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.

Order of the day returned to the House

Mr Burke (Leader of the House) declared the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service Amendment (Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission) Bill 2024 returned to the House for further consideration.

Resumption of the debate was made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Suspension of standing and sessional orders—Time and Order of Business for 9 October 2024

Mr Burke (Leader of the House), pursuant to notice, moved—That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent:

(1) the following from occurring in relation to business in the House for Wednesday, 9 October 2024:

(a) business being interrupted at 9.30 am and the Speaker calling on Members’ statements;

(b) at 10 am, the Speaker interrupting business before the House and calling on questions without notice;

(c) immediately after Question Time, any documents being presented by the Speaker and by Ministers, and any ministerial statements, by leave, being made;

(d) then, a definite matter of public importance being discussed, provided that:

(i) a written statement of the matter to be discussed has been given to the Speaker by 9.30 am; and

(ii) the matter being dealt with in all other respects in accordance with the standing orders and the practice of the House; and

(e) government business continuing from the conclusion of the discussion of a definite matter of public importance until 7.30 pm, at which point the adjournment of the House being proposed in accordance with standing order 31;

(2) on Wednesday, 9 October 2024, the Federation Chamber meeting from 11.30 am until no later than 7.30 pm and considering the following business:

(a) Members’ three minute constituency statements until 12 noon; and

(b) government business and/or committee and delegation business; and

(3) any variation to this arrangement being made only on a motion moved by a Minister.

Question—put and passed.

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment Bill 2024

Mr Dreyfus (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 and repeal the Financial Transaction Reports Act 1988 , and for related 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 Wood), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Universities Accord (National Student Ombudsman) Bill 2024

Mr Clare (Minister for Education), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Ombudsman Act 1976 , and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Clare presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

Document

Mr Clare presented the following document:

National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence & National Student Ombudsman.

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

Customs Tariff Amendment (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans‑Pacific Partnership Expansion) Bill 2024

Mr Hill (Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs) presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Customs Tariff Act 1995 , and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Hill presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate adjourned (Mr Wood), 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 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Second Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Bill agreed to.

On the motion of Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

Administrative Review Tribunal (Miscellaneous Measures) Bill 2024 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Second Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Bill agreed to.

On the motion of Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

Family Law Amendment Bill 2024 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Second Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to without amendment, and presented a certified copy of the bill.

Bill agreed to.

On the motion of Ms C King (Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) Bill 2024 —REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Deputy Speaker reported that the bill had been fully considered by the Federation Chamber and agreed to with amendments ( see item No. 3, Minutes of Proceedings of the Federation Chamber, page 1876 ), and presented a certified copy of the bill together with a schedule of amendments.

Amendments made by the Federation Chamber agreed to.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

On the motion of Mr Giles (Minister for Skills and Training), by leave, the bill was read a third time.

Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) 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 Sukkar, 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:

(1) notes:

(a) the Coalition’s strong record supporting government funded paid parental leave in Australia;

(b) at the 2010 and 2013 federal elections, the Coalition’s paid parental leave policy sought to deliver 26 weeks’ paid parental leave based on actual wages and included superannuation; and

(c) both Labor and the Greens opposed the Coalition’s paid parental leave policy; and

(2) calls on the Government to amend the Paid Parental Leave Act to provide choice to Australian families by giving eligible paid parental leave recipients the option of receiving:

(a) superannuation on the government funded paid parental leave payment; or

(b) 26 weeks of paid parental leave from 1 July 2025, increasing to 28 weeks from 1 July 2026; or

(c) a one-off payment equal to the value of the superannuation amount to help with costs associated with the arrival of a newborn or adopted child”—

Debate resumed.

Mr Khalil addressing the House—

It being 1.30 pm, the debate was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43, Mr Khalil was granted leave to continue his 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.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.18 pm the Member for Groom ( Mr Hamilton ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continuing—

Member directed to leave

At 3.07 pm the Member for Farrer ( Ms Ley ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for raising a frivolous point of order and she accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continued.

Auditor-General’s Report

The Speaker presented the following document:

Auditor-General—Audit report No. 2 of 2024-25—Performance audit—Defence’s management of ICT systems security authorisations: Department of Defence.

The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

Public Accounts and Audit—Joint Committee—Report 495: Inquiry into Commonwealth grants administration—Government response, September 2024.

Social Security Legislation Amendment (Streamlined Participation Requirements and Other Measures) Act 2022— Legislated review of Workforce Australia—Report, 21 June 2024.

DOCUMENT

Mr Burke ( Leader of the House ) presented the following document:

Veterans’ Entitlements, Treatment and Support (Simplification and Harmonisation) Bill 2024—Correction to the explanatory memorandum.

DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE— Scams

The House was informed that Ms Steggall had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “The need for the government to do more to protect Australians from scams, especially those that involve electronic transfer of funds”.

The proposed discussion having received the necessary support—

Ms Steggall addressed the House.

Discussion ensued.

Discussion concluded.

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORTS—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr Burns (Chair) presented the following documents:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—

Inquiry into compulsory income management (received by the Speaker on 3 September 2024, pursuant to standing order 247)—Report, incorporating dissenting reports, September 2024.

Human rights scrutiny report: Report 8 of 2024—Report, incorporating a dissenting report, 11 September 2024.

