The House met, at 10 am, pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker (the Honourable M. Dick) took the Chair, made an acknowledgement of country and read Prayers.

PETITIONS—standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Ms Templeman (Chair) presented the following documents:

Petitions—Standing Committee—Report 34: Petitions and Ministerial responses—

Report, 18 November 2024.

Petitions.

Ministers’ responses to petitions previously presented to the House.

Ms Templeman made a statement in connection with petitions.

Procedure—Standing Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Neumann (Chair) presented the following documents:

Procedure—Standing Committee—Maintenance of the standing and sessional orders—

Report, November 2024.

Minutes of proceedings.

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

Mr Neumann made a statement in connection with the report.

Abolition of Special Prospecting Authorities (Ocean Protection) Bill 2024

Dr M Ryan, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006 , and for related purposes.

Document

Dr M Ryan presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Dr M Ryan moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Requiring Energy Infrastructure Providers to Obtain Rehabilitation Bonds Bill 2024

Mr Birrell, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to support rehabilitation of the environment affected by electricity projects, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Birrell presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Amendment (Making Gambling Businesses Accountable) Bill 2024

Mr Wilkie, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to regulate suspicious gambling activities, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Wilkie presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

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

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Lobbying (Improving Government Honesty and Trust) Bill 2024

Dr M Ryan, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to establish a scheme to promote and enhance transparency, integrity and honesty in dealings between lobbyists and Government representatives, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr M Ryan presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Dr M Ryan moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Housing Legislation Amendment (Fair Share for Regional Housing) Bill 2024

Dr Haines, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Housing Australia Act 2018 and Housing Australia Future Fund Act 2023 , and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Haines presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Dr Haines moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Broadcasting Services Amendment (Healthy Kids Advertising) Bill 2024

Dr Scamps, pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 , and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Scamps presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

Dr Scamps moved—That the bill be now read a second time.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Medicare

Mr Gosling, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that 2024 marks 40 years since the introduction of Medicare;

(2) acknowledges this was one of the most transformative moments in Australian history and meant access to health care became a right that all Australians could share, regardless of their income or background;

(3) further notes that to mark this historic occasion and anniversary, the Government has launched the Stronger Medicare Awards in recognition of primary healthcare professionals from all corners of the country who have gone above and beyond to improve the lives of all Australians;

(4) congratulates the finalists and winners of the Stronger Medicare Awards;

(5) extends its gratitude to every general practitioner (GP), nurse, midwife, pharmacist and allied health professional working in primary care, for the work they do to keep our communities healthy;

(6) recommits to the fundamental belief that it is your Medicare card, not your credit card, which should guarantee access to quality health care; and

(7) further acknowledges that:

(a) as the Minister for Health, the current Leader of the Opposition:

(i) tried to introduce a tax on visits to GPs;

(ii) froze Medicare rebates;

(iii) cut $50 billion from our hospitals;

(iv) said there were ‘too many free Medicare services’; and

(v) was voted by Australia’s doctors as the worst Health Minister in the history of Medicare; and

(b) only the Government can be trusted to keep Medicare strong as we build Australia’s future.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

Inflation

Mr van Manen, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) the Government has failed to tame inflation;

(b) because of its undisciplined and unnecessary spending, inflation has remained higher for longer;

(c) interest rates have already gone down in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand but are still high here; and

(d) the Prime Minister said life would be ‘cheaper’ under his Government, and promised ‘cheaper mortgages’ but has instead delivered a household recession; and

(2) acknowledges that only the Opposition has a plan to get Australia back on track.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Reform) Bill 2024

Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to elections and referendums, 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 Hogan), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Electoral Legislation Amendment (Electoral Communications) Bill 2024

Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), by leave, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to elections and referendums in respect of electoral communications, 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 Hogan), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

POSTPONEMENT OF NOTICE

Ordered—That notice No. 1, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.

Nuclear Energy—Select Committee —MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Chief Government Whip had nominated Members to be members and supplementary members of the Select Committee on Nuclear Energy.

Mr Gorman (Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister), by leave, moved—That:

Mr Perrett be discharged as a member of the Select Committee on Nuclear Energy and Dr Mulino be discharged as a supplementary member of the committee; and

Dr Mulino be appointed a member of the Select Committee on Nuclear Energy and Mr Perrett be appointed a supplementary member of the committee.

Question—put and passed.

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Wallace (Deputy Chair) presented the following document:

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Advisory report on the Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024—Report, incorporating a dissenting report, November 2024.

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

Mr Wallace, by leave, making a statement in connection with the report—

It being 1.30 pm, the statement was interrupted in accordance with standing order 43.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

MINISTERIAL ARRANGEMENTS

Mr Marles (Acting Prime Minister) informed the House that, during the absence overseas of Mr Albanese (Prime Minister), he would answer questions on his behalf.

Mr Marles also informed the House that, during the absence of Mr Bowen (Minister for Climate Change and Energy), Ms Plibersek (Minister for the Environment and Water) would answer questions on his behalf.

QUESTIONS

Questions without notice being asked—

Member directed to leave

At 2.09 pm the Member for La Trobe ( Mr Wood ) was directed, under standing order 94, to leave the Chamber for one hour for interjecting and he accordingly left the Chamber.

Questions without notice continued.

Auditor-General’s Reports

The Speaker presented the following documents:

Auditor-General—Audit reports of 2024-25—Performance audits—

No. 12—Management of conflicts of interest by corporate Commonwealth entity boards: Across entities.

No. 13—Implementation and award of funding for the Growing Regions Program: Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts; Department of Industry, Science and Resources.

The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were presented:

*Army and Air Force Canteen Service (AAFCANS)—Report for 2023-24.

* Australian Meat and Live-stock Industry Act 1997 —Deed of agreement 2021-2031 between the Commonwealth of Australia and Australian Livestock Export Corporation Limited—Report for 2023-24.

*Director of National Parks—Report for 2023-24.

* Jobs and Skills Australia—Better Together: The Jobs and Skills Report 2024, including a correction.

*Royal Australian Air Force Veterans’ Residences Trust—Report for 2023-24.

*Services Trust Funds—Report for 2023-24.

Tobacco Advertising Prohibition Act 1992— Reports under section 34A for the period—

1 January to 31 December 2023.

1 January to 30 June 2024.

Treaties—Joint Standing Committee—Report 218: Fiji Status of Forces; UK Accession CPTPP; IPEF; ILO 191—Government response, October 2024.

Treaties— Text, together with associated documents —

Agreement between the United Arab Emirates and Australia on the Promotion and Protection of Investments (Canberra, 6 November 2024).

Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Australia and the United Arab Emirates (Canberra, 6 November 2024).

*The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

DOCUMENT

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

Aged Care Bill 2024—Supplementary explanatory memorandum.

Retirement of Members—STATEMENTS

Dr Ananda-Rajah, by indulgence, made a statement in relation to her retirement.

Mrs Marino, Mr Coulton and Mr Ramsey, by indulgence, made statements in relation to their retirement.

Mr Dutton (Leader of the Opposition), by indulgence, also made a statement on the matter.

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee —STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Wallace (Deputy Chair), by leave, continued his statement in connection with the Advisory report on the Cyber Security Legislative Package 2024 ( see item No. 17, page 2006 ).

Corporations and Financial Services—Parliamentary Joint Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS

Mr Hawke (Deputy Chair) presented the following document:

Corporations and Financial Services—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Ethics and professional accountability: Structural challenges in the audit, assurance and consultancy industry—Report, incorporating dissenting reports, November 2024.

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

Mr Hawke and Ms Mascarenhas, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

Social Media and Australian Society—Joint Select Committee —REPORT—STATEMENTS BY MEMBERS—MOTION TO TAKE NOTE OF DOCUMENT—REFERENCE TO FEDERATION CHAMBER

Ms Claydon (Chair) presented the following document:

Social Media and Australian Society—Joint Select Committee—Social media: The good, the bad, and the ugly: Final report—Report, incorporating dissenting reports, November 2024.

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

Ms Claydon and Mr Wallace, by leave, made statements in connection with the report.

Ms Claydon moved—That the House take note of the report.

In accordance with standing order 39, the debate was adjourned, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Ms Claydon moved—That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate.

Question—put and passed.

Cyber Security 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 (Ms Thwaites—Assistant Minister for Women), and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for a later hour this day.

POSTPONEMENT OF ORDERS OF THE DAY

Ordered—That orders of the day Nos 2 and 3, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.

National Broadband Network Companies Amendment (Commitment to Public Ownership) 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.

Mr McCormack 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 12 noon tomorrow.

DOCUMENTS

The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 18 November 2024 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk):

Aged Care Act 1997— Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Amendment (Maximum Accommodation Payment) Determination 2024 [F2024L01429].

Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (Administration) Act 1992— Agricultural and Veterinary Chemicals (MRL Standard for Residues of Chemical Products) Amendment Instrument (No. 4) 2024 [F2024L01413].

Airports Act 1996— Statement of decision to grant an airport lease—29 October 2024.

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Act 2017— ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Regulations 2017 — ASIC (Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy—Annual Determination) Instrument 2024/822 [F2024L01415].

ASIC Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Act 2017 and Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001— ASIC (Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy—Regulatory Costs) Instrument 2024/821 [F2024L01414].

Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001, Competition and Consumer Act 2010 and Corporations Act 2001— Treasury Laws Amendment (Professional Standards Schemes No. 3) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01411].

Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011— Autonomous Sanctions Amendment (Periodic Legislative Review) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01418].

Civil Aviation Act 1988—

Civil Aviation Regulations 1988 and Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—Civil Aviation Order 95.54 (Part 131 Recreational Activity and Specialised Balloon Operations) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01408].

Civil Aviation Safety Regulations 1998—

CAR Part 5—Exemption Instrument 2024—CASA EX76/24 [F2024L01442].

Operation of RPA Within 3 Nautical Miles of a Controlled Aerodrome (CASA-Verified Drone Safety App) Instrument 2024—CASA 66/24 [F2024L01450].

Repeal of Airworthiness Directive AD/BAe 146/65 Amdt 1—CASA ADCX 008/24 [F2024L01448].

Competition and Consumer Act 2010— Competition and Consumer (Consumer Data Right) Amendment (2024 Measures No. 1) Rules 2024 [F2024L01409].

Corporations (Fees) Act 2001— Corporations (Fees) Amendment (RSE Auditors) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01412].

Currency Act 1965— Currency (Australian Coins) Amendment (2024 Royal Australian Mint No. 12) Determination 2024 [F2024L01446].

Defence Act 1903 —Determinations under section 58H—

Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 12 of 2024—Salaries—Air Force Security Forces—amendment.

Defence Force Remuneration Tribunal Determination No. 13 of 2024—Public Affairs Officers—amendment.

Digital ID Act 2024—

Digital ID (Accreditation) Data Standards 2024 [F2024L01435].

Digital ID (Accreditation) Rules 2024 [F2024L01438].

Digital ID (AGDIS) Data Standards 2024 [F2024L01443].

Digital ID (Phasing-in of Participation in the Australian Government Digital ID System) Determination 2024 [F2024L01437].

Digital ID Rules 2024 [F2024L01430].

Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Act 2024— Digital ID (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Rules 2024 [F2024L01436].

Fair Entitlements Guarantee Act 2012— Fair Entitlements Guarantee (Rex Airlines Pty Ltd in Administration) Declaration 2024 [F2024L01440].

Fair Work Act 2009— Fair Work (State Declarations—employer not to be national system employer) Endorsement (No. 2) 2024 [F2024L01405].

Gene Technology Act 2000— Gene Technology (Inclusion on the GMO Register) Determination (No. 1) 2024 [F2024L01026]—Replacement explanatory statement.

Health Insurance Act 1973— Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment (Indexation) Determination 2024 [F2024L01454].

Industry Research and Development Act 1986— Industry Research and Development (Regional Aviation Connectivity Program) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01439].

Marine Safety (Domestic Commercial Vessel) National Law Act 2012—

Marine Order 504 (Certificates of operation—national law) 2024—AMSA MO 2024/5 [F2024L01458].

Marine Order Amendment (Marine Order 504—consequential changes) Order 2024—AMSA MO 2024/6 [F2024L01459].

Migration Act 1958—

Migration Amendment (Bridging Visa Conditions) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01410].

Migration Amendment (Mobility Arrangements for Talented Early-professionals Scheme) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01424].

Migration Regulations 1994—

Migration (Arrangements for Temporary Work (International Relations) (Class GD) visa applications) Amendment Instrument (LIN 24/070) 2024 [F2024L01427].

Migration (Specification of Study and English Language Requirements (Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) Visa) (LIN 24/072) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01428].

Migration (Subclass 403 (MATES Stream) Visa Pre-application Process) Determination (LIN 24/069) 2024 [F2024L01426].

Migration (Visa Pre-application Process) Charge Act 2023— Migration (Visa Pre‑application Process) Charge Amendment (Mobility Arrangements for Talented Early‑professionals Scheme) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01425].

