra and the ACT and their role as the remember the sacrifice of those who came national capital. That is the point that I think home and continued to make a contribution we need to make. I will certainly be making for many years after the war. I do not think inquiries through the secretary and the staff any of us knows any veteran who came back at Government House to ascertain the reason the same person as they went away, and that for such an announcement. (Time expired) is something that must never be forgotten. Dairy Regional Assistance Program: Bega Our country can never adequately thank the Cheese veterans and the people of PNG for their Mr NAIRN (Eden-Monaro) (1.45 p.m.)— courage, but this building of a national me- Last Monday, I was privileged to have offi- morial will make sure that their sacrifice is cially opened the new shredded cheese line never forgotten. in Bega Cheese’s factory. Building this new line was only possible due to a grant of over 29116 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

$660,000 from the federal government’s itable’. I asked the state manager if he could Dairy Regional Assistance Program. Overall, define for me what profitability meant and to it was a $1.3 million investment in further tell me how far below the line that branch value adding for this great producer of dairy had fallen. Of course, he refused to do so. products. About seven new jobs were imme- It was not, I think, an unreasonable ask to diately created and when the second shift put to the bank that they should let commu- starts in a few months time over 20 new di- nities know one year in advance if they are rect jobs will be in place. planning to shut a branch and the extent to The opening of this new manufacturing which profitability is under threat, so that the line also coincided with Bega Cheese’s an- community has an opportunity to rise to the nouncement that they had commissioned an occasion and make more use of that branch employment agency to start the recruitment so there is some chance for the branch to be of between 120 and 150 additional people. retained. They point-blank refuse to accede These additional jobs will be required for the to that request. I am extremely disappointed $16 million expansion of Bega Cheese’s cut- that is the case and I look forward to the op- ting and packaging plant following an portunity of seeing further active competition agreement with Bonlac and the New Zealand in the banking sector from community banks Dairy Board. Bega Cooperative’s farmers in order to give people who use banks in lo- recently benefited from this agreement when cal suburban areas a better go. The Com- $9 million in cash and $6 million in shares monwealth Bank—‘Which bank?’—has were distributed to them. plainly fallen short of its responsibilities and The industry in the Bega Valley is in good it is time for the parliament to contemplate shape for the future and this is due to the legislation for the imposition of a charter of vision of Bega Cheese, who saw the writing social responsibility on banks. They plainly on the wall a decade ago with regards to do not intend to do so themselves. (Time ex- changes in their industry, and to their part- pired) nership with the coalition federal govern- Motor Vehicles: Mitsubishi ment, which has provided practical assis- Mr PYNE (Sturt) (1.48 p.m.)—I would tance resulting in huge investment and a like to comment briefly on the announcement large increase in the number of new jobs in made last week by Mitsubishi about the deci- the Bega Valley. This is in stark contrast sion to upgrade and redesign the existing with Labor’s proposals of more committees Magna and Verada range of motor vehicles and more meetings. Well done to the board in South Australia. This is fantastic news for of Bega Cheese and its dairy farmer owners. the workers at Mitsubishi, for South Austra- Banking: Branch Closures lia and for Adelaide in particular. Mitsubishi Mr RUDD (Griffith) (1.47 p.m.)—Last have been the subject for a number of years Thursday, I was able to attend a protest of sometimes irresponsible media reportage meeting outside the Morningside branch of about their commitment to Australia and to the Commonwealth Bank in Brisbane. The Adelaide but, happily, Mitsubishi have con- Commonwealth Bank—‘Which bank?’— tinued and have started to turn the corner in announced unilaterally that it was going to terms of profitability. This year, they have withdraw its services from the residents of indicated that in the next 12 months they will Morningside, bringing to a total some 18 in fact again make a profit. They have branches of the major four banks on Bris- weathered the storm of the changes being bane’s south side which have closed over the made at their parent company level and the last five years. workers and employer at Mitsubishi should be congratulated for working so closely to- I sought a meeting with the state manager gether to make themselves an attractive area of the Commonwealth Bank in Brisbane and for investment. asked him what the reasons for this particular closure were. He said to me that it was sim- The announcement that was made last ply because the bank had ceased to be ‘prof- week while the Prime Minister was visiting Japan was very welcome to the residents of Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29117

Adelaide and to the workers at Mitsubishi. It betrayal of the local environment and a be- comes on top of announcements about export trayal of Sydney’s main river system. The deals to the United States, and it is notewor- trust had played a critical role in its man- thy that Mitsubishi are the only vehicle agement. It had provided an independent manufacturer in Australia that exports to the voice on ideas affecting the catchment, it had United States. I have congratulated them on led the way in creating community aware- that before and I congratulate them again. ness and galvanising community action on They are making great progress for their issues affecting the river system, it had coor- workers and for their employers and they are dinated the work of the government and non- a good example of how work forces can government agencies whose work impacted work together to bring about change, reform on the catchment and it had very effectively and progress—unlike what we are seeing at attracted funding from a range of sources for the moment in Sydney at Tristar. Let us hope local environmental projects. that that resolves itself as well. After four months the Carr government Chisholm Electorate: Proposed St Leo’s has still done nothing to fill the void. Its Site Development functions were supposedly to be absorbed by Ms BURKE (Chisholm) (1.50 p.m.)—Not the Department of Land and Water Conser- every piece of open space in Victoria has to vation, but so far they seem to have disap- be turned into medium density housing. I am peared without a trace. One of the many calling on commonsense to prevail in my problems emerging is the removal of the electorate of Chisholm in respect of the de- mechanism for attracting local funding under velopment of the old St Leo’s site at Hay the federal government’s Natural Heritage Street, Box Hill. The proposed development Trust. The catchment trust had previously of this unique bit of open space is sheer lu- fulfilled the role of the regional assessment nacy. The prospect of 300 three-storey units panel in facilitating and evaluating applica- crammed into suburbia is just not warranted. tions for federal funding. Under the NHT, The loss of open space, the increase of traffic funding of over $3 million has flowed from into a tiny side street and the pressure on the federal government to local environ- existing services—particularly the storm mental groups carrying out valuable conser- water—is questionable and the planning pro- vation and restoration projects. Unless the cess cannot ignore the impost on the many DLWC quickly moves to set up a replace- industrial sites that surround the proposed ment process, federal funds may be harder development. for local groups to access. This potentially is one of the many adverse effects of the state I wish to applaud the work of concerned government’s hasty and ill conceived deci- local residents, who have so far amassed a sion. The DLWC is simply not able to ade- petition of over 300 signatures and who are quately fulfil the roles of the trust. Not only meeting this weekend to ensure that a united has the state government removed direct community voice is heard in respect of this funding, it has made it harder to attract other development. The local community is sick of funding. (Time expired) being the forgotten party in these decisions and I am fully supportive of all efforts to Braddon Electorate: Bride of the Year ensure no further inappropriate developments Event rob us of our status as the leafy green sub- Mr SIDEBOTTOM (Braddon) (1.53 urbs. p.m.)—On Saturday evening I had the pleas- Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment ure of attending the Bride of the Year even- Management Trust ing at the Civic Centre in Ulverstone. Ten magnificent brides presented themselves in Mr BARTLETT (Macquarie) (1.51 aid of the Tasmanian Sudden Infant Death p.m.)—Several months ago, the New South Society—a very worthy cause. I have the Wales Labor government decided to axe the great privilege of announcing that Rebecca Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Manage- Chakouch from Devonport, Cassandra Gale ment Trust. This appalling decision was a from Ulverstone, Jasmin Lamprey from 29118 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Turners Beach, Hannah Larkin from Latrobe, nation for me to see practically what these Sharee Maloney from Turners Beach, Peta people are doing in some of the more remote McKenzie from Devonport, Stephanie areas, away from some of the major centres. Overton from Devonport, Diane Thomas For those of us in regional Australia and for from Ulverstone, Ruth van Rooyen from the 14 local governments that I have in my Burnie and Michelle Smith from Burnie pre- electorate, the Roads to Recovery program— sented themselves. Ruth van Rooyen won the and I drove over many of the roads—is very audience vote, the judges voted Stephanie much delivering tangible results for the peo- Overton as the Bride of the Year and Peta ple who do live out of the way. The same McKenzie from Devonport was the Charity may be said of the mobile phone towers— Bride. (Time expired) Alderman Marie Gill, Mrs Marjorie Taiwanese Community, Brisbane Haines and Mr Paul Harris were the judging Mr EMERSON (Rankin) (1.56 p.m.)—I panel, and we thank them very much. Bev want to pay tribute in the federal parliament Twibell and her SIDS committee organised a to the Taiwanese community of Brisbane. magnificent evening. Entertainment was pre- Taiwanese people who have decided to make sented by Mr John Handy, the Burnie High- Brisbane their home are making an enormous land Pipe Band, Lyn and Eric Emmerton contribution to the development of south-east from Circular Head and Peter Shirley, a vio- Queensland and to strengthening the social linist. Most importantly, the brides of the fabric of our community. Taiwanese people year all spoke about the possibility of being have a well deserved reputation as successful blessed with children in the future. They re- business people. Through their industrious- alise that there is the potential of unfortunate ness and their investment activities, Taiwan- misadventure at childbirth and that the Sud- ese business people are lifting the living den Infant Death Society plays a very im- standards of the residents of south-east portant role in assuring parents of assistance Queensland. and help at that time. (Time expired) These are well acknowledged facts. Less New England Electorate: Regional well acknowledged but no less important is Development the contribution of the local Taiwanese Mr St CLAIR (New England) (1.54 community to strengthening our society. The p.m.)—During the five-week break I was charitable works of such organisations as the able to visit, for the third year running, many Taiwan Women’s League, the Taiwan small towns and villages in my electorate. I Friendship Association and the Friends of visited about 54 this year. I went to Armi- Australasian Youth Association are greatly dale, Ashford, Attunga, Barraba, Bendemeer, appreciated. These organisations are assist- Ben Lomond, Bingara, Bonshaw, Bundarra, ing the less fortunate in our community. The Currabubula, Deepwater, Delungra, Drake, Taiwan Women’s League is especially active Duri, Ebor, Emmaville, Georges Junction, in these charitable works. At the same time, Gilgai, Glen Innes, Glencoe, Graman, Guyra, the tireless work of these organisations is Hillgrove, Inverell, Invergowrie, Kentucky, enhancing the reputation of the Taiwanese Kingstown, Kootingal, Legume, Liston, people in the community. Congratulations to Manilla, Mingoola, Moombi, Niangala, Mimi Chang upon becoming President of the Nowendoc, Nundle, Somerton, Tamworth, Taiwan Women’s League, and thanks to Tenterfield, Tingha, Torrington, Upper Hor- Mary Lee, who did such a wonderful job as ton, Uralla, Urbenville, Walcha, Wallangra, last year’s president. My federal Labor col- Watsons Creek, Werris Creek, Wollomombi, league the member for Ryan, Leonie Short, Woolbrook, Woolomin, Yarrowitch and Yet- joined me at a terrific changeover ceremony man. for the Taiwan Women’s League. Leonie is a I drove over 11,000 kilometres and, in great supporter of the Taiwanese community, holding meetings in not only those major which is very well represented in her seat of towns but the smaller communities around Ryan, and she represents them very well. the New England, it was certainly a rejuve- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29119

Congratulations too to Stephen Huang on called the Gleaners in my electorate. They becoming President of the Taiwan Friend- have set up five establishments now, the lat- ship Association, and many thanks to Angela est one being in Inala, which I opened. They Chai for all her great work as the last presi- provide food at cost or below cost, or actu- dent. Thanks also to Michelle Lee, who as ally give away food parcels to families that president guided the Friends of Australasian are struggling to get by. This highlights the Youth Association through last year, and great community need not only in my area best wishes to Jason Lin in his job as the new but in the region of Oxley. People are suf- president. (Time expired) fering a lot under the imposition of the GST Motor Vehicles: Mitsubishi and, particularly with inflation, the rising cost of living. It is ordinarily families like Dr SOUTHCOTT (Boothby) (1.57 these that need these services the most. (Time p.m.)—I also rise to welcome the $70 million expired) in new investment in the Mitsubishi car plant in my electorate of Boothby, which was an- Mr SPEAKER—Order! It being 2 p.m., nounced during the Prime Minister’s visit to in accordance with standing order 106A the Tokyo. The announcement was welcome time for members’ statements has concluded. news to Mitsubishi’s 3,500 car workers and MEMBER SWORN their families in Adelaide. Automotive vehi- Mr SPEAKER—I have received a return cles and parts is a $17 billion industry, which to the writ which I issued on 1 June 2001 for now exports over $4 billion. The way to end the election of a member to serve for the uncertainty at Mitsubishi and also within the electoral division of Aston, in the state of industry is to focus on companies being Victoria, in place of Mr Peter Nugent. By the profitable and the work force being produc- endorsement on the writ, it is certified that tive and an export culture. Christopher John Pearce has been elected. Contrast this with the behaviour of the Mr Christopher John Pearce made and AMWU. We can debate the issue of work- subscribed the oath of allegiance. ers’ entitlements another day, but let us look at the industrial action that they instigated Mr SPEAKER—Order! On behalf of the and what they put at risk. Last week the fac- House, I welcome the new member for As- tories of the two largest car companies in my ton. electorate—Monroe and Mitsubishi—were MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS silent due to the Tristar strike in Sydney. Mr HOWARD (Bennelong—Prime Min- Today there are ads in the local paper telling ister)—I inform the House that the Deputy the work force not to come to work, again Prime Minister and Minister for Transport due to the Tristar strike. It came at the worst and Regional Services will be absent from possible time and no doubt reignited in Japan question time today due to illness. The Min- the stereotypes of a generation ago—Austra- ister for Trade will be answering questions in lia as a country of industrial confrontation, his absence. strikes and an inefficient waterfront. This QUESTIONS WITHOUT NOTICE dispute highlights one of the key questions to be answered at the next election: what will Taxation: Income an ALP government do when faced with a Mr BEAZLEY (2.03 p.m.)—My question conflict between the national interest and the is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, interest of one trade union? The Leader of didn’t you promise at the National Press the Opposition should stare down the Club to deliver a fistful of dollars in income AMWU. All I heard last week on this issue tax cuts and to provide specific details before was silence. the next federal election? Prime Minister, Oxley Electorate: Gleaners haven’t you already taken back those income tax cuts, according to an article in the Aus- Mr RIPOLL (Oxley) (1.59 p.m.)—In the tralian newspaper today? Prime Minister, very short time I have, I would like to put on will you or won’t you be promising income the record the great work of an organisation tax cuts at the next election? 29120 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Mr HOWARD—The answer is that there That is one of the main reasons why we em- is a very clear difference: if there is an avail- braced the introduction of a broad based in- able surplus, he will spend it; if there is an direct tax; namely, a goods and services tax. available surplus, we will give it back via What Access has done in this research is income tax cuts. Nothing will alter that; to examine what the ageing population nothing that appears anywhere will alter that means for Australia’s indirect tax base and, unassailable difference. This is the first in particular, how a continuation of the sales question in parliament after returning from a tax base may have fared compared with the five-week recess, and I thank the Leader of new tax system. Access found that, over the the Opposition most warmly for enabling me last 25 years, the sales tax base declined to point out once more to the Australian peo- relative to consumer spending. The sales tax ple that if there is an available surplus we base fell from 24.5 per cent of total con- will return it via income tax cuts, but he will sumer spending in 1975 to only 18.4 per cent spend it. So let the Australian people under- at the time of its abolition. It was projected stand that, when it comes to tax, that is the by Access that, if the decline had continued, difference between us. I warmly thank the the sales tax base would have fallen to only Leader of the Opposition for giving me such 14.4 per cent of total consumer spending by an early opportunity to define the difference the year 2030. That is a decline of 10 per between the government and the opposition. cent, from 24.5 per cent in 1975. Those fig- Taxation: Wholesale Sales Tax ures demonstrate the critical need to broaden, Dr SOUTHCOTT (2.05 p.m.)—My strengthen and deepen Australia’s indirect question is addressed to the Prime Minister. tax base. Is the Prime Minister aware of any recent That is why the states like the GST. They research into the adequacy of Australia’s may say otherwise, but the reason that Bob previous wholesale sales tax system? Does Carr and Peter Beattie literally ran to grab this research have any implications for the the fountain pen out of my hand to sign that ability to fund public services over the com- interstate agreement was that they knew that, ing decades? In particular, in the absence of over the years, the growth in revenue from the GST, what would be the implications for the GST would make it easier for them to personal income tax rates in the future? provide the services that they are obligated to Mr HOWARD—I have come across provide. If the government had not intro- some research, and that research underpins duced a goods and services tax, we would and very strongly supports the government’s have been failing in our responsibility to se- historic decision to introduce major reforms cure the revenue base to provide services for to Australia’s taxation system. This research years into the future. Those who seek to un- from Access Economics demonstrates that dermine the GST are seeking to undermine the introduction of the goods and services tax Australia’s capacity to look after an ageing as part of tax reform has added to the capac- population. Those who seek to roll back the ity of Australia to fund the services that will GST, allegedly in the name of fairness, are in be needed for an ageing population over the fact arguing to roll back our capacity to fund years ahead. It demonstrates very dramati- necessary welfare services into the years cally that if we had continued to rely on the ahead. favoured indirect tax system of the Labor Worse than that, the Access Economics Party—that is, the wholesale sales tax sys- report illustrates that, if we had not intro- tem; the system they voted to retain when tax duced a GST, not only would we have had a reform was introduced—we would face in- failing and declining, deteriorating and with- creasing difficulty in funding the services ering wholesale sales tax base but also to needed for an ageing population in this compensate for the revenue decline we country. We hear a lot from the Labor Party would have had to increase income tax at a about the need to have adequate public serv- fast rate. Access makes it very clear that the ices. You cannot have adequate public serv- alternative to the present tax base is higher ices unless you have an adequate tax base. income tax. That is why the Leader of the Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29121

Opposition said with some vigour on the eve When we got into government, we found of the Aston by-election, ‘I don’t believe that that, far from being in surplus, Labor was income tax in Australia is too high.’ When running a deficit of $10½ billion in the fi- the Leader of the Opposition says that, he is nancial year to June 1996 and we inherited a really saying, ‘Give me an opportunity and $96 billion government debt. By the end of I’ll jack it up.’ That is what the Leader of the this financial year, we will have repaid $58 Opposition is really saying. billion of that $96 billion. We will have one The research of Access Economics dem- of the lowest, if not the lowest, government onstrates and validates the courage of the debt to GDP ratios in the world at 6.4 per government’s decision to introduce a broad cent. To add insult to injury, the Labor Party based indirect tax. Not only has it enabled us tried every inch of the way to stop us doing to reduce personal income tax, not only has it our duty to the Australian people. And you aided our exports and not only has it aided us have the nerve to ask me about a charter of to make the whole tax base more efficient; it budget honesty! has also provided Australia with the capacity Economy: Trade Figures to fund the services for an ageing population Mr WAKELIN (2.14 p.m.)—My question years into the future—something that the is addressed to the Treasurer. Would the Labor Party has pledged to reverse through Treasurer advise the House of the June trade its commitment to a policy of roll-back. figures released last week by the Australian Taxation: Income Bureau of Statistics? Would he also provide Mr CREAN (2.10 p.m.)—My question is the House with an update on the state of the to the Prime Minister. I refer to his first an- economy? swer today in which he said that he did not Mr COSTELLO—I thank the honour- know what he was going to do on income tax able member for Grey for his question. I can until he knows the state of the books. Prime report to the House that the trade figures for Minister, will you respond to Labor’s call June this year showed a very healthy surplus and bring forward Treasury’s report on the of $537 million. Not only that, but four of state of the books so that you can then tell us the last five monthly balances were in sur- whether you are going to offer income tax plus—not in deficit, but in surplus—and, in cuts or not? the year ending June 2001, Australia turned a Mr HOWARD—I am just struggling to trade surplus of $0.7 billion. We have be- remember which Labor Party charter of come so accustomed to talking about trade budget honesty that question is based on. I deficits in Australia that I would like to re- am just trying to remember; perhaps the emphasise that, in the year to 30 June 2001, Treasurer can help me. What was the bill that Australia had a trade surplus of $0.7 billion. the Labor Party introduced when it was in The value of goods and services exports government, requiring retiring finance min- were up 13.3 per cent over that year, and in isters and Treasurers—like the Leader of the important areas for rural Australia there was Opposition—to come clean with the Austra- strong growth in export income. The value of lian public? This is a question from a deputy meat and meat preparations exports grew 29 leader of an opposition that, when it was in per cent over the year to 30 June 2001, wool government, did not have a charter of budget and sheepskin exports grew 31 per cent over honesty. For 13 years, it had no charter of the year to 30 June 2001, and service exports budget honesty. More than that, Mr Crean is grew to be 6½ per cent higher than in June deputy to a man who was finance minister in 2000. This was undoubtedly helped by the the Keating government and who, on that exchange rate, particularly against the US occasion, ran around during the election dollar, which has meant that, notwithstand- campaign saying that the budget was robus- ing a slowing world economy, Australia’s tly in surplus. Mr Beazley said, ‘Let there be exports have grown. no doubt about it; we are in surplus.’ In addition, I think we can now say that one of the greatest things that could have been done for Australia’s export industry 29122 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 was to take taxes off Australian exports. That in hoping that the Australian economy would could not have been done without tax reform. turn down. But the doomsayers were proved It was the Australian Labor Party that be- wrong: the March quarter was strong, the lieved we should tax Australian exporters. If economy will strengthen in the latter part of the Australian Labor Party were still in of- 2001 and Australia will be one of the fastest fice, Australia’s farmers and other exporters growing developed nations in the world into would be paying taxes on their exports to 2002, which will be good news for Austra- compete against others internationally who lians and good news for job creation next export into the world tax free. year. This was a policy of Labor to export jobs. Goods and Services Tax: Access When we turned around and changed the Economics Report taxation system, who opposed it? The Aus- Mr CREAN (2.18 p.m.)—My question is tralian Labor Party. They never gave Austra- again to the Prime Minister, and it refers to lia’s export industries a go. Undoubtedly, the another answer he gave earlier today in rise in Australia’s exports also had a lot to do quoting the report by Access Economics. with making our waterfront more efficient. Prime Minister, is this the same report that Once you could get continuity of supply says that ‘the GST tax base will gradually across Australia’s waterfront and continuity fall as the share of total consumer spending’ of supply in relation to exports, Australian because of the ‘exclusion of health services’? exporters were given a much better show on Prime Minister, why didn’t you mention that international markets. in your answer? Isn’t it because you want to I was also asked about the state of the put the GST on health services or to raise the economy. I can report to the House that over GST rate—it is just that you will not tell the last week there have been not only good anyone until after the next election? trade figures but also significant pick-ups in Mr HOWARD—I did not mention that, other areas of the economy. Building ap- but I also did not mention that the GST tax provals rose strongly ahead of the GST and base will benefit from the exclusion of edu- fell away sharply thereafter and in July cational services—the growth in which will showed another increase of three per cent be held back by stagnant numbers of age over June, which was an increase of 24.7 per groups in which most education occurs. The cent over May. Retail trade for the month of reality is that this report—and I am delighted June showed a solid increase of 1.1 per cent that you have asked me a question about it; it in real terms, no doubt fed by lower income allows me to table it—is not good news and taxes paid by ordinary Australian families not good reading for the Australian Labor now having the opportunity to spend more. Party. This report demonstrates that the La- The ANZ job ads, which were released to- bor Party was tying itself to a steadily di- day, showed that the number of job ads in- minishing sales tax base. creased two per cent in July. This is fed back into business and consumer sentiment, both I hear the Leader of the Opposition and recording strong rises in May, June and the Deputy Leader of the Opposition saying, July—indicative of an economy which is ‘Let’s have a debate about tax.’ And I say strengthening over the second part of 2001. amen to that! By all means, let us have a de- As reported by, I think, the NAB survey, the bate about tax. But, if you are going to have Australian economy, in the second part of a comprehensive debate about tax, you have 2001 and into 2002, is expected to be the to be reminded what Labor stands for. Labor fastest growing economy amongst the na- stands for a sales tax. Labor voted against the GST. Labor stood month after month in this tions of the developed world. chamber and in the Senate and voted to de- I think that will give pleasure to nearly all fend the wholesale sales tax system. Inci- Australians who believe that there should be dentally, according to this report—which the a stronger Australian economy and that we Deputy Leader of the Opposition thinks is should help exporters. Unfortunately, there good news—the sales tax base was some are some Australians who took great delight 24.5 per cent of total consumer spending in Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29123

1975, it has now declined to 18.4 per cent, As members would be aware, there is a and it is projected by Access Economics to very significant industrial dispute going on have declined to 14.4 per cent of consumer right now in the motor industry, which has spending by 2030. resulted in the stand-down of 12,000 work- What the Labor Party were really saying ers. I am afraid that this is a foretaste of what was that, in government, they would con- would happen under a Beazley government. tinue to rely on a wholesale sales tax base Last year the Leader of the Opposition said that was falling in the face of an ageing that Labor would permit industry wide population and a rise in demand for services. strikes. Under any regime which permits The only result of that, in the absence of a industry wide strikes, the level of industrial GST, was that you would have to increase disputation would return to the bad old days income tax. Every road the Labor Party take of the 1970s when Australia was an interna- leads back to higher income taxes under a tional bad joke for industrial disputation. Labor government. Every single path they I have also been asked about protection of point out, every single road they take, leads entitlements. Let me make it very clear that to the fact that the election of a Labor gov- this government believes that loss of entitle- ernment means higher income taxes. They ments is a disaster for the people concerned, defend an indirect tax base that was declin- and that is why this government has put in ing and they attack one that is rising because place a safety net scheme to protect workers’ it is based on a growing economy. They ar- entitlements. Let me put this matter in con- gue that income tax is not too high. They text. In any one year, just one-half of one per promise to spend more money, to maintain cent of businesses will go bankrupt and just the surplus and to guarantee the state. In the one-tenth of one per cent of employees will face of all of that, there is only one thing in face a possible loss of entitlements. The gov- government you could possibly do, and that ernment’s position is that entitlements should is to put up income tax. I table the Access be paid, preferably by the employer who Economics report. owes that entitlement to the worker. But, in Worplace Relations: Disputes and the event of a business ceasing to trade and Workers’ Entitlements being unable to pay workers’ entitlements, this government has put a safety net scheme Mrs DRAPER (2.23 p.m.)—My question in place to help. Let me make it very clear is to the Minister for Employment, Work- that this is the first government in Australia’s place Relations and Small Business. Would history to put such a scheme in place. No the minister inform the House of the latest state Labor government has ever put a industrial dispute figures? Have this gov- scheme in place. The former federal Labor ernment’s policies helped to create a harmo- government put no scheme in place, even nious and productive workplace environment though they presided over some monumental and to safeguard workers’ entitlements? Are bankruptcies: the Tricontinental collapse, the there any alternative policies in this area? Qintex collapse, the Bond Corporation col- Mr ABBOTT—I thank the member for lapse, and the Pyramid Building Society Makin for her question about disputation in collapse. Throughout 13 years of Labor gov- the workplace and protection of employee ernment, there was no government scheme to entitlements. I am pleased to tell the House protect employee entitlements. I have to say that, in the 12 months to April this year, only of this government’s scheme that it does not 49 working days were lost per 1,000 em- encourage people to ramp up their entitle- ployees. I am pleased to say that this is the ments, but most of all it is a scheme which lowest number of days lost since this series does not cost jobs—unlike the alternatives on was first kept in 1982. On other measures, offer. the level of industrial disputation is the low- Labor’s basic scheme, a 0.1 per cent levy est since records were first kept, back in on all payrolls in the country, could cost up 1913. to 5,000 jobs. Labor’s deluxe scheme, the Manusafe scheme, could cost up to 10,000 29124 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 jobs in the motor industry alone. So far this ments. This is not about workers’ entitle- government has paid out $9 million under its ments; it is about union power. It is about a entitlements scheme to 4,500 workers who union controlled fund designed to increase have lost entitlements. These workers would union power. have received double that amount if the Let it be very clear what the issue is here. states had paid their fair share under the gov- This government supports workers’ entitle- ernment’s scheme. If members opposite were ments. Members opposite support union really concerned about workers’ entitle- power. This government is opposed to this ments, if they really wanted to do the right strike against the national interest. Members thing by workers rather than simply make opposite do support the strike at Tristar. political points and grandstand, they would Members opposite support industrial action get on the phone to the state premiers and which has currently caused 12,000 workers say, ‘Don’t wait. Do it now—join the federal to be stood down. That is what members op- government’s scheme.’ posite support. They support workers being Workplace Relations: Workers’ forced to stand down. Let me make this Entitlements clear: there is no legislation in the world that Mr BEAZLEY (2.28 p.m.)—My question can prevent union bloody-mindedness. But is also to the Minister for Employment, this government will always oppose that kind Workplace Relations and Small Business. of behaviour; it will never pander to it, and it Minister, can you explain why the workers at will never make excuses for it like members Tristar Steering and Suspension are not able opposite do. to access the same government scheme that Taxation: Government Policy allowed the employees of National Textiles Mr PEARCE (2.31 p.m.)—My question to recover 100 per cent of their legal entitle- is addressed to the Treasurer. Would the ments? Isn’t it the case that the dispute at Treasurer please advise the House if Austra- Tristar is a direct result of your failure to lians should pay more tax. guarantee 100 per cent of employees’ legally accrued entitlements? Minister, why is it in- Mr COSTELLO—It is an honour to take dustrial treason for the workers at Tristar to a question from the new member for Aston. exercise their lawful rights under your in- His predecessor was held in very high es- dustrial relations system to get the same out- teem in this House. We congratulate the new come, should their company go broke, as member on his election and we hope he has a your government provided to Stan Howard’s very successful political career. This gov- company at taxpayers’ expense? ernment believes that for ordinary hard- working decent Australians the income tax Mr ABBOTT—There is a fundamental rate should be kept as low as possible. That difference between the workers at Tristar and is one of the reasons why this government the workers that the Leader of the Opposition cut income taxes on 1 July of last year. We has referred to. cut $12 billion from Australia’s income Opposition members interjecting— taxes. For people on average earnings—and Mr SPEAKER—The same courtesy as I there would be a lot of them, I think, in the expect to be extended to the Leader of the Aston electorate—that means that, instead of Opposition will be extended to the minister. having Labor’s top marginal rate of 43c in the dollar, under the coalition they face a top Mr ABBOTT—Tristar is a going con- marginal rate of only 30c in the dollar. That cern; Tristar is a perfectly good company. is 13c in the dollar off that top marginal rate Tristar is a company that wants to work and for the average income earner. is being prevented from working because of the actions of the people supported by the Indeed, after you take into account the Leader of the Opposition. Let me make it abolition of wholesale sales tax and the abo- very clear: this industrial action at Tristar is lition of bed tax and their replacement with not about workers’ entitlements. The com- GST, along with the reductions in personal pany has offered to protect workers’ entitle- income tax, the cuts in petrol excise, par- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29125 ticularly for transport, the increase in family Let me tell you why the Labor Party are tax payment A and family tax payment B, now in so much trouble on tax: because for the net reduction in the overall tax liability the last four years they have been conducting for Australians on 1 July last year was one of the lowest, most populist campaigns around $6 billion—$6 billion that was re- imaginable, trying to pretend to the Austra- turned to the people of Australia. lian people that the Australian people could Unfortunately, I must tell the member for have decent social services, whilst opposing Aston that there are some people in this a GST and supporting a wholesale sales House who think that Australians should be tax—a wholesale sales tax which all of the paying higher taxes. As hard as it is to be- developed world has now given up. The La- lieve, there are people who do not believe in bor Party would have you believe that, along keeping income taxes low for struggling with Swaziland, Australia could be the only middle income families in Australia. The country that had a narrow indirect tax base. member for Aston will recall being out at the If we are to have a narrow indirect tax base, Knox shopping centre two days before the the corollary of that is that we must reweight Aston by-election, when there was an inter- tax out of the indirect tax base to where? view with Mr Neil Mitchell of 3AW, who There is only one place other than indirect asked the Leader of the Opposition this taxes: direct taxes. question: That was also the statement that the ... are they— Leader of the Opposition made on the eve of and he meant Australians— the by-election in Aston. He said, ‘I believe we should reweight out of indirect tax into paying too much income tax? direct tax.’ Roll-back of GST means rolling Mr Beazley said: up your income tax. That means reweighting No I don’t believe so and I will say that with out of indirect tax into direct tax. That is just some vigour. to fund the roll backwards of GST. It is the So he has finally got vigorous about some- only political party in the developed world thing. He is vigorous about the fact that that wants to roll back out of a broad based Australians do not pay too much income tax. indirect tax to a narrow based indirect tax We have heard him be expansive in the past, system. The consequence of that alone is to and we have heard him be prolix, but now he roll up income tax. But, when you add into it has got vigorous about the fact that people funding noodle nation and all sorts of other are not paying too much income tax. Of promises that the Labor Party has put out course, if he had his way, they would be there, it comes back to one proposition, as paying a lot more income tax. That is what the Leader of the Opposition said with some we know. vigour: Australians do not pay too much in- come tax. He thinks they should pay more. The interesting thing about this vigorous statement on the eve of the Aston by-election This is the reason why ‘roll-backwards’ was that it was in the wake of a policy can never be released. When roll-backwards which, halfway into question time, we have was first announced, roll-backwards was not heard mentioned yet. It was in the wake going to cover everything. We were going to of the noodle nation. The Leader of the Op- roll backwards right out of a GST and right position during the Aston by-election was over to the wholesale sales tax. Roll- going to take the high road of, ‘What we backwards has now become the policy which need is a noodle nation: more spending paid dare not speak its name. We cannot be told for by more income tax.’ He lasted all of where we are going to roll backwards. We about an hour because, after this little deba- cannot be told how much we are going to roll cle on 3AW, remember, he called the press backwards. It disappears by the minute, be- back in and said, no, that was not going to be cause we know that the further you roll his policy at all. He is presumably going to backwards the more you roll up those in- fund noodle nation from some other proceeds come taxes. This is a political party which which are yet to be discovered. has turned its face on modernity; it has 29126 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 turned its face on practice right throughout Workplace Relations: Workers’ the developed world. It has one spectacle and Entitlements one spectacle only for Australia: higher taxes Mr PYNE (2.41 p.m.)—My question is on capital, higher taxes on business, fewer addressed to the Minister for Employment, jobs and higher income taxes. We on this Workplace Relations and Small Business. side of the House believe that ordinary, Would the minister inform the House of the hardworking, average Australians ought to government’s position on the current dispute have lower income taxes, they should get to in the car industry? What are the conse- keep more of what they earn, they should quences of the dispute at Tristar for workers decide where they want to spend it and they in the motor vehicle industry, and are there should not be funding all of these fantasies of any alternative positions? a socialist ALP government. Mr ABBOTT—I thank the member for Employee Entitlements Support Scheme Sturt for his question. I can understand his Mr BEVIS (2.39 p.m.)—My question is concerns because many of his constituents addressed to the Minister for Employment, are currently stood down as a result of the Workplace Relations and Small Business. strike action at Tristar. Let me make it very Minister, do you recall saying on the Insiders clear what the government’s position is. We program yesterday: believe that this is a strike against the na- If the States join our scheme, it would provide tional interest and that it should end as soon people with on average up to 70 per cent of their as possible. Mr Speaker, 12,000 workers entitlements in the event of a company going have already been stood down as a result of under and not being able to pay them. this strike, and thousands more will be stood If this is so, what has happened to the down this week if this strike does not end. scheme which allowed workers at National Today the government will seek leave to Textiles to recover 100 per cent of their enti- intervene in the Industrial Relations Com- tlements when it went broke? Doesn’t it exist mission in support of a return to work order any more? Minister, haven’t you now ad- if the commission suspends or terminates the mitted, at last, that the Stan Howard-National bargaining period. We will intervene in this Textiles payout was the one and only opera- dispute because the 12,000 stood down tion of this stand-alone scheme and, contrary workers have a right to work. They should to your answer to the last question, the not have their right to work taken away by a scheme has not been made available to any political strike engineered by an ultramilitant workers in any other company that has be- union at a strategic company. come insolvent? The positions of this government and the Mr ABBOTT—The fundamental differ- opposition are very clear. This government ence between the matter that the member for opposes the strike at Tristar; the opposition Brisbane raises and other matters is that the supports the strike at Tristar. But there are state Labor government was prepared to be some understandable reasons why that would involved. That is the fundamental difference. be the case. To start with, last year the The only situation of loss of employee enti- AMWU, the union that has pulled on this tlements that any state government has been strike, donated no less than $680,000 to the prepared to be involved in was the National Australian Labor Party. Not only that; a few Textiles matter. I repeat: workers would re- weeks ago Doug Cameron, the leader of this ceive a much greater share of any entitle- strike, promised a half a million dollar mar- ments owing to them if the state Labor gov- ginal seats campaign in support of the Leader ernments would get involved. I urge the of the Opposition. Not only that; the Metal member for Brisbane, if he is really con- Workers Union has the largest or second cerned about this, to get on the phone to Bob largest block vote inside the Australian La- Carr and tell him to support other situations. bor Party, and the Metal Workers Union’s That is what Labor members should do: get key Victorian activist, the man who controls on the phone to their state colleagues and tell the largest block vote inside the Labor Party them to back the government’s scheme. in Victoria, is someone who believes that the Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29127 best way to talk to small business is to open scheme is not at all about protecting worker their front door with a crowbar. Just for once, entitlements; it is about confiscating the members opposite should put the national working capital of the businesses of Austra- interest ahead of the union interest. The lia. It certainly will not be supported by this Leader of the Opposition should run his own government, and it should not be supported party rather than let the unions do it for him, by members opposite. because there is one thing that the Australian Trade: Export Performance people are starting to realise: if you are not allowed to govern your own party, you Mr BAIRD (2.47 p.m.)—My question is should never be allowed to govern the coun- addressed to the Minister for Trade. Given Australia’s outstanding trade performance for try. the month of June and for the past financial Workplace Relations: Workers’ year, would the minister inform the House Entitlements why Australian exporters have been so suc- Mr BEVIS (2.44 p.m.)—My question is cessful and what the government has done to addressed to the Minister for Employment, help that performance? Workplace Relations and Small Business. Mr VAILE—I thank the honourable Minister, do you recall yesterday urging that member for Cook for his question. Obvi- no compromise in the Tristar dispute should ously, with his background of working in be reached, saying ‘I think the only outcome this field, he takes a great deal of interest in worth having is a backdown by the Metal how Australia’s trade performance and our Workers Union.’ Isn’t it a fact that, in the last export performance have improved dramati- 48 hours, both the employers and the unions cally over the years. Mr Speaker, did you involved have made concessions in an at- know that the Australian waterfront is now tempt to reach a compromise that will re- more than 40 per cent more efficient than it solve the current dispute? Minister, if both was when Keating, Beazley and Crean were the employers and the unions are willing to running this country? That is an undeniable compromise, how can you justify your pro- fact. More and more exporters are telling me vocative comments that have only inflamed as I travel around that that is one of the the situation? Didn’t your provocative stand structural changes that have taken place in cause two other companies to withdraw their this country that have certainly enhanced offers that would have secured their workers’ their businesses and made them more effi- legal entitlements? cient and much more competitive in the in- Mr ABBOTT—Let us make it extremely ternational marketplace. clear: this strike has been started by the Last week the figures for June and, in- Metal Workers Union. The government did deed, for the 2000-01 financial year were not start this strike. The company did not released. The trade surplus in June stood at start this strike. This strike has been started $537 million—the fourth in the first half of by the Metal Workers Union. It is as simple this year. The trade surplus in the year as that. The only party to this dispute that has 2000-01 stands at $707 million, the first an- completely refused to compromise is the nual trade surplus since 1996-97. But more Metal Workers Union. The Metal Workers interesting than that is the fact that that is Union has completely refused to compromise two annual trade surpluses that we have pro- on its absolute insistence on the so-called duced since coming into office in 1996. La- Manusafe scheme, even though the bor managed just one trade surplus in 13 Manusafe scheme is not a scheme to protect years in office; we have produced two in worker entitlements; it is not about protect- almost six years. The one that Labor pro- ing existing entitlements; it is about creating duced in their 13 years in office was when new entitlements. What is more, the Labor mugged the economy with interest Manusafe scheme, if it were to come to frui- rates up around 20 per cent, drove consump- tion, would not just be about 1.5 per cent of tion down and, of course, ‘allowed’ trade payroll; it would be about 19 per cent of pay- export to exist. At that time it was not about roll. That is what it is about. The Manusafe increasing exports, it was not about making 29128 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 the economy more efficient and it was not secure their legally accrued entitlements was about making our exporters more competi- ‘treason’. Minister, if workers taking lawful tive in the international marketplace; it was action for a few days, in accordance with about mugging the economy with high inter- your laws, to secure their legally accrued est rates. entitlements is treason, how would you de- The question was: what has contributed to scribe the actions by G & K O’Connor create this circumstance of a trade surplus? It meatworks in Pakenham, Victoria, who has been increased exports. In the last finan- locked out their employees for nine months cial year, $153 billion worth of goods and in an attempt to cut their wages by up to 17½ services were exported out of Australia. Of per cent? Why is it that there was not one course, fundamental to that and to the com- word of criticism made by you, the Prime petitive nature of our export industries has Minister or any member of your government been workplace relations reform, particularly about the actions of that employer in that on the waterfront. I was in Dubbo last week dispute? Isn’t this just another example of in the electorate of the member for Parkes. A the government’s bias and double standards? member of the processing industry there in- Mr ABBOTT—The fundamental differ- dicated to me that, yes, the economic re- ence between the government and the oppo- forms, the taxation reform, removing $3½ sition on this is that the government supports billion off the back of exporters, have been workers’ rights and the opposition supports fantastic reforms for Australian exporters. union rights. That is the fundamental differ- But he said, ‘The thing that has made my ence. We support the workers of this coun- business much, much more competitive is try. Members opposite just support the un- the fact that we changed the workplace rela- ions of this country. Let me make it very tions, particularly on the waterfront and in clear that the dispute at Tristar is not about the workplace.’ legally accrued entitlements; it is about cre- All those reforms at every inch of the way ating new entitlements. It is about putting have been opposed by the Australian Labor money into a fund—a union controlled Party. The Australian Labor Party have been fund—before that money has legally become opposed to improving the structure of the an entitlement of the workers in question. Australian economy; they have been opposed Mr Bevis—Mr Speaker, I raise a point of to taxation reform where we have removed order. My question was actually comparing $3½ billion worth of cost burden off the back the actions of the workers in Tristar with that of Australian exporters; and they have been at G & K O’Connor. It was not about the opposed to the reduction in the level of pub- entitlements scheme, which was the subject lic sector indebtedness that has certainly of my earlier questions. The minister has got helped improve the circumstance and has the opportunity now to say whether he sup- certainly improved the interest rate regime in ports that nine-month lockout or not. Australia. So we have made a much more Mr SPEAKER—The Minister for Em- competitive environment, a much more effi- ployment, Workplace Relations and Small cient environment, within Australia so that Business was asked a question about a com- we can compete better in the international ment he had made relative to the Tristar dis- marketplace—and Australia’s exporters are pute and its relevance to other disputes. I taking great advantage of that environment, deem him to be in order, and call him. which has been created by the coalition gov- ernment. Mr ABBOTT—Mr Speaker, as you say, the question was about actions going on at Workplace Relations: Workers’ the moment inside the motor industry. Let Entitlements me make it very clear what the distinction Mr BEVIS (2.51 p.m.)—Again my ques- between this government and that opposition tion is addressed to the Minister for Em- is. While Labor’s mates, while the friends of ployment, Workplace Relations and Small members opposite, are trying to drive a com- Business. Minister, I refer to your comments pany out of business and trying to drive an that action taken by the workers at Tristar to industry to its knees, this government, this Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29129

Prime Minister, went to Japan to negotiate 15 per cent. Then he said no, he did not. the arrangement which will secure this in- Then there was Senator Conroy—who has dustry’s future. We are about the future of the these fits of honesty—who said he was a 15 motor industry in this country. They are just per cent man. Lastly, we saw the opposition on about driving companies out of business leader finally admit that because the ACTU in support of their union mates. wants 15 per cent the Labor Party in gov- Small Business: Workers’ Entitlements ernment will give workers a 15 per cent su- perannuation guarantee. Then the Leader of Mr McARTHUR (2.55 p.m.)—My ques- the Opposition wants to use the superannua- tion is addressed to the Minister for Small tion guarantee as a discretionary tool to fund Business. Would the minister inform the his ill-considered workers’ entitlements House of the impact on small businesses of scheme. Small business has a lot to fear from the proposed changes to the protection of a Labor government. The shadow opposition workers’ entitlements? spokesman on employment admits that this Mr IAN MACFARLANE—I thank the current strike over Manusafe is hurting the member for Corangamite for his question. I car industry but she still continues to support have spoken to small businesses in the the union. Labor always puts the unions’ Corangamite electorate and I know from that interest ahead of that of Australia and ahead visit that the member is a very staunch sup- of that of small business. porter of small business in those areas. Job Network: Placements Members of the House would be aware of a proposal by the Australian Manufacturing Ms KERNOT (2.58 p.m.)—My question Workers Union to impose a 1.5 per cent pay- is to the Minister for Employment, Work- roll levy on the manufacturers to allegedly place Relations and Small Business. Minis- protect workers’ entitlements. Outside the ter, I refer you to yesterday’s Age newspaper, immediate and damaging impact which the which reported that your department has proposal will have on the automotive indus- asked the DPP to consider charges against try, the scheme has significant impact poten- five people working in the Job Network and tial on the 86,000 small businesses in manu- that three cases of fraud are currently before facturing in Australia. Ninety-three per cent the courts. Minister, didn’t you already know of businesses involved in manufacturing are this when the department said disingenu- small businesses, and the AMWU’s proposal ously in its report into Leonie Green: will impose a significant burden on those … in the course of the Enquiry various practices small businesses by pinching their capital used by Job Network members— and putting in place a scheme controlled by that is plural, members— the unions. have come to attention. The Australian Industry Group indicates Minister, which Job Network providers do that it is estimated that the Manusafe scheme the individuals referred to the DPP work for, could cost up to 19.5 per cent extra for the which Job Network providers are currently wages bills of companies involved. A 19 per before the courts, and why didn’t you tell the cent increase in the wages bill will cost jobs full truth in the report into Leonie Green and and it will cost businesses. We know that this Associates? scheme will only spread to other businesses and we know that Australian businesses have Mr Ross Cameron—Mr Speaker, I rise plenty to fear from a Beazley led, union on a point of order. I believe that the question dominated government because we know infringes the sub judice principle and the that in that scenario what the union wants is natural rights of those before the courts. what the union gets. Ms Kernot interjecting— We saw a situation the other day where Mr SPEAKER—I remind the member the unions wanted an increase in the super- for Dickson that the question is being ad- annuation guarantee. Firstly, the Deputy dressed to the Speaker. Leader of the Opposition said he supported 29130 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Mr Ross Cameron—Mr Speaker, I be- Dr KEMP—I know that the member for lieve that the question offends the sub judice Eden-Monaro has a very great interest in that principle and the rights of those currently school. In fact, he visited it recently and pre- before the courts. sented a new Australian flag there. Doubt- Mr SPEAKER—The member for Par- less, while he was there, the school would ramatta will have noted that I hesitated to have expressed its concern over its entitle- recognise the minister because there is some ment to establishment grants. The October validity in his point of order. However, it will entitlement of the school, of some $17,750 in be the answer that needs to be monitored, not establishment grants, has now been put at the question. risk by the actions of the Labor Party in the Senate. Lumen Christi Catholic College is Mr ABBOTT—I make two points here. one of 54 new schools, generally low-fee First of all, it is the government’s view that if schools, whose budgets have been flung into anyone has broken the law, appropriate ac- uncertainty by the actions of the Australian tion should be taken against them. That is Labor Party. It is one of 54 schools, includ- our view; it always will be our view. That is ing the Bentleigh Chabad Jewish Day the first point. The second point that I make School, the Nykina Mangala Indigenous is that, notwithstanding this action, the gov- Community School and the Coast Christian ernment totally supports the Job Network. It School, to which the government has an ob- is a great scheme, and the people behind it ligation to pay establishment grants in Octo- are some of the greatest institutions in our ber. Unfortunately, the government will not country. Unlike the government, which sup- be in a position to make these payments of ports the Job Network, Labor wants to close establishment grants to these schools because it down and it snipes at the Job Network at the Labor Party voted down in the Senate the every opportunity. legislation which provides the resources for Mr Beazley—Mr Speaker, I raise a point these schools. The Labor Party split the leg- of order. It was an explicit set of questions to islation in the Senate. It knows that once the ascertain who it was who was under investi- Senate splits legislation from the House of gation— Representatives, that legislation is dead; it Mr SPEAKER—I have been informed never returns to the House of Representa- that the minister has concluded his answer. tives. Education: Funding for Non-Government None of those schools will be paid unless Schools the Labor Party backs down in its attitude to Mr NAIRN (3.02 p.m.)—My question is that legislation. What the Labor Party is now addressed to the Minister for Education, about is attacking schools across the breadth Training and Youth Affairs. of the non-government sector. It claims that it wants to reduce funding for wealthy Mr McMullan interjecting— schools. In fact, as we know, it is going to Mr SPEAKER—I remind the Manager of cut the funding for some 30 boarding schools Opposition Business of standing order 55. that are important to remote and rural Aus- Mr NAIRN—Will the minister inform the tralia. But now it is attacking the funding for House of the entitlement to Commonwealth low-fee, new schools right across this coun- funding of Lumen Christi Catholic College try. Every one of the two million parents of at Pambula Beach in my electorate of Eden- students at non-government schools will now Monaro? Is the minister aware of any par- be in doubt about whether their school will ticular threats to that funding? receive cuts in funding under the Labor Dr KEMP—I thank the honourable Party. We know the Labor Party’s policy on member for Eden-Monaro for his question. new schools is just part of its capitulation to the policy of the Australian Education Un- Mr Albanese interjecting— ion. The Australian Education Union—let Mr SPEAKER—The member for me be quite clear about it—said in its sub- Grayndler! The minister has the call. mission to the Senate last year that the AEU has long opposed any funding to private Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29131 schools and will continue to do so. As re- Ms KERNOT—This is a question to this cently as 26 July, Mike Pope, the AEU Tas- minister because he was in charge of Job manian President, said: Network 2. The federal government must redistribute the Government members interjecting— money that is currently going to private schools Mr SPEAKER—Order! The member for into the public sector. Dickson has the call and will address the So the whole $9 billion that is going to be question to the minister. paid to the Catholic parish schools over the next four years is now under attack by the Ms KERNOT—Minister, as you presided Australian Labor Party. The Labor Party has over the creation of Job Network 2, why did made it clear— you allow the continuation of a fee structure that encourages short-term churning of the Mr Lee interjecting— unemployed into job splitting and serial Mr SPEAKER—The member for Do- placements simply to inflate outcomes? bell! The minister has the call. Don’t you share the responsibility for these Dr KEMP—The Labor Party has made it identified rorts? clear that it is going to rewrite the formula Mr ABBOTT—The essence of the Job for non-government school funding for the Network is that we, the government, do not next quadrennium. It has made it quite clear pay under the Job Network for process; we that it is going to reintroduce a new version pay for performance. We pay for people who of its infamous new schools policy, which are placed into jobs. left many students at low-fee schools un- Ms Kernot interjecting— funded. We know it is going to cut funding to 30 boarding schools, and now in the Senate it Mr SPEAKER—Order! The member for is attacking establishment grants to new low- Dickson. fee schools. This is all because it is seeking Mr ABBOTT—That is the way the Job to compromise with the extreme policy of Network operates and that is the way it the Australian Education Union. It is not a should be. If there are any allegations of dis- party concerned with educational equity and honesty or inappropriate behaviour, let them justice in this country. It is threatening the be made and they will be investigated, as the funding to the whole of the non-government allegations in question relating to a Job Net- sector by its attitudes, and two million par- work member in Queensland have been in- ents are now being left in doubt. The Labor vestigated and dealt with. Party is desperate for money. It is going to The fundamental point is this: this gov- put up taxes, it is going to put up income ernment supports the Job Network. It be- taxes, and now we know it is going to slice lieves that the Job Network is doing a much money away from low-fee non-government better job than the old CES and it is provid- schools. ing much better value for taxpayers. What Job Network: Placements members opposite want to do is strip the Job Ms KERNOT (3.08 p.m.)—My question Network contracts away from organisations is to the Minister for Employment, Work- like the Salvation Army, Mission Employ- place Relations and Small Business. Minis- ment and Centacare. That is what members ter, are you aware that in a recent speech to opposite want to do. They want to destroy the NESA conference, your junior minister the operations of these great companies and identified changes to the Job Network to deal go back to a Canberra knows best centralised with the dishonest practices of job splitting bureaucracy. It is just not on. It shouldn’t and serial placements? Minister, given that happen and this government will never sup- you—excuse me, Prime Minister—presided port that kind of betrayal of the jobseekers of over the creation— Australia, and betrayal of the great organisa- tions that are doing their best to help. Government members interjecting— Ms Kernot interjecting— 29132 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Mr SPEAKER—Order! The member for refuse to reveal to parents the performance of Dickson is warned. their child against the national benchmarks. Education: Literacy and Numeracy In other words, they refuse to tell parents whether their children can read and write at Mrs DE-ANNE KELLY (3.10 p.m.)—My national standard levels. question is addressed to the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs. This is not entirely a surprise from the La- Would the minister inform the House of the bor state governments because the Bracks progress being made in raising literacy and government in Victoria has backed away numeracy standards among Australia’s from its national commitments on literacy schoolchildren? Is the minister aware of any and numeracy; the New South Wales state threats to the national literacy strategy? government has no state target at all for liter- acy and numeracy; and the Leader of the Dr KEMP—I thank the honourable Opposition has never once criticised any of member for Dawson for her question. When the unions boycotting literacy and numeracy this government was elected after 13 years of tests in the states. He never utters a word Labor, around 30 per cent of young Austra- when thousands of students are disadvan- lians could not read or write properly, and, taged and their parents are deprived of vital when Kim Beazley was the education min- information. ister, he did nothing about this. As he said, ‘I Since this government was elected, the felt that there was less capacity to achieve in number of Australian students not achieving this portfolio than in any other.’ the national benchmark level has halved. Mr Griffin interjecting— Year 5 data released in the week before last Mr SPEAKER—Order! The member for shows a similar trend. Year 5 reading results Bruce is warned. show that 85.6 per cent of students nationally achieved the agreed minimum national stan- Dr KEMP—That was his view about a 30 dard. This shows that our strategy is work- per cent illiteracy rate amongst young Aus- ing. The Labor Party is under enormous tralians. One of the first actions of this gov- pressure from the teacher unions to roll back ernment was to put in place a national liter- the national strategy. The states are now at- acy and numeracy strategy which requires tempting to do that and they are going to put every child in years 3, 5 and 7 to be tested pressure on the Leader of the Opposition to against nationally agreed benchmark stan- go along with them. What Australian parents dards, and that the states report publicly to now want to hear is whether Kim Beazley is parents. The Commonwealth now requires going to commit himself to the Common- the states, in return for Commonwealth wealth legislation which requires the states to funding, to commit to achieve literacy and teach every young person to read and write numeracy for every child. The legislation properly. recognises, of course, that there will be a very small number of students who will not Homelessness achieve this. Mr SWAN (3.14 p.m.)—My question is At the ministerial council meeting last addressed to the Minister for Employment, Friday week, the state Labor governments Workplace Relations and Small Business. attempted to roll back the literacy and nu- Minister, do you support the statement in the meracy strategy. They made it very clear that report of the government’s Advisory Com- they want to repeal the Commonwealth leg- mittee on Homelessness which says: islation which underpins the right of every Myths that link homelessness to personal flaws or young Australian to learn to read and write, bad choices must be dispelled. Homelessness is to acquire basic literacy and numeracy skills. caused by structural factors such as ... poverty and unemployment. The Labor states also voted to reject the Commonwealth proposal that they tell par- Minister, if you agree with the committee ents what their child’s performance was that government policies rather than individ- against national literacy benchmarks. They ual failings cause homelessness, what is your response to the committee’s view that a lot Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29133 more could be done to improve employment defence and are very keen to see it do well in outcomes for people experiencing homeless- the future. I am asked what the government ness? are doing to support defence. We are imple- Mr ABBOTT—I certainly accept that menting the best plan that defence has had in structural factors can cause homelessness. probably 30 or 40 years. We have given to There is no doubt about that. But there are defence a vision and a set of guidelines and also other factors that can cause homeless- real support of the sort which it never had ness. This government is trying to maximise when the Labor Party was in office. the opportunities that people have to make I am also asked whether there is a threat to the most of their lives. It is about building this. There certainly is a threat to the De- freedom and opportunities. It is certainly not fence white paper, and that threat sits across about trying to enmesh people in suffocating the chamber, on the front bench at the bar bureaucracy, which is typical of members table—the former Minister for Defence, one opposite. The best thing you can do for al- of the worst defence ministers Australia has most anyone who is suffering deprivation is ever had. One only has to mention the provide them with a job. The most compas- Collins class submarines to any audience for sionate thing that you can do for anyone who most Australians to know that. is suffering deprivation is to provide that The Leader of the Opposition has a prom- person with employment, and I am delighted ise for every audience he meets. He goes to to say that this government has created Adelaide and he promises two free new 800,000 new jobs since 1996. submarines—Kim 1 and Kim 2—which he Not only that, we have boosted the wages will launch if ever he gets in. His shadow of low paid workers. Basic award earnings minister promises a new boat just at a click have gone up by nine per cent over the last of his fingers—$80 million. The Labor Party five years after declining in real terms by in Newcastle have got the free bombing five per cent when members opposite were in range at a mere cost of $1 billion to $2 bil- government. Average award earnings have lion, supported by the Leader of the Opposi- gone up by over 10 per cent under this gov- tion. They have got the Anzac battalion— ernment. In fact, they declined by nearly 15 half a billion dollars—and then, just for good per cent in real terms when members oppo- measure, he is around Australia promising a site were in government. So this government coastguard which, when he was the minister, have done a magnificent job. We are not per- he was totally opposed to because he said it fect and there is always more that can be would not work and it would gut the Navy. done. But this government have put in place Then floating onto my desk comes another the foundations which will enable the under- example of the incoherent incompetence of privileged people of this country to make the Leader of the Opposition. This was a more of their opportunities and we have put brief discussion by him on Townsville radio. in place the kinds of services that they need He says: to make the most of their lives. We want to ensure that the government gets the Defence: White Paper balance right. Mr LINDSAY (3.17 p.m.)—My question It is great him giving us advice. And then he is addressed to the Minister for Defence. goes on that they may be proceeding on the Minister, what progress has the government equipment at the expense of members of the made in implementing the Defence white armed forces. I thought that he was now paper? What alternative policies exist to promoting the idea that we are spending too jeopardise its continuing successful imple- much money on equipment and not enough mentation? money on personnel. So I kept reading Mr REITH—I thank the member for through the transcript and I found that it is Herbert for his question. He is a great sup- not actually that—he wants to spend more porter of defence and we have a lot of mem- money on equipment. We know that, because bers on this side who know the importance of he has a list as long as your arm—the biggest blank cheque you have ever seen. 29134 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

As the Prime Minister has said, all roads Mr BEAZLEY—Thirdly, the Minister for lead back to a certain proposition. On Education, Training and Youth Affairs has Townsville radio last month Mr Beazley said said—and he has several offences here—that that he was now not talking about cutting the I am threatening the funds to Catholic defence budget at all: the Labor Party was schools and to low income private schools. going to increase it. So now we have from We are not; we support the grants that go to the Labor Party the biggest surplus, the big- those schools. We invented the system. gest spending, the promise to the states, noo- Mr SPEAKER—The Leader of the Op- dle nation, and it is going to spend more position must indicate where he has been money on defence. And, of course, he says, misrepresented, not where the party has been ‘You will be told what we are going to spend misrepresented. it on after the election.’ Mr BEAZLEY—He said that it was me. Senator Conroy gave us a glimpse. When you put all of these bits of the puzzle to- Mr SPEAKER—I interrupted the Leader gether, they add up to one extra thing: there of the Opposition only because he had made will be nothing for defence. People in de- frequent reference to the term ‘we’, unless he fence will pay more income tax. That is what thought I was in some way curtailing his they ought to be worried about. rights. Mr Howard—Mr Speaker, I ask that fur- Mr BEAZLEY—Fine. Fourthly, the ther questions be placed on the Notice Paper. minister for education also said that we have never supported skills testing. We have. PERSONAL EXPLANATIONS Mr SPEAKER—The Leader of the Op- Mr BEAZLEY (Brand—Leader of the position must refer to where he has been mis- Opposition) (3.21 p.m.)—Mr Speaker, I wish represented, not where the party had been to make a personal explanation. misrepresented. Mr SPEAKER—Does the honourable Mr BEAZLEY—I have, as well. I do not member claim to have been misrepresented? know where he is going with that particular Mr BEAZLEY—Yes, on about five sepa- proposition. I do support skills testing. Fi- rate occasions in question time. nally, the Minister for Defence, the man who Mr SPEAKER—Please proceed. has deserted his post— Mr BEAZLEY—Firstly, the Minister for Mr SPEAKER—The Leader of the Op- Small Business purported to quote me when position knows that he must come to the mis- he said that I had suggested that the superan- representation or resume his seat. nuation guarantee charge should be increased Mr BEAZLEY—He said that I would in- to 15 per cent, and that that was my intention crease defence spending, and then he left it at should I be Prime Minister. I do not know that. That is a partial quote which misleads. where he gets this from. It is rubbish. I have If you decide to create a coastguard, all ex- said no such thing. penditures associated with it, according to Secondly, on several different occasions the International Institute of Strategic Stud- the Prime Minister and the Treasurer said ies— that I intend to raise income taxes. I have Mr SPEAKER—The Leader of the Op- never said any such thing, nor did the quotes position has indicated where he has been they used indicate that I had said such a misrepresented; he cannot get into an argu- thing. It is not our intention and, indeed, we ment about that misrepresentation. The have given undertakings that we will not Leader of the Opposition will resume his raise income taxes. seat. Mr SPEAKER—The Leader of the Op- Mr CREAN (Hotham) (3.24 p.m.)—Mr position knows that he must indicate where Speaker, I wish to make a personal explana- he has been misrepresented, not enter into tion. argument. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29135

