Visit to New Zealand by Delegation from the Standing Committee on Rural Affairs and Transport of the Senate of Australia Tuesday, 7 June to Friday, 10 June 2011 Delegation biographies, programme and background briefing paper
Prepared by the Inter-Parliamentary Relations Secretariat Office of the Clerk New Zealand House of Representatives 2
Contents Delegation list 4 Biographical information on the delegation 5 Objectives of the visit 9 Programme 10 Briefing paper Parliament of Australia 12 Notes 15
Delegation list Members of Standing Committee on Rural Affairs and Transport of the Australian Senate Senator Glenn Sterle Chair of Rural Affairs and Transport Legislation Committee Senator Kerry O Brien Committee member Senator Chris Back Committee member Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck Committee member Jeanette Radcliffe Committee secretary Mrs Alison Allen (Mob: 021 244 2372) Inter-Parliamentary Relations Secretariat, Office of the Clerk Mr Oliver Simpson (Mob: 021 277 8907 Visits and Ceremonial Office, Department of Internal Affairs 4
Biographical information on the delegation Senator Glenn Sterle Australian Labor Party, Senator for Western Australia Parliamentary Service Elected to the Senate for Western Australia 2004 (term began 1.7.2005) and 2010 Committee Service Senate Standing: House; Privileges Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation (Chair) and References (Deputy Chair) Committees Joint Statutory: Public Accounts Qualification and Career Furniture removalist, truck driver, owner operator 1977-91 Organiser, Transport Workers' Union 1991-2005 Branch Committee of Management, Transport Workers' Union 1991-2005 Federal Councillor, Transport Workers' Union 1998-2005 5
Biographical information on the delegation Senator Kerry O Brien Australian Labor Party, Senator for Tasmania Parliamentary Service Chosen by the Parliament of Tasmania on 5.9.1996 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice J Coates (resigned) Elected 1998 and 2004. Retired at general elections 2010 (term ends June 2011).Committee Service Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Legislation and References Committees Joint Standing: Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, Treaties Qualification and Career Research Officer, Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union Federal Council 1974-82 Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1983-92 Joint Tasmanian Branch Secretary, Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1992-96 Federal Executive Member, Federal Councillor, Federated Miscellaneous Workers' Union/Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1983-96 Vice-President, Miscellaneous Workers' Division, Australian Liquor, Hospitality and Miscellaneous Workers' Union 1991-96 6
Biographical information on the delegation Senator Chris Back Liberal Party of Australia, Senator for Western Australia Parliamentary Service Chosen by the Parliament of Western Australia on 11.3.2009 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. CM Ellison (resigned) (term ends 30.6.2011). Elected 2010 (term begins 1.7.2011). Committee Service Senate Legislative and General Purpose Standing: Education, Employment and Workplace Relations: References Committee and Legislation Committee Senate Select: Reform of the Australian Federation Joint Select: Gambling Reform Qualification and Career BVSc (Qld) Curtin University and University of California Faculty 1976-84 Chief Executive Officer, Rottnest Island Authority 1988-95 Chief Executive Officer, Bush Fires Board of Western Australia 1995-97 Managing director, fuel industry retail and distribution 1997-2000 Business executive, oil and gas industry 2000-08 7
Biographical information on the delegation Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck Liberal Party of Australia, Senator for Tasmania Parliamentary Service Appointed by the Governor of Tasmania on 4.2.2002 under section 15 of the Constitution to represent that State in the Senate, vice the Hon. JM Newman (resigned) (term ended 30.6.2002). Elected 2001 (term began 1.7.2002) and 2007. Ministerial appointments Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry from 2004 to 2006. Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Finance and Administration from 2006 to 2007 Qualification and Career Small Business Management Certificate; Certificate in Technology (Building); Carpentry and Joinery Trade and Proficiency Certificates (Devonport Technical College) Apprentice, carpentry and joinery 1977-79; trainee estimator and supervisor 1977-79; manager 1979-84 Building estimator and supervisor 1984-89 Managing director and proprietor of building consultancy from 1989 Director, Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry 1998-2001 8
Objectives of the visit During its time in New Zealand, the Standing Committee on Rural Affairs and Transport wishes to discuss the following areas of interest: Biosecurity and quarantine issues - New Zealand's response mechanisms for biosecurity incursions - Didymosphenia geminate (rock snot) - Equine influenza - Amendments to NZ biosecurity and quarantine legislation Food standards and how the joint system operates including labelling Food security and foreign ownership of agricultural land including the NZ Overseas Investment Act Developments in the global dairy market and management of relationships with the dairy supply chain Settlement of disputes regarding possible abuse of market power, particularly in the area of agribusiness NZ s export certification processes and how costs are apportioned Impact of varroa mite in New Zealand Discussion of the New Zealand export pathway for horticultural products including: - Licensing arrangements for exporters; - Development, approval and implementation of industry workplans, trapping and monitoring systems, audit programs, and phytosanitary inspections 9
