THE FAWCETT FLYER JULY/AUGUST 2021
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THE FAWCETT FLYER
JULY/AUGUST 2021
APRIL 2018
As we have entered the new 2021/22 financial year, a variety of Federal Budget
1 measures are now benefitting Australians.
Key measures for small and medium sized businesses have taken effect to
create more jobs, rebuild our economy and set Australia up for the future. These
include retaining the low-and middle-income tax offset, cutting taxes for small
and medium businesses, cutting cross-border red tape for tradespeople and
skilled workers, as well as implementing financial services royal commission
recommendations, among many others.
The new financial year has also delivered new and extended support for first
home buyers and single parent families. Our Government’s First Home Loan
Deposit Scheme, the temporary New Home Guarantee, and the Family Home
Guarantee programs each have 10,000 places available in this financial year.
Supporting more Australians to purchase their first home is a key priority for our
Government, as Australia continues its recovery from COVID-19.
As states around the country have encountered COVID-19 outbreaks, a busy
August of parliamentary sittings was forced to change tack with short notice.
COVID-19 cases in NSW, ACT, Victoria, and Queensland restricted interstate
movement, which has meant many MPs and Senators – myself included – have
had to use the remote video conferencing option to take part in Parliamentary
sittings. While not ideal, it allows parliament to function and work to continue.
Important national security reform is among the legislation which has been passed
throughout August despite the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 restrictions.
Through the Surveillance Legislation Amendment (Identify and Disrupt) Bill 2020,
Foreign Intelligence Legislation Amendment Bill 2021, and Counter-Terrorism
Legislation Amendment (Sunsetting Review and Other Measures) Bill 2021, the
powers of our nation’s agencies have now been strengthened to fight serious
crime online, and identify emerging threats to our national security.
For more information on any matters in this edition of
the Fawcett Flyer or other matters of a federal nature,
please contact my office.
Kind regards,
SENATOR THE HON
DAVID FAWCETT
JULY/AUGUST 2021
COMMITTEE 2
UPDATE
Throughout July and August, The JSCFADT Trade Sub-
I’ve continued to advocate Committee tabled its report on the
for a comprehensive ‘Inquiry into Australia activating
Government response to the greater trade and investment
16 recommendations from the with Pacific island countries’
Joint Standing Committee on and continue work on options
Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade to expand Comprehensive and
(JSCFADT) recently-completed Progressive Agreement for Trans-
‘Inquiry into the implications of the Pacific Partnership. Enhancing and
COVID-19 pandemic for Australia’s diversifying market opportunities
foreign affairs, defence and trade’. beyond China is vital given recent
The report, which I tabled in the coercive measures taken by the
Senate in late 2020, explores steps CCP.
Australia should take to increase
the resilience of our critical national In late June, the Foreign Affairs
systems via sovereign capabilities and Aid Sub-committee tabled
or through developing trusted, its report for the inquiry on
transparent supply chains with Australia’s response to the coup
likeminded nations. Progress is in Myanmar. The report made 8
ongoing as a whole-of-government recommendations to Government,
approach is sought, and I continue including the continued pursuit
to seek a high standard of of restoration of civilian rule in
coordination on these matters. Myanmar. The committee recently
met virtually with members of the
The JSCFADT Defence Sub- National Unity Government (in exile
committee is undertaking a new or hiding) to discuss the situation
inquiry into the Department of in Myanmar and how Australia can
Defence’s most recent annual report. support democracy and rule of law.
While this Inquiry’s scope includes
all areas covered by the report, My work with the Parliamentary
the Sub-Committee is primarily Joint Committee on Intelligence
focussed on four areas: space- and Security (PJCIS) is currently
based intelligence, surveillance and focussed on a statutory review of
reconnaissance (ISR), cyberspace the Security of Critical Infrastructure
warfare, defence estate in north Act 2018 combined with a review
and north western Australia, and of the new proposed Security
the defence workforce. Legislation Amendment (Critical
THE FAWCETT FLYER
Infrastructure) Bill 2020. Two public Basin inquiry was released in late
3 hearings for this review were held August. Rather than grounding the
in July, which heard from a wide report in verifiable facts, the Greens-
array of subject matter experts led inquiry and subsequent report
including industry peak bodies, ignores science-based evidence
government departments and provided to the Committee by
agencies. Primarily, the Amendment credible stakeholders such as the
Bill seeks to expand the current 4 CSIRO. Senator McMahon and I
sectors identified as having critical submitted a dissenting report which
infrastructure to 11 