|
senate vote 2014-09-23#5
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-11-14 16:19:14
|
Title
Committees - Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration - Period of inquiry- Committees - Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration - Include Bligh Government in inquiry
Description
The majority voted in favour of an [amendment](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.120.1) introduced by Liberal Senator [Eric Abetz](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/tasmania/eric_abetz). It amends Palmer United Party Senator [Glenn Lazarus](publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/queensland/glenn_lazarus)' [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.119.1), which establishes a Select Committee on Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration Related to Commonwealth Government Affairs, by changing the beginning of the period of inquiry from [26 March 2012](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2012) to [21 March 2009](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2009). This means the period now encompasses [Anna Bligh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bligh)'s Labor Party Government as well as [Campbell Newman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell_Newman)'s current Liberal National Party Government.- The majority agreed that the [select committee](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Senate_committees#Select_committee)'s inquiry should include the former [Bligh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bligh) Government (that is, that the period of inquiry should [begin on 21 March 2009](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.120.1) rather than 26 March 2012). This was proposed by Liberal Senator [Eric Abetz](https://theyvoteforyou.org.au/members/senate/tasmania/eric_abetz).
_Background to the motion_- ###What will the committee do?
Senator Lazarus explained that his motion to establish a [select committee](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Senate_committees#Select_committees) on certain aspects of the Queensland government administration was motivated by the fact that, "[o]ver the last 18 months, serious issues have been raised across the community regarding Queensland government appointments, judicial appointments, project approvals, use of funds, policies and practices, environmental degradation and various other matters" (see [here](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.96.1) for Senator Lazarus' full explanation).- The select committee will inquire into and report on:
- * what the [Queensland Government](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Queensland) has done with funds given to them by the [Federal Government](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Government_of_Australia) since 26 March 2012 (which is when Premier [Campbell Newman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell_Newman) took up his office);
- * [judicial independence](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judicial_independence) and [separation of powers](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Separation_of_powers);
- * the approval process for development projects related to exporting resources or services;
- * whether the Queensland Government's policies are consistent with Australia's obligations under [international law](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_international_law), including [environmental law](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environmental_law) and [human rights](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_human_rights_law) instruments; and
- * how appropriate it is for the Federal [Minister for the Environment](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minister_for_the_Environment_%28Australia%29) to delegate his approval powers to the Queensland Government under the [Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Environment_Protection_and_Biodiversity_Conservation_Act_1999).
- But! Because of Australia's [federal system of government](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Federation_of_Australia), the committee can only look into these things if they in some way relate to the Commonwealth.
- ###Background to the motion
- Palmer United Party Senator [Glenn Lazarus](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/queensland/glenn_lazarus) explained that he proposed to establish this select committee because "serious issues have been raised across the community regarding Queensland government appointments, judicial appointments, project approvals, use of funds, policies and practices, environmental degradation and various other matters" (see his [full explanation](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.96.1)).
|
|
senate vote 2014-09-23#5
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-10-09 13:36:57
|
Title
Committees - Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration - Establish Select Committee- Committees - Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration - Period of inquiry
Description
The majority voted in favour of a [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.119.1), as amended, which was introduced by Palmer United Party Senator [Glenn Lazarus](publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/queensland/glenn_lazarus). The motion related to the establishment of a Select Committee on Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration Related to Commonwealth Government Affairs.Just prior to this division, Lazarus' motion was [amended](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.120.1) by Liberal Senator [Eric Abetz](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/tasmania/eric_abetz) so that the period being investigated begins from [21 March 2009](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2009) rather than [26 March 2012](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2012). This means the period encompasses [Anna Bligh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bligh)'s Labor Party Government as well as [Campbell Newman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell_Newman)'s current Liberal National Party Government.- The majority voted in favour of an [amendment](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.120.1) introduced by Liberal Senator [Eric Abetz](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/tasmania/eric_abetz). It amends Palmer United Party Senator [Glenn Lazarus](publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/queensland/glenn_lazarus)' [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.119.1), which establishes a Select Committee on Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration Related to Commonwealth Government Affairs, by changing the beginning of the period of inquiry from [26 March 2012](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2012) to [21 March 2009](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2009). This means the period now encompasses [Anna Bligh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bligh)'s Labor Party Government as well as [Campbell Newman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell_Newman)'s current Liberal National Party Government.
- _Background to the motion_
- Senator Lazarus explained that his motion to establish a [select committee](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Senate_committees#Select_committees) on certain aspects of the Queensland government administration was motivated by the fact that, "[o]ver the last 18 months, serious issues have been raised across the community regarding Queensland government appointments, judicial appointments, project approvals, use of funds, policies and practices, environmental degradation and various other matters" (see [here](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.96.1) for Senator Lazarus' full explanation).
|
|
senate vote 2014-09-23#5
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-10-09 13:21:26
|
Title
Committees — Select Committee on Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration Related to Commonwealth Government Affairs; Appointment- Committees - Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration - Establish Select Committee
Description
<p class="speaker">Glenn Lazarus</p><p>I move the motion as amended:</p><p class="italic">(1)   That a select committee, to be known as the Select Committee on Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration related to Commonwealth Government Affairs, be established to inquire into and report on:</p>- The majority voted in favour of a [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.119.1), as amended, which was introduced by Palmer United Party Senator [Glenn Lazarus](publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/queensland/glenn_lazarus). The motion related to the establishment of a Select Committee on Certain Aspects of Queensland Government Administration Related to Commonwealth Government Affairs.