Programme Tuesday, 7 June 2011 Auckland/Wellington 0845 Meet New Zealand Thoroughbred Breeders Association 1000 Meet New Zealand Bloodstocks Ltd at Karaka Sales Centre 1115 Visit IRT Quarantine Facility 1330 Fly to Wellington 1500 Briefing Australian High Commission 1830 Meet Dairy Companies of New Zealand and Fonterra 1830 Attend reception hosted by Aaron Gilmore MP, Deputy Chair and other members of the New Zealand-Australia Parliamentary Friendship Group Wednesday 8 June 2011 Wellington 0845 Meet Meat Industry Association New Zealand 0930 Meet Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives 1015 Meet Overseas Investment Office 1130 Private tour of Parliament 1230 Meet Ministers Hon David Carter, Hon Tim Groser and Hon Kate Wilkinson 1400 Introduction to the House and opportunity to observe question time 1430 Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Roundtable 10
Programme Wednesday 8 June 2011 (contd) 1805 Meet Sue Kedgley MP Wellington 1830 Dinner in honour of the delegation hosted by Dr The Rt Hon Lockwood Smith, Speaker of the House of Representatives Thursday 9 June 2011 Wellington/Hamilton 0900 Meet Federated Farmers 1000 Meet Market Access Solutionz Ltd 1145 Meet Primary Production Committee followed by lunch with members of the committee 1430 Visit Assurequality Laboratory 1730 Fly to Hamilton Friday 10 June 2011 Hamilton/Auckland 0800 Joined for breakfast by David Bennett MP and Tim Macindoe MP 0900 Meet Plant and Food Research 1015 Meet Dairy NZ 1130 Meet New Zealand Standard Breeders Association 1310 Fly to Auckland and transfer to international terminal End of programme 11
Briefing paper Parliament of Australia PARLIAMENT OF AUSTRALIA The Australian Parliament has two houses, the House of Representatives and the Senate. SENATE The Senate has 76 members. Senators elected from the states serve 6-year terms, and those from the territories 3-year terms. Elections are held every 3 years for half of the senators from the states and all the senators from the territories. The most recent election was held in August 2010. Election of senators Each state or territory comprises 1 multi-member electoral district. 12 senators are elected from each state, and 2 from each territory. Senators are elected by proportional representation; voters may indicate individual preferences or cast a bloc vote for 1 party. Leadership The President of the Senate is elected by and from among the senators. The current President is John Hogg. Committees There are 16 standing committees. The 8 legislative and general purpose standing committees each comprise a pair of committees: a legislation committee which deals with bills, the estimates and scrutiny of government departments' performance, and a references committee which inquires into matters referred to it. Each legislation or reference committee has 6 members. Select committees may be appointed for a specific purpose. There are currently 3 select committees, looking into the food processing sector, reform of the Australian federation and scrutiny of new taxes. Political parties The current state of the parties is: 12
Briefing paper Parliament of Australia Australian Labor Party 32 Liberal Party of Australia 32 Australian Greens 5 Nationals 4 Country Liberal Party 1 Family First Party 1 Independent 1 The number of women senators is 27 (36%). PARLIAMENTARY NEWS Review of members' entitlements A comprehensive review of MPs' and senators' entitlements, released in March, recommended restoring the Remuneration Tribunal's power to determine parliamentary base salary, and removing the ability of Parliament to disallow the Tribunal's determinations. Other recommendations included: ceasing the overseas study travel entitlement and including a compensatory amount in the base salary; placing restrictions on some entitlements during election campaigns; and requiring employment of close family members to be declared. The travel entitlement for former members should be significantly reduced, and should be abolished for those who enter Parliament at or after the next election. Parliamentary Budget Office The establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Office was part of the agreements made by the government with the other parties after the election. A joint select committee has now recommended establishing such an Office. Its functions would consist of responding to requests from senators and members, contributing to committee inquiries, initiating its own work, and preparing costings of election commitments. Memorandums of understanding should be negotiated to obtain access to information from government departments or other organisations. Vote of confidence in the Speaker On 31 May a motion to suspend a member, following his naming by the Speaker, was defeated by one vote. The Speaker said that he would take time to consider his position. The Leader of the Opposition immediately moved a motion, seconded by the Prime Minister, that the 13
Briefing paper Parliament of Australia House had confidence in the Speaker. The motion was passed unanimously. Later the Speaker issued a statement recognising the very generous vote of confidence in the chair by the House, and said that he would not resign. Prepared by Pleasance Purser Research Analyst Parliamentary Library 2 June 2011 14
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