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

Mr Burns and Mr Pike, by leave, made statements in connection with the reports.

Paid Parental Leave Amendment (Adding Superannuation for a More Secure Retirement) 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 Sukkar (see item No. 13, page 1872) —

Debate resumed.

Debate adjourned (Mr Hill—Assistant Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs), 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— And on the amendment moved thereto by Mr Fletcher, 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 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”—

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

“the House:

(1) notes that:

(a) students are being shackled by a lifetime of debt which is making the cost of living crisis worse, locking people out of the housing market, causing people to delay having families and crushing dreams of going to university;

(b) the Government’s plan to provide student debt relief will still see student debts rise by 11.5 per cent in their first term and arts degrees costing over $50,000;

(c) the student debt system cannot be fixed because student debt should not exist and higher education, like education at every level, is an essential public good that should be free, universal and provided by the government;

(d) mandatory unpaid placements are causing students to forego paid work, choose between groceries, rent and medicine, drop out of universities and are taking an immense toll on students’ health; and

(e) students experiencing placement poverty need urgent relief and should be paid for every hour of work they are required to do as part of their degree, at least at minimum wage, not a lesser supplementary amount; and

(2) calls on the Government to wipe all student debt, make university and TAFE free, and pay all students doing mandatory placements at no less than minimum wage rates”—

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

“(1) notes that:

(a) many degrees have increased in cost well above CPI, resulting in punitive HELP debts placing additional financial burden on Australians in the midst of a cost of living crisis;

(b) in 2023, soaring inflation resulted in a HELP indexation rate of 7.1 per cent;

(c) the indexation of HELP debt prior to repayment each financial year unnecessarily increases the cost of debt repayments for graduates and young Australians; and

(d) HELP debt is considered by banks in assessing eligibility for mortgages and loans, creating additional barriers for graduates and young families as they try to buy a home; and

(2) calls on the Government to calculate HELP debt indexation after the due date for individual tax returns each year”—

Debate resumed.

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 11 September 2024 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999— A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax): Waiver of Tax Invoice Requirement (Motor Vehicle Incentive Payment Made to Motor Vehicle Dealer) Determination 2024 [F2024L01121].

Corporations Act 2001— ASIC Corporations (Amendment) Instrument 2024/733 [F2024L01117].

Defence Act 1903—

Determinations under section 58B—

Defence Determination, Conditions of service Amendment Determination 2024 (No. 10) [F2024L01119].

Defence (Individual benefits) Determination 2024 (No. 4) [F2024L01126].

Determinations under section 58H—

Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 8 of 2024—Salaries—ADF Medic Employment Categories.

Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 9 of 2024—Salaries—Nuclear submarine employment categories—amendment.

Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 10 of 2024—Salaries—Royal Australian Artillery employment categories—amendment.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999—

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (National Recovery Plan for Leadbeater’s Possum (Gymnobelideus leadbeateri)) Instrument 2024 [F2024L00270]—Supplementary explanatory statement.

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (National Recovery Plan for the Spiny Rice-flower (Pimelea spinescens subsp. spinescens)) Instrument 2024 [F2024L00346]—Supplementary explanatory statement .

Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (National Recovery Plan for the Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor)) Instrument 2024 [F2024L00482]—Supplementary explanatory statement.

Excise Act 1901— Excise (Blending Exemptions) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01120].

Financial Sector (Collection of Data) Act 2001—

Financial Sector (Collection of Data) (reporting standard) determination No. 11 of 2024 [F2024L01124].

Financial Sector (Collection of Data) (reporting standard) determination No. 12 of 2024 [F2024L01125].

Financial Sector (Collection of Data) (reporting standard) determination No. 13 of 2024 [F2024L01127].

Financial Sector (Collection of Data) (reporting standard) determination No. 14 of 2024 [F2024L01128].

Road Vehicle Standards Act 2018 —Road Vehicle Standards Rules 2019—Road Vehicle Standards (Information on the Register of Approved Vehicles) Amendment Determination 2024 [F2024L01129].

Tax Agent Services Act 2009— Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Amendment (Measures No. 1) Determination 2024 [F2024L01118]—Replacement explanatory statement.

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Butler, Mr Hastie, Mr O’Connor and Mr Thompson.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 9.30 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements being made—

Suspension of meeting

At 9.49 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.02 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Members’ constituency statements continued.

Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) 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.

Consideration in detail

Bill, by leave, taken as a whole.

Document

Mr Dreyfus (Attorney-General) presented a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.

On the motion of Mr Dreyfus, by leave, Government amendments (1) to (7) were made together.

Suspension of meeting

At 10.21 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 10.31 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Bill, as amended, agreed to.

Consideration in detail concluded.

Question—That the bill be reported to the House with amendments—put and passed.

Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety Bill 2023

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.

Suspension of meeting

At 11.04 am, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 11.15 am, the proceedings were resumed.

Debate continued.

Suspension of meeting

At 1.03 pm, the Deputy Speaker left the Chair.

Resumption of meeting

At 4 pm, the Deputy Speaker resumed the Chair.

Debate continued.

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

Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2023

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 not being resolved—bill to be returned to the House with an unresolved question.

Treasury Laws Amendment (Reserve Bank Reforms) Bill 2023

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 not being resolved—bill to be returned to the House with an unresolved question.

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Mr Burnell, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 7.07 pm, until 9.30 am tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber