The House met, at 9 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read Prayers.

STATEMENT ON A SIGNIFICANT MATTER— ending gender-based violence

Mrs Elliot (Assistant Minister for the Prevention of Family Violence), pursuant to notice, made a statement in relation to ending gender-based violence.

Ms Ley addressed the House in reply.

Mrs Elliot, by leave, moved—That further statements on ending gender-based violence be permitted in the Federation Chamber.

Question—put and passed.

Selection Committee

The Speaker presented the following document:

Report No. 30 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private Members’ business on Monday, 9 September 2024.

BILL DECLARED REFERRED TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms J Ryan (Chief Government Whip) declared that, unless otherwise ordered, the Better and Fairer Schools (Information Management) Bill 2024 stands referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration at the adjournment of the debate on the motion for the second reading of the bill.

Administrative Review Tribunal (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2024

Mr Dreyfus (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to deal with miscellaneous and consequential matters arising from the enactment of the Administrative Review Tribunal Act 2024 , and for other purposes.

Document

Mr Dreyfus presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Mr Dreyfus moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned (Mr Sukkar), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Amendment (Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission) Bill 2024

Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister for the Public Service), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Act 2023 to establish the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Gorman presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Mr Gorman moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned (Mr Sukkar), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

National Health Amendment (Technical Changes to Averaging Price Disclosure Threshold and Other Matters) Bill 2024

Ms Kearney (Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the National Health Act 1953 , and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Kearney presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Ms Kearney moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned (Mr Sukkar), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Chesters (Chair) presented the following document:

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—Report 219: Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union; CITES; Scientific Balloons—Report, August 2024.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the report was made a Parliamentary Paper.

Ms Chesters, by leave, made a statement in connection with the report.

Better and Fairer Schools (Information Management) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Thistlethwaite—Assistant Minister for Immigration), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed by Mr Fletcher who moved, as an amendment—That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that:

(1) the Government’s economic mismanagement and high inflation has resulted in escalating student debt for some three million Australians with a HELP (Higher Education Loan Program) loan;

(2) the proposal to change HELP indexation to the lower of the wage price index or the consumer price index would still result in student debts increasing by 11.1 per cent since June 2022, with no date by which student debt credits will be applied or refunds paid;

(3) whether it is student debt, housing or paying bills, Australians continue to suffer acute cost of living pain under this Government;

(4) the Government has failed to detail eligibility criteria for the Commonwealth Prac Payments or how students will receive those payments, noting that students studying in other areas of workforce shortage such as occupational therapy, psychology and veterinary studies have been excluded from the scheme;

(5) the Government’s decision to mandate 40 per cent of the Student Services and Amenities Fee revenue be directed to student-led organisations, including student unions, associations and guilds, lacks any transparency measures to ensure money is spent on services which support student welfare; and

(6) the bill has been referred to the Senate Education and Employment Legislation Committee for inquiry to report by 3 October 2024”.

Debate adjourned (Mr Thistlethwaite—Assistant Minister for Immigration), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Future Made in Australia Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Taylor, viz.— That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“the House declines to give the bill a second reading, and:

(1) notes:

(a) the failure of billions of dollars of the Government’s Future Made in Australia spending to meet the standards and processes laid out in this bill and the significant integrity concerns around these investments;

(b) the Government’s Future Made in Australia policy has been criticised by many eminent economists including the Productivity Commission’s Danielle Wood, former Productivity Commissioner Gary Banks, Australian National University visiting fellow Steven Hamilton, and University of New South Wales’ Professor Richard Holden; and

(c) this policy does not make up for the Government’s failures on economic management that are driving up the costs of manufacturing and have caused a tripling of manufacturing insolvencies since June 2022; and

(2) calls on the Government to get Australia’s economy back on track and back to basics by fighting inflation and reducing wasteful spending, reducing complexity and red tape for business, supporting affordable, reliable energy, and delivering lower, simpler, fairer taxes”—

And on the amendment moved thereto by Dr Haines, viz. —That all words after “House” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading:

(1) notes that:

(a) the 2024-25 Budget allocated $22.7 billion in taxpayer funds to the Future Made in Australia program;

(b) this is the second largest Budget measure announced in this term of Parliament; and

(c) concerns have been raised by the Productivity Commission, the Grattan Institute, the Climate Council of Australia, BP Australia, and the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry that the bill contains inadequate transparency measures to ensure Australians know how their money is being spent on Future Made in Australia supports;

