THE Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman, Kate Carnell welcomed the announcement today that Labor, if elected, will establish an independent compensation scheme for victims of financial institutions outside the timelines allowed under current Australian Financial Complaints Authority (AFCA) guidelines.
“This new entity will be able to give compensation up to $2 million for consumers and small businesses who suffered financial and non-financial loss,” Ms Carnell said.
“The new entity will be able to take cases dating back to 1 January 2008. People wishing to have their case reviewed will have two years to submit the claim.
“We have seen so many small and family business operators affected by the extremely poor behaviour of the big banks and other financial institutions and the Royal Commission simply didn’t address this.
“The missing element of this scheme is that small businesses with loans over $5 million still have no avenue to have their cases reviewed.
“We will continue to advocate for bank victims who fall into this category and will push for justice. This will give those businesses that have never had an opportunity to have their case heard have access to justice.”
The Bills were introduced into the House of Representatives on February 20 and 21, 2019 respectively, and referred to the Committee for inquiry and report.
The measures in the Bill fall into two broad categories – amendments relating to restrictions on bail and parole under the Crimes Act 1914, and amendments relating to the continuing detention order (CDO) scheme in Division 105A of the Commonwealth Criminal Code.
Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Bill 2019
The Counter-Terrorism (Temporary Exclusion Orders) Bill 2019 is a stand-alone bill that introduces a temporary exclusion orders scheme to delay Australians of counterterrorism interest from re‑entering Australia until appropriate protections are in place.
The PJCIS Chair, Andrew Hastie MP, said, "In reviewing these Bills the Committee will work to ensure they offer Australians effective protection against terrorists."
The Committee is currently accepting submissions to the two reviews. Submissions should be provided no later than 4pm Friday, March 8, 2019.
Public hearings are expected to be held on Friday, March 15, 2019.
Further information on the inquiry can be obtained from the Committee’s website.
THE Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security has noted the judgement released last week on the defamation case brought by Chau Chak Wing against Fairfax over an article by John Garnault.
The Ccommittee chair Andrew Hastie said, "This judgment will be carefully analysed. Generally speaking, we are concerned about the impact that defamation laws in Australia are having on responsible journalism that informs Australians about important national security issues."
Mr Hastie noted, "The ability to report freely and fairly on national security is a vital part of our democracy. Australia’s democratic institutions – including our free media – must be protected.
"We take this responsibility very seriously and will continue to work as a committee to uphold Australian sovereignty and interests."
MARITIME workers have welcomed Labor’s commitment that it will create a strategic fleet if elected, saying the plan will not only ensure the nation’s fuel security during times of global economic or political instability, but will also ensure the future viability of Australia’s shipping industry.
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten and Shadow Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Anthony Albanese on Sunday announced that a Labor Government would create a fleet that includes Australian crewed oil tankers, container ships and gas carriers that can be called upon by the Federal Government in times of crisis.
The Maritime Union of Australia also welcomed Labor’s pledge to properly enforce coastal shipping laws, ensuring local seafarers are given the first opportunity to move freight between Australian ports, and if they are unavailable, ensuring foreign vessels pay Australian wages and conditions.
MUA national secretary Paddy Crumlin said that as an island nation which moves 99 percent of its imports and exports by sea, Australia’s economic sovereignty was tied up with its shipping industry.
“Just last month, 80 seafarers lost their jobs after BHP announced it was replacing the last remaining Australian bulk carriers, which carried iron ore from Port Hedland to BlueScope’s steelworks in Port Kembla, with vessels registered in international tax havens and crewed by exploited foreign visa workers,” Mr Crumlin said.
“You can’t have a strong, security economy if the nation is completely reliant on foreign vessels to provide our fuel, bring in our goods, carry our exports, or move products around the coastline.
“Australia has less than three weeks fuel in reserve, so if an economic, political, or military crisis hit our region, Australia would quickly grind to a halt, yet we don’t have a single Australian-operated oil tanker.
“Labor’s commitment to create a strategic maritime fleet, made up of Australian-registered vessels crewed by Australian seafarers, is a vital step to safeguarding our nation’s economic future.
“But more than that, growing our domestic fleet through the return of Australian-flagged oil tankers, container ships and gas carriers ensures a future for this vital industry, job opportunities for Australian seafarers, and the retention of skills and experience in the Australian workforce.
“What we have seen in recent decades is a race to the bottom, with multinational corporations replacing Australian seafarers with vessels that are registered in tax havens, crewed by exploited foreign seafarers that can be paid as little as $2 an hour, and fail to meet basic environmental standards needed to protect our iconic coastlines.
“This pledge from Labor comes in stark contrast to what we’ve seen from the Liberal National Coalition, which has not only stood by while multinational corporations destroyed our industry, but have actively assisted by providing the licenses needed by these companies to replace Australian workers.
“We can’t have a civilised society if we don’t defend our sovereign rights, and ensuring our shipping supply chain remains in Australian hands is a vital part of this.”
ENERGY Networks Australia CEO Andrew Dillon has welcomed TasNetworks’ release of the Initial Feasibility Report considering a second Bass Strait electricity interconnector, Marinus Link.
The commitment today by the Commonwealth Government of $56 million to fast track the Marinus Link is also a positive step, he said.
“This project has the potential to bring up to 1,200MW more renewable energy into the National Energy Market,” Mr Dillon said.
“Interconnection between markets provides greater flexibility, better reliability and can deliver more affordable electricity for customers.”
Today’s announcement follows the launch earlier this month of Project EnergyConnect by ElectraNet and TransGrid for a new interconnector between SA and NSW.
“The is a worldwide trend towards increasing interconnection to manage growing levels of variable renewable generation and it is pleasing to see growing recognition of that need here in Australia,” Mr Dillon said.
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