1The 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.

 2Universities Accord (Student Support and Other Measures) Bill 2024—DEFERRED DIVISION

The order of the day having been read for the further consideration in detail of the bill—

The following question, on which a division had been called for and deferred in accordance with standing order 133, was put—

Question—That the amendments be agreed to (see item No. 29, Votes and Proceedings, 9 October 2024).

 3Treasury Laws Amendment (Mergers and Acquisitions Reform) Bill 2024

Dr Chalmers (Treasurer), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Competition and Consumer Act 2010, and for related purposes.

Document

Dr Chalmers presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 4Oversight Legislation Amendment (Robodebt Royal Commission Response and Other Measures) Bill 2024

Mr Dreyfus (Attorney-General), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend legislation related to certain oversight bodies, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Dreyfus presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 5Better and Fairer Schools (Funding and Reform) Bill 2024

Mr Clare (Minister for Education), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the Australian Education Act 2013, and for related purposes.

Document

Mr Clare presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 6Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill 2024

Ms Wells (Minister for Aged Care), pursuant to notice, presented a Bill for an Act to amend the law relating to aged care, and for related purposes.

Document

Ms Wells presented an explanatory memorandum to the bill.

Bill read a first time.

 7Proposed Select Committee on Nuclear Energy

Ms Rishworth (Minister for Social Services), for Mr Burke (Leader of the House), pursuant to notice, moved—That:

 (1)a House Select Committee on Nuclear Energy be appointed to specifically inquire into and report on the consideration of nuclear power generation, including deployment of small modular reactors, in Australia, including:

 (a)deployment timeframes;

 (b)fuel supply, and transport of fuel;

 (c)uranium enrichment capability;

 (d)waste management, transport and storage;

 (e)water use and impacts on other water uses;

 (f)relevant energy infrastructure capability, including brownfield sites and transmission lines;

 (g)Federal, state, territory and local government legal and policy frameworks;

 (h)risk management for natural disasters or any other safety concerns;

 (i)potential share of total energy system mix;

 (j)necessary land acquisition;

 (k)costs of deploying, operating and maintaining nuclear power stations;

 (l)the impact of the deployment, operation and maintenance of nuclear power stations on electricity affordability; and

 (m)any other relevant matter;

 (2)the committee presents its final report by no later than 30 April 2025;

 (3)the committee may choose to table an interim report at any time;

 (4)the committee consist of:

 (a)seven voting members, four Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Government Whip or Whips, two Members of the House of Representatives to be nominated by the Opposition Whip or Whips, and one crossbench member to be nominated by the Opposition Whip; and

 (b)two supplementary (non-voting) members (one Government, one non-Government) who may be substituted from time to time as advised by the Government Whip or Whips (in the case of a supplementary Government member) and the Opposition Whip or Whips (in the case of a supplementary non-Government member);

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

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

 (7)the committee elect a:

 (a)Government member as its chair; and

 (b)non-Government member as its deputy chair who shall act as chair of the committee at any time when the chair is not present at a meeting of the committee;

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

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

 (10)three members of the committee including at least one Government member constitute a quorum of the committee;

 (11)the committee:

 (a)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 or conduct public hearings; and

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

 (12)at any time when the chair of a subcommittee is not present at a meeting of the subcommittee, the members of the subcommittee present shall elect another member of that subcommittee to act as chair at that meeting;

 (13)two members of a subcommittee constitute a quorum of that subcommittee including at least one government member;

 (14)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;

 (15)the committee or any subcommittee have 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 sit during any adjournment of the House of Representatives; and

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

 8PROPOSED PARLIAMENTARY SITTINGS 2025—DOCUMENT

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

Proposed parliamentary sittings 2025.

 9MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 357, 9 October 2024, from the Senate was reported informing the House that the Senate had agreed to the following resolution:

That the Senate and the House of Representatives approve the following standards of behaviour and behaviour codes with effect from 14 October 2024, noting the Behaviour Code for staff employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 is subject to a determination by the Special Minister of State:

Behaviour Standards for Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces

Welcome to this Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplace. Please be aware we have clear guidelines on how we must behave towards each other:

Act respectfully, professionally and with integrity.

Encourage and value diverse perspectives and recognise the importance of a free exchange of ideas.

Recognise your power, influence or authority and do not abuse them.

Uphold laws that support safe and respectful workplaces, including anti‑discrimination, employment, work health and safety and criminal laws.

Bullying, harassment, sexual harassment or assault, or discrimination in any form, including on the grounds of race, age, sex, sexuality, gender identity, disability, or religion will not be tolerated, condoned or ignored.

Behaviour Code for Australian Parliamentarians

Purpose of Parliamentarians’ Behaviour Code

 (1)All Australian Parliamentarians have a shared responsibility as employers and leaders in the community to ensure that Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces meet the highest standards of integrity, dignity, safety and mutual respect.

 (2)All Australian laws must be upheld, including the employer obligations outlined in the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984.

 (3)This code forms the Parliament’s expectations for how we behave towards each other and others we engage with in the course of our work, while recognising the importance of a free exchange of ideas and parliamentary privilege, which is an integral part of our democracy.

Code coverage

 (4)Every Parliamentarian is required to understand and comply with this code and the Behaviour Standards for Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. These codes and standards are enforceable and a breach of either code could lead to sanctions being imposed.

 (5)Both the code and the standards apply to Parliamentarians in the course of their role, including at social events, when travelling for work, and outside of normal business hours. This includes conduct engaged in by any means, including in person, or by electronic communication. Alcohol is no excuse for breach of this code or the standards.

 (6)Ensuring compliance with the code and the standards is a core requirement of Parliamentarians discharging their work health and safety obligations as employers.

Respect

 (7)Parliamentarians must treat all those with whom they come into contact in the course of their parliamentary duties and activities with dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect.

 (8)Parliamentarians, as employers and leaders in the community, have a leading role to play in fostering a healthy, safe, respectful and inclusive environment where all people feel safe and valued.

Diversity

 (9)Parliamentarians, as employers and leaders in the community, have a role in fostering and respecting diversity in their workplace, to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome to contribute.

 (10)Parliamentarians recognise the importance and value of diverse viewpoints, and that robust debate is conducted with respect for differing views, which are essential for a functioning democracy.

Prohibited behaviours

 (11)Bullying and harassment, sexual harassment and assault, discrimination in all its forms including on the grounds of race, age, sex, sexuality, gender identity, disability, or religion is unacceptable. Such behaviour will not be tolerated, condoned or ignored.

Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission

 (12)Anyone who believes this code has been breached is encouraged to raise their concerns about the breach.

 (13)Disclosures and complaints in relation to this code will be received confidentially and managed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC).

 (14)Advice and support regarding this code can be sought from the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.

 (15)Parliamentarians have obligations to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to:

 (a)cooperate with investigations and comply with sanctions imposed;

 (b)maintain the confidentiality of the complaint process, unless authorised by the IPSC (or otherwise required by law) to share or release information; and

 (c)act on allegations of misconduct made about their staff and to implement recommendations of the IPSC in relation to staff misconduct.

 Failure to do so may be a breach of this code and sanctions may apply.

Complaints under this code

 (16)A vexatious complaint or a complaint made in bad faith may itself be a breach of this code and may be subject to sanctions.

 (17)Any attempt to intimidate or victimise a reporter/complainant or to lobby, influence or intimidate the IPSC (its office-holders, staff or contractors) will be treated as a serious and aggravated breach of this code.

Upholding the Code for Parliamentarians

 (18)Parliamentarians must incorporate this code in their everyday workplace practice. This is done by:

 (a)undertaking any training or professional development as recommended or deemed necessary as an employer and leader within the community; and

 (b)complying with all workplace policies.

Behaviour Code for staff employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984

Purpose of MOP(S) Act Behaviour Code

 (1)All employees employed under the Members of Parliament (Staff) Act 1984 (MoPS Act) have a shared responsibility to ensure that Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces meet the highest standards of integrity, dignity, safety and mutual respect.

 (2)All Australian laws must be upheld, including relevant workplace laws.

 (3)This code forms the expectations for behaviour in the course of MoP(S) Act employment while recognising the importance of a free exchange of ideas, which is an integral part of our democracy.

Code coverage

 (4)Every MoP(S) Act employee is required to understand and comply with this code and the Behaviour Standards for Commonwealth Parliamentary Workplaces. These codes and standards are enforceable and a breach of either could lead to sanctions being imposed.

 (5)Both the code and standards apply to all duties undertaken in the course of MoP(S) Act employment, including at social events, when travelling for work, and outside of normal business hours. This includes conduct engaged in by any means, including in person, or by electronic communication. Alcohol is no excuse for breach of this code or the standards.

Respect

 (6)MoP(S) Act employees must treat all those with whom they come into contact in the course of their MoP(S) Act duties and activities with dignity, courtesy, fairness and respect.

 (7)All MoP(S) Act employees have a role in fostering a healthy, respectful and inclusive environment where all people feel safe and valued.

Diversity

 (8)All MoP(S) Act employees have a role in fostering and respecting diversity in their workplace, to ensure everyone feels safe and welcome to contribute.

 (9)MoP(S) Act employees recognise the importance and value of diverse viewpoints, and that robust debate is conducted with respect for differing views, which are essential for a functioning democracy.

Prohibited behaviours

 (10)Bullying and harassment, sexual harassment and assault, discrimination in all its forms including on the grounds of race, age, sex, sexuality, gender identity, disability, or religion is unacceptable.

Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission

 (11)Anyone who believes this code has been breached is encouraged to raise their concerns about the breach.

 (12)Disclosures and complaints in relation to this code will be received confidentially and managed by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission (IPSC).

 (13)Advice and support regarding this code can be sought from the Parliamentary Workplace Support Service.

 (14)MoP(S) Act employees have obligations to the Independent Parliamentary Standards Commission to:

 (a)cooperate with investigations and comply with sanctions imposed; and

 (b)maintain the confidentiality of the complaint process, unless authorised by the proposed IPSC (or otherwise required by law) to share or release information.

Complaints under this code

 (15)A vexatious complaint or a complaint made in bad faith may itself be a breach of this code and may be subject to sanctions.

 (16)Any attempt to intimidate or victimise a reporter/complainant or to lobby, influence or intimidate the IPSC (its office-holders, staff or contractors) will be treated as a serious and aggravated breach of this code.

Upholding the Code

 (17)MoP(S) Act employees must incorporate this code in their everyday workplace practice. This is done by:

 (a)undertaking any training or professional development as recommended or deemed necessary; and

 (b)complying with all workplace policies as required by the Parliament.

The Senate requests the concurrence of the House in this resolution.

 10Treasury Laws Amendment (2024 Tax and Other Measures No. 1) Bill 2024—REPORT FROM FEDERATION CHAMBER

The Speaker reported that the Federation Chamber had been unable to complete its consideration of the bill and had returned the bill with an unresolved question (see item No. 7, Minutes of Proceedings of the Federation Chamber, 9 October 2024), and presented a certified copy of the bill together with a schedule of the unresolved question.

 11National 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.

 12Nuclear Energy—SELECT COMMITTEE—MEMBERSHIP

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

Ms Plibersek (Minister for the Environment and Water), by leave, moved—That Mr Burnell, Ms Mascarenhas, Mr Perrett and Mr Repacholi be appointed members of the Select Committee on Nuclear Energy.

Question—put and passed.

 13Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—REPORT—STATEMENT BY MEMBER

Mr Burns (Chair) presented the following document:

Human Rights—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Human rights scrutiny report: Report 9 of 2024—Report, incorporating a dissenting report, 10 October 2024.

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

 14Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) 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 Ms Bell, 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:

(1)the Government’s economic mismanagement and cost of living crisis has led to higher wage bills, and higher utility, rent and grocery bills for providers;

(2)the bill will place further administrative burden on providers, particularly small and medium providers;

(3)the bill will put further financial pressure on providers who will have to cover the majority of the on costs, cannot increase their fees and have to pay the wages upfront, whilst receiving reimbursement in arrears;

(4)the Government has done nothing to address child care deserts and thin markets around the country, and this bill will not increase access for parents who currently have none; and

(5)the bill is a one-off sugar hit, which will only increase inflation, further contributing to current cost of living pressures”—

Debate resumed.

 15MEMBERS’ STATEMENTS

Members’ statements were made.

 16MINISTERIAL 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.

 17QUESTIONS

 18Department of the House of Representatives Annual Report

The Speaker presented the following document:

Department of the House of Representatives—Report for 2023-24.

The document was made a Parliamentary Paper.

 19DOCUMENTS 

The following documents were presented: 

*Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care—Report for 2023-24.

*Defence Force Discipline Act 1982—Director of Military Prosecutions—Report for 2023.

Health, Aged Care and Sport—Standing Committee—Inquiry into childhood rheumatic diseases: Interim report—Government response, September 2024.

Intelligence and Security—Parliamentary Joint Committee—Advisory Report on the Counter-Terrorism Legislation Amendment (Declared Areas) Bill 2024—Government response, 23 September 2024.

Mental Health and Suicide Prevention—Select Committee—Mental health and suicide prevention: Final report—Government response, September 2024.

*Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA)—Report for 2023-24.

*The documents were made Parliamentary Papers.

Mr Thompson sought leave to present a document. Leave not granted.

 20DISCUSSION OF MATTER OF PUBLIC IMPORTANCE—PsiQuantum 

The House was informed that Mr Fletcher (Manager of Opposition Business), had proposed that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely, “This Government’s decision to give American company PsiQuantum almost one billion dollars of taxpayers money”.

 21MESSAGES FROM THE SENATE

Messages from the Senate, 10 October 2024, were reported returning the following bills without amendments or requests:

No. 358—Crimes and Other Legislation Amendment (Omnibus No. 1) 2024.

No. 359—Customs Tariff Amendment (Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership Expansion) 2024 (without requests).

No. 360—Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety 2024.

No. 361—Australian Naval Nuclear Power Safety (Transitional Provisions) 2023.

 22MESSAGE FROM THE SENATE

Message No. 362, 10 October 2024, from the Senate was reported informing the House that the Senate had considered message No. 457 of the House and concurs with the resolution relating to the appointment of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Parliamentary Standards.

 23COMMITTEES—MEMBERSHIP

The House was informed that the Chief Government Whip, the Chief Opposition Whip and the Opposition Whip had nominated Members to be members of certain committees.

Mr Thistlethwaite (Assistant Minister for Immigration), by leave, moved—That:

 24Wage Justice for Early Childhood Education and Care Workers (Special Account) 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 Ms Bell (see item No. 14, page XX)—

Debate resumed.

 25ADJOURNMENT

It being 4.30 pm—The question was proposed—That the House do now adjourn.

Debate ensued.

DOCUMENTS 

 The following documents were deemed to have been presented on 10 October 2024 (An explanatory statement has been presented with each instrument unless otherwise indicated by an asterisk): 

Lands Acquisition Act 1989—Statement under section 125—October 2024. 

Migration Act 1958—Notice under section 501C—7 October 2024. 

National Health Act 1953— 

Continence Aids Payment Scheme Amendment (Administrative Review Tribunal) Instrument 2024 [F2024L01275].  

National Health (Additional Community Supply Support Payment) Determination 2024—PB 94 of 2024 [F2024L01277].  

Sydney Airport Curfew Act 1995—Dispensation report—13/24. 

Tax Agent Services Act 2009—Tax Agent Services (Code of Professional Conduct) Amendment (Measures No. 2) Determination 2024 [F2024L01276]. 

Taxation Administration Act 1953—Commissioner of Taxation— 

Class Rulings—  

CR 2024/61, CR 2024/62.

Law Companion Ruling—LCR 2024/1.  

Product Ruling—PR 2024/17.  

ATTENDANCE

All Members attended (at some time during the sitting) except Mr Albanese, Ms Burney, Mr Coleman, Dr Gillespie, Mr Katter, Ms Landry, Mrs McIntosh, Ms McKenzie and Mr Wallace.