(2) recognises that the Member for Indi’s Accountability of Grants, Investment Mandates and Use of Public Resources Amendment (End Pork Barrelling) Bill 2024 provides the necessary framework to help ensure the Government’s spending of taxpayer money to deliver the Future Made in Australia plan is transparent and fair; and

(3) calls on the Government to support the Accountability of Grants, Investment Mandates and Use of Public Resources Amendment (End Pork Barrelling) Bill 2024”—

And on the amendment moved thereto by Dr M Ryan, viz. —That all words after “reading” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“notes that:

(1) the Future Made in Australia national interest framework should be configured as the foundational reference for Australia’s industry policy;

(2) a robust governance structure for the framework must be ensured;

(3) clear criteria for national funding in the national interest should be established; and

(4) there should be periodic, independent reviews to ensure that industry policy remains effective and relevant”—

Debate resumed.

Ms J Ryan addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Ms J Ryan was granted leave to continue her speech when the debate is resumed, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Death of Thomas Page Pritchard—Condolence Motion—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the order of the day relating to the Prime Minister’s motion of condolence in connection with the death of Thomas Page Pritchard had been debated in the Federation Chamber and returned to the House, and presented a certified copy of the motion.

All Members present having risen, in silence—Motion agreed to.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Document

Mr Clare (Minister for Education) presented the following document:

Regional University Study Hubs.

Questions without notice continued.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

*Australian Human Rights Commission—Women in Native Title—Native Title Report 2024.

Crimes Legislation Amendment (Sexual Crimes Against Children and Community Protection Measures) Act 2020— Statutory review of sentencing for Commonwealth child sex offences—June 2024.

*Domestic, Family and Sexual Violence Commission—Yearly report to Parliament—August 2024.

*The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Renewable energy

The House was informed that Mr Hogan had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “This Government’s ‘renewables only’ policy, with industrial wind turbines, solar factories and 28,000 km of new transmission lines, is ripping up agricultural land, pristine wilderness and driving up the cost of living in regional Australia”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Mr Hogan addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

Retirement of Member—STATEMENTS

Ms Burney, by indulgence, made a statement in relation to her retirement.

Mr Albanese (Prime Minister) and Mr McCormack, by indulgence, also made statements on the matter.

Matter of privilege raised by the Manager of Opposition Business —STATEMENT BY SPEAKER

The Speaker made the following statement:

On Monday, the Manager of Opposition Business raised as a matter of privilege whether the Prime Minister had deliberately misled the House such as would constitute a contempt of the House.

The claim arises from the Prime Minister’s response to a question from the Leader of the Opposition during question time last Thursday, 15 August, in which the Prime Minister referred to statements of the ASIO Director-General.

Deliberately misleading the House is one of the matters that can be found to be a contempt. A claim of deliberately misleading is a very serious one, and rightly there should be prima facie evidence that the House has been misled and that the misleading has been deliberate. In addition, to amount to a contempt, the action would need to amount to, or be intended or likely to amount to, an improper interference with the free exercise by the House of its functions.

Although different in its particulars, this complaint has elements in common with other claims that have been made that a Member has deliberately misled the House.

I have examined the Hansard of the relevant period of last Thursday’s question time. The essence of the relevant exchanges at that time, was that the Leader of the Opposition said the Prime Minister had misquoted the ASIO Director-General, and the Prime Minister said he read out three different quotes of the Director-General.

The Speaker’s role in this matter is to determine whether priority over other business should be given to a motion for referral of a matter to the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests. In order to grant precedence in such a matter, the Speaker would need to see evidence that a Member misled the House, and that they did so intentionally.

On the evidence available to me, it is not clear that a prima facie case has been made out such as would cause me to give precedence to a motion to refer the matter to the committee.

Better and Fairer Schools (Information Management) Bill 2024 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber, a Governor‑General’s message recommending an appropriation had been reported, and the bill had been agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Bill agreed to.

On the motion of Mr Clare (Minister for Education), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORTS—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Burns (Chair) presented the following documents:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—

Human rights scrutiny report: Report 7 of 2024—Report, 21 August 2024.

Annual Report 2023—Report, 21 August 2024.

In accordance with standing order 39(e) the reports were made Parliamentary Papers.

Mr Burns, by leave, made a statement in connection with the reports.

MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 21 August 2024, were reported returning the following bills without amendment:

No. 340— Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) 2024 .

No. 341— Criminal Code Amendment (Deepfake Sexual Material) 2024 .

MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE— Migration Amendment (Overseas Organ Transplant Disclosure and Other Measures) Bill 2024

Message No. 339, 21 August 2024, from the Senate was reported transmitting for the concurrence of the House a Bill for an Act to amend the Migration Act 1958 , and for related purposes.

