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representatives vote 2014-06-19#1
Edited by
Henare Degan
on
2014-10-10 15:31:18
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Title
Description
The majority voted against a [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.27.18) "_that the [amendments](http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2) be agreed to_", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [Anthony Albanese](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives).Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"(Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [here](http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1). ) ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".(Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090). )_Background to the bills_The [Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5255%22) and the related [Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5256%22) were introduced to create the Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF').The ARF is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.(Read the Deputy Prime Minister [Warren Truss](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives)'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [here](http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm). ) Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.(See the [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090) for more information. )- This division relates to the Policies _[For privatising government assets](/policies/21)_ and _[For increasing funding to road infrastructure](/policies/38)_.
- The majority voted against a [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.27.18) "_that the [amendments](http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2) be agreed to_", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [Anthony Albanese](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives).
- Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"(Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [here](http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1). ) ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".(Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090). )
- _Background to the bills_
- The [Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5255%22) and the related [Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5256%22) were introduced to create the Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF').
- The ARF is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.(Read the Deputy Prime Minister [Warren Truss](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives)'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [here](http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm). ) Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.(See the [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090) for more information. )
- The [Council of Australian Governments](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG) voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.(Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [here](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964).)
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representatives vote 2014-06-19#1
Edited by
system
on
2014-10-07 16:21:48
|
Title
Description
The majority voted against a [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.27.18 motion] "''that the [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2 amendments] be agreed to''", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives Anthony Albanese].Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"(Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1 here].
) ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".(Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest].
)''Background to the bills''The [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5255%22 Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014] and the related [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5256%22 Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014] were introduced to create the Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF').The ARF is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.(Read the Deputy Prime Minister [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives Warren Truss]'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm here].
) Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.(See the [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest] for more information.
)The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG Council of Australian Governments] voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.(Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964 here].)- The majority voted against a [motion](http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.27.18) "_that the [amendments](http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2) be agreed to_", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [Anthony Albanese](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives).
- Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"(Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [here](http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1). ) ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".(Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090). )
- _Background to the bills_
- The [Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5255%22) and the related [Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014](http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5256%22) were introduced to create the Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF').
- The ARF is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.(Read the Deputy Prime Minister [Warren Truss](http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives)'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [here](http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm). ) Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.(See the [bills digest](http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090) for more information. )
- The [Council of Australian Governments](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG) voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.(Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [here](http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964).)
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representatives vote 2014-06-19#1
Edited by
system
on
2014-10-07 16:16:59
|
Title
Description
- The majority voted against a [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.27.18 motion] "''that the [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2 amendments] be agreed to''", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives Anthony Albanese].
Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"[1] ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".[2]- Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"(Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1 here].
) ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".(Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest].
)
- ''Background to the bills''
- The [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5255%22 Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014] and the related [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5256%22 Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014] were introduced to create the Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF').
The ARF is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.[3] Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.[4]- The ARF is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.(Read the Deputy Prime Minister [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives Warren Truss]'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm here].
) Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.(See the [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest] for more information.
)
The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG Council of Australian Governments] voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.[5]- The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG Council of Australian Governments] voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.(Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964 here].)
''References''* [1] Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1 here].* [2] Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest].* [3] Read the Deputy Prime Minister [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives Warren Truss]'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm here].* [4] See the [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest] for more information.* [5] Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964 here].
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representatives vote 2014-06-19#1
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-07-24 12:18:15
|
Title
Description
- The majority voted against a [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.27.18 motion] "''that the [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2 amendments] be agreed to''", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives Anthony Albanese].
- Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"[1] ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".[2]
''Background to the bill''- ''Background to the bills''
The Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF') is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.[3] Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.[4]- The [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5255%22 Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014] and the related [http://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22legislation%2Fbillhome%2Fr5256%22 Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014] were introduced to create the Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF').
- The ARF is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.[3] Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.[4]
- The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG Council of Australian Governments] voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.[5]
- ''References''
- * [1] Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1 here].
- * [2] Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest].
- * [3] Read the Deputy Prime Minister [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives Warren Truss]'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm here].
- * [4] See the [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest] for more information.
- * [5] Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964 here].
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representatives vote 2014-06-19#1
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-07-24 10:22:43
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Title
Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014 and Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014 - Consideration in Detail - Governance of grants- Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014 and Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014 — Consideration in Detail — Governance of grants
Description
The majority voted against a motion "''that the [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2 amendments] be agreed to''", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives Anthony Albanese].- The majority voted against a [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.27.18 motion] "''that the [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2 amendments] be agreed to''", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives Anthony Albanese].
- Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"[1] ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".[2]
- ''Background to the bill''
- The Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF') is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.[3] Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.[4]
- The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG Council of Australian Governments] voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.[5]
- ''References''
- * [1] Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1 here].
- * [2] Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest].
- * [3] Read the Deputy Prime Minister [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives Warren Truss]'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm here].
- * [4] See the [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest] for more information.
- * [5] Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964 here].
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representatives vote 2014-06-19#1
Edited by
mackay staff
on
2014-07-24 10:22:11
|
Title
Bills — Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014, Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014; Consideration in Detail- Asset Recycling Fund Bill 2014 and Asset Recycling Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2014 - Consideration in Detail - Governance of grants
Description
<p class="speaker">Anthony Albanese</p><p>by leave—I move amendments (2), (3) and (6) circulated in my name together:</p><p class="italic">(2) Clause 18, page 18 (lines 5 and 6), omit "Minister who recommended the specification of the grant (see section 19)", substitute "Infrastructure Minister".</p>- The majority voted against a motion "''that the [http://www.openaustralia.org/debate/?id=2014-06-19.22.2 amendments] be agreed to''", which means that they were rejected. The amendments were introduced by Labor MP [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Anthony_Albanese&mpc=Grayndler&house=representatives Anthony Albanese].
- Mr Albanese explained that the amendments "improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund"[1] ('ARF'). The ARF is "a dedicated investment vehicle, with a focus on providing financial assistance and incentives to the states and territories, to create new productive infrastructure".[2]
- ''Background to the bill''
- The Asset Recycling Fund ('ARF') is the fund from which grants to states and territories will be sourced under the Asset Recycling Initiative ('ARI'), which was developed to assist states to privatise assets and to speed up the construction of transport infrastructure in capital cities.[3] Under the ARI, states and territories will be encouraged to sell assets, including transport infrastructure, and use the proceeds to fund new public infrastructure. By way of encouragement, the Commonwealth will provide a financial contribution of 15 per cent of the asset value of the sale that is used to fund the new infrastructure.[4]
- The [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/COAG Council of Australian Governments] voted in favour of the ARI on 2 May 2014.[5]
- ''References''
- * [1] Read Mr Albanese's full explanation and the related debate [http://www.openaustralia.org/debates/?id=2014-06-19.22.1 here].
- * [2] Read more about the Asset Recycling Fund and the background to the bill in its [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest].
- * [3] Read the Deputy Prime Minister [http://publicwhip-rails.openaustraliafoundation.org.au/mp.php?mpn=Warren_Truss&mpc=Wide%20Bay&house=representatives Warren Truss]'s comments on the initiative on ABC's PM program [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2014/s4000807.htm here].
- * [4] See the [http://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd1314a/14bd090 bills digest] for more information.
- * [5] Read more about COAG's decision to agree with the ARI on ABC News [http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-05-02/coag-agrees-to-hockeys-asset-sale-plans/5424964 here].
<p class="italic">(3) Clause 19, page 18 (lines 7 to 16), omit the clause, substitute:</p><p class="italic">19 Recommendations about grants payments</p><p class="italic">(1) The Finance Minister must not make a direction under subsection 18(1) in relation to a grant for an infrastructure project unless the Infrastructure Minister has recommended that a direction be made.</p><p class="italic">(2) The Infrastructure Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (1) in relation to a grant for an infrastructure project unless:</p><p class="italic">  (a) Infrastructure Australia has:</p><p class="italic">     (i) given the Minister an evaluation of the project (see subsection (3)); and</p><p class="italic">     (i) advised that there are likely to be productivity gains from the project; and</p><p class="italic">(b) if the grant is for expenditure incurred under the National Partnership Agreement on Asset Recycling—the grant relates to a transaction approved by the Treasurer for the purposes of this paragraph.</p><p class="italic">(3) Infrastructure Australia's evaluation of an infrastructure project mentioned in subparagraph (2)(a)(i) must:</p><p class="italic">  (a) contain a cost benefit analysis of the project, including an estimate of the productivity gains from the project; and</p><p class="italic">  (b) set out any other matter that Infrastructure Australia considers relevant to the project.</p><p class="italic">(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the Treasurer must, by legislative instrument, approve a transaction relating to the sale of all or part of a specified State-owned asset.</p><p class="italic">(6) Clause 25, page 21 (lines 4 to 7), omit the clause, substitute:</p><p class="italic">25 Recommendations about payments</p><p class="italic">(1) The Finance Minister must not make a direction under subsection 24(1) for the purposes of making infrastructure payments for an infrastructure project unless the Infrastructure Minister has recommended that a direction be made.</p><p class="italic">(2) The Infrastructure Minister must not make a recommendation under subsection (1) in relation to infrastructure payments for an infrastructure project unless:</p><p class="italic">  (a) Infrastructure Australia has:</p><p class="italic">     (i) given the Minister an evaluation of the project (see subsection (3)); and</p><p class="italic">     (ii) advised that there are likely to be productivity gains from the project; and</p><p class="italic">(b) if the payments are for expenditure incurred under the National Partnership Agreement on Asset Recycling—the payments relate to a transaction approved by the Treasurer for the purposes of this paragraph.</p><p class="italic">(3) Infrastructure Australia's evaluation of an infrastructure project mentioned in subparagraph (2)(a)(i) must:</p><p class="italic">  (a) contain a cost benefit analysis of the project, including an estimate of the productivity gains from the project; and</p><p class="italic">  (b) set out any other matter that Infrastructure Australia considers relevant to the project.</p><p class="italic">(4) For the purposes of paragraph (2)(b), the Treasurer must, by legislative instrument, approve a transaction relating to the sale of all or part of a specified State-owned asset.</p><p>These amendments improve governance around the way in which grants are made from this so-called Asset Recycling Fund. Amendment (2) consolidates infrastructure approvals with the minister for infrastructure. The range of infrastructure that can be approved is not restricted. Amendments (3) and (6) are critical amendments that place proper process around approvals given to projects by the infrastructure minister. These are preconditions to grants or payments from the Asset Recycling Fund, including under the Asset Recycling Initiative. That initiative proposes a Commonwealth contribution to a state or territory totalling 15 per cent of the reinvested proceeds from a privatisation. The bill provides no criteria for deciding how scarce Commonwealth funds will be prioritised to competing projects.</p><p>Labor's amendments propose to fix that. As the Parliamentary Library has noted in its <i>Bills Digest</i>, the strong selection criteria that Labor applied under the Building Australia Fund has not been replicated in this bill. As this bill proposes to empty out the BAF and the EIF, which also had very strict criteria around them, these amendments that Labor is moving will retain independent and transparent approvals processes around project selection. This retains the rigor that Labor had in place under the BAF and the EIF, nothing less. Good governance follows the money. It is absolutely critical that this process be got right. If these amendments are not carried it will be a blank cheque to fund whatever they like out of the Asset Recycling Fund, whether or not it represents value for money for the Australian taxpayer, a good outcome in terms of productivity, and a good outcome in terms of jobs and economic growth. That is why we put in place the structures around the Building Australia Fund and the Education Investment Fund.</p><p>Those opposite do not seem to get the idea that it is fundamental that we have proper processes in place and that money from the Commonwealth goes to where it will have the most impact on the economy, not on the margin of electorates. That is why we are moving these amendments, because we have seen with projects like the Perth Freight Link project, no cost-benefit analysis, no plans and no detail in terms of environmental assessment. Indeed, the WA parliamentary secretary responsible in the estimates process in the last week has called upon federal ministers to stop with their rhetoric without any detail. And that is the problem with this government's approach.</p><p>These amendments are absolutely consistent with the government's stated position, which is that for all projects above $100 million there has to be a proper assessment. These amendments are also consistent with the broad call for independence and transparency of project advice from important stakeholders such as the Business Council of Australia, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, the Urban Development Institute, the Bus Industry Confederation and the Tourism and Transport Forum. They are consistent also with Labor's foreshadowed amendments to the Infrastructure Australia Amendment Bill and those we have already moved to the Land Transport Infrastructure Amendment Bill.</p><p>These amendments align with the Productivity Commission's recent finding in its interim report on the funding of public infrastructure, where they say:</p><p class="italic">The overriding message of this draft report is the need for a comprehensive overhaul of processes in the assessment and development of public infrastructure projects.</p><p>In the case of either a grant, amendment (3), or a payment, amendment (6), to a state, territory or other entity, the infrastructure minister must first have received an evaluation of the project from Infrastructure Australia and advice from it that the project is likely to produce productivity gains. IA's evaluation must include a cost-benefit analysis of the project. Of course, that must be transparent.</p><p>Additionally, for a project involving the privatisation of a state or territory owned asset and recycling of the proceeds into another asset, the infrastructure minister cannot recommend a project unless the Treasurer has approved the privatisation transaction as eligible for a Commonwealth contribution from the Asset Recycling Fund. The mechanism for this approval will be via a disallowable instrument for each transaction.</p><p>This proposed change reflects Labor's view that there are good and bad privatisations. We do not believe, unlike those opposite, that privatisation is good on each and every occasion. Nor do the Australian people, which is why we are not prepared to give a blank cheque, politically or economically, to those opposite with this existing flawed legislation. Labor believes, for example, that the Commonwealth should not reward states who are selling assets in a fire sale or without adequate regulatory protections. We on this side of the House have a balanced approach to these issues. If the government were at all fair dinkum, they would be supporting these amendments that we foreshadowed to the government.