Mr SPEAKER—Does the Deputy Leader last year and assure him it is not a trick of the Opposition claim to have been misrep- question. resented? Mr SPEAKER—I will follow up the Mr CREAN—I do. matter raised as the standing orders provide. Mr SPEAKER—Please proceed. ASSENT TO BILLS Mr CREAN—The Minister for Small Mr SPEAKER—I wish to inform the Business today in question time claimed that House that on Friday, 29 June I met with His I said that we would introduce a 15 per cent Excellency the Governor-General at Gov- super guarantee levy, presumably referring to ernment House and personally presented for a report in the Australian newspaper. That is the royal assent the following bill: totally incorrect. The Australian newspaper Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2001-2002 admitted that that report was completely This is the first bill ready for presentation without foundation and printed a correction. following the swearing-in of His Excellency. QUESTIONS TO MR SPEAKER His Excellency, in the name of Her Majesty, Questions on Notice was pleased to assent to the bill, which is Mr MURPHY (3.24 p.m.)—In today’s now act No. 64 of 2001. Notice Paper question No. 2815, which PETITIONS would do justice to a Monty Python type The Clerk—Petitions have been lodged scenario— for presentation as follows and copies will be Mr SPEAKER—The member for Lowe referred to the appropriate ministers: will come to the point. He is rising under Australian Broadcasting Corporation standing order 150, I presume? To the Honourable the Speaker and the Members Mr MURPHY—Yes. It asks the Minister of the House of Representatives assembled in the for Health and Aged Care when will he an- Parliament: swer— The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws Mr SPEAKER—The member for Lowe the attention of the House to: must only indicate which question is out- (1) our strong support for our independent na- standing, and I will draw the number of that tional public broadcaster, the Australian Broad- question to the minister’s attention. casting Corporation; Mr MURPHY—That question relates to (2) the sustained political and financial pres- sures that the Howard Government has placed on my question of 22 May that I put on the No- the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), tice Paper, question No. 2546 to the Minister including: for Health and Aged Care, which asks when (a) the 1996 and 1997 Budget cuts which re- he will answer my question No. 2110— duced funding to the ABC by $66 million per Mr SPEAKER—The member for Lowe year; and will not proceed to restate the question. I will (b) its failure to fund the ABC’s transition to follow up the question that he has nominated. digital broadcasting; Mr MURPHY—Mr Speaker, all those (3) our concern about recent decisions made by questions relate to questions that I asked last the ABC Board and senior management, includ- year of the indolent Minister for Health and ing the Managing Director Jonathan Shier, which we believe may undermine the independence and Aged Care, who is a serial offender— high standards of the ABC including: Mr SPEAKER—The member for Lowe (a) the cut to funding for News and Current will resume his seat. Affairs; Questions on Notice (b) the reduction of the ABC’s in-house pro- Mr EMERSON (3.25 p.m.)—Mr Speaker, duction capacity; under standing order 150, would you write to (c) the closure of the ABC TV Science Unit; the Treasurer for the sixth time asking him to (d) the circumstances in which the decision was respond to my question No. 1290 of 3 April made not to renew the contract of Media Watch presenter Mr Paul Barry; and 29136 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(e) consideration of the Bales Report, which Whereas the 1998 Synod of the Anglican Dio- recommended the extension of the ABC’s com- cese of Melbourne carried without dissent the mercial activities in ways that may be inconsistent following Motion: with the ABC Act and the Charter; That this Synod regrets the Government’s adop- Your petitioners ask the House to: tion of procedures for certain people seeking po- (1) protect the independence of the ABC; litical asylum in Australia which exclude them from all public income support while withholding (2) ensure that the ABC receives adequate permission to work, thereby creating a group of funding; beggars dependent on the Churches and charities (3) call upon the Government to rule out its for food and the necessities of life; support for the privatisation of any part of the and calls upon the Federal government to review ABC, particularly JJJ, ABC On-line and the ABC such procedures immediately and remove all Shops; and practices which are manifestly inhumane and in (4) call upon the ABC Board and senior man- some cases in contravention of our national obli- agement to: gations as a signatory of the UN Covenant on (a) fully consult with the people of Australia Civil and Political Rights. about the future of our ABC; We therefore, the individual, undersigned Mem- (b) address the crisis in confidence felt by both bers of St Matthew’s Anglican Church, Geelong staff and the general community; and East, Victoria 3219, petition the House of Repre- sentatives in support of the abovementioned Mo- not approve any commercial activities inconsis- tion. tent with the ABC Act and Charter. And we, as in duty bound will ever pray. by Ms Corcoran (from 43 citizens) and by Mr O’Connor (from 22 citizens). by Mr Allan Morris (from six citizens). Israel: Occupation of Palestinian and Asylum Seekers: Work Rights Arab Territories To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives in Parliament as- the House of Representatives assembled in Par- sembled: liament: Whereas the 1998 Synod of the Anglican Diocese The petition of residents of the state of New of Melbourne carried without dissent the follow- South Wales draws to the attention of the House, ing Motion: Israel’s continued occupation of the 1967 Pales- That this Synod regrets the Government’s adop- tinian and Arab territories in violation of UN Se- tion of procedures for certain people seeking po- curity Council resolutions 242 and 338, Israel’s litical asylum in Australia which exclude them continued refusal to allow the dispossessed Pal- from all public income support while withholding estinian refugees to return to their homeland and permission to work, thereby creating a group of pay compensation in accordance with UN Gen- beggars dependent on the Churches and charities eral Assembly resolution 194, as well as Israel’s for food and the necessities of life; collective punishments, daily killing of innocent and calls upon the Federal government to review civilians for the last eight months, its economic such procedures immediately and remove all and military siege of the Palestinian people in the practices which are manifestly inhumane and in occupied territories, its confiscation of Palestinian some cases in contravention of our national obli- land and the building of Jewish settlements, all of gations as a signatory of the UN Covenant on which are war crimes and crimes against human- Civil and Political Rights. ity and contravene international law, UN resolu- We, therefore, the individual, undersigned Mem- tions, the Fourth Geneva Convention and the bers of the Church of Christ, Surrey Hills, Victo- Universal Declaration of Human Rights. ria 3127, petition the House of Representatives in Your petitioners therefore request the House to: support of the abovementioned Motion. . demand that Israel comply, in full, with the And we, as in duty bound will ever pray. peace process agreements it signed with the PLO, by Mr Georgiou (from 12 citizens). withdraw from the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories in accordance with UN resolution 242 Asylum Seekers: Work Rights and 338, recognise the legitimate rights of the To the President and the Members of the Senate Palestinian people, including their right of return in Parliament assembled: to their homeland in accordance with UN resolu- tion 194 and the establishment of their independ- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29137 ent Palestinian state, and exert every pressure on bourne, when Cranbourne is clearly part of the Israel to do so. Melbourne metropolitan area; . adopt measures that would help to ensure Is- . the unfairness of Telstra’s current call zones rael’s compliance with the 4th Geneva Conven- and charges being based on the 1960s telephone tion, as a High Contracting Party to the Conven- network and demography of Melbourne, with tion. Australia has a contractual obligation under dramatic changes in technology and Melbourne’s Article 1 of all four Geneva Conventions to do so. growth patterns over the subsequent three decades . condemn Israel’s crimes and expansion of being ignored; Jewish settlements in the 1967-occupied Pales- . the inequity of call zone arrangements in tinian territories and exercise pressure towards which Telstra discriminates against some citizens those ends. (Cranbourne residents) by denying local call ac- . cancel the tax-exempt status of all fund-raising cess to most of metropolitan Melbourne, when appeals in Australia for Israel and in particular the citizens more distant from Melbourne have such discriminatory Jewish National Fund of Australia access, based merely on historical chance. Inc., until such time as Israel revokes its racist Your petitioners ask the House to: laws against its non-Jewish citizens, withdraws (1) require Telstra under its Universal Service from the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories Obligations to develop equitable policies and and recognises the rights of Palestinian people. criteria to ensure it does not discriminate amongst . increase the financial assistance to the Pales- customers in similar geographic circumstances; tinian people. (2) ensure that Telstra establishes fair and eq- by Mr Ross Cameron (from 1,064 citi- uitable call zones and charging systems for cus- zens). tomers in similar geographic situations in the Melbourne metropolitan area. Defence: Chicquita Reserve by Ms Corcoran (from 408 citizens). To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in Par- Centrelink: South Melbourne Branch liament: To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of This petition of certain electors of the Division of the House of Representatives assembled in Par- Isaacs draws to the attention of the House the liament: intention of the Department of Defence to sell the This petition of residents of the City of Port land in Levanto Street Mentone known as Chic- Phillip draws to the attention of the House the quita Reserve, and used for the last 25 years as Federal Government’s approval of Centrelink’s public open space, for residential subdivision. intention to close its South Melbourne branch on Your petitioners request that the House: 22/06/01, which provides customer service to suspend the proposed sale of the Chicquita Re- 17,500 people. serve pending negotiations with a view to finding We, the below signed petitioners, strongly believe some means to save the Reserve for residents’ that this branch is essential for the well being of passive recreation and scouting activities and for the local community and recognise the difficulty its environmental value; and financial cost that thousands of elderly and consult with representatives of relevant state and disadvantaged members of our community with local governments and with concerned residents limited mobility would face in having to travel to in an effort to work out appropriate funding ar- the Windsor branch of Centrelink. rangements and sources, which might include the We also note the written assurances given by the National Heritage Trust and Conservation Trust Minister for Community Services, Mr Larry An- for Nature, to purchase the Reserve if necessary. thony to the Federal Member for Melbourne by Ms Corcoran (from 481 citizens). Ports, Mr Michael Danby MP, that the branch’s customers ‘will continue to receive full customer Telstra: Call Zones and Charges service from South Melbourne Centrelink, in- To the Honourable the Speaker and the Members cluding emergency assistance when required.’ of the House of Representatives assembled in the Your petitioners therefore request the House to Parliament: provide residents of the City of Port Phillip with a The petition of certain electors in the Division of continued presence of an accessible Centrelink Isaacs draws to the attention of the House to: office within the community. . the severe costs to Cranbourne district resi- by Mr Danby (from 767 citizens). dents of STD charges on calls to most of Mel- 29138 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Insecticides: Rebate These petitioners of the Division of Shortland and To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of adjoining areas are deeply concerned at any plans the House of Representatives assembled in Par- to further privatise Telstra. liament: Further privatisation of Telstra will result in the The petition of certain canegrowers from The loss of thousands more Telstra jobs, worsening Mulgrave Central Mill Co. Ltd area and employ- services to regional and rural Australia, and the ees of The Mulgrave Central Mill Co. Ltd, Gor- loss of up to $1 billion a year for all Australians donvale, points out to the House that this petition earned from Telstra profits. is in support of a joint submission by The Mul- We believe these profits, both now and in the grave Central Mill Co. Ltd and the Mulgrave future, should be set aside to secure improved Cane Production & Productivity Board. The sub- educational opportunities for our children, in- mission details the extent of grub damage that has creased research and development funds for our affected the Mulgrave Mill area to the detriment scientists and doctors, and more money for rural of Canegrowers and the Mill by reducing produc- and regional Australia. tivity and causing serious financial loss. Your petitioners therefore respectfully request Your petitioners therefore request the House to that the House reject any further sale of the support a 33.3 per cent rebate off the price of the Commonwealth’s shares in Telstra and that the insecticide Confidor for application to the 2002 annual profits from Telstra be used for the benefit crop. of all Australians. by Mr Entsch (from 347 citizens). by Ms Hall (from 15 citizens). Health: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome Medicare: Bulk-Billing To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the the House of Representatives assembled in Par- House of Representatives assembled in Parlia- liament. ment. The undersigned citizens and residents of Austra- We the undersigned request that the Government lia draw to the attention of the House, the lack of take action to preserve bulkbilling and to a coherent public health policy and disability strengthen the Medicare system. services/provisions for persons impaired by My- The cessation of bulkbilling by many general algic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syn- practitioners as a direct result of government pol- drome/Fibromyalgia Syndrome and respectfully icy has caused great hardship to many local resi- request that the House legislate the following: dents on low incomes particularly the elderly and 1. Recognition that ME/CFS/FMS can be a se- those with young children. verely disabling and even life threatening illness. Your petitioners request that the House of Repre- 2. Recognition that the ME/CFS/FMS impaired sentatives introduce legislation to ensure that are genuinely disabled persons entitled to access bulkbilling is preserved and that our Medicare disability support services/benefits. system is strengthened. 3. Establishment and maintenance of a compre- by Ms Hall (from 22 citizens). hensive national register of ME/CFS/FMS pa- Health: Diabetes tients, to enable statistical evaluation of the prevalence and outcomes in the community. To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of the House of Representatives assembled in Par- 4. Commitment of National Health and Medical liament. Research Council funding for research into the physical/organic aspects of ME/CFS/FMS. This petition of certain citizens of Australia draws to the attention of the House the plan by the 5. Regulation of Government and Private Insur- Howard Government to raise $10 million by in- ance Sectors everyone ensure the fair and trans- creasing the amount paid by diabetes patients for parent assessment of ME/CFS/FMS disability blood glucose test strips, syringes, insulin pen claims. needles and urine strips. by Mr Georgiou (from 19 citizens). The undersigned believe that this move would Telstra: Privatisation unfairly punish people, who as well as managing To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the this disease, would be faced with higher prices for House of Representatives assembled in Parlia- essential diagnostic items. ment. Your petitioners therefore respectfully request the House recognise the significant financial burden Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29139 this heartless budget measure would place on application of Khin Maung Tunn, a national of people with diabetes and reject the proposal. Myanmar (Burma), currently residing at 2 Dill- by Dr Martin (from nine citizens). wynnia Grove, Heathcote, New South Wales, for the protection of the Commonwealth of Australia Sri Lanka: Ethnic Conflict as a political refugee. To the Honourable Speaker and Members of the Khin Maung Tunn was an active member of the House of Representatives assembled in Parlia- National League for Democracy in Myanmar, and ment. has continued his political activities in Australia We the citizens of Strathfield Municipal Council for the promotion of the cause of democracy in draw to the attention of the House our concern Myanmar. over the ethnic conflict currently occurring in Sri In Myanmar, he suffered both imprisonment and Lanka. professional disadvantage for his support of We ask the House to support negotiations to democratic principles. finding a political solution to the current ethnic Additionally, his family’s relationship, friendship conflict through peaceful means—a negotiated and support for the persecuted leader of the settlement that is fair, just and equitable and democratic movement in Myanmar, Daw Aung which would satisfy the political aspirations of San Suu Kyi, have drawn the intimidating atten- the Tamil people. In addition we request the tion of the military government in Myanmar. House to forward this petition directly to the Consequently, it is our belief that Khin Maung President of Sri Lanka. Tunn is in extreme and life threatening danger by Mr Murphy (from 400 citizens). should he be refused protection, and forced by the Schools Enrolment Benchmark Australian Government to return to Myanmar. Adjustment Your petitioners therefore request the House to do To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of all in its power to ensure that Khin Maung Tunn the House of Representatives assembled in Par- is provided with protection as a political refugee liament: and is allowed to reside in Australia permanently, or alternatively, that he be granted permanent The petition of certain residents of the electorate residency as an act of compassion on humanitar- of Bradfield draws to the attention of the House ian grounds. the unfortunate situation whereby the general grants from Federal Government to the States can by Mr Sciacca (from 330 citizens). be reduced, as a result of the Enrolment Bench- Nuclear Armed and Powered Vessels mark Adjustment using a proportional change in To the Speaker and Members of the House of enrolments, even though the actual enrolment Representatives assembled: numbers in a public school system may have in- creased. We, the undersigned residents of Australia ask that the House of Representatives consider the Your petitioners therefore request that the House health and welfare of the present and future resi- instruct the Minister for Education, Training and dents of this country and the environmental im- Youth Affairs, the Federal Treasurer and the pacts of possible negative impacts relating to the Minister for Finance to work together and find a visits of nuclear powered and/armed vessels into way of changing the method of calculating the Australian ports. amount to be deducted from State Government General Grants under the Enrolment Benchmark Nuclear navies are not welcome here whatever Adjustment, from one using a proportional the colour of their flags. change in school enrolments to one using a per The recent spate of accidents involving nuclear- capita basis, so that when student numbers in powered submarines should be enough to con- public schools increase there is no reduction in vince all governments that the risk to the envi- the General Grant. ronment of these floating Chernobyls is a risk we by Dr Nelson (from 241 citizens). don’t have to take. Refugees: Myanmar Accordingly, we respectfully request that the par- liament legislate to prevent all visits of nuclear To the Honourable the Speaker and Members of armed/powered vessels to Australian ports and the House of Representatives in Parliament as- waters. sembled: And your petitioners as in duty bound, will ever The petition of certain residents and/or citizens of humbly pray. Australia, draws the attention of the House to the 29140 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

by Mr Stephen Smith (from 317 citi- ment’s aged care policy on nursing home stan- zens). dards and care; and Families: Marriage Breakdown (3) calls on the Government to review its aged care policy to ensure that the wellbeing of To the Honourable the Speaker and members of nursing homes is paramount and not secondary to the House of Representatives assembled in Par- government savings. liament There is no greater challenge for government The petition of certain citizens of Australia draws the attention of the House to the unfair and ineq- today than that of ensuring adequate care and uitable gender biased administration of Family accommodation for Australians as they grow Breakdown Services, whereby Families in Break- older. It is about people and ensuring that down are provided services differently and une- older people in our community who are frail qually according to the gender of the parent. and who need special care and accommoda- These services are discriminatorily promoted and tion can receive the quality care they need. It provided as free services to mothers but unequally is about treating them with dignity, in the or not at all to fathers, thus discriminating against way that you would want your mother, fa- fathers and their children. This injustice is creat- ther, husband, wife or even yourself to be ing unnecessarily exaggerated disruptions to fam- treated. Aged care is about caring for people ily and children’s lives. Such services are (1) Domestic Violence Strategies targeting only fa- who have made enormous contributions to thers whilst ignoring Australian and world-wide our nation and who now depend on govern- social science research, supported by other family ment to ensure that they receive the care they service, crime and medical statistics that over- deserve. Unfortunately, the Howard govern- whelmingly reveals mothers are equally violent ment has failed to ensure that older people family members. (2) Family Crisis Centres that receive this care. The Prime Minister and the do not accommodate fathers with children who Minister for Aged Care have forgotten that are in similar circumstances as mothers with chil- they are talking about real people when they dren that are accommodated, and (3) restraining blame everyone else but themselves for the orders issued exparte against separating fathers as aged care crisis. The government stands con- an administrative routine, without adequate in- vestigation or reason about the fathers behaviour demned for its inaction, for placing nursing ever requiring such services. (4) Only fathers and home residents at risk, for failing to provide their children are subjected to these administra- sufficient nursing home and hospital beds for tive distortions and humiliation as in (1) (2) and people who need them, for undermining the (3) above. viability of many nursing homes because of Your petitioners therefore pray that the House its flawed funding formula and for failing to will henceforth have all aforementioned Family plan to meet the future needs of older Aus- Breakdown Services administered, according to tralians. proper statistical facts to fathers as to mothers In this House we have heard about the without fear or favour of gender, and according to poor medical attention that residents at Riv- their true family needs so as to avoid over serv- icing vexatious allegations. erside and Yagoona nursing homes received. This government’s response was appalling. by Mr Snowdon (from 134 citizens). The minister was more interested in justify- Petitions received. ing her performance and passing the buck PRIVATE MEMBERS BUSINESS than addressing the real issues. It is not good Nursing Homes: Care Standards enough, and it certainly does not equate to a government taking seriously its responsibil- Ms HALL (Shortland) (3.30 p.m.)—I ity to care—remember that word—for some move: of the most vulnerable people within our That this House: society. The government and the minister (1) condemns the Government for failing to have argued that the accreditation process ensure that residents in nursing homes receive an would ensure that all residents of nursing adequate standard of personal medical care; homes receive quality care, but this is not the (2) notes the concerns of the families of case. Most nursing homes pass the scheduled nursing home residents and workers in the aged inspections but problems still continue in care industry about the impact of the Govern- nursing homes run by unscrupulous opera- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29141 tors. The government’s commitment to vider. It places a high value on the care of its meaningful spot checks still has a question residents above all other aspects, so it is very mark over it. sad when we see this organisation being Most areas throughout Australia are expe- forced to close a quality nursing home, one riencing an enormous shortage of beds. The that has had $1.5 million invested in it in minister has detailed the number of beds that recent times. The minister, as always, blames the government has allocated to address this the closures on something else: the closures shortage. But what the minister—or, for that were outside her control; St Joseph’s is too matter, anyone in the Howard government— small; St Catherine’s is a heritage building does not tell us is how many of these beds and on three levels, which makes it expen- are actually available. In the Hunter, the area sive to operate. We hear excuse after excuse, I come from, there are currently 89 phantom but these excuses will not find nursing home nursing home beds and 460 phantom hostel beds for the 88 residents who live at St Cath- beds, and on the Central Coast of New South erine’s, nor will they help all those people in Wales there are 147 phantom nursing home the Hunter and on the Central Coast who are beds and 528 phantom hostel beds. This rep- waiting for nursing home beds. resents one bed in 10 in the Hunter and one So what has caused this crisis? If we can bed in five on the Central Coast that exist believe the minister, we could be forgiven only on paper. And on the mid-North Coast for thinking that there is no crisis. She has the figure is one bed in six. told the Australian people and the nursing I have very little sympathy for the gov- home industry that the funding for aged care ernment’s argument that it has delivered all is generous and that nursing homes should be these beds to the area I represent when every making a 12 per cent profit. But, when the day I have families telling me about the funding is looked at in detail, the problem problems they are having locating a bed for becomes obvious. I will use St Catherine’s of their mother, father, husband or wife. There Siena to illustrate the minister’s deception. are people like the lady from Swansea whom The minister has stated that St Catherine’s I saw last Thursday. Her mother is 89 years has received a 54 per cent increase in fund- old and suffers from slight dementia, but she ing over the last five years. True, but what is not a danger to herself or others, so she is the minister is not saying is that this funding not a high priority. She is very frail and dis- increase has been absorbed totally by 16 new abled. She has been assessed as needing beds, which accounts for 31 per cent; in- hostel accommodation. She has been waiting creased insurance premiums of six per cent; for six months and is also on the waiting list increased superannuation contributions of for a community care package. Her daughter three per cent; and award increases of 14 per visits every day and pays for her to get care cent. This leaves no funding for increases in in her home. Wouldn’t it be good if some of the cost of food, electricity, maintenance, those 460 phantom hostel beds existed, be- service contracts, medical supplies, linen cause then this lady would have somewhere services, cleaning products, telephones and to live? the implementation of the GST. It is little wonder that St Catherine’s of Siena has to Recently in the Hunter, Catholic aged care close its doors. announced that St Catherine’s of Siena at Waratah and St Joseph’s at Lochinvar will The government relies heavily on the close. The member for Hunter has just ex- Gray report to justify its performance in the pressed to me his great disappointment that provision of aged care. Unfortunately, whilst beds are going from Lochinvar. These clo- this review was conducted by an eminent sures are a direct result of the government person independent of government, it relies failing to adequately fund aged care facilities on government data and unreleased govern- and, from what other aged care providers in ment modelling to support its key finding. my area are telling me, they will not be the There is no independent research, so how last nursing homes to close their doors. credible and independent is this review of the Catholic aged care is a quality aged care pro- 29142 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 government’s reform program when it has member for Shortland said that the future of used the government’s data? aged care was about planning. Let me indi- A report released by Aged and Commu- cate to the House that it was the total and nity Services Australia on Friday for the Na- abject failure of planning by the previous tional Aged Care Industry Council concludes Labor government that established the base- that the aged care industry is fast reaching line for the situation that this government crisis point and that its ongoing viability is faced when it came to office in 1996. Indeed, under threat. That is a real problem for Aus- the government has significantly increased tralia. The report details the problems that the number of aged care places available for that industry is having in gaining access to older Australians. After the government capital to make necessary building improve- came to office in 1996, the Auditor- ments or to finance new beds. It also demon- General—an independent officer— found strates the government’s failure to portray that a 10,000 aged care place deficit had the real costs of nursing homes by its state- been left by the previous Labor government. ment that it costs only $68,500 to provide a In the last two approval rounds, and in the nursing home bed when, if all costs are taken 2001 approval round, more than 31,000 new into account, it costs somewhere between places have been released to in part make up $85,000 and $120,000. No wonder there is a for this deficit and to meet the need for crisis within the nursing home industry, and growth. no wonder a question hangs over its ongoing A review was taken, again independently, viability. This, in turn, has led to the closure by Professor Gregory. What he found about of facilities like St Catherine’s of Siena, the building fabric of the nursing homes in those 549 phantom beds in the Hunter and Australia at the end of the Labor rule of this 675 phantom beds on the Central Coast— Commonwealth parliament was that 13 per beds that exist on paper only. cent of nursing homes did not meet the rele- There are many other issues that threaten vant fire authority standards, 11 per cent of the viability of the nursing home industry— nursing homes did not meet the relevant and which the government has failed to rec- health authority standards, 70 per cent of ognise—such as the enormous cost of the nursing homes did not meet the relevant out- accreditation process and a number of staff come standards and 51 per cent of nursing related matters that also impact on the in- home residents were living in rooms with dustry’s ongoing viability. The government three or more beds. That was the legacy left has failed to recognise that aged care is about to this government by the previous govern- care—care for vulnerable people who de- ment—the opposition of which the honour- serve to be treated with respect and dignity. able member is a member in this place. It is Aged care is not about passing the buck, it is that legacy that this government has been not about cutting costs and it is not about attempting to address over the five years it apportioning blame; it is about planning and has been in government. ensuring that the needs of our communities Indeed, Professor Len Gray, in the two- are met. I call on the government, and in year review of aged care reforms, found that particular the minister, to sit down with all there had been improvements in building interested parties and groups— (Time ex- standards since this government came to of- pired) fice. Specifically he stated: Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl)—Is Substantial increases in the quality and quantity the motion seconded? of residential buildings was a specific objective of the reforms. The evidence indicates that consider- Ms O’Byrne—I second the motion and able progress has been made towards achieving reserve my right to speak. this objective. Mr ANDREWS (Menzies) (3.40 p.m.)— Professor Gray also found that the new ar- Health and wellbeing of all Australians, in rangements introduced by this government particular the elderly, is a central concern of generated sufficient income to enable the this government. In her closing remarks, the industry to meet its capital requirements, and Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29143 the system is now sustainable well into the homes and aged care facilities that have been future. Indeed, extensive rebuilding, up- built and there are many hundreds of new grading and refurbishment work has been beds. I am sure that members, if they are undertaken. In the past two years, $1.4 bil- frank about the matter, can speak about that lion across Australia has been committed by right throughout this area. the industry to capital building works, and 12 The other issue that the honourable mem- per cent of all aged care homes in Australia ber failed to mention when talking about the have been either newly built or completely situation in the Hunter was the high and in- rebuilt. creasing workers compensation costs which, There has been a steady decline in the in effect, have been imposed by the Labor number of residents per room since October government in New South Wales. One would 1996, when there were 1.6 residents per have thought that, if she were truly making a room. This has fallen in 3½ years to 1.5 resi- fair representation of the situation, she would dents per room. In 1994, Professor Gregory have admitted to those high and increasing found that, under the Labor Party, some 51 workers compensation costs in the state of per cent of residents were living in rooms New South Wales and would be calling upon with three or more people. Now, fewer than the Labor government in New South Wales 22 per cent of residents are living in rooms to do its part in relation to these matters. with three or more beds, and this number is Certification in this area has provided the steadily declining. first ever audit of the building quality of all In 1995-96, the former Labor government aged care homes. We hear about problems spent $2.5 billion on residential aged care. that arise from time to time with certain aged The outlay in the 2000-01 financial year is care facilities in this country. But we have a expected to be $3.9 billion. If you look at the better situation now—not that any of us want projections into the future—and we are the problems to arise—where there is certifica- first to admit that we have a lot further to go, tion, monitoring and checks and we can have that we came from a very poor base left to us some assurance of the quality in these nurs- by the Labor Party—you will see that there ing homes. The situation that prevailed prior will be an increase from some $4.2 billion to to this government—when the party of the $6 billion in 2001-02, an increase of some 41 honourable member opposite was in gov- per cent. So the moves and the measures ernment; when it was occupying this side of taken by the government have been substan- the House—was that we did not have those tial. checks, we did not have that system of ac- Referring to the Hunter region, which the creditation, we did not have that monitoring honourable member represents, the total and we did not know what the standard was number of new operational beds commenced in relation to many of these homes. or scheduled to commence by 31 December The accreditation agency and the depart- this year is 461; the total number of new ment have the power to visit aged care aged care homes commenced or scheduled to homes and conduct spot checks. In fact, commence by the end of this year in the more than 643 spot checks have occurred so Hunter region is five, which will account for far this calendar year. As at 1 June 2001, a an additional 163 residential aged care total of 1,320 spot checks had been con- places; and seven extensions to existing aged ducted and some 3,000 accreditation sites care homes have commenced or are sched- audited. Professor Gray’s overall conclusion uled to commence by the end of this year, was that reforms have resulted in substantial which involves an extra 298 residential aged improvements to the aged care system. His care places. So in the Hunter region alone, assessment of this government’s perform- which the honourable speaks about in part of ance was clearly a distinction. He said: her remarks, there is an expected increase in It is my conclusion, on completion of the Review, actual beds in aged care facilities on the that the reforms have delivered substantial im- ground of some 461 beds. In my own elec- provements to the aged care system. The fine- torate there have been numerous new nursing tuning undertaken to smooth the implementation 29144 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 of the reforms and address unanticipated anoma- provide a safe aged care framework for older lies has been largely successful. Australians. I would like to speak about That is all part of a situation in the context of some of the comments made by the member the budgeting ability of this government. As for Menzies. He said that aged care was now was pointed out in question time today, when sustainable. I suppose he probably does not we came to office there was not only a defi- realise the situation in Tasmania, where the cit in the Commonwealth budget, in terms of coalescence or funding equalisation—or the 1995-96 budget when we came to power, whatever the government chooses to call it but also a $96 billion Commonwealth debt, on any given day—actually results in a less- $80 billion of which—or most of it—had ening of the funding to aged care facilities. been run up while the current Leader of the Many facilities are now trying to decide Opposition, Mr Beazley, was the Minister for whether or not they can remain open. That is Finance in the Hawke and Keating govern- not a sustainable industry, from my perspec- ments. tive. We did not start from a level playing field, The member for Menzies also gave assur- and we will have paid back by the end of this ances with respect to aged care standards and financial year something like $60 billion. told us how we can believe in them. But time That is important because that frees up inter- and time again we hear horror stories est which is now available to provide for emerging from our nation’s aged care facili- health care, aged care homes, education, po- ties. Many of these facilities are good pro- lice forces and all the social services that the viders, particularly the ones in my region for people in Australia want. But I do not hear which I have the utmost respect. They are anything from the honourable member in struggling to do the best that they can under terms of the base of income in this place. She immense pressure from this government, is part of a party that says, ‘We’ll roll back which refuses to acknowledge the true state the GST. We’ll roll back the revenue and of the aged care industry. somehow, magically, we are going to find The fact that we have a far greater demand more money for aged care facilities, amongst for aged care than is currently available other things.’ should not have come as a surprise to any We have a growing and ageing popula- government. Australia, in common with tion. In 1998, 2.3 million Australians were other developed nations, is ageing. This phe- over 65 years—12 per cent of the population. nomenon is predicted to continue well into That is estimated to be five million by the next century. The member for Menzies 2030—something like 19 per cent of the referred to the ABS projections, which indi- population. This government recognise that cated that, while the percentage of the popu- there is more to be done in this area. But I lation over 65 in 1997 was 12 per cent—and would say to the people of Australia that, he gave the figures for 2031—the figure will having recognised the problem, having rec- actually reach something like 25 per cent by ognised the legacy, having recognised the the time we get to 2051. inadequate system that the Labor Party left Tasmania is second only to South Austra- us in 1996, we have made substantial im- lia in having the highest proportion of citi- provements which have enabled us to pro- zens over the age of 65. In terms of future vide thousands of more places and to put growth rates, Australia is expected to experi- billions of more dollars into aged care. We ence a higher than average increase in aged have more to do and we will go further. This population over the 1995-2005 period com- motion does not recognise that at all. We will pared with the rest of the Western world. build upon those results. This is information we have known about for Ms O’BYRNE (Bass) (3.50 p.m.)—I rise some time, yet the government continues to to support the motion moved by my friend stick its head in the sand when it comes to and colleague the member for Shortland and the needs of our ageing population. These are join with her in calling for this House to people who have fought wars, raised fami- condemn the government for its failure to lies, contributed immeasurably to our society Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29145 and paid a lifetime of taxes, but still the gov- single extra high care bed in the 2000-01 ernment continues to insult them through the allocation round. That means that frail, eld- incompetent and, I believe, uncaring Minis- erly Australians are waiting. They are wait- ter for Aged Care. ing in hospital beds; they are waiting at Families who are faced with the prospect home, unable to look after themselves; they of having an elderly relative in a nursing are waiting in inappropriate services and not home must be able to feel confident that their receiving the care they need to be safe and loved one is receiving the highest possible well. They are just waiting. While the Min- level of care, that their wellbeing and dignity ister for Aged Care wastes time blaming the are respected, and that they have the same states for this terrible problem, frail Austra- quality of life that the rest of us in the com- lians will continue to wait. And it is just not munity expect. With the current inadequacy good enough. of care subsidies, families cannot be sure that At June 2000, the northern Tasmanian their relatives will receive even those basic aged care planning region had a shortage of standards. I regularly speak with staff in the 139 residential aged care beds, but in the excellent aged care facilities in my electorate 2000-01 allocation round northern Tasmania who are heartbroken because they simply do was granted only an additional 94 low care not have the time and the resources that they beds. These beds are not even going to come need to provide the level of care that they not on line until 2003-04. only want to provide but know they need to I want to mention that the honourable provide. member for Dunkley will be speaking next in I recently met with a group of aged care this debate. I know that he is particularly providers, and in one short meeting they concerned about phantom beds in his elec- raised over 13 issues which were of extreme torate, with Lestlin Nominees, a Queensland concern. They included a long list of con- company, having received an allocation of cerns about the accreditation system, heavy 140 beds in 1999, and yet not one of those workloads, impossibility of paperwork, beds is operational. I believe that the member documentation driving funding, wage parity, for Dunkley has even undertaken a search for and lack of recognition of nurses’ skills. One a location where an aged care facility could issue that really concerned those at the finally be constructed. It appears that the meeting was the acuity of residents. Resi- member for Dunkley appreciates the unac- dents can come into a nursing home with an ceptable impact of the current Liberal gov- acuity comparable with that of patients in a ernment’s aged care policies, and I hope he medical ward of a hospital. What is of criti- supports this motion. cal concern is that these facilities will some- Mr BILLSON (Dunkley) (3.55 p.m.)— times have a ratio of one registered nurse to That was a wonderful, kind introduction some 90 residents in his or her care. This is from the member for Bass, and I thank her an outrageous situation and not what any of for drawing attention to my assiduous and us would expect for someone we care about. tireless work in representing my Waiting lists are an issue that is often constituency. The point that the member for brought up in my electorate, and I share the Bass missed, and the point that my colleague concerns of the member for Shortland. It highlighted, is that when the coalition seems that practically everyone I speak with government were elected, the Auditor- has a relative or knows of someone on a General identified a 10,000 bed shortfall and waiting list for an aged care bed. In 1997-98, a half billion dollar shortfall in capital 12 per cent of people waiting for high care funding left to us by the former Labor beds in northern Tasmania waited over three government. The best the member for Bass months for that bed. This year, that figure can do is complain about the 30,000-plus has blown out to 25 per cent. One quarter of beds that we have brought onstream since we the people waiting for essential care services were elected and the fact that these are waiting for over three months. Despite multimillion dollar facilities require this, northern Tasmania was not granted a considerable work to have them available and to a standard that provides for the dignity 29146 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 dignity and the proper care of residents. They ment? They have been AWOL—absent are not simply hospital beds, which is an- without leadership. They had no idea how to other point of confusion the member for Bass fix the horrendous problem they left us with. has identified. These are people’s homes. If The Gregory report, a report the former La- someone is assessed as needing this sort of bor government commissioned, identified a accommodation, there is an obligation on all half billion dollar shortfall in capital funding, of us to play a constructive role and make and what did the Labor government do in sure that that level of care is there. their final years? They cut capital funding by I am glad the member for Bass highlighted 75 per cent. That shows the sincerity with the work I am undertaking at a local level. which the Labor Party addresses these issues, We have been able to convince the various and that is probably why we have two re- state and federal planning authorities that cently elected members of the Labor Party there is an urgent need for additional beds on talking about this subject: it is really helpful the Mornington Peninsula. Again, the mem- to stand up and seem sincere when you have ber for Bass’s criticism is that we have actu- got zero corporate knowledge about where ally been successful in attracting more than we have come from. That is the only expla- 400 new residential aged care beds to the nation that could be attributed to those earlier Mornington Peninsula region. These are sub- speakers. They must have no idea of the stantial facilities and, again, I thank the mess that was left to this government by the member for Bass for her kind praise and for former Labor government in the area of aged drawing people’s attention to the work I have care, and that is why they are here talking so been doing to assist with the early availabil- sanctimoniously about aged care. ity of those beds. There is a considerable The member for Bass talks about the acute need for aged care beds, and that is why the nature of the care needs of people going into government has made more than 30,000 ad- nursing homes. This highlights another con- ditional aged care beds available since it was fusion in the Labor Party. If they need hos- elected—to make up for the 10,000 shortfall pital care, Member for Bass, put them in a left to it, plus the growing population that my hospital. But again that highlights a problem colleague Mr Andrews was speaking of ear- that the aged care community is facing as lier. successive Labor state governments around The good news—and this is something this country churn people through hospitals: that the member for Bass might not be aware as soon as there is half a chance to get them of—is that, in the most recent allocation of out of there, they whip them out and dump beds, the region that I represent is getting them on the aged care industry. The member additional beds, again recognising the need for Bass should go and talk to providers of a growing population and the fact that the faced with having to accommodate people Mornington Peninsula is highly regarded as a coming out of hospital at such a rapid rate retirement destination. People choose to re- and who might need care for only a few tire in our area, and in some cases that re- days, when that is not the appropriate care tirement takes the form of residential aged they need. You should jump to your feet and care. In addition, we have the RSL Park fa- apologise for those disgraceful remarks you cility in Frankston—and I am surprised the made before. member for Bass did not talk about it, but I Ms O’Byrne—I rise on a point of order will come back to that in a moment. on relevance, Mr Deputy Speaker. This is not We find in today’s Newcastle Herald what in any way reflecting the aged care crisis and this is really all about. The federal member the people who need— for Shortland, Jill Hall, is just chasing head- Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl)— lines; nothing more than headlines. Where There is no point of order. Resume your seat. have the Labor Party been while we have had Mr BILLSON—The member for Bass hard work to do to clean up the mess left tries to not learn more about the aged care behind in the aged care sector from 13 years industry by burning up the time that is avail- of neglect from the former Labor govern- able to me. Let me again highlight another Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29147 point that the Labor Party have a problem and by the mid-1980s real prices had in- with: they run around the country saying that creased by over 30 per cent. An ad valorem they are concerned about the quality of aged tariff of 35 per cent was introduced in 1988. care. But, when some action is taken to en- At the same time, an antidumping duty was sure that the quality of aged care services put in place on imported juice. At this time, a available to residents is enforced, what do floor price of $1,640 was being realised. they do? They run around saying, ‘Gee, this In the early nineties, valencia production is all too hard. How can you be so cruel?’ in Australia was almost 500,000 tonnes. In They did that: the Labor Party did that in line with the federal government’s focus on Dunkley when the RSL war veterans park microeconomic reform and commitment to was identified as needing some additional the World Trade Organisation, tariff protec- assistance. In Riverside, when its problems tion was reduced, with the tariff for orange were identified years ago, they did nothing. juice being reduced by the former Labor They are a hypocritical bunch. (Time ex- government from 35 per cent in 1988 to five pired) per cent in July 1996. Assistance to the in- Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Nehl)— dustry had fallen from 22 per cent in the late Order! The time allotted for this debate has 1980s to four per cent in 1994-95. From expired. The debate is adjourned and the re- 1990 to 1995, imports of orange juice in- sumption of the debate will be made an order creased slowly, from 5,000 tonnes in 1990 to of the day for the next sitting. approximately 12,000 tonnes in 1995. The Citrus Industry year 1996 saw the immediate impact of the reduction in tariffs, with a 50 per cent in- Mrs HULL (Riverina) (4.01 p.m.)—I crease in imported juice in one year to over move: 18,000 tonnes—the equivalent of almost That this House: 240,000 tonnes of fresh fruit. (1) acknowledges the financial difficulties My Riverina growers and the growers of being experienced by certain sectors of the citrus Riverland and Sunraysia, et cetera, re- industry; sponded to the decreasing prices and the in- (2) recognises in particular those difficulties creased competition by undertaking a mas- being experienced by the arid zone regions of sive valencia tree pull in the mid-1990s. southern Australia in the Riverina, Murray Valley and Riverland in particular reference to oranges; They diversified to plant navels and in some cases other crops, such as grapes. A 1995 (3) commends orange growers for their benchmarking study identified that Austra- willingness to engage in structural reform moving away from valencias for the juice concentrate lian citrus growers were among the best in markets towards markets for fresh fruit; the world in relation to on-farm efficiencies. This study supported the general belief (4) commends the industry for its huge effort in the export of navel oranges; and throughout the industry that the problems of being competitive with imported products (5) calls for financial and export enhance- lay with other factors, including government ment assistance to this significant industry in the arid zones of rural Australia. imposed costs and regulations, rather than with grower inefficiency. The citrus industry has around 3,000 growers across Australia and 94 per cent of produc- Australian real farm gate prices fell from tion is undertaken in the Riverland, the around $350 per tonne in 1984 to around Murray Valley, the Riverina and South Bur- $100 per tonne in 1996, when the former nett. In August 1996, the exemption from Labor government left office, with the cost sales tax for fruit juice products which con- of production increasing from around $260 tained 25 per cent or more of local product per tonne in 1996 to around $425 per tonne was converted to a sales tax concession. The in 1999. This government has assisted by exemption increased demand for domestic putting in place labelling laws. However, the produce over imported produce. Prior to the requirements in relation to labelling are not introduction of the sales tax concession, local necessarily being complied with in the mar- orange juice production was relatively low ketplace, nor does the Australian citrus in- 29148 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 dustry believe that the laws are strong Mr Tim Fischer—And the member for enough to further assist consumers to easily Farrer. identify real Australian made products incor- Mrs HULL—and by the member for Far- porating Australian fruit growth. In 1986, the rer, receiving almost $2,500 per tonne. In- case was successfully proved that Brazil was stead, they are receiving anywhere from $90 in fact dumping fruit in Australia. This en- a tonne for their valencias. Recently, I liaised tailed undertaking extensive research, which with Carmen Formosa, who is working with proved that Brazil was selling frozen con- the industry. She was able to provide me centrate orange juice at a price lower than the with a great update on the progress of the cost of production. Since that time, Brazil rural partnership program, PowerPACT, in has altered its pricing structure and linked relation to the current citrus industry crisis. the price of FCOJ to the world price. Carmen has indicated that 150 local farmers My Riverina growers and the growers in have enrolled in the business plan and 114— the electorate of the member for Mallee, or 76 per cent of them—are citrus growers. John Forrest, have undergone massive This represents 18 per cent of the total num- change and restructure. They have pulled ber of growers in the citrus industry in the hundreds of thousands of trees, changed va- Riverina. This demonstrates both the dy- rieties and gone into other horticulture such namic and the desperate nature of the citrus as grapes and vegetables. To demonstrate, industry. currently 20 per cent of our citrus is ex- Growers understand that they need to re- ported, 30 per cent is packed for the domes- structure their properties, as they are not cur- tic fresh fruit market and 47 per cent is proc- rently viable, but they do need some assis- essed. In 1990, five per cent of fruit in Aus- tance to do this. Many growers have now put tralia was exported, 35 per cent was packed together their business plans through the for the domestic market and 60 per cent was program, which is essential for growers who processed. The member for Mallee has sup- need to determine a future path for their ported the citrus industry over the many farms and their families to meet the changing years that he has been in this parliament. industry situations. These growers have It is now a fact that, due to the reduction demonstrated their commitment to the in- in tariffs by the former Labor government, dustry and their willingness to restructure imports of processed orange juice have in- their farms, diversify and find new markets. creased by almost 100 per cent over the last This highlights the need for some assistance five years, and we have more requests pend- for growers who are normally reluctant to ing. A large number of growers have already participate in such programs. Carmen has left the industry, with a majority of the re- said: maining growers now on the verge of finan- Though keen to become involved in the program cial ruin and bankruptcy. A high percentage and take charge of their future the growers I have of these growers rely solely on Centrelink spoken to have highlighted the following poten- parenting family payments to purchase eve- tial failings of the program, ryday living requirements. Debt levels in 1. Insufficient redevelopment incentive for many of these circumstances exceed three those in a dire financial situation times the grower’s gross income. The present With 10 years in crisis the growers that remain in indications are that growers on average will the industry are in levels of debt that will not al- endure a loss of almost $1,500 per tonne this low them to borrow further to expand. Current year, based on growers realising an average prices will not allow them to fund redevelopment price of $150 per tonne. on farm with earnings. Also, supermarket chains are using their Therefore growers have identified that the 25% market power to abuse the system. It is inter- subsidy for redevelopment is not sufficient as esting to note that the average retail price of they will be unable to raise enough capital to cover the other 75% of the cost. Without further oranges at present should equate to my Riv- assistance they will remain trapped by the un- erina growers, and those growers represented profitable plantings on their farms. by the member for Mallee— Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29149

It is suggested that we increase the grants to 50% pathway to survive within Australia. (Time of the cost of redevelopment to a maximum of expired) $30,000 for citrus growers. Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jen- And provide an additional 100 grants of 100% of kins)—Is the motion seconded? the cost of removing citrus up to $1250ha to a maximum of $12,500 per farm. Mr Forrest—I second the motion and re- It should also be recognised that there is insuffi- serve my right to speak. cient assistance for those growers wishing to Mr ADAMS (Lyons) (4.11 p.m.)—The leave the farming for this region. member for Riverina made a reasonable There is a definite need for some type of assis- speech on her motion in relation to the citrus tance package to aid growers out of the industry industry and the people in her electorate— and into jobs or businesses in town. until she got to the end of it and had to blame I recognise that Farm Family restart under the the Labor Party for the problem. This motion AAA package is available however the grant is shows that there is a need to do a lot more in subject to assets test and farmers and their part- the Australian agricultural industry to make ners may have up to $100,000 in net assets to us competitive while also providing a decent qualify for the maximum grant. income to our farmers. I should point out that No grant is payable if net assets exceed $167,500. we do not have a very thriving citrus industry There must be some way that we can tailor this in Tasmania, although we do grow quite a great program to reflect the fact that there are few lemons and I have contributed to their varying values around Australia for land and that growth. what may be a fair sum for some geographical The citrus industry is facing a tough pe- areas will equate to next to nothing in other areas. Therefore discriminating between farmers and riod across Australia at the moment and it is producers. time to start looking at a complete restructure of that industry. However, I do not believe On 2 April 2001 I stood in this House to the way to go is the way that the dairy in- speak about the crisis that my Riverina citrus dustry has been deregulated. That has been growers are facing. It was in a grievance de- an unmitigated disaster for the farmers con- bate, and I genuinely felt for the plight of cerned. The funds were badly targeted and these proud producers of the citrus industry there is still no proper industry plan to allow in this position. The citrus industry is one of growth to occur. Now farmers are fighting a the largest horticultural industries in Austra- rearguard action. In many cases, those that lia, with an estimated gross value of produc- have survived are now being swallowed up tion of $392 million and exports of around by New Zealand companies which are col- $138 million. It is the largest fresh fruit ex- lecting Australian companies as souvenirs in porting industry, and Australia is the largest their play to control milk production and citrus producing country in the Southern marketing. Australian farmers will become Hemisphere after Brazil. The citrus industry poor cousins to those in that land of the long is an important contributor to the Australian white cloud where there are plentiful udders. economy and it is critical to the economy of the Riverina and to the electorate of Mallee. Nationally, the citrus industry is one of the largest horticultural industries, accounting The industry now seeks immediate sup- for 20 per cent of the total value of horticul- port and action from the government. Until tural production. Citrus production occurs on the change to navels realises benefits to 32,000 hectares of irrigated land, of which growers in the mid to late years of this dec- 7,400 hectares are in South Australia. In ade and new markets are opened where large 1997-98 production was 688 kilotons, fol- quantities of fruit can be exported, this in- lowed by a ‘light’ crop of 560 kilotons in dustry faces a very bleak future. This very 1998-99. Australia produces on average bleak future was put in place by a former about 0.8 per cent of the world’s citrus pro- Labor government and it has withdrawn from duction. According to the Australian Bureau this industry their lifeblood, their support, of Statistics, gross value of Australian citrus their every opportunity to foster and forge a production in 1995-96 was $312 million. 29150 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Nearly 80 per cent of Australian citrus pro- pasta—and should make up the basis of our duction comes from the irrigated areas in diets, and things that are high in fat, sugar South Australia known as the Riverland, in and salt we should take in in minimal Victoria-New South Wales known as the amounts. Sunraysia, and in the Murrumbidgee Irriga- The citrus industry should be marketing tion Area. The Central Burnett region of the goodness of its product to Australians as Queensland, centred on Gayndah and Mun- one of the prime health foods. Perhaps we dubbera, accounts for the majority of the should reinvent programs like the school remaining 20 per cent. Smaller areas of pro- milk program but substitute fruit for milk. To duction are located in the Central Coast re- make it more attractive to young ones, some gion of New South Wales and the south-west future downstream processing will have to be of Western Australia. considered. A product that can be either This is a very important industry and peeled easily or peeled for packaging should needs proper attention, so my feeling is that be produced so that the product is easer to the Australian citrus industry should start eat. Work needs to be done as part of re- taking charge of its own destiny. It should structuring to see how these sorts of uses for come up with a plan to rescue oranges from the fruit can be best presented. As the grow- the doldrums and make them the food of the ers themselves have recognised: future—perhaps MacOranges, so that every- ... profitability of citrus enterprises is currently one who goes anywhere near a Mac- limited by lack of economy of scale and by the anything-else will be besieged with Ma- ability to consistently produce fruit of a quality cOrange messages: what a funky food it is, suitable for fresh export. what it can do for your health and various Audited approved supplier programs used by other messages. Get Thorpy to endorse or- growers will greatly assist the future supply of anges as the next Olympic food—and, I quality fruit. Marketers competing for market might add, not just oranges; there are lem- share at the expense of returns to growers, have a ons, grapefruit, red grapefruit, tangelos, negative effect on grower returns. The current mandarins, limes, cumquats and probably a arrangements for marketing fruit to the USA have few more that are being crossed and devel- provided an excellent exception to the normal export marketing performance. oped. Get Kylie into promoting limes and lemons as the new drink. The colours of The arrangements involve “Riversun Pty Ltd” (a summer are in these fruits— orange, lime, cooperative marketing venture) supplying a single distributor in the USA, DNE World Fruit Sales. bright yellow—and yet somehow they are Exports have risen from a negligible amount five not the selected ‘tasty’ that kids buy at the years ago to approximately 30,000 tonnes or 1.66 tuckshop. Why not? Because they are not million cartons in 1999. seen as being ‘cool’. Artificial colours and The larger returns to growers have enabled them flavours seem to be more appealing. We see to adopt better management practices and quality kids choose the colours in clothes and lol- management systems. This will also enable them lies—why not in a healthier product? to in future change to new varieties and root- While Australia is going through the stocks and to use improved production techniques ‘green untouched by human hand’ bit, we which will improve Australia’s competitiveness seem to be ignoring those health foods that on international markets. National collaborative research and development programs on variety are really natural and helpful in keeping evaluation, control of rind disorders and quality healthy bodies in our young ones. There is specifications will assist future competitiveness. not enough being done in the sickness pre- Market access has been negotiated for mandarins vention area: all the pushes are for products to Japan and is being negotiated for citrus to In- that deal with symptoms of sickness rather dia. than positive endorsement of wellness and health. Fruit and vegetables should be eaten The citrus industry also needs to take a keen in considerable quantities with a few of the interest in the water debate under way other food groups, such as protein—meats throughout all the states. Where the industry and fish—and carbohydrates—grains and thrives most also coincides with areas that have experienced drought, and they will need Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29151 some assistance in overcoming these barri- cial city of Mildura has grown and on which ers—and that should be in these consulta- it relies for substantial employment and for tions with the states. Water is going to be the support of all the other services it uses—a limiting factor in many of our agricultural major issue. industries, and citrus is no exception. So cit- In response to the member for Lyons, I rus growers would be best served by ensur- would like to say that all those other prod- ing that their voice is heard in the debate ucts—the tangelos, the mandarins—are go- over the availability of water resources. ing really well. The industry has responded I believe that this motion has been useful and grown the products the world is asking in highlighting the opportunities and chal- for. That has been done. The member for lenges in a traditional industry. Now is the Riverina is really saying here that there is a time for growers to come up with a package problem with oranges. The sad fact is that in for themselves and to seek government as- equivalent fresh tonnage the concentrate that sistance in facilitating a change in direction. is coming from Brazil today is the size of the If some of the smaller growers need to exit Australian orange industry—300,000 tonnes then arrangements should be made and the of fresh oranges. That is what 28,000 tonnes rest should be encouraged to start developing of concentrate represents. It is enormous in new and diverse areas. They have a great competition. The only future this industry product, and now is the time to show how has, sadly, is its export activity. It has done good it is to the rest of the world—just as this well, and the member for Lyons has Tasmanian apple growers have done over the made reference to some very good cases with last 30 years. I support the motion. Riversun in South Australia. My growers Mr FORREST (Mallee) (4.20 p.m.)—I now rely on that single-desk opportunity to am delighted to be here to support the motion get their crop into the United States, particu- by the member for Riverina. The first point larly California and places like that—albeit of the motion asks that the House acknowl- that they get a three-month window to edge the financial difficulties being experi- achieve that. It is very costly to the industry, enced by certain sectors of the citrus indus- but thankfully the returns have been gener- try. I am very grateful to the member for Ly- ous. ons for his positive remarks and affirmation But that is only probably 10 per cent of that this industry is suffering dire financial their crop. They still have the other 90 per circumstances. He has called for restructur- cent. That costs an enormous amount to grow ing, and he is right. But I ask the House to in the first place. Some of my growers tell recognise the enormous effort that this in- me that it costs them more to pick that crop dustry has undertaken in the last eight or nine than their return for it. Sadly, many have years. There has been enormous restructuring made the decision to leave it on the tree, of an industry with too much reliance on va- which is not healthy for the long-term future lencia varieties and which has been unable to of the industry. It saps the trees’ capacity to compete with that particular variety coming grow a good crop in the future. It is a prob- into Australia as frozen concentrate from lem that is going around in circles. Brazil. The industry ought to be commended I am here in the chamber to support my for the effort it has put into that. growers. I am immensely proud of their I think what the member for Riverina is achievement and their capacity to respond to asking for—and I will support her in this—is the real world. We asked them to do that. We some greater recognition from the govern- asked them not to focus on the domestic ment, from this place, to assist this industry market; the opportunity was in exporting, further. It is an icon industry to the arid zone and we asked them to go for it. I was grateful regions of southern Australia. The member that the previous Labor government back in for Riverina has mentioned those regions, as 1996 for once did something that I could has the member for Lyons. It is a principal commend them for. industry in my electorate of Mallee, a princi- Opposition members interjecting— pal industry on which the prosperous provin- 29152 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Mr FORREST—Do something right and Consultative Committee, and the department you will get a positive from me. They were of workplace relations. A study is being done able to produce a market diversification pro- into the citrus industry in New South Wales. gram which resulted in the spending of $9 Mrs Hull interjecting— million in market development and quality assurance, producing product that the market Mr HORNE—This is the whole point: at was really wanting and moving away from least let us get the result of that study—and it the reliance on valencias. is being supported by government at both state and federal level—so we know what we With all the money that was spent in the are doing is right. They are looking at far potential markets of Taiwan, Korea and In- more diverse things than simply supporting dia, none of those markets have subsequently the valencia juice industry. They are looking manifested. That is the tragedy for the in- at alternative species, they are looking at dustry that has worked so hard, so I would alternative markets and they are looking at ask for the government’s support. We under- the value adding and the high value market stand there is a reference via the government for fresh fruit. for a Productivity Commission study. Give this industry its day in court. Give it an op- I think there comes a time when we have portunity to say it had tariff adjustment to say: if we cannot compete at the low end foisted upon it, cold turkey, to compete with of the market then really that is probably a an aggressive competitor, Brazil. Give this part of the market we do not want to compete industry its opportunity to state its case. See in. We are surely better to compete at the what comes out of a Productivity Commis- high end of any market, because that is the sion finding and respond to that to give an sort of thing that Australia is doing most industry—3,000 families across the southern successfully. Because we have an image region of Australia—some hope that this overseas of clean and green primary produc- parliament cares about their financial cir- tion, that is the area where we can export cumstances. (Time expired) successfully. This is a concept that people on the government side often have difficulty in Mr HORNE (Paterson) (4.25 p.m.)—As a accepting. They think that we should at all representative from a rural and regional times be competing at all levels. If we cannot electorate, I am always pleased to rise to compete, let us accept that that is not the support any initiative to assist rural and re- market we want to be in. Let us get the re- gional residents. I was delighted to hear a sults of this report. If we can grow other spe- member from Tasmania supporting the citrus cies of citrus where we are growing valencia industry, because we all know there is not a trees and market the fruit at a more valuable lot of citrus in Tasmania. But that is the La- price, perhaps that is the best way to go. bor Party. The Labor Party does support hon- est initiatives. I was delighted to hear the This study will be looking at citrus being member for Mallee saying that Labor initia- an alternative to cotton growing. Why? Be- tives in 1996 were good. They are the sorts cause an acre of citrus does not need as much of things that we are proud of. When I had a water as an acre of cotton, and the return is look at this today I thought, ‘Yes, that sounds greater. If water is a scarce commodity for like something that a member might propose agriculture in our arid western regions, let us immediately prior to an election,’ but I am start picking the crops that have less demand going to give her the benefit of the doubt: I for water. I would think that sort of thing know that the citrus industry is very impor- would make sense. Let us maximise the tant to her part of the world. value of our primary production by being smart, not by wanting to do something that I would also point out that in the state we have done for the last 50 years. Because parliament on 5 June the state Minister for grandfather did it this way does not mean it Agriculture in New South Wales announced is the best way to go. Australian agriculture a study into the citrus industry. As a matter has shown that it is very successful at that of fact, the federal parliament is also in- sort of thing—innovation, value adding, volved in this through the ACC, the Area finding niche markets and capitalising on Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29153 that. That is why I commend Richard Amery, sations play a vital role in the fabric of our the state minister in New South Wales, for society. I am talking about the organisations having this inquiry. I look forward to his that our kids play at, that help people in trou- report, and I look forward to the future of a ble in our local area and that run our sporting new citrus industry in Australia. clubs. What they are faced with under the Mr ZAHRA (McMillan) (4.30 p.m.)— new tax system is confusion, uncertainty and When we are talking about matters to do in some cases the real threat of closure. with rural and regional Australia, it is Why has this tax system caused this type important that we do not limit our debate to of chaos? It is causing chaos because it is one particular industry. In the context of complicated, ambiguous and in some cases today’s discussion, it is important not to downright destructive. Take, for example, focus only on citrus, although that is the the average sporting group in my electorate focus of the motion that the honourable of Stirling—I have many such sporting member for Riverina has introduced into this groups. I have received many calls in my parliament, but to talk about a raft of office from sporting groups grappling to different rural industries which are incredibly come to terms with the GST. What has made important to those communities in rural and it so hard? Firstly, the committees of these regional Australia which depend on those organisations are usually made up of volun- industries for their livelihood. teers. Volunteers, in this International Year Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Jen- of the Volunteer, are struggling and in some kins)—Order! The time allotted for the de- cases giving up due to the complexities of bate has expired. this tax system. The honorary treasurer in each of these groups is coming under in- Mr ZAHRA—That is a disappointment to creasing pressure in their voluntary role— me, Mr Deputy Speaker, and I am sure it is a pressure that is causing many of them to quit disappointment to the parliament. and to cease their contribution. They have Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER—Order! The spent the last 12 months coming to terms honourable member will resume his seat. with issues such as GST registration and The debate is adjourned and the resumption changes in the way their organisation is of the debate will be made an order of the viewed by the Australian Taxation Office. day for the next sitting. The honourable I recently hosted a BAS inquiry hearing in member for McMillan will have leave to Scarborough, in my electorate. I heard first continue speaking when the debate is re- hand from both small business operators and sumed. community groups about the absolute confu- GRIEVANCE DEBATE sion and frustration experienced over the Question proposed: everyday application of Mr Howard’s and That grievances be noted. Mr Costello’s tax system. One of the most damning statements came from a chartered Goods and Services Tax: Community accountant who spoke to the meeting about Organisations the increased pressure on sporting club Ms JANN McFARLANE (Stirling) (4.32 committees. He had been the treasurer of his p.m.)—I have a grievance. I am going to local tennis club and he spoke about how he speak today on the confusion caused by the had to resign, reluctantly, from his position introduction of the Howard government’s due to the sheer time needed to perform his goods and services tax on the backbone of voluntary role. This is a man whose account- our community sector. I speak on this topic ancy practice deals daily with small busi- with some authority: 25 years of working in nesses coming to grips with BAS and other the community sector for a number of com- GST related issues. He said that there had munity service organisations and non-profit been an enormous amount of misunder- organisations, and of being on committees of standing over what the club’s responsibilities groups ranging from playgroups to school were in relation to the GST. For example, P&Cs to adult sporting clubs. These organi- there was an argument on the club committee 29154 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 about whether they should register for the subsequently filled in, and endorsement GST or not. The accountant advised the club sought. For those of you in the House who not to, due to the huge amount of paperwork are not aware of the processes involved, I associated with compliance. He told them it will briefly outline them so they can be better would be cheaper in terms of time and re- understood. The current government has sources to simply absorb the extra costs of brought in a system of endorsing charities. the GST on the club’s maintenance and run- Previously, a non-profit organisation which ning than to have to go through the rigmarole had operated as a charity prior to the intro- of complying. Why bother when the end re- duction of the GST had self-assessed. Under sult is basically the same in terms of cost? the new system, to receive treatment as a Countless hours of work for no tangible charity they need to submit an application to benefit. be endorsed. The information for this process This tennis club was not the only organi- is in a tax office publication called Charity sation faced with this dilemma. A group of Pack. Once the application has been com- volunteers from the eastern suburbs of my pleted, it is sent to the ATO for review. In electorate run a voluntary organisation which the case of my local community group, they puts on blue light discos and dances for all received a letter from the ATO advising age groups in our local area and also them that their application had been rejected. throughout the state. Their work with at risk I will read to the House some of the text of youth through the blue light disco program is this letter: commendable. They also put on concerts and Dear Directors dance parties, free of charge, for children INCOME TAX: suffering from cancer through the CanTeen Notification of refusal of endorsement as an program. This group fundraises through sup- Income Tax Exempt Charity plying local councils with concrete slabs for We refer to your application for endorsement their footpaths. as an Income Tax Exempt Charity. The new tax system has hit this group in You are advised that ... three ways. The first is GST registration. XXX—the name of the group— This group, like many others, applied for GST registration because they thought they is not considered to be an Income Tax Exempt had to. They thought they had to because the Charity and your request for endorsement has been refused. information given to them by the government and the Australian Taxation Office during Your organisation does not fall to be consid- the GST implementation was defective. It ered to be an institution that is established and run to advance or promote a charitable purpose, as was extremely ambiguous; it was not clear. described in the Charity Pack. The following are This group found as they approached tax not considered to be charities: time that they really should not have regis- recreational and social bodies .... tered for the GST. They did not need to, and the amount of paperwork it created was pro- Further Information hibitive. They subsequently had to apply to The following publications, which are avail- deregister. The emotional toll on the com- able from our website at www.taxreform.ato. mittee caused by this was heavy. Finding gov.au, provide further information: advice through the current phone system was • CLUBPACK—helps you work out if your both time consuming and frustrating. They organisation is exempt from income tax. still have not had written notification from • CHARITYPACK—helps you work out if you the tax office that their deregistration has are a charity. actually occurred, they only have copies of Should you require any further information the the documents that they personally lodged ATO has a range of publications to assist you. with the ATO as proof of lodgment. You should contact the Tax Reform Infoline if The next dilemma was the status of their you need further assistance. treatment as a charity. They rang the tax of- The letter then goes on to outline the review fice and received the charity pack. This was rights under the legislation by giving the Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29155 standard ATO response for appeals. The Your Heart campaign, a campaign that pro- group then rang the infoline and spoke to the vided no real information to the community case officer from the ATO, but did not re- and was spectacular in its failure. Money was ceive any coherent answer on their status. wasted on glossy propaganda rather than My office then rang the case officer and constructive assistance, advice and education made inquiries on behalf of the organisation. seminars for volunteer management com- The answers given were so obscure that my mittees. office asked to talk to a supervisor. The What has this caused? It has caused con- problem with the ATO letter is that it does fusion amongst these small groups run by not provide information on the reasons for community volunteers who do not under- the rejection. It then asks the group to get stand the intricacies of this tax system. It has further information by recommending that failed to properly provide support for a vital they get a copy of the pack that they have sector of our community, a sector that pro- just read and applied with. It is effectively vides services that enhance the lives of mil- sending the group back to the pack they have lions of Australians. just used. No explanation is given. The community group I have been dis- My office then spoke to the supervisor, cussing now has a third problem. It is trying who would not provide them with the num- to gain endorsement as a deductible gift re- ber for a direct contact in Western Australia cipient under item 4.1.1 as a public benevo- so we could contact them to find out infor- lent institution. This group enjoyed this mation about the application. A promise was status under the previous tax system but now made to my office that someone from WA its status is unclear. The endorsement criteria would ring the office and talk to my staff. A are complicated and rigid. What happens to call was received from the ATO in Perth. this organisation if this endorsement is not After discussion it was agreed that informa- achieved? It will struggle to fund raise for its tion on a tax ruling for community groups, activities that are playing a constructive role and a club pack, would be sent out. When in our community. I will continue to assist asked about what training the ATO had pro- local community organisations in my elec- vided to groups like this one, the answer was torate on this issue. I will be writing to them that money had been made available to peak all to offer assistance. What I want the bodies to train groups. Investigation revealed Treasurer to do is to take action and provide that this money was limited to peak bodies. field officers and education seminars to help In my electorate of Stirling there are over avert a crisis in this sector. It needs to be 400 community groups and the vast majority done now. What does the government need of these are independent from peak bodies. to do? It needs to do more than hide behind There are over 4,000 such groups in Western glossy brochures—it needs to provide active Australia alone, so the magnitude of this support to our community organisations. problem can be seen. (Time expired). When the ATO was asked whether there Defence: Headquarters Australian were officers similar to the GST compliance Theatre officers used in the business sector for these community groups, officers that would be Mr NAIRN (Eden-Monaro) (4.42 p.m.)— available to visit and advise them, my office My grievance today is that the Australian was given the answer, ‘No.’ My office was Labor Party seems to be having two-bob told that the Internet and the infoline was each way on the location for the latest de- sufficient and that no personal support was fence project being announced, which is the available. This reveals that the government Headquarters Australian Theatre—the op- has failed its obligations in relation to the erational headquarters of Defence. This proj- community sector. It has failed to properly ect has been around for a number of years. In resource an education campaign that is sorely fact, back in 1996 the then Minister for De- needed in the community. It wasted count- fence, Ian McLachlan, was certainly giving less of millions of dollars on the Unchain consideration to this particular project. I know that there was some debate within De- 29156 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 fence and the forces as to just how this par- So I was rather concerned to see the ticular project should proceed. I remember provocation by the Labor Party in relation to speaking on a number of occasions to the this. In fact, two days before the decision minister at that time about the prospect of was announced the shadow spokesperson for this project being located in the region defence, Steve Martin, was in Newcastle, around Canberra and Queanbeyan but at the and he was asked by the Mayor of Newcastle time there was still a lot of work to be done. I whether, if a decision was made prior to an then spoke with the minister following Ian election, the Labor Party would review it. McLachlan, Mr John Moore, as this project Williamtown was one of the competing re- was further being developed and more re- gions for this particular project. In the New- cently with the current Minister for Defence, castle Herald Lord Mayor John Tate said he Peter Reith. asked him, the shadow spokesperson for de- It is a great project. It is a $150 million fence, if the ALP would review any govern- project. It will employ nearly 1,000 on an ment decision made before the election on ongoing basis. Two weeks ago the Minister the headquarters of Australian Theatre, and for Defence was in my electorate in Quean- then said: beyan to announce that this region, the He gave me an undertaking and therefore the Queanbeyan region, would be the location meeting an undertaking that he would review the for this vital project and that the Queanbeyan decision. region was chosen for a variety of reasons— That was two days before the decision was including cost effectiveness. One of the as- actually made. So he has given a guarantee pects that probably was not brought out to the Mayor of Newcastle that, if the deci- anywhere near enough was the opportunity sion does not go to Williamtown and if the to retain personnel in the defence forces. We Labor Party is elected to government, he will know in this region that people in Defence review it. When the decision was made the often are brought into Canberra for a promo- member for Paterson, who also wanted to see tion. They will be here for a period of time it go into his area near Newcastle, was and then, to be promoted further, they have quoted as saying: to be taken out of the Canberra area again to I will continue to put to my colleagues the need to another part of Australia. Then they will of- overturn this ... decision when we take govern- ten come back into Canberra yet again. They ment later this year. seem to be coming in and out. This particular So Bob Horne has certainly highlighted that project going ahead in this region will mean he will be out there making sure that the La- that there will be a greater capacity for pro- bor Party not only reviews the decision but motions within one area, which actually also actually overturns it. I know that he car- helps with retaining officers. It was the sub- ries a bit of weight around within the Labor ject of an inquiry which showed that that Party, so I am sure that he will go through aspect would be improved with further de- with that particular comment. But then the velopment of these sorts of facilities. shadow spokesperson, Steve Martin, after the I was particularly pleased that the region decision was made put out a press release was chosen for this vital project, and it was saying: announced, as I said, a couple of weeks ago Labor doesn’t oppose this decision ... by the Minister for Defence. It will mean So he did not say that Labor supported it; he something in the order of 250 jobs during the said that they did not oppose it. Given that he construction phase, which is huge, and we told the Mayor of Newcastle only two days know the flow-on effect of anything in the before that, if the decision went against building industry like that is enormous for a Newcastle, he would review it in a Labor region as well. Up to 1,000 people working government, he has chosen his words very on an ongoing basis means work for another carefully. He said, ‘Labor doesn’t oppose 3,000 or 4,000 people, and the incomes that this decision.’ He went on to say that ques- come from that and the flow-on effect as tions might be be asked about this decision. well into the community will be fantastic. So he tried to make out that he was support- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29157 ing it, because he wants to support the Labor ‘This will have a positive impact on Queanbeyan candidate in Eden-Monaro, but he chose his and Canberra, not to mention the surrounding words very carefully to leave the door open region’ ... to do a review if the Labor Party happen to He understands how this works. He is out in get into government. the real world, not like these other blokes Then we had the other nonsense. There who think that one side of the railway line is was debate about where this site is actually okay and the other side is not. John Futer, for going to be, and there has got to be a lot of the ACT and Southern New South Wales work done to choose the site now that we Branch of the Housing Industry Association, know the region in which it is going to be said the Queanbeyan building industry al- situated. There are various sites within ready contributed around $100 million a year Queanbeyan and the adjacent Yarrowlumla to the local economy. He said: shire, and there is also the possibility of a site The announcement of a single project worth $150 on Harman, which is actually in the ACT, million is tremendous news and will see the in- but it is in the ACT by the width of a railway dustry more than double in size during the con- line. There is a railway line separating Har- struction phase ... While the project is of a com- man and one of the sites that was being con- mercial nature, the benefits to the local housing industry are obvious, with demand for quality sidered within Queanbeyan for this particular housing set to increase as Army, Navy and Air- project. So we have had Steve Martin, Kim force personnel are relocated to the region. Beazley and the Labor candidate in Eden- Monaro on various occasions actually say Good stuff—they understand that it is great that if the project ended up on one side of the for the region overall, and we need to just railway line it would be good for Quean- decide on the most appropriate location. beyan, but if it happened to be on the other There are a number of sites within Quean- side of the railway line, a distance of about beyan and the Yarrowlumla shire that could 20 metres—the width of the railway line that be appropriate. There is also the site on the forms the border between the ACT and New back part of Harman, very close to the vari- South Wales—then that would not be any ous sites being considered within Quean- good for Queanbeyan. What absolute non- beyan. sense. These people are absolute turkeys. The Mayor of Queanbeyan, Frank Pan- They think if it is on one side it is okay, but gallo, who has supported it very strongly and if it happens to be just across the other side who has formed a task force within Quean- of the railway line then it is not okay. It is beyan to try and get some more investment just a nonsense. This is going to be good for into the region, understood this. He said that the whole region. the best site has to be chosen, and it does not The ACT Chief Minister is not perturbed matter where it is; as long as it is within this about it going to Queanbeyan. He knows that region it is going to be great news for it is great for the whole region: a $150 mil- Queanbeyan. It will be certainly great news lion project, 1,000 people permanently em- for Queanbeyan, which is actually going ployed, 250 people during construction—he very well. It has had record increases in de- knows it will be good. The various industries velopment applications over the last year and know it will be a great project. The executive strong growth in the real estate market, director of the Master Builders Association, which is a great sign. But this particular David Dawes, is reported as follows: project is a great project and will be deliv- ered only by a member in the coalition gov- ... the decision to locate the headquarters in ernment. (Time expired) Queanbeyan would provide a boost to the re- gional economy, both in terms of capital works Aged Care: General Practitioners and jobs. I note that the government is indicating Mr EDWARDS (Cowan) (4.52 p.m.)—I that the complex will mean an investment of up to want to deal with an issue that confronts $150 million and an ongoing workforce of up to many seniors in Australia, regardless of 1000 people. where they might reside. Once I have read a letter that I have received from an organisa- 29158 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 tion called Elderbloom Community Care On one occasion whilst a Physician for the Lo- Centres in my electorate, members in other cum Service was visiting a Resident, when re- electorates will recognise exactly what I am quested to do so by a Staff Member, he agreed to talking about. I received this letter just over a see a Resident of the retiring GP who urgently month ago. It says: needed attention. He wrote an x-ray request for a local Clinic and left. The x-ray result and the now Dear Graham even more distressed-and-in-pain Resident re- RE: LACK OF GENERAL PRACTITION- turned with a result showing displaced coccygeal ERS FOR RESIDENTS IN AGED CARE. fracture. Upon being contacted by telephone for I know you must be aware of the numerous seri- analgesia for this Resident, the Locum Service ous concerns of Aged Care Providers. I should expressed no interest in our Resident and abruptly like to draw to your attention, yet another con- terminated the conversation. The result was that cern. —for a simple analgesic we had no choice but to call an ambulance and send the Resident to Joon- Can you imagine the trauma of being old and dalup Hospital’s Emergency Department. frail and to not have the security of your own doctor to care for your needs? Our enquiries in regard to this lack of account- ability seem to indicate that there is very little For a period of eight (8) weeks this year, despite regulation — if any — on General Practitioners an extensive search, one of our Hostels was un- or Locum Services. able to find a General Practitioner for ten (10) Residents who had been left without the services We are concerned that GPs seem to have little of a doctor. liability. No Registered Nurse, for instance, would ever go off duty knowing there was no cover for One of the attending GPs who cared for five (5) the next shift. Obviously the General Practitioners Nursing Home Residents, and thirteen (13) Hostel are not self-regulated. Does anyone have any Residents, announced with only eight (8) weeks’ interest in regulating this profession? The only notice, that he was retiring. This GP was not suc- responses we have received from State and Fed- cessful in his efforts to alleviate the situation or to eral Government Departments, were to be ‘fobbed secure the services of a colleague willing to act as off’. The Departmental attitude that it is the re- his replacement in caring for his patients. sponsibility of Residents and Relatives to find a No General Practitioner — also means — no GP is totally unworkable if there is no regulation. Locum Service. Many General Practitioners dislike leaving their Our Hostels Manager and Members of Staff con- surgery and simply refuse to do so, knowing there tacted families of the affected Residents, and the is no law or Government regulation in place Residents themselves. No one was able to find a which requires them to do so. replacement GP. The Manager and her Staff lob- Residents in Hostels and Nursing Homes are bied the other attending Physicians until reluc- mostly very frail aged people. Upon entering a tantly, one accepted the Nursing Home Residents Hostel or Nursing Home, their family doctor will and those at one Hostel, leaving 10 Residents rarely continue to service the patient, citing trav- without a GP. elling costs and the ever-increasing documenta- We also contacted by telephone, every General tion requirements. Practice in the telephone book within a 15km Eventually—when a Member of our Staff took radius. This comprised some 35 Practices. No GP her father to a newly opened General Practice, would accept one new patient, as it meant leaving and informed the GP of our problem, he agreed to the surgery to visit. We contacted the GP Advi- see our Residents who were without a doctor. sory Board and the North Metropolitan Health This is a serious problem, which we see as a de- Services, both of whom placed an advertisement nial of human rights of Residents in Aged Care for a GP with no response. We contacted the Facilities, by the General Practitioners. Australian Medical Association which was sym- pathetic, but of no assistance. Our Director of Can the situation be improved in any way? Nursing personally contacted the State Health Yours sincerely Department and her call was never returned. Brian Cooper. When she contacted the Commonwealth Depart- ment, she was informed that Mr Stokes was too Brian is the chairperson of the Elderbloom busy to get back to her and recommended that she group and, in my view, they do a very good contact the State Health Department. The State job. The group includes Belgrade Park Vil- Department also, did not return her call. lage, Jacaranda Lodge, Barridale Lodge and Wanneroo Community Nursing Home. Brian Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29159 is a very well-known and well-respected lo- needs to be said that this 24-hour service cal identity and he is a person who keeps his should be helpful to doctors who provide, in finger on the pulse. I also take the opportu- this instance, say, a locum service, because it nity to congratulate the staff who work in the will vet a number of calls and it will save various care centres because I know they are doctors doing some of that work. It will free dedicated, and I know, too, that they are up other doctors who can take the next step, frustrated and angry at the general lack of which is to visit people in aged care and pro- concern and care this government has for the vide to them the service that they need with- job they are doing. out the aged person having to be relocated Kim Beazley and Jenny Macklin recently from the comfort of their bed and without the launched another ALP policy that will see us need for them to be taken by ambulance to into the next federal election, and it is called an emergency service at a hospital where Medicare After Hours. In talking about they may need to wait some time before they Medicare After Hours, both Kim Beazley get treatment. and Jenny Macklin recognised the problem I In my view, a lot of these issues can be re- am talking about and they recognised, too, solved by common sense. They can be re- that it is a fairly widespread problem. It is solved by the Commonwealth and the state one of the things that Medicare After Hours working together. They can be resolved by will assist in, because we will have a 24-hour ministers who care about their responsibili- telephone health advice line staffed by nurses ties. In this instance it is important—it is under the supervision of doctors. The Medi- crucial indeed—that we get a minister for care After Hours help line will provide im- aged care who does know about her portfolio mediate, expert medical advice, including responsibilities and who does care for the information on the most suitable treatment people who are in aged care. If we had a options, such as calling an ambulance, at- minister who did such, a lot of these prob- tending an emergency clinic, visiting a GP or lems could be resolved. It is indeed a crucial self-treatment. Kim Beazley went on to say: issue and one that the government needs to Medicare After Hours will demonstrate the bene- turn its attention to. (Time expired) fits of the Commonwealth and State working to- Rural and Regional Australia: Regional gether. It will enable Commonwealth funded GPs Solutions Program to work in partnership with Emergency Depart- ment staff funded by the States. Roads: Deer Park Bypass Kim Beazley and Jenny Macklin also went Mr RONALDSON (Ballarat) (5.02 on to note that other services that will be p.m.)—This will probably be the last time integrated with the proposed service are: that I speak in a grievance debate, so it is with a note of sadness that I do so today, but Improved arrangements for nursing homes and aged care hostels to access medical assistance I want to speak about a number of issues in after hours. A significant number of emergency the 10 minutes available to me. First, I ex- admissions involve transfers from nursing homes press some very real concerns on behalf of where medical assistance cannot be obtained for a my constituents in relation to the plans of the resident suffering difficulty during the night. Of- Australian Labor Party for the Regional So- ten these people would be better off treated in lutions Program— their own bed without the stress of being moved. Mr Kerr—You’re wasting your last 10 That is a very important point to note and it minutes. is one that I am pleased has been picked up Mr RONALDSON—That is a very inter- in this Medicare After Hours policy. I am esting comment from the member because, sure that if such a policy is implemented it coming from a regional area, he should know will lead to a better service being extended to better than to attack the Regional Solutions those in aged care, because it will enable Program. I am a bit surprised, given Tasma- people first of all to contact someone who is nia’s problems, particularly under a state medically trained—for example, a nurse Labor government, that he would attack from who, under the supervision of a doctor, will the table the Regional Solutions Program. give people the first contact that they need. It 29160 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

The honourable member is as aware as I am in the past have made it extraordinarily diffi- that in the 13 years of his government abso- cult for regional and rural communities to lutely nothing was done for regional Austra- maximise their own advantages that I re- lia. As soon as we do something, such as put ferred to before. in this innovative Regional Solutions Pro- This is a fantastic program. I am yet to gram, the first thing the Labor Party does is hear from the Labor Party that it will con- attack it. Why the member for Denison tinue it. The community of Haddon, I can would want to attack the Regional Solutions assure you, Mr Deputy Speaker Andrews, 10 Program really is a matter of great surprise to days ago were very happy when, with the me. Whether it is with a measure of guilt for Liberal Party candidate, I announced not having done it when he was in govern- $220,000 for the Haddon community centre. ment, I am not too sure, but what is even The Haddon community, with the assistance more surprising is that the Labor candidate of the Golden Plains Shire Council and the for the seat of Ballarat is also attacking the Haddon Lions, are driving their own devel- Regional Solutions Program. opment and taking ownership of their own It is one thing being preselected in Mel- solutions. I congratulate the Golden Plains bourne and moving out to a country seat, but Shire Council, Councillor Gerald Dupe and it is another thing altogether actually having his fellow councillors on meeting the some understanding of what the require- $220,000 funding. ments of regional and rural Victoria are. The I can see that the member for Denison is simple fact is that there has been a notion anxious to get to his feet, but I still have five running around the country for a while that minutes left and he will have his opportunity rural and regional communities have some in due course. I want very briefly to talk expectation that everything will be done for about that Haddon program because it will them. That is not right. Indeed, what regional enable a number of community activities to and rural communities want is the ability to come under the one roof. There will be pro- maximise their own advantages. Part of that vision for maternal and family child care and is to be able to take back some ownership of there will be some visiting doctors’ rooms. their own future—for instance, their own All those sorts of things enable a community future economic and social wellbeing, et cet- to be self-sufficient. era. There are many great things about the Regional Solutions Program, but the one I want now to turn briefly to the Deer Park thing that is absolutely pivotal is that deci- Bypass. Many of our listeners may or may sion making is going from Canberra out to not be aware that funding for the national the regions. This is the first program in this highways system comes from the federal country’s history that takes the decision government, but the state governments are, making ownership back to regional and rural in effect, our agents. They carry out the communities. maintenance. The member for Mallee has just walked into the House. He will be Many listeners of this broadcast around acutely aware of this and he is a great sup- Australia today will be acutely aware that porter of our national highways system. Like every single area and district—indeed, towns me, he is a great supporter of the federal and cities within those districts—has differ- government’s Roads to Recovery program, ent needs. In my electorate, the needs of which is another huge initiative at great risk Daylesford are different from the needs of under an ALP government. Halls Gap. The needs of Marnoo are differ- ent from the needs of Ballan. The needs of There has been a lot of talk about the Deer Avoca are different from the needs of Had- Park Bypass because we are getting don. Every town has different needs. The squeezed. The Western Highway, and the beauty of the Regional Solutions Program is Western Highway users, are being squeezed that solutions are determined by the commu- by the encroachment of residential develop- nities themselves, as opposed to a narrowly ment in that important area, that great strip defined set of bureaucratic principles which between Adelaide and Melbourne which is the lifeblood of Western Victoria. It is being Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29161 squeezed by residential development and deductibility via an act of parliament passed lack of planning. That will need to be ad- through this House earlier last year. That is a dressed by the Deer Park Bypass. significant contribution. On behalf of the The priorities for the spending of national people of Ballarat, and on behalf of former highways funding are determined by the state POWs throughout Australia, I would like to governments. I thought we were getting thank the minister most sincerely. there. We had a long delay from the state Very quickly in the time that is left, we minister, Peter Batchelor, about the route. have Knowledge Nation—or noodle nation That took over 12 months to decide. It as it is now affectionately called—and Net- should have been a fairly simple process, but working the Nation. The only similarity be- it was dragged out. We thought we might be tween those two is that they rhyme. Net- getting the Deer Park Bypass up towards the working the Nation has put $7 million into top of the state government’s priority list but, my electorate in direct funding. That is aver- when the transport minister was away, the aged across other electorates, so it is not state member for Bendigo West, who be- double dipping. It constitutes 30-odd projects came the assistant transport minister, was into my electorate. They are about making trying to push the Calder Highway back up sure that regional and rural Australians are the list. The Howard government has already able to access a modern and quick informa- invested $100 million into Calder. We think tion technology system which their metro- it has had a fair slice of the action. We are politan counterparts—(Time expired) always happy for more funding to be put into Antarctic Division: Hobart Headquarters Calder, but that should not happen to the detriment of the Deer Park Bypass. Mr KERR (Denison) (5.12 p.m.)—While it is a little early for valedictories, with all I know that the Calder Highway is an im- my colleagues on this side of the House, I portant area to a number of my colleagues, wish the retiring member for Ballarat well. and to the member for Mallee as well—and I We will have a lot of opportunities to speak know he has been a great supporter of the more on this subject. There is one point funding that has gone into it. Some $100 where we join in common when we put aside million has been put into that, and it is ap- the partisanship of politics, and that is that palling that an assistant transport minister each of us values what we bring to this has utilised his position to protect himself in House from the perspective of our elector- his own electorate when he knows as well as ates. I will use this grievance debate to high- I do that the Deer Park Bypass should be light an area where I believe the Minister for right at the top of the list. the Environment and Heritage, Senator Rob- There was a terrific announcement last ert Hill, has failed to make a decision which week about the Australian prisoner of war is in the national interest, and it is certainly memorial. How entirely appropriate that this not in the interests of my state. magnificent Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, By way of background, I should mention the Hon. Bruce Scott, happens to be in the that from the earliest days of ANARE, the House. He has been a terrific minister and a Australian National Antarctic Research Ex- great friend of veterans in this country—a pedition, Hobart has been the point of de- very good friend. After considerable contact parture for Antarctic expeditioners. Under by me and after a direct approach from the the Whitlam government, my predecessor in Liberal candidate for Ballarat, Russell Mark, the seat of Denison, John Coates, persuaded in relation to funding, I am very pleased that the Whitlam government that they should a further $150,000 was allocated to this proj- move the now Antarctic Division Headquar- ect last week. That brings to $200,000— ters to Hobart, where it has been an impor- Mr Bruce Scott—Very deserving. tant part of our community infrastructure Mr RONALDSON—It is a fantastic ever since. Despite the defeat of the Whitlam project. It brings to $200,000 the direct government, my immediate predecessor, Mi- Commonwealth funding on top of that tax chael Hodgman, continued the campaigning effort, albeit from a different political party, 29162 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 and saw the implementation and building of federal Labor colleagues, and I speak on the Antarctic Division Headquarters in King- their behalf in raising this issue in the House ston. In my term under the Hawke and today. Every single Tasmanian Labor mem- Keating governments, we saw new resources ber—all five members of the House of Rep- put into Antarctic work in our state and the resentatives and our senators—is extremely establishment of the Institute of Antarctic concerned that the possibility now seems to and Southern Ocean Studies at the University have substantially opened and that the com- of Tasmania; the establishment of the Ant- mitment of government after government of arctic Foundation; the headquartering of different political persuasions, both at a fed- CCAMLR; and the unsuccessful but very eral level and a state level, may be starting to passionate campaign to obtain the headquar- be unravelled by a decision that would en- ters for the Australian Antarctic Treaty na- able consideration to be given of Albany as tions. an alternative service point for Australian Of all those enterprises, this has been a Antarctic ventures. multipartisan approach, because it has had Not only is Hobart the closest point to the support of the Nationals, the Greens and Antarctica; its flying time would also be sig- the Democrats. All have recognised that nificantly shorter—some 28 minutes faster Hobart ought be the centre of Australian on a return leg from Australia—but all that is Antarctic efforts. Currently, about 65 per detail. The bottom line is: to walk away from cent of Australian Antarctic scientists live in Hobart as a commitment where we are cen- Hobart, and about 95 per cent on the eastern tralising Australia’s Antarctic efforts would seaboard. The Antarctic related industry is undermine the work of some 25 years of worth about $93 million per annum. Over parties of all political persuasions at a na- time there have been approaches to have tional level and at a state level. None has more efficient ways of reaching the Austra- been more passionately committed to Hobart lian Antarctic Territory than solely by sea. as the centre of Australia’s Antarctic efforts Whilst the sea trip is an unforgettable experi- than the current Bacon government. It has ence for those who are privileged enough to worked very hard and passionately and pub- have that opportunity, for obvious reasons it licly to persuade Minister Hill to move away is wise that we also have an operational air from what seems to be a very wrong ap- capacity which is a strip not built in any con- proach of leaving this question open, but so flict with environmental responsibility. That too did previous Tasmanian governments of seems to be possible. other persuasions under Liberal premiers. All In the study that was put forward, the have been passionate in holding out Tasma- foresight report, Australia’s Antarctic pro- nia as being the appropriate place for all gram beyond 2000: a framework for the fu- Australian Antarctic commitments and as the ture, a recommendation was made for a mix point which transport operations would work of sea and air transport. The government at from. the time responded that in cooperation with As a result of what has occurred, I have the Tasmanian government the Howard gov- been advised, the Australian Antarctic Divi- ernment would pursue efforts to further de- sion recently announced that eight compa- velop the role of Hobart as a gateway to Ant- nies had been selected to bid for the air link arctica. Unfortunately, that commitment does project. The project will be divided into two not seem to have been followed through. elements. The first is that between the Aus- There seems to have been an entirely politi- tralian community, which I hope of course cal campaign, for reasons which I find diffi- will be Hobart, and the Casey station. The cult to understand, to make Albany the second element deals with the provision of jumping off departure point for servicing an intracontinental air service between Casey Australian Antarctic Territory by air. station and other Antarctic bases. Eight com- I took the occasion, as did the Premier of panies have been invited to tender, including Tasmania, to write to Senator Hill. I have Jet Air Cargo of Queensland, Kenn Borek also had meetings with all of my Tasmanian Air of Canada, National Jet Systems of Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29163

South Australia, Polar Logistics of New other Antarctic centres; my colleague Dick South Wales, Sinclair Knight Merz of Tas- Adams, who is passionate about this; the mania, SkyTraders of New South Wales, member for Bass and the member for Brad- Raytheon Australia of the ACT and Ma- don all share this common passion. (Time roomba Airlines of Western Australia. Tend- expired) ers are to close on 21 September 2001, with a Sydney: Crime recommendation to go to the minister, Senator Hill, in November of 2001. Mr BAIRD (Cook) (5.22 p.m.)—Late one afternoon last week—at 10 minutes past The pity is that the minister has not simply seven—I was crossing Elizabeth Street near taken the opportunity, which every other the Tattersalls Club in Sydney and heard a Australian government hitherto would have loud crash behind me. I looked around to done, to make it absolutely plain at the find out what the occurrence was and noticed starting point that the departure point from that a car window was being smashed. A Australia to Antarctic territory for the pur- young guy had his hand through the window pose of these tenders would be Hobart. That and was picking a handbag out of the car. He would have been consistent with the ap- put it casually over his shoulder and then proach of previous conservative governments proceeded to walk down the street. As I as well as previous Labor administrations. I challenged him, he retorted and acted very regret very much that this has been left in casually as if this was a standard matter. You such limbo. It smacks to me of cheap politics only have to walk around the streets around and, worse, it seems to me to envisage a sub- Hyde Park or St Mary’s to find that the stantial waste of community time and re- streets are littered with glass. This is a daily sources as tenderers go through a process occurrence. I actually saw it with my own which ought be resolved in the end on the eyes one week ago in the middle of Sydney, basis of the massive advantages and the ac- when people were walking up and down crued infrastructure that is in place in Hobart. Elizabeth Street. That outcome should have been a precondi- tion of this tender process. There is no doubt that crime in Sydney has got out of control. We have a police In conclusion, I should mention one thing minister who has just spent the last month about one of my predecessors Michael sipping chardonnay in Tuscany. We have a Hodgman, whom I mentioned before, be- highly paid chief police officer being paid at cause both he and his brother have cam- $450,000 a year who does not even bother to paigned hard for Hobart as a base for Ant- attend parliamentary inquiries such as the arctic services. Michael now returns to the one on the crime situation in Cabramatta—a Tasmanian parliament. After losing the elec- situation which has got out of control with tion, he will be returning on a count back. I drugs being freely distributed on the street. think his decision to do so was fortified after He said, ‘My staff must have let me down.’ his likely opponent Steve Mav on the count Of course, that is Mr Ryan’s problem. I was back called Michael Hodgman an ex- one of the people who welcomed him when politician who had run his race. Anyone who he arrived in Sydney and thought, given his knows Michael would know that that was an track record in the UK, that he would do entirely inappropriate way to persuade him great things for policing in New South and to encourage him to be gracious and re- Wales, but he has been a disappointment. He move himself from the political environment. has been concerned too much with his own Whatever the case is, this is an area in media image and not enough with fixing the which we have all had a common interest— real problem. Can you imagine being called every Tasmanian Labor member shares my in front of a parliamentary inquiry on polic- strong views. My colleague Harry Quick in ing in Cabramatta, somehow managing to Franklin, who has a direct responsibility for forget it and then blaming your staff? When the Franklin electorate where the Antarctic the pressure is on in his own police force, Division is based; me, with the university instead of standing by his men, he just sim- and all those services associated with the ply moves them out. The photo on the front 29164 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 page of the Daily Telegraph the other day of Europe, instead of addressing these prob- showed that, of the senior people in the po- lems that we find in New South Wales. lice force who were there when he came in In my own area, the Sutherland Shire, sig- as police commissioner, very few are still nificant increases have occurred. Thefts from there. motor vehicles have gone up from 2,082 in I think it is about time he reviewed the 1999 to 2,418 in 2000. Break and enters have situation of his job and also of the way that gone up from 1,755 in 1999 to 2,098 last the whole surveillance of crime is being car- year. General weapons offences were up to ried out in Sydney and within New South 190 from 170—still an unacceptably high Wales. In fact, on that particular afternoon level. Recently in Cronulla, the suburb in last week when I saw the window being which I live, we had gangs firing guns at one smashed, I looked along the street to see if and other across from the railway station into there were any police around and of course the park. You can see in one of the windows there were not. You have to go a long way to of the railway station the indent of a bullet find a police station or to find police regu- that was fired into the glass. larly on the beat. There is no attempt to ad- In today’s Daily Telegraph the heading on dress the situation. With new police cameras the front page reads ‘Gangland: The crisis being put into place, motorists are being Sydney’s community leaders are too timid to slugged daily, but we do not see this money confront’. On the weekend in the Sun-Herald being returned in the form of the extra po- we had headlines such as ‘Police say they licing that we need in the suburbs and in the can’t cope as thieves run rampant’ and ‘Why city of Sydney for international visitors who police are losing the fight’. Police stations come here. Unless we take action, we are are being amalgamated at a cost to the com- going to have some serious problems in this munity. In my own area, Miranda and Cro- country. nulla were amalgamated. The result is that, Crime rates in Sydney are soaring. One when serious crime is committed in Cronulla month ago Dr Don Weatherburn, the Direc- between the various gangs that come to the tor of the New South Wales Bureau of Crime area, the police station in Cronulla that used Statistics and Research, released a summary to have 48 officers before the Carr govern- of the crime trends covering the preceding ment took office in 1997 now has only an two years. His study highlighted the follow- administrative centre that is staffed by a con- ing problems: 11 types of offences have sig- stable at the front desk and there are no nificantly jumped in incidence, five have charging facilities. There are some other remained stable and none have dropped. His non-uniformed detectives present, but the major concern was that robbery with a station has no mobile response unit and is weapon other than a firearm was up by al- not there to respond to local issues as they most 15 per cent. Muggings were up by 13.2 arise. I spoke to the superintendent—and per cent and all categories of assault were up they are just about to get yet another super- by seven per cent. As a further illustration, if intendent—and he said, ‘We do not have a you compare New South Wales with Victo- serious crime problem.’ I asked, ‘We don’t ria—even though there is a larger population have a serious crime problem when gangs in New South Wales—New South Wales had are firing guns at one another across the main 68,714 assault victims in 2000; Victoria had street?’ And he said, ‘These are isolated in- only 16,541. So that is a huge difference. cidents.’ They are certainly not as far as the New South Wales had 13,325 robbery vic- community is concerned. The community is tims in 2000; Victoria had only 3,326. Why extremely concerned and people have raised is there a difference? Why has crime in New it many times with me. South Wales got out of control and who is People live in the Sutherland Shire be- the minister responsible? The two most sen- cause they regard it as a very pleasant area— ior people responsible in the New South it is close to the Georges River, to Port Wales parliament were in Europe doing their Hacking and to beaches—but the one big own summer sojourn through the vignerons concern they have is the increasing level of Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29165 crime. This issue certainly has dominated support they want. I believe it is appropriate local newspapers and conversations. The that the Premier, the police commissioner member for Cronulla, Malcolm Kerr, has and the minister take this into account. (Time raised it several times. It is interesting that expired) neither Commissioner Ryan nor the police Defence Headquarters Australian Theatre minister has visited this area. I have been looking back and I cannot find any record of Nursing Homes either gentleman having visited the Suther- Mr ALLAN MORRIS (Newcastle) (5.32 land Shire, which has some 240,000 people, p.m.)—This afternoon I want to raise a cou- to look at the situation and to listen to peo- ple of matters, and the first is to comment on ple’s concerns on this very important issue. the farcical situation of the announcement by I am not sure what Commissioner Peter the minister that the Defence Headquarters Ryan does with his $450,000, but he cer- Australian Theatre command be relocated tainly does not use it to visit my area. He did in—and I think this was the precise termi- not take the time until very recently, after the nology—the Queanbeyan region. The mem- media were on to him, to go to Cabramatta to ber for Eden-Monaro made some remarks look at the very serious problems there. Let about that this afternoon, and he made them him come into the city of Sydney and see in high dudgeon. This proposal is either a what is happening every day; let him see very nasty fraud upon the people of Quean- how people’s cars are being broken into. We beyan or total dishonesty from the Com- heard police officers on 60 Minutes last night monwealth government. In my time in this talk about the poor morale in the police place I have never ever heard a decision by force, about the lack of backup from the Defence about locating a facility without that commissioner and about the lack of backup facility first being precisely itemised. from the government. People want to be sup- After years of examination of this par- ported when it comes to being affected by ticular project, the facility could be located crime. They are concerned. These figures anywhere within, I suppose, 30 miles of the show that it is not just some myth or para- Queanbeyan region. It is farcical to suggest noia in the community; these figures are that Defence would go through this process based on real situations and real fears. The without having particular sites organised, figures for resignations tendered by police itemised and costed, and the options taken if officers who are new to the job are that 20 need be—to do otherwise would be irrespon- per cent are from probationary constables sible. There is a budget for this; they do not and 30 per cent are from constables with just have an open chequebook to spend only one or two years service. whatever they like. A budget has been pro- On 11 February this year, the Director of vided for quite some time. So the suggestion Police Human Resources admitted that 750 that the headquarters is going to a region senior police officers are on long-term sick rather than to a location is nonsensical un- leave—750 officers on leave with stress- less, of course, it is going to HMAS Harman, related illnesses. The community does not which means it is going to the ACT. If that is want any more excuses. It does not want any the case, why doesn’t the minister just say more empty promises or Tuscan holidays at so? Why doesn’t he just say that it is going times of crisis. We want to see police on the to Harman, which is near Queanbeyan? That beat; we want to see them patrolling our at least would be a bit honest. It would mean streets; we want to see police back in the that the member for Eden-Monaro could not police stations within my own area and claim that this project is going to his elector- within the city of Sydney. We also want to ate, but if he is so supportive of it being on see support from the police commissioner for one side of the line or the other it would not the police officers out there on the job and on matter. Furthermore, the suggestion that this the beat, because the level of distress and facility will not be co-located but located sick leave occurring among police officers independently, duplicating a lot of infra- indicates that they are not getting the type of structure, resources, security and a whole 29166 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 range of other things that Defence installa- four years. Half a billion dollars was taken tions need, is questionable. from one budget over four years. Since then Either one of two things will happen: if there has been disaster after disaster, she- this government retains office after the next mozzle after shemozzle. The government election it will announce that the headquar- announced the introduction of resident ters will be at Harman, which, after all, is in bonds, which meant that money could be the Queanbeyan region—it did not quite say raised from residents coming into nursing the Eden-Monaro electorate precisely, so that homes. Some nursing homes, including St falls within their area of fuzziness; or, alter- Catherine’s, made some judgments about natively, the defence department will under- their future based on that policy. That policy take a thorough review to establish the cost was then changed, and the government an- of alternative locations, other than Harman, nounced that it was going to pay $12 a day within the Eden-Monaro electorate. If that is towards capital costs. Quite frankly, mem- the case, Defence will automatically have to bers of the government, this is not working. review every other location as well, because There is now a build-up of enormous mag- the government of the day will need to have nitude across the country; it is not just in any cost comparisons between one location and one nursing home or organisation. I expect another. So, either way, the facility will not that more than one nursing home closure will be going to Eden-Monaro precisely, as was be announced before the election. I will be suggested by both the member and the min- interested to see what the member for ister, and they should come clean. The gov- Dunkley and the member for Menzies will ernment should come clean with the people say then about how this is somehow different of Queanbeyan and the taxpayers of Austra- and that somehow it is the Labor Party’s lia and outline just what it is actually up to. fault five years on. This dishonesty in relation to Defence is in- The fact is that there are fewer profes- tolerable. Defence is a delicate and important sional staff working in nursing homes than area and to treat it with such disdain, as this ever before. The government should recall minister and the member for Eden-Monaro what it did to help compound the situation. have, is not just insulting; it is outright dam- When Labor were in government, nursing aging. The credibility of the defence forces is homes had to account for how money pro- being torn asunder by a minister who puts vided by the Commonwealth was spent. That political game playing way ahead of every was how we tried to make sure that it went other issue. into care for residents and not into other ac- The other matter I want to raise is in rela- tivities. That requirement was removed by tion to the earlier debate in the chamber this government. It removed the need for about nursing homes. As members will be nursing homes to justify its expenditure. It aware, the Catholic Care for the Aged or- then removed the need to have nurses at ganisation has announced the closure of St nursing homes. Nowadays many nursing Catherine’s of Siena nursing home at homes only have nurses part-time. For a sub- Waratah, in the electorate of Newcastle. This stantial part of the day, there is not a quali- is an absolute tragedy; it is a disaster of fied nurse on duty in the building at all. That enormous magnitude. It is the tip of a very is how nursing homes are coping with the big iceberg. What has happened in this area cost squeeze: they are being forced to cut has been so dishonest. Mr Acting Deputy costs. Nursing homes, in many cases, are Speaker Andrews, you and the member for reducing the level of care at the very same Dunkley spoke in this debate and, quite time that occupancy times are increasing. frankly, I was appalled at the lack of honesty Nursing homes now have higher and from both of you in terms of what you put higher needs, particularly with the increase forward. in dementia. Nursing home residents are Let us go back to 1996. I remind those living longer in nursing homes and need a opposite that this government cut half a bil- higher level of care. At the same time, the lion dollars from nursing home care over government has reduced the ability to care. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29167

In so many cases, nurses are no longer there. In this year’s budget, the government an- Catholic Care for the Aged in Newcastle nounced it was appointing an extra 38 people determined that it would not go down that to conduct further reviews. In this current path—that it would not reduce its level of year, it expects to conduct 24,000 reviews of care—which meant the nursing home be- people living in nursing homes, which will came non-viable. end up as a saving to the Commonwealth of Let me quote a few things that have been $1 million a week. The government is out put forward to make sure that people under- there each week knocking $1 million off the stand the details of this. Firstly, the minister recurrent subsidies of Australia’s nursing made big of the claim that St Catherine’s had homes. Each week nursing homes will have received a 54 per cent increase in funding to cope with $1 million less than they had the over the last four or five years. That is cor- week before—throughout this year and the rect, but let me tell the House where it went. years ahead. The disaster is not accidental. It Thirty-one per cent of that went to 16 extra is government made, it is minister made, and beds; in other words, the home was expanded it should be rectified. (Time expired) in 1997. Increased insurance cost six per Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr An- cent. Superannuation costs increased by three drews)—Before I call the member for New per cent and award increases were 14 per England, I remind the House that, while it is cent. That is 54 per cent gone. There is no appropriate for any member to criticise the allowance for increased food costs or any remarks of another member by reference to other associated costs. the name of his or her electorate, it is not Let us look at the budget for St Cather- appropriate to directly link any criticism ine’s for the last two years. From their made to the occupant of the chair from time budget projection for 2000-01, the govern- to time. ment subsidy was going to be $2,451,000. Nursing Homes From the projected budget for 2001-02, the Regional Airlines: New South Wales government subsidy will be $2,303,000—in Services other words, a drop of $150,000 this year compared with last year. That is a reduction Mr St CLAIR (New England) (5.43 in funds. It is not an increase in funds; it is a p.m.)—Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker An- reduction. drews. I am certainly pleased that you clari- fied that situation. I was a bit taken aback Look back to 1997 and those wonderful with the comments and the reference to you. reforms we have heard about. Firstly, the I want to pick up on a couple of points made government cut out capital funding; sec- by the previous speaker. When we came into ondly, it took nurses away from nursing government in 1996, Australia was some homes; and, thirdly, it rejigged the resident 10,000 nursing home places short. In this classification table. In 1997, this government debate this afternoon, we should never forget brought in a rejigging of the whole classifi- that. I do not want to dwell on it for long, but cation table. It did so by putting people with the issue needs to be continually brought up behavioural problems as those most in need. so the Australian public can look back at It did not increase the funding for them, but what 13 years of Labor did do to this coun- it pushed all the others down. Rather than try, and in particular to the care for our aged making the table bigger to absorb the de- population. mentia and behavioural problems—poten- tially psychogeriatric cases—it pushed the This government brought in a system of others down. That change in 1997 cost St accreditation for our aged care facilities. Catherine’s of Siena $200,000 a year in its That accreditation process has been widely subsidy. Subsequent changes have cost it embraced and warmly welcomed by those even more, and add to that what is happening providers of aged care facilities in my elec- now with the reclassifications and the re- torate of New England. Accreditation starts to sort out the wheat from the chaff. The views taking place. number of places that we have funded and 29168 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 that are under construction at the moment is aged care people and with the communities a great credit to this government and par- in general. ticularly to this minister. The topic that I particularly wanted to The philosophy of keeping people in their raise was in relation to regional airlines in homes and providing them with the proper New South Wales. A New South Wales air- care, attention, service and nursing that we lines working group summit was called can have in the home today is certainly a about two months ago in response to a num- major step forward. As I get around my ber of regional airline services being closed electorate and talk to many of our older or shut down. In my electorate of New Eng- Australians and senior citizens, they have land I have four major airports: one in Tam- expressed to me a very strong desire and worth, one in Armidale—serviced very well wish to stay in their homes where possible. by Qantas Link and Hazelton—and two oth- They find that more advantageous and more ers in Glen Innes and Inverell. There has acceptable than being shipped off to some been some discussion on the removal of home where they do not want to be. some services to both those ports. I will finish on the subject of nursing I want to talk about a number of issues homes by talking about aged care facilities that were dealt with by the New South Wales and by again looking at my electorate of regional airlines summit working group, New England and the places that we have which was to make a submission to the air been able to add to our aged care facilities. working group of the Australian Transport We have another 30 places going into the Council. At the end of the day, I, as a mem- town of Tenterfield, to add to the 36 places ber of that summit committee, refused to in their aged care facility there. This makes it endorse the submission that was sent for- a 66-bed aged care facility, providing tre- ward, and there were a number of reasons for mendous service and quality of care to the that: one, because I care deeply about the people of Tenterfield and surrounding dis- level of air services received into the re- tricts. The sods on that greenfield site have gional towns in my electorate of New Eng- already been turned and the work is being land; and, two, because I do not believe that done, and we are looking forward to the the working group had an opportunity to completion. really look at the total of the financial pres- I would also say on the question of aged sures that relate to regional airlines. There care facilities that, due to the flexibility of seemed to continually be a narrow focus the system we run in government of deliver- purely on the cost pressures. ing quality aged care services, we have been A number of things should be said with able to provide the shire of Uralla, which has regard to that submission. One of the factors a wonderful aged care facility, McMaugh that really needs to be continually looked at Gardens, with 22 aged care facility beds, 11 in regional New South Wales is the load of which are going to be placed in the small, factor. A study by the Australian Aviation remote community of Bundarra in an old Insurance Group for the Regional Airlines hospital that has been beautifully refur- Association of Australia into the status of bished. The community there is very much regional airlines in Australia provides good appreciative of our minister’s understanding information on the overall Australian re- of the importance of keeping our senior citi- gional airline industry. Initial information zens and our older Australians in our towns. from AV stats indicates that load factors I might say the same thing with regard to have, in fact, increased for New South Wales multipurpose services, which are also start- regional airline traffic from 58.6 per cent in ing to come around in country Australia, in 1995 to 61.6 per cent in 2000. The average country New South Wales and in my elector- figure for those smaller routes—in other ate of New England. What concerns me words, those with a population of fewer than greatly is the contempt with which the New 20,000—is 58.2 per cent. However, the aver- South Wales Carr Labor government deals age conceals an enormous variation in per- with communities in its discussions with the formance of the regional airlines. As I Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29169 pointed out at the summit, some regional Export Market Development Grants Amend- airlines have been performing extremely ment Bill 2001 badly, with load factors of around 30 per Family Law Legislation Amendment (Super- cent. Of course, what they need to do is en- annuation) Bill 2001 sure that people use these airlines. Just after Primary Industries and Energy Research and the presentation of the submission to the Development Amendment Bill 2001 state minister for transport, the minister Trade Practices Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2001 made the gesture of removing landing fees to Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2001-2002 the tune of $50,000. This was not $50,000 per airline. This was not $50,000 per air Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) route. It was not even $50,000 per airport. It Bill (No. 1) 2001-2002 was $50,000 to all regional airlines that op- Excise Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2001 erate in New South Wales. Customs Tariff Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2001 Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hollis)— Dried Vine Fruits (Rate of Primary Industry Order! The time for the grievance debate has (Customs) Charge) Validation Bill 2001 expired. The debate is interrupted and I put Dried Vine Fruits (Rate of Primary Industry the question: (Excise) Levy) Validation Bill 2001 That grievances be noted. Family and Community Services Legislation (Simplification and Other Measures) Bill 2001 Question resolved in the affirmative. Social Security Legislation Amendment (Con- BUSINESS cession Cards) Bill 2000 Motion (by Ms Worth) agreed to: Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2001 That Main Committee orders of the day Nos 4 Taxation Laws Amendment Bill (No. 3) 2001 and 5, government business, be returned to the Appropriation (HIH Assistance) Bill 2001 House for further consideration. Child Support Legislation Amendment Bill Mr DEPUTY SPEAKER (Mr Hollis)— 2001 The matters will be set down for considera- New Business Tax System (Capital Allow- tion at a later hour this day. ances) Bill 2001 ASSENT TO BILLS New Business Tax System (Capital Allow- Messages from the Governor-General re- ances—Transitional and Consequential) Bill 2001 ported informing the House of assent to the New Business Tax System (Simplified Tax following bills: System) Bill 2001 Corporations Bill 2001 Passenger Movement Charge Amendment Bill Australian Securities and Investments Com- 2001 mission Bill 2001 Australia New Zealand Food Authority Corporations (Fees) Bill 2001 Amendment Bill 2001 Corporations (Futures Organisations Levies) Environment Protection and Biodiversity Con- Bill 2001 servation Amendment (Wildlife Protection) Bill 2001 Corporations (National Guarantee Fund Lev- ies) Bill 2001 Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals Legis- lation Amendment Bill 2001 Corporations (Repeals, Consequentials and Transitionals) Bill 2001 Interactive Gambling Bill 2001 Corporations (Securities Exchanges Levies) Migration Legislation Amendment (Immigra- Bill 2001 tion Detainees) Bill 2001 Governor-General Legislation Amendment Higher Education Funding Amendment Bill Bill 2001 2001 Migration Legislation Amendment (Electronic Parliamentary Contributory Superannuation Transactions and Methods of Notification) Bill Amendment Bill 2001 2001 Vocational Education and Training Funding Health Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 2) Amendment Bill 2001 2001 29170 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Taxation Laws Amendment (Superannuation SUPERANNUATION CONTRIBUTIONS Contributions) Bill 2001 TAXES AND TERMINATION Import Processing Charges Bill 2001 PAYMENTS TAX LEGISLATION Customs Depot Licensing Charges Amend- AMENDMENT BILL 2001 ment Bill 2001 Second Reading Broadcasting Legislation Amendment Bill Debate resumed from 21 June, on motion (No. 2) 2001 by Mr McGauran: Health Legislation Amendment (Medical That the bill be now read a second time. Practitioners’ Qualifications and Other Measures) Mr KELVIN THOMSON (Wills) (5.54 Bill 2001 p.m.)— The Superannuation Contributions Dairy Produce Legislation Amendment (Sup- Taxes and Termination Payments Tax Legis- plementary Assistance) Bill 2001 lation Amendment Bill 2001 is designed to Customs Legislation Amendment and Repeal improve the equity of the termination pay- (International Trade Modernisation) Bill 2001 ments surcharge and superannuation contri- AUSTRALIA NEW ZEALAND FOOD butions surcharge legislation. It makes per- AUTHORITY AMENDMENT BILL 2001 manent the transitional provisions that have applied since 20 August 1996. These are Consideration of Senate Message measures which were announced in the Message received from the Senate return- budget on 22 May this year. ing the bill and acquainting the House that The bill will ensure that only the post 20 the Senate agrees to the amendments made August 1996 amount of an employer eligible by the House. termination payment taken as cash will be ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION AND taken into account for the surcharge. This BIODIVERSITY CONSERVATION reverses the current situation that makes all AMENDMENT (WILDLIFE of the retained amount of an employer eligi- PROTECTION) BILL 2001 ble termination payment—including amounts Consideration of Senate Message relating to pre-20 August 1996 service—ac- countable for the surcharge. This particular Message received from the Senate return- provision has been roundly criticised as be- ing the bill and acquainting the House that ing inequitable, including in the Australian the Senate agrees to the amendments made Financial Review on 31 March this year. by the House. The bill also provides that only a notional TAXATION LAWS AMENDMENT amount of an employer eligible termination (SUPERANNUATION payment is included in the calculation of the CONTRIBUTIONS) BILL 2000 employee’s adjusted taxable income for sur- Consideration of Senate Message charge purposes. This will benefit employees or former employees who would not nor- Message received from the Senate return- mally be subject to the surcharge but could ing the bill and acquainting the House that become liable to pay the surcharge in a given the Senate does not insist on its amendments year as a consequence of receiving an em- disagreed to by the House. ployer eligible termination payment. BILLS RETURNED FROM THE The bill will also ensure that employees SENATE will not have to pay an effective tax rate The following bills were returned from the higher than the top marginal tax rate plus the Senate without amendment or request: Medicare levy when taking their ETP as Higher Education Funding Amendment Bill cash. Currently, some people may face a 2001 higher effective tax rate due to the interac- tion of the termination payment surcharge Migration Legislation Amendment (Applica- and the reasonable benefit limits provisions. tion of Criminal Code) Bill 2001 In terms of impact on Commonwealth reve- nue, according to the explanatory memoran- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29171 dum, the estimated cost to revenue is $14 transition period, all of the termination pay- million in 2001-02, $21 million in 2002-03, ments accrued after 30 June 1983—even $17 million in 2003-04 and $21 million in entitlements accrued prior to the introduction 2004-05. of the surcharge legislation—were to be The opposition will be supporting this subject to the surcharge. The surcharge itself legislation. Indeed, it reflects measures has received a great deal of criticism, but which the opposition have been calling for some of these measures have attracted par- and matters which we opposed at the time ticular criticism. The termination payments the surcharge legislation was introduced. The surcharge and the superannuation contribu- opposition drew these matters to the gov- tions surcharge were examined in the 23rd ernment’s attention back then as anomalies report of the former Senate Select Committee and it has taken them until now to come on Superannuation, Superannuation Sur- around. charge Legislation, which sets out in very comprehensive detail many of the concerns The termination payments surcharge came that have been raised. into effect on 20 August 1996. It is imposed on what might be described as golden hand- One of those concerns is a question of in- shakes paid on termination of employment of equities in the transitional provisions for the so-called high income earners. Termination termination payments surcharge. The defini- payments are the retained amounts—that is, tion of assessable income includes termina- amounts not rolled over or transferred into a tion payments or golden handshakes. But superannuation fund—of eligible termination inclusion of termination payments can result payments made by employers on the termi- in lower income persons—not simply high nation of employment of an employee. The income people—being liable for the sur- surcharge is payable only if the taxpayer’s charge. Somebody who loses their job and adjusted taxable income for the financial receives a redundancy payment can find year in question exceeds the surcharge themself in this category where the redun- threshold. For example, for this financial dancy payment is included in their adjusted year, 2001-02, it is imposed at the rate of one taxable income for the year in question as if per cent for each $1,219 of assessable in- it were income for one year only, and there- come where a member’s assessable income fore it can put that person in the surcharge and superannuation contributions exceed category. $85,242. The maximum surcharge is 15 per Despite the government having been made cent, and that maximum is reached when aware of these sorts of problems through the assessable income and superannuation con- Senate Select Committee on Superannuation tributions reach $103,507. inquiry into the original surcharge legisla- The government announced in the 1996- tion, it has taken these past four years for 97 budget that a surcharge would apply to some of these issues to be addressed. We contributions that are subject to a tax deduc- were going to face the situation where the tion—including employer contributions and full 15 per cent super surcharge would apply those made by the members where there is to most substantial taxable separation pay- no employer contribution and the deduction ments, so that before the age of 55 normal has been claimed—where the assessable in- unfunded super tax of 31.5 per cent for post- come and superannuation contributions ex- 1983 benefits and the 15 per cent sur- ceeded $70,000. That has since been indexed charge—a total of 46.5 per cent tax—would to the amounts that I just outlined. Since apply on taxable separation payments. That 1999-2000, the so-called reportable fringe would have seen thousands of taxpayers be- benefits of an employee are taken into ac- ing unfairly caught in the surcharge net after count in working out superannuation sur- receiving large termination payments. Often charge liabilities. those termination payments were received on retrenchment. The government introduced a transition period, which was scheduled to expire at the There is no doubt that the superannuation start of July. Following the expiry of the contributions and the termination payments 29172 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 surcharge have become important sources of $70,000—and people who know a bit about revenue for this government since it intro- superannuation will know that $70,000 over duced them. In 1999-2000 surcharge collec- 22 years is not much and will not take you tions alone amounted to $577 million. Sena- very far. On the closure of that defined bene- tor Sherry indicated to me that in the latest fit fund that he was a member of and the es- budget papers the surcharge collection tablishment of an accumulation fund in its amount has been hidden and it is no longer place, he and other members rolled over their possible to identify what the surcharge col- money into that new accumulation fund, and lection yields for the government. It has sim- that $70,000 was included in his taxable in- ply been hidden in superannuation contribu- come for the year in question. The tax office tions and taxes more generally. I am indebted said, ‘Thank you very much. We will have to the Department of the Parliamentary Li- $10,000 of that by way of superannuation brary’s Information and Research Services surcharge.’ That sort of anomaly has really for their comment: been a most unfortunate issue with this sur- ... the history of the superannuation contributions charge, which was claimed to be an equitable and termination payments surcharge now appears measure and something which impacts on to have gone full circle in a rather “Kafka-esque” high income earners. manner. I want to indicate to the government that, I think that they have put it more boldly than while we will support it, Labor’s view is that the Parliamentary Library usually put these this measure certainly does not fix all the things, but they have put it very accurately. I anomalies associated with the superannua- do not think that I can improve on that. They tion surcharge. One of the anomalies has continue: been the subject of reports recently in the These surcharges were introduced as “equity Financial Review in particular, and it is one measures” to make the level of superannuation which has been brought forward by the Aus- taxation concessions available to high income tralian and International Pilots Association earners more comparable to those available to who have done a submission to the Produc- middle and lower income earners. On the brink of tivity Commission on the surcharge tax leg- the expiration of the transitional provisions, the islation. Their particular concern relates to surcharge legislation is being amended to remove the way in which members of certain defined “the most inequitable provisions of tax law” that could potentially and unfairly (but legally) catch benefit superannuation schemes are sub- taxpayers in the surcharge net after receiving jected to the surcharge tax. In their submis- large termination payments, ... sion to the Productivity Commission they They go on: say: Existing legislation unintentionally confers a ... the surcharge legislation remains on the statute benefit on business at the expense of the members books. Many of the witnesses to the 23rd report of those funds. Currently, if a fund chooses to of the former Senate Select Committee on Super- implement a surcharge debit offset account to annuation provisions will still be dealing with the administer the superannuation surcharge tax, an complex administration, clumsy assessment pro- inequity can arise because of the difference be- cedures and on-going administration costs that are tween the interest rates applied to a member’s borne not just by the high income earners, but by benefit and the rates applied to the member’s sur- all superannuation fund members. charge tax liability. As I said, these were not my words, but I So you have a situation where your superan- could not put it better myself. nuation benefits are accruing—and in a de- In relation to this express issue before the fined benefit fund they accrue in a certain House, the sort of situation that arose is the way—but you also have a liability accruing, example of the bus driver with the Brisbane this surcharge debit offset account, which City Council—I do not have the express de- can have a different rate of interest and can tails in front of me—who received a pretty accrue at a higher rate than the rate at which modest amount of about $17 an hour in pay. your benefit is accruing. The submission Over the course of 22 years he had built up continues: in his superannuation account some Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29173

This inequity results because the surcharge tax is trustees to use surcharge debit accounts for in effect borrowed by the super fund, from the fully funded schemes when that method is super fund, in order to pay the Federal Govern- only expressly authorised for unfunded ment tax. The capital and interest on the loan is schemes has resulted in significant issues for charged to an account in the member’s name and fully funded defined benefit members. That compounds whilst a member remains in the fund. The compounded amount is then subtracted from problem is even more exaggerated when in- the final benefit upon the member’s retirement appropriate interest rates are used. from the fund. So there are some serious questions that So, according to the pilots association, for a have been raised here, and I understand that member having around 30 years membership the same sorts of issues arise in relation to in the fund, a three per cent gap between the other schemes as well, such as those of credited earnings rate and salary inflation judges. It is possible that the amounts that rate results in a reduction of around 13 per they have their accounts reduced by can ex- cent of the final benefit. They say: ceed even the 15 per cent of the surcharge, Applying credited earnings rate to surcharge off- much less take into account the fact that they set accounts is always detrimental. Despite the were entitled to benefits that had accrued absence of express legislative authority, surcharge during the years—and, in some cases, the offset accounts are used by some corporate many years—prior to the surcharge coming schemes as a result of discretion given to trustees into effect. by the trust deeds of their respective funds. In The other anomaly that I want to mention such cases, actuarial opinion varies widely as to to the House goes to the way in which the the correct rate of interest to be applied. surcharge is calculated on shift workers. I have to say that this is a problem in the way People who work in mines and various types that the surcharge is to be calculated for de- of employment have their superannuation fined benefit funds, full stop, because there is guarantee entitlements, the amount of super- a legitimate argument as to how you cor- annuation money they are being paid, calcu- rectly calculate the employer contribution in lated on a base rate of pay but have there the cases of these defined benefit funds. superannuation surcharge calculated on a The advice obtained by the pilots associa- total rate of pay. So people are receiving the tion consistently confirms that the use of the superannuation guarantee on a lower rate of credited earnings rate of interest will be det- salary but are having to pay the surcharge rimental in the long run to fund members, that is calculated on a higher rate of salary. irrespective of members’ years of service, A case of this kind was drawn to my at- when compared to either the actuarially as- tention recently by the member for Charlton, sumed salary inflation rate or the 10-year Kelly Hoare, which involves shift workers at long-term bond rate that is used for public the Eraring power station. They are entitled sector unfunded defined benefit schemes. to the employee’s base wage and have super- Their submission says that they have re- annuation guarantee payments based on that. ceived advice from Senator Kemp, the As- When they are assessing income, they have sistant Treasurer, that there is no need for the the base salary plus 20 per cent allowances, trustees to adopt the practice of establishing so their income is well below the superannu- debt accounts for affected members. Never- ation surcharge levy lower limit. But the tax theless, this is occurring and the pilots asso- office applies the superannuation surcharge ciation believe that the legislation has ineq- levy to the state government employee’s base uitable consequences for fully funded de- wage plus actual allowances of 37.7 per cent fined benefit members. plus employer superannuation contributions, It is clear that the federal government’s which puts the income above the superannu- legislation intends that the funds should re- ation surcharge levy upper limit. You can coup the tax from the members’ accounts— understand that a worker in a situation like there is no argument about that—but, that—where their entitlements are calculated because of the many different types of funds on one salary but their taxation liabilities are covered by the surcharge act, the decision by calculated on a different salary—would be some trustees to use surcharge debit accounts 29174 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 pretty unimpressed. I have come across a Labor Party tonight, and my colleague oppo- number of examples of that kind in the past site has rightly said that they will not be op- few years, and I suggest to the government posing this legislation. However, neither did that these situations represent further sur- they oppose the introduction of the 15 per charge anomalies which it ought to be pre- cent surcharge on superannuation termina- pared to examine. tion payments when it was first introduced in Having regard to these sorts of anomalies, 1997. Mr Deputy Speaker Hollis, I think you Labor has indicated that we intend to have a would be aware of that measure—the so- review of superannuation. This government called measure to reduce the advantage that has no vision in relation to superannuation. recipients of very high, late payments from By contrast, Labor in office built up super- super funds or golden handshakes had in the annuation from $40 billion back in 1983 to tax system—that was introduced by the gov- $500 billion now. We are prepared to look at ernment to rectify that problem. Labor did some of these issues. We note the attempt by not oppose that measure; Gareth Evans, who the government to mount a scare campaign was the shadow Treasurer at the time, I be- based on misinformation in relation to super- lieve, did not seek to modify or change it. I annuation. It is absolutely untrue that Labor notice that a number of members of the op- intends to increase the superannuation guar- position, in the speeches made at that time, antee contributions by employers; neverthe- all skirted around the issue but said that they less, the Prime Minister and the Minister for thought it was reasonable at the end of the Small Business have been endeavouring to day. beat that up and continually misrepresent the I picked up today a report in the Financial opposition. Review dated 10 May 2001, where the The Leader of the Opposition, the shadow spokesman on these matters for the Austra- Treasurer and I have all said, no, there will lian Labor Party indicated: not be an increase in compulsory employer Labor has been opposed to the additional 15 per contributions to superannuation. It is neces- cent surcharge for high-income earners, and Mr sary to have some honesty in political debate Thomson said this new tax had been “adverse” in this country, and I think the Prime Minis- for funds and “problematic” for investors. ter, the Minister for Small Business and oth- I would just say that, after listening carefully ers would do us all a favour if they ceased to his speech tonight, I think he ought to and desisted from misrepresenting what we clarify exactly where his party stands. He have to say in the area of superannuation. cannot make statements to the press saying We are concerned about superannuation that the Labor Party is opposed to these anomalies. We do intend to have a review of measures and then come in here and say, superannuation with a view to building on ‘Well, we are not opposed. We’re worried the achievements of Labor in government in about some of the administration, but we are this area. As I indicated at the outset, Labor not opposed to the measures.’ That report will be supporting this legislation which we continues that the shadow assistant Treas- believe is some time overdue. urer: Mr CADMAN (Mitchell) (6.14 p.m.)— ... also argues that it was anomalous for eligible The Superannuation Contributions Taxes and termination payments and rollovers for low- Termination Payments Tax Legislation income people to be hit by the tax. Amendment Bill 2001 is one of those pieces It is perfectly proper for him to have that of legislation where I believe the government view, and that is the measure that is being has seen that change is needed and has resolved here tonight. The changes that we moved with certainty to bring it about, and are introducing here are well thought through that change is a reduction in the surcharge on changes, changes that are necessary and certain termination payments—that is, in changes that will improve the application of regard to the termination payments surcharge the measures by bringing into effect, before and the superannuation contributions sur- the time necessary, before 19 August— charge. We have listened to the Australian which I believe is the eligibility date—the temporary measures introduced by the Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29175 rary measures introduced by the government will be almost there, we just need another three to now being made permanent. Those changes five on top of that. will be welcomed by everybody affected. That is as good as saying that there is going That article in the Financial Review of 10 to be an increase in compulsory super contri- May, to which I have already referred, con- butions for employers. That is an added cost tinues: that the Labor Party are not saying they are In criticising the Government’s approach to su- going to apply, but they are going to apply it. perannuation, Thomson also spelt out the reform One can go back over a series of weeks to targets for any incoming Labor government. statements that have been made—including “[The Howard] Government did a lot of dam- statements made by the shadow Assistant age to super through imposing the surcharge, Treasurer, Kelvin Thomson, who has been in through not proceeding with our co-contribution, here tonight—saying that the 15 per cent is a by requiring over-55s to access their super before desirable goal. That 15 per cent is a different they can be eligible for unemployment benefits,” 15 per cent to the super surcharge that we are he says. debating here tonight. As was indicated by While these reforms would be aimed at boost- Mr Thomson, he would not want to see the ing voluntary contribution, Labor is also sympa- super surcharge—‘and I have quoted from thetic to increasing the compulsory contribution the appropriate sections of the Financial Re- from the 9 per cent level that will take effect next view that the Labor Party was opposed to the year. super surcharge.’ Not true; absolutely untrue. He says the evidence suggests that the pro- The Labor Party are supporting it. They are posed 9 per cent compulsory contribution in 2002 not going to vote against it here or in the “is still not enough”, although the issue of ade- quacy would be examined in detail by the inquiry. Senate. They have always adopted that atti- tude, going right back to the day of its intro- That is the inquiry he has mentioned here duction. So I do not know what the Austra- tonight. lian Labor Party are expecting to achieve by So both the spokesman and the Leader of trying to play one side of the fence in a fi- the Opposition are saying, ‘We know it is not nancial journal that I suppose they feel is enough money to meet the goals to have the read exclusively by magnates of some sort or compulsory level of super pegged at nine per another who would be affected by the super cent,’ but they trail their coat by saying, surcharge but not read by ordinary people. ‘Well, we are not sure whether we are going Completely untrue. It shows you how out of to do it; we are going to have an inquiry.’ touch they are with the average Australian. That is code for ‘we are going to do it, but It is almost universally agreed that super- we do not want to tell you we are going to do annuation is too complex. But when you go it.’ That is exactly the system that Bob to examine how you might change it it be- Hawke and Paul Keating adopted on a num- comes a problem; and, despite the agreement ber of occasions when they were in office to by many authorities that it is too complex, break the news that they were going to there does not seem to be any perfect plan on change the tax system—like bringing in the way in which you should tax superannu- capital gains tax and other taxes. I notice that ation. So the government has moved to the Leader of the Opposition, in a doorstop modify the taxation put in place by our on 2 August, said: predecessors, and has instigated a superan- We introduced the Superannuation Guarantee nuation surcharge and a termination pay- charge that is still not quite complete. It will be at ments surcharge simply to bring some more 9 per cent of your income next year. It needs to be equity into the system, to bring a balance, more than that. and to still, however, give favoured treatment In the same doorstop he goes on to say: to the taxing provisions of superannuation. I If you can get it [superannuation contributions] think any financial adviser will quickly tell a say to 12 to 15 per cent instead of 9 per cent of member of the public that there is still sig- people’s earnings you have solved the problem ... nificant advantage in investing in superannu- we are almost there at 9 per cent. Next year, we ation. The advantage is still there, the cer- 29176 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 tainty is still there and the benefits are still So we have here a sensible provision, an- there. So, despite surcharges, complexity and nounced by the Assistant Treasurer back on all the rest of it, this government has moved 22 May—it has been coming for that long. to clarify areas of superannuation. This leg- The legislation and amendments are in place. islation before the House tonight does these It will be a big improvement. It will simplify things. the process and it will alleviate payment by a The government has announced three number of people within the system. Making measures relating to employer contributions these changes will, of course, result in a loss and to the surcharge. I think these measures of revenue for government which, if I re- have been widely welcomed. The date—19 member rightly, will be in the range of $17 August—is going to be in place so that the million to $21 million in a full year. It is a changes to the transitional provisions for significant loss of revenue. It alleviates the surcharge on ETPs would be coming to an situation of lower to medium income earners. end and therefore the full amount of the A bit of additional information which I think ETPs taken as cash would be surchargeable is useful is that for approved early retirement from 19 August. From the calculations on schemes and bona fide redundancy pay- amounts that I have seen, that means a re- ments, the tax-free amount for 1999-2000 is duction of something like 75 per cent in the $4,858 plus $2,429 for each completed year payments. That is a very significant reduc- of service. That is indexed for the next tion; there is still the application of some year—2000-01—to $5,062 plus $2,531 for surcharge, but there is a significant reduc- each completed year of service. tion. The first measure in this legislation to- I commend the bill to the House. It is a night addresses this issue and ensures that sensible modification made to legislation that only the post-August 1996 amount of an em- many would prefer not to have, but which is ployer contribution will be surchargeable. It a piece of equity legislation put in place by a is not going back before that time, but only government seeking to balance the opportu- taking in the four or five years since that nities for people, whether they be high earn- time, so the averaging process applies only to ers receiving a golden handshake or a big that four or five years. superannuation payout or somebody who has The second measure in this legislation will a small DIY fund or a small fund contributed ensure that low to middle income earners to by their employer as they work day to day. with modest employer payments will gener- Mr SLIPPER (Fisher—Parliamentary ally not be subject to surcharge. I have been Secretary to the Minister for Finance and given an example that a taxpayer who cur- Administration) (6.28 p.m.)—in reply—Mr rently takes an employer ETP of $90,000 as Deputy Speaker, in summing up the Super- cash will have the full amount included in annuation Contributions Taxes and Termina- their adjusted taxable income and could be tion Payments Tax Legislation Amendment subject to a surcharge of the full 15 per Bill 2001, I am well aware of the time and I cent—the range, as I remember it, is one to will endeavour to truncate my comments. 15 per cent. Under the new arrangements, if This bill introduces three measures which this taxpayer has 10 years service, only will improve the operation and fairness of $9,000 will be included in their adjusted tax- the superannuation surcharge in relation to able income. Provided other components of employer eligible termination payments. The adjusted taxable income are less than government is responding to concerns that $72,000, this person will now pay no sur- have been raised about the surcharge provi- charge. That is a release and a relief for the sions, and these measures have been widely lower to modest and medium income earner. welcomed. The government announced on The final measure in this legislation will en- 22 May 2001 the measures contained in this sure that taxpayers do not pay more than the bill as part of the 2001-02 federal budget. top marginal rate plus Medicare levy on an The first measure continues existing ar- employer ETP that is subject to a surcharge. rangements that are to finish on 19 August this year. Without this measure, surcharge Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29177 would be payable on the full amount of a THERAPEUTIC GOODS (CHARGES) termination payment from 20 August 2001. AMENDMENT BILL 2001 This measure ensures that only the portion of Second Reading a termination payment received that relates to service after 20 August 1996 will be sub- Debate resumed from 29 March, on mo- ject to the surcharge. The second measure tion by Mr McGauran: ensures that taxpayers who receive modest That the bill be now read a second time. termination payments and who otherwise do Mr GRIFFIN (Bruce) (8.00 p.m.)—The not have high incomes should have a reduced Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medical or no surcharge liability. This will be Devices) Bill 2001 establishes a new com- achieved by averaging certain termination prehensive system for the regulation of payments over the individual’s period of medical devices in Australia. The Therapeu- service with the employer, for the purposes tic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2001 is of determining the appropriate surcharge consequential and it provides for annual rate. The third measure will ensure that tax- charges to be imposed in respect of medical payers who receive a termination payment in devices included in the Australian Register cash will not pay more than the top marginal of Therapeutic Goods. In 1998, Australia tax rate plus the Medicare levy. signed a mutual recognition agreement with I do have a range of rebuttal points to the the European Community that covers a num- matters raised by the honourable member for ber of industry sectors, including the medical Wills but, bearing in mind the time allocated device sector, and permits conformity as- for this section of the debate is just about sessment of medical devices traded between finished, I will not proceed in a detailed re- Australia and Europe to be undertaken in the sponse. That does not mean, of course, that exporting country. In addition, Australia has we accept the points made by the member for been a principal member of a broader proj- Wills. The measures in the bill clearly im- ect, the Global Harmonisation Task Force for prove the overall equity of the termination medical devices, that has used the European payments surcharge and the superannuation regulatory system, which is considered to be contributions surcharge legislation. I com- world’s best practice, as the basis for a global mend the bill to the chamber. model for medical device regulation. The system proposed in this bill incorporates Question resolved in the affirmative. elements of the EC regulatory requirements Bill read a second time. and will apply to medical devices that are not Third Reading covered by the EC’s system, including tam- Leave granted for third reading to be pons and hospital and commercial grade moved forthwith. disinfectants. Bill (on motion by Mr Slipper) read a The main provisions of this bill are: a new third time. scheme that will be a separate chapter in the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989; the introduc- Sitting suspended from 6.31 p.m. to tion of a definition of ‘medical device’ in- 8.00 p.m. cluding a classification scheme based on the BILLS RETURNED FROM THE level of invasiveness of the body, duration of SENATE use and contact with the central nervous or The following bill was returned from the circulatory system; the requirement for Senate without amendment or request: manufacturers to meet ‘essential principles’ Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Post- for safety and performance; the requirement retirement Commutations) Bill 2000 for manufacturers to demonstrate that appro- priate quality management procedures have THERAPEUTIC GOODS been applied in the manufacture of a device; AMENDMENT (MEDICAL DEVICES) and flexible options for pre-market assess- BILL 2001 ment of medical devices. It includes provi- Cognate bill: sions for exemptions for medical devices to treat medically ill patients or importation 29178 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 under the Personal Import Scheme, for spe- Deficiencies in the system relating to the cial treatment or experimental purposes— tracking of implanted devices were also dis- that is, clinical trials—and those covered by cussed as part of the inaugural meeting of the an authorised prescriber authority. The bill Council for Safety and Quality in Health also includes a wide range of post-market Care in February 2000. One of the areas for mechanisms to enforce compliance with immediate action identified during that safety and quality control standards; the meeting was the need to examine a system to additional power to suspend medical devices track implanted medical devices. In support from the register; the introduction of of this, I shall quote the media statement re- additional offences relating to non- leased by the council on 18 February 2000. It compliance together with penalties; and a states: transitional period of five years within which Chaired by Dr Bruce Barraclough, President of manufacturers must comply with the the Australasian College of Surgeons, and sup- requirements of the new scheme. ported by State and Federal Health Ministers, the Overall, the Therapeutic Goods Amend- Council will provide national leadership to im- ment (Medical Devices) Bill 2001 provides prove the safety and quality of care in hospitals and other health settings. for a much more comprehensive and rigorous system for the regulation of medical devices ‘The Council has considered existing activities in than currently exists. In addition, unlike pre- safety and quality as they relate to consumers of health care, looking at the diversity and breadth of vious bills, such as the recently debated the issues as well as the available resources and Australia New Zealand Food Authority the linkages that need to be made,’ said Dr Barra- Amendment Bill 2001, the proposed system clough. has been developed in close consultation ‘We have made a good start on a strategic plan for with both industry and consumer the Council, its vision and our objectives over the stakeholders and it has their support. How- next five years, as well as identifying areas for ever, it is disappointing to see that the Min- immediate action ... ister for Health and Aged Care has failed to One of those areas identified in the media take this opportunity to address a major con- statement for immediate action is to ‘exam- cern raised not only by Labor but also by his ine a system to track implanted medical de- own Council for Safety and Quality in vices’. The release goes on to state: Health Care that would see the establishment of a registry for permanently implantable ‘This Council provides health ministers and in- deed the whole health sector, including consum- devices. That is something that the Labor ers, with a unique opportunity to build on existing Party actively pursued publicly and in par- knowledge and work in the area of safety and liament last year as a means of providing quality to make genuine gains and implement additional public health safeguards for Aus- credible and realistic national standards ... tralians who have had implanted devices I understand that the council will be pursuing such as heart pacemakers. the medical devices issue as a priority next Labor’s efforts in this area follow the re- year. call in Australia in June last year of the St At the time of the St Jude recall, Labor Jude brand of heart pacemakers following called on the Howard government to heed concerns about the premature failure of these the advice of the council to institute such an devices, which illustrated deficiencies in the examination and to set up a registry for im- system for identifying and contacting recipi- planted devices, including pacemakers. In ents. As an interesting aside, St Jude is the response, the minister for health, care of a patron saint of desperate cases, which is nice dorothy dixer, told parliament that the probably the way that many of those in- current system was the best in the world and volved in the recall felt at the time. I under- that was that. Well, that is not what his own stand that the recall has recently become the expert committee thinks, as evidenced by subject of litigation by a group of patients their initial recommendations and their con- who were understandably distressed by the tinued pursuit of the matter. experience. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29179

Again, I draw members’ attention to the launch of, the therapeutic goods processes in council’s statement, which calls for health Australia. This is an area in which I have ministers to take advantage of the opportu- been most critical of the Therapeutic Goods nity to build on existing knowledge and Authority for the unnecessary delays they work. We may indeed have the best system impose on Australian producers and manu- relative to others, but it is a system that can facturers, often with nothing more than a and should be better. That is why Labor will bureaucratic reason, the result of which is to be moving amendments to this bill to provide deny Australian users and patients the latest a legislative and regulatory framework for techniques to be used to their benefit and to the establishment of a registry for notifiable improve their health. I have also been critical implantable devices that will enable efficient of the costs and charges of this organisation, tracking and improve recall procedures. because there seems to be no limit to what While the current bill provides that the they can charge for what comes into their Secretary of the Therapeutic Goods Admini- head. I urge the government and the minister stration may impose conditions on the inclu- to keep an eye on those processes and not to sion of a device on the Australian Register of relent in respect of the high standards that Therapeutic Goods, including keeping rec- obtain to the Therapeutic Goods Authority. ords relating to the tracking and location of The Therapeutic Goods Amendment devices of that kind after their supply, Labor (Medical Devices) Bill 2001 and cognate bill and the experts believe that such conditions that we are debating tonight seeks to intro- must be mandatory. Labor amendments will duce an improved code and process, and place responsibility for the accurate listing of something which is more structured and un- implanted devices with both the manufac- derstandable than what we have had in the turer and the medical practitioner responsible past. It is said that we are moving towards a for the implant. There will also be provisions European consideration of therapeutic goods for advising the registry if an implant has and products. That has some advantages and been removed. some disadvantages for Australia. However, While the area of most urgency relates to there is a view among similar countries, such those devices that are life supporting or life as Britain, Canada, Japan and Australia, to sustaining, such as cardiac pacemakers, it is name four, that the process we are following the view of experts in the field that any reg- is by far the best process to gain the best re- istry should eventually cover all permanently sults for Australians. implanted devices such as new hip joints, I would like to draw the attention of the breasts and penile implants. Labor amend- House to another area. If we settle for a code ments, which allow for particulars in respect that has international credibility, then we of the definition of a notifiable implantable must accept that, if a product or device is device to be set out in regulation, provide tested in the most rigorous way under the sufficient flexibility to address these impor- code or a code similar to the one we have tant issues. In order to ensure that the good adopted, that test should be adequate for system that Australians enjoy can be even Australian conditions. If there is a need for better and even safer, I would strongly urge the manufacturers to verify at every stage the government to accept these sensible and that the testing processes have been properly important amendments when they are moved supervised, and if they can verify all the during consideration in detail. testing steps, I do not see why we should In supporting the Therapeutic Goods spend months verifying those tests in Aus- (Charges) Amendment Bill 2001, Labor, and tralia. That is often the case. I noticed re- I am sure many Australians, await with inter- cently that the TGA fast-tracked a simple est the government’s response to our pro- product and that fast-tracking process took posed amendments to the Therapeutic Goods 10 months. Amendment (Medical Devices) Bill 2001. I notice also that only just recently the Mr CADMAN (Mitchell) (8.09 p.m.)— Therapeutic Goods Administration has given We are debating tonight changes to, and the approval to the general use of modified sili- 29180 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 con breast implants. That comes just two implantable devices, such as baby incuba- months after more than 3,000 Australian tors, external pacemakers, surgical lasers, women received a $38 million payout in the ventilators’ and so on. Class III covers ‘high case against the Dow Corning Corporation. risk devices, including surgically invasive There is need for care in this area and there is devices and animal-derived products, such as also a need to make sure that Australians are absorbable sutures, heart valves, vascular not disadvantaged and that they have access prostheses and stents’ and other products. to the most recent techniques and the best There is also a fifth class, AIMDs. This cov- technology in the world for their own health ers ‘implantable pulse generators, im- and their own benefit. plantable electrodes and implantable drug Among the issues dealt with by the TGA infusion devices’, all of which of course has been the ordering of drugs on the Inter- could be of high risk to the patient. net. I understand that within Australia, the This legislation is needed and it is war- Pharmacy Guild of Queensland has said that ranted. It creates a registrable and listable about seven per cent of Australians could be group, which I have just described. I think buying illegal and unregistered drugs over the classification scheme is a sensible one. I the Internet without prescription or quality appeal to those who have responsibility to assurance. That is a very dangerous process. use the terms and powers of the TGA to Pharmaceutical and health industry repre- make sure that the complex definitions of sentatives are absolutely right to make sure medical devices and therapeutic devices are that authorities such as the Therapeutic made clear. One only has to look at the list of Goods Administration are aware that that devices which fall within the definitions—if could be happening. The administration has they are to stand as proposed—to see the said that it has taken several actions to stop wide range, which includes: the illegal sale of drugs on the Internet, but it • diagnosis, prevention, monitoring, treatment or could not provide details of every case. That alleviation of disease, is understandable because the management • diagnosis, monitoring, treatment, alleviation of of the Internet is new and difficult and it may or compensation for an injury or handicap, impose very large costs on Australian • investigation, replacement or modification of authorities as they try to track down the way the anatomy or of a physiological process, or in which the Internet is being used and the • control of conception. purposes for which it is being used. There are a wide range of products that I will run through the changes in the bill spring to mind when one looks at those briefly. Five classes of classification are to broad series of definitions. be established. Some of the examples of the types of medical devices that will be covered The government has been dealing with by the regulations under the bill include class this and consulting for a long time. I hope the I which is defined as ‘low risk devices which whole process works because it will be to are non-invasive, such as hospital beds’—we Australia’s benefit, but it must serve two can imagine a long-term test on a hospital purposes: it must provide quick, accurate bed—‘walking aids, wheelchairs, simple access to known cures that can produce cer- surgical and dental instruments’. Those are tain results and it must also act as a police- the sorts of areas that are quite irritating. It man against any abuse or uncertainty that seems to take ages to redetermine whether can arise in the use of medical and therapeu- something that has proved to be serviceable tic devices. for many years, and which has a known Dr SOUTHCOTT (Boothby) (8.17 reputation, is safe to use. Class IIa covers p.m.)—Recipients of medical devices would ‘intermediate risk medical devices ... such as not enjoy the same quality of life without hearing aids, dental filling materials, ECG them. In particular, when we think of things machines, hospital grade disinfectants’ and such as pacemakers or heart valves, it is clear so on. Class IIb covers ‘intermediate risk that, without these, life expectancy for some medical devices, including some invasive or people would be severely limited. Medical Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29181 devices are health care products whose use pean approach and what this bill does is con- requires the assistance of health care profes- sistent with the global model and consistent sionals. with the European approach. The high risk What these amendments do is benefit con- devices are manufactured by a small number sumers through comprehensive risk man- of multinationals. To avoid the costs of agement. Medical devices will be classified unique regulation we should have a consis- according to the risk involved in the use of tent system around the world. I should also the device, which is dependent on the level mention that, while about 90 per cent of of invasiveness in the human body, the dura- medical devices are imported, within Aus- tion of use and things like contact with the tralia this is a $1.8 billion industry and about nervous system or the circulatory system. 40 per cent of that is exported. The classification moves from what we cur- There are consumer benefits from this rently have with the TGA—a prescriptive new bill. As I said before, we will have a risk system with two classes—to a system with based classification, where the level of five classes. The new system will identify regulation will match the risk. Also, manu- and manage risks involved with the new facturers will be required to be audited and to technology. have their systems certified. It also allows When we think of medical devices, it is certain high risk devices to be assessed by important that we have a system of regula- the TGA—for example, products which may tion and this is an improvement on the previ- contain contaminated animal material and ous regulation, which came into place in may be contaminated with BSE can still be 1989. The TGA is our equivalent of the Food assessed by the TGA. and Drug Administration in the United There are also benefits for the industry in States. When we think of things like the Dal- this new bill. It removes a system of unique kon Shield or the Bjork-Shiley heart valve, Australian regulation. It also facilitates the this legislation attempts to ensure that, if agreement between Australia and the Euro- there are any unintended consequences like pean Union on the mutual recognition there were from those items in future, there agreement, and it provides flexibility for will be an improved ability, firstly, to assess manufacturers and provides the option of the risk and also to recall those products. electronic lodgment on the register. It also The bill allows the introduction of an in- allows the TGA to suspend a device rather ternationally harmonised framework for the than just cancelling it on the register, allow- regulation of medical devices that will pro- ing time to investigate adverse incidents. tect consumers and allow for the rapid avail- The bill is the result of extensive consul- ability of medical technologies. The problem tations since 1998 with consumers, the medi- with the Therapeutic Goods Administration cal devices industry, professional groups and Act 1989 is that it does not balance risk clas- states and territories. The Therapeutic Goods sification of new technologies with safety Administration regulates medicines and and quality standards. That is what this new therapeutic devices at a national level. This bill does. The current act only recognises bill legislates for a new system to classify, unique Australian standards and does not assess and approve medical devices. Medical recognise the fact that something like 90 per devices include pacemakers, heart valves, cent of medical devices are imported. It also medical gloves, bandages, syringes, con- limits the post-market monitoring and the doms, contact lenses, X-ray equipment, heart adverse incident reporting that can occur rate monitors, surgical lasers, dialysis within the Australian jurisdiction. equipment and baby incubators. That is not Since the mid-1990s, the Global Harmoni- an exclusive list, but it is the sort of thing sation Task Force—which includes the that we are looking at. The Australian medi- United States, Canada, Europe, Japan and cal device industry was valued at $1½ billion Australia—has been working on the devel- in 1996. We have about one per cent of the opment of a global model to regulate medical global market and, as I mentioned, 40 per devices. This model is based on the Euro- 29182 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 cent of this is exported. But, of what we have One issue that has been raised is implant here in Australia, 90 per cent is imported. tracking. One of the problems with this is In June 1998 Australia signed the mutual that implant tracking places requirements on recognition agreement with the then Euro- manufacturers and sponsors to obtain infor- pean Community. This treaty covers a num- mation relating to individual patients. Spon- ber of industries, including the medical de- sors and manufacturers do not have the vice industry. I will go into some detail on power to access hospital and private patient the treaty. It allows assessment to be carried health records, and many of these devices out in the exporting country. This is intended may sit on a hospital shelf for months before as a flexibility measure to remove unneces- they are implanted into a patient. It would be sary regulation and duplication. It does not very difficult for sponsors or manufacturers require harmonisation or the mutual recogni- to obtain this information. Also, it is cur- tion of standards. All the European assess- rently outside the scope of the Therapeutic ment body has to do is check that products Goods Act 1989 for the TGA to regulate comply with the Australian standards. There medical practitioners. is also, as I said before, a wider Global Har- It should be noted that the government al- monisation Task Force which includes G7 ready does undertake some implant tracking. countries and the rest of the European Union. The bill already includes some provision for The Global Harmonisation Task Force is the keeping of records by sponsors relating based on the European system. to the tracking and location of devices under The aims of this bill are to reduce unnec- section 41FO(2)(c). Conditions will be essary regulation and to give consumers placed on the supply of devices by sponsors faster access to new technologies while still to ensure that they are involved as far as pos- maintaining safety standards. The bill defines sible in the keeping of records to facilitate medical devices. It also classifies medical implant tracking. Under Australia’s existing devices based on the level of invasiveness of regulatory system for medical devices, there the body, the duration of use and the contact are no provisions in law for the establish- with the central nervous system or the circu- ment of device registries for implantable latory system. For example, class I is low medical devices which record the recipients risk; class III includes things like heart of the device and conduct long-term patient valves, absorbable sutures and vascular tracking. prostheses. It also has a special class for ac- However, currently there are some volun- tive implantable medical devices, which in- tary implant registries within Australia which cludes things like pacemakers. are maintained by private or community fi- The bill provides for a new and compre- nanced organisations. Some link patients to hensive system to classify medical devices specific models of devices; others merely based on the level of risk they will pose to record procedures. For example, the Austra- patients. It also introduces essential princi- lia and New Zealand heart valve registry ples of safety and performance and confor- seeks to identify and locate patients im- mity assessment procedures for demonstrat- planted with the Bjork-Shiley con- ing quality management which provide vexo/concave heart valve which I mentioned minimum standards for quality and safety. earlier. There is also the cardiac surgery reg- The TGA will have the power to audit appli- ister and the coronary angioplasty register, cations and to require a conformity assess- which are maintained by the Australian In- ment. These will improve the pre-market stitute of Health and Welfare. In my elector- assessment for high risk devices. Much of ate of Boothby, the Australian corneal graft the new scheme replicates the existing provi- register is linked to Flinders University. sions of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 but, There is also a national joint replacement as I said before, it has not kept pace with registry which is maintained by the Austra- actually reflecting the risk and classifying the lian Orthopaedic Association. Device spe- risk of medical devices. cific registries are available for orthopaedic surgery. The Australia and New Zealand Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29183 heart valve registry has retrospectively lo- in place a sophisticated post-market moni- cated 96 per cent of one particular valve, the toring and recall system, which will be en- Bjork-Shiley convexo/concave valve. hanced by the new arrangements in this bill. Last year, the TGA was involved in a The bill has been around for a long time. number of hazard alert recall actions involv- As I said before, it resulted from the mutual ing cardiac pacemakers. In the two cases recognition agreement between Australia and where it was considered necessary to trace the European Union. There has been exten- patients with the affected pacemaker, 98 per sive consultation with consumers and indus- cent of patients with one type of pacemaker try groups. Australia will be aligning with were traced and 100 per cent of patients with international best practice by adopting a another type of pacemaker were traced. No global regulatory model for medical devices. country in the world has established a suc- This will ensure that consumers have timely cessful implant tracking system that provides access to new technologies, while both con- 100 per cent traceability of patients. In 2000 sumers and industry will benefit from the government formed the Council for avoiding unnecessary costs through the re- Safety and Quality in Health Care, which I moval of regulatory duplication. Medical think the member for Bruce mentioned in his device safety will be improved by moving speech and which is supported by state and from the current prescriptive regulatory sys- federal health ministers, to provide national tem that recognises only unique Australian leadership to improve the safety and quality standards to a comprehensive, risk based of care in hospitals and other health settings. classification system that will allow the ap- One of the key priorities of the council is to propriate level of regulation to be applied to examine a system to track implanted medical each class of device. An increased emphasis devices, and there has also been a suggestion on post-market vigilance, with mandatory for a nationally operated implant tracking reporting requirements for adverse incidents, system that would use the Health Insurance and provisions for tracking of high risk im- Commission database to link patients with plantable devices will also improve medical their implanted medical devices. So, on the device safety. issue of implant tracking, there is already a Mr IAN MACFARLANE (Groom— lot going on in terms of community organi- Minister for Small Business) (8.33 p.m.)— sations and there is some scope, as I said, for The Therapeutic Goods Amendment using organisations like the HIC. (Medical Devices) Bill 2001 will allow the In relation to unintended consequences introduction of an internationally harmonised with the use of a device, the bill carries an approach to the regulation of medical devices improvement in the free market assessment in Australia. It follows recommendations of products through the introduction of a made in the 1997 Industry Commission re- comprehensive, risk based classification port into the medical and scientific equip- system that will allow an appropriate level of ment industries. In this day and age medicine regulation to be applied to each class of de- is a very complex science, and with that vice, and that should improve the safety of complex science comes the medical hard- medical devices that are approved for supply ware that goes with it. in Australia. Despite all the precautions that In my electorate of Groom we have seen you can have at the free market stage, there some enormous advances in the sorts of is still the potential for problems to occur treatment that people can receive, both in the with medical devices; therefore, this bill pro- private and in the public systems. Part of vides, which was not previously there with those treatments includes the fitting of these the TGA, an emphasis on post-market sorts of medical equipment. It is important to monitoring of devices, vigilance with man- not only the constituents that I represent but datory reporting requirements for adverse constituents right around Australia that they incidents and provisions for the tracking of can have confidence in these devices and that high risk implantable devices. All this should they can be sure that the practices and the improve medical device safety. Australia has devices used in Australia comply with high 29184 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Australian standards and high international tem where the level of regulation applied to standards. The electorate of Groom has an each class of device will be proportional to economy that has prospered as a result of the level of risk posed by its use based on the supplying an exceptionally high level of level of invasiveness, duration of use and services not only to the people of the Darling contact with the central nervous system or Downs but also to people in western Queen- the circulatory system. All manufacturers sland and northern New South Wales. In re- will be required to meet quality system stan- turn for that prosperity the level of service, in dards. Under the current system, only 50 per turn, improves. cent of manufacturers are required to meet I am certainly proud of the hospitals that I quality system standards. You can see from have in my electorate. We have seen them that simple example the extra guarantees that continue to invest in the very latest that users and patients who take advantage of the medical science has to offer—the sorts of devices included in this legislation will re- things that give opportunity and quality of ceive from that one basic change. life to those people who receive their treat- There will be an increased emphasis on ment. Hospitals like St Vincent’s, St An- post-market monitoring for safety, including drew’s and the Toowoomba Base Hospital the requirement that manufacturers and are certainly involved in the day-to-day im- sponsors report adverse events involving provement to not only people’s quality of life their medical devices to the TGA within but also the fitting of some of the devices specified time frames. Again, it is almost an that will be covered by this proposed legisla- after-market service system that has been tion. As well as those hospitals, of course, incorporated into this to ensure that, when we have smaller hospitals that service small these devices are fitted, they continue to be communities around Toowoomba, and both monitored in such a way that, if there are any Clifton and Pittsworth are blessed with small sorts of issues, let alone problems, with these community hospitals. Just outside my elec- devices, they will be reported in such a way torate, in the electorate of Maranoa, we have that the issue can be addressed. a hospital in the township of Allara and, to There will be provision to facilitate the the north in the electorate of Blair, we have a tracking of high risk implantable devices. fine hospital in the town of Crows Nest. The bill will ensure that Australia will har- As I say, medicine is a very important monise with international best practice for facet of people’s lives these days and some medical device regulation. As someone who of these devices have gone a long way to sees internationalism and globalisation as enhancing not only their longevity but also one of the challenges facing small business, their ability to participate in the community, there are advantages in making sure that the to remain active and to contribute to the medical fraternity keeps in step with interna- community that is around them. The new tional standards and that undue duplication regulatory system will lead to improved of process and red tape will be decreased. medical device safety through the mainte- Removal of red tape is something that I nance of the highest standard of safety per- am sure those people on the other side of the formance and quality and timely availability chamber, as well as those on this side of the of medical devices marketed in Australia. chamber, would support wholeheartedly. It The legislation requires all medical devices remains a challenge for governments at all to meet substantive requirements for quality, levels—local, state and national—to ensure safety and performance for the protection of that any opportunity to reduce red tape is patients and users. As I say, it is important taken full advantage of. Due to these that we are able to offer people the highest changes, the amount of red tape will decrease possible level of confidence while at the as much of the regulation duplication under same time providing them with the highest the current system will be removed. possible quality equipment. Under the present system, medical devices The classification of medical devices will imported from overseas have to meet unique change from a prescriptive system to a sys- Australian standards. The new regulatory Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29185 system will harmonise Australia’s regulatory Given the sensitivity of certain high risk requirements with overseas best practice, devices, section 41EA of this new legislation based on the recommendation of the Global provides for these devices to be fully as- Harmonisation Task Force. It is not as sessed by the TGA before they are marketed though we are in any way compromising in Australia. This would exclude such de- standards; we are simply aiming to facilitate vices from the scope of any mutual recogni- the benefits of mutual recognition agree- tion agreement Australia may have with ments with European Union countries. other countries. The government considers The industry will benefit from the this to be a particularly important provision amendments for removal of the unique Aus- given the risks associated with these par- tralian regulatory requirements for medical ticular devices—for example, the possibility devices. This will decrease regulatory dupli- of products that may contain such things as cation and will facilitate trade for Australian contaminated animal material, including bo- exporters and importers. As the Minister for vine sourced material from BSE identified Small Business, I travel around Australia and countries. Australia does indeed enjoy a visit various electorates. I have been im- unique place in the world not only in terms pressed on a number of occasions by indus- of medical isolation, which protects us from tries based here in Australia. In fact, some of some of these animal based diseases, but also them in regional Australia are not only com- in terms of our livestock industry. As a pri- peting with imported medical equipment but mary producer almost by birth, I think Aus- going out into that global marketplace and tralia has much to do and must be ever vigi- competing with the international companies lant in maintaining that unique and safe po- in markets all over the world. I admire that sition not only for our inhabitants of the hu- sort of innovation and initiative, which we man kind but also for our inhabitants of the see so often from small business. The quality animal kind. that these companies produce is very much The scope of low risk, non-powered and world standard. non-sterile medical devices included in the This bill will also facilitate the operation Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods of an Australian European Union mutual will also be increased, allowing for a more recognition agreement, known as an MRA, effective post-marketing monitoring system and will particularly benefit Australia’s ac- that will ensure consumers continue to be cess to European markets. Access to markets protected from unsafe products. There will in the international sense is something that be a small number of products currently we should strive for at every opportunity. regulated as devices that will not fall under Applications for entry of low to medium risk the new framework. They will continue to be devices on the Australian Register of Thera- regulated by the TGA, using existing Aus- peutic Goods will be streamlined using a tralian standards. It is proposed to also in- new electronic lodgment process. Processing clude in-vitro diagnostic products under the times will be reduced markedly from 28 days new regulatory framework within the next to virtual time if the pre-market certificates couple of years. These devices include all meet requirements. Twenty per cent of the pathology tests. The global model for these applications will be audited prior to entry. devices is under development and the TGA Manufacturers will have greater flexibility is consulting widely with stakeholders on and choice in the way they demonstrate that this matter. their products meet the substantive require- There will also be an increased emphasis ments for safety performance and quality on post-market activities, with the require- through choice of different procedures such ment for manufacturers and sponsors to re- as type of testing or evaluation of technical port adverse events involving their medical dossiers by the regulator. All manufacturers devices to the TGA within specified time will be required to have a quality manage- frames. Australia’s involvement in an inter- ment system. national post-market vigilance system should reduce the likelihood of repeated adverse 29186 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 events and influence the development of new system, overall there should be savings to the medical devices. industry through the harmonisation of tech- Australian consumers need and benefit nical requirements and standards. from access to a wide range of medical de- Some areas of industry that market medi- vices, including new technologies. By dollar cal device products that are exempt from or value, approximately 90 per cent of medical excluded under the current arrangements devices used by Australians are imported. have expressed concern about the move to The Australian medical devices market is regulate their products and the potential cost approximately one per cent of the global involved in implementing quality assurance market. It is therefore imperative that Aus- programs. These changes are in line with tralia has a regulatory system aligned with international best practice to ensure high world’s best practice that ensures a high de- quality and safe medical devices. These in- gree of medical device safety, performance creased costs could also be offset by poten- and quality and also allows timely access to tial gains through easier access to European new devices. This will ensure that we main- markets for Australian manufacturers and tain maximum safety for the users of these entry into Australia for products imported devices while at the same time ensuring that, from Europe. The TGA is looking at a num- when these devices are of a standard in ber of measures, including the grouping of which we can have confidence, their intro- families of low to medium risk devices under duction into the Australian medical system is one ARTG entry to ensure that there is not a not delayed or held up in any way. significant increase in regulatory costs for The international model of regulation suppliers of these devices. adopts the global model developed by the The vast majority of products that are cur- Global Harmonisation Task Force, compris- rently regulated as therapeutic devices will ing the regulators of Europe, the USA, Can- be regulated as medical devices under the ada, Japan and Australia. The European sys- new system. A small number of products tem is the basis for the new global model. will not fall under the new framework, as The new regulatory requirements will facili- they do not fit the international definition of tate the operation of the Australian-European a medical device. These include household, Union mutual recognition agreement, MRA, commercial and hospital grade disinfectants by avoiding unnecessary or unique regula- and menstrual tampons. These will continue tions which make Australian access to inter- to be regulated by the TGA using existing national markets less competitive. Australian standards. Devices incorporating As is usually the case with changes, there human tissue will also not be included in the will be some cost implications for industry, new framework. There is a general agree- such as the cost of implementing quality as- ment internationally that human tissue surance systems. But these costs should be should be considered as a separate category more than offset by increased export oppor- to medicines and medical devices for Aus- tunity under the new system and savings tralia to maintain its existing ones. The TGA through the removal of regulatory duplica- is currently consulting on a regulatory tion. In other words, it will be a more effi- framework for these products. In-vitro diag- cient system which will give industries that nostic products will also be regulated under produce these goods here in Australia some the existing system initially. However, it is added confidence to invest in the develop- proposed to include in-vitro diagnostic prod- ment and marketing of products. However, ucts under a new regulatory framework the impact on individual companies will de- within the next couple of years. These de- pend on the commercial decisions they make vices include pathology tests. The global and the market pressures. While there will be model for these devices is under develop- some increase in costs for those companies ment and the TGA is currently consulting whose products are reclassified to a higher widely with stakeholders on this matter. risk category and because of the need for all The new system includes the power for manufacturers to have a quality management the TGA to suspend a medical device from Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29187 the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods of high risk implantable devices will also when appropriate, rather than cancelling the improve medical device safety. I commend device from the register. This measure will the legislation to the House. allow manufacturers and sponsors to investi- Question resolved in the affirmative. gate and resolve potentially serious medical device problems without requiring the spon- Bill read a second time. sor to reapply to the TGA, with the associ- Consideration in Detail ated costs of application and re-evaluation. Bill—by leave—taken as a whole. The changes facilitate Australia’s partici- Mr GRIFFIN (Bruce) (8.53 p.m.)—by pation in the international exchange of vigi- leave—I move opposition amendments Nos lance reports and the TGA’s acceptance of a 1 and 2: single internationally agreed dossier for mar- (1) Schedule 1, item 59, page 19, after pro- keting approval. The current system was at posed section 41BD (after line 35), insert the cutting edge of international regulatory 41 BDA What is a notifiable implantable practice for medical devices when it was first medical device introduced in 1991 and has served the Aus- (1) A notifiable implantable medical tralian community well. However, the range device is a medical device that is of sophisticated medical devices is develop- intended by the person under ing quickly. This growth is matched by con- whose name it is to be supplied to sumer expectations for safe and timely ac- be used in the body of a human cess to new technology. Australia must up- being to operate for the purpose of date its regulatory system and harmonise the with international best practice or be left be- (a) prevention, monitoring, hind the rest of the world. treatment or alleviation of To sum up, the Therapeutic Goods disease, or Amendment (Medical Devices) Bill 2001 (b) monitoring, treatment or and the Therapeutic Goods (Charges) alleviation of or compen- Amendment Bill 2001 seek to allow the in- sation for an injury or troduction of an internationally harmonised handicap. framework for the regulation of medical de- (2) The regulations may set out par- vices in Australia. This will allow better ticulars in respect of the definition protection of public health while facilitating of a notifiable implantable medical device. availability of medical technologies consis- (3) Without limiting subsections (1) or tent with state-of-the-art and current knowl- (2), the following kinds of medical edge. Australia will be aligning with interna- devices may be classified as notifi- tional best practice by adopting a global able implantable medical devices: regulatory model for medical devices. This (a) implantable cardiac pacing will ensure consumers have timely access to systems, including pulse new technologies while consumers and the generators, defibrillators, industry will benefit from avoiding unneces- cardioverters, antiachycar- sary costs for the removal of regulatory du- dia devices and their im- plication. plantable accessories, and (b) prosthetic heart valves. Medical device safety will be improved by (2) Schedule 1, item 59, page 51, after moving from the current prescriptive regu- proposed section 41FO (after line latory system that recognises only unique 29) insert: Australian standards to a comprehensive, risk 41 FOA Notifiable Implantable Devices based classification system that will allow (1) The Secretary must ensure that the appropriate level of regulation to be ap- those kinds of medical devices plied in each class of device. An increased which are notifiable implantable medical devices are recorded in a emphasis on post-market vigilance with part of the Register to be known as mandatory reporting requirements for ad- the Register of Notifiable Im- verse incidents and the provision of tracking plantable Devices. 29188 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(2) The regulations may set out re- Jude is, as I said, the patron saint of desper- quirements relating to the obliga- ate causes. As a lifelong Collingwood sup- tions of manufacturers, importers porter, I think Mr Slater is aware of the fact and medical practitioners in re- that St Jude can apply in a range of endeav- spect of notifiable implantable ours. medical devices. (3) Without limiting subsection (1), The register will provide an additional the regulations must provide for safeguard for Australians by allowing track- the recording, in respect of each ing of implanted devices. This will facilitate implantable medical device, of the improved processes in the event of a product (a) serial number or other recall. In acknowledgment of the work that is unique identification of to be undertaken by the Council for Safety each device; and Quality in Health Care, the Labor (b) name, citizenship and con- amendments provide a flexible framework tact details of any person in for the establishment of the register. Thus the whom an implantable first amendment, which defines ‘notifiable medical device is im- implantable device’ provides for the regula- planted; tions to set out particulars in respect of the (c) date on which the device definition. This not only allows for products was implanted and the rea- that are life sustaining or life supporting, son(s) for its implantation; such as pacemakers, to be covered, but will and enable other implantable devices such as (d) date on which a device is breast or penile implants to be included if removed from a person, the deemed appropriate by relevant experts or name of the person from expert committees. whom it is removed, and the reason(s) for its re- Similarly, the second amendment provides moval. for the regulations to set out requirements for manufacturers, importers and medical prac- (4) The regulations may set out terms and conditions concerning access titioners in respect of notifiable implantable to the details contained in the devices, outlines the information required to Register of Notifiable Implantable be recorded on the register, and sets condi- Devices. tions concerning access to details in the pro- 41 FOB Conditions posed register. (1) The Secretary may authorise a per- These amendments provide the flexibility son to import or manufacture noti- required to establish a register that can be fiable medical devices subject to refined and adjusted to take into account any such conditions and duration as the future proposals and standards developed Secretary sees fit. and recommended by experts or expert (2) Failure to comply with these con- committees. Given the flexibility these pro- ditions or to make notifications in posals provide and the fact that an expert accordance with the regulations are government committee has already recom- grounds for revocation of the mended urgent action in this area, I again authority. urge—although, I suspect, forlornly—the As already outlined in my second reading government to accept Labor’s sensible and speech, Labor is moving two amendments to timely amendments. this bill in order to establish a register for Mr IAN MACFARLANE (Groom— notifiable implantable medical devices. I Minister for Small Business) (8.56 p.m.)—I note the presence in the advisers box of the am disappointed that I have only five head of the Therapeutic Goods Administra- minutes to speak to these amendments. There tion, Mr Terry Slater, who would be respon- has been extensive consultation on this sible for implementation in this area. I draw proposal since 1998, with consumers, the to the attention of the House, as I mentioned medical device industry, professional groups earlier, the issue of St Jude’s pacemakers. St and states and territories. There is support for the proposed new regulatory reforms Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29189 new regulatory reforms amongst all these The government received these amend- groups, and I am happy to say that the new ments proposed by the Labor Party only this medical device industry, consumers and pro- afternoon, so there has been little time to fessional groups are in favour of the new assess the proposals in detail. It would seem internationally harmonised regulatory system impractical to accept the amendments in their for all medical devices. current form, as they place requirements on All medical devices will have to meet the manufacturers and sponsors to obtain infor- substantive requirements for safety, perform- mation relating to individual patients. Spon- ance and quality for protection of patients sors and manufacturers do not have the and users. The technical expression of these power to access hospital and private patient requirements is ensured by internationally health records, and many of these devices agreed standards. Medical devices will be may sit on a hospital shelf for months before classified according to the degree of risk in- they are implanted into a patient. Thus it volved in the use of the device, based on the would be difficult for sponsors or manufac- level of invasiveness, duration of use, and turers to obtain this information. Addition- contact with the central nervous and circula- ally, it is currently outside the scope of the tory systems. The new rules based classifi- Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 for the Thera- cation system will appropriately identify and peutic Goods Administration to regulate manage any risks associated with new and medical practitioners. On these grounds the emerging technologies. There will be an in- government cannot support the proposed creased emphasis on post-market monitoring amendments as drafted. However, it should of product safety, with a requirement for be noted that the government is interested in manufacturers and sponsors to report adverse facilitating implant tracking, and the bill al- events involving their medical devices to the ready includes some provision for keeping TGA within specified periods. There will be records by sponsors relating to the tracking a provision to facilitate fast-tracking of high and location of devices under section risk implantable devices. 41FO2(c). Conditions will be placed on the supply of devices by sponsors to ensure that The TGA will introduce the world’s high- they are involved as far as possible in the est standards for post-market monitoring of keeping of records to facilitate implant adverse incidents relating to medical devices. tracking. In the event of a reportable near adverse event, where the event has not resulted in Amendments negatived. death or serious injury, the sponsor must Bill agreed to. submit a report of the adverse event as soon Third Reading as possible, but not later than 30 days after the date of becoming aware of the event. Bill (on motion by Mr Ian Macfar- lane)—by leave—read a third time. Currently there are some voluntary im- plant registers within Australia maintained THERAPEUTIC GOODS (CHARGES) by private or community financed organisa- AMENDMENT BILL 2001 tions. Some link patients to specific models Second Reading of devices; others merely record the proce- Consideration resumed from 29 March, on dures. These registers include the Australia- motion by Mr McGauran: New Zealand Heart Valve Registry, the Car- That the bill be now read a second time. diac Surgery Registry and the Coronary An- gioplasty Registry—a register maintained by Question resolved in the affirmative. the Australian Institute of Health and Wel- Bill read a second time. fare. And the list goes on. There has also Third Reading been a suggestion for a nationally operated Leave granted for third reading to be implant tracking system which uses the moved forthwith. Health Insurance Commission database to link patients to their implanted medical de- Bill (on motion by Mr Ian Macfarlane) vices. read a third time. 29190 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

SPACE ACTIVITIES AMENDMENT There are also issues with duty and import (BILATERAL AGREEMENT) BILL costs, both into Australia and into Russia, 2001 which need to be eliminated if we are to have Second Reading a cost-effective industry. Indeed, the Russian government requires that as a precondition to Debate resumed from 6 June, on motion ensure that their goods that relate to the by Mr Anthony: space industry are given appropriate treat- That the bill be now read a second time. ment on entry into Australia. The space in- Mr MARTYN EVANS (Bonython) (9.02 dustry itself represents the ultimate in export p.m.)—The opposition supports the Space industries. I suppose it would have been ex- Activities Amendment (Bilateral Agreement) empt under the GST provisions anyway, Bill 2001, which seeks to amend the Space even though some of the material occasion- Activities Act 1998, which the House ally may return—all of it we hope in a con- adopted only some three years ago when we trolled fashion, but of course there is always were at the threshold of a new phase of the a possibility of an adverse and uncontrollable space industry in Australia, and which pro- return. We would certainly require that the vides for the making of regulations that will appropriate safety mechanisms be in place, give effect to certain aspects of the agree- which is what the principal act seeks to do. ment between the government of Australia This is the first time the Russian Federa- and the government of the Russian Federa- tion have signed an agreement of this nature tion which relate to cooperation in the field with another country. It is to Australia’s of exploration and the use of outer space for credit that we have established the appropri- peaceful purposes. This agreement was ate physical credentials in relation to the signed in Canberra only recently—in fact, on space industry, because obviously Australia 23 May 2001—and I was able to be present has those in abundance in terms of the ap- after the signing at the embassy, where a propriate remote locations—whether that is number of the visiting delegates from the Christmas Island or Woomera—and the ap- Russian Federation presented their creden- propriate areas where, if there is an adverse tials in this area and discussed with those event associated with this, public safety is who were able to be present at that time the not put at risk. Also, we have a significant mechanisms by which they proposed to im- history in relation to the space industry, par- plement this treaty. The degree of enthusiasm ticularly Woomera in my own state of South they had for working with Australia in this Australia where a great deal of work has area was very encouraging indeed. been done on this. It is proposed that the bill will authorise Indeed, some opportunities were lost the making of the regulations which in fact when the combined Australian, British and then proceed to implement in detail the treaty European space initiatives of the sixties were which we have signed with the Russian Fed- eventually abandoned, when Britain pulled eration. That is essential in order to protect a out of the Blue Streak activity and the other number of aspects of the arrangement which European rocket launches here. Subsequently is proposed. They include the protection of we have seen this technology adopted, with not only the intellectual property and some the Ariane space industry out of French of the physical property which is involved in Guyana in Africa, with a very substantial the space industry and in particular with the launch facility there and significant invest- Russian launch facilities but also the nature ment going into that. But our concern is with of the dual use technology which is involved Australia, and particularly in this case the in space activities. Obviously some of the two areas where the Russian technology is rocket engines and constructions could have involved: Christmas Island—my colleague dual use facilities in a military context, as Warren Snowdon will address those issues could many of the control technologies asso- shortly in some detail—and Woomera in ciated with this. Substantial protection is South Australia. required for that. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29191

The global space industry is a very sig- home satellite technology or mobile phone nificant industry. It employs something like type technology. We have recently seen one million people around the world these some economic catastrophes in mobile phone days and is probably worth in the order of technology in relation to the iridium system, $US100 billion. That is a very substantial with multibillion dollar investments no investment in anyone’s terms. Quite clearly, longer being all that active. But a new use Australia needs to be part of this industry, has been found for the system, albeit at a not only because of the economic benefits somewhat lower price, and many other sys- that can arise from being part of the launch tems are now competing to cater for that industry itself, which is what we are particu- area, with new technology arriving all the larly discussing here, but also because that time. Remote sensing activities are also has numerous spin-off benefits in other tech- something which Australia needs to become nologies. That is probably the area where the much more expert in deploying for our agri- government needs to pay the closest attention cultural and mining industries. A wide vari- to ensure that our industry is able to benefit ety of applications from remote sensing will from the diverse opportunities which will ensure that we are able to capitalise on the arise from having a key component of the flow through benefits of the space industry space industry here. itself. We need to develop skills in that highly So a wide variety of applications flow sensitive manufacturing area which is asso- from the space industry, and the government ciated with space launches. Obviously, space has an important role in ensuring that our technology is worked to very high tolerances industrial sector can capture some of those and very exact manufacturing work, with benefits. To do that, an investment in re- very high quality control standards. That has search and development is required, some- very good spin-offs in other areas of manu- thing that this government has not excelled at facturing, because the skills you develop in recent years, and there is a significant there can be broadened and applied across a need for Australian industry to be alert to the wider variety of activities. Obviously, it opportunities. Those opportunities will only flows on to communications equipment, come once, and once they pass us by, as we communications expertise, telemetry and all have discovered in other industries, it will be of the associated data processing which goes very difficult to recover them. with that. Other industries also flow from Australia does have its own involvement that, because space is very much a platform in the space industry with the FedSat pro- these days for the telecommunications and gram. FedSat is due to be launched from Ja- phone industries, for the Internet and data pan, as it happens, in early 2002. It is a 58- transfer industries, and for global positioning centimetre cube weighing approximately 50 systems. The Europeans have launched their kilograms. This is one of the new breed of Galileo system, which goes with the Russian microsatellites and will be an increasingly glasnost and the American GPS systems. All important part of our technological capacity of those geographical determining electronic in the future. It can play a very important systems allow people to pinpoint their loca- role in delivering benefits from the satellite tion in space and also in time, which is very technology, but at a lower cost and with accurate, I might say. That positioning sys- lower risk. The problem with the very large, tem technology will be useful in many ways, very expensive satellites is if they fail in including tracking aircraft, motor vehicles some way. Obviously, the investment is and trucks. It will be used in a wide variety massive, the cost implications are enormous of applications which we can also expect to and the development time is very long. be part of if we are participants in the space NASA, the American space agency, has an- industry itself. nounced the trend of faster, cheaper and bet- Those spin-offs are also used in the tele- ter satellite technology, which is relevant to communications industry and the satellite the whole space industry but particularly television industry, whether that is direct to NASA. It appropriately applies to the satel- 29192 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 lite technology as well to ensure that we are Dr WASHER (Moore) (9.14 p.m.)—I rise able to put a number of important platforms to speak on the government’s Space Activi- into space but on a reasonably cheap and ties Amendment (Bilateral Agreement) Bill effective basis. 2001. Introducing the bill for its second For example, the FedSat satellite will in- reading in the House, my colleague the Min- clude GPS technology—which will allow a ister for Community Services, Larry An- number of important experiments to be un- thony, outlined its details. This amendment dertaken and resolved in relation to the accu- bill is necessary to accommodate a very sig- racy of GPS—a magnetometer, high per- nificant recent event in Australia’s efforts to formance computing, Ka-band transponders, reinstate itself as a player in the global space a base band processor, UHF communications industry. That event was the signing of the payload and a historic CD-ROM, including ‘Agreement between the government of some important Australian music and Aus- Australia and the government of the Russian tralian records to serve as a time capsule over Federation on cooperation in the field of the the next hundred years or so. exploration and use of outer space for peace- ful purposes’. Members may not be aware The individual experiments by themselves that there are four companies looking at are very important to those who are affiliated Australia as a base for commercial space with them, although they are not as important launch facilities; two of those companies are from the parliament’s point of view. The planning to use Russian technology. The parliament is more interested in the fact that signing of the agreement in May this year by the platform is there to put them into space our own highly productive and dedicated and the fact that Australians are working Minister for Industry, Science and Re- very actively in the Cooperative Research sources, the Hon. Nick Minchin, and Mr Yuri Centre for Satellite Systems. A number of Koptev, Director-General of the Russian young and enthusiastic engineers, scientists Aviation and Space Agency, is the green and technical people are involved who do light for our space industry to develop as a great credit to themselves and to the Austra- global player. lian capacity in this area. The agreement between Australia and The parliament will certainly share in the Russia covers matters such as establishing a joy next year when this satellite is effectively legal and organisational framework for the launched into orbit and the first signals come transfer of space technology, expertise and back and we are able to demonstrate our ca- equipment; protection of intellectual and pability in this area. I also hope that we will physical property; waiving of import duties be able to demonstrate our capability in the for equipment into both countries; and al- launch area as a result of the technology lowing other parties access to these agree- which this legislation allows us to capture for ments. The agreement between Australia and Australia and the cooperation which it envis- the Russian Federation and this bill will fa- ages with the Russian federation. Our indus- cilitate progress by companies working with try should benefit from the subsequent spin- the Russian space agency. The most ad- off technologies, which are very diverse and vanced proposal involves the Asia Pacific broad. This generation of young engineers Space Centre plan, which will use Christmas and scientists should benefit from an Austra- Island as a space launch facility and utilise lian space industry, just as a previous gen- Russian technology. eration did. They will ensure that in the fu- ture we have the experience, enthusiasm and The government’s support for the devel- capability to develop those very valuable opment of Australia’s space industry is un- spin-off industries around the launch indus- ambiguous. In that regard, I was delighted by try itself. So the opposition supports the leg- Minister Minchin’s announcement that the islation, commends the bill to the House and government is willing to spend up to $100 looks forward to the future development of million on Christmas Island to support the our Australian space industry. project. This incentive was provided to counter the financial advantages offered by Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29193 existing infrastructure at a competing space Island is located relatively close to the launch facility in Alcantara, Brazil. This equator, enabling launch vehicles to carry money will be invested in infrastructure on heavier payloads. The main proposed flight Christmas Island, such as airport upgrade path for rockets launched from Christmas and new port and road investment, as well as Island will be to the east—in keeping with providing assistance with ground station fa- geostationary payloads—out over the Timor cilities. It is part of a total $800 million in- Sea and travelling between Australia and vestment planned by the Asia Pacific Space Papua New Guinea. Centre that will see Australia re-enter and be All launches will be subject to stringent a player in the space industry in a way that safeguards, with no member of the public to we have not been since the 1950s. be exposed to a risk exceeding one chance of Being from Western Australia, I also wel- casualty in 10 million launches. The Austra- come the investment as an economic boost lian Petroleum Production and Exploration for the Christmas Island community. It is Association, APPEA, has expressed concerns expected to generate up to 400 jobs during with respect to the safety of their workers construction and up to 550 jobs once it is and facilities. But I also know that Warren operational. This investment and the work Entsch, in association with the Department done by the government, especially Minister of Industry, Science and Resources, has been Minchin, have been vital in attracting interest working very closely for many months with to Australia and demonstrating our commit- APPEA to ensure that our petroleum and gas ment to seeing a space industry and satellite assets are protected. launch facilities established in Australia. Labor’s reaction to the coalition’s com- The APSC project will also open opportu- mitment of $100 million to Christmas Island nities for the broader Australian space sector, and APSC has been very strange. With La- especially in the design, manufacture, testing bor’s talk about a Knowledge Nation, you and flight preparation of satellites and in would think the party would have been the launch related technologies, such as space first to congratulate the government for communications. Again, Western Australia is making such a substantial investment in this well placed in relation to this major project exciting high-technology industry—ac- to benefit from these new opportunities. Ex- knowledged earlier by the shadow minister. amples of high-tech potential include the Instead, Labor came out the day after the future development of new jobs in Australia government’s announcement and started at- for electrical and mechanical engineers, tacking the commitment as being economi- aerospace engineers, physicists and statistical cally irresponsible; the opposition finance specialists, working in such areas as payload spokesperson even referred to it as a ‘vote integration, launch vehicle preparation and buying exercise’. This shows the hypocrisy testing, and telemetry tracking. APSC also of the ALP in relation to science and innova- proposes to establish a space research centre, tion: they are big on rhetoric but fail to de- which will offer postgraduate teaching and liver when it comes to the crunch. research in collaboration with other Austra- The coalition has shown that it is prepared lian and international research institutions. to put its money on the table with a fully Construction work on the spaceport and costed and planned science and innovation supporting infrastructure is scheduled to be- program. The Prime Minister’s innovation gin later this year, and APSC intends to con- statement, Backing Australia’s Ability, will duct two test launches in 2003. APSC is the provide $2.9 billion of additional funding only project targeting geostationary orbits. over five years for science and innovation. Geostationary satellites are approximately This is the largest commitment ever made by 23,000 miles above the earth’s surface and an Australian government. On the other they remain above a fixed point on the hand, you have Labor’s Knowledge Nation, equator. Satellites in geostationary orbit are which is simply an uncosted and confused usually large, with a long operational life, series of motherhood statements. such as communications satellites. Christmas 29194 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