Bill read a first time.

Ordered—That the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Future Made in Australia Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time— And on the amendment moved by Dr M Ryan to the amendment proposed by Dr Haines to the amendment proposed by Mr Taylor (see item No. 12, page 1808) —

Debate resumed.

Mr Leeser addressing the House—

ADJOURNMENT

It being 7.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

The House continuing to sit until 8 pm—The Speaker adjourned the House until 9 am tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 21 August 2024 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Australian Communications and Media Authority Act 2005— Radiocommunications (Charges) Amendment Determination 2024 (No. 1) [F2024L01025].

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Corporations Act 2001— Treasury Laws Amendment (Professional Standards Schemes No. 2) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01009].

Fair Work Act 2009— Fair Work Amendment (Contractor High Income Threshold) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01033].

Fair Work Act 2009, Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act 2009 and Independent Contractors Act 2006— Fair Work Legislation Amendment (Closing Loopholes) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01031].

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989—

Therapeutic Goods (Standard for MDMA) (TGO 112) Order 2024 [F2024L01036].

Therapeutic Goods (Standard for Psilocybine) (TGO 113) Order 2024 [F2024L01037].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Goodenough, Ms Price and Ms Ware.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 9.30 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Taylor, viz.— That all words after “That” be omitted with a view to substituting the following words:

“whilst not declining to give the bill a second reading, the House notes that:

(1) the former Government consistently delivered lower taxes for small business and families, and implemented more than a dozen measures to combat multinational tax avoidance;

(2) the Government voted eight times against delivering a bigger tax cut to small business in last year’s instant asset write-off;

(3) the Government’s last multinational tax bill was so badly designed it taxed Australian companies;

(4) since the election, Australians are paying 20 per cent more income tax and the Government has banked over $60 billion in bracket creep; and

(5) despite promising to only raise taxes on multinationals at the election, the Government has broken promises by raising taxes on superannuation, unrealised capital gains, franking credits, and personal income, and ending small business tax incentives”—

Debate resumed.

Suspension of meeting

At 10.13 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.29 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continued.

Question—That the amendment be agreed to—put and not being resolved—bill to be returned to the House with an unresolved question.

Taxation (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) Imposition Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Leave granted for the question on the report to be put immediately.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.

Treasury Laws Amendment (Multinational—Global and Domestic Minimum Tax) (Consequential) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Leave granted for the question on the report to be put immediately.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.

Better and Fairer Schools (Information Management) Bill 2024

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the question—That the bill be now read a second time—

Debate resumed.

Question—put and passed—bill read a second time.

Message from the Governor-General

Message No. 191, 12 August 2024, from Her Excellency the Governor-General was announced recommending an appropriation for the purposes of the bill.

Leave granted for the question on the report to be put immediately.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House without amendment—put and passed.

Death of Thomas Page Pritchard—CONDOLENCE MOTION MOVED BY THE Prime Minister

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Albanese (Prime Minister)—That the House record its deep regret at the death, on 3 August 2024, of Thomas Page Pritchard, a former Australian serviceman, place on record its appreciation of his meritorious service, and tender its sympathy to his family in their bereavement—

Debate resumed.

Suspension of meeting

At 12.28 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair due to the lack of a quorum.

Resumption of meeting

At 12.36 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair, and a quorum being present—

Debate continued.

As a mark of respect to the memory of the deceased, all Members present stood, in silence.

Ms Payne, by leave, moved—That further proceedings be conducted in the House.

Question—put and passed.

Suspension of meeting

At 12.58 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO THE FINAL REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSION INTO VIOLENCE, ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY—MINISTERIAL STATEMENT—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Ms Rishworth (Minister for Social Services)—That the House take note of the document ( presented on 12 August 2024 ), viz.—

Australian Government response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability—Statement by the Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth MP, 12 August 2024—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Lim), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water—Standing Committee —MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Zappia—That the House take note of the document ( presented on 28 May 2024 ), viz.—

Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water—Standing Committee—Drowning in waste: Plastic pollution in Australia’s oceans and waterways—Report, May 2024—

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Lim), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Health, Aged Care and Sport—Standing Committee —MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Dr Freelander—That the House take note of the document ( presented on 3 July 2024 ), viz.—

Health, Aged Care and Sport—Standing Committee—The state of diabetes mellitus in Australia in 2024—Report, incorporating a dissenting report, June 2024—

Debate resumed.

Suspension of meeting

At 5.09 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 5.20 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continuing—

Dr Freelander, by leave, again addressed the Federation Chamber without closing the debate.

Debate adjourned (Mr Repacholi), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr Repacholi, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 5.37 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber