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THE FAWCETT FLYER AUGUST 2019

APRIL 2018 has a longstanding freedoms the people of Hong Kong 1 commitment to the stability of the have grown up enjoying under global rules based order which British government. has prevented major conflict and underpinned prosperity through China is a valued trading partner for trade and lifted millions out of Australia but I share the concerns of poverty around the world. many regarding potential threats to the basic freedoms of Hong Kong This commitment includes security citizens that were intended to be of global trade routes which has protected under the “one country - led Prime Minister two systems” framework. to announce that we will contribute to an International Maritime Force In this edition of the Fawcett Flyer, providing security for merchant I will update you on developments vessels in the Persian Gulf’s Strait from Committees (page 5), share of Hormuz. how a new agreement between the SA and Federal governments Yet again, the men and women of will result in a boost to state the Australian Defence Force are infrastructure (page 2), summarise stepping up to serve our national our ongoing relationship with region interests. They are well equipped partner the (page and highly trained and as they 6), and how our Government is deploy I wish them success in their pushing to protect farmers from mission in the Strait of Hormuz in criminal threats (page 4). the Persian Gulf and a safe return to family and friends. If you would like more information on any of these or another issue of In addition to the global rules a Federal nature, please contact based order, Australia continues my office. to support freedom. In this context I continue to take considerable SENATOR interest in developments in Hong DAVID Kong. The circumstances in Hong Kong began in opposition to FAWCETT proposed extradition legislation but have developed into a broader bid to preserve the democratic

AUGUST 2019 SA AND FED AGREEMENT 2 ENABLES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRESS Within the next two years, ten is the North-South Corridor, significant transport infrastructure which will allow commuters to projects will commence across travel 78km uninterrupted from Adelaide as a result of a new Gawler to Old Noarlunga. agreement between the Federal and State Liberal governments The Federal Government is creating jobs, improving freight providing $708 million to the connections and safety, and Northern Connector and $534 helping South Australians get million to the Darlington Upgrade where they need to go faster. sections of the Corridor, both of which are expected to be This agreement builds on completed in the next 12 months. the strong record of our two The final Torrens to Darlington governments working together to stage of the project will receive deliver infrastructure investment $2.711 billion in Federal funding. across Adelaide and the regions. In addition to road infrastructure, In the fifteen years between we are investing in Adelaide’s 2013 and 2028, South Australia railway system with $62.5 is benefitting from more than $8 million to the Flinders Rail Link, billion in Federal infrastructure and $220 million for the Gawler funding - $1.9 billion over the Rail Line Electrification project – next four years alone. expected to be completed in late 2020. $361 million of this federal funding will be delivered through For more information on this the Urban Congestion Fund. This agreement, click here or use the program will fund upgrades to QR Code below. rail crossing and intersections to improve road safety and reduce travel time for road users.

The most significant ongoing infrastructure project in Adelaide

THE FAWCETT FLYER 3 IN THE MEDIA Adelaide manufacturer global supply chain for heavy Supashock’s new headquarters transport vehicles and military at Holden Hill were officially armoured vehicles as well as opened this month. developing smart systems to support operations and logistics. I attended the official opening alongside Premier Steven They’re an exemplar of the Marshall, Senator the Hon Simon ongoing development of Birmingham, and former Defence Australia’s sovereign defence Minister Christopher Pyne industry, delivering world class among many other distinguished capability for our Defence force guests and defence personnel. as well as developing new and innovative technology that is Founded in 2005 creating high winning contracts in the US and performance automotive racing Europe. shock absorbers, Supashock have since expanded into For more information on the defence mobility and now are Holden Hill facility opening, click developing parts specificallyhere or use the QR Code below. produced for autonomous vehicles.