The APSC project is a very important step Government of Australia and the Government of in terms of Australia’s engaging in the high- the Russian Federation on Cooperation in the technology commercial space industry. It Field of the Exploration and Use of Outer Space will be good for Christmas Island, and it will for Peaceful Purposes. The signing followed a be good for Western Australia. If Labor are saga of various proposals for the launch of for- eign space rockets with satellite payloads from a serious about seeing Western Australia grow number of proposed local facilities. and develop in new and innovative ways, they should come out and state clearly that I will refer to those in some more detail later. they support APSC and the Christmas Island The Bills Digest says that the agreement pro- project—and it appears that they will be do- vides for the exemption of imported special- ing so, and I congratulate them for that. I ised space-related goods and equipment from also congratulate the minister on his efforts an Australian duty of up to five per cent. It thus far, and I commend the bill to the says that we should note that the Sales Tax House. Legislation Amendment Bill (No. 1) 1998 passed through parliament in early 1999 and Mr SNOWDON (Northern Territory) that this involved an exemption for space (9.22 p.m.)—I am pleased to be able to speak objects such as satellites launched from on the Space Activities Amendment (Bilat- Australia. Again, this was the result of the eral Agreement) Bill 2001 this evening. I negotiations which took place primarily be- note in passing that I spoke on similar legis- tween Kistler Aerospace and the Common- lation in December 1998, on the then Space wealth government. It goes on to say: Activities Bill 1998, and I recall the euphoria at that time that was around this place and, Australia had already maintained a space agree- ment with the former Soviet Union. That Agree- indeed, in the public domain about the im- ment between the Government of the Union of the portance of the agreement which preceded Soviet Socialist Republics and the Government of that piece of legislation and in fact was the Australia on Cooperation in the Field of Explo- cause of it. That was as a result of arrange- ration and the Use of Outer Space for Peaceful ments between Kistler Aerospace and the Purposes of 1 December 1987 is replaced by a Commonwealth government. Despite the new Agreement. It is not clear whether any sig- public statements at the time, we have yet to nificant programs emerged or succeeded under see any space activity get off the ground—if the previous agreement. I can use that term—in the sense of having The Bills Digest says the effect of this legis- any of the bases commence or of having any lation will involve an amendment to the of the bases that were proposed then, and are Customs Tariff Act 1995, with the minister currently being proposed, launch any rock- to authorise project concessions under ets. I will come back to that, but I first want guidelines to be developed. This would occur to refer to the nature of the legislation this through the Customs Tariff Proposal No. 5 evening. (2001) during winter 2001. The Space Activities Amendment (Bilat- The provisions of the bill amend the Space eral Agreement) Bill 2001 is important be- Activities Act 1998 to provide for new cause of what it will do. I will refer to the regulations to give effect to the provisions of Bills Digest from the Library for the source the agreement. Regulations made under sec- of this first part of my contribution. It says tion 79A should enable the minister to nomi- the bill’s purpose is: nate organisations to carry out specialised To permit the operation of an inter-governmental activities. Item 4 of schedule 1 of the bill agreement between the Government of the Rus- inserts a new part 5A in the Space Activities sian Federation and the Commonwealth that Act 1998, the principal effect of which is to would facilitate the import of Russian space tech- allow the making of regulations to give ef- nologies for possible launch from Australia. fect to the provisions of specified space co- In its background notes the Bills Digest operation agreements, in this case the new points out that on 23 May 2001: agreement. Item 6 of schedule 1 of the bill ... representatives of the Commonwealth and the inserts a new schedule 6 in the Space Activi- Russian State signed the Agreement between the ties Act 1998 that contains an English text Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29195 version of the inter-governmental agreement have invested tens of millions of dollars in with Russia. An interesting feature in this developing their proposals in terms of engi- Bills Digest, and something which I note is neering, general planning and the consulta- referred to in the informed or specialist me- tion that takes place with these enterprises, dia, is the nature of the current launch mar- and that we need to be very wary that we do ket. The Bills Digest says: not impose such regulations that will cause A recent Euroconsult 2000 report estimates that those companies not to be here. the US$34.6 billion launch market for 657 satel- An issue that has been of some concern is lites, over this decade, includes a 61 per cent allo- hazard analysis. A view has been expressed cation to commercial operators with 42 per cent by some that, because of the nature of the open to tender. United States experience in this industry, It goes on to say: Australian regulations should replicate those However, according to a Canberra-based analyst, that exist in the United States. I have a dif- the projected supply of commercial space ferent view. I expect that we have regulations launches far exceeds estimates of demand over that are appropriate, fair and reasonable, and the decade. Asia-Pacific Aerospace Consultants that we protect as far as we possibly can believes that the oversupply approaches 200 per Australian citizens against any contingency cent. As well, two major launch vehicle operators that might arise as a result of a malfunction have made large bulk purchases of their own ve- hicles to lower costs. coming from one of those launches. But it is also true to say that we are an attractive des- So it raises a question about the new launch tination as a host for these launch facilities opportunities that will be exploited by this because of the relative isolation of Australia site on Christmas Island and the two propos- and because we can get paths for the trajec- als for Woomera, which I will refer to now. tory of rockets that are launched from The first is that of Kistler, which aims to use Christmas Island or Woomera that go over reusable rockets from Woomera in South areas where, in normal circumstances, there Australia, and Spacelift Australia, which is very low risk of impacting upon any plans to use SS25 Russian ballistic missiles population or population centre. That is not rockets, also from Woomera. What we need the case in the United States. It is therefore to be wary of here are the conditions under fair to presume, I would have thought, that which these companies are coming to Aus- when we are drafting regulations and deter- tralia. The Asia Pacific Space Centre pro- mining, on the basis of hazard analysis, what poses to launch Russian vehicles from these regulations should require, we pay ap- Christmas Island and plans to commence propriate attention and due regard to the na- construction of the space centre in September ture of the Australian geography and to our 2001. I will refer to that in more detail relative isolation and seek to maximise the shortly, but I want to go back for a moment benefit all round to the Australian commu- to refer to an article in Aviation Week & nity. Space Technology on 28 May 2001 which is headed ‘Rocket shakeout looms as overca- As I have said, I am not opposed to regu- pacity grows’. The reason I want to say this lation. Indeed, I understand how important is because I am a little worried that the con- regulation is in what for us is a neophyte ditions being placed upon this new industry industry, but at the same time we want to be for Australia may be a little too onerous and very concerned. If we combine the total in- that in fact, in a very tight market, the possi- vestment that is proposed for launch sites on ble effect might be that these launch facilities Christmas Island and at Woomera, we are may not happen. looking at a sum approaching $2 billion or more. That is a significant investment. We I am not arguing that we should not be need to be cognisant, as I have said, of the providing appropriate regulation, but we state of the market. It will not take too much, need to be very careful that we do not over- with the market as it has been described, for regulate and that we strike an appropriate people to be turned off the possibilities here balance. We must understand that these in Australia. We have heard already how the companies are looking with interest at and 29196 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 government came up with a package of $100 such as those proposed for Woomera and for million for the Asia Pacific Space Centre which moneys have already been invested? because of the possibility that they might go Does the government intend to approach the to another country. That raises significant proponents of those facilities with an offer to issues, quite frankly, and I will come to them assist in the way it is assisting the proponents in a moment, but the article from Aviation for the base on Christmas Island? Will the Week & Space Technology of 28 May in part government offer to pay for the construction states: costs of their mission control? Projections show a sustained market for the You will be aware, Mr Deputy Speaker, launch of at least 30 commercial geosynchronous that I am the member for the Northern Ter- satellite missions per year. But it also shows little ritory. Christmas Island and the Cocos Is- growth to support multiplying launcher develop- lands are part of my electorate. I am fully ments and dwindling insurance reserves. conversant with the conditions on Christmas Further on it says: Island and with the fact that infrastructure is The projected commercial market can not sustain extremely poor. I strongly welcome the $100 all of the launch systems that are here today, let million in terms of the impact it will make on alone all of the launch systems that are going to public infrastructure, infrastructure available be in place by the end of the year ... for public purposes, that will be accessible to That is what Wilbur Trafton, President of the community of Christmas Island on Sea Launch, told executives at a forum. That Christmas Island. There is no question about raises significant questions for us as a host to that. However, it is very important that the these launch facilities. At the end of the day, community is satisfied about the way in commercial decisions will be made and the which these matters have been developed proponents of the space launch facility on and about the desirability of having the Asia Christmas Island, the Asia Pacific Space Pacific Space Centre project in the commu- Centre, and those for Woomera, Kistler and nity. I say that because I was very surprised Spacelift Australia, will make their commer- to learn recently that the announcement made cial decision. But we want to be careful that by Senators Minchin and Macdonald on they do not make a commercial decision that Christmas Island was not advised to the is affected by costs that need not be imposed community. In fact, the Shire President, An- as a result of regulatory requirements that are drew Smolders, who I spoke to earlier this too onerous. I make the plea to the govern- evening told me that he was advised about ment that they should expedite the negotia- the announcement by telephone after the tions in such a way that, whilst the regulatory ministerial party had arrived on Christmas requirements are appropriate, they are not Island. too onerous. The issue here is one which dogs this gov- We have seen a lot of media reports over ernment. In relation to Christmas Island and recent days about the launch facility on the Cocos Islands—but particularly in rela- Christmas Island, in particular the undertak- tion to Christmas Island—the minister re- ing by the federal government to make $100 sponsible, Minister Macdonald, has shown a million available for that proposal. The $100 great reluctance to consult, communicate or million, I am advised, will pay for the up- negotiate appropriately with the community grade of the island’s runway, new port fa- of Christmas Island. He has effectively re- cilities and construction of the spaceport’s fused to acknowledge the importance of the mission control. I just pose the question to shire council as a democratic forum which the government, and perhaps I will get a re- represents the interests of the community of sponse, as to whether Spacelift Australia or Christmas Island. When questions have been Kistler will be afforded the same access to raised by the community of Christmas Island taxpayers’ funds. Is there now a new pro- about the Asia Pacific Space Centre pro- posal for industry development in terms of posal, they have been frustrated by the lack the aerospace industry that the government of response they have received from the undertakes to support new developments Commonwealth. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29197

There are mixed views on Christmas Is- public confidence in the proposal has been land about the proposal from the Asia Pacific undermined by a reluctance of the govern- Space Centre project. Those views are mixed ment to inform and involve the community, because people are concerned primarily be- it is little wonder that the community is con- cause they have not been provided with ap- tinually raising questions about the efficacy propriate information by the company or by of the proposal, environmental issues, and the government. I find this very galling be- other matters which arise. cause, on the face of it at least, there are sub- We should understand that this means a stantial benefits to be gained for the commu- great deal to the community. Only recently nity of Christmas Island by the development the community were advised that CGU, the of this facility. Indeed, it has been estimated insurer that has been operating in the com- that there will be 400-odd jobs, or therea- munity, would no longer accept policies for bouts, during the construction phase, and in general insurance. That is an issue for a excess of 500 jobs when the launch facility is small and remote community in the Indian operating. That is not small beer, particularly Ocean. They are not being well served by when the largest employer on the island, some people in the business sector and it is a Phosphate Resources Ltd, is currently em- cause of some frustration as a result. ploying around 180 people. While the government trumpets its role in A reasonable person should have a rea- these matters and offers $100 million out of a sonable expectation that, in a remote com- contingency fund—not through the budget, I munity like Christmas Island, the govern- might say—let me be very clear that the road ment would go out of its way, because it is a infrastructure requirements and the need for small community which has been affected by an appropriate wharf facility to handle heavy the closure of a resort facility which, by the cargo on Christmas Island have been matters way, is owned by a sister company of the the government has been aware of for some Asia Pacific Space Centre. Promises were time—well before the budget was framed. made when Soft Star became the owner of There is absolutely no excuse whatsoever for the resort that they would have the resort up this $100 million not to appear in the budget and running as a resort and a casino within papers. Presumably the negotiations with the 12 months. That has not happened and the Asia Pacific Space Centre had been going on community of Christmas Island is frustrated for some time, yet we are led to believe that by that. When the resort was opened, it em- some extraordinary event has led to this ployed around 300 people. The community’s money being provided off-budget. What ex- expectations in relation to that issue were traordinary event was there? raised and they have not been met. Yet there has been no open, fair and reasonable com- Serious concerns have been raised about munication, and no real attempt by the gov- environmental matters relating to this pro- ernment to keep the community informed posal, and that is an issue that should be of about the Asia Pacific Space Centre pro- concern to us. It is an issue of concern to the posal, or to take them into their confidence community on Christmas Island. Despite the about the negotiations with the Asia Pacific obvious commercial benefits that would ac- Space Centre people about what is proposed crue to the community as a result of the de- for their island community. velopment of this facility, there are signifi- cant questions yet unanswered by the gov- It is no wonder that when I spoke to An- ernment in relation to the environmental is- drew Smolders this evening he was meeting sues concerned with this proposal. An article with his fellow shire councillors. They have in the Sydney Morning Herald on 25 June expressed a very strong view about the fail- this year titled ‘Manna from the heavens as ure of this government— particularly of we join space race’ refers to Mr Warren Senator Macdonald—to inform and involve Nicholls, a freelance consultant used by the the community. As I say, this proposal for Asia Pacific Space Centre. He said that the the launch facility on Christmas Island environmental impact statement for the should bring undoubted benefits. But, if 29198 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 launch centre was ‘shoddy’. He is quoted as the regulatory framework which we are im- saying: posing. We need to ensure that there is a The water supply on the island is a critical issue level playing field for all the proponents in- and if there was any spill either while transporting volved in this industry and we need to ensure stuff there or during the launch it could go that this government and the company in- straight into the water supply—in which case the volved come to their senses and ensure that island’s finished. the community of Christmas Island are prop- The article continues: erly informed about what is happening in Noise from rocket launches was the main threat to relation to this space proposal, that their rea- fragile species and a noise demonstration by sonable questions and concerns are properly APSC was “hopeless ... just a joke”. “Where you answered and that the minister at least finally have so many species that are endemic to the is- acknowledges that he has done nothing but land, you have to be extra careful.” treat with contempt the shire of the commu- I note on a matter of the environment that nity of Christmas Island. He should offer to recommendations from the Minister for Re- go over and take people through the issues gional Services, Territories and Local Gov- and respond publicly to their concerns. And ernment, the Minister for Industry, Science the space consortia people should have a and Resources and the Minister for the Envi- public forum so that the people of Christmas ronment and Heritage, in accordance with Island can have their questions to the com- section 931 of the administrative procedures pany and the government properly responded of the Environmental Protection (Impact of to. (Time expired) Proposals) Act 1974, state that there are 65 Ms HOARE (Charlton) (9.52 p.m.)—We conditions attached to this proposal. in the opposition support the Space Activi- Another matter that I want to refer to just ties Amendment (Bilateral Agreement) Bill briefly is the role that has been played by the 2001 because of the opportunities it provides phosphate mining company. We need to for Australia. The bill authorises the agree- comprehend here that this launch facility is ment between the government of Australia to be built at South Point on Christmas Is- and the government of the Russian Federa- land. This is all under mining lease. The fact tion on cooperation in the field of explora- that the site has been established by the pro- tion and use of outer space for peaceful pur- ponents has meant that the mining company poses, which was signed on 23 May this has had to make arrangements with the year. While the key provisions of the agree- Commonwealth over this land and has had to ment include the protection of intellectual reschedule its mining operations so that it property and information, it also provides a could mine out the areas to ensure that they legal and organisational framework for the were available to the space company. It transfer of space technologies, equipment should be applauded for this. As I say, it is and expertise to the Australian commercial currently the largest employer on Christmas space launch industry. Island, employing 180 people. It has a long The agreement also allows duty-free history. it is a community based organisa- transport of space related goods and equip- tion. Those of you who have been in the par- ment which will be used in projects under- liament for any length of time will know that taken in either Australia or Russia. Launch this company was built from, and by, the vehicles, satellites, scientific equipment and community after the mine was closed by a telemetry and guidance equipment can cur- previous government and it has been acting rently enter Australia duty free, although very responsibly in the way in which it has some specialised equipment attracts an Aus- dealt with this proposal, and it is to be ap- tralian duty of up to five per cent. This bill plauded for it provides for the exemption of that duty. The We are supporting this legislation because implementation of duty exemption will be it provides us with an opportunity. But it is made through Customs Tariff Proposal No. 5 very important that we do not blow this op- of 2001, which will be introduced during portunity. We need to have proper regard to these winter sittings. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29199

There are at least four companies propos- generating significant economic benefits, ing to establish commercial space launch regional development, new research activity facilities in Australia. They are the Asia Pa- and employment. The industry, if it achieves cific Space Station on Christmas Island, Kis- in gaining 20 per cent of the international tler Aerospace Corporation at Woomera, launch market, is expected to contribute $2½ Spacelift Australia at Woomera and the Fal- billion to the balance of payments until 2010 con project at Woomera. Two of these would and to generate several thousand new jobs most likely be using Russian launch technol- over that same period. ogy. The agreement between our two gov- However, an expert has said that the four ernments facilitates the release and ensures space launch proposals will actually have a control of access of the sensitive and dual tough time making a profit. Mr Bruce Mid- use nature of the technology involved. The dleton, the Managing Director of Asia Pa- most advanced project, as we have heard, cific Aerospace Consultants, told the ninth seems to be the $800 million Asia Pacific Australian International Aerospace Congress Space Centre on Christmas Island. The Aus- that the projected supply of commercial tralian government has said that it would space launches far exceeded estimates of provide $100 million to help develop the demand over the coming decade. He said that centre. the world’s seven existing commercial While this is a welcome commitment to launch providers would be able to provide a the Australian space industry, there have total of 685 launches into high geostationary been concerns raised in a couple of areas. I orbits over the decade to 2012. Although will reiterate some of those concerns. It has figures support the supposition that eco- been claimed by the environmental consult- nomic benefits are going to be generated by ant Warren Nicholls that the environmental the establishment of these four projects in impact statement for the planned satellite Australia, experts say that it is going to be launch centre was shoddy. Warren Nicholls difficult for those economic benefits to be was invited by the Asia Pacific Space Centre large and to be sustained. last year to test the environmental credentials The discussion in the parliament and more of the proposal. He said that the EIS needed widely in our communities on these initia- to be redone and that it was the worst that tives has focused on Australia’s opportuni- you would ever come across. The main con- ties to enter an expanding high technology cerns that Mr Nicholls raised were noise and and high value industry. In seeking to further water issues, which could prove to be prob- develop the space industry, Australia should lems for the Christmas Islanders. He empha- also be looking at contributing to and par- sised that the water supply on the island is a ticipating in other international activities. I critical issue and described the decimation of specifically refer to the construction of the the island that would occur if there were any international space station by NASA. The spills, which would go straight into the water construction of the international space station supply, either while transporting the equip- is a step towards the science fiction dream of ment there or during the launch. On the issue colonising space. The first project of course of noise, he said that many species were en- was the Mir space station. When it was demic to the island and formed such a fragile launched in 1986 it was a technological community that a rocket launch within that revolution. It was the first modern space sta- community could be damaging to those tion and the predecessor of the current populations. So it is clear that further envi- NASA-led international space station. The ronmental studies would need to be under- reason for Australia’s involvement is to en- taken before this project went ahead. sure that it becomes a truly international There have also been suggestions that space station and not just an American space there is on oversupply in the satellite launch station. The global power of the American market. It has been claimed that, once fully space industry and its pursuit of a NASA developed, the launch centre on Christmas developed space industry contributed to the Island would conduct 11 launches per year, demise of Mir. This theory was published in 29200 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 a recent media article in the Sydney Morning than seven times the budget specified when Herald’s Good Weekend magazine of 10 Reagan first announced the project in 1984. February this year. The article said: An article in the Sun-Herald of 5 November Mir, a decidedly Communist creation, was on the 2000 stated: verge of a second lease of life as a capitalist en- By the time it is fully assembled the International terprise, thus threatening NASA’s ambitions for Space Station will be as big as a football field and an orbital monopoly with its own space station. from Earth it will be as bright as the planet Venus. For Mir had a second career in the offing. It in- It will orbit the Earth every hour and a half and volved colossally wealthy tourists, Hollywood take 10 minutes to cross the sky. entertainment contracts, and even a foot in the world of Internet startups. Dennis Tito, a former It is the greatest international scientific endeavour in history, bringing together people who were NASA engineer turned financier, had signed up to once Cold War enemies and 16 other nations to become MirCorp’s first tourist—at a round-trip cost of $US20 million. There was a $40 million work towards future manned voyages to Mars and deal to produce a micro-gravity version of the beyond. “reality-based” American TV show Survivor. And I am sure you would agree with me, Mr there was another high-profile, mega-rich tourist Deputy Speaker, that this prospect is very in the offing: James Cameron, the director of Ti- exciting and that Australia should be grasp- tanic. The old Communist rattletrap was getting a ing the opportunity to become involved and serious capitalist makeover. be an active participant. But Australia al- ………ready does play a critical role in space explo- There is a strong resemblance between Mir and ration. The article from the Sun-Herald also the ISS ... But it was Mir that became the world’s stated: first international space station, hosting visitors Scientists at Tidbinbilla, the deep space tracking from more than 16 nations. Among them was station near Canberra, are a critical link in com- South Australian Andy Thomas, who spent 141 municating with 15 unmanned outer space mis- days aboard the station 1998. sions to Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Venus and the sun He said that he felt ‘a lot of fondness for itself. Mir’. He said that it was his home, that he ……… got to know it very well and that he got to NASA’s representative in Australia, Dr Miriam feel very comfortable on board it. He said: Baltuck, said without Australia’s dish scientists I am very lucky that I’m one of only seven NASA there would be no missions to outer space. astronauts to have had that opportunity. ……… If Australia contributed to, and participated Australia’s geographic position enables mission in, the development of wider space activities, control in the US to keep 24-hour contact with its we would benefit greatly. We would not be spacecraft as the world rotates. There are two losing our knowledge and we would not have other dishes, one in California and another in a brain drain; we would keep people like Spain. Andy Thomas in Australia and we would be While we are discussing these issues in the able to use Australian technology to contrib- parliament, discussions are also happening ute to international space activities. I come widely in our communities. The member for from a region close to the city of Newcastle, the Northern Territory, who represents and we have a very innovative, very smart Christmas Island, where one of the proposed and very high technological industry base in rocket launchers is being developed, talked Newcastle. Newcastle would be one of the about the discussions taking place in his regions that would benefit in both an eco- community. Space exploration, space devel- nomic sense and an employment sense if we opment and the possibility of space travel are were to be more involved in some of these capturing the imagination of all Australians. space exploration activities. The Good I for one believe that Australia has the ca- Weekend article continued: pacity, the technology and the knowledge to ... the ISS will be the most expensive government contribute effectively and that we must be housing facility ever built; its cost to full opera- able to benefit, both in employment and eco- tion is now set at a whopping $60 billion, more nomically, from these exciting develop- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29201 ments, which will develop even further in the ogy. In the longer run, I believe we will see very near future. the growth and development of Australian While the opposition supports this bill and expertise in many of the areas some of the the government’s claims about the removal speakers have mentioned—for example, of impediments to the space launch industry space and aerospace engineering, software by the particular agreement covered in this development, payload integration, launch bill and that the creation of a competitive vehicle preparation and testing and telemetry environment should generate significant tracking. Western Australia, particularly benefits, regional development, new research communities like Perth, will indeed be very activity and employment, I think we should well placed to benefit in the long run as the all be aware of and continue to monitor some Asia Pacific Space Centre grows and devel- of those concerns and problems that may ops. In the short term, as the member for occur, such as environmental impacts and Northern Territory noted, places like Perth community and societal impacts, through the and Darwin will be very important centres of development of these rocket launchers. So supply and support to Christmas Island as the we are ever-mindful of those and continue to APSC launch facilities are constructed and keep a watchful regulatory eye on the proj- other public capital works infrastructure is ects, and we support the bill. developed. Mr ENTSCH (Leichhardt—Parliamen- However, there are a couple of issues that tary Secretary to the Minister for Industry, I would like to address in relation to com- Science and Resources) (10.06 p.m.)—I ments made by the member for the Northern thank all the members who have participated Territory. He referred to allegations by in the debate tonight. Firstly, I would like to commentator Middleton with regard to mar- welcome the opposition’s support for the ket oversupply. The honourable member is Space Activities Bill 1998. I agree with the correct in his comments that the market for comments from the member for Bonython low earth orbit launches is oversupplied, but about the interest, support and general enthu- the Christmas Island proposal—and I am siasm shown by our Russian counterparts for surprised he was not aware of this—is for Australia as a potential space launch provider geostationary launches. This part of the mar- when they were here to sign the intergov- ket is quite stable. In any case, we should be ernmental agreement in May this year. I too taking a long-term view. Space projects take had the honour of being at the Russian em- anything from five to 10 years to get into bassy in May, with the member for Bony- place. Even in the low earth orbital launches, thon, to help celebrate the signing of the the current slump in the market should not IGA. deter us from taking very much a long-term view. The signing of the agreement between the Minister for Industry, Science and Re- Independent analysis by Pricewater- sources, Senator Nick Minchin, and the Di- houseCoopers suggests Australia could aim rector-General, Mr Uri Koptev, here in Par- to capture up to 20 per cent of the global liament House was the start of a very special launch market. That is not an insignificant relationship between our two countries, and I value to the Australian economy. This share am sure that it is one that will continue to must be won through advantages offered in grow and develop. What is even more special things such as price, market access and reli- about that relationship is the fact that Aus- ability of launch services. Quite frankly, I tralia is the first country outside the Russian believe we will be able to deliver that Federation to sign such an agreement, so it is through the Christmas Island site. The fact is quite significant. that the APSC’s Aurora rocket is one of the most proven in the market, with 100 per cent As the member for Moore stated in his success rate on its commercial launches. contribution to the debate tonight, the bene- Boeing, for example, is facing problems with fits of this agreement should not be underes- its Delta workhorse at the moment. There are timated. The Australian space industry will problems with Ariane-5, and Japan has yet to directly benefit from the transfer of technol- 29202 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 get its H II off the ground, so this arrange- Scully-Power, whom I recently appointed to ment with the Russian Federation to use their head an advisory group to recommend technology would certainly give us a com- strategies with regard to the space industry. petitive edge. That, together with the position So our two famous astronauts, Andy Thomas of Christmas Island, puts us right at the fore- and Paul Scully-Power, have both come front to grab that 20 per cent of the market home to Australia and are very actively in- share suggested by Pricewaterhouse. volved in and very supportive of the process The other issue that was raised by the that we are involved in with regard to getting member for the Northern Territory related to a fledgling industry developed in this coun- issues with regard to the environment. The try—that is, our space industry. environmental impact assessment that has The other comment I would like to make been carried out by APSC to date has cost is with regard to the comments by the mem- some $2 million and has taken some three ber for the Northern Territory, who sug- years to prepare. Everything has been con- gested that there was no consultation with sidered, from rare and endangered fauna and the Christmas Island community. I note that flora through to the heritage sites through to that comment was repeated recently by some of the mining damage that has been Senator Sue Mackay. I would suggest that done on Christmas Island. As the honourable Senator Ian Macdonald has consulted quite member rightfully said, Senator Hill set widely with the Christmas Island commu- some 65 conditions for APSC to meet with nity. I have actually been over there meeting regard to environmental management, so I do with council representatives and talking on a not believe it is appropriate to suggest that number of issues. We commissioned officers this has in some way been overlooked. The from the Department of Industry, Science phosphate mining company on South Point is and Resources to spend some days there last having to expedite its process. One thing I year in open public forums, discussing issues think people can be assured of is that there is relating to the establishment of this particular absolutely no chance—I repeat: no chance— industry. The APSC put out various infor- that the development of the spaceport will in mation sheets for the community not only in any way repeat the environmental devasta- English but also in Mandarin and Malay to tion of phosphate mining. ensure that there was not any misunder- The member for the Northern Territory standing. So I think it is a little unfair to sug- also quoted a Sydney Morning Herald article gest that there has been absolutely no con- which referred to Warren Nicholls as a sultation with the community. I would sug- spokesman for APSC. That is incorrect. War- gest quite the contrary. We have laid our ren Nicholls made some criticism of the en- cards on the table, and it is now up to the vironmental assessment with regard to Australian Labor Party to make up their ground water. That particular Warren minds as to whether they are going to sup- Nicholls, I understand, is a former employee port the APSC project in Christmas Island. I associated with the island. He was not asso- will be very interested to see whether or not ciated with APSC. I think that needs to be they are prepared to give that firm commit- clarified. ment. In her contribution, the member for Of course, the APSC project is just as im- Charlton repeated the assertion that this War- portant for the Christmas Island community ren Nicholls was an employee of APSC. as it is in terms of seeing Australia as a na- Again I say that this was not the case. tion enter the world stage as a provider of Among other things, the member for Charl- commercial satellite delivery systems. But ton made reference to Australia’s most fa- there will be long-term benefits as well. At mous astronaut, Andy Thomas, and talked the moment, Christmas Island is wholly reli- about brain drains— something the Labor ant on phosphate mining as the driver of its Party has been raising in recent times. She economy and employment. Phosphate min- may not be aware that Andy Thomas is in ing has a limited lifespan, and whenever it fact being taken on as an adviser to Paul does come to an end— whether it be in five Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29203 years or 10 years time—if we do not have regulations for the purpose of implementing anything in place, Christmas Island, from an certain aspects of the agreement. economic point of view, will effectively die. The agreement was signed on Wednesday, This is something that has weighed heavily 23 May 2001. The agreement provides a le- on the government when looking at the gal and organisational framework for the APSC, and I know how hard people such as transfer to Australia of sophisticated launch the Minister for Regional Services, Territo- vehicle technology, information and other ries and Local Government, Senator Ian space related technologies. It will also fa- Macdonald, have worked to ensure the long- cilitate Australian access to Russian techni- term economic future of Christmas Island. cal expertise and enhance collaboration be- The signing of the intergovernmental tween our countries in scientific research and agreement will also be important for other technology development. This agreement, as commercial space launch proponents, such as I said earlier, is a milestone in Australian- Spacelift in Woomera, which other speakers Russian cooperation and is a symbol of Aus- here tonight have rightly referred to as well. I tralia’s increasing engagement in interna- think that if Spacelift and Kistler succeed in tional space activities. The agreement is es- getting their respective projects up and run- sential for those launch projects that will ning, we will very quickly see the rebirth of utilise Russian space technology, in particu- Woomera as a major rocket launch facility. lar the Asia Pacific Space Centre project When I was last in Woomera and speaking to proposed for Christmas Island and the the range managers there, I was struck by Spacelift project proposed for Woomera. how much intellectual talent Australia has Consistent with the government’s policy lost in the field of space and aerospace since of promoting the development of a commer- the heyday of Woomera. But there is a new cial space industry in Australia, the agree- generation of young people out there with an ment was framed with a view to encouraging incredible desire to become engaged in a Australian companies and other organisa- strong and vibrant home-grown space and tions to participate in the agreement and aerospace industry. Young James Moody is hence access its benefits. The new regula- one person who springs to mind. James tion-making power provides a mechanism to Moody is heavily associated with the FedSat enable both private and public sector organi- project and has an incredible amount of en- sations to access its benefits. Participation by ergy, enthusiasm and vision for the future of organisations will be on a completely volun- space and aerospace in Australia. It may take tary basis. Where organisations choose to only one commercial launch proponent to get access its benefits, however, organisations up and running for us to start to see new life must also accept certain responsibilities. breathed progressively back into interest in Australia in space and aerospace activities, In accordance with the regulations made and that can only be good for Australia. under this new power, the Minister for In- dustry, Science and Resources will be able to The Space Activities Amendment (Bilat- nominate organisations to participate in the eral Agreement) Bill 2001 gives effect to agreement, subject to the agreement of the certain aspects of the agreement between the Russian government. This authorisation will government of the Russian Federation and be conditional on organisations satisfying the government of Australia on cooperation certain conditions that will be set out in in the field of exploration and the use of regulations made under this power. These outer space for peaceful purposes. Passage of conditions are necessary to ensure that this bill is necessary before the agreement authorised organisations act consistently with may enter into force. The bill amends the the obligations that the Commonwealth has Space Activities Act 1998. The bill creates a undertaken. These conditions will include new part, part 5A, to provide a framework requiring suitable arrangements to be in for the implementation of specified space place in respect of each project and may ad- cooperation agreements and includes a part dress such matters as intellectual property, 5A power for the Governor-General to make protection of physical property, liability, 29204 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 transmission of scientific and technical data, through the people who touch your life. May you and dispute settlement procedures. More de- be energised by God’s love and always be con- tail is provided in the explanatory memoran- scious of our love, support and prayers for you. dum to this bill. We thank you for all that you have been to us and pray that your ministry continues in our midst. In summary, passage of this bill will en- able the Commonwealth to nominate private During Monsignor Redden’s homily, he organisations to voluntarily access the bene- mentioned the dwindling number of voca- fits of the agreement, subject to certain pre- tions to the priesthood in Australia and called conditions being satisfied. Passage of this for more vocations. He observed that he bill will also ensure that Australia fulfils its might be the last parish priest of St Mark’s obligations under the agreement, and passage Church—an observation that struck the heart is necessary for the agreement to enter into of all of us. The time has come when the force. The agreement, once it is in force, will devotion to the sacrament of holy orders is facilitate the transfer to Australia of sophisti- reaching rock-bottom. This is particularly cated space related technology and technical prevalent in Australia, while in many other expertise, and it will enhance collaboration countries there is a spectacular resurgence in between Australia and the Russian Federa- religious vocations of all kinds. tion in scientific research and technology The significance for Australia is profound. development. Australia’s legal, administrative and juris- Question resolved in the affirmative. prudential systems are based on solid Chris- tian ethics. Indeed, the very notion of the rule Bill read a second time. of law, the doctrine of universalism—that is, Third Reading one person, one law—and a host of other Leave granted for third reading to be cornerstones of jurisprudence and justice are moved forthwith. grounded in our Christian ethos. Therefore, the decline in the number of Christian voca- Bill (on motion by Mr Entsch) read a tions marks an adverse trend away from the third time. very foundation of our democracy. With the ADJOURNMENT decline of Christian vocations comes the ero- Motion (by Mr Entsch) proposed: sion of universalism, the erosion of the rule That the House do now adjourn. of law, the erosion of the natural law, the erosion of natural justice, and the erosion of Redden, Monsignor Vince judicial review. In this House we know that Mr MURPHY (Lowe) (10.25 p.m.)—Last cultural, legal and moral relativism are be- Sunday, my wife Adriana and I had the coming increasingly more prevalent in the privilege of attending the celebration of the laws we make today. Eucharist to mark the 40th anniversary of the Monsignor Redden’s call for more voca- ordination of Monsignor Vince Redden, Par- tions, whatever one’s religion, needs all the ish Priest of St Mark’s Catholic Church, support we can give. Let us strive for the Drummoyne. The celebration was a great restoration of those little republics of church tribute to a humble and very popular parish that enshrine the critical link between moral- priest. The congregation was vast and in- ity and law. Let us deny the threat of agnos- cluded Monsignor Redden’s parents and ticism, with its lie in denying transcendental other family members, as well as members of truth and, with it, the very foundation upon the clergy, local parishioners and many which our democracy so critically depends. friends of Monsignor Redden. During the Let us preserve our cultural, moral and po- Eucharist we all prayed for Monsignor Red- litical heritage that makes Australia one of den. Our prayer read: the most desired places on earth to live. Monsignor Vince, we thank you for selflessly leading and challenging us in our Christian mis- Relativism, consequentialism and liberal- sion here at St Mark’s. We pray that God will ism are the very roots of morally inconsistent always be with you, sustaining and challenging law-making. If we do not preserve our you in your ministry. May you be faithful to God Christian cultural legacy, we will lose it in Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29205 favour of another matrix, whether it is an budget by less than one per cent in the 2000 alternative theistic belief or whether it is the budget and by only approximately five per worship of ego (liberalism), money (materi- cent in the current budget. alism), the state (nationalism) or some other Unfortunately, the QTU hardly uttered a morally erroneous ideology. Let us work for word against Mr Beattie while mounting an the preservation of our Christian legacy and expensive campaign against the federal gov- encourage, ever more vigorously, teaching ernment and their increased funding for institutions to teach only truth. In so doing, Queensland’s state schools. The QTU is we will play our part in ensuring that voca- spending big on campaigning against the tions thrive, thus preserving the moral rubric Howard government but it is failing to ac- of our political and legal system which is so knowledge the complete funding picture. It is essential for the practical implementation of not only to its detriment that it is doing this, morality, and we will realise the ideals of but also to the detriment of every child in Monsignor Vince Redden. every school in Queensland. Education: Schools Funding Many in the Catholic education system are Ms GAMBARO (Petrie) (10.29 p.m.)—I feeling very isolated by the QTU’s segrega- rise tonight to speak about the considerable tion and reinforcement of the ‘them and us’ debate of late about the federal government’s mentality. The QTU runs the risk of secular- education funding policy to government or ising the education argument by their own state schools and non-government or private political agenda and quest to distort the truth. schools. Central to the government’s policy Parish schools that will benefit from this on this issue is the belief that all parents funding are being labelled as elitist because should be able to choose the school they the QTU chooses, in the best interests of its want their children to attend, whether it be a political agenda, to group private schools as state or private school. Every Australian stu- one, without considering the whole issue. dent, therefore, should be entitled to have Parents choose to send their children to dif- access to quality teachers and resources. The ferent schools for a number of different rea- Howard government believes that there is sons. For my parents, choosing to send my public good in providing public funding for siblings and me to a Catholic school was part every student in Australia. It is for this rea- of being Italian and Catholic. My parents son that the federal government has funded worked long and hard so that we could have Queensland’s Schools of Excellence, such as a Catholic education because we valued that. the one at Redcliffe State High School, to the The QTU wants to punish parents like mine tune of $10 million and the Quality Teacher for that choice, and that is unfair. Program to the tune of $3.7 million. Premier There are around 430,000 students en- Beattie announced both of these initiatives as rolled in state schools in Queensland and his own in the Queensland budget, and the around 307,000 in private schools. Legisla- Howard government funds both of them. tion caps the funding to non-government Although school funding in Australia is a schools so that the most that a non- shared responsibility between the Common- government school can receive is 70 per cent wealth and state governments, it is the state of the cost to educate a student at a state governments that are responsible for the school. Private schools serving the most majority of public funding for government needy communities will receive funding in schools and the Commonwealth for non- 2004 of $4,368 for a primary school student government schools. The current campaign and $5,721 for each secondary student. Pri- by the Queensland Teachers Union points vate schools serving wealthy communities more to its political agenda than to any emo- will receive in 2004 only $855 for each pri- tive argument on the issue of education. mary school student and $1,120 for every Commonwealth spending in Queensland’s secondary student. By comparison, in the state schools has increased by 52 per cent year 2004 the total funding that the state since 1996. In comparison, the Beattie Labor schools will receive per student will be government increased their state education $8,172. 29206 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

State schools across Australia enrol 69 per imports and that any impact of Basslink will cent of students and receive 78 per cent of be greenhouse positive for Australia. It is the total funding pie. In comparison, private estimated that when the full wind resource in schools enrol 31 per cent of students and Tasmania is developed it will be able to cut receive 22 per cent of the funding pie. In greenhouse gas emissions in other states by dollar terms, federal funding to state schools 9.1 million tonnes a year, or take the across Queensland will result in $440 million equivalent of two million cars off the road in for state school students in this financial greenhouse terms. year. Simply, Tasmania will have the capacity The current campaign by the QTU does to export a surplus of its new energy when not consider the total funding picture and the demand is highest in Victoria, for exam- implies that the Howard government is ple, at the same time when Tasmanian de- showing favouritism to private schools. That mand for hydro is in a summer trough. is not the legislation I supported; the legisla- Likewise, Tasmania will be able to import up tion I supported in the parliament provides to 300 megawatts of Victorian energy and all Australian students with better opportuni- minimise the use of support facilities such as ties and better outcomes from education, Bell Bay. In Tasmania, the employment ef- whether it is at a state or a Catholic school. It fects will involve an estimated 257 jobs in injects funding into improving literacy and the construction phase and 940 jobs in other numeracy levels and promoting excellence in industries by 2010, while the additional in- both students and teachers. And that is what come generated in Tasmania is estimated to education is about: it is skilling our children amount to about $110 million by 2010. today for tomorrow’s future. There are also expected to be lower energy Basslink costs due to competition. Mr SIDEBOTTOM (Braddon) (10.35 Basslink will pave the way for greater p.m.)—Tonight I would like to speak about competition among energy suppliers, which the exciting national energy project, will drive energy and telecommunications Basslink. This is the proposed undersea prices down. Indeed, accompanying the power cable across Bass Strait and the new electricity cable is a fibre-optic telecommu- overhead powerlines that will link Tasma- nications cable. Reliable Tasmanian sources nia’s electricity grid with the national grid of renewable, clean energy will aid Victoria through Reeves Beach in Victoria to Loy and South Australia in their attempts to se- Yang. The rationale is that it will allow the cure reliable energy supplies during peak trade in electricity between Tasmania and the demand periods. The presence of Tasmania’s new electricity market. Victoria and the other renewable energy should have the effect of states that are part of the NEM will be able to driving down peak energy prices in the export electricity to Tasmania and, con- NEM. versely and importantly of course for Tasma- An important spin-off from Basslink is the nia, it will also allow the export of renewable opportunity it creates for energy diversifica- hydro-electricity from Tasmania into the tion in Tasmania. I have mentioned before NEM. This $500 million capital project will the synergy of wind and water energy and provide the technological basis for an en- the availability of natural gas, which will see tirely new export energy industry by allow- Tasmania move from being energy deficient ing up to 600 megawatts of Tasmanian en- to having a surplus, offering investors in our ergy to be exported into the national grid. state a mixed energy option, unlike the pres- Political critics of Basslink disparagingly ent and the past. Basslink will offer the na- argue that it will exist to run Victoria’s air- tion an improved environmental option. conditioners in summer and import Victo- Basslink, in conjunction with wind power, ria’s dirty energy at other times. What they will provide 40 per cent of the nation’s re- forget to add is that as Tasmania’s renewable newable energy resources in a renewable energy resources are developed the export of energy market worth $3 billion over the next clean, green energy will far outweigh any 10 years. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29207

Basslink has its critics, so it is important Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme that fact is not replaced with fiction, doom- and is a great story for renewable energy and sayers and outright scaremongering. Con- environment management in Australia. I trary to some of the misinformation being congratulate the member for Braddon for his put out, there will be no restrictions on fish- interest. ing in Bass Strait, magnetic fields will not I rise tonight though to talk about the send sailors off course, the cable is trenched small business community in Dunkley. and will carry DC rather than AC, and there Dunkley by the bay, that sunny community will be minute quantities of chlorine given that I represent on Port Phillip Bay, had the off at the anodes at either end but with no pleasure of being visited by the Minister for environmental impact. Indeed, concentra- Small Business, Mr Ian Macfarlane. I am tions will not even reach the level of chlorin- pleased that the shadow minister is at the ated drinking water. Basslink will drought table to hear this, because it was a great day proof Tasmania because it will allow wind on Friday when Minister Macfarlane came energy to complement our existing hydro down to Dunkley. We had two sessions of capacity, stretched as it is. bonding with the small business community, Rightly, there are concerns for the riverine where we listened to their concerns and effects which follow the conversion of the worked through issues that were affecting the Great Lake and Gordon storages from base vibrant small business community in the to peak load. Hydro Tasmania has spent electorate of Dunkley. There are about 8,500 about $2 million assessing this prospect, small businesses in the electorate of Dunk- identifying the Gordon power scheme, Poat- ley, all of them beavering away. It is a ina and the King River as needing special horsepower of enterprise and innovation in attention. These water systems are already our economy, and it is a crucial part of the subject to the impact of change in flows and Dunkley economy because we do not have Hydro Tasmania believes medial measures, any major single employers. There are a lot such as coffer dams and better management, of family businesses and small to medium can minimise any additional impact caused enterprises making a go of things and en- by the hydro system being called on to meet joying the market and improved investment peak power demand in Melbourne, for ex- climate that the Howard government has ample. Likewise there are concerns that helped to create. Tasmania will be left short of energy with It was a good chance to hear first-hand peak demand from Victoria. However, be- from the small business community what cause NEM rules prevent power from being was concerning them. It is interesting that a exported from a region until its local re- common theme in Victoria seems to be that quirements have been met, Tasmania will not most of them talk about the unions running experience blackouts during periods of high the Bracks government and the Bracks gov- Victorian demand. ernment being a fully owned subsidiary of Dunkley Electorate: Small Business Trades Hall. There is a bit of a worry about Mr BILLSON (Dunkley) (10.40 p.m.)—I the industrial climate, and there are concerns would like to join the member for Braddon in about WorkCover premiums and how they congratulating the Tasmanians on the op- have escalated quite dramatically. When the portunity that the renewable energy market small business people make the rare claim, offers their state. It is a marketplace we they are greeted with the attitude that they would not have if it were not for the Howard have introduced some sort of disease into government introducing the renewable en- their community; they are not well received ergy certificates which will see, from mem- when those concerns come up. Many of them ory, about 9,500 kilowatt hours of renewable greeted with horror talk that the Labor Party energy available in the marketplace within a would, if elected, raise the superannuation decade. That is enough renewable energy to guarantee to 15 per cent. These were com- power four million households. That energy mon themes that were striking fear and terror production will be twice the size of the into many in the small business community 29208 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001 and were yet another reminder of why, if you suggested that maybe a national ‘Small have a small business, you are employed in a Business Day’ might be a good idea, when small business or you would like to see small we could pay tribute to all those people in- business continue to drive our economy and volved in the small business community who add to the 830,000 jobs that have been cre- are driving our economy forward, driving ated since the Howard government was innovation and creating the quality of life elected, the worst thing you could do would that we enjoy. Maybe that is an idea that the be to trust Labor with the interests of the shadow minister at the table, the member for small business community. Hunter, can take on board. There is other Of the specific issues that came out, one work to be done in the area of bankruptcy which was most interesting was about age law reform, where manager receivers tend to barriers to accessing finance. Noel Bowman, suck out whatever assets are left in a busi- who runs a terrific business down our way ness and then say, ‘Thank you very much; making electrical supply equipment, has just we’ve done our job.’ There were even ques- secured the contract to make sure the Collins tions about contracts let over the last six class submarines are properly powered when months and whether being paid for them rep- they are not at sea. Bowman Chargemaster resents a preferential creditor. There was Pty Ltd is a great local business. Noel has plenty of good feedback—and thank you for seen many a summer—that may be the best your tolerance, Mr Speaker. (Time expired) way I can describe it—and he recounted to Centrelink: Carer Payment the minister and me how his age was a bar- Mr COX (Kingston) (10.45 p.m.)—When rier to banks providing him with finance— the Howard government changed the law for not that there was any question about the assessing eligibility for carer payment, the vitality of his business, not that there were Labor Party warned that many families that not forward orders, not that there was not a need carer payment would not receive it. great deal of enterprise going on in his Tonight I want to talk about one such case, business; the issue was just his age. You the Borg family. Their daughter, aged 10, wonder to what extent it is reasonable for suffers from epilepsy, global delays and an banks to be withholding finance for small intellectual disability. She has the develop- businesses that meet all the requirements. ment age of a three- to four-year-old. Cen- The risk profile of Noel’s business is very trelink rejected their application for carer attractive for the banks, but still they point to payment. When they sought a review, the his age as a reason not to provide finance, decision was affirmed by an authorised re- and that is something we need to tackle. view officer, who noted that their daughter Even domain names were mentioned. I suffers a severe multiple disability but does know that some clever souls are running not meet the legislative definition for a ‘pro- around buying up the domain names of foundly disabled child’. The review officer members of parliament in the hope that we did, however, note that caring for the child is will spend some big money buying our a full-time job. names back for our own web sites in the On appeal, the Social Security Appeals lead-up to the election. But the point was Tribunal made the following findings of fact: made that a number of small businesses are the child requires care during the night at not able to access their own domain names least twice between 10.00 p.m. and 6 a.m.; because someone has bought them in ad- the child is up around 5.30 a.m. or 6 a.m. and vance and that the business name registration is lively, energetic, messy, unable to under- and protection that is available does not ex- stand the consequences of her actions, and tend to domain names—and there are op- highly vocal in her preferences; her mother is portunities to do things about that. unable to work outside the home due to care Finally, there was a general concern that requirements that include assisting her at the risks, the entrepreneurship, the great vig- school, and attending meetings to do with her our, and the opportunities that are created by care; and the child needs assistance with small business are not properly recognised. I feeding, toileting, dressing, hygiene, bathing, Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29209 safety, and school work. In short, the physi- predominantly functional care—for example, cal and time demands of care at home, in- those with an episodic impact. stead of in an institution, are enormous. A summary of submissions to the Review To qualify for a carer payment—in addi- of the Measure to Extend Carer Payment tion to her mother having to get up on two or Eligibility to Carers of Children with a Pro- more occasions between 10.00 p.m. and 6 found Disability, undertaken in 1999, shows a.m. each night—the child would have to that the criteria are ‘excessive and unduly satisfy two more of the following conditions: limiting’, ‘restrictive’, ‘not broadly repre- receive all food and fluids by tube; have a sentative’ and ‘do not adequately recognise tracheostomy; use a ventilator for at least the care needs of a variety of disabilities’. eight hours a day; not be able to stand with- One submission suggested that the criteria out support; have faecal incontinence day for two or more children are contradictory. and night; or have a terminal condition re- There is no consideration given to the extra quiring palliative care, not active treatment. functional care requirements of two disabled Her mother points out that, with the excep- children; the emphasis is still on the medical tion of faecal incontinence and palliative care requirement in that both children be- care, if the child had any of these conditions tween them still have to meet three criteria. she would actually be easer to manage. The review raised six proposals to refine The tribunal also considered the legisla- the eligibility criteria and, to my knowledge, tive requirements for carer payment where a the government has adopted only four. The person provides constant care for two or two proposals not yet adopted are to recog- more disabled children aged under 16. The nise children who require high level supervi- Borgs receive carer allowance in relation to sion and to allow eligibility to be granted on their 12-year-old son, who has learning and a discretionary basis. The Borg case demon- cognitive difficulties. He requires assistance strates why those two recommendations need with his homework on a daily basis, supervi- to be adopted. The Borg family would like to sion of twice-daily exercises for his gait dif- form a group for people in similar circum- ficulty, and orthotic treatment; and he re- stances. If you are in a similar situation, ceives assistance from a private tutor for two phone Peter Borg on (08) 8381 5933 or con- hours a week. The legislation stipulates that tact him by email on [email protected]. the level of care required to care for two Question resolved in the affirmative. children is at least equivalent to that required by one profoundly disabled child. The tribu- House adjourned at 10.50 p.m. nal considered that both children are disabled NOTICES but not sufficiently to be within the criteria to The following notices were given: receive carer payment. The tribunal therefore Mr Kelvin Thomson to present a bill for affirmed the decision to reject the application an act to amend the Superannuation Guaran- for a carer payment on the ground that it was tee (Administration) Act 1992. a correct application of the law. The tribunal concluded that, despite the intensive care Mr Mossfield to move: provided by Mrs Borg, her situation does not That this House: come within that very narrowly specified in (1) notes that: the legislation. (a) Western Sydney is one of the fastest It is apparent that the legislative require- growing regions in Australia with a high ments for a carer payment have been drawn proportion of young people; with a view to administrative simplicity and (b) currently there is a negative perception not to reflect the demands on carers. The of young people in Western Sydney, rigidity and lack of discretion preclude some which is a mistaken view since Western people who would require full-time profes- Sydney is no different to any other re- sional care if it were not for the care pro- gion with regard to youth problems and vided by a parent or carer. This is particu- youth achievements; larly the case where the disability requires 29210 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(c) there needs to be public recognition of (b) politically motivated disappearances the achievements of young people which perpetrated by ZANU-PF supporters is linked to high self esteem and mini- with the tacit assent of the Government mises anti-social behaviour; and security forces; (d) lack of access to educational facilities, (c) torture and other cruel, inhuman or de- especially information technology, has grading treatment or punishment perpe- resulted in an imbalance of academic trated by security forces; achievements; and (d) arbitrary arrest, detention or exile perpe- (e) there is insufficient provision of com- trated by police; munity and recreational facilities for (e) denial of fair public trial and refusal to young people in Western Sydney; abide by judicial decisions; (2) urges the Government to: (f) arbitrary Government interference with (a) research methods of providing adequate privacy, family, sexuality, home, corre- access to computer facilities to the dis- spondence and property; advantaged in Western Sydney in order (g) restrictions on freedom of speech and to close the digital divide; and press; (b) to provide urgently needed youth com- (h) restrictions on freedom of peaceful as- munity facilities in the Western Sydney sembly and association; area to address the social needs of young people; and (i) restrictions on freedom of religion; (3) acknowledges the work of the Blacktown (j) restrictions on freedom of movement Youth Orientation in drafting this motion and within Zimbabwe, on foreign travel, bringing these issues to light. emigration and repatriation; Mr Danby to move: (k) infringements of political rights, and particularly, the right of people to change That this House: their government; and (1) expresses its condemnation of human rights (l) discrimination based on sex, race, relig- and civil liberties violations perpetrated by ion, disability and sexual preference; and the Government of Zimbabwean President (2) calls on the Government to: Robert Mugabe, including: (a) make the strongest possible representa- (a) political and other extrajudicial killings tions to Robert Mugabe in respect of perpetrated by or with the assistance of human rights violations while he is in security forces; Australia to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government meetings this year; and (b) exhort other nations of the Common- wealth to make the strongest possible representations to Robert Mugabe in re- spect of human rights violations. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29211

QUESTIONS ON NOTICE The following answers to questions were circulated: Health: Alzheimer’s Disease (Question No. 2170) Mr McClelland asked the Minister for Aged Care, upon notice, on 27 November 2000: What facilities, programs and resources are available to assist the sufferers of Alzheimer’s disease and their carers in the electoral Division of Barton. Mrs Bronwyn Bishop—The answer to the honourable member’s question, in accordance with advice provided to me, is as follows: In the electorate Division of Barton the Commonwealth Government currently funds: • the Warina Day Care Centre in Kogarah and the South East Sydney Carer Respite at Bexley to provide dementia-specific respite services under the National Respite for Carers Program; • the Benevolent Community and In-Home Flexible Respite – Southern City to provide serv- ices for people with dementia and challenging behaviour; and • the South East Sydney Carer Respite Service, whose services include respite for people with dementia. People in the Barton electorate can make a free call on 1800 059 059 for connection to the closest Carer Respite Centre, which is located at Bexley. Many services in the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program, which is 60% funded by the Commonwealth Government, can provide services for people with dementia. Examples in the Barton electorate include: • Greenwood Cottage Day Centre for Older People; • the St George Live At Home Service (a community options project); and • the St George Multicultural Day Care and Centre Based Meals Program. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise (Question No. 2303) Mr Murphy asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 6 February 2001: Did he say that Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport would not be sold until the noise problems at the airport had been solved. Mr Howard—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: The Government has addressed the aircraft noise issue by providing for a substantially more equitable sharing of noise compared with the arrangements in place prior to March 1996. Roads: National Highway Funding (Question No. 2323) Mr Price asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 6 Febru- ary 2001: (1) Since the election of the Howard government in 1996, (a) what sum has been spent each year on the National Highway and (b) for what projects. (2) For those projects, what are the (a) anticipated completion dates, (b) State contributions, (c) Fed- eral contributions and (d) total project cost. (3) (a)What are the Federal electorates which have all, or part of, the projects in them and (b) what is the party affiliation of the member representing that electorate. (4) Which projects have attracted a toll. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (a)The amount spent each year on the National Highway from 1996-97 to 1999-2000 is as fol- lows: 1996-97 ($m) 1997-98 ($m) 1998-99 ($m) 1999-00 ($m) 2000-01 (est) ($m) 710.48 702.54 745.48 631.62 690.75 29212 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(2) (b) States do not contribute to the cost of projects on the National Highway which have been approved for Federal funding. (3) (b) The Department does not keep records on the party affiliation of the Member representing the electorate in which National Highway projects are funded. (4) There are currently no tolls on the National Highway. However, the Government has announced that the Western Sydney Orbital will be partly funded by a toll. (1) (b), (2) (a) (c) and (d) and (3) (a)The following table sets out for each of the years 1996-97 to 2000- 01 each project funded, the estimated cost, the amount spent, the anticipated completion date and the electorate in which the project is located.

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m NEW SOUTH WALES

Sydney Urban Cumberland Hwy-Widen to 6 30.10 1.21 0.45 3.40 7.5 5.73 2002 Prospect lanes Sydney Orbital Route, precon- 300.00 2.00 5.62 7.32 12.14 9.75 2007 Macarthur, Mitchell, struction works Greenway Elizabeth Drive east of Mamre Rd 7.70 0.65 0.10 Completed Macarthur, Mitchell, to Badgerys Creek Rd Greenway

F3 Freeway Driver Aid Scheme 22.60 1.10 1.64 0.81 Not known Robertson F3 to Branxton link 332.00 0.08 0.09 1.10 0.35 Not known Hunter Widening to 6 lanes between 0.50 0.50 Completed Robertson, Berowra Wahroonga & Kariong - study Ourimbah-Kangy Angy 54.95 12.78 19.51 2.34 Completed Dobell

Hume Highway Campbelltown Access ramps 7.00 0.05 0.05 Not known Werriwa Mittagong bypass rectification 30.00 0.36 1.04 2002 Macarthur Cullarin Deviation 21.57 0.05 0.01 0.03 Completed Hume Goulburn Byp-Ph 6 27.12 0.08 Completed Hume Tarcutta Range Duplication 62.60 0.60 -0.01 0.04 Completed Hume Yass Bypass 40.44 0.33 0.17 Completed Hume Concrete pavements (Sth of Yass) 15.04 0.13 Completed Hume Sheahans Bridge EIS 8.65 0.53 2.74 3.91 Completed Hume Kyeamba Hill to Kyeamba Gap 16.08 0.01 Completed Hume Bookham Bypass 80.15 1.00 12.23 9.69 27.80 23.74 2001 Hume Coolac Bypass EIS 100.00 0.50 0.28 -0.11 0.93 0.44 Post 2004-05 Hume Coppabella-Reedy Creek 15.58 0.01 Completed Hume Jugiong Bypass 83.55 1.010 0.19 0.05 0.05 0.09 Completed Hume Albury upgrade 187.0 1.00 3.83 7.18 5.15 3.63 Post 2004-05 Farrer

New England Highway Wilburtree St to Scott Road, 3.45 1.60 1.68 -0.02 Completed New England Tamworth; reconstruction & widening Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29213

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m Armidale Bypass 8.65 0.09 Completed New England Beresfield West – signalisation of 0.70 0.41 Completed New England intersection between Weakleys Drive and Thorton Road Devils Pinch North of Armidale 18.80 0.22 0.38 0.58 2004 New England Rose Valley Deviation 12.06 0.20 1.28 7.79 2002 New England Liverpool Range 27.44 3.38 -0.01 0.52 .04 Completed Hunter Belford Forrest Deviation 30.70 4.00 10.84 9.14 0.14 -0.07 Completed Hunter Muswellbrook Bypass 0.50 0.04 0.14 0.09 Post 2004-05 Hunter John Renshaw Drive Interchange 10.68 3.03 1.87 -0.03 Completed Hunter Leneghans Drive - Weakleys 61.97 6.21 17.15 9.53 0.02 Completed Hunter Drive McDougalls Hill – Rixs Creek 0.23 0.09 -0.05 Completed Paterson Bridge Upgrade Intersection Anderson 1.50 0.09 -0.12 Completed Paterson Drive Duval Creek realignment 7.70 0.09 Post 2004-05

Newell Highway Moree Bypass 30.00 0.03 0.11 0.30 0.32 0.73 Gwydir Coonabarabran Bypass - Planning 34.00 .08 0.06 0.07 0.12 0.07 Gwydir Coonabarabran Bridge 2.24 1.00 0.03 Completed Gwydir

Sturt Highway Yanga Crk bridge, east of Bal- 3.01 0.06 Completed Farrer ranald

Federal Highway Lake George 118.38 40.00 27.00 24.31 2.59 0.27 Completed Hume ACT Border-Sutton 42.58 0.53 0.53 11.33 22.01 7.24 Completed Hume

Barton Highway Murrumbateman Bypass - Plan- 40.00 0.11 0.03 0.17 0.15 0.25 Complete Hume ning

Asset Preservation 147.54 140.79 152.38 124.76 109.53 Ongoing Various

TOTAL NEW SOUTH WALES 229.08 243.84 245.40 210.51 172.19

VICTORIA

Western Ring Road Airport Section 145.00 35.23 0.78 0.67 -1.20 -0.06 Completed Maribyrnong Broadmeadows Section 1.50 0.01 Completed Calwell Maribyrnong Section 104.10 0.40 0.91 1.11 0.18 0.12 Completed Maribyrnong Extension to Edgars Road 80.00 19.38 18.62 16.60 0.91 -1.11 Completed Scullin, Wills, Calwell 29214 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m New alignment from Robinsons 0.28 0.15 Completed Burke, Gellibrand Rd to Western Ring Road Safety improvement works on the 12.00 1.00 Jun 2003 Calwell, Gellibrand, Western/Metropolitan Ring Road Wills, Lalor, Maribyr- nong, 0.00 Hume Highway Albury/Wodonga Bypass - Pre- 6.00 4.00 0.72 0.08 Not known Indi construction Works Donnybrook Road grade separa- 0.20 0.11 0.04 0.02 July 2001 McEwen tion - planning Craigieburn link to the WRR - 1.30 0.20 0.75 0.22 0.03 Completed McEwen, Scullin Planning Craigieburn & Beveridge – access 0.11 0.10 0.01 July 2001 McEwen control – planning

Western Highway Shoulder Sealing 10.20 0.07 0.07 Completed Burke, Ballarat, Wan- non Widening 1.19 1.00 0.19 Completed Burke, Ballarat, Wan- non Widening west of Kaniva 2.70 1.26 1.42 -0.01 Completed Mallee Overtaking lanes between Stawell 1.05 0.69 -0.06 Completed Ballarat, Mallee & Horsham Melton to Bacchus Marsh - Plan- 4.30 Completed Burke ning Ballarat Bypass 49.41 3.16 1.54 0.02 0.41 0.21 Completed Ballarat Bridge Widening at Fiery Creek 0.40 0.40 Completed Ballarat, Wannon Leigh Creek to Woodmans Hill 1.61 0.89 -0.06 0.25 -0.81 1.33 Completed Ballarat Planning Re-alignment of Western High- 0.95 0.22 0.14 0.01 -0.01 Completed Lalor, Burke way to WRR - Planning Overtaking lanes from Stawell to 3.00 0.78 1.05 1.20 -0.03 Completed Ballarat, Mallee SA Border Leakes Rd Interchange – planning 0.13 .08 0.04 July 2001 Burke study Widening Lillimur to SA Border 3.90 2.50 0.22 .58 0.53 Completed Mallee Armstrong rail underpass 12.90 0.15 2004 Ballarat Deer Park to Hopkins Rd – grade 13.10 3.60 6.63 2002 Burke separation Widening and rehab west of 22.00 5.33 6.62 Jan 2002 Mallee Dimboola Widening and rehab Kiata to 19.20 7.10 May 2002 Mallee Nhill

Goulburn Valley Highway Strathmerton Deviation - Plan- 0.50 0.29 0.21 1.32 Completed Murray ning Broken River Bridge 8.05 2.06 5.99 -0.18 Completed Murray Overtaking lanes North of Shep- 3.53 1.59 1.48 -0.11 Completed Murray parton Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29215

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m Shepparton Bypass - Planning 4.96 0.01 1.05 0.91 late 2001 Murray Moorilim to Kialla West - Plan- 0.52 0.16 -0.03 Completed Indi, Murray ning Hume to Nagambie & Murchison 4.48 1.50 1.68 -0.68 1.17 -0.01 Completed McEwen East - Planning Overtaking lanes near Strathmer- 1.28 1.28 -0.08 0.18 Completed Murray ton Hume to Nagambie duplication 52.80 7.53 12.86 19.31 7.91 Completed McEwen Murchison East deviation 94.30 5.0 6.32 2003 McEwen Bridge strengthening works. 2.11 2.11 Completed Various

Sturt Highway Widening & Shoulder Sealing 2.86 1.23 1.30 0.28 0.05 Completed Mallee Widening Mildura to SA Border 1.50 0.02 1.2 Completed Mallee Mildura development planning 0.10 0.10 2002 Mallee study

Asset Preservation 37.70 34.53 40.73 18.69 22.25 Ongoing Various

TOTAL VICTORIA 104.38 79.57 82.82 57.65 60.18

QUEENSLAND

Bruce Highway Pound Creek Bridge 0.39 0.06 0.04 .01 0.02 Completed Kennedy Woolcock Street Duplication 16.48 2.86 10.21 2.49 .04 -0.09 Completed Herbert Townsville to Cairns - 25.30 4.41 2.08 0.22 5.09 1.03 Completed Herbert, Kennedy, Widen/Rehab Leichhardt Edmonton duplication 22.60 6.06 9.09 6.30 -0.99 0.52 Completed Leichhardt Rockhampton to Townsville - 3.25 0.33 -0.01 Completed Dawson, Herbert, Ca- Overtaking lanes pricornia Rockhampton to Townsville - 46.90 4.68 7.20 -0.84 2.92 3.02 Completed Dawson, Herbert, Ca- Widen/Rehab pricornia Collinsons Lagoon - Didgeridoo 9.58 0.14 0.15 0.04 0.49 5.85 Sep 2001 Dawson, Herbert Widening & rehab, minor rea- 70.30 0.81 8.58 24.11 Jun 2004 Various lignment, o/t lanes & flood im- munity Yandina Bypass 62.02 20.24 6.73 0.49 Completed Fairfax Jackass Ck-Matilda 4.43 3.08 0.05 Completed Wide Bay David Drive 0.15 0.12 -0.14 Completed Wide Bay Gunalda Range Realignment 17.00 0.20 0.23 0.53 10.36 5.66 Completed Wide Bay Cooloola-Curra Widening 4.68 0.96 1.33 2.27 -0.04 Completed Fairfax, Wide Bay Construction of Wallaville Bridge 28.50 0.70 6.48 20.34 0.50 -0.09 Completed Wide Bay Gympie to Rockhampton - 17.59 2.02 6.17 -0.23 Completed Fairfax, Wide Bay, Widen/Rehab Hinkler, Capricornia Cooroy Bypass 8.56 0.08 Completed Fairfax 29216 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m Bruce Hwy - Bororen to Daisy 3.30 1.73 0.07 Completed Hinkler Dell Marlborough to Princhester 5.38 2.24 3.14 0.01 Completed Capricornia Deviation Duckworth Street Duplication 6.31 2.33 2.12 1.62 -0.03 Completed Herbert Duplication of Ron Camm Bridge 25.00 1.70 6.02 13.77 -0.36 Completed Dawson Replacement of Elliott River 4.47 0.24 0.21 3.95 0.04 -0.05 Completed Dawson Bridge Dalbeg Turnoff-McDesme Dupli- 1.52 1.19 0.11 0.03 -0.02 Completed Dawson cation Caboolture Motorway 6 laning 220.00 0.66 -0.53 0.65 5.05 11.36 Jun 2004 Lilley, Petrie,Dickson Uni. Rd/Charles Barton Bridge 4.02 0.17 Completed Herbert Townsville University Road-Melton Black 0.51 -0.01 0.44 -0.14 Completed Herbert Drive Townsville Uni Rd Mark Reid Drive to 9.44 5.07 -0.04 0.28 0.98 0.06 Completed Herbert Flinders H’way Buchanans Road interchange 8.92 4.96 -0.06 Completed Longman Maitland Rd-Mackey Ck 2.00 -0.01 Completed Leichhardt Skyring Creek bridge and Wid- 9.00 3.67 4.37 0.20 Completed Fairfax ening/Rehab Cooray and Skyring Creek. Yandina - Cooroy duplication 110.00 0.47 4.53 7.86 2.22 19.92 Sep 2003 Fairfax Nambour Bypass 8.33 0.66 Completed Fairfax Rockhampton to Townsville – 3.96 -0.07 Completed Dawson, Herbert, Ca- Pavement re-surfacing pricornia Rockhampton to Townsville - 2.65 Completed Dawson, Herbert, Ca- Intersection and traffic control pricornia measures Rockhampton to Townsville 2.30 0.83 Completed Dawson, Herbert, Ca- bridgeworks pricornia Portsmith Rd duplication 10.00 4.75 5.25 Completed Leichhardt Ayr-Home Hill to Brandon by- 10.00 2.63 0.10 Completed Dawson pass – planning House Ck bridge and approaches 1.80 0.21 Aug 2001 Hinkler

Warrego Highway Brisbane to Toowoomba - 4.54 1.06 0.02 Completed Groom, Blair, Oxley Widen/Rehab Marburg Bypass 15.45 1.00 2.43 11.24 Completed Blair Toowoomba Bypass planning 10.50 6.00 4.24 0.37 2.00 Completed Groom Oakey Bypass 12.00 1.02 4.31 5.11 0.68 0.27 Completed Groom Yaralla Road - Planning 13.55 0.14 -0.02 0.02 4.14 Jan 2002 Maranoa Dalby-McAlister 2.06 1.73 0.19 -0.03 Completed Maranoa Toowoomba-Roma - 16.20 5.16 1.69 1.88 Completed Groom, Maranoa Widen/Rehab Amby - Marbango 2.12 1.21 0.52 Completed Maranoa Roma to Morven – Widen & 13.40 2.68 2.87 0.54 .01 Completed Maranoa rehab Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29217

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m

Landsborough Highway Douglas Ponds 9.50 Completed Capricornia Longreach Deviation 3.65 0.75 Completed Capricornia Thompson River bridge 24.80 0.13 0.68 5.75 17.20 0.30 Completed Kennedy Morven to Barcaldine - Pavement 1.94 Completed Kennedy, Capricornia re-surfacing Morven to Cloncurry – Widen & 28.74 1.37 0.10 Completed Capricornia, Maranoa, rehab Kennedy

New England Highway Dalveen project 6.51 -0.54 0.54 Completed Maranoa Warwick to NSW border - Pave- 0.18 Completed Maranoa ment re-surfacing Ipswich to NSW border - 3.27 -0.05 0.09 Completed Maranoa, Forde, Blair Widen/Rehab Cottonvale -Thulimba 4.75 -0.02 Completed Maranoa Dalveen - The Summit final 1.27 0.73 Completed Maranoa sealing

Gore Highway Toowoomba to NSW border - 13.15 -0.02 0.61 2.52 3.92 Jun 2003 Maranoa, Groom Widen/Rehab Westbrook Creek 6.20 2.38 3.44 0.38 -0.01 Completed Groom

Barkly Highway Widening & rehab between 60.84 4.97 7.56 1.24 6.05 12.37 Aug 2001 Kennedy Cloncurry & Mt Isa Planning for Georgina River 14.00 0.18 0.28 2.50 Jun 2003 Kennedy bridge and approaches Inca Creek Bridge 18.00 0.71 0.23 Jun 2004 Kennedy

Cunningham Highway Dinmore 2.78 2.20 0.58 Completed Oxley Freestone Ck to 8 Mile Intersec- 3.83 0.55 2.97 0.30 -0.07 Completed Groom tion Mt Edwards Passing Lanes 5.80 Completed Forde River Road interchange 11.95 -0.51 Completed Oxley Ripley Road ramps & duplication 2.71 -0.07 Completed Oxley Logan Motorway to Goodna Ck 0.57 0.04 Completed Oxley

Ipswich Motorway Major upgrade concept planning 2.00 0.39 0.59 Jun 2002 Moreton, Oxley, Ryan Traffic safety improvements 7.00 0.26 6.74 Jul 2001 Oxley

Brisbane Urban 29218 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m Noise Amelioration 1.20 0.69 0.13 0.05 Completed Lilley, Petrie Widen & rehab between Newn- 0.85 0.64 Completed Lilley, Petrie ham Rd and Gateway Motorway

Other Cunningham & New England 16.35 2.00 0.64 4.50 7.04 Jan 2002 Blair, Forde, Maranoa Hwys, widening & rehab Warrego, Landsborough & 50.79 4.09 11.50 19.87 Jun 2002 Capricornia, Groom, Flinders Hwys, widening, rehab Kennedy, Maranoa & flood immunity National Highway Bridge up- 12.50 1.92 6.75 Aug 2002 Various grading – various bridges

Asset Preservation 82.57 73.78 82.11 65.44 62.69 Ongoing

TOTAL QUEENSLAND 181.06 161.54 178.60 159.93 218.12

WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Perth Urban Swan Vally Bypass Study 1.90 0.28 0.61 -0.08 0.06 Dec 2001 Pearce

Great Eastern Highway Mundaring to Sawyers Valley 3.69 1.50 1.31 0.28 -0.01 Completed Pearce Sawyers Valley-Lakes duplica- 35.00 2.42 0.20 0.09 Jan 2003 Pearce tion Roe Highway to Scott Street 14.04 2.60 2.23 0.61 1.18 5.67 Oct 2001 Pearce Lakes to El Caballo Blanco 7.30 2.74 1.49 Completed Pearce Northam Bypass 5.00 0.54 0.89 1.05 1.14 12.22 Sep 2002 Pearce Bullabrook O/T lanes 1.95 1.38 0.44 -0.08 0.08 Completed Pearce Meenaar to Walgoolan 50.75 11.95 16.59 1.30 Completed Kalgoorlie Baandee Lakes reconstruction 1.31 0.07 Jun 2002 O’Connor works

Great Northern Highway Little Panton and Spring Ck 6.50 0.31 3.73 1.45 0.10 Jul 2001 Kalgoorlie Bridges Jailhouse Ck 9.60 0.46 0.20 Completed Kalgoorlie Camel Ck Bridge 12.52 10.13 1.82 -0.02 Completed Kalgoorlie Roe Hwy to MRB 15.35 1.00 -0.46 5.21 7.48 -0.07 Jul 2001 Pearce Wogarno to Munarra 11.60 0.40 -0.12 Completed Kalgoorlie Roebuck Plains 1.60 1.35 0.25 Completed Kalgoorlie Moorine Rock Bridge 2.97 0.75 0.37 0.06 Completed Kalgoorlie Laurel Downs - Plum Plains 6.00 1.70 2.93 2.38 Completed Kalgoorlie Karalundi 11.00 1.37 9.64 Completed Kalgoorlie Cue South 0.47 0.47 0.47 Completed Kalgoorlie Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29219

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m MacPhee Creek/Card Creek 0.77 0.77 0.77 Completed Kalgoorlie Replace single lane bridges 60.00 0.46 0.79 Jun 2002 Kalgoorlie (Ord/Bow/Fitzroy/Dunham) Wubin to Paynes Find flood 2.78 0.77 -0.20 Jun 2002 Kalgoorlie mitigation works Miling to Wubin widening & 1.00 0.14 Dec 2004 O’Connor rehab Dalwallinu heavy haulage route 2.65 0.02 Dec 2002 O’Connor Wonjil Section, widen & rehab. 1.60 1.40 Oct 2001 Kalgoorlie Pilbara & Kimberly regions – 7.92 7.74 Aug 2001 Kalgoorlie flood repairs

Eyre Highway Jimberlana 14.15 3.06 0.43 Completed Kalgoorlie Norseman - Cocklebiddy 50.00 3.04 11.16 19.34 2.29 6.58 Jun 2002 Kalgoorlie

Other Rehab of NH as a result of cy- 1.60 1.58 -0.15 0.18 Completed Pearce, Kalgoorlie clones Vance & Elaine Rehab of Great Eastern Hwy & 10.00 3.39 4.21 Oct 2001 Kalgoorlie, O’Connor, Coolgardie-Esperance Hwy Pearce National Highway resealing 6.10 5.00 -0.54 Jun 2002 Kalgoorlie, O’Connor, Pearce National Highway Bridge up- 6.70 1.42 -0.84 Jun 2003 Kalgoorlie, O’Connor, grading Pearce

Asset Preservation 28.59 24.89 24.53 25.15 18.65 Ongoing Various TOTAL WESTERN 74.84 67.94 70.09 49.09 56.27 AUSTRALIA

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Adelaide Urban Portrush Rd - Magill to Greenhill 36.78 0.04 0.04 0.40 0.85 8.48 2003 Sturt Rd South Road Connector 44.11 1.05 0.01 0.04 Completed Port Adelaide Northern Metropolitan Adelaide 0.30 0.27 Completed Adelaide, Bonython, NHS Study Port Adelaide, Makin

Main North Road Widening Hogarth Rd to Grove 11.00 1.72 0.28 0.54 0.17 0.01 Completed Bonython, Makin Way - planning Kings Rd to Montague Rd wid- 1.50 0.05 0.02 0.03 0.41 0.18 Completed Bonython, Makin ening - planning

Port Wakefield Road Salisbury Hwy to Virginia access 3.90 0.96 -0.01 0.01 Completed Bonython, Port Ade- controls laide 29220 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m Planning for further upgrading 0.43 0.20 0.01 Completed Bonython, Port Ade- laide, Wakefield Pt Wakefield to Wild Horse 14.00 0.09 0.01 0.04 Completed Wakefield Plains - Duplication Access improvements to Pt 1.75 1.57 0.18 Completed Bonython, Port Ade- Wakefield Rd laide Port Wakefield - Port Augusta Overtaking lanes 6.00 0.61 1.49 0.20 1.42 3.11 Completed Grey, Wakefield

Sturt Highway Greenock turn-off to Truro - 15.70 0.54 6.91 5.17 1.00 0.20 Completed Wakefield overtaking lanes at Moppa Rd & Bastion Hill Gawler to Barmera - Widening 4.37 0.59 0.68 0.19 Completed Wakefield Daveyston Bypass 6.74 4.15 1.05 Completed Wakefield Blanchetown Bridge replacement 20.90 4.69 9.90 4.71 0.03 Completed Wakefield She-oak Log Bypass 4.34 0.01 0.02 0.03 Completed Wakefield Walkerie bypass – traffic man- 0.08 0.07 Completed agement improvements

Dukes Highway Overtaking lanes between Tailem 10.52 2.18 2.23 0.66 0.01 -0.06 Completed Barker Bend & Keith Overtaking lanes between Keith 5.02 2.68 2.20 Completed Barker and Victoria border Mt Barker Rd Realignment 138.00 9.16 35.66 60.83 36.92 Completed Mayo, Sturt

Eyre Highway Rehabilitation between Ceduna & 29.85 5.31 3.22 3.17 1.66 3.40 Oct 2001 Grey Lincoln Gap

Other National Highway strategic 0.28 0.22 0.06 Completed Grey overview

Asset Preservation 28.30 25.56 24.30 19.57 22.60 Ongoing Various

TOTAL SOUTH AUSTRALIA 58.49 90.07 100.47 64.96 40.25

TASMANIA

Bass Highway Victoria Bridge duplication 14.23 0.37 Completed Lyons Overtaking lanes 3.19 1.28 Completed Lyons Hagley to Deloraine. 6.11 1.38 0.81 Completed Lyons Deloraine to Westbury. 22.40 2.59 0.27 0.03 0.22 Completed Lyons Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29221

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m Westbury-Hagley Bypass. 36.00 2.56 19.99 8.54 Oct 2001 Lyons Heavy Vehicle Overload Strategy 1.83 0.35 0.09 0.48 0.79 Jun 2001 Braddon Overtaking lanes & stock under- 3.30 0.22 Completed Braddon, Lyons passes Penguin to Chasm Creek 65.86 19.88 16.93 18.80 2.19 0.04 Completed Braddon Don interchange 3.47 1.36 Oct 2001 Braddon Port Sorrel Road to Devonport 17.13 0.12 Mar 2003 Braddon duplication

Midland Highway Hobart Northern Approaches 1.43 0.43 0.16 0.37 0.07 Oct 2001 Lyons Study Bridgewater Industrial Estate – 2.76 0.24 1.35 Jul 2001 Lyons service roads Overtaking lanes & stock under- 5.13 .06 0.38 Completed Lyons passes. St Peters Pass – safety review & 1.65 0.54 Dec 2001 Lyons modifications Bridgewater bridge – engineering, 0.38 0.03 Jan 2002 Lyons environmental & geotechnical investigations Powarnna rail crossing 0.46 0.17 Dec 2001 Lyons

Other National Highway Planning 1.00 0.33 0.10 0.32 Jun 2001 Braddon, Lyons Projects Bass and Midlands safety im- 1.95 0.39 Completed Braddon, Lyons provements Bass and Midlands Hwy - Im- 1.17 0.52 0.64 Completed Braddon, Lyons prove night time delineation Bass/Midlands Hwy junction 2.00 0.10 0.76 0.68 Jun 2002 Lyons upgrading National Highway bridge up- 4.30 2.74 0.67 Jun 2003 Braddon, Lyons grading Shoulder sealing 2.22 0.43 Completed Various

Asset Preservation 8.07 7.23 7.31 8.39 5.70 Ongoing Various

TOTAL TASMANIA 33.60 27.18 30.38 36.32 20.06

NORTHERN TERRITORY

Stuart Highway Darwin to Katherine alignment 0.62 0.55 0.01 0.06 Completed Northern Territory improvements Duplication between Elizabeth 1.66 0.52 1.14 Completed Northern Territory River Bridge and the Intersection of the Cox Peninsula Road Palmerston Bypass 4.24 0.31 4.03 0.11 Completed Northern Territory 29222 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Anticipated 2000-01 Completion Cost 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 (to 30 May) Date Electorate $m $m $m $m $m $m Elizabeth River Bridge. 1.70 1.60 0.02 0.08 Completed Northern Territory Arnhem Hwy intersection to 4.15 1.58 1.60 2002 Northern Territory Elizabeth River bridge duplica- tion Overtaking lanes between Darwin 1.62 1.24 0.38 Completed Northern Territory and Katherine Lindsay St to Crawford St, Kath- 1.80 0.03 1.77 Completed Northern Territory erine duplication Hugh, Finke and Palmer River 6.20 0.21 Not known Northern Territory bridges Manton River bridge 0.93 0.65 Completed Northern Territory

Victoria Highway Widening and rehabilitation west 7.65 1.06 5.22 0.04 0.10 Completed Northern Territory of Katherine including drainage structures & upgrading of the Lost Creek Bridge

Other Stuart and Victoria Hwys - pave- 11.05 4.81 1.44 4.48 3.55 1.78 Ongoing Northern Territory ment widening and rehabilitation Flood repairs 7.86 0.99 5.02 1.86 Completed Northern Territory Bridge construction - various 3.01 1.97 Completed Northern Territory

Asset Preservation 17.46 16.63 16.05 17.94 15.70 Ongoing Northern Territory

TOTAL NORTHERN 26.85 30.21 25.15 27.67 22.10 TERRITORY

AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY

Federal Highway Duplication Stirling Ave-NSW 38.67 11.01 23.96 Completed Fraser border

Barton Highway Bellenden St to Northbourne Ave 1.50 0.32 2003 Fraser duplication

Asset Preservation 2.18 2.19 1.56 1.54 1.38 Ongoing Fraser

TOTAL AUSTRALIAN 2.18 2.190 12.57 25.50 1.70 CAPITAL TERRITORY Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29223

Roads: Calder Highway (Question No. 2505) Mr Gibbons asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 4 April 2001: (1) How many kilometres of the Calder Highway between Melbourne and Bendigo (a) have been duplicated to date and (b) remain to be duplicated. (2) Which new construction project does he plan to have (a) started and (b) completed between now and 2006. (3) What sum of Federal funds will be required for each project and over how many kilometres will each project extend. (4) What proportion of the duplication work remaining to be done does each project represent. (5) What date has the Government set of the completion of the duplication of the Calder Highway between Melbourne and Bendigo. (6) What new construction works does the Government plan to undertake on the Calder Highway between Melbourne and Bendigo after 2006. (7) What is the projected cost of each of these projects and over how many kilometres will each proj- ect extend. (8) Is he able to say whether the Victorian Government has a commitment to 2006 as the deadline for the completion of the duplication of the Calder Highway between Bendigo and Melbourne in partnership with the Federal Government; if so, why does the Federal Government plan only for a substantial completion of the duplication by 2006. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (a) 87 km (b) 64 km (2) to (8) The Calder Highway is a state arterial road and responsibility for its upgrading rests with the Victorian Government. To assist Victoria with its upgrading the Federal Government provides additional funds under its Roads of National Importance Program. As part of the 2001/02 roads Budget, $25m has been allocated to commence the Carlsruhe dupli- cation project. This level of funding, when combined with State funds, will see this project com- pleted and opened to traffic by the end of 2002/03. The deadline to duplicate to Bendigo by 2006 was set by the Victorian Government, without any consultation with the Federal Government. Given the Calder Highway is a State road, the Victo- rian Government is free to commence all other necessary works to meet its set deadline. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Sale (Question No. 2520) Mr Murphy asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 5 April 2001: (1) Has his attention been drawn to an article titled “Airport still counts cost of Olympics” by Ms Laura Tingle published in The Sydney Morning Herald on 4 April 2001. (2) What is the impact on the Government’s proposed sale plans of the multi-million- dollar claim against Sydney Airport Corporation referred to in Ms Tingle’s article. Mr Howard—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) and (2) Given the relative sums of money involved, the matters raised in the article are unlikely to have any impact on the sale plans for Sydney Airports Corporation Limited. Defence: Copper Napthenate (Question No. 2531) Dr Martin asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: (1) How many sandbags does the Army currently have in stock. 29224 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(2) How many of these sandbags are treated with the Class 3 chemical copper napthenate. (3) Has his attention been drawn to the detrimental health effects associated with handling products impregnated with copper napthenate and can he advise of current occupational health and safety procedures in place for the handling of these sandbags. (4) Does the current request for tender for the supply of sandbags to the Army contain a specification for the use of copper napthenate. (5) Will he seek registration for the use of copper napthenate for rot proofing sandbags. (6) On how many occasions has the Army sold or given sandbags for use by domestic relief organisa- tions in the last year. (7) When these sandbags are used for flood relief and other related purposes are they retrieved at the end of their usefulness and disposed of in accordance with regulations for prescribed wastes. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Approximately 260,000. (2) All of them. (3) I have been advised that skin and eye irritation can occur following prolonged contact with copper napthenate in its raw form. For the purpose of impregnating hessian sandbags, the chemical is first dissolved and diluted in white spirit and is therefore unlikely to present a hazard. The Class 3 reference relates specifically to the flammability of the white spirit. As an added precaution, De- fence has issued instructions that personal protective equipment be worn when handling sandbags treated with copper napthenate. There is no evidence to suggest that there are any additional health risks associated with the storage and handling of these items. (4) A previous request for tender, now terminated, did propose the use of copper naphthenate or an equivalent. A revised request for tender now being developed specifies untreated hessian bags. Defence has decided to discontinue specifying copper napthenate as a rot proofing agent for envi- ronmental reasons. Defence is actively investigating alternate rot proofing treatments and materi- als. (5) No, registration is only necessary for organisations intending to treat materiel with copper nap- thenate in Australia. Defence has no such intention. (6) The exact number of occasions is unknown, however it is not a common occurrence. (7) Defence has no visibility of how domestic relief organisations have managed the collection and disposal of used sandbags in the past. The change to untreated hessian sandbags will obviate this requirement. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Air Traffic Control (Question No. 2532) Mr McClelland asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: (1) Is Airservices Australia planning to move its function of air traffic control for Sydney Airport to the air traffic control facility in Melbourne. (2) Have he, his Department or Airservices Australia received representations expressing safety and professional concerns about the proposal: if so, (a) what are the concerns which have been ex- pressed and (b) which professional organisation or organisation have expressed those concerns. (3) What is the operational justification for the Airservices Australia consolidation plan. (4) Does Airservices Australia believe there will be an increase in safety or service levels to the avia- tion industry by such a consolidation, if so, how. (5) Does Airservices Australia anticipate achieving cost savings by such a consolidation; if so, (a) what are those anticipated cost savings and (b) how have those savings been calculated. (6) Has Airservices Australia considered whether separating the terminal control unit from the associ- ated control tower at Sydney Airport will adversely affect the airport ability to meet the demands of both the aviation industry and the community; if so, how have those considerations been re- flected in the decision which has been made. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29225

(7) Has Airservices Australia considered whether controlling the busiest airspace in Australia from Melbourne introduces greater potential for a technical failure to jeopardise separation between air- craft over Sydney; if so, how have those considerations been reflected in the decision which has been made. (8) Has Airservices Australia considered the potential for data link and communications failures be- tween the various facilities which will be relocated to Melbourne and those which will remain at Sydney Airport; if so, what would be the safety consequences of such a data link or communica- tion failure. (9) Is it the case that disaster recovery capability will be severely reduced if the terminal control unit is moved from Sydney to Melbourne and in particular have there been instances where it has been necessary for the Sydney Tower to be evacuated to the TCU has been crucial in the establishment of a temporary tower, if so would that ability to establish such a temporary facility be impeded if the TCU is moved to Melbourne. (10) Is it the case that presently the control centres at Cairns, Brisbane, Sydney Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth can operate independently of each other but that they are also able to take over airspace being controlled by adjacent centres if required; if so, if Airservices Australias consolidation plans go ahead will these disaster recovery features be lost or significantly reduced and, in particular, should the Melbourne Centre need to be evacuated will it result in airspace, including that over Sydney, Canberra, Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth being uncontrolled or under controlled. (11) Is it the case that air traffic controllers develop local knowledge during the course of their duties such as local geography, weather patters and terrain; if so, (a) how will that local knowledge pos- sessed by controllers at Sydney airport be replicated if those controllers are moved to Melbourne and (b) is local knowledge of tremendous importance during emergency situations when every piece of available information is needed to resolve the situation. (12) Has Airservices Australia considered additional complications confronting controllers as a result of the planned upgrade of Sydney airport and Bankstown airport. (13) What will be the cost of transferring the control unit including transfer expenses, redundancy payments and retraining costs and how does Airservices Australia anticipate that it will recover these costs. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: I am advised by Airservices Australia that: (1) Airservices has only undertaken an initial feasibility study into the consolidation of its TCU fa- cilities at Cairns, Perth, Adelaide and Sydney at this time. No decision has been made on the relo- cation of the Sydney Terminal Control Unit. Airservices will not be consolidating Cairns facilities. (2) Yes. Concerns were expressed over future employment and to ensure that safety is not compro- mised in the relocation of the TCU. Representations have been received from unions, individual controllers and state governments. Professional organisations that have made representation have been Civil Air Operations Officers’ Association of Australia which is the union that represents air traffic controllers and the Community and Public Sector Union representing technical and clerical staff. (3) The basis upon which the feasibility study has been undertaken is to determine whether Airservi- ces’ nationally integrated TAAATS system has the ability to yield further benefits to the Australian aviation industry through consolidating Airservices’ TCU facilities to allow improved service de- livery and greater integration and standardisation of air navigation services. (4) Airservices advises they expect no adverse impact on safety as a result of its proposed TCU con- solidation program. It is expected there will be an increase in service levels to the aviation indus- try through improved operations because of less fragmentation, increased standardisation and op- timisation of operating procedures, more efficient transition between Enroute and TCU and the potential for reductions in air navigation costs. (5) Airservices anticipates there will be cost savings as a result of its proposed TCU consolidation program. Airservices has advised that analysis of the total expected cost savings has not yet been determined but would be achieved through reduced management overheads and infrastructure, re- duced maintenance and technical support and spares holding, improved equipment utilisation, op- timisation of operational procedures and consistency of service. 29226 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(6) The Sydney TCU and Tower are currently operated from totally separate (although nearby) loca- tions. Dynamic traffic management and communication between the Tower and TCU is via com- munication systems provided by the TAAATS environment. The distance between the Tower and TCU controllers is not a factor in meeting the demands of the aviation industry or community or in coordinating traffic management at Sydney Airport. The same level of communications and co- ordination will exist between the TCU and the Sydney Tower, irrespective of the location of the TCU. Only the Tower controllers need to be physically located at the Airport. (7) The physical location of the Sydney TCU has no bearing on the technical operation or capabilities of the TAAATS air navigation system, the operation of air navigation aids at Sydney Airport, nor the aircraft separation standards and other regulations that apply to aircraft operating into and out of Sydney Airport. Operating the Sydney TCU from Melbourne will not introduce greater poten- tial for technical failure. No decision has been made on the consolidation proposal. Any decision will be subject to the approval by CASA of a safety case, which would examine the matters raised in questions (6), (7) & (8). (8) See answer to questions (6) & (7). (9) Relocation of the TCU will not impact on disaster recovery capabilities. The coordination and communication links between the Tower and TCU necessary for an evacuation of the Tower and establishment of a temporary Tower would remain the same regardless of the location of the TCU facility. Relocation of the Sydney TCU to Melbourne would not impede the establishment of a temporary Tower facility at Sydney Airport should it be necessary. (10) The TAAATS system is such that the radar signal from one centre can be accessed and viewed from a remote location. This is the basis upon which the TCU consolidation study is contem- plated. However the crucial element in managing aircraft from a remote location is the availability of appropriately trained staff. Airservices disaster recovery ability will not be compromised under the TCU consolidation proposal because appropriate measures will be put into place, as part of the consolidation plan, to ensure that this is the case. (11) Local knowledge can assist but is not essential to air traffic management within the TCU envi- ronment. Local knowledge is of much greater importance to Tower controllers. The current pro- posal to relocate the Sydney TCU in no way impacts on the Sydney Tower. (a) Should a decision be made to relocate the Sydney TCU, Airservices will encourage as many Sydney controllers as possible to move so that local knowledge is maintained. Local knowl- edge will still be available to TCU controllers through the Sydney Tower controllers. (b) Local knowledge can be important in an emergency, depending on the actual situation. This local knowledge will be available from the Tower. (12) Yes. (13) Total relocation costs or expected cost savings have not yet been defined apart from indicative costs and savings outlined in the Feasibility Study. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise (Question No. 2533) Mr McClelland asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: Is his Department or Airservices Australia currently reviewing the present noise insulation boundary for homes in the vicinity of Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport; if so, what parameters have been set for the review and, in particular, to what extent does the review factor in the inconvenience of the time that over flights occur. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: Yes, the noise insulation boundaries are regularly reviewed by my Department based on the Australian Noise Exposure Index (ANEI) prepared by Airservices Australia for the previously completed calendar year. The ANEI includes a weighting for aircraft movements between 7pm and 7am. Retirees: Budget Initiatives (Question No. 2544) Mr Murphy asked the Prime Minister, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29227

(1) Has his attention been drawn to page 6 of the 13 to 15 April 2001 edition of The Sydney Morning Herald which reports him as saying that he has signalled the Government is looking at the plight of self-funded retirees on low incomes hit by falling interest rates and that it is a group of people for which the Government would like to provide some help. (2) What help does Government propose to assist self-funded retirees who are hurting because of the Goods and Services Tax and low interest rates. (3) When will the Government announce its policy to assist this group of Australians. Mr Howard—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) to (3) The government announced a range of measures to assist self-funded retirees in the 2001-02 Budget. It increased the low income aged persons rebate to provide an effective tax free threshold of $20,000 for individuals and up to $32,612 for couples. It increased the Medicare levy threshold correspondingly so that older Australians do not incur a Medicare levy until they incur a tax li- ability. The government extended income limits for the Commonwealth Seniors Health Card (CSHC) to $50,000 for single self-funded retirees and $80,000 for couples. At the same time, it introduced a Telephone Allowance as an additional concession to CSHC holders and has commit- ted to negotiating with State and Territory governments on extending the range of concessions available under the CSHC. Veterans: British Nuclear Tests (Question No. 2548) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: (1) Is he aware of the plight of veterans who were exposed to British nuclear tests. (2) Is he able to say whether the Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency has ob- tained international research regarding the possible health effects of exposure to ionising radiation and made this information available to those affected by the British nuclear tests; if not, why not. (3) Has the Government compiled a nominal roll of all Australians affected by British nuclear tests; if not, why not. (4) Has the Government appointed a scientific advisory committee to oversee any studies of the ef- fects of nuclear tests on humans; if not, why not. (5) Has this scientific advisory committee reported back to him or the Government; if not, why not. (6) What priority has he and the Government placed on awarding proper compensation to Australians and their descendants whose health has suffered from the effects of radiation as a result of British nuclear tests. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) I am aware of the claims and concerns of those veterans who were exposed to British Nuclear tests. Compensation, including medical treatment, is available through the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service to veterans for any illness or injury which has resulted from their serv- ice. As I have recently announced, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs will be conducting a Mortality and Cancer Study of Australian participants of the British Nuclear Tests. (2) The Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Agency (ARPANSA) is not within the Veterans’ Affairs portfolio and therefore this question should be referred to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, the Hon Dr Michael Wooldridge MP, who has responsibility for ARPANSA. However, the Repatriation Medical Authority (RMA) which is in my Portfolio, has reviewed re- search into the affects of ionising radiation exposure. I have also had the University of Dundee re- search reviewed by an independent Australian epidemiologist. This report has been made avail- able to organisations representing the interests of Australian participants in the British Nuclear Tests. (3) The Department of Veterans’ Affairs has completed a draft nominal roll of all participants in the British Nuclear tests and this is now available for public comment. The delay in completing the nominal roll was due to the need for a regulation to be made, for the Department to gain access to the lists of participants used in an earlier study, the “Donovan Study” of the early 1980s. The lists subsequently obtained from that study had many gaps and it has been a detailed, exacting task by the Department to check primary records to fill as many of the gaps as possible. The nominal roll 29228 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

has to contain sufficient personal information to enable adequate data matching against the Na- tional Death Index and the Cancer Registry. The draft nominal roll includes civilian workers employed in the construction industry, public service and other supporting industries. For some of the civilian participants, basic demographic details such as date of birth and full first names are missing. Now that the draft nominal roll has been released for public comment, it is hoped that civilians with data missing will contact the De- partment of Veterans’ Affairs. It should be possible to include the civilians for whom full details are available, in the data matching for the study. (4) and (5) After release of the draft Nominal Roll the Government’s next priority is to establish a Consultative Forum of representatives of the participants in the Atomic Tests. Once this has been established, a Scientific Advisory Committee will be appointed, with the Consultative Forum helping to establish the membership of the Scientific Advisory Committee. I expect to finalise the Scientific Advisory Committee in the next few months. (6) Where any Australian has suffered from an illness or injury related to service during the nuclear testing program, there are a number of avenues available for compensation. These are: (i) under the Safety Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988. Civilians who are suffering from an illness or injury related to their participation in the nuclear testing program should lodge a claim with COMCARE. Claims from service personnel are now administered by the Department of Veterans’ Affairs under the Military Compensation and Rehabilitation Service on behalf of the Department of Defence; or (ii) the Special Administrative Scheme, which is administered by the Department of Industry, Science and Resources. This scheme provides compensation to test participants who have developed multiple myeloma or leukemia, other than chronic lymphatic leukemia. Since 1995 compensation is only provided for leukemia where it had developed within the first 25 years since participation - this follows a similar United Kingdom Scheme; or (iii) common law claims through the courts. Port Welfare Committees: Funding (Question No. 2551) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon no- tice, on 22 May 2001: (1) What sums are available through his Department to organisations who want assistance with estab- lishing Port Welfare Committees in each State and the Northern Territory following the Govern- ment’s 7 March 2001 announcement to establish such committees. (2) What criteria will apply for approving funding to organisations seeking to establish the commit- tees. (3) For how long will funding be available to establish the committees and can it be extended beyond that period. (4) Will successful applicants be requested to meet performance standards established by his Depart- ment; if so, what is the nature of the performance standards. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) I announced on 7 March 2001 that the Federal Government would provide funding to assist with the establishment of Port Welfare Committees (PWCs) in each State and the Northern Territory. Following my announcement, funds totalling $100,000 have been made available through the De- partment to assist with establishing the PWCs. (2) The base criterion that will apply for approving funding to organisations seeking to establish PWCs is that those organisations demonstrate that funds provided will be used by them to employ a person to assist in establishing PWCs. It is envisaged that the person employed would undertake a range of tasks in this role, including research, consultation and administrative tasks. (3) Federal funding assistance towards the establishment of PWCs will be available for two years. Total funds available are $100,000 which will be provided at the maximum rate of $50,000 per year, for two years. It is envisaged that the establishment of PWCs will be a task requiring a maximum period of two years to fully implement. Accordingly, the issue of extended funding be- yond this two-year period has not been considered by the Government. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29229

(4) Organisations that are successful in obtaining Federal funding assistance towards establishing PWCs will be requested to meet performance standards in relation to the intended use of Federal funds. Since it is envisaged that Federal funds will be used to employ a person to assist in estab- lishing PWCs, these performance standards will relate to demonstrable outcomes and deliverables, measured against reasonable timeframes. Aviation: Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (Question No. 2553) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon no- tice, on 22 May 2001: (1) Since the introduction of The Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (TAAATS) how many air traffic control incidents have been found to have TAAATS human factors as causal factors in those incidents. (2) Has Airservices Australia conducted, arranged to be conducted or commissioned any studies or research into TAAATS human factors; if so, what were the findings or recommendations and when will each be implemented; if not why not. (3) Will Airservices publish or make available any studies that have been conducted into TAAATS human factors; if so, when and where; if not, why not. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member's question is as follows: I am advised by Airservices that: (1) The term ‘human factors’ encompasses all considerations that affect a person at work. Any inci- dent that by definition is a breakdown in procedure, process, and item of equipment or perform- ance necessarily has an element of human factors as a causal factor. This factor could be a result of design, implementation, maintenance or service delivery. With that in mind, Airservices sees little value in identifying the number of incidents that are attributable to the broad term human factors. Instead, Airservices considers its involvement in the incident and the factors relating to that incident. As can be seen by the information below, the Air Traffic Services (ATS) attributed incident rate has reduced since the transition to TAAATS. Airservices has concluded that the TAAATS environment has improved the safety of the system in which Airservices operates. For example, the following graph represents ATS incidents for Terminal Control Area (TMA)/Tower (TWR) services at Sydney Airport (Kingsford-Smith Airport).

ATS Incidents per 100,000 movements for ATM TMA/TWR 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 0 Jan’00 Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan ’01 Feb Mar

ATS/100K Linear (ATS/100K) 29230 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(2) Extensive research and evaluation of human factors issues were conducted during the design, im- plementation and operation of TAAATS. These include: Console ergonomics Display colour palette Lighting Procedures Human Machine Interface Post implementation reviews were undertaken to ensure any deficiencies that had not been identi- fied or issues that had not been completely rectified, were identified and actions taken to address them. Commissioned research in relation to TAAATS human factors include: • A Human factors Evaluation of TAAATS Non radar Air Traffic Control, Unitas Consulting • Human factors review of The Australian Advanced Air Traffic System (TAAATS), Directorate of Safety and Environment Assurance • The Performance Assessment Model, University of Queensland. The findings and recommendations of these studies have and continue to be evaluated by Air- services with respect to our increasing experience with TAAATS. Many of these recommendations have been implemented becoming an integral part of the system. (3) The research commissioned by Airservices in relation to TAAATS human factors could be made available on request. Shipping: Foreign Vessels (Question No. 2556) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon no- tice, on 22 May 2001: For each of the last ten financial years, (a) how many single and continuous voyage permits have been issued with respect to foreign vessels operating in Australian waters, (b) what has been the gross tonnage carried for each category of continuous and single voyage permit, (c) how much of that cargo has been (i) in containers and (ii) bulk carriage for each category of single and continuous voyage permit and (d) from which ports was the cargo taken and to where was it taken. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (a) Details are contained in attachment A, that has been provided to the Tabling Officer. (b) Details are contained in attachment A, that has been provided to the Table Office. (c) (i) Containerised cargo details are contained in attachment A, that has been provided to the Table Office. (ii) Bulk Cargo Carried under Permits (in Tonnes) YEAR 1991-92 1992-93 1993-94 1994-95 1995-96 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1999-2000 2000-2001 SVPs 1261483 810510 1252212 3239488 2995420 3570289 4351092 6174754 6703740 6936121 CVPs 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 50400 0 12000 (d) The number of combinations of ports of loading and ports of discharge is considerably large as it involves most of Australia’s trading ports. In addition, many permits are issued for multiple ports of loading or discharge making the requested tabulations difficult to interpret. Accordingly, At- tachment B is a summary of each permit issued from January 1991 that contains the relevant in- formation and this may be of greater use than the tabulations requested. Attachment B has been provided to the House of Representatives Table Office. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29231

Rail: Cunningham Rail Link (Question No. 2557) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon no- tice, on 22 May 2001: (1) Did he meet members of the Cunningham Rail Link Committee on the Gold Coast; if so, when did the meeting occur. (2) At the meeting did he give a commitment that the Cunningham Rail Link would be fully investi- gated as an option linking the Inland Rail line with the Port of Brisbane; if so, what action has he taken to ensure that the Cunningham Rail Link is fully investigated as an option for the Inland Railway from Brisbane to Melbourne. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes. The meeting was on 14 July 2000. (2) During the meeting I undertook to have the concerns of the Cunningham Rail Link Committee brought to the attention of Australian Transport and Energy Corridor Limited. Subsequently this matter was raised with Australian Transport and Energy Corridor Limited. Insurance: Over 50s Insurance Agency (Question No. 2563) Ms Hoare asked the Minister representing the Minister for Family and Community Serv- ices, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: (1) Did the Government publish an advertisement in the March/April 2001 edition of the Age Pension News, encouraging pensioners to insure with the Over 50s Insurance Agency. (2) Is the Minister able to say whether the Over 50s Insurance Agency policies are underwritten by World Marine General Insurance, which is a member of the HIH Insurance Group. (3) Why is the Government advertising HIH insurance six months after the Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) knew that HIH was in financial trouble, and in the same month that APRA appointed an inspector to HIH. (4) Did the Government receive payment for the advertisement; if so, what sum. Mr Anthony—The Minister for Family and Community Services has provided the fol- lowing answer to the honourable member’s question: (1) Age Pension News (APN) carries advertising that is seen as relevant to older Australians. The March/April edition APN included advertising for the Over 50s Insurance Agency. (2) The Over 50s Insurance Agency was previously underwritten by HIH and subsequently has been underwritten by Allianz. (3) When the HIH situation became known, immediate action was taken by Centrelink. The March/April APN had already been printed and it was impossible to include an update. When the Over 50s Insurance Agency confirmed that business was now being underwritten by Allianz, Centrelink Customer Service Centres and Call Centres were notified immediately to ensure cor- rect and up to date information was given to customer enquiries. (4) The Over 50s Insurance Agency paid $36,500 for advertising in the March/April edition of APN. These funds were used to offset Centrelink production costs for the publication. Roads: Black Spot Funding (Question No. 2566) Mr Andren asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: What sum was approved for each federal electoral division in NSW under the Black Spot Program in 1999-2000 and 2000-2001. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: 29232 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Federal Electorate Total 1999-2000 Total 2000-2001 Banks $120,000 $320,000 Barton $180,000 $115,000 Bennelong $412,000 $150,000 Berowra nil $95,000 Blaxland nil $190,000 Bradfield $280,000 $100,000 Calare $500,000 $510,000 Charlton $325,000 $220,000 Chifley $130,000 $30,000 Cook $220,000 $70,000 Cowper $610,000 $1,383,000 Cunningham $350,000 $440,000 Dobell $660,000 $85,000 Eden-Monaro $350,000 nil Farrer $250,000 $78,000 Fowler $12,500 $275,000 Gilmore nil $610,000 Grayndler $40,000 $200,000 Greenway $60,000 $35,000 Gwydir $100,000 $99,800 Hume $475,000 $1,201,000 Hunter nil $830,000 Kingsford-Smith $190,000 nil Lindsay $398,000 $135,000 Lyne $960,000 $967,000 Macarthur $12,500 $448,000 Mackellar nil $95,000 Mitchell $550,000 nil New England $85,000 $418,000 Newcastle $270,000 $100,000 Page nil $250,000 Parkes $400,000 $37,000 Parramatta nil $570,000 Paterson $535,000 $1,580,000 Prospect $312,000 $158,000 Reid $80,000 $845,000 Richmond $220,000 $230,000 Riverina nil $200,000 Robertson $550,000 $300,000 Shortland $130,000 $320,000 Sydney $50,000 $110,000 Throsby $220,000 $40,000 Watson nil $195,000 Wentworth $20,000 $55,000 Werriwa nil $195,000

Defence: National Service Act (Question No. 2572) Mrs Crosio asked the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 22 May 2001: (1) Following the announcement on 26 April 2001 by the Prime Minister that a new medal will be created to mark the 50th anniversary of the introduction of National Service in 1951, on what date will the medals be (a) created and (b) awarded. (2) From what date can servicemen apply for the medal and what is the process through which appli- cations can be obtained. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29233

(3) Who will be eligible to receive the medal. (4) Is there an appeals mechanism if an application for the medal is rejected. (5) Where will the medal be struck. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (a) The medal and ribbon design will be completed by July 2001. The medal Regulations should be completed in September 2001 at which point applications will be accepted for its award. (b) Award of the medal will commence once the Regulations have been approved and applica- tions called for, taking into account existing applications for other medals, and Defence’s policy of processing medal applications in order of receipt. (2) Applications will not be accepted until the medal has been formally created. Once the Regula- tions have been approved, ex-national servicemen may make application on special application forms which will be designed for this purpose. The forms will be available over the internet and copies will be sent to major ex-service groups for distribution. (3) Eligibility for the medal will be dependent on the confirmation of an individual’s obligation to serve and that this obligation was fulfilled under the National Service Act, as it applied to the in- dividual at the time of his service. The details of this are being determined with the establishment of the medal Regulations. (4) Yes, to the Interdepartmental Committee on Defence Honours and Awards. However, awards can only be made within the prescribed Regulations. (5) Australia. High Court of Australia: John Pfeiffer v. Rogerson (Question No. 2580) Mr McClelland asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 23 May 2001: (1) Has his attention been drawn to the findings of the High Court of Australia in John Pfeiffer v Rogerson (21 June 2000). (2) Does the decision have any ramifications for defamation proceedings concerning a publication throughout Australia, in particular, a necessity for parties in defamation proceedings to address the matters raised by separate State and Territory laws. (3) Has the Government taken any further steps to progress the concept of unified defamation legisla- tion in light of that decision. Mr Williams—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes. (2) The decision in John Pfeiffer v Rogerson [2000] HCA 36 has implications for defamation pro- ceedings as much as it has for any other proceedings. The Court held that— • the development of the common law to reflect the fact of federal jurisdiction and also, the na- ture of the Australian federation requires that the double actionability rule now be discarded; • the law of the place of the wrong should be applied by courts in Australia as the law governing all questions of substance to be determined in a proceeding arising from an intranational tort; and • laws that bear upon the existence, extent or enforceability of remedies, rights and obligations should be characterised as substantive and not as procedural laws. As was the position before the decision, in so far as publication throughout Australia is concerned, if a party wishes to bring a defamation action in respect of each jurisdiction in which the publica- tion occurred, that party will still need to address the matters raised by the law in each jurisdiction in which the publication took place. (3) The issue of uniform defamation laws was considered for many years by the Standing Committee of Attorneys-General. Unfortunately the States and Territories were unable to agree on substan- tive reforms and the issue was taken off the SCAG agenda. I expressed my disappointment with the lack of willingness to reach agreement on the part of States and Territories at that time. Given 29234 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

the continued inability of the States and Territories to reach agreement, the Government is not pur- suing the issue at this time. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Aircraft Movements (Question No. 2584) Mr Albanese asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 24 May 2001: (1) How many breaches of the cap on aircraft movements at Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport have occurred since the legislation introducing the cap was passed. (2) What were the details of these breaches. (3) What penalties have been imposed for these breaches. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) and (2) Under the Sydney Airport Demand Management Act 1997, Airservices Australia is re- quired to report to me on the extent of infringements (if any) of the maximum movement sched- uling limit in each quarter. I have tabled reports of the hours in which the maximum movement limit was exceeded, including explanations for the events, for the quarters ending 30 June 2000 (4 hours), 30 September 2000 (17), 31 December 2000 (7) and 31 March 2001 (13). Operational factors such as unforeseen delays can cause aircraft movements to ‘bunch up’ and the aircraft movement may not occur in the hour for which it has a slot but move into the next re- cording hour. This could mean that the actual number of movements in the next hour may exceed 80, even though the number of allocated slots is still 80 or less. The overall number of move- ments at the airport will not be affected. (3) No fines have been issued under the Act to date. The Sydney Airport Demand Management Act provides that the 80 movement per hour cap is to be the planning basis for the Slot Management Scheme established pursuant to the Act. The Sydney Airport Demand Management Act does not provide for penalties for breaches of the cap as such. Instead, the penalties for which the Act pro- vides relate to breaches of the Slot Management Scheme (ie, aircraft which operate without a slot, or aircraft which operate outside allowed time limits which apply to an allocated slot). Australian Customs Service: Peter Tomson Court Case (Question No. 2586) Mr Latham asked the Minister representing the Minister for Justice and Customs, upon notice, on 24 May 2001: (1) Did the Australian Customs Service (ACS) conduct an unsuccessful court case against Peter Tom- son, an apparel and footwear importer, in the 1990s; if so, what are the details. (2) Was the Tomson case similar to the Midford Paramount affair which occurred during the same period. (3) Were the ACS officers in the Tomson matter the same officers criticised by the Parliamentary Joint Committee of Public Accounts in its report No. 325, “The Midford Paramount Case and Re- lated Matters”. (4) Is the Minister satisfied with the way in which the ACS handled the Tomson case; if not, what action will the Minister take to review the case and reform the ACS. (5) When does the ACS expect to complete its examination of the matters raised in the Tomson case and respond to Mr Tomson’s legal representatives. Mr Williams—The Minister for Justice and Customs has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question: (1) Yes. In July 1993 a defended Australian Customs Service (Customs) prosecution was commenced against Mr Tomson with respect to the alleged undervaluation of five shipments of imported clothing. During the course of the hearing the Magistrate ruled the prosecution had established a prima facie case for all of the informations laid. In June 1995, following evidence from several defence witnesses, the Magistrate dismissed the case against Mr Tomson. (2) No. This case involved charges under the Customs Act 1901 for under valuation, while Midford Paramount involved charges under the Crimes Act 1914 for fraud. A prima facie case was estab- Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29235

lished as noted above. Any similarity relates to the fact that both matters involved imported clothing. (3) The investigating officer in the Tomson matter was not involved in the investigation of the Mid- ford case. Some officers who provided evidence before the Midford inquiry would have had some involvement with the Tomson case. (4) A detailed review of the matter by Counsel has been commissioned by Customs. (5) On the advice of Counsel, Customs responded to Mr Tomson’s legal representatives on 15 June 2001 seeking further and better particulars in relation to their allegations. Counsel had indicated that if such particulars were forthcoming in a timely manner he would be able to finalise his report by 30 July 2001. G & K O’Connor Meatworks (Question No. 2593) Mr Bevis asked the Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business, upon notice, on 24 May 2001: (1) How many meetings were held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor meatworks in Pakenham, Vic., and officers of his Department prior to a lockout being instituted in November 1998 and what was the nature of those meetings. (2) What other contact was made between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor meatworks in Pakenham and officers of his Department prior to a lock out being instituted in No- vember 1998 and what was the nature of that contact. (3) How many meetings were held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor meatworks in Pakenham and officers of the Office of the Employment Advocate prior to a lockout being instituted in November 1998 and what was the nature of those meetings. (4) What other contact was made between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor meatworks in Pakenham and officers of the Office of the Employment Advocate prior to a lockout being instituted in November 1998 and what was the nature of that contact. (5) How many meetings were held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor meatworks in Pakenham and the then Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or any staff in the Minister’s Office prior to a lockout being instituted in November 1998 and what was the nature of those meetings. (6) What other contact was held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor meatworks in Pakenham and the then Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or any staff in the Minister’s Office prior to a lockout being instituted in November 1998 and what was the nature of that contact. (7) What was the nature of any material or advice provided by his Department or the Office of the Employment Advocate to the management or representatives of G & K O’Connor’s meatworks and on how many occasions did his Department or the Office of the Employment Advocate corre- spond with the management or representatives of G & K O’Connor’s meatworks. (8) What was the nature of any material or advice provided by his Department or the Office of the Employment Advocate to the then Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or any staff in the Minister’s office and how many briefings were prepared for use by his Department or the Office of the Employment Advocate to the then Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or any staff in the Minister’s office. (9) When will he release the documents currently held by his Department on this issue. (10) What action has his Department or the Office of the Employment Advocate undertaken to investi- gate the alleged intimidation and coercion by thugs hired by the management of G & K O’Connor’s meatworks as exposed on the Channel 9 Sunday program of 8 April 2001. (11) If no action has been taken with regard to this allegation, who made the decision and on what ba- sis was this decision made. (12) What action has been undertaken to investigate the claims by Mr Darren Wise that Mr Bruce Townsend attempted to induce him to lie to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. 29236 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(13) If no action has been taken with regard to this allegation, who made the decision and on what ba- sis was this decision made. Mr Abbott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The lockout at G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meatworks in Pakenham commenced in March 1999, not November 1998. One meeting was held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd and an officer of the Department prior to a lockout commencing in March 1999. At this meeting, G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd provided information on developments in an in- dustrial dispute at the meatworks of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd. (2) The lockout at G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meatworks in Pakenham commenced in March 1999, not November 1998. Prior to a lockout commencing in March 1999, according to the Department’s records and to the best of the Department’s knowledge, there was telephone contact between man- agement and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd and officers of the Department on four occasions. The nature of the contact was that G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd informed officers of the Department of developments in an industrial dispute at the meatworks of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd. (3) The lockout at G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meatworks in Pakenham commenced in March 1999, not November 1998. No meetings were held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd and officers of the Office of the Employment Advocate, prior to a lockout commencing in March 1999. (4) The lockout at G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meatworks in Pakenham commenced in March 1999, not November 1998. No contact was made between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd and officers of the Office of the Employment Advocate, prior to a lockout commencing in March 1999. (5) The lockout at G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meatworks in Pakenham commenced in March 1999, not November 1998. No meetings were held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd and the Minister prior to a lockout commencing in March 1999. One meeting was held between management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor meat- works in Pakenham and staff in the then Minister’s office prior to a lockout commencing in March 1999. At this meeting, G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd provided information on developments in an in- dustrial dispute at the meatworks of G & K O’Connor. (This is the same meeting referred to in the answer to (1).) (6) The lockout at G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meatworks in Pakenham commenced in March 1999, not November 1998. Prior to a lockout commencing in March 1999, staff in the then Minister’s office received a telephone call and then a facsimile from representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd, requesting a meeting. The Ministers office subsequently confirmed a meeting time and date. (7) According to the Department’s records and to the best of the Department’s knowledge, the De- partment of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business has provided management or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd with no written material, no written advice, nor any other form of substantive advice in relation to the dispute at the G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meat processing plant, or associated Australian Industrial Relations Commission and Federal Court proceedings. The Department consulted management (on one occasion) and representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd as required by section 27 of the Freedom of Information Act 1982 in rela- tion to a freedom of information application by the Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union (AMIEU). In 1999, the Department received one letter and five facsimiles from representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd. These all comprise covering notes, and copies of Australian Industrial Rela- tions Commission or Federal Court decisions, or documents lodged in relation to Australian In- dustrial Relations Commission or Federal Court proceedings. In 2000, the Department wrote to representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd on one occasion (and also forwarded the same letter via facsimile) and received one letter from representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd. This cor- respondence related to a freedom of information application by the AMIEU. In 2001, the De- partment corresponded with representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd on two occasions. The first occasion involved forwarding by facsimile a letter from the Minister for Employment, Work- place Relations and Small Business to representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd, which advised of the Government’s having tabled certain documents in the Senate in response to a Senate Return Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29237

to Order motion. The Department subsequently forwarded by facsimile to G & K O’Connor’s le- gal representatives some of the documents that had been tabled in the Senate. The Office of the Employment Advocate provided management and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd with information on logistical arrangements for the offering, lodgement and processing of Australian workplace agreements (AWAs), and with information about the Freedom of Association provisions of the Workplace Relations Act 1996 (the Act). This information was provided in three meetings between staff of the Office of the Employment Advocate and manage- ment and/or representatives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd. (Employers planning to make large numbers of AWAs are encouraged in the Office of the Employment Advocate’s A How-to Guide to contact the Office to expedite the processing of the AWAs.) The Office of the Employment Advocate’s correspondence with management and/or representa- tives of G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd comprises filing receipts, approval notices and a refusal notice for AWAs, as required by the Act; other routine correspondence concerning the filing and ap- proval of AWAs; and a letter advising the employer of the Deputy Employment Advocate’s inten- tion to refuse an AWA pursuant to s170VPB(4) of the Act. (8) The Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business provided the then Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business with three briefings related to developments in the dispute at the G & K O’Connor Pty Ltd meat processing plant, as well as briefing for use in Parliament. The Department provided staff of the then Minister’s office with one briefing on developments in the dispute, together with updates, either orally or via email. The Office of the Employment Advocate provided the then Minister for Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or his staff with five briefings. The briefings related to proceedings brought by the Australasian Meat Industry Employees’ Union against the Employment Advocate concerning the application by the OEA of the no disadvantage test in assessing AWAs. (9) On 28 June 2001, the Government tabled in the Senate the documents on this issue that it intends to release. (10) No action has been taken by the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or the Office of the Employment Advocate to investigate the allegations aired on the Channel 9 Sunday program of 8 April 2001. (11) No complaint regarding the matter was made to either the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or the Office of the Employment Advocate. (12) No action has been taken by the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or the Office of the Employment Advocate to investigate the claims by Mr Darren Wise that Mr Bruce Townsend attempted to induce him to lie to the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. (13) No complaint regarding the matter was made to either the Department of Employment, Workplace Relations and Small Business or the Office of the Employment Advocate. Product Stewardship (Oil) Regulations 2000 (Question No. 2598) Mr Martyn Evans asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 24 May 2001: (1) Since the commencement of the Product Stewardship (Oil) Regulations 2000 how many compa- nies have sought and been paid the subsidy specified in Regulation 4 in each of the categories listed and what amount in total has been paid under each category. (2) Are analytical laboratory tests readily available for each of the criteria set out in Schedule 1 in each of the capital cities of the States. (3) Which laboratories have been approved by the relevant authorities and are they able to conduct all of the tests required by the Regulations. (4) What is the estimated cost of having a sample evaluated for the purposes of the maximum pay- ment of 50 cents under Regulation 4. (5) What is the maximum level of polychlorinated biphenyls permitted under clause 3 of Schedule 1 of the Regulations and is this level consistent with other maximum permitted levels of this chemi- 29238 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

cal under other Commonwealth legislation such as food standards and other environmental stan- dards. (6) Was the level required by the US Environment Protection Agency test evaluated for consistency with other Commonwealth and State legislation prior to the adoption of the Regulation; if so, is it consistent. (7) Is there any reason to believe that there are significant levels of dioxins in recycled oil products in Australia; if so, what would be the principal sources of such contamination. (8) Is the maximum level allowed under the Product Stewardship (Oil) Regulations 2000 consistent with the levels specified under the polychlorinated biphenyls management plan. Mr Truss—The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following an- swer to the honourable member’s question: (1) As at the end of April 2001 (ie 4 months into the program): • 24 recyclers were registered under the product stewardship arrangements • 15 recyclers had made claims and been paid benefits • total payments under each category were:

Category $ 10 2 102 3 317,273 4 43,694 5 509,754 6 620,700 Total 1,491,523

(2) Tests are readily available in Australia for all the criteria with the exception of the Modified Ames test (clause 1), which is available in the United States. This test was included in the criteria as it is recognised as the only test capable of identifying a particular range of carcinogens that may be present in re-refined waste oil. As there are currently no operations in Australia carrying out full re-refining of waste oils, Australian laboratories haven’t yet geared up to do the test. We have had indications from some Australian and New Zealand laboratories that they would be prepared to set up to do the testing, depending on a variety of market considerations (eg if there was going to be sufficient demand). (3) Many Australian environmental laboratories can carry out testing for polyaromatic hydrocarbons (clause 2), polychlorinated biphenyls (clause 3) and dioxins (clause 4). Testing laboratories ac- credited to do particular tests are identified on the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA) Directory, available on the NATA website. The total acid number test (clause 1) and the appearance test (clause 5) are widely available from industry and independent petroleum product testing laboratories in Australia. (4) Proponents should evaluate the market themselves. The modified Ames is by far the most expen- sive test at approximately $US1500/test which would drop as testing frequency increased. Note that the Regulations require testing of Category 1 oils only every six months. (5) to (8) Clause 3 of Schedule 1 to the Regulations requires that the oil must contain less than 0.1 mg of polychlorinated biphenyls for each kilogram of oil, demonstrated by meeting the criteria men- tioned in US-EPA test SW-846 8082. Under the National PCB Management Plan material containing more than 50 mg of PCB per kilo- gram becomes a Scheduled Waste and cannot be transported without evoking special provisions. This 50mg/kilogram limit is consistent with the level at which a waste becomes Scheduled under Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29239

the Basel Convention and can only be transported across international borders in controlled cir- cumstances. Under the National Plan, waste containing between 2 and 50 mg of PCBs is non- Scheduled, and must be dealt with appropriately at the end of its useful life. Wastes containing less than 2mg/kg are considered "PCB free". Note that the standards are different between the Regulations and the PCB Management Plan as the two standards are aimed at quite different ends. The PCB Management Plan is a waste man- agement plan, focussed on proper disposal routes of known PCB-contaminated wastes. The Regulations on the other hand prescribe high health, safety and environmental compliance levels for a product to allow it to receive government benefits, with a view to preventing PCB contami- nated oils entering the environment in the first place. The Australian and New Zealand Food Authority puts PCBs in a category that requires ’no detect- able residue’ (Food Standards Code Volume 2). Almost all PCBs that impact upon humans are in- gested in food. In June 1999, large quantities of chickens and eggs were destroyed in Belgium when they were found to contain high levels of both dioxins and PCBs. The source of this con- tamination was traced to industrial oils being used as a feedstock to manufacture chicken feed. Where waste oil has a PCB content of less than 2 ppm, most State EPAs allow this oil to be burnt in designated facilities, and if the concentration is over 2ppm but less than 50 ppm it must be di- luted until the PCB concentration falls to the 2 ppm level. Note that State requirements may not be uniform in this respect. Note also that in these situations the waste oil is known to be PCB contaminated and is thus treated appropriately. This situation is not analogous to situations where re-refined oil may contain PCBs (in the absence of government requirements) and which is much more likely to come into direct skin contact of mechanics for example. The Regulations require that, to qualify for the top benefit payment, re-refined oil must not con- tain polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (‘dioxins’), as demonstrated by meeting the criteria men- tioned in EPA test SWA-846 8290. While chlorine compounds are not found in virgin base oils, they may be added during either the manufacture or use of the final virgin oil products. The presence of chlorine compounds in oil may also result in some dioxin formation during its use in motor vehicles, hence some potential pres- ence in waste oils. The dioxins in a re-refined waste oil product may therefore be formed during the use of the original product, or through the effects of the re-refining process on chlorine com- pounds present in the waste oil. There have been several incidents in Australia where dioxin contamination of waste oil has lead to emissions of PCBs. The most recent was in 1999 in Victoria when the EPA discovered dioxin contaminated waste oil at 5 re-use facilities, including a pet-food manufacturer, a cement kiln and a tourist train. Second Sydney Airport: Sydney West (Question No. 2599) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 4 June 2001: (1) Further to part (5) of the answer to question No 2305 (Hansard 4, June 2001, page 27227), (a) is Bankstown Airport not Sydney West Airport, (b) does Badgerys Creek remain the site for Sydney West Airport and (c) is the Government’s 13 December 2000 announcement to shelve Badgerys Creek factually wrong in light of his answer to question 2305. (2) Further to part (11) of the answer to question No 2305, (a) do the decisions taken by the Govern- ment to lease Sydney Airport without embedding terms in the lease constitute a major compro- mise of the Government’s ability to ensure that a second airport is actually built at Badgerys Creek, (b) in light of his reply that the operator of Sydney Airport will be given the first right of refusal to build and operate any such airport, will he clarify whether this right in the hands of the lessee compromises the further review of Sydney’s airport needs in 2005, (c) what statutory or contractual provisions, if any, now survive to ensure that an airport can and will be built at Badg- erys Creek, (d) is a second airport for Sydney still part of its strategy for solving Sydney’s airport noise problems, (e) upon what advice has the Government based its 13 December 2000 decision to shelve Badgerys Creek, expand Sydney Airport and use Bankstown Airport as an overflow air- port, (f) how will the Government fulfil its 1996 Election aviation policy in solving Sydney’s air- 29240 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

craft noise problems in light of (i) its decision to seek a further review of Sydney’s airport needs in 2005 and (ii) failing to fully implement the Long Term Operating Plan (LTOP), in light of his an- swer to part (3) of question No 2307 (Hansard, 23 May 2001, page 25926) advising that the LTOP forecast of 17% movements to the north of Sydney Airport continually fail to be met, with actual aggregate movements at 27.3%. (3) Further to parts (8) and (10) of the answer to question No. 2305, has he taken advice on whether the operation of these sections including their statutory intent as demonstrated in the then Minister for Transport and Regional Services second reading speech, are compromised; if so, (a) on whose advice does he rely and (b) will he furnish copies of this advice in Parliament. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (a) Bankstown Airport is not Sydney West Airport. (b) The Government announced that it will retain ownership of the Badgerys Creek site and will legislate to protect the site from incompatible development in surrounding areas. The Gov- ernment has made no decision on the site for a second major airport for Sydney. (c) No. (2) (a) No. (b) The lessee of Sydney Airport will have no power to prevent the Government reviewing Syd- ney’s airport needs in 2005. (c) The sale arrangements for Sydney Airport will not prevent the development of a second major airport for Sydney if a future Federal Government decided that such development should proceed. (d) While concluding that it would be premature to build a second major airport for Sydney, the Government decided to retain the Badgerys Creek site thereby preserving the opportunity for a future Federal Government to decide whether or not airport development on the site should proceed. (e) The Government took account of a range of material including the comprehensive and pub- licly available Environmental Impact Statement on the second Sydney Airport proposal for Badgerys Creek. (f) The Government has addressed the aircraft noise issue by providing for a substantially more equitable sharing of noise compared with the arrangements in place prior to March 1996 and by continuing the aircraft noise insulation program begun by the previous Government. (3) In the context of the sale of Sydney Kingsford Smith Airport the Commonwealth has sought and received confidential advice in relation to the provisions in the Airports Act 1996 dealing with the issue of Sydney West Airport and this advice will be taken into account in the detailed sale ar- rangements for the Airport. Defence: Salt Ash Weapons Range (Question No. 2603) Mr Horne asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 4 June 2001: (1) Did US Air Force aircraft use the Salt Ash Weapons Range on or about 23 May 2001; if so, (a) how many aircraft and (b) for what duration. (2) Did former Minister McLachlan ban foreign aircraft from using the Salt Ash Weapons Range; if so, who gave permission for the aircraft to use the field. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) No. (2) The Air Force is unaware of any commitment made by Minister McLachlan to ban foreign mili- tary aircraft using the Salt Ash Air Weapons Range. In 1998, RAAF Williamtown base management took the initiative to decline requests to use the range from other than Williamtown based aircraft in an effort to reduce the impact of noise on the local community. The last foreign aircraft to use the range were from the Royal New Zealand Air Force, in September 1998. Since then, only aircraft based at Williamtown have used the range. Bass Electorate: Pensions and Allowances (Question No. 2607) Ms O’Byrne asked the Minister representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, upon notice, on 4 June 2001: (1) How many (a) disability pensioners, (b) aged pensioners and (c) Common Youth Allowance re- cipients reside in the electoral division of Bass. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29241

(2) How many (a) disability pensioners, (b) aged pensioners and (c) Common Youth Allowance re- cipients reside in each of the postcode areas within the electoral division of Bass. Mr Anthony—The Minister for Family and Community Services has provided the fol- lowing answer to the honourable member’s question: NOTE:The information in the tables below is data by postcode. Due to the placement of Electoral boundaries across postcodes, Centrelink cannot extract figures for Payments in Electoral divi- sions with any accuracy. (1) Age Pension Post 7212 7248 7249 7250 7252 7253 7254 7255 7257 7258 7259 Code No. <20 1466 1110 5204 190 499 42 23 <20 <20 60 Post 7260 7261 7262 7263 7264 7265 7267 7268 7277 7290 Code No. 354 59 270 46 73 21 40 80 255 <20

(2) Youth Allowance Post Code 7212 7248 7249 7250 7252 7253 7254 7255 7257 7258 7259 No. <20 964 263 1678 42 108 <20 <20 <20 <20 26 Post Code 7260 7261 7262 7263 7264 7265 7267 7268 7277 7290 No. 41 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 <20 22 30 <20 (3) Disability Support Pension Post Code 7212 7248 7249 7250 7252 7253 7254 7255 7257 7258 7259 No. <20 838 371 1697 85 315 <20 <20 <20 <20 32 Post Code 7260 7261 7262 7263 7264 7265 7267 7268 7277 7290 No. 75 23 66 <20 41 <20 <20 33 57 <20 Note: Figures represented with <20 are confidential and therefore not provided. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Risk Analysis (Question No. 2612) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 4 June 2001: (1) Further to his answer to question No. 2311 (Hansard, 22 May 2001, page 25772), will he table a copy of the risk analysis in the House; if so, when; if not, why not. (2) In light of the finding in that risk analysis, what impact, if any, will the (a) installation and opera- tion of the Precision Runway Monitoring System, (b) proposed changes to the Slots Management Scheme 1998, (c) expansion of Sydney Airport as announced by the Government on 13 December 2000 and (d) change the use of Bankstown Airport as an overflow airport as also announced on 13 December 2000 now have on the probabilities described in his answer. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The Environmental Impact Statement for Sydney Airport’s Third Runway is a publicly available document. (2) The specific risk analysis data requested by the Honourable Member is not available. The Gov- ernment is committed to ensuring that the highest priority is placed on aviation safety. No changes will be made to the operating arrangements at Sydney or Bankstown Airports unless all safety standards are fully complied with. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise (Question No. 2614) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 4 June 2001: 29242 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(1) Further to his answer to question No. 2309 (Hansard, 24 May 2001, page 26023), are significant segments of Bankstown City already subject to Australian Noise Exposure Forecast (ANEF) 25 or higher from aircraft noise emanating from that airport. (2) Is aircraft noise emanating from Bankstown Airport set to worsen from the impact of the Govern- ment’s announcement on 13 December 2000 to use Bankstown Airport as an overflow airport; if so, over what areas. (3) Is he aware that Bankstown City Council already has affectations on title and noise contour maps indicating the ANEF noise levels of existing residents. (4) Does the Government’s announcement on 13 December 2000 in respect of Bankstown Airport mean that those aircraft noise contours are to widen the affectation of aircraft noise affected resi- dents; if so, will he describe the impact. (5) Will he afford the same insulation for those houses that are offered for persons suffering aircraft noise from Sydney (Kingsford-Smith) Airport; if so, when will that noise insulation announce- ment be made. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1), (2), (4) and (5) It is anticipated that there will be changes to the patterns of noise exposure around Bankstown Airport as a result of it being used as an overflow airport for Sydney Aiport. Any pro- posal for upgrading the facilities and operational aspects of Bankstown Airport will be considered against the requirements of the Airports Act 1996 and the Environment Protection and Biodiver- sity Conservation Act 1999. I will be recommending to the Environment Minister that the private sector lessee should be required to do a full environmental impact statement (EIS) into the up- grading of Bankstown Airport. Any changes to noise exposure patterns around Bankstown Air- port resulting from the upgrading and the question of noise insulation would be examined as part of this EIS process. (3) I am advised that Bankstown City Council does include advice about aircraft noise exposure on certificates issued under section 149 of the Environmental Planning And Assessment Act 1979. Second Sydney Airport: Sydney West (Question No. 2619) Mr Murphy asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heri- tage, upon notice, on 4 June 2001: (1) Further to the Minister’s answer to question No. 2426 (Hansard, 22 May 2001, page 25808) con- cerning Sydney West Airport and the Minister’s responses referring to the ‘Second Sydney Air- port Proposal’, for the purposes of section 6 of the Airports Act, does the ‘Second Sydney Airport Proposal’ and the term ‘Sydney West Airport’ under that Act, mean the same thing; if not, can the term ‘Sydney West Airport’ have any meaning other than the ‘Second Sydney Airport Proposal’; if so, what other meaning can it have. (2) Is the Second Sydney Airport Proposal for which the Minister conducted an environmental impact statement a proposal to locate the Sydney West Airport at Badgerys Creek. (3) Does the Second Sydney Airport Proposal mean an international airport at Badgerys Creek. (4) Does Sydney West Airport not mean Bankstown Airport. Mr Truss—The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following an- swer to the honourable member’s question: (1) Yes. While not specifically defined as Sydney West Airport in the Airports Act 1996 the Sydney West Airport is generally interpreted to be the Second Sydney Airport. (2) Yes. The Second Sydney Airport proposal for which an EIS was conducted was a proposal to locate a second Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek. (3) Yes. The EIS for a Second Sydney Airport included an assessment of the staged development of an international airport at Badgerys Creek. (4) Sydney West Airport does not mean Bankstown Airport. Veterans: Entitlements (Question No. 2625) Mr Price asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, upon notice, on 4 June 2001: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29243

(1) How many surviving members of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces who served in Japan between 1945 and 1952 are there. (2) What is the annual estimated cost of granting those veterans a Gold Card. (3) How many ADF personnel served at Woomera during atomic testing. (4) How many of those veterans are surviving and what is the estimated annual cost of granting them full veterans’ entitlements. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) It is estimated there are 4,300 surviving veterans of the British Commonwealth Occupation Forces (Japan) (BCOF). (2) Many of these surviving veterans have service in WWII or in a later conflict and have a Gold Card and it is estimated that about 1000 of them do not have a Gold Card. The Government has introduced a Charter of Budget Honesty, under which the Opposition can have new policy proposals formally costed by the Department of Finance and Administration. This would be the proper mechanism under which the question on the estimated cost should be submitted. (3) My Department has compiled a draft nominal roll of those who were involved in atomic testing at Maralinga, Emu Field and Monte Bello Island. The roll includes both ADF personnel and civil- ians. The roll has been compiled for the purpose of a health study into mortality rates and cancer incidence among this group. No atomic testing took place at Woomera, however, personnel based at Woomera may have been at other sites when atomic tests took place. The information sought in the honourable member’s question is not readily available because the Department of Defence has no nominal roll of ADF personnel who served at Woomera at this time. To collect and assemble such information solely for the purpose of answering the question would be a major task and I am not prepared to authorise the expenditure and effort that would be required. (4) Only when the roll is complete will it be possible to provide costs for full veterans’ entitlements for all those involved in atomic testing. National Estate: Cumberland Plain (Question No. 2636) Mr Price asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, upon notice, on 5 June 2001: (1) Has the Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) listed any of the former Australian Defence In- dustries Munitions Factory Site at St Mary’s; if so (a) which areas and (b) how many hectares are involved in each area. (2) Is the AHC land high, medium or low value Cumberland Plain. (3) Is the Minister able to say whether all the high and medium value Cumberland Plain is preserved under the State Government regional environment plan. (4) What is the total size of the high and medium value Cumberland Plain being preserved. (5) In making its assessment what were the values and factors that the AHC took into account, and did they include (a) size, (b) representativeness on a regional scale, (c) representativeness on a property (local) scale, (d) rarity (threatened species), (e) rarity (regionally rare), (f) diversity, (g) naturalness, (h) connectivity, (i) fragmentation, (j) ease of management, (k) strategic importance, (l) sustainability, (m) conservation, (n) community services, (o) total water cycle management, (p) transport, (q) waste management, (r) employment and economic development, (s) air quality, (t) heritage (u) open space and recreation, (v) soil and salinity, (w) urban form, (x) housing and land supply and (y) energy efficiency. (6) Given the 1600 hectares of land in question; what were the studies that the AHC undertook in reaching its decisions. Mr Truss—The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following an- swer to the honourable member’s question: (1) The Australian Heritage Commission (AHC) listed part of the Australian Defence Industries site at St Mary’s on the Register of the National Estate on 26 October 1999; The AHC listed an area 29244 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

of Cumberland Shale Plains Woodland and an area of Shale/Gravel Transition Forest also known as Castlereagh Woodland. Cumberland Shale Plains Woodland is listed as endangered under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999; in total the listing comprises about 800 hectares of the entire site. (2) The AHC believes that its boundary encompasses most of the high and medium value Cumberland Shale Plains Woodland on the site. The AHC commissioned an additional on-ground survey spe- cifically to identify those areas to the west of the site, outside the boundary identified under the State Government regional environment plan, which might contain Cumberland Plain Woodland. (3) The NSW Section 22 Committee, established by the NSW Ministry for Planning to oversight the rezoning of St Mary’s, accepted an average of 21% of the 57 “characteristic” species as sufficient to establish the presence of Cumberland Plain Woodland. The AHC areas additional to the NSW regional environment plan boundary contain an average of 33% of the species identified as “char- acteristic” of Cumberland Shale Plains. (4) The NSW regional environment plan encompasses about 320 hectares of Cumberland Plain Woodland. (5) The AHC, in making a decision to list part of the St Mary’s site, conformed to the requirements of the Australian Heritage Commission Act, which focus on the aesthetic, historic, scientific or social significance of the natural and cultural environments of Australia, for future generations as well as the present community (s.4). In considering any objection to inclusion of a place on the Register of the National Estate the Commission is required to give “upmost consideration to the significance, as part of the national estate, of the place”. In listing Cumberland Plains Woodland at St Mary’s, the AHC took into account its heritage value (t) as a remnant of an endangered vegetation community with greatly reduced distribution (a) within the shale plains west of Sydney (b, c, d, e). Studies by both New South Wales and the Commonwealth show that the Cumberland Plain Woodland represented at St Mary’s demonstrates between 21%-30% of species “characteristic” of the community (f). Although the vegetation communities at St Mary’s are almost entirely regrowth since the 1940s they constitute one of the largest, single areas of a robust vegetation type capable of regeneration if managed appropriately (g,h,i). AHC expressed the view that as much as possible should be conserved of a vegetation community of which there is as little as 8% extant (m). Since the remit of the AHC is to consider the presence or absence of a heritage value it did not take into account matters which are properly the province of State and or local governments (j, k, l,n,o,p,q,r,s,u,v,w,x,y). (6) In reaching its decision in regard to the listing of part of the St Mary’s site, the AHC had access to the following surveys and reports: Benson DH (1992) The natural vegetation of the Penrith 1:100 000 map sheet. Cunninghamia 2(4). Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney. Benson DH and Howell J (1990) Taken for Granted: the bushland of Sydney and its suburbs. Kangaroo Press, Sydney. Benson DH and Howell J (1991) Rare Bushland Plants of Western Sydney. Royal Botanic Gar- dens, Sydney. Benson JS and Redpath PA (1997) The Nature of pre-European Native Vegetation in South- Eastern Australia: a critique of Ryan DG, Ryan JR and Starr BJ (1995) The Australian Landscape - Observations of Explorers and Early Settlers. Cunninghamia 5(2) Royal Botanic Gardens, Syd- ney. Doherty M (1987) Remnant vegetation of the Cumberland Plain: Conservation and Management Priorities A report to the National Parks Association of NSW. DUAP (1996) Regional Environmental Study, ADI St Mary’s. Department of Urban Affairs and Planning. DUAP (1997) Report of the Section 22 Advisory Committee for the ADI Site St Mary’s. Depart- ment of Urban Affairs and Planning, NSW. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29245

ERM Mitchell McCotter Pty Ltd (1998) Draft South Creek and Ropes Creek Corridors Conserva- tion and Recreation Strategy. Unpublished draft report for the Joint Steering Committee Mem- bers. Fanning FD (1995) ADI St Mary’s Facility Flora Survey Bomb and north Bomb Sectors. Unpub- lished Gunninah Consultants. Fanning FD (1995) ADI St Mary’s Facility Distribution of Endangered Flora Pyro Park. Unpub- lished Gunninah Consultants. Fanning FD (1995) ADI St Mary’s Facility Planning Study - Flora and Fauna Issues. Unpublished Gunninah Consultants. Fanning FD (1996) ADI St Mary’s Facility Flora Survey Ropes Creek Area. Unpublished Gun- ninah Consultants. Greenslade P. (1993) Nomination for Register of the National Estate, Australian Heritage Com- mission: Castlereagh Woodland Corridor for Buprestidae. Unpublished report. Gunninah Consultants (1997) ADI Site St Mary’s. Biological Assessment Report. Vol 2. Appendi- ces. March 1997. Unpublished report. Kinhill Engineers (1995) Australian Defence Industries Site - St Mar’ys. Regional Environmental Study Technical Report No.4. Characteristics of the Site. Prepared for Joint Planning Team. De- partment of Urban Affairs and Planning. Nature Conservation Council of NSW (1991) Western Sydney Urban Bushland Survey . Volume 1. Nature Conservation Council of NSW. NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (1997) Urban Bushland Biodiversity Survey of Western Sydney. Vol 1 and appendices. NSW NPWS. Webb H and Foley A. (1996) Review of Urban Bushland and Recommendations for its Protection. , Volume 1 A report to the Nature Conservation Council and the Total Environment Centre, Syd- ney. In addition the AHC commissioned the following: Doherty M (1996) Report on One Day Field Inspection of Selected Areas at Australian Defence Industries Site, St Mary’s, Sydney. Unpublished Report for the Australian Heritage Commission. Biosis Research Assessment of Objection to Listing of Western Sydney Shale Woodland St Mary’s, October 1998. Ian Perkins Consultancy Services Flora Assessment of the Disputed Areas of the of Western Syd- ney Shale Woodlands Report to the Australian Heritage Commission, February 1999. Bathurst Boer War Memorial (Question No. 2638) Mr Price asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, upon notice, on 5 June 2001: (1) Did Lord Kitchener visit Australia in 1910. (2) Did Lord Kitchener refuse to unveil a war memorial in Bathurst to those who served in the Boer War unless the name of Lieutenant Handcock was removed. (3) If so, does this accord with current Government policy. (4) What action has been taken to restore Lt Handcock’s name to the memorial. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) I am advised that Field Marshal Lord Kitchener visited Australia from December 1909 to Febru- ary 1910 to inspect its military force and installations and advise on military reform. (2) Lord Kitchener visited Bathurst on 10 January 1910 to unveil the local Boer War Memorial and present a prize to a local rifle club. Lieutenant Handcock’s name was not on the memorial at that time; nor is there any archival evidence that Lieutenant Handcock’s name was among the names to be included on the memorial in the first place. (3) Local memorials, such as the Bathurst Boer War Memorial, are the responsibility of local commu- nities and local government authorities. Responsibility for their ongoing maintenance rests with those authorities. 29246 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(3) I am further advised that Lieutenant Handcock’s name was added to the memorial in 1964. Veterans: Gold Card (Question No. 2639) Mr Price asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, upon notice, on 5 June 2001: (1) What categories of persons who served in World War II are eligible for a Gold Card. (2) What is the surviving number of persons in each category and what is the estimated per annum cost per category of granting the Gold Card to them. (3) What categories of persons who served in World War II are not eligible for a Gold Card. (4) What is the surviving number of persons in each category and what is the estimated cost per cate- gory of extending the Gold Card to them. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) A Gold Card is issued to all World War II veterans of Australia’s Defence Force (ADF) and Aus- tralia’s merchant navy who: • are ex-prisoners of war; or • served in the ADF between 3 September 1939 and 29 October 1945, who have qualifying service from this period of hostilities and who are aged 70 years and over; or • receive a disability pension at or above 100% of the general rate; or • received a disability pension for pulmonary tuberculosis before 2 November 1978. Some veterans of Commonwealth or allied World War II forces are eligible for a Gold Card, if they: • have qualifying service from World War II and lived in Australia immediately prior to enlist- ment in the Commonwealth or allied force; or • are mariners who served on a Commonwealth or allied ship and if they, or their dependants were residing in Australia for at least 12 months immediately prior to the commencement of their service on that ship. (2) Below are the numbers of veterans from the above categories currently in receipt of Gold Cards: World War II veterans and ‘other categories’, 144,888 Commonwealth and allied veterans, 268 The estimated average health care cost to the Department of Veterans’ Affairs per Gold Card holder in 2000-2001 is $8,200. (3) Persons who served in World War II who are not eligible for a Gold Card are: • Ex-members of the ADF or Australia’s merchant navy who: - do not have qualifying service from that conflict, that is did not serve between 3 Septem- ber 1939 and 29 October 1945, or who did serve during this period but did not incur dan- ger from hostile forces of the enemy during this time; - are not in receipt of disability pension at 100% or more of the general rate. • Commonwealth and allied veterans who are now living in Australia but were not members of the ADF. (4) The Government has introduced a Charter of Budget Honesty, under which the Opposition can have new policy proposals formally costed by the Department of Finance and Administration. This would be the proper mechanism under which the above question should be submitted. Education: Schools Funding (Question No. 2642) Mr Latham asked the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, upon notice, on 5 June 2001: What is the range, from the lowest level of school funding to the highest level, of general recurrent funding per student in each State and Territory within (a) government school systems, (b) Catholic school systems and (c) independent schools. Dr Kemp—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29247

(a) The Commonwealth provides funds to the States and Territories for government schools on the basis of reported full time equivalent enrolments. Actual disaggregation of Commonwealth, or total funding from the State/Territory to individual schools is not part of the data collected by the Commonwealth. (b) Recurrent funding provided by the Commonwealth, State and Territory governments is given to each State/Territory Catholic system in bulk according to per capita rates. The figures below rep- resent the reported allocation of this money by the system. Sector: Catholic School Systems

School Type Highest/ State Lowest Combined Primary Secondary All Schools ACT Lowest $4,329 $2,898 $4,527 $2,898 Highest $4,402 $3,877 $4,656 $4,656 NSW Lowest $1,837 $944 $1,125 $944 Highest $5,014 $11,457 $14,109 $14,109 NT Lowest $4,096 $2,760 $5,241 $2,760 Highest $4,405 $5,043 $7,191 $7,191 QLD Lowest $2,152 $2,824 $3,759 $2,152 Highest $4,831 $8,050 $7,477 $8,050 SA Lowest $2,968 $2,642 $4,208 $2,642 Highest $4,684 $8,400 $16,920 $16,920 TAS Lowest $4,083 $2,783 $4,709 $2,783 Highest $5,017 $4,615 $5,628 $5,628 VIC Lowest $2,108 $2,148 $3,853 $2,108 Highest $4,597 $7,864 $6,568 $7,864 WA Lowest $3,623 $2,507 $4,146 $2,507 Highest $16,248 $9,527 $13,799 $16,248 Total Lowest $1,837 $944 $1,125 $944 Total Highest $16,248 $11,457 $16,920 $16,920

(c) The Independent Schools sector is a mix of both systemic schools and non-systemic schools. The figures below represent the recurrent grants received by the schools from the Commonwealth and States/Territories based either on direct funding or allocation by a system as reported by the indi- vidual schools. Sector: Independent Schools

School Type Highest/ State Lowest Combined Primary Secondary All Schools ACT Lowest $1,746 $2,489 $3,626 $1,746 Highest $3,437 $4,987 $3,626 $4,987 29248 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

School Type Highest/ State Lowest Combined Primary Secondary All Schools NSW Lowest $1,086 $737 $561 $561 Highest $5,114 $9,869 $5,520 $9,869 NT Lowest $3,967 $3,432 $6,493 $3,432 Highest $5,677 $9,661 $8,555 $9,661 QLD Lowest $362 $2,015 $2,533 $362 Highest $7,714 $7,706 $10,419 $10,419 SA Lowest $1,415 $1,380 $2,361 $1,380 Highest $5,123 $8,812 $5,584 $8,812 TAS Lowest $2,201 $2,064 $3,835 $2,064 Highest $5,117 $3,633 $3,835 $5,117 VIC Lowest $959 $735 $307 $307 Highest $5,684 $4,048 $6,340 $6,340 WA Lowest $1,324 $2,160 $3,520 $1,324 Highest $12,410 $13,878 $10,914 $13,878 Total Lowest $362 $735 $307 $307 Total Highest $12,410 $13,878 $10,914 $13,878

Defence: Saltash Weapons Range (Question No. 2643) Mr Horne asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 5 June 2001: (1) Is the newly acquired British Aerospace Hawk lead-in fighter now using the Salt Ash Weapons Range. (2) Has an environmental impact statement (EIS) been prepared for the use of the range by these air- craft; if so, has it been released for public perusal and discussion. (3) Can the aircraft use the range if an EIS has not been prepared. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes, but authorisation has not been given to use training weapons. (2) The Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator the Hon Robert Hill, has been consulted about the introduction of the Hawk Lead-in-Fighter into service with the RAAF. On 12 June 2001, Senator Hill directed that the Department of Defence submit an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS). When it has been developed, the EIS will be released and public comment sought. (3) The legislative process under which this proposal is being considered, the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974, does provide for matters under consideration to continue pending the outcome of the formal EIS process. Child Care: Funding (Question No. 2647) Mrs Crosio asked the Minister representing the Minister for Family and Community Services, upon notice, on 6 June 2001: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29249

(1) What total sum of Commonwealth funds were made available in the last funding round of the minor capital upgrading program for child care centres. (2) How many child care centres in NSW made an application for a minor capital upgrading grant. (3) Which child care centres in NSW were successful in their application for a minor capital upgrad- ing grant and what sum was each granted. (4) Did the application for minor capital upgrading of air conditioning, drainage and safety glass from the Fairfield City Council Child Care Centre at Bossley Park meet the eligibility criteria for fund- ing, as outlined in the application guidelines. (5) On what grounds was the application from that child care centre for a minor capital upgrade grant rejected. (6) When will applications be called for future funding rounds of the minorcapital upgrading pro- gram. (7) Will child care centres that applied for minor capital upgrade grants in previous funding rounds be eligible to apply for grants in future funding rounds; if not, why not. (8) Will the eligibility criteria for applicants be altered in future funding rounds. (9) Will child care centres whose application met the eligibility criteria but were still unsuccessful in receiving a minor capital upgrade grant be given priority in future funding rounds; if not, why not. Mr Anthony—The Minister for Family and Community Services has provided the fol- lowing answer to the honourable member’s question: (1) $2.4 Million (2) 301 (3) Service Name Grant Padstow Community Child Care Centre 6,376 Roslyn Hall Children’s Centre 6,435 Macquarie Park Child Care Centre 2,306 Hornsby Nursery and Preschool 1,371 Cherrybrook Nursery and Preschool 8,364 Chester Hill Community Child Care 5,544 Greenacre Community Child Care Centre 15,226 Blinky Bill Portland Child Care Centre 13,050 Cardiff Early Education & Care Centre Inc 6,773 Hassall Grove Child Care Centre 5,265 Keymer Child Care Centre 15,613 Ridge-Ee-Didge Children’s Centre 5,060 Plumpton Occasional Care Centre 2,860 Mt Druitt Church of Christ Child Care Centre 7,000 John Armitage Child Care Centre 4,565 Nan Moran Child Care Centre 19,754 Koala Corner Children’s Centre 4,360 Susanna Children’s Centre 17,303 Canberra Road Child Care Centre 7,254 Dianella St Child Care Centre 6,504 Gamumbi Child Care Centre 6,465 Ngaku Aboriginal Corporation Multipurpose Centre 16,887 Kempsey Pre-School and Nursery School 12,852 Woolgoolga Child Care Centre 8,812 Gumnut Cottage Child Care Centre 7,929 Kenny Street Long Day Care Centre 4,114 James Mitchell Care and Learning Centre 5,815 Rainbow Cottage Children’s Centre 12,863 Niagara Park Children’s Centre 4,012 Hinchinbrook Multipurpose Centre 2,237 29250 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Service Name Grant Huz ‘N’ Buz Child Care Centre 7,900 Vattana Neighbourhood Children’s Centre 18,160 Kids Korner Combined Occasional Care 4,004 Infants’ Home Long Day Care 15,200 Astral Drive Child Care Centre 3,289 Blacktown Anglican Child Care Centre 5,489 Kurung Child Care Centre 16,881 Bob Sinclair Child Care Centre 2,816 Kings Langley Child Care Centre 8,288 Kerry Jones Child Care Centre 4,441 Lalor Park Child Care Centre 2,600 Mudgee Child Care Centre 6,681 Nurruby Child Care Centre & Preschool 7,667 Bradman Road Child Care Centre 9,589 Holsworthy Children’s Centre 9,665 Soldiers Road Child Care Centre 4,613 Colleen Gale Children’s Centre 8,731 Blue Gum Cottage Children’s Centre 12,034 Randwick Open Care for Kids 5,126 POW (Prince of Wales) Place Community Child 30,298 Care Centre Blue Emu Children’s Centre 14,765 Euroka Children’s Centre 3,520 Platypus Playground Children 5,470 Yoorami Children’s Centre 18,264 Kurralee Children’s Centre 8,785 Ardill House Children’s Centre 7,980 Cuddlepie Pre-School & Day Care Centre 4,950 Amber Cottage Child Care Centre 9,900 Bunya Child Care Centre 22,587 Golden Valley Child Care Centre Inc 21,120 Hazelwood Child Care Centre 9,947 Hobartville Long Day Preschool Inc 38,843 McGrath’s Hill Children’s Centre 21,850 Kids of the Castle Occasional Care 8,052 Awabakal Child Care Centre 9,354 Hunter Women’s Child Care Service 5,084 Samaritans Community Child Care Centre 3,590 Guyra Preschool and Long Day Care Centre 10,516 Catherine Campbell Long Day Care Centre 9,878 Kelly’s Place Children’s Centre 9,900 Kubby House Cobar Occasional Child Care 6,214 Allira Multi-Purpose Gathering Association 11,408 Trundle Multi-Purpose Children’s Centre 13,805 Salamander Child Care Centre 5,601 Fairfield Nursery School 1,276 The Parks Occasional Care 4,960 Smithfield Child Care Centre 6,028 Wetherill Park Child Care Centre 8,679 Greystanes Uniting Church Child Care Centre 9,100 Auburn Long Day Care Centre 4,059 Holroyd Children’s Centre 27,793 Wenty Children’s Centre 9,900 Frances Fisk Child Care Centre 8,600 Rainbow Children’s Centre 1,600 Hay Plains Child Care Centre 10,340 Hampden Bridge Child Care Centre 6,542 Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29251

Service Name Grant Papalya Children’s Centre 2,200 Woy Woy Peninsula Child Care Centre 15,620 Mt Hutton Child Care Centre 1,170 Lance Kindergarten and Child Care Centre 5,080 SDN Erskineville Nursery School 7,546 Amigoss Long Day Care Centre 14,670 Koonawarra Children’s Centre 11,800 Warilla Occasional Child Care Centre 9,632 Noogaleek Children’s Centre 7,588 Iluka Childcare Centre 5,148 Wombat Willows Child Care Centre 7,932 Amarina Child Care Centre 4,571 Kabbarli Early Learning Centre 3,190

(4) Yes. (5) Each project in each application was individually assessed and assigned a ranking. As funds were limited, only those projects with the highest ranking were approved to receive funding. Ranking was assigned on the demonstrated urgency of each project as it related to health, safety and/or li- censing concerns and in relation to other projects. Each project for the Fairfield City Council Child Care Centre (known as the Janice Crosio Child Care Centre), Bossley Park, met the criteria, however they were not ranked highly enough in comparison to other projects to receive funding. (6) Minor capital upgrading funding rounds are currently conducted once a year. The timing of a fu- ture round has not been determined at this stage. (7) Centres which apply for funding in one round are not restricted from applying in later rounds. (8) There are no plans to alter the eligibility guidelines. (9) There is no process for providing priority to previously unsuccessful applicants. Each funding round involves a competitive assessment of applications received in that round, with priority given to those determined to have demonstrated that they have projects in need of urgent attention be- cause of health, safety and licensing issues. Regional Flood Mitigation Program: Eligibility (Question No. 2648) Mrs Crosio asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 6 June 2001: (1) Is the Government to extend the eligibility criteria for the Regional Flood Mitigation Program to include outer metropolitan areas. (2) Does the Minister’s Department consider the local government areas of (a) Parramatta, (b) Hol- royd, (c) Fairfield and (d) Penrith outer metropolitan areas. (3) Was $40m of Commonwealth funds announced in the 2001-2002 Budget for the extension of the eligibility criteria of the Regional Flood Mitigation Program; if not, what sum has been appropri- ated. (4) What sum of new Commonwealth money has been allocated to NSW under the extension of the Program. (5) Will the Commonwealth funds announced in the 2001-2002 Budget be matched by the respective State and local governments under the 2:2:1 ratio; if not, what ratio will the Commonwealth, State and local governments contribute to the Program. (6) Will funding from the Program be used for works in the western Sydney suburbs of Toongabbie and Wentworthville. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) As announced in the Federal Budget of 22 May the Regional Flood Mitigation Program has been extended providing $40 million over the next four years and includes as a new measure outer met- ropolitan areas. 29252 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(2) The definition of ‘an outer metropolitan area’ has not yet been established. A number of options are being considered to gauge suitability for defining these areas. (3) No, the $40 million announced is for the expansion of the whole of the Flood Mitigation Program. (4) Notional Allocations between State and Territories have not yet been determined as the calculation will be based on previous Regional Flood Mitigation Program uptake amounts and the list of pri- orities put forward by the States and Territories for 2001/2002. A determination will be made shortly. (5) The funding arrangements under the new Program are the same as the former Regional Flood Mitigation Program, that is the Federal Government will fund no more than one third of the ap- proved project cost. The remaining two thirds of the project costs are to be funded by the State and Local Governments. The Federal Government has made no stipulation as to how the States and Territories and Local Governments divide the funding of their two thirds of the project, beyond requiring that the State at least match the Federal Government funding. This provides scope for State and Territory Governments to increase their contribution. (6) The new Program extends eligibility to outer metropolitan areas. In accordance with the Program guidelines, applications are assessed and prioritised by State and Territory Governments which then make recommendations to the Federal Government. Defence: HMAS Brisbane (Question No. 2651) Ms O’Byrne asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 6 June 2001: (1) When does he expect the decommissioning of HMAS Brisbane to take place. (2) Is there an established process for the gifting of decommissioned navy vessels; if so, what is that process. (3) Are there any plans to gift HMAS Brisbane to any State or organisation. (4) Can he provide a detailed plan for the decommissioning and disposal of HMAS Brisbane. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) It is proposed that the decommissioning of HMAS Brisbane will occur on 19 October 2001. At this stage, the decommissioning ceremony is expected to take place at Fleet Base East, Woolloo- mooloo. (2) Yes. From a Commonwealth perspective, it is desirable that any business plan or community submission should be negotiated at State Government level, rather than directly between the Commonwealth and the local community or organisation. In this regard, the Western Australian State Government has established a benchmark for dealing with ships of this size and nature, whereby the State protects the interests of the local community or group involved, and accepts all contiguous liabilities. (3) The Western Australian, Queensland and New South Wales Governments have expressed an inter- est in acquiring HMAS Brisbane, as has the Launceston Chamber of Commerce and various other associations and groups. The Australian War Memorial has also expressed keen interest in secur- ing selected items of equipment and superstructure for public exhibit at the memorial. Gifting the vessel is one option that is currently under consideration. (4) No. Until the Disposal Plan is completed, I am unable to provide these details. However, it is expected that the Disposal Plan will be completed by August 2001. Administrative Appeals Tribunal: Veterans (Question No. 2652) Mr McClelland asked the Attorney General, upon notice, on 6 June 2001: (1) What is the average length of time that applicants in veterans’ affairs’ matters are required to wait for reserved judgments of appeals from the Veterans Review Board to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. (2) What steps is he taking to address these delays. Mr Williams—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29253

(1) From 1 June 2000 to 31 May 2001 there were 136 Veterans Division Applications heard and deci- sions reserved by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. The average time from a decision being reserved until its delivery was 68.8 days. The Tribunal’s time standard is 60 days. (2) Factors beyond the control of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal affected the timeliness of de- livery of some reserved decisions in veterans’ matters over the relevant period. Applications heard and reserved by the Tribunal affected by the proceedings in Repatriation Commission v Keeley [2000] FCA 532 were delayed pending final determination of those proceedings. An ap- plication for special leave to appeal to the High Court from the Full Court of the Federal Court’s decision in Keeley was refused on 28 November 2000. There have been a number of further appeals to the Federal Court in veterans’ matters raising the issue of accrued rights and which Statement of Principles should be applied by the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Those appeals have attempted to distinguish the Keeley decision and have caused a delay in determination of matters before the Administrative Appeals Tribunal expected to be affected by those appeals. On 1 June this year I announced the appointment of 53 members to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, comprising 15 new members and 38 reappointed members. Most appointments took ef- fect on 1 July this year for terms of between 1 and 3 years. I am confident that the quality of the members appointed will ensure that the Administrative Appeals Tribunal will continue to operate effectively, including in the Veterans’ Division, pending the establishment of the Administrative Review Tribunal. Social Security: Bilateral Agreements (Question No. 2655) Dr Theophanous asked the Minister for Community Services, upon notice, on 6 June 2001: (1) Is he aware that there have been long delays in the signing of social security agreements between Australia and (a) Croatia, (b) Turkey and (c) Greece. (2) What progress has been made in finalising these agreements and what are the remaining obstacles. (3) When is it expected that these agreements will be finalised. Mr Anthony—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) I am aware that we do not have social security agreements with Croatia, Turkey or Greece. I am also aware that delays in finalising bilateral agreements are common. For example, negotiations for the agreement signed with Germany last December were begun in 1985. (2) In relation to Croatia, progress has been delayed due to other priorities. Amendments to the text negotiated in December 1998 are now required because of recent changes to Australian social se- curity law, and taxation and welfare reform. It is hoped that the Department will be in a position to give this further consideration next year. An agreement with Turkey is not under active consideration. Negotiations planned in 1995 were postponed by Turkey and a request to resume discussions was only received last year. Turkey has been advised that the Department will review its readiness to resume discussions next year. In the case of Greece, the honourable member will be aware that successive Governments of both political persuasions have made a number of proposals to Greece and none have been accepted. The Government’s latest offer of an agreement was also rejected. The previous Minister for Fam- ily and Community Services, the Hon. Senator Newman, wrote to Greece in February last year suggesting that officials meet to ensure that Australia’s generous offer and the Greek Govern- ment’s reservations about that offer were clearly understood. There has been no response from Greece. (3) I am not able to advise the honourable member when an agreement will be finalised with each of these countries. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Environment Strategy (Question No. 2666) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: 29254 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(1) Does the November 1999 Sydney Airport Environment Strategy state that Sydney Airport ac- knowledges the need to further address aircraft impacts external to the airport and that this task will be undertaken during the preparation of Sydney Airport Master Plan. (2) Will the Sydney Airport Master Plan contain the Government’s strategy for mitigating against airport impacts at ultimate operational capacity and are noise, airport-associated road traffic con- gestion, air toxic emissions and health risks are covered in the plan. (3) Is critical information being withheld from the public; if so, what is that information. (4) Will he immediately table a copy of the Sydney Airport Master Plan in the House. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The Sydney Airport Environment Strategy recognises that noise generated by aircraft in flight, when landing, taking-off or taxiing at an airport are important environmental issues. The Strategy indicates that noise generated by aircraft will be considered as part of the Master Plan. (2) No. The Master Plan is the airport-lessee company’s strategic plan for the airport. (3) No. (4) No. There is at present no Master Plan for Sydney Airport, due to the prospective sale of the Air- port. However, the company will be required to provide a draft master plan by 31 January 2003. The extended deadline also has regard to the anticipated complexity of a master planning process for Sydney Airport given the range of competing industry and community interests that will need to be balanced. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Toxic Emissions (Question No. 2668) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: (1) Further to his response to question No. 2308 (Hansard, 23 May 2001, page 25927), in light of his reply that there is no information on toxic emissions from road traffic associated with Sydney Air- port, (a) can he confirm the validity or otherwise of Sydney Airport Corporation Limiteds (SACL) assertion that there is no significant health risk associated with emissions from Sydney Airports total-airport operations; (b) upon what basis does the SACL reach this conclusion and (c) will he table copies of this probative evidence in the House. (2) Are the bulk of Sydneys most densely populated areas located within a 10km radius of Sydney Airport and the central Sydney industrial area of Port Botany, both of which generate a dispropor- tionate road traffic load and other toxic transport emissions compared to the rest of the Sydney metropolitan area. (3) Do Sydney Airport emissions contribute approximately 40% of the total toxic air emissions load in the 20 square kilometres surrounding Sydney Airport. (4) Which inner city suburbs are downwind of Sydney Airport and Port Botany during typical 24- hour patterns of trapped Sydney basin air re-circulation. (5) Has air pollution generated in the eastern part of the Sydney basin been reported to be transported on a regular basis by afternoon sea breezes as far as the south west part of the basin. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) It has not been possible to find record of the assertion that is ascribed to Sydney Airports Corpo- ration Limited in the Honourable Member’s question. (2) (4) and (5) The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) continuously monitors air quality throughout the Sydney basin. The Honourable Member may wish to examine the EPA’s webpage at http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au to gain up to date information on the levels of air pollutants throughout the basin. (3) A 20 square kilometre area centred on the Airport covers parts of Botany Bay and small parts of the surrounding suburbs. A very substantial part of the area is covered by the Airport. Given this, it is not unlikely that a significant proportion of the air emissions in that area are associated with Sydney Airport. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport and Bankstown Airport: Toxic Emissions (Question No. 2669) Mr Murphy To ask the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29255

(1) Further to his response to question No. 2310 (Hansard, 23 May 2001, page 25927), (a) is he able to say whether benzene and 1,3 butadiene are carcinogens and (b) do mobile sources account for the majority of total benzene and 1,3 butadiene pollution in Sydney. (2) Further to his response to part (2) of question No. 2310, did Sydney Airports Corporation Limited claim that the NSW Environment Protection Agencys toxic emissions data supported its claim of no significant health risk given in evidence to the Commission of Inquiry into the Precision Run- way Monitor System for Sydney Airport. (3) Further to his response to part (6) of question No. 2310, must these significant airport capacity expansions trigger an environmental impact statement or other environmental assessment under Commonwealth law. (4) Is he able to say whether another area of higher-than-state-average incidence of lung cancer occurs other than in the south west Sydney basin area; if so, where. (5) Is he also able to say whether smokers who are also exposed long-term to toxic transport emis- sions are likely to be more at risk of contracting lung disease than smokers living in clean air envi- ronments. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Second Sydney Airport Proposal indi- cates that benzene is released to the air from evaporative emissions from petrol and from incom- plete combustion of motor vehicle and aircraft fuel. It is classified as a known human carcinogen. 1,3 butadiene is found in aircraft and motor vehicle exhausts. The EIS states that there is insuffi- cient evidence to confirm that it is a human carcinogen. (2) It has not been possible to find any reference to the NSW Environment Protection Agency’s toxic emissions data in the published transcript of the Sydney Airport Corporation Limited’s evidence to the Commission of Inquiry into the Precision Runway Monitor System for Sydney Airport. (3) Any proposal for upgrading the facilities and operational aspects of Bankstown Airport will need to be considered against the requirements of the Airports Act 1996 and the Environment Protec- tion and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. I will be recommending to the Environment Min- ister that the private sector lessee should be required to do a full environmental impact statement (EIS) into the upgrading of Bankstown Airport. (4) and (5) The Honourable Member may wish to approach the NSW Department of Health to ascer- tain detailed epidemiological data for the Sydney region. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise (Question No. 2672) Mr Murphy asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heri- tage, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: (1) Is the Minister able to confirm Environment Australia’s reported assertion that it is Government policy to comply with Australian Standard for Aircraft Noise AS2021. (2) Did the Third Runway environmental impact statement (EIS) assess the environmental impact (a) of removing small planes from Sydney Airport and (b) around Sydney Airport of the introduction of one or more reliever airports for Sydney Airport. (3) Did the Badgerys Creek EIS assess the environmental impact for Sydney Airport. (4) Has the Government assessed the environmental impact of expanding Bankstown Airport as an overflow airport for communities impacted by Sydney Airport and Bankstown Airport. (5) Has the Government holistically assessed the total impact of all Sydney’s airports on the Sydney metropolitan area and is there a basin-wide environmental assessment of airport impacts. Mr Truss—The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following an- swer to the honourable member’s question: (1) No. The Minister is not aware of any such assertion by Environment Australia. (2) No. The Proposed Third Runway EIS primarily assessed the proposal to construct a third runway at Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport. 29256 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(3) No. The Second Sydney Airport EIS assessed the impacts of locating a second domes- tic/international airport for Sydney at Badgerys Creek. (4) No. Any proposal for upgrading the facilities and operational aspects of Bankstown Airport will need to be considered against the requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 to ascertain whether formal environmental assessment of such a proposal is required. (5) No. Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Pollutants (Question No. 2673) Mr Murphy asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heri- tage, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: (1) Is the Minister able to enumerate the percentage change in Sydney Airport’s road traffic as a pro- portion of all traffic on the major roads around Sydney airport since the Third Runway EIS was completed; if so, what is that percentage. (2) Is the Minister able to say (a) which air toxics, also known as hazardous air pollutants (HAPs), have been associated with a variety of adverse health outcomes, including cancer, neurological ef- fects, and reproductive and developmental effects, (b) whether HAPs include such chemicals as benzene, formaldehyde, tetrachloroethylene, and cadmium, and (c) whether HAPs are emitted from cars, trucks, buses and aircraft. (3) During the past five years, has the practice of risk assessment within Environment Australia evolved away from a focus on the potential of a single pollutant in one environmental medium for causing cancer toward integrated assessments involving suites of pollutants in several media that may cause a variety of adverse effects on humans, plants, animals or effects on ecological systems and their processes and functions. (4) Is the Minister able to say whether the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Cumulative Exposure Project has observed associations between increased risk of lung cancer and toxic trans- port emissions from mobile sources, including road traffic and airports. Mr Truss—The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following an- swer to the honourable member’s question: (1) No. Road traffic issues around Sydney are a matter for the NSW Roads and Traffic Authority. (2) (a) The Commonwealth’s Living Cities - Air Toxics Program defines air toxics as: gaseous, aerosol or particulate pollutants (other than the six criteria pollutants) which are present in the air in low concentrations with characteristics such as toxicity and persistence so as to be a hazard to human, plant or animal life. The terms ‘air toxics’ and ‘hazardous air pollutants’ (HAPs) are used interchangeably. Consistent with this definition exposure to any air toxic has the potential to cause adverse health effects. (b) Yes, all the substances listed are considered air toxics. (c) Yes, a range of air toxics is emitted from cars, trucks, buses and aircraft. These mobile sources have all been associated with emissions of air toxics including benzene, 1,3-butadiene and formaldehyde. (3) The application of risk assessment is considered on a case by case basis. The consideration of all relevant media does occur in assessing the risk of a pollutant to humans and biota. Chemical mixtures are typically not assessed together unless they are closely chemically related groups of compounds, for example dioxins or polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. (4) I am not aware of the findings of the US EPA’s Cumulative Exposure Project. However, the asso- ciation between toxic transport emissions and an increased risk of cancer is well established. Second Sydney Airport: Health Risks (Question No. 2674) Mr Murphy asked the Minister representing the Minister for the Environment and Heri- tage, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29257

(1) At any time before, during or after the assessment of the proposed Badgerys Creek airport, did Environment Australia note that the Minneapolis St Paul airport system provided the closest air- port analogy. (2) What are Environment Australia’s benchmarks for safe concentrations of toxins in air for benzene, toluene, 1,3 butadiene, formaldehyde and acrolein and how does this compare with actual air lev- els, if such data exists. (3) Is the Minister able to say whether, following the Commission of Inquiry into the Precision Run- way Monitor System, the US EPA Cumulative Exposure project for the Minneapolis St Paul met- ropolitan area shows that, for the toxins considered, lifetime cancer risk per 100 000 persons in and downwind of the primary airport and two of its reliever airports ranges from 13 to nearly 40 times the health risk level set by the Minnesota Department of Health, or one additional case of cancer per 100 000 people. (4) Is the Minister able to say whether the US EPA Cumulative Exposure Project study of the Seattle metropolitan area shows that the lifetime cancer risk per 100 000 persons exposed to toxic emis- sions in and around SeaTac airport range from 200 to 400 times EPA’s recommended safe level of carcinogens in the air. (5) Is the Minister able to say whether the August 2000 study by the City of Park Ridge Illinois titled “Preliminary Study and Analysis of Toxic Air Pollutant Emissions from O’Hare International Air- port and the Resulting Health Risks created by these air toxic emissions in surrounding residential communities” found that toxic emissions exceeding a cancer risk of 1 in 100 000, assuming 70 years of exposure, encompass an area of approximately 1000 square miles around Chicago’s O’Hare airport. Mr Truss—The Minister for the Environment and Heritage has provided the following an- swer to the honourable member’s question: (1) No. (2) There are currently no national ambient air standards for these pollutants in Australia. However, the Commonwealth’s Living Cities – Air Toxics Program has been actively promoting the case for developing a National Environment Protection Measure (NEPM) for Ambient Air Toxics. At its meeting on 29 June 2001, the National Environment Protection Council decided to commence de- velopment of the Ambient Air Toxics NEPM. This NEPM will set Australian ambient air stan- dards for priority air toxics. (3) No, the Minister is not aware of the detailed findings of this study. (4) No, the Minister is not aware of the detailed findings of this study. (5) No, the Minister is not aware of the detailed findings of this study. Australia Post: Yellow Express Post Boxes (Question No. 2677) Mr Murphy asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Informa- tion Technology and the Arts, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: (1) What information is provided to the public by Australia Post on the location of its Yellow Express Post Boxes and where can this information be obtained. (2) How many Yellow Express Post Boxes are located within the electoral division of Lowe and where are these locations. (3) Are Yellow Express Post Boxes located in every federal electorate. (4) If a person posts a letter in (a) Sydney or (b) regional or rural Australia in a Yellow Express Post Box before 6 p.m. on a Sunday and that letter is addressed to an address within Australia, will it be delivered to the addressee the following day; if not, why not. (5) If a person posts a letter in an ordinary Red Post Box in Sydney before 6 p.m. on a Sunday, will it be delivered to another address in Sydney the following day; if not, why not. Mr McGauran—The answer to the honourable member’s question based on advice re- ceived from Australia Post is as follows: 29258 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(1) Customers can obtain information about the locations of Express Post gold street posting boxes by calling Australia Post’s Customer Call Centre (telephone 131318 all States), or by accessing its website at www.auspost.com.au and clicking on the Post Office Locater Map. Customers in New South Wales and Victoria can also obtain brochures from local postal outlets that list the locations of gold street posting boxes in their State. (2) There are four Express Post gold boxes in the electorate of Lowe. They are located at: • corner Drummoyne and Rosebury Streets, Drummoyne 2047; • corner Burwood Road and Comer Street, Burwood North 2134; • Railway Parade (at Burwood Station), Burwood 2134; and • Shop 45-47 The Boulevarde, Strathfield 2135. (3) No. Express Post gold posting boxes are provided at locations within the defined next-business- day delivery network, the details of which are printed on the back of all Express Post domestic products. (4) No. Express Post is a business-day to business-day product with dedicated processing arrange- ments in place Monday to Friday to meet the advertised delivery standard. An Express Post letter posted in a gold street posting box on a Sunday would not normally be de- livered the following day because the special processing arrangements for Express Post items are not geared for weekend postings. The following instruction appears on the back of all Express Post domestic products – “next busi- ness day delivery is guaranteed over the following specified routes, if your envelope/satchel is posted correctly on any business day Monday to Friday”. There is also a notice on all gold street posting boxes explaining the scope of the service (ie that the next-business-day delivery guarantee applies to items posted before the clearance time shown on the box, Monday to Friday). An ordinary letter incorrectly posted in a gold street posting box on a Sunday would also be sub- ject to delay as it would have to be extracted and directed to a separate processing stream. (5) Yes. An ordinary letter posted in a red street posting box in Sydney by 6pm on a Sunday should be delivered to another address in Sydney the following day. An Express Post letter incorrectly posted in a red street posting box on a Sunday would probably not be delivered the following day – it would be subject to delay due to its being automatically di- verted to the Express Post processing stream which is not geared for weekend postings. The following instruction appears on the back of all Express Post domestic products – “Do not post in red street posting boxes”. Roads: Western Sydney Orbital (Question No. 2684) Mr Price asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: (1) When was the agreement signed between the NSW Government and the Federal Government for the construction of the Western Sydney Orbital Road. (2) Did the agreement cover any other roads; if so, (a) which roads, (b) what is the estimated project costs and (c) what is the contribution of each government to the roads. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The agreement to which you refer, known as the “Memorandum of Understanding between the Commonwealth of Australia and the State of New South Wales concerning the Western Sydney Or- bital”, was signed on 4 January 2001. (2) (a) The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) covers the Western Sydney Orbital and associated works required for its construction and ongoing operation and maintenance for the duration of the toll concession period. The MOU also states that both Governments agree to carry out a study to identify a route for the National Highway from a point on the WSO to the F3. (b) The cost of the study will be $1.8 million. (c) The study will be fully funded by the Commonwealth. Australian Defence Force: 3RAR (Question No. 2687) Mr Price asked the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29259

Has a senior officer from 3 RAR been charged; if so, (a) when was he charged, (b) what was the charge and (c) when is a trial expected. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: A former Commanding Officer of 3 RAR has been charged. (a) Charges were preferred on 26 March 2001. (b) The officer was charged with contempt of a service tribunal and an alternative charge of preju- dicial behaviour. (c) A Defence Force Magistrate’s trial commenced on 4 July 2001 and concluded on 6 July 2001. Australian Defence Force: 3RAR (Question No. 2688) Mr Price asked the Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 7 June 2001: Has the investigation into any Command responsibility associated with the 3RAR affair commenced; if so, when (a) did it commence and (b) is it expected to be completed; if not, when (a) will it commence and (b) will it be completed. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: The degree to which the chain of command was aware of matters has been and remains subject to in- vestigation. Action will be taken where evidence supports it. The degree of command responsibility for the incidents as a whole will be determined through an inquiry into the 3RAR command climate. (a) The inquiry will not commence prior to Mr Burchett presenting the findings of the Military Justice Audit. (b) It is anticipated the inquiry into the 3RAR command climate will be completed within 4 months of commencement. Telstra: Public Telephones, Fairfield (Question No. 2691) Mrs Crosio asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, upon notice, on 18 June 2001: How many Telstra public telephones were located in the local government area of Fairfield (a) in 1996 and (b) on 1 June 2001. Mr McGauran—The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question: Telstra advises that it had 175 public payphones in the local government area of Fairfield on 1 June 2001. Whilst the actual number of public payphones in Fairfield in 1996 is not available, Telstra con- siders that there would have been a slight decrease in payphone numbers for reasons such as the re- moval of a payphone from sites where there were previously two units. This removal was made neces- sary by either the decrease in use of the units, or the removal of older generation magnetic stripe card- only phones when that technology ceased to exist. As stated in its Universal Service Marketing Plan, Telstra must consult with the community prior to removing a payphone, unless it is one of multiple phones in a location. To do this Telstra must place a notice in the payphone for 3 months informing users that Telstra is considering removing the payphone and inviting comment from the community on the removal or the need to keep the payphone in its cur- rent location. Telstra will then make its decision on the future of the payphone taking into account this community consultation. Veterans: Prisoners of War (Question No. 2692) Mrs Crosio asked the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs, upon notice, on 18 June 2001: (1) How many former prisoners of war and widows of former prisoners of war reside in the electoral division of Prospect. 29260 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(2) How many of those prisoners of war and widows of former prisoners of war will be entitled to receive the $25 000 compensation announced in the 2001 Budget. Mr Bruce Scott—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) There are nine former prisoners of war and an estimated eight widows of former prisoners of war residing in the electorate of Prospect. (2) Of those, six former prisoners of war and five known widows of former prisoners of war are enti- tled to receive the $25,000 payment. Recording Industry: Code of Practice (Question No. 2694) Mr Murphy asked the Attorney-General, upon notice, on 18 June 2001: (1) Has his attention been drawn to an article in Light magazine of May 2001 titled “When Love Is Not Enough”, in which it is alleged that certain rock music bands encourage acts of violence, drug usage, sex, rape, murder and suicide. (2) Has the Office of Film and Literature Classification (OFLC) classified the music of any artist cited in the article; if so, what are those classifications. (3) Are the comments made in the article at page 3 consistent with the OFLC’s findings in respect of its review of those artists. (4) In light of the article, will he recommend the reclassification of those artists whose music is con- sistent with the comments made, as “Refused Classification”; if not, why not. Mr Williams—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes. (2) The Classification Board (the Board) is responsible for classifying publications, films and com- puter games in accordance with the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Act 1995 (the Classification Act). Under the Classification Act music lyrics in printed form may be classified as a publication and an audio-visual recording of music, such as a music video clip, may be classified as a film. However, the Board does not have power to classify an audio recording unless the recording can be considered to be a film for the purpose of the Classification Act. Audio recordings are regulated under the Record Industry Code of Practice for Labelling Product with Explicit and Potentially Offensive Lyrics (the Audio Code). The Audio Code came into ef- fect in 1996 with the approval of all Commonwealth, State and Territory Censorship Ministers and is administered by the Australian Record Industry Association (ARIA). Censorship Ministers monitor the operation and effectiveness of the Audio Code, and the level of complaint about of- fensive audio recordings. The article in question lists a number of artists and includes comments about the alleged content of their music. However, the article does not provide information about the specific titles of the recordings being referred to. On the information provided in the article it appears that the record- ings are likely to be audio recordings, which are regulated under the Audio Code administered by ARIA, rather than audio-visual recordings which may require classification. The Board has classified 44 audio-visual videotape and CD-ROM recordings of 13 of the 23 art- ists listed in the article. These recordings include music video clips and films of live perform- ances or tours. The audio-visual recordings were classified by the Board during the period 1988 to 2001 and span the classification categories from ‘G’ to ‘R’ as follows: CLASSIFICATION NUMBER G6 PG 9 M22 MA 5 R2 X0 RC 0 Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29261

(3) It is not possible to identify whether or not the audio-visual recordings classified by the Board have a similar content to the recordings referred to in the article. Nor is it possible to correlate the comments made in the article with the reasons for the classification decisions made by the Board with any accuracy. It appears likely that the audio recordings referred to in the article may have a different content than the audio-visual recordings classified by the Board. The reasons cited by the Board for the classification decisions are summarised in the following table:

REASON NUMBER Coarse Language 28 Adult Concepts/Themes 10 Sexual References 5 Drug Use 5 Nudity 3

(4) The Board does not classify the body of work of an artist, but classifies specific works, being publications, films and computer games, that are submitted to it for the purpose of classification. The article does not provide information about specific recordings or works. There is insufficient information or evidence to suggest that reclassification of the audio-visual recordings classified by the Board is warranted. Adelaide Airport: Australian Noise Exposure Index (Question No. 2696) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon no- tice, on 18 June 2001: (1) What is the process for reviewing the Australian Noise Exposure Index (ANEI) for Adelaide Air- port and (a) at what stage of this process is the current review and (b) when is it likely to conclude. (2) What individuals or organisations are entitled to make recommendations or changing the current ratings and which organisation is responsible for submitting the final recommendations. (3) Who makes the final decision on those recommendations and what additional factors, if any are able to be considered. (4) When will the findings of the review be made public. (5) Aside from the current ANEI review is there currently any other review being conducted associ- ated with noise measurement, monitoring or mitigation in relation to Adelaide airport or any other airport: if so, what are the details.Type in text of question here reproduced exactly as it appears on Notice Paper. An electronic version of the Notice Paper can be found at http://search.aph.gov.au/search/ParlInfo.ASP?action=browse&Path=Chamber&Start=2&cfc#top Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1-4) Australian Noise Exposure Index maps are contour maps based on historical data which show the average aircraft noise exposure around airports over a given period. They are prepared in accor- dance with guidelines issued by Airservices Australia. My Department has commissioned con- sultants to prepare an Australian Noise Exposure Index covering Adelaide Airport’s operations for the year 2000. The guidelines provide for Airservices Australia to assess the technical accuracy of ANEIs, and this assessment is currently being undertaken. It is intended that the ANEI will be provided to the Adelaide Airport Environment Committee and other interested parties after it has been finalised. My decision on eligibility for insulation under the Airport Noise Insulation Pro- gram will be based on the noise exposure contours shown in the ANEI. (5) Most major airports in Australia are involved in activities associated with aircraft noise measure- ment, monitoring or mitigation. Defence: Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory (Question No. 2697) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 18 June 2001: 29262 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(1) With respect to the operation of his Department’s Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory (AMLR), did the Combatant Protection and Nutrition Board (CPN) breach Government policy by conducting a collaborative project with the CSIRO or any other organisation during 1996-97 on bacteria by reproducing micro-organisms. (2) Was Government policy to allow biological defence work using reproducing micro-organisms not in place until August 1998. (3) Is the AMLR building a class 3 biological containment facility at Fisherman’s Bend, Melbourne, in which the CPN Board will work on infectious agents for diseases such as plague and anthrax; if so, will the same managers who may have breached Government policy in conducting research on bacteria referred to in part (1) have control over this facility. (4) Was the AMLR CPN Branch involved in the biological detection aspects of the Sydney Olympics, including participation in the design of a facility for this purpose by Drs Peter Gray and Ralph Leslie. (5) Did the UK provide the technology for this Olympic detection program and due to design faults, did the facility fail to meet UK Occupational Health and Safety Standards for biological contain- ment, resulting in UK experts being unable to alter the facility when it was in use. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) No. DSTO did not conduct a collaborative project with CSIRO or any other organisation in 1996/97 on reproducing micro-organisms: a. Up until 1994, DSTO had maintained only a watching brief in the field of biological defence re- search. In 1994, the Government authorised DSTO to commence a modest program of research into defence against biological weapons using toxins. Toxins are derived from living material but are not reproducing micro-organisms. No authority was granted for work using reproducing mi- cro-organisms. After commencing this program, DSTO did not, at any time prior to August 1998, undertake work using reproducing micro-organisms in its research into defence against biological weapons. b. From its inception, DSTO’s work on biological defence has been overseen by the Biological Defence Advisory Committee (BDAC). This Committee is composed of representatives from the Departments of Prime Minister and Cabinet, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Attorney General, and an academic proficient in molecular biology. All proposals and research results for work on biologi- cal defence research were presented to BDAC. The members of the BDAC found DSTO’s work program to comply fully with Government policy. c. In 1996, DSTO, as part of its arms control related work, purchased reference chemicals includ- ing phospholipids and fatty acids from CSIRO. These materials, derived from extracts of killed bacteria, were delivered to AMRL as inert organic chemicals. (2) Yes. Prior to 1998, Government policy proscribed the use of reproducing micro-organisms. In August 1998, Government policy was extended to allow work on reproducing micro-organisms up to Risk Level 3. This policy change was made because DSTO was not well placed to advise the Defence Organisation on defence against biological weapons or assist the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in its work to limit and eliminate biological weapons. In addition, DSTO could neither obtain the benefits arising from the exchange of scientific data with our Allies in this area nor develop technologies to protect members of the ADF against the use of biological weapons. (3) DSTO is planning to build a Level 3 containment laboratory at Fishermans Bend as part of the move of the Maribyrnong-based activities to Fishermans Bend under the Melbourne Facilities Ra- tionalisation Program. Facilities designed to this level protect staff against the danger of exposure to micro-organisms such as plague and anthrax. This laboratory will be similar to several labora- tories in Melbourne’s bioscience research community and teaching hospitals and will be con- structed and operated in compliance with the relevant Standards and Codes-of-Practice governing laboratories of this level. The laboratory will be operated and managed by appropriately trained and experienced staff. The laboratory will allow DSTO to conduct research on developing tech- nologies for the rapid detection of and protection against micro-organisms that could be used in biological weapons against members of the Australian Defence Force. There is no evidence that any staff in CPNB, whether they are expected to be managers of the containment laboratory or not, have ever breached Government policy. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29263

(4) Yes. CPNB contributed to the biological defence/detection aspects of the security arrangements for the Sydney 2000 Olympics. DSTO’s contribution was highly valued and DSTO has been con- gratulated on its efforts in this regard. All the staff involved were volunteers and displayed the levels of scientific excellence and professionalism that have come to typify Australian Defence Science. Drs Gray and Leslie were responsible for the design of the physical facility used for this purpose. This facility met all relevant Australian standards and OH&S requirements. The prime consideration in the design and operation of the facility was that it would provide a safe work place. DSTO obtained the advice of independent biological safety experts during the design of the facility. Safety guidelines for the facility were developed and reviewed by an independent con- sultant for microbiological safety. Specifically: a. the scope of the work to be performed in the facility and concept of operation were discussed with CSIRO Division of Animal Health and also with an independent consultant prior to design- ing the facility; b. the facility complied with AS/ NZ Standard 2243.3 Part 3, Safety in Laboratories; and c. the Biological Safety Cabinets used in the facility are certified as compliant with AS/NZ Stan- dard 2647, Biological Safety Cabinets - Installation and Use. (5) This question refers to classified material. Visas: Electronic Travel Authorities (Question No. 2702) Mr Sciacca asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 19 June 2001: (1) How many visitors to Australia in (a) 1999-2000 and (b) 2000-2001 arrived on Electronic Travel Authorities (ETAs). (2) Is a charge applied for tourists who obtain an ETA to travel to Australia using the services of travel agents, airlines or offshore consulates. (3) Is a charge applied to travel agents or airlines who provide this service for customers. (4) When was the decision made to provide potential visitors with an internet service for obtaining ETAs, as announced by him on 28 May. (5) Was the revenue raised by the $20 service charge applicable to travellers who choose to obtain an ETA via the internet included in budget calculations for 2001-2002. (6) Given that around 4 million tourists a year currently travel to Australia on ETAs, what is the esti- mated revenue from this charge for 2001-2002. (7) Is the program being administered by his Department or have the services been contracted out; if so, (a) when were tenders called for the contract, (b) when was the contract awarded and (c) what is the value of the contract. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (a) In 1999/2000 2.719 million Electronic Travel Authorities (ETAs) were issued to intending travellers to Australia. (b) From 1 July 2000 to 31 May 2001 2.748 million ETAs were issued to intending travellers to Australia. There is no Australian Government charge for the Visitor ETA (subclass 976) or the Business Short Validity ETA (subclass 977). There is an Australian Government charge of $60 for the Business Long Validity ETA (subclass 956). The majority of travel agents and airlines impose a processing fee on their clients seeking an ETA. The amount varies considerably from region to region and within regions. For example, travel agents in the London region charge between $36 and $100 Australian dollars per ETA. This is in addition to the $60 Australian Government charge for the Business Long Validity ETA. (3) No. (4) 6 May 2001. (5) No. The $20 service charge is collected by CPS Systems Pty Ltd, the contractor that administers the ETA system on behalf of the Commonwealth. The level of the fee, which has been set by the 29264 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Commonwealth for the duration of the trial, announced 28 May 2001, has been calculated to offset the cost to CPS Systems of the trial. (6) See (5) above. (7) The ETA system is operated and maintained by CPS Systems Pty Ltd under contract to the Com- monwealth. The trial Internet access to the ETA system is being administered by CPS Systems under this contract. (a) Tenders for the ETA system contract were called in 1995. (b) CPS Systems Pty Ltd was awarded the ETA system contract in September 1996. (c) The value of the contract is commercial-in-confidence. Immigration: Migrant Resource Centres (Question No. 2705) Mr Kerr asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 19 June 2001: Has his attention been drawn to allegations of administrative failure within the operations of the Mi- grant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc and the Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania Limited; if so, what are the specific details of the matters that have been alleged to him and what steps has he taken by way of a response to those concerns. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: My Department has drawn my attention to allegations in relation to the operations of the Migrant Re- source Centre (MRC) (Southern Tasmania) Inc. Former employees of MRC (Southern Tasmania) also drew a number of concerns to my attention. A number of steps have been taken to deal with the allegations in relation to the Centre. In May this year, I asked my Department to engage MRC (Southern Tasmania) in informal dispute resolution proc- esses as provided for in the Service Agreement and, at the same time, to consider the option of ceasing funding to the Centre if this was warranted. My Department has been engaged in ongoing discussion with the MRC Management Committee for some months. That dialogue will continue and the MRC’s performance under the Service Agreement will continue to be monitored closely. I have also been informed of concerns raised by the auditor for MRC (Southern Tasmania). These con- cerns are being actively pursued by my Department. MRC (Southern Tasmania) is due to provide the Department with an audited financial statement at the end of July 2001. In May 2001, my Department provided the MRC with a list of issues the audit is to cover, in order to assess the validity of the allega- tions. My Department will continue to monitor the performance of the MRC (Southern Tasmania) to ensure that we can confidently continue funding the organisation. The second organisation, Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania Limited, is a newly created entity deliv- ering services contracted by my Department. The allegations relating to this organisation concern per- sonnel practices, and more minor concerns related to financial management practices. My Department is providing support to MRC Tasmania Limited to build its capacity to manage and be accountable for public funding. Immigration: Migrant Resource Centres (Question No. 2706) Mr Kerr asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 19 June 2001: (1) Has the Migrant Resource Centre (Southern Tasmania) Inc made a number of staff changes re- cently. (2) Has the centre replaced highly qualified staff in the area of refugee settlement with staff who have no appropriate qualifications to undertake that task. (3) Was a recent staff member appointed to administer the PICC program with no appropriate back- ground. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29265

(4) Have a number of staff either been dismissed or forced to leave the employment of the centre in circumstances which have given rise to claims for unfair dismissal. (5) Is his Department committed to ensuring that the Migrant Resource Centre meets minimum stan- dards of employment as prescribed by the agreements that are entered into between his Depart- ment and the centre. (6) What is the reason for the centre declining to implement the determination made on 1 June 2001 by Commissioner Abbey for the reinstatement of Ms Maureen Adamson. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The Migrant Resource Centre (MRC) (Southern Tasmania) has made a number of staff changes in the past seven months. The MRC: • terminated employment of a Community Settlement Services Scheme (CSSS) worker whose project funding ceased in late 2000; • dismissed an administrative officer in February 2001, who has since been reinstated; • employed a number of temporary staff to cover staff shortages; and • an administration officer resigned in June 2001. (2) MRC (Southern Tasmania) has not replaced highly qualified staff in the area of refugee settlement with staff who have no appropriate qualifications to undertake that task. (3) The PICC program is not funded by my Department. I am, therefore, unable to provide a response to this question. (4) There have been two instances in the past seven months in which claims of unfair dismissal against MRC (Southern Tasmania) have been heard by the Tasmanian Industrial Relations Com- mission. One case was initially settled outside of the Commission, but has recently been renewed by the complainant. The other case is the subject of an appeal by the MRC (see also the response to question 6 below). (5) My Department is committed to ensuring that this MRC and all core funded MRCs and Migrant Service Agencies (MSAs) meet the minimum standards of employment as prescribed by the agreements that are entered into between my Department and those agencies. The Service Agreement signed between my Department and MRC (Southern Tasmania) requires that workers are employed at a salary commensurate with the skills and qualifications required for the delivery of the work program and in line with relevant legislation. All funded agencies are expected to abide by that requirement. To assist funded organisations to meet these management responsibili- ties my Department provides training for Management Committees, and in this case is represented on the Management Committee of MRC (Southern Tasmania) in an ex-officio capacity. Ultimate legal responsibility for employment matters rests with the funded organisation. (6) I am advised that the Management Committee of MRC (Southern Tasmania) appealed the decision of Commissioner Abbey of the Industrial Relations Commission because the decision stipulated that the date for Mrs Adamson to return to work should be 12 June 2001. I am advised that the Management Committee believed that this was too soon for an effective reintegration plan to be put in place for her return and that the MRC needed further time to arrange that process. I am also advised that the MRC is nonetheless committed to Mrs Adamson being returned to work at the MRC and is facilitating that process as soon as practicable. Rail: Alice Springs to Darwin Railway (Question No. 2707) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon no- tice, on 20 June 2001: (1) With respect to agreement/s entered into by the Commonwealth Government in relation to the financing of the Alice Springs to Darwin railway, what are the final financial commitments and ar- rangements for those commitments for the South Australian, Northern Territory and Common- wealth Governments and the private sector. (2) Is this the final financial contribution of the Commonwealth Government to this project. (3) Is there any reference in the final financial agreement that would enable a further call on the Commonwealth for additional funding; if so what is it. 29266 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(4) Is the Commonwealth committed, or likely to be called to commit, to any other type of contribu- tion to this project; if so, what are the details. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) (2) and (3)— The agreements entered into by the Commonwealth allow for the provision of Commonwealth funds of up to $191.4m in the form of a grant. $20.05m of this total is being provided on a stand- by basis. The Northern Territory Government has advised that it is providing financial support of $191.4m to the project and the Government of South Australia has advised it is providing $176.4m. The Commonwealth is not party to agreements relating to financing provided by South Australia, the Northern Territory or the private sector. The Northern Territory Government has provided an assurance that there will be no further claims for Commonwealth support for the project and a statement to this effect has been included in the final financial arrangement. (4) The Commonwealth has entered into a long-term peppercorn lease of the existing line between Tarcoola and Alice Springs to the consortium building the railway. Visas: Temporary Protection (Question No. 2708) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 20 June 2001: (1) How many persons, by country of citizenship, have been (a) granted and (b) refused a (TPV) since their introduction. (2) In considering requests for TPVs, has his Department gathered information on what is the ex- pected number of people who would seek to come to Australia under existing family reunion ar- rangements if they were extended to TPVs; if so, what are the projections by country of citizen- ship for those (a) granted and (b) not yet granted TPVs. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Since the introduction of the TPV on 20 October 1999 to 31 May 2001, there have been 5,093 TPV grants and 843 refusals. A summary of TPV grants by nationality is at Table A below and TPV refusals by nationality at Table B below. (2) Information on the number and type of family members offshore for each TPV applicant is cap- tured by the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) at the individual case level. DIMA systems changes to be introduced later this year will enable precise aggregated in- formation to be gathered on the potential family member sponsorship flow-on from TPV holders. Conservative estimates of an average of two family unit members offshore for each TPV holder would lead to a potential exposure of up to 10,186 family sponsorship applications flowing from existing TPV holders, provided that those TPV holders were successful in gaining permanent resi- dence at the end of their TPV period. Each protection visa application is individually assessed on its merits and volumes of TPV deci- sions will depend on the rate of future unauthorised arrivals. If unauthorised arrivals arrive at a rate of 458 per month in 2001-2002, at historical nationality composition and approval rates, there would be some 4,122 TPV approvals flowing from the unauthorised arrivals in that year. TABLE A Total TPV Grants - 1 November 1999 to 31 May 2001 By Citizenship Citizenship Persons AFGHANISTAN 2157 ALBANIA 3 ALGERIA 6 ANGOLA 1 Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29267

Citizenship Persons BAHRAIN 2 BULGARIA 1 CANADA 2 CHINA (SO STATED) 1 CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF 1 EGYPT, ARAB REPUBLIC OF 1 INDIA 1 IRAN 207 IRAQ 2469 JORDAN 4 KOREA, DEM PEOPLES REP OF 1 KUWAIT 13 LEBANON 4 MOROCCO 1 PAKISTAN 9 PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY 43 SAUDI ARABIA 1 SOMALIA 7 SRI LANKA 64 STATELESS 52 SUDAN 1 SYRIA 18 TURKEY 23

Total 5093 TABLE B Total TPV Refusals - 1 November 1999 to 31 May 2001 By Citizenship Citizenship Persons AFGHANISTAN 101 ALBANIA 5 ALGERIA 9 ARMENIA 1 BANGLADESH 19 BRITISH NATIONAL OVERSEAS 1 BURMA 2 CAMBODIA, THE KINGDOM OF 1 CHILE 1 CHINA (SO STATED) 18 CHINA, PEOPLES REPUBLIC OF 157 COMOROS 2 CONGO 1 EGYPT, ARAB REPUBLIC OF 3 ETHIOPIA 1 FIJI 1 29268 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

Citizenship Persons GHANA 3 INDIA 11 INDONESIA 1 IRAN 233 IRAQ 87 JORDAN 1 KENYA 1 KOREA, DEM PEOPLES REP OF 2 KOREA, REPUBLIC OF 1 KUWAIT 3 LEBANON 6 LIBERIA 1 LIBYA 1 MALAYSIA 2 MOLDOVA 3 MOROCCO 5 MOZAMBIQUE 1 NEPAL 1 NIGERIA 14 OMAN 1 PAKISTAN 16 PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY 44 PHILIPPINES 1 ROMANIA 4 RWANDA 4 SAUDI ARABIA 1 SIERRA LEONE 3 SINGAPORE 1 SOMALIA 7 SRI LANKA 7 STATELESS 8 SUDAN 1 SYRIA 10 TANZANIA 1 TUNISIA 2 TURKEY 17 UGANDA 1 UNKNOWN 4 YEMEN 3 YUGOSLAVIA, FED REPUBLIC OF 7

Total 843 Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29269

World Leisure Congress: Declaration on Leisure and Globalisation (Question No. 2709) Mr Melham asked the Minister for Sport and Tourism, upon notice, on 20 June 2001: What steps has Australia taken to implement the Declaration on Leisure and Globalisation adopted at the 5th World Leisure Congress in Sao Paulo in October 1998. Miss Jackie Kelly—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: This Government is encouraging Australians to take advantage of their leisure time and increase their participation in sport or simply take a break. On the 24th April 2001 the Government announced its new policy for Australian sport, ‘Backing Aus- tralia’s Sporting Ability - A More Active Australia’, which included a package of $82 million over four years - an increase of $32 million - to significantly increase the numbers of Australians playing sport at the local club and school participation level. The Government has also set a new benchmark for industry partnerships through the ‘See Australia’ program which encourages more Australians to take a ‘home-grown’ holiday. This campaign, which is jointly funded by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments and the industry, is based on solid research into what motivates Australians in making their travel choices and serves as a reminder for Australians to take a break. Australian Defence Industries: Bushmaster Contract (Question No. 2711) Mr Gibbons asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 20 June 2001: (1) Has the production commencement date of early 2000 for the Australian Defence Industries (ADI) Bushmaster contract at ADI’s Bendigo facility been changed initially to 2001 and then further postponed to 2003. (2) Are job redundancies at the Bendigo plant likely because of the delay in commencing production. (3) What is the reason for the delay. (4) When will production of the Bushmaster armoured personnel carrier commence. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s questions is as follows: (1) The Bushranger contract, signed in May 1999, required ADI to commence delivery of production vehicles in July 2000. However, the Department’s evaluation of the prototype Bushmaster vehi- cle, delivered in April 2000, identified a number of technical shortfalls that require rectification before the design can be finalised. Consequently, approval to commence production has not yet been granted. We expect to agree a revised production schedule by December this year. (2) The Department is not aware of the number of job redundancies, if any, intended at ADI’s Bendigo plant and the question should be addressed to the company. (3) The delay in commencing production is due to technical shortfalls in the vehicle prototype. (4) Subject to the successful conclusion of negotiations on the way ahead to rectify the vehicle short- falls and further evaluation of another prototype, series production is expected to commence in late 2003. Second Sydney Airport: Sydney West (Question No. 2714) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 20 June 2001: (1) Further to part (7) of the reply to question No. 2477, Hansard, 7 June 2001 page 27665, by what criteria has the Long Term Operating Plan (LTOP) been very successful in sharing the noise. (2) Is the aggregate movements of aircraft to the north of Sydney Airport still approximately 27.3%. (3) Is the LTOP for Sydney Airport forecast for movements to the north 17%. (4) Are there approximately 60% more movements to the north of Sydney Airport than forecast in the LTOP. 29270 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(5) Further to part (10) of the reply to question No. 2477, is he aware of the minutes of the Sydney Airport Community Forum, including various resolutions requesting project scheduling for the implementation of the LTOP and requests for discrete start and end dates for the implementation of the LTOP. (6) Has Airservices Australia given him or any other person reasons why the LTOP has not been fully implemented; if so, what are those reasons. (7) Will he table a copy of those reasons in the House. (8) Will he request from Airservices Australia a date when it expects the full implementation of the LTOP to be complete; if so, when will he make this request. (9) Further to part (12) of the reply to question No. 2477, did the environmental impact statement on Sydney West Airport undertaken in 1996, consider the do nothing option of no Sydney West Air- port being built. (10) In light of the leasing of Sydney Airport without the existence of Sydney West Airport, has a genuine environmental impact statement considered the foreshadowed environmental impact. (11) Is there is no satisfactory solution to the current aircraft noise problem in Sydney. (12) Further to part (15) of the reply to question No. 2477, does the Governments announcement of 13 December 2000 to use Bankstown Airport as an overflow airport mean that Sydney and Bank- stown Airports are too close for their intended use; if not, why not. Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The Long Term Operating Plan (LTOP) has been very successful in reducing overflights of those areas to the north of the Airport which were the most severely affected communities under the previous Government’s operating regime. The Plan has brought about an approximate 40% reduction in the number of landings from the north compared to the arrangements in place under the previous Labor Government. By opening the east-west runway it is now possible to rotate the runways in use so that areas are given a break from aircraft noise for at least some periods on most days. Prior to March 1996 all aircraft taking off to the north had to use the main runway and travel to the Parramatta River before turning to- wards their destination. Under LTOP departures to the north are shared between the two parallel runways and almost all aircraft taking off from the main north-south runway turn toward the north-west before reaching the Parramatta River so that, as far as possible, areas receiving noise from aircraft arriving from the north gain respite when aircraft are taking off to the north. (2) For the year 2001, the aggregate movements of aircraft to the north of Sydney Airport up until 31 May is 29.4%. (3) and(4) I refer the Honourable Member to my answer to part (1) of question No. 2600. (5) The Chair of the Sydney Airport Community Forum writes to me following every meeting of the Forum to report on the actions and resolutions. (6) and (7) The Long Term Operating Plan (LTOP) has been substantially implemented with the excep- tion of a small number of elements. For example, the restructuring of the arrival airspace has yet to be implemented. This includes implementation of the “trident” and “power-off” approaches. A number of complexities associated with safety and operational constraints have impinged on the implementation of this part of the Plan. (8) Airservices Australia has indicated that work on the implementation of LTOP is continuing. (9) and (10) The Supplement to the Draft Environmental Impact Statement on the Second Sydney Air- port Proposal, which was released in 1999, addressed the “Do Nothing” option. (11) I refer the Honourable Member to my answer to part (7) of question No. 2477. (12) No. I refer the Honourable Member to my answer to part (16) of question No. 2477. North Korea: Australian Aid (Question No. 2717) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 20 June 2001: (1) Further to his reply to part (2) of my question No 2545, through what multilateral channels is fur- ther humanitarian assistance to North Korea being considered. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29271

(2) When will the Government’s consideration to provide further humanitarian assistance to North Korea be finalised. Mr Downer—The answers to the honourable member’s questions are as follows: (1) Australia will provide humanitarian assistance to North Korea through those multilateral organi- sations that are operating in DPRK such as the World Food Programme and UNICEF. (2) On the 28th June I announced the provision of further $5 million for the purchase of Australian wheat to be distributed through the World Food Programme’s emergency food operation. Australia will also continue to provide training in high priority areas through UNICEF. Defence: Stockton Rifle Range (Question No. 2718) Mr Horne asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 20 June 2001: (1) Was the expected revenue from the sale of Stockton Rifle Range included in forward asset sales by his Department in the 2001 Budget. (2) What value was attributed to the Stockton Rifle Range. (3) How was the value determined. (4) Are there any conditions related to usage that will apply to a purchase. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) The revenue from the sale of the Stockton Rifle Range has been programmed for receipt in the 2001-02 financial year. (2) The value of the Stockton Rifle Range has been ascertained from an independent valuation con- ducted by the Australian Valuation Office (AVO) in May 1998. The AVO placed a market value of $630,000 at that time. (3) The valuation was determined on the basis of the continued use of the property as a rifle range. (4) The usage of the property would be subject to local planning requirements administered by the Port Stephens Council. Australian Defence Force: East Timor (Question No. 2720) Mr Laurie Ferguson asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 June 2001: (1) On what date did the Australian Training Support Team – East Timor (ATST-EM) commence operations. (2) How many service men and women are currently serving with ATST-ET and to whom does the Team report. (3) Do the condition of service for Australian Defence Force (ADF) personnel serving with ATST-EM differ from those applying to all other ADF personnel serving in East Timor; if so, what are the details and the reason for the different treatment. (4) In what sector of East Timor does the Team operate and who is responsible for the provision of security for it. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) 7 personnel assigned to the Australian Training Support Team – East Timor (ATST-ET) com- menced the provision of training support in Aileu on 26 February 2001. (2) The Team is currently comprised of 24 personnel. The officer commanding the team reports di- rectly to: • the Defence Liaison Officer in Dili for matters concerning the delivery of the defence coop- eration program; and • the Commander Australian Contingent – East Timor for matters specific to security, ADF per- sonnel and discipline. (3) The tasks being performed by the members of the ATST-EM are training support activities and are considered ‘peacetime’ in nature. It is not possible to arm members of the ATST-EM because they are not part of the United Nations Peacekeeping operation. Accordingly the ‘peacetime’ long-term 29272 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

conditions of service package applies to the team, as it does to all other ADF personnel serving in East Timor under similar circumstances. ADF members serving with the United Nations Admini- stration in East Timor (UNTAET) are armed and tasked with enforcing peace. Accordingly they have been approved to receive ‘warlike’ conditions of service in recognition of the warlike nature of the tasks on which they are engaged. (4) The Team is located in Sector Central. The Portuguese contingent of the United Nations Peacekeeping Force is responsible for the provision of security in Sector Central. Australian Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Storage, Maintenance and Distribution Project (Question No. 2721) Mr Laurie Ferguson asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 June 2001: (1) When did the bids close for the market testing process for the Australian Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Storage, Maintenance and Distribution Project. (2) Did the Government advise the Parliament at various times that the market testing process would be completed by (a) November 1999, (b) June 2000 and (c) December 2000. (3) On what date was the market testing process actually completed and what was the cause of the delay. (4) How many (a) positions and (b) separate ordnance sites were subject to the market testing process and (c) what was the cost of maintaining the existing system in 2000-2001. (5) How many (a) positions and (b) separate ordnance sites has the successful tenderer agreed to con- tinue to operate and what is the expected cost of the new system in 2000-2002. (6) If any ordnance sites are to be closed, what are the details. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) 26 November 1999. (2) Yes. (3) A submission was forwarded to the Minister for Defence on 19 May 2000 and the Preferred Ten- derer was announced on 28 November 2000. There was some delay in the Project due to the need to resolve operational and safety issues. Further delay was caused when project staff were di- verted to negotiating an ammunition supply contract linked to the sale of ADI. (4) (a) 98 military and 203 civilian manpower positions. (b) 18 sites were included in the scope of the project. (c) The cost of maintaining the existing system in Financial Year 2000-2001 was $32 million. (5) (a) 150 positions. (b) 16 sites. (c) The contract is $22 million per annum plus one off implementation costs for Financial Year 2001/2002 of $9 million. Total costs for Financial Year 2001/2002 are estimated at $31 million. (6) One site, Somerton Victoria will be closed. Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Triple J (Question No. 2725) Mr Andren asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, upon notice, on 21 June 2001: Does the Government currently have any plans to sell ABC Radio Station JJJ; if so, what are those plans; if not what is the Government’s long term position regarding public ownership of Triple J. Mr McGauran—The Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts has provided the following answer to the honourable member’s question: Decisions relating to the sale of assets or property of the ABC are a matter for the ABC Board and Ex- ecutive. The ABC has advised that it has no plans to sell any of its radio networks. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29273

Networking The Nation Program: New South Wales State Library (Question No. 2726) Mr Andren asked the Minister representing the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, upon notice, on 21 June 2001: (1) Why has the Government, through the Networking the Nation program, made funds available to the NSW State Library to finance the installation of broadband internet access in up to 90 districts without any consultation with existing commercial internet service providers (ISPs) in those dis- tricts. (2) Is the Government concerned that Networking the Nation staff have advised at least one regional ISP not to invest in broadband technology such as duplex satellite and wireless as the State Li- brary of NSW will be providing broadband in direct competition with the local ISP; if so, what action will be taken; if not, why not. (3) Does the Government condone the use of Networking the Nation funding to establish services which directly impact on the future viability and expansion of legitimate regional, commercial op- erators; if so, why; 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) The independent Board of the Networking the Nation (NTN) program approved $4,990,000 for the NSW State Library’s Rural Link project in the November 2000 funding round, on the basis that this would provide broadband access to 90 or so smaller rural communities across NSW con- siderably sooner and more economically than would be the case if left to normal commercial de- velopments. The NTN approval was subject to the project being tendered out, the bandwidth be- ing made available to other interested service providers, including ISPs, on a reasonable wholesale basis, and that the successful tenderer/s would not provide internet access on a retail basis to the general public, in other words they would not be in competition with commercial service provid- ers. (2) Networking the Nation’s advice to the local ISP was that the State Library project provided an- other option for the ISP to obtain wholesale broadband connectivity and the ISP may wish to con- sult the State Library directly, to explore the opportunities for economical wholesale access to broadband through the State Library process. The ISP was further advised that the approval of the State Library project was subject to the successful tenderer/s, firstly, not being able to retail inter- net access beyond a very limited, clearly defined group of potential users and certainly not to the general public and, secondly, that any ‘excess’ bandwidth was to be made available on a reason- able wholesale basis to any interested other service providers, including ISPs, for them to retail to the general community. The ISP should not have gained the impression that the State Library project would directly compete with them in providing ISP or broadband services to the general public. (3) This Networking the Nation project does not adversely affect the viability and expansion of com- mercial providers. It does not compete in the provision of internet access to the general public. Indeed, it is expected to offer commercial providers significant benefits through provision of ac- cess, on reasonable wholesale terms, to enhanced bandwidth that they can then provide to the public on normal commercial terms. Centrelink: Compensation Payments (Question No. 2729) Mr Andren asked the Minister for Community Services, upon notice, on 21 June 2001: (1) How does Centrelink calculate preclusion periods for people in receipt of lump sum compensation payments for workplace or other injuries. (2) Is he aware of the concerns of some compensation recipients that the method of calculating their preclusion periods does not take into account subsequent increases in the ‘income cut out amount’ used to determine the length of their preclusion periods. (3) Does the method of calculating preclusion periods disproportionately disadvantage clients with larger payments; if not why not. 29274 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(4) Will the Government consider amending the method of calculating compensation preclusion peri- ods to take into account increases in the income cut out amounts occurring after the award of a lump sum compensation payment; if not, why not. Mr Anthony—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) A preclusion period is calculated using one of the following methods: • Settlements – When a matter settles by consent, 50 per cent of the gross settlement amount is taken to be in respect of economic loss. This amount is divided by the single person income cut off amount for pensions applying at the time the lump sum is received and the resultant number is the number of weeks in the preclusion period; or • Judgements – When a matter is finalised after a contested hearing, the judgement is examined to determine the total amount awarded to economic loss. The economic loss component is di- vided by the single person income cut off amount for pensions applying at the time the lump sum is received. The resultant number is the number of weeks in the preclusion period. (2) Yes, this matter has been considered. However, it has been the view of successive Commonwealth governments that the primary responsibility for the support of people who are injured because of a compensable injury lies with the relevant State or Territory compensation scheme, and not with taxpayer funded social security programs. As such, it is the responsibility of compensation schemes to ensure that compensation recipients are adequately compensated for increases in the cost of living. It should also be noted that the divisor applying as at 30 June 2001 assumes that a person affected by a preclusion period would be able to support themselves on around $29 000 per annum. This is approximately three times the amount a person in receipt of Newstart Allowance would be entitled to. (3) No, the formula used by Centrelink to calculate the preclusion period takes into account the com- pensation recipient’s economic loss and so proportionally, all lump sum compensation payments are treated equally. It should also be noted that the vast majority of compensation recipients serve relatively short pre- clusion periods. 80 per cent of the lump sum compensation recipients who commenced a social security payment in May 2001 served a preclusion period of less than two years (50 per cent less than one year). (4) No, refer (2) above. If people receiving compensation are in financial hardship, the Social Security Act provides for some or all of a compensation payment to be disregarded. This means that preclusion periods can be reduced or negated where special circumstances exist. Australian Defence Industries: Staffing and Salaries (Question No. 2732) Mr Gibbons asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 21 June 2001: What was the total number of employees at Australian Defence Industries (ADI) Bendigo and what total amount in salaries and wages was paid to them (a) when the Government gained office in 1996 and (b) immediately prior to ADI Bendigo and ADI Australia being sold. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (a) and (b) Although ADI was Commonwealth owned, the company was operated by an independent Board of Directors. Shareholder Ministers, including the Minister for Defence, were not involved in the day to day running of the company. There were no legal policy or administrative requirements for ADI to provide detailed information of this kind to the Government and it is not available in the department. This information should be sought directly from ADI. Bendigo Regional Arts Centre (Question No. 2733) Mr Gibbons asked the Minister for the Arts and the Centenary of Federation, upon notice, on 21 June 2001: Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29275

(1) In what amounts, on what dates, and from what sources did the Government forward funds to the City of Greater Bendigo pursuant to the promise made by the Coalition parties during the 1996 election to pay $2 million towards the cost of redeveloping the Bendigo Art Gallery. (2) Did the then Minister for the Arts, Senator Alston, state before the 1998 election that a cheque for $2 million was as good as in the post. (3) In what amounts and at what dates has the Government forwarded funds to the City of Greater Bendigo pursuant to its decision to redirect the $2 million to the further development of the Bendigo Regional Arts Centre. (4) By what date does it plan to have paid the final payment for this purpose to the City of Greater Bendigo. Mr McGauran—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1)-(4) The Government was to provide $2 million to the Bendigo Art Gallery but when it became clear that the money was not required for the Art Gallery it was directed to the Bendigo Regional Arts Centre. A Deed of Grant for the Bendigo Regional Arts Centre was executed and signed on 29 May 2001. An initial payment of $200,000 was released within 28 days of signing. Gradual payments will be made on achievement of key milestones. In accordance with the Deed of Grant and agreed milestones advised by the Council, the final grant instalment of $200,000 should be made by 30 September 2002. Illegal Immigration: Port Hedland Detention Centre (Question No. 2738) Dr Theophanous asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon no- tice, on 21 June 2001: (1) Is he aware of the existence of an isolation cell at Port Hedland Immigration Detention Centre. (2) Is this cell used for all new asylum-seekers that have arrived by boat, who are forced to stay there until their first interview with immigration officials. (3) Is he aware that one detainee had to wait for 16 months in isolation before his first interview, and several detainees had to wait for 7 months. (4) What is the reason for these long periods of isolation before even the first interview is granted to asylum-seekers. (5) Will he abolish this practice of isolation immediately. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) No, there is no isolation cell at Port Hedland Immigration Reception and Processing Centre (IRPC), or any immigration detention facility. However, there are three observation rooms at Port Hedland IRPC. These are not used for recent arrivals, but to monitor detainees who require close supervision for medical reasons or who are at risk of self-harm. (2) No, as I have just stated, isolation cells do not exist at Port Hedland IRPC, or any other immigra- tion detention facility. However, all new unauthorised arrivals at Port Hedland IRPC are placed in accommodation that is separate from the established detention population. This is known as sepa- ration detention. At Port Hedland IRPC detainees in separation are accommodated in standard ac- commodation blocks which are in a separate area of the detention centre. The accommodation in these blocks is the same as in the rest of the centre i.e: small dormitory style accommodation. Detainees in separation detention are able to mix with the group with which they arrived, but not with the established detainee population in the main compound. Separation detention is main- tained throughout initial entry processing. (3) All persons taken into detention are interviewed. These interviews are usually conducted within 2-14 days of arrival. I am not aware that any detainee had to wait up to 7 or 16 months for an ini- tial interview. Detainees may continue in separation detention after their initial interview if they have not made claims, which prima facie, may engage Australia’s protection obligations. They are therefore available for removal. (4) As stated earlier, all new arrivals to Port Hedland IRPC, or any other IRPC, have an initial entry interview with my Departmental officers soon after their arrival. This usually takes place between 29276 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

2-14 days after arrival at the immigration detention facility. Detainees are in separation detention, not isolation during initial entry processing. (5) As previously stated, isolation cells do not exist. There is also no plan to abolish the current prac- tice of separation detention. To do so would compromise the integrity of the protection visa proc- ess. Separation detention ensures that Australia’s resources are directed at those with genuine claims for protection and not those who would use the protection process in an attempt to achieve migration outcomes. Illegal Immigration: Port Hedland Detention Centre (Question No. 2739) Dr Theophanous asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon no- tice, on 21 June 2001: (1) Have a detainee and his wife been removed from Port Hedland Immigration Detention Centre and held in custody while their two young children remain at Port Hedland. (2) Does he support such separation of family units. (3) Will he ensure that the two young children are immediately released into the care of relevant child welfare bodies until the future of their parents is determined. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) A married couple who had been detained at Port Hedland Immigration Reception and Processing Centre (IRPC) has been removed from the detention facility and placed in custody. The father is facing a charge of ‘threatening a Commonwealth Officer’ and is currently being held at Hakea Prison. He is also facing a prior charge of people smuggling. The mother is facing charges of ‘threatening a Commonwealth officer’ and ‘inciting’, and is currently being held at Bandyup Women’s Prison. Two of their sons, aged 15 and 17 years were also charged with ‘threatening a Commonwealth officer’ and were dealt with by the Perth Children’s Court. They were subse- quently bailed to the Perth Immigration Detention Centre (IDC) pending the outcome of their par- ents’ matters. Two younger children, aged 6 and 10 years, remain in the care of Port Hedland IRPC. (2) As a general policy my Department tries to keep families together, however, given the seriousness of the charges against the parents it was not possible in this case. Appropriate care arrangements have been in place for the two younger children being held at Port Hedland IRPC. Australasian Correctional Management’s (ACM) child protection officer, in con- sultation with the Department of Family and Community Services (FACS), arranged and moni- tored their care with female ACM officers and a female counsellor. Arrangements included placement of the two children with appropriate adult detainees willing to take a care and custody role in relation to the children. Contact visits with their parents have been facilitated for all four children. (3) The Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs has been liaising with FACS regarding the management of this family. All decisions have been and will continue to be made in consulta- tion with FACS and ACM. At this point it has not been deemed necessary to place the two younger children into the care of child welfare agencies. Illegal Immigration: Port Hedland Detention Centre (Question No. 2740) Dr Theophanous asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon no- tice, on 21 June 2001: (1) Will he investigate allegations relating to Port Hedland Immigration Detention Centre that (a) many detainees, upon visiting the medical centre to receive relief from various afflictions, are told to drink ten or twenty glasses of water instead of receiving any reasonable medical attention, (b) during the police raid on Port Hedland on 26 May, several ACM staff destroyed artwork produced by women and children detainees by painting large swastikas over their artwork, (c) an entire family was locked for 50 days in Juliet Block with 15 others, and given only a plastic bag to tie around their waists, as there was no toilet, (d) a particular ACM guard at the Centre has been con- tinually responsible for flagrant abuses of the basic rights of detainees, including racist taunts, Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29277

bashings and constant torments and (e) two detainees have complained three times about the abuse they receive by this guard, but no action has taken place. (2) Is he aware that many detainees from Port Hedland now being held in Hakea Prison showed physical evidence of inhumane treatment against them, including scars and bruises from bashings and handcuffs being put on so tight as to cut through the skin. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) An established complaints mechanism exists at each centre which allows detainees to make formal and informal complaints to detention centre management, to officers of my Department as well as to independent investigative bodies such as the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commis- sion and the Commonwealth Ombudsman’s Office. Please be assured that both myself and my Department take seriously all allegations of mistreat- ment towards immigration detainees. All allegations are fully investigated. If they are substanti- ated then appropriate action is taken. (a) Any person who presents themselves to medical staff with a complaint or condition is fully in- vestigated and appropriate treatment is prescribed. Dehydration is a common condition suffered by people in the detention community at the Port Hedland Immigration Reception and Processing Centre (IRPC). If not addressed serious health problems can occur. Maintaining high water consumption can help to prevent these conditions. Therefore, as part of an education and management program, detainees are always encouraged to maintain a high level of fluid intake. (b) I have been advised by Australasian Correctional Management (ACM) that an internal investi- gation into this matter has been completed. This investigation was based on allegations raised against two Detention Officers. The allegations were found to be unsubstantiated. (c) In late July 2000, Juliet Block was used to accommodate three families who were transferred from the Villawood Immigration Detention Centre. The longest time spent in this accommo- dation block by any of these families was 33 days. Functioning toilet and ablution facilities were present in Juliet Block when it was used to accommodate detainees. Juliet Block has not been used to accommodate detainees since early February 2001, because it is being refur- bished as part of an ongoing program. (d) Without specific information my Department is unable to check these allegations. Neither the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs (DIMA) nor ACM is aware of the alle- gations referred to in this part of the question. (e) As mentioned earlier allegations without adequate detail are difficult to respond to. However, I have been advised that on 1 June 2001, ACM received a complaint from a detainee alleging improper behaviour of a Detention Officer during the operation on 26 May 2001. ACM’s in- ternal investigation into the matter, which concluded on 4 June 2001, found that the specific allegations could not be substantiated. (2) I have received advice from Hakea Prison which indicates that no detainees exhibited any evi- dence of being bashed, bruised or scarred as a result of treatment received prior to their arrival at Hakea Prison. I am advised that handcuffs were applied to the detainees by the Australian Federal Police in preparation for their transfer to Hakea Prison. This was carried out in accordance with standard police procedure which stipulates that handcuffs be applied in order to allow a space of one finger width between cuff and wrist. Immigration: Detainees’ Facilities, Services and Activities (Question No. 2750) Mr Hollis asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 26 June 2001: Further to the Summary of Facilities, Services and Activities Available to Detainees, dated 14 June 2001 and distributed to all Federal Members of Parliament, (a) is he able to say what Afghani cricket is and how it is played and (b) what is Aussie dingo – bazey dabelna. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: 29278 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(a) “Afghani” cricket is a game played by detainees last summer at Woomera Immigration Reception and Processing Centre and is a combination of cricket and baseball. The object of the game is to score as many runs as possible. A tennis ball is pitched as in baseball, to the person batting; the bat is approximately the same size and shape as a cricket bat. When the batter hits the ball he is to run around the outside of the field, touching at least one of several bases as he goes, if necessary the runner can wait on one of the bases until the next person bats. One person at a time is permit- ted on the bases; once another batter hits the ball and runs, the previous runner must run for home base. The fielders can get a runner out by throwing the tennis ball at him; the ball must make contact with the runner for him to be out. (b) Aussie dingo is, in fact, Australian slang for bingo. Bazey dabelna is the Arabic translation. Bingo is very popular in the centre and is played for soft drinks, chips and the like. Education: Student Nurses (Question No. 2752) Mr Murphy asked the Minister for Education, Training and Youth Affairs, upon notice, 26 June 2001: (1) Are there a number of student vacancies at the various Colleges of Nursing throughout Australia; if so, (a) what is the number of those vacancies and (b) where are those vacancies located. (2) Would the abolition of the Higher Education Contribution Scheme (HECS) for student nurses increase the number of enrolments of student nurses at the Australian Colleges of Nursing; if not, why not. (3) Will he consider abolishing HECS payments for student nurses. Dr Kemp—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Colleges of Nursing are not in receipt of Commonwealth operating grants under the Higher Edu- cation Funding Act 1988 and do not offer HECS liable courses. Since 1994 pre-registration nursing training has been provided by universities. Universities themselves are responsible for deciding the number of places offered in each discipline each year. The Department of Education, Training and Youth Affairs (DETYA) does not have data on the number of offers made by indi- vidual universities nor the number of places universities set aside for nursing in any given year. However, through Profiles discussions, the Department is aware that some institutions are having difficulty attracting students who meet the necessary academic standards into nursing courses. (2) Previous studies on the impact of HECS have concluded that the Scheme does not appear to have had a significant effect on applications, particularly from school leavers, or on choice of disci- pline. However, these studies have not focussed on nursing students specifically. (3) The National Review of Nursing Education, announced in April 2001, will make recommenda- tions on mechanisms for both attracting new recruits to nursing including those from different age groups (both male and female), and encouraging a commitment to life-long learning by those al- ready engaged in nursing. The Review will report in early 2002. The Government will consider the recommendations from the Review, including any it may make about the impact of HECS on nursing. Sydney Aircraft Noise Insulation Program: Fort Street High School (Question No. 2768) Mr Albanese asked the Minister for Transport and Regional Services, upon notice, on 27 June 2001: (1) Has he replied to correspondence sent to him on 25 February from Michael McGuirk, Chair of Fort Street High School Council, regarding insulation for Fort Street High School: if not, why not? (2) Will the Government agree to insulate Fort Street High School from aircraft noise? Mr Anderson—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes. The reply from my Office was signed on 19 March 2001. (2) No. Fort Street High School does not qualify for insulation under long standing eligibility criteria for the insulation program set by the previous Labor Government. Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29279

Defence: Ingleburn Army Camp (Question No. 2771) Mr Latham asked the Minister for Defence, upon notice, on 28 June 2001: (1) Further to the answer to question No. 2413 (Hansard 27 November 1997, page 11589), did the then Minister for Defence expect the Heritage Assessment of Ingleburn Army Camp to be com- pleted by December 1997. (2) When was the Heritage Assessment completed. (3) What do the results of the Heritage Assessment show. (4) What caused the long delay in the completion of the Assessment. (5) What items of heritage significance have been lost due to neglect and vandalism during the period of delay in completing the Heritage Assessment. (6) What action will he and his Department take in implementing the results of the Heritage Assess- ment. (7) Will he now review the process of heritage assessment by his Department to avoid circumstances, in which (a) his Department is planning to develop one of its sites, such as Ingleburn, for commer- cial purposes, (b) the elimination of heritage items on the site potentially increases the commercial development value of the site and (c) as a consequence, his Department has a conflict of interest between its commercial objectives and its heritage responsibilities. Mr Reith—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) Yes. (2) June 2001. (3) The Heritage Assessment provides a definitive understanding of the heritage values of the site concluding with recommendations for effective heritage management during disposal planning process. The Assessment analyses the activities of the former Camp concluding that, in many ar- eas, the social and cultural history is of more importance than the architectural values. Existing significant items of heritage include the Cumberland Plain vegetation, the Bardia entry gates and associated guardhouse, memorials, the Mont St Quentin oval and adjacent trees along Campbell- town Road. The Assessment recommends these and some other items be nominated for inclusion on the Register of the National Estate. (4) The delay in completing the Assessment resulted from the need to undertake additional comple- mentary studies including a social values assessment, economic and re-use options assessment of existing dwellings to determine feasible and prudent alternatives. These studies continued through until 2001 and their outcomes are incorporated into the Heritage Assessment. Some of the delay was also attributable to the detailed planning of the Military Heritage Precinct in consultation with the ex-service community. (5) The former Theatre building, identified as having heritage value, was burnt down by vandals in December 1999 after additional fencing had been installed to deter unauthorised access. (6) The Assessment will guide future land use planning and management with the Department of De- fence recently initiating steps to implement all of the recommendations of the Heritage Assess- ment. It is also proposed that large areas of Cumberland Plain Woodland will be nominated for listing on the Register of the National Estate as well as that discrete portion of the site, which now accommodates the Military Heritage Precinct. The Precinct will include items of built heritage significance and a representative selection of standard military buildings. (7) Like all landowners, Defence does have to address a range of issues regarding its surplus proper- ties. The Department is also required to comply with legislation and Government policies pro- tecting the heritage and environmental qualities of all of its properties. Qualified consultants un- dertake any necessary studies. Furthermore, Defence does not act unilaterally in relation to future land use and works closely with State and local planning authorities. Sudan: Aid (Question No. 2775) Ms Jann McFarlane asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, upon notice, on 27 June 2001: 29280 REPRESENTATIVES Monday, 6 August 2001

(1) Has his attention been drawn to the plight of the communities in Southern Sudan and an innova- tive program devised by and for the people of that war zone to rebuild their communities, which includes a wish to establish an AM broadcasting services to transmit in 16 main languages pro- grams dealing with sanitation and sterilisation of drinking water, AIDS, family planning, primary health care, peace and reconciliation, education and self-reliance through income generating ac- tivities. (2) Has his attention also been drawn to the alleged manipulation of the Operation Life Line Sudan aid by the Khartoum regime. (3) Has he or his Department been approached to join with the US in providing independent aid to Southern Sudan. (4) What measures is the Government willing to take to assist with this example of an abused com- munity developing practical strategies to solve social and economic problems. Mr Downer—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) AusAID and Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade officers have been made aware of the pro- posal by communities in Southern Sudan to establish an AM broadcasting service. This proposal mirrors a number of similar initiatives already underway by the international community. The National Sudan Council of Churches is being funded by Pax Christi (a group of Churches from the Netherlands in collaboration with a Dutch broadcasting organisation). To date 2000 radios have been provided in Southern Sudan through their “Radio Voice for Hope Project”. UNICEF are also proposing a similar project using satellite links to broadcast radio messages and in southern Su- dan. (2) Although allegations of manipulation of OLS by all of the parties to the conflict emerge from time to time, the international community is maintaining the integrity of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS). The Government of Sudan and the rebel Sudan People's Liberation Movement are both signatories to the OLS agreements on access to beneficiary civilian populations, along with the United Nations as the third party. OLS provides aid on a purely humanitarian basis. There have been no proven allegations of manipulation by the Government of Sudan. We will continue to work to ensure the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance. (3) All Australian assistance to southern Sudan is given on humanitarian grounds. All aid has either been channelled through Australian NGOs operating in the region or United Nations agencies such as UNICEF and the World Food Programme. Australia has not been approached to join with the US in providing humanitarian aid to southern Sudan. (4) Sudan has consistently been one of the largest recipients of Australian humanitarian relief. Since March 1996, Australia has provided over $17 million in humanitarian assistance to Sudan through Australian non-government organisations, international agencies and the World Food Programme. While Australia recognises the needs created by this ongoing complex emergency, there are many calls on Australia’s funds. Due to the pressing humanitarian needs in our own region as a result of the crises in East Timor and the Solomon Islands, as well as the continuing humanitarian impacts of the Asian economic crisis, the focus of Australian aid is necessarily on priorities in the Asia Pa- cific region. Australia, will however, continue to monitor the situation in Sudan and respond ac- cordingly. Visas: Subclass 457 (Question No. 2788) Mr Martin Ferguson asked the Minister for Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, upon notice, on 28 June 2001: (1) What are the employer’s obligations when sponsoring off-shore temporary skilled labour on 457 visas relating to employee rights on (a) workers’ compensation policy, (b) superannuation regis- tration, (c) long service leave and (d) wage and tax recognition. (2) Do these temporary visa holders have medical health cover; if so, what are the details; if not, what is available. Mr Ruddock—The answer to the honourable member’s question is as follows: (1) All Australian employers sponsoring offshore employees are required to abide by Australian laws applicable to Australian employees. Conditions of employment are set out in the relevant state or Monday, 6 August 2001 REPRESENTATIVES 29281

federal legislation, state or federal award, Industry Sector award, collective agreement or Austra- lian Workplace Agreement under which an employee is covered. Temporary residents employed under an award or an agreement are subject to the conditions of that award or agreement. (a) Overseas employees are covered by Australian state or federal workers’ compensation legisla- tion. Compensation entitlements may vary from state to state. All persons who work under a contract of service, regardless of their taxpaying or residency status, are eligible for coverage under workers’ compensation legislation. (b) Australian sponsors are required to register all overseas employees sponsored under the 457 visa subclass in accordance with Australian superannuation laws and make the appropriate su- perannuation deductions and payments. (c) Long service leave entitlements set out in relevant legislation, awards or agreements are appli- cable to all employees covered by the legislation, award or agreement. (d) Sponsors must sign an undertaking to comply with Australian industrial laws and Australian levels of remuneration and conditions of employment, commensurate with any relevant awards and standards. All employees in Australia are subject to Australian taxation legisla- tion. An assessment of the tax status of temporary residents is made by the Australian Taxa- tion Office (ATO) under their Residency Tests. The agencies responsible for particular legislation are responsible for investigations and detection of possible breaches and enforcement of their legislation. (2) Temporary Business (Long Stay) visa holders are not entitled to access Medicare. The business sponsor is required to accept financial responsibility for medical and hospital costs incurred in Australia by sponsored persons and their dependents. The sponsor may do this directly, or through medical insurance arrangements.

CONTENTS

MONDAY, 6 AUGUST

CHAMBER HANSARD Committees— Treaties Committee—Report...... 29099 Government Advertising (Objectivity, Fairness and Accountability) Bill 2001— First Reading ...... 29102 Private Members Business— Kokoda Track ...... 29106 Statements by Members— Governor-General: Working Arrangements ...... 29115 Dairy Regional Assistance Program: Bega Cheese...... 29115 Banking: Branch Closures, Morningside...... 29116 Motor Vehicles: Mitsubishi ...... 29116 Chisholm Electorate: Proposed St Leo’s Site Development...... 29117 Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Trust ...... 29117 Braddon Electorate: Bride of the Year Event ...... 29117 New England Electorate: Regional Development ...... 29118 Taiwanese Community, Brisbane ...... 29118 Motor Vehicles: Mitsubishi ...... 29119 Oxley Electorate: Gleaners...... 29119 Member Sworn ...... 29119 Ministerial Arrangements ...... 29119 Questions without Notice— Taxation: Income...... 29119 Taxation: Wholesale Sales Tax...... 29120 Taxation: Income...... 29121 Economy: Trade Figures...... 29121 Goods and Services Tax: Access Economics Report...... 29122 Worplace Relations: Disputes and Workers’ Entitlements...... 29123 Workplace Relations: Workers’ Entitlements ...... 29124 Taxation: Government Policy...... 29124 Employee Entitlements Support Scheme...... 29126 Workplace Relations: Workers’ Entitlements ...... 29126 Workplace Relations: Workers’ Entitlements ...... 29127 Trade: Export Performance...... 29127 Workplace Relations: Workers’ Entitlements ...... 29128 Small Business: Workers’ Entitlements...... 29129 Job Network: Placements ...... 29129 Education: Funding for Non-Government Schools ...... 29130 Job Network: Placements ...... 29131 Education: Literacy and Numeracy Strategy...... 29132 Homelessness ...... 29132 Defence: White Paper...... 29133 Personal Explanations...... 29134 Questions To Mr Speaker— Questions on Notice ...... 29135 Questions on Notice ...... 29135 Assent to Bills...... 29135 Petitions— CONTENTS—continued

Australian Broadcasting Corporation ...... 29135 Asylum Seekers: Work Rights...... 29136 Asylum Seekers: Work Rights...... 29136 Israel: Occupation of Palestinian and Arab Territories by Israel...... 29136 Defence: Chicquita Reserve ...... 29137 Telstra: Call Zones and Charges...... 29137 Centrelink: South Melbourne Branch...... 29137 Insecticides: Rebate...... 29138 Health: Chronic Fatigue Syndrome ...... 29138 Telstra: Privatisation...... 29138 Medicare: Bulk-Billing...... 29138 Health: Diabetes ...... 29138 Sri Lanka: Ethnic Conflict...... 29139 School Enrolment Benchmark Adjustment ...... 29139 Refugees: Myanmar...... 29139 Nuclear Armed and Powered Vessels...... 29139 Families: Marriage Breakdown ...... 29140 Private Members Business— Nursing Homes...... 29140 Citrus Industry...... 29147 Grievance Debate— Goods and Services Tax: Community Organisations ...... 29153 Defence: Headquarters Australian Theatre...... 29155 Aged Care: General Practitioners...... 29157 Rural and Regional Australia: Regional Solutions Program ...... 29159 Deer Park Bypass ...... 29159 Antarctic Division: Hobart Headquarters...... 29161 Sydney: Crime...... 29163 Defence Headquarters Australian Theatre...... 29165 Nursing Homes...... 29165 Nursing Homes...... 29167 Regional Airlines: New South Wales Services...... 29167 Business ...... 29169 Assent to Bills...... 29169 Australia New Zealand Food Authority Amendment Bill 2001— Consideration of Senate Message...... 29170 Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Wildlife Protection) Bill 2001— Consideration of Senate Message...... 29170 Taxation Laws Amendment (Superannuation Contributions) Bill 2000— Consideration of Senate Message...... 29170 Bills Returned From The Senate...... 29170 Superannuation Contributions Taxes and Termination Payments Tax Legislation Amendment Bill 2001— Second Reading...... 29170 Third Reading...... 29177 Bills Returned From The Senate...... 29177 Therapeutic Goods Amendment (Medical Devices) Bill 2001, and Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2001— Second Reading...... 29177 Consideration in Detail...... 29187 CONTENTS—continued

Third Reading...... 29189 Therapeutic Goods (Charges) Amendment Bill 2001— Second Reading...... 29189 Third Reading...... 29189 Space Activities Amendment (Bilateral Agreement) Bill 2001— Second Reading...... 29190 Third Reading...... 29204 Adjournment— Redden, Monsignor Vince...... 29204 Education: Schools Funding...... 29205 Basslink ...... 29206 Dunkley Electorate: Small Business...... 29207 Centrelink: Carer Payment ...... 29208 Notices ...... 29209 Questions On Notice— Health: Alzheimer’s Disease—(Question No. 2170) ...... 29211 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise—(Question No. 2303)...... 29211 Roads: National Highway Funding—(Question No. 2323) ...... 29211 Roads: Calder Highway—(Question No. 2505)...... 29223 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Sale—(Question No. 2520) ...... 29223 Defence: Copper Napthenate—(Question No. 2531)...... 29223 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Air Traffic Control— (Question No. 2532)...... 29224 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise—(Question No. 2533)...... 29226 Retirees: Budget Initiatives—(Question No. 2544)...... 29226 Veterans: British Nuclear Tests—(Question No. 2548)...... 29227 Port Welfare Committees: Funding—(Question No. 2551) ...... 29228 Aviation: Australian Advanced Air Traffic System— (Question No. 2553)...... 29229 Shipping: Foreign Vessels—(Question No. 2556) ...... 29230 Rail: Cunningham Rail Link—(Question No. 2557)...... 29231 Insurance: Over 50s Insurance Agency—(Question No. 2563) ...... 29231 Roads: Black Spot Funding—(Question No. 2566) ...... 29231 Defence: National Service Act—(Question No. 2572) ...... 29232 High Court of Australia: John Pfeiffer v. Rogerson— (Question No. 2580)...... 29233 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Aircraft Movements— (Question No. 2584)...... 29234 Australian Customs Service: Peter Tomson Court Case— (Question No. 2586)...... 29234 G & K O’Connor Meatworks—(Question No. 2593) ...... 29235 Product Stewardship (Oil) Regulations 2000—(Question No. 2598) ...... 29237 Second Sydney Airport: Sydney West—(Question No. 2599)...... 29239 Defence: Salt Ash Weapons Range—(Question No. 2603) ...... 29240 Bass Electorate: Pensions and Allowances—(Question No. 2607)...... 29240 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Risk Analysis—(Question No. 2612). 29241 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise—(Question No. 2614)...... 29241 Second Sydney Airport: Sydney West—(Question No. 2619)...... 29242 Veterans: Entitlements—(Question No. 2625) ...... 29242 National Estate: Cumberland Plain—(Question No. 2636)...... 29243 Bathurst Boer War Memorial—(Question No. 2638)...... 29245 CONTENTS—continued

Veterans: Gold Card—(Question No. 2639)...... 29246 Education: Schools Funding—(Question No. 2642)...... 29246 Defence: Saltash Weapons Range—(Question No. 2643)...... 29248 Child Care: Funding—(Question No. 2647) ...... 29248 Regional Flood Mitigation Program: Eligibility—(Question No. 2648)..... 29251 Defence: HMAS Brisbane—(Question No. 2651) ...... 29252 Administrative Appeals Tribunal: Veterans—(Question No. 2652)...... 29252 Social Security: Bilateral Agreements—(Question No. 2655)...... 29253 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Environment Strategy— (Question No. 2666)...... 29253 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Toxic Emissions— (Question No. 2668)...... 29254 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport and Bankstown Airport: Toxic Emissions—(Question No. 2669)...... 29254 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Noise—(Question No. 2672)...... 29255 Sydney (Kingsford Smith) Airport: Pollutants—(Question No. 2673) ...... 29256 Second Sydney Airport: Health Risks—(Question No. 2674) ...... 29256 Australia Post: Yellow Express Post Boxes—(Question No. 2677)...... 29257 Roads: Western Sydney Orbital—(Question No. 2684)...... 29258 Australian Defence Force: 3RAR—(Question No. 2687)...... 29258 Australian Defence Force: 3RAR—(Question No. 2688)...... 29259 Telstra: Public Telephones, Fairfield—(Question No. 2691) ...... 29259 Veterans: Prisoners of War—(Question No. 2692)...... 29259 Recording Industry: Code of Practice—(Question No. 2694)...... 29260 Adelaide Airport: Australian Noise Exposure Index— (Question No. 2696)...... 29261 Defence: Aeronautical and Maritime Research Laboratory— (Question No. 2697)...... 29261 Visas: Electronic Travel Authorities—(Question No. 2702)...... 29263 Immigration: Migrant Resource Centres—(Question No. 2705) ...... 29264 Immigration: Migrant Resource Centres—(Question No. 2706) ...... 29264 Rail: Alice Springs to Darwin Railway—(Question No. 2707) ...... 29265 Visas: Temporary Protection—(Question No. 2708)...... 29266 World Leisure Congress: Declaration on Leisure and Globalisation— (Question No. 2709)...... 29269 Australian Defence Industries: Bushmaster Contract— (Question No. 2711) ...... 29269 Second Sydney Airport: Sydney West—(Question No. 2714)...... 29269 North Korea: Australian Aid—(Question No. 2717) ...... 29270 Defence: Stockton Rifle Range—(Question No. 2718)...... 29271 Australian Defence Force: East Timor—(Question No. 2720) ...... 29271 Australian Defence Force Explosive Ordnance Storage, Maintenance and Distribution Project—(Question No. 2721)...... 29272 Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Triple J—(Question No. 2725) ...... 29272 Networking The Nation Program: New South Wales State Library— (Question No. 2726)...... 29273 Centrelink: Compensation Payments—(Question No. 2729)...... 29273 Australian Defence Industries: Staffing and Salaries— (Question No. 2732)...... 29274 Bendigo Regional Arts Centre—(Question No. 2733)...... 29274 CONTENTS—continued

Illegal Immigration: Port Hedland Detention Centre— (Question No. 2738)...... 29275 Illegal Immigration: Port Hedland Detention Centre— (Question No. 2739)...... 29276 Illegal Immigration: Port Hedland Detention Centre— (Question No. 2740)...... 29276 Immigration: Detainees’ Facilities, Services and Activities— (Question No. 2750)...... 29277 Education: Student Nurses—(Question No. 2752)...... 29278 Sydney Aircraft Noise Insulation Program: Fort Street High School— (Question No. 2768)...... 29278 Defence: Ingleburn Army Camp—(Question No. 2771) ...... 29279 Sudan: Aid—(Question No. 2775)...... 29279 Visas: Subclass 457—(Question No. 2788) ...... 29280