- Just prior to this division, Lazarus' motion was [amended](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.120.1) by Liberal Senator [Eric Abetz](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/members/senate/tasmania/eric_abetz) so that the period being investigated begins from [21 March 2009](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2009) rather than [26 March 2012](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queensland_state_election,_2012). This means the period encompasses [Anna Bligh](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anna_Bligh)'s Labor Party Government as well as [Campbell Newman](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Campbell_Newman)'s current Liberal National Party Government.
- _Background to the motion_
- Senator Lazarus explained that his motion to establish a [select committee](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australian_Senate_committees#Select_committees) on certain aspects of the Queensland government administration was motivated by the fact that, "[o]ver the last 18 months, serious issues have been raised across the community regarding Queensland government appointments, judicial appointments, project approvals, use of funds, policies and practices, environmental degradation and various other matters" (see [here](http://www.openaustralia.org/senate/?gid=2014-09-23.96.1) for Senator Lazarus' full explanation).
<p class="italic">  (a)   the amount of Commonwealth funds allocated or paid to the State of Queensland since 26 March 2012, with particular reference to:</p><p class="italic">     (i)   the purposes for which the funds were appropriated by the Parliament,</p><p class="italic">     (ii)   performance measures in relation to Commonwealth funds paid to the State of Queensland,</p><p class="italic">     (iii)   identified breaches of funding agreements or conditions,</p><p class="italic">     (iv)   the proportion of the Queensland State budget derived from Commonwealth funds, and</p><p class="italic">     (v)   whether any Commonwealth funds have been used by the State of Queensland for state government advertising or party political purposes,</p><p class="italic">  (b)   the administration of the Queensland courts and judicial system insofar as it relates to cross vesting arrangements, with particular reference to judicial independence and separation of powers;</p><p class="italic">  (c)   approval process for the development of projects for the export of resources or services insofar as they are administered by the Commonwealth or under a bilateral agreement with the Commonwealth;</p><p class="italic">  (d)   the extent to which Queensland State Government policies and practices are consistent with Australia’s obligations under international environmental law instruments;</p><p class="italic">  (e)   whether it is appropriate for the Federal Minister for the Environment to delegate his approval powers to the Queensland State Government under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 by way of approval bilateral agreements or strategic assessments;</p><p class="italic">  (f)   the extent to which Queensland State Government policies and practices are consistent with Australia’s obligations under international human rights instruments, with particular reference to:</p><p class="italic">     (i)   the administration of prisons, and</p><p class="italic">     (ii)   detention without trial; and</p><p class="italic">  (g)   any other matter the committee considers relevant.</p><p class="italic">(2)   That the committee presents its final report on or before 31 March 2015.</p><p class="italic">(3)   That the committee consist of 5 senators, 1 to be nominated by the Leader of the Government in the Senate, 2 to be nominated by the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate, 1 to be nominated by the Leader of the Australian Greens, and 1 to be nominated by the Leader of the Palmer United Party.</p><p class="italic">(4)   That:</p><p class="italic">  (a)   on the nominations of the Leader of the Government in the Senate, the Leader of the Opposition in the Senate and minority groups and independent senators, participating members may be appointed to the committee;</p><p class="italic">  (b)   participating members may participate in hearings of evidence and deliberations of the committee, and have all the rights of members of the committee, but may not vote on any questions before the committee; and</p><p class="italic">  (c)   a participating member shall be taken to be a member of the committee for the purpose of forming a quorum of the committee if a majority of members of the committee is not present.</p><p class="italic">(5)   That the committee may proceed to the dispatch of business notwithstanding that all members have not been duly nominated and appointed and notwithstanding any vacancy.</p><p class="italic">(6)   That the committee:</p><p class="italic">  (a)   appoint as chair the Leader of the Palmer United Party in the Senate; and</p><p class="italic">  (b)   elect as deputy chair a member elected by the committee.</p><p class="italic">(7)   That the deputy chair shall act as chair when the chair is absent from a meeting of the committee or the position of chair is temporarily vacant.</p><p class="italic">(8)   That, in the event of an equality of voting, the chair, or the deputy chair when acting as chair, have a casting vote.</p><p class="italic">(9)   That the quorum of the committee be 3 members.</p><p class="italic">(10)    That the committee and any subcommittee have power to send for and examine any person and any document, to move from place to place (including, but not limited to, major metropolitan and regional centres in Queensland and the committee shall conduct public hearings in Nambour, Ipswich, Mackay, Rockhampton, Kingaroy, Mt Isa, Bundaberg, Toowoomba, Townsville and Cairns) to sit in public or in private, notwithstanding any prorogation of the Parliament or dissolution of the House of Representatives.</p><p class="italic">(11)    That the committee shall report from time to time its proceedings and the evidence taken and such interim recommendations as it may deem fit.</p><p class="italic">(12)   That the committee has power to appoint subcommittees consisting of 2 or more of its members, and to refer to any such subcommittee any of the matters which the committee is empowered to consider.</p><p class="italic">(13)   That the committee be provided with all necessary staff, facilities and resources and be empowered to appoint persons with specialist knowledge for the purposes of the committee with the approval of the President.</p><p class="italic">(14)   That the committee be empowered to print from day to day such papers and evidence as may be ordered by it, and a daily Hansard be published of such proceedings as take place in public..</p> <p class="speaker">Eric Abetz</p><p>I move the following amendment to the motion:</p><p class="italic">Paragraph (1)(a), omit “26 March 2012”, insert “21 March 2009”.</p> <p class="speaker">Stephen Parry</p><p>The question is that the amendment to Senator Lazarus's amended motion be agreed to.</p><p></p><p>The question now is that the motion moved by Senator Lazarus, as now amended, be agreed to.</p>
|