In partnership with Rheinmetall, Supashock is now part of the

AUGUST 2019 CHANGES NEEDED TO 4 PROTECT AUSTRALIAN FARMERS Our Government is committed to unwarranted. The Bill also covers tackling the problem of activists private agricultural businesses such who illegally enter farms. as fishers and foresters- protecting our $60 billion agriculture industry. Under the proposed Criminal Code (Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019, Exemptions have been included activists who publish material via in the proposed legislation for a carriage service encouraging whistle-blowers and journalists who others to trespass or damage expose instances of animal cruelty. I property will be subject to heavier support the protection of Australian fines, and face up to 5 years’ farmers and agricultural workers, imprisonment. The toughening of and hope this amendment will draw laws will protect Australian farming a line in the sand to deter the illegal families and agricultural businesses behaviour of vigilante-activists. from intimidation and harassment, serious commercial damage and Groups who incite vigilante other intrusions which inhibit behaviour inviting their supporters their ability to maintain an honest to steal livestock from hardworking livelihood. farmers, will now be liable for up to $2.1 million for breaches of privacy, Farming and agriculture have long should this legislation pass into law. been an integral part of Australia’s social, economic and environmental This Bill is currently before the House sustainability. Most farmers and of Representatives and an inquiry agricultural businesses are run by on the impact of this legislation is families, not giant multinationals, being conducted by the Senate’s and they simply aren’t able to Legal and Constitutional Affairs protect themselves adequately Legislation Committee. To follow against this threat to their livelihood. the passage of this Bill, click here or use the QR code below. Farmers are frontline contributors to Australia’s food supply, and trespassing on farming property regardless of the motivation is

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COMMITTEE UPDATE In the August Parliamentary winter national security bills which aim break, the work continues as there is to strengthen Australia’s counter- more time to coordinate Committee terrorism legislative framework, and hearings with the Members and facilitate the secure, automated Senators. and accountable exchange of identity information between This month, the Parliamentary Joint Commonwealth and state and Committee on Intelligence and territory governments. Security (PJCIS) held its second public hearing for the inquiry into The Senate Standing Committee on the Citizenship Revocation powers. Environment and Communications This legislation is used to prevent held two public hearings regarding terrorists who hold dual nationality concerns over declining populations from returning to or remaining in of threatened native animal species. Australia. The committee is required This inquiry continues following by law to review the need for, use of a reference initiated by Labor, and effectiveness of this legislation the Greens and crossbench. The on a periodic basis. Federal Liberal Government has substantial conservation initiatives PJCIS also held a public hearing such as Threatened Species for the inquiry into the impact of the Strategy, Environment Restoration exercise of law enforcement and Fund, Landcare, and Communities intelligence powers on the freedom Environment Program investing of the press. Future inquiries for many millions of dollars into proactive PJCIS include two reviews into three environmental management.

AUGUST 2019 SUPPORTING THE SOLOMON 6 ISLANDS FOR LIFE AFTER RAMSI

Australia has a deep and long treaty signed in 2017, we have standing relationship with Solomon committed to deeper cooperation Islands. The Solomon Islands (SI) on defence and security with SI. have only recently emerged from a decade and a half of political Australia is providing technical and social turmoil. Australia was assistance to SI to help develop a a partner in the 14 year Regional border security strategy. Defence Assistance Mission to Solomon Minister, Senator the Hon Linda Islands (RAMSI), and following its Reynolds will visit SI to discuss conclusion in June 17, SI have since security cooperation later this celebrated the success of their first month. democratic election since RAMSI. To support greater security and Prime Minister Scott Morrison stability in the region, $37.9 million recently met with Prime Minister in funding has been delivered Manasseh Sogavare in the capital to establish the Australia Pacific city of Honoaria to discuss our Security College, providing local shared historical and geographical senior executive and middle ties (pictured, above). management security and law enforcement training to Pacific Island In line with our bilateral security nations so they are better equipped

THE FAWCETT FLYER to face security challenges. the region is another priority for the 7 Government and DFAT. The “PACER The Seasonal Workers Program Plus” agreement is a comprehensive is a mutually beneficial initiative free trade agreement covering which helps fill labour shortages in goods, services, and investment rural and regional Australia while throughout the Pacific. The helping Pacific workers develop agreement is an important part valuable skills and take up work of Australia’s commitment to opportunities. help foster continued security and stability in the region and is Since 2012, the program has seen expected to be ratified this year. over 18,000 pacific islanders travel to Australia for seasonal labour, and As part of our ongoing commitment we’re providing $2.7 million over to a sustainable climate, Prime three years to deliver additional Minister Scott Morrison recently support for recruitment and announced a $500 million dollar mobilisation of temporary workers. renewable energy infrastructure and climate and disaster resilience As part of the new Australian package at the Pacific Islands forum Infrastructure Financing Facility in Tuvalu. This builds on the $300 for the Pacific, announced by million already given by the Federal Minister Payne in July, Australia Liberal Government from 2016 to will provide up to $250 million 2020, highlighting our commitment to SI in grant financing over 10 to not just meet our emissions years to support key national and reduction obligations at home, but economic infrastructure such to support our neighbours in the as telecommunications, energy, Pacific too. transport, water amongst others. There is more that we are doing to Current trade ties with SI are strengthen and engage with our fruitful with almost 900 Australian neighbours in SI. Click here or use businesses benefiting from the the QR code below to view. export of goods for a total of $317 million worth of bilateral trade in 2017.