</p><p>We have seen over in the other place this week that the government had to fold their position on the Infrastructure Australia legislation because there was such pressure from those in the business community and others who understand infrastructure policy. The legislation that they had there was about undermining the independence of Infrastructure Australia. They gagged debate on the Infrastructure Australia bills last year. They still have not begun debate in the Senate and it is now June. That is how prepared they were to avoid scrutiny.</p><p>Members might remember being here till after 11 pm on the night they gagged that legislation, even though there was no urgency whatsoever. The fact that the government will not bring those bills on until next week confirms that. But these amendments go to the same principles—the same principles that the government talks about but will do anything to stop from being in the legislation. These amendments should be supported by this House. The opposition commends the amendments that I have moved.</p> <p class="speaker">Michael McCormack</p><p>The government does not support these amendments. I have been very generous today. I have given the member for Kennedy extra speaking time. I have just allowed the member for Grayndler, the shadow minister, time to speak again, and that is all good.</p><p class="italic">Mr Albanese interjecting—</p><p>I did give you the opportunity to speak a couple of times. But we do not support these amendments. I was very interested and I listened very closely to the member for Grayndler, as I always do. He talked about Labor rigour.</p> <p class="speaker">Anthony Albanese</p><p>You might learn something.</p> <p class="speaker">Michael McCormack</p><p>I might learn something sometimes, but on today's occasion I did not. Well, I did learn that he talked about Labor's rigour.</p><p class="italic">Mr Albanese interjecting—</p><p>Good governance follows the money. Indeed it does, but certainly in the past six years we did not see too much good governance from Labor. We did not see too much good governance with anything, and certainly when it came to infrastructure. The member for Grayndler, who was then the minister for regional development and the minister for infrastructure, changed the funding for state roads and particularly the Pacific Highway. I think we share a common view that it needs to be upgraded. We do share a common view there, but the funding formula was changed such that it would be 50 per cent Commonwealth and 50 per cent state, whereas in the past it was 80 per cent from the Commonwealth and 20 per cent from New South Wales.</p> <p class="speaker">Anthony Albanese</p><p>Shows how little you know.</p> <p class="speaker">Michael McCormack</p><p>That is true. That certainly stymied the New South Wales government in getting on with the job of building that particular road and other valuable road projects that needed to happen.</p><p>He talked about a blank cheque to fund whatever they like. This government does not believe in giving blank cheques. We believe in getting value for money—something else he spoke about. Value for money means good outcomes for productivity, jobs for growth. We did not see too much of that in the previous government, in the previous six years.</p><p class="italic">Mr Albanese interjecting—</p><p>He can interject all he likes, but we did not see too much value for money or proper processes in place. There certainly weren't proper processes in place when it came to the Building the Education Revolution—something which, on the surface of it, was a reasonable policy initiative, had it been funded properly and had it been rolled out such that there were not so many billions of dollars worth of blow-out.</p><p>The Asset Recycling Fund has been established as a dedicated investment vehicle for providing financial assistance and incentives to states and territories to create new infrastructure and boost economic growth. We are getting on with the job of helping the states, not hindering the states—whether they are government-run coalition states or indeed Labor states—through this legislation to boost productivity and to boost jobs.</p><p>The member for Grayndler also talked about job creation. In the past six months, this Commonwealth Liberal-Nationals government has boosted job numbers by more than 100,000. We have heard the infrastructure Prime Minister talk about that in question time. The member for Grayndler, the shadow minister at the table, was obviously not listening when the Prime Minister talked about the 100,000 jobs created by this side in the past six months. That is getting on with the job of helping Australia grow and helping pay back Labor's debt. If it were left unchecked, we all know—that side might not get it but the Australian public get it—it would be $667 billion. That is $1 billion each and every month in interest payments. This cannot continue—and it will not continue, because the adults are now in charge. It is six months today since we saw a boat illegally arrive on our shores. I digress. This Asset Recycling Fund is an important initiative. It has specific purposes which are consistent with the government's investment in productivity-enhancing infrastructure. This includes making funding available for the Asset Recycling Initiative and also the Infrastructure Growth Package.</p><p>This is necessary legislation. It is a mechanism which allows money to flow from realised investments through to the COAG Reform Fund, special account, and the infrastructure portfolio special account—things that are getting on with the job of building productivity for our nation and creating jobs and wealth not just for the cities but also for the regional areas—those regional areas which provide all the food and fibre, which I think sometimes our city-centric MPs forget. It is about getting on with the job of building the valuable infrastructure left so badly behind by Labor in its six years of government.</p> <p class='motion-notice motion-notice-truncated'>Long debate text truncated.</p>
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