A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into the Australian Citizenship Amendment (Citizenship Cessation) Bill 2019 has recommended that the Parliament pass the bill with relatively few amendments, in a report tabled today.

Chair of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, Andrew Hastie, said the Committee acknowledges the role that citizenship loss can provide to keep Australians safe from terrorists.

"The Committee’s report recommends and welcomes the move from an ‘operation of law’ model of citizenship loss to a ministerial decision model. As with many submitters the Committee is pleased that this increases the opportunity for persons affected by citizenship cessation provisions to seek judicial review and, in relation to an ASIO Qualified Security Assessment (QSA), merits review," Mr Hastie said.

The report recommends that the Explanatory Memorandum clarify that proposed section 36B of the Bill require the Minister to be ‘reasonably’ satisfied of the matters listed in proposed subsection 36B(1) before determining that a person ceases to be an Australian citizen and that the Explanatory Memorandum of the Bill clarify that under proposed section 36E(2) dealing with a public interest test before citizenship is ceased the Minister must take into account the following matters:

• the likely effects of citizenship cessation on any dependents of the person whose citizenship the Minister is proposing to cancel;
• a person’s connection to Australia; and
• conduct that would be captured by Chapter 8 of the Criminal Code.

Mr Hastie emphasised the serious nature of crimes that could result in citizenship loss.

"If dual-national Australian citizens resolve to harm, maim and kill their fellow citizens through acts of terror, then we must be prepared to impose costs for such behaviour," Mr Hastie said.

"The offences for which a dual citizen may lose their citizenship include; international terrorist activities using explosive or lethal devices, treason, sabotage, espionage, foreign interference and offences associated with planning, preparation and carrying out terrorism. The lowest penalty for these offences is 10 years imprisonment with most attracting imprisonment of 25 years to life imprisonment.

"Those who choose the dark path of terrorism reject the gift and responsibilities of Australian citizenship," Mr Hastie said.

The report can be obtained from the Committee’s website.

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CONSERVATION fencing used to protect native Australian wildlife from predation by feral cats is a focus of Wednesday’s third public hearing for the House of Representatives Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy inquiry into the problem of feral and domestic cats in Australia.

Australian Wildlife Conservancy will appear before the committee to discuss its work in establishing feral cat-free areas, with a total of eight fenced areas and one entire island supporting populations of 15 nationally-threatened mammals around Australia.

Committee Chair Ted O’Brien MP said, “The work of organisations like Australian Wildlife Conservancy in protecting native Australian wildlife from predation by feral cats is an important undertaking and the Committee looks forward to hearing about its successes and challenges.”

Public hearing details

Date: Wednesday September 2, 2020
Time: 10.15am to 11am
Location: Via teleconference

For the information of those wishing to listen to the public hearings, proceedings will be available on the Parliament’s website. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, committee hearings are not presently open for physical attendance by members of the public.

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THE Fair Work Commission has granted orders allowing a ballot of tug crews employed by Svitzer Australia at dozens of ports around Australia to determine whether they will undertake legally protected industrial action.

Fair Work Commission deputy president Anna Booth last week granted the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) the right to hold the ballot, with workers to vote on whether they will undertake a range of actions such as stoppages, bans on overtime, and temporary changes to work practices.

MUA assistant national secretary Ian Bray said the decision to hold the ballot of members, which will be conducted by the Australian Electoral Commission, was made after months of stalled negotiations

“Svitzer Australia has essentially been unwilling to enter into meaningful negotiations for a new enterprise agreement following the expiration of the previous deal,” Mr Bray said.

“Rather than engage in genuine negotiations, the company put forward an offer that would have imposed wage freezes for the next two years.

“With negotiations stalled for months, and Svitzer showing no willingness to bargain in good faith to reach an agreement, the union has made the decision to escalate the matter by undertaking a protected action ballot of members.

“Our members are being asked to vote on 20 potential forms of industrial action, including stoppages of various lengths, bans on overtime, a requirement to return to the berth for breaks, and modifications to work practices such as a refusal to undertake online training or use certain work systems.

“Workers are frustrated that the Svitzer is not only refusing to bargain in good faith, but at the same time has been pressing ahead with aggressive attacks on the Port Operating Procedures in several ports.”

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THE Queensland Resources Council (QRC) has launched an unprecedented four-week media campaign in the lead-up to the State Election to emphasise the economic and job creation importance of the mining and gas industry to the State’s COVID-19 recovery.

QRC chief executive Mr Ian Macfarlane said the campaign was in response to worsening economic conditions, with Queensland’s unemployment rate the nation’s highest at 8.8 percent and the resources industry’s potential to strengthen and speed up the State’s recovery.

“Resources offer incredible economic stability, jobs and growth and the Premier has acknowledged our sector is one of Queensland’s greatest strengths, yet we’ve had barriers put in place by Government to new investment and more jobs in the resources sector with little consultation or warning,” he said.

“Frankly, the time it takes to get projects moving in Queensland these days and to get through all the red and green tape is ridiculous.

“We can be stronger, and Queensland can be stronger, but we need a shared commitment and unwavering support from the Government.”

Mr Macfarlane said the resources industry wants Queenslanders to be fully aware in the lead-up to the October election that a strong mining and gas sector is essential to the State’s economic survival and recovery.

“As a minimum, the resources industry is calling on the State Government to streamline the regulation process and keep royalty taxes stable for the next 10 years to attract large-scale global investment," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Business as usual post COVID is not going to cut it,” he said.

“We want to work with the Government to put in place an industry development plan to make sure our resources sector can get Queenslanders back to work and our economy back on track.”

Mr Macfarlane said the industry had proven over decades to be an excellent return on investment for the Queensland Government, now contributing $74 billion each year to the State's economy and supporting 372,000 full-time jobs.

“On top of that, resources delivers the Government more than $5 billion a year in royalty taxes, which go straight into the State Budget to pay for roads, hospitals, teachers and nurses.

“We want people to keep this in mind when they vote for our next State Government on October 31,” Mr Macfarlane said.

QRC’s campaign uses the catchphrase 'You can count on us to help Queensland recover' and was filmed in Clermont, Central Queensland, featuring local miners, workers and business owners.

www.qrc.org.au

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