Further economic development in

AUGUST 2019 US AND NATO DELEGATIONS 8 ARRIVE ON OUR SHORES

This month, I met with the defence training and air patrols Northern Atlantic Treaty across the globe. Organisation (NATO) Secretary- General, Jens Stolenberg, to Australia is one of five countries discuss Australia’s ongoing which have enhanced commitment to NATO’s opportunities for dialogue and objectives as one of its largest cooperation with the NATO non-member contributors to the Allies, and diplomatic relations International Security Assistance with member states have Force and related operations. been positive for Australian representation in the Assembly’s We shared a productive biannual summit-level meetings. discussion regarding Australia’s role in global security and As part of my role as Chair of stability. I look forward to the Joint Standing Committee representing the Government at for Foreign Affairs, Defence and the 65th Annual Session of the Trade (JSCFADT), I met with a NATO Parliamentary Assembly in US Congressional Delegation London, in October this year. to discuss regional security and trade and to explore new NATO is currently leading measures we could back to missions in Afghanistan with further enhance the ongoing Australian support and engages close relationship between the in air defence support activities, US and Australia. disaster relief operations,

THE FAWCETT FLYER 9 AUSTRALIA’S JOBS AND TRADE GROWTH Despite the global economic on improving the strength of caution and fear, Australians our export sector by promoting were given a number of reasons growth of Australian industries this month to be optimistic into overseas markets. about the economic future of our nation. We have signed Free Trade Agreements with Hong Kong, In July, more than 41,000 new Indonesia, Peru, and Pacific jobs were created throughout Island nations, and are in the Australia, of which 34,500 were process of negotiating an full time. More than 1.4 million agreement with the EU. An FTA new jobs have been created with the EU has the potential across our economy since a to open up a market of 500 Federal Liberal Government was million people and a GDP of elected in 2013. The percentage $25.1 trillion, underpinning the of working age Australians on Government’s commitment to welfare has fallen to 14.3% ensuring open trade, a key part – the lowest rate of welfare of the plan to keep our economy dependency in over 30 years – strong. It will advance our and our labour force participation election commitment to ensure rate is now 66.1% - a record high. around 90% of Australia’s trade Australia’s employment growth is covered by FTAs by 2022. rate hit 2.6% for the year, above the 1.8% long term average. In addition to FTA’s, the 2019/20 Federal Budget included $61 Domestic job creation is million over the next three positively influenced by healthy years to support Australian international trade and Australia businesses looking to break into is reaping the reward of a record new international markets and trade surplus of $49.89 billion for sell their products overseas, the 2018/19 financial year. An as part of the Export Market increase of more than $66 billion Development Grants (EMDG) on 2017/18, we’re focussed scheme.

AUGUST 2019 OUT 10 AND ABOUT

On the anniversary of the Battle Parliamentary Joint Committee on of Long Tan, I joined with others Intelligence and Security public to remember the service and hearings allow Senators and sacrifice of South Australians in a Members to question witnesses in commemorative service for Vietnam Veterans. relation to the continued efficacy of Of the 521 Australian servicemen a Bill passed by Parliament. killed in the Vietnam War, 58 of them This month, we held a further were from South Australia. hearing to inquire of the Citizenship Revocation powers.

For more, like @senatorfawcett on Facebook.

At the official opening of Supashock’s new Holden Hill facility, I took the opportunity to speak with many of the distinguished guests, including former Defence Minister the Hon Christopher Pyne, and ADF personnel.

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Senator for South Australia Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade

Suite 4 13/100 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000 8205 1040 [email protected] senatorfawcett.com.au

AUTHORISED AND PRINTED BY SENATOR DAVID FAWCETT, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, SUITE 4, LEVEL 13, 100 KINGAPRIL WILLIAM 2018 STREET ADELAIDE SA 5000