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004— Military Rehabilitation and Compensation (MRCA Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme) Amendment (Additional Community Supply Support Payment) Determination 2024 [F2024L01445].

Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004 and Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation (Defence-related Claims) Act 1988— MRCA and DRCA (Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package) Amendment Instrument 2024 [F2024L01420].

National Health Act 1953— National Health (Pharmaceutical Benefits) (Pharmacist Substitution of Medicines without Prescription during Shortages) Amendment (No. 4) Determination 2024 [F2024L01457].

Navigation Act 2012—

Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2024—AMSA MO 2024/3 [F2024L01455].

Marine Orders Amendment (Marine Order 11—consequential changes) Order 2024—AMSA MO 2024/4 [F2024L01456].

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage Act 2006— Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Resource Management and Administration) Amendment (Fees) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01422].

Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Act 2003— Offshore Petroleum and Greenhouse Gas Storage (Regulatory Levies) Amendment (Annual Titles Administration Levy) Regulations 2024 [F2024L01421].

Online Safety Act 2021—

Online Safety (Designated Internet Services—Class 1A and Class 1B Material) Industry Standard 2024 [F2024L00710]—Supplementary explanatory statement.

Online Safety (Relevant Electronic Services—Class 1A and Class 1B Material) Industry Standard 2024 [F2024L00711]—Supplementary explanatory statement.

Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement Act 2024— Primary Industries Levies and Charges Disbursement (Declared Bodies) Rules 2024 [F2024L01434].

Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013—

Notices under section 72—

Corporate Commonwealth entity acquires shares in a company—Medibank Private—4 November 2024.

Corporate Commonwealth entity disposal of shares in a company—Suncorp—4 November 2024.

PGPA Act Determination (Property Special Account 2024) [F2024L01452].

Regional Investment Corporation Act 2018— Regional Investment Corporation (Plantation Development Concessional Loans) Repeal Rules 2024 [F2024L01423].

Taxation Administration Act 1953— Commissioner of Taxation—Class Ruling—CR 2024/71.

Telecommunications Act 1997— Telecommunications (Customer Communications for Outages) Industry Standard 2024 [F2024L01447].

Therapeutic Goods Act 1989—

Therapeutic Goods (Excluded Goods) Amendment (Vaping) Determination 2024 [F2024L00843]—Replacement explanatory statement.

Therapeutic Goods (Serious Scarcity and Substitutable Medicine) (Estradiol) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01453].

Torres Strait Fisheries Act 1984— Torres Strait Fisheries (Furnishing of Logbooks) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01449].

Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986— Veterans’ Entitlements (Defence, Veterans’ and Families’ Acute Support Package) Amendment Instrument 2024 [F2024L01419].

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Albanese, Mr Bowen, Mr Buchholz, Mr Conaghan, Mr Joyce, Mr Katter, Ms Kearney, Mr Perrett and Mr Thompson.

Claressa Surtees

Clerk of the House of Representatives

The Federation Chamber met at 10.32 am.

MEMBERS’ CONSTITUENCY STATEMENTS

Members’ constituency statements were made.

Health care

Mr Bates, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) bulk billing options are plummeting across the country and millions of people are delaying health care due to cost concerns;

(b) the cost of living crisis is both making mental health worse and causing an increasing number of people across Australia to delay or miss out on essential mental health care;

(c) over 60 per cent of Australians have delayed dental care in the last year, and the most common reason for doing so was cost; and

(d) everyone deserves to have access to good quality health care, including dental and mental health care, regardless of where you live, how old you are, or your bank balance; and

(2) calls on the Government to commit to universal health care and make the big corporations pay their fair share of tax so as to fund:

(a) bringing dental health into Medicare and expanding access to dental care to all;

(b) unlimited mental health care under Medicare; and

(c) a tripling of the bulk billing incentive and the establishment of at least six free local health care clinics in each electorate to enable all Australians to go to the GP for free.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Student loans

Mr Burns, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) acknowledges the Government’s commitment to making Australia’s student loan system better and fairer by:

(a) cutting 20 per cent off all student loan debts, wiping around $16 billion in student debts for around three million Australians;

(b) raising the threshold people can earn before they start having to pay off their loans;

(c) changing the way these mandatory repayments are calculated through a marginal repayment system; and

(d) building on reforms to fix the indexation formula, which is cutting around $3 billion in student debt;

(2) recognises that, all up, the Government will cut close to $20 billion in student loan debt for more than three million Australians; and

(3) notes that these commitments are all part of the Government’s plans to create a better and fairer education system for all Australians.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Proposed Select Committee on PsiQuantum Funding

Mr Fletcher, pursuant to notice, moved—That:

(1) a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on PsiQuantum Funding, be appointed to inquire into and report on the process undertaken by the Australian Government to provide $470 million to American-based company PsiQuantum Pty Ltd;

(2) the committee is to inquire into the following matters:

(a) the process by which the Australian Government selected PsiQuantum Pty Ltd for investment;

(b) the expression of interest process;

(c) the financial implications of the investment;

(d) the commercial and scientific terms of the investment;

(e) whether actual or potential conflicts of interest have been appropriately managed;

(f) the nature and extent of interactions between PsiQuantum or its external advisers and the Minister for Industry and Science, the Minister’s personal staff and officials of the Australian Public Service; and

(g) any other matters necessary or incidental to the committee forming a view as to whether the investment in PsiQuantum is a proper expenditure of public money;

(3) the Minister for Industry and Science be called by the committee to appear as a witness to assist the committee in its deliberations;

(4) the committee consist of seven members, three Members to be nominated by the Chief Government Whip and four Members to be nominated by the Chief Opposition Whip of whom at least two must be a crossbench Member;

(5) every nomination of a member be notified in writing to the Speaker of the House of Representatives;

(6) the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that not all members have been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy;

(7) the members of the committee hold office as a select committee until presentation of the committee’s final report or until the House of Representatives is dissolved or expires by effluxion of time, whichever is the earlier;

(8) the committee present its final report no later than 1 March 2025;

(9) the committee elect an Opposition member as its chair;

(10) the committee elect a Government member as its deputy chair to act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee;

(11) at any time when the chair and deputy chair are not present at a meeting of the committee, the members present shall elect another member to act as chair at that meeting;

(12) in the event of an equally divided vote, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote;

(13) three members of the committee constitute a quorum of the committee;

(14) the committee have power to appoint subcommittees, consisting of three or more of its members, and to refer to any subcommittee any matter which the committee is empowered to examine;

(15) the committee appoint the chair of each subcommittee who shall have a casting vote only;

(16) two members of a subcommittee constitute the quorum of that subcommittee;

(17) members of the committee who are not members of a subcommittee may participate in the proceedings of that subcommittee but shall not vote, move any motion or be counted for the purpose of a quorum;

(18) the committee or any subcommittee has power to:

(a) call for witnesses to attend and for documents to be produced;

(b) conduct proceedings at any place it sees fit;

(c) sit in public or in private;

(d) report from time to time; and

(e) adjourn from time to time and to sit during any adjournment of the House of Representatives; and

(19) the provisions of this resolution, so far as they are inconsistent with the standing orders, have effect notwithstanding anything contained in the standing orders.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Medicare

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Gosling ( see item No. 10, page 2004) —

Debate resumed.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Victoria’s road network

Mr Tehan, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that the:

(a) deterioration of country roads due to the reduction in funding for maintenance has created millions of potholes leading to accidents and serious damage to vehicles;

(b) Government has been cutting and delaying road projects since it was elected;

(c) Victorian State Government has drastically reduced funding for maintenance of the state road network;

(d) reduction in funding for maintenance has led to an increase in Victorian motorists having tyres shredded, wheels misaligned, and accidents including fatal accidents over the past two years; and

(e) state of the road network in regional Victoria has led to an increase in serious accidents and an increase in fatal accidents; and

(2) calls on the Government to:

(a) undertake an audit on the condition of Victoria’s local and state road network and make that information public;

(b) double the amount of funding available to repair Victoria’s road network over the next four years; and

(c) abandon support for the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) and invest the $2.2 billion of funding allocated to the SRL in Victorian country roads.

Debate ensued.

Suspension of meeting

At 1.18 pm, a division having been called in the House, the proceedings were suspended.

Resumption of meeting

At 4 pm, the proceedings were resumed.

MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

Cyclone Reinsurance Pool

Mr Katter, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) calls on the Government to urgently amend the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool to ensure that all Australian insurers provide residents in cyclone-prone areas with options for house insurance premiums that are comparable to those paid by the rest of the country;

(2) notes that:

(a) with the exception of Sure and Allianz, insurance premiums in northern Australia are significantly higher than the national average, placing an unfair lack of choice and financial burden on northern Australian homeowners;

(b) the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool has failed and needs further and urgent negotiation; and

(c) 25 per cent of North Queensland is currently not insured; and

(3) further calls on the Government to:

(a) fix the Cyclone Reinsurance Pool before another disaster strikes in the north; and

(b) ensure that:

(i) all insurers offer affordable and fair insurance coverage charges in line with the rest of Australia; and

(ii) specific insurers are not overexposed.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

WorldSkills competition 2024

Ms Claydon, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) acknowledges and celebrates the exceptional achievements of Australia’s Skillaroos who represented our nation at the 2024 WorldSkills competition in Lyon;

(2) recognises the dedication, skill, and passion of our Skillaroos exemplifies the highest standards of excellence in vocational education and training and demonstrates the incredible talent within our skilled workforce;

(3) commends the Government for its commitment to getting the best outcomes for Australians through improving access to vocational education and training, supporting quality training and putting TAFE back at the heart of the sector; and

(4) supports the Government as it continues to invest in the Australian people by prioritising training initiatives like Fee-Free TAFE.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Services Australia

Mr Fletcher, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House notes that:

(1) according to Services Australia’s 2023-24 annual report:

(a) customer satisfaction was 79.1 out of 100, against a target of 85;

(b) only 55.2 per cent of customers were served within 15 minutes, against a target of 70 per cent;

(c) the percentage of work processed within timeliness standards was 71.8 per cent, against a target of 90 per cent; and

(d) only 58.5 per cent of Centrelink claims were processed within their respective timeliness standards;

(2) under the watch of the Minister for Government Services, Australia has recorded its worst result for digital government in over a decade, according to the latest E-Government Development Index; and

(3) the previous Government was doing a much better job of delivering a better customer service experience, with the 2023 OECD Digital Government Index, based on data for the period from January 2020 and October 2022, placing Australia in the top five best performing countries.

Debate ensued.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Supermarket sector

The order of the day having been read for the resumption of the debate on the motion of Mr Rae—That this House:

(1) acknowledges the Government is taking decisive action to help consumers get fairer prices at supermarkets, in stores and online, including:

(a) the release of an interim report from the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), which looks at a wide range of concerns, from land banking to shrinkflation;

(b) making suppliers follow the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, a mandatory code, following the recommendations of former competition minister Craig Emerson; and

(c) revitalising the National Competition Policy to boost productivity and living standards;

(2) notes the Government believes that alleged misconduct in the supermarket sector is unfair, unacceptable, and it makes cost of living pressures worse for Australians, so it is:

(a) providing a $30 million package of additional funding for the ACCC to crack down on misleading pricing practices and poor conduct; and

(b) funding CHOICE, the consumer organisation, over three years to report on supermarket prices across Australia; and

(3) recognises the Government’s number one priority is tackling the cost of living pressures facing hard working Australians and making sure they are paying a fair price at the checkout, and Australian farmers are getting a fair price for their goods—

Debate resumed.

The time allotted for the debate having expired, the debate was interrupted, and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

Rural, remote and regional health

Dr Webster, pursuant to notice, moved—That this House:

(1) notes that:

(a) rural and remote Australians bear a heavier burden of disease than Australians who live in major metropolitan areas;

(b) the rural, remote and regional health workforce persistently suffers more significant staffing shortages than its metropolitan counterparts;

(c) the former Government established the Office of the National Rural Health Commissioner in 2017;

(d) the inaugural commissioner, Professor Paul Worley, said in 2018 that he had heard the urgency of calls for a National Rural Generalist Pathway for the medical practitioner workforce, and recommended later that year the national recognition, as a protected title, of a Rural Generalist as a Specialised Field within the Speciality of General Practice, which is now federally funded and accredited by the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine;

(e) the National Rural Health Commissioner has established the National Rural and Remote Nursing Generalist Framework 2023-27, after consultation commenced by the former Government in early 2022; and

(f) Queensland Health began developing a rural generalist pathway for allied health professions in 2013 which Services for Australian Rural and Remote Allied Health successfully developed further in some jurisdictions but a pathway is not yet available in Victoria for instance; and

(2) calls upon the Minister for Health and Aged Care to advance rural generalist pathways in medicine, nursing and allied health, to address dire workforce shortages in rural, remote and regional Australia.

Debate ensued.

Debate adjourned and the resumption of the debate made an order of the day for the next sitting.

ADJOURNMENT

On the motion of Ms Fernando, the Federation Chamber adjourned at 7.16 pm, until 4 pm tomorrow.

Peter Banson

Clerk of the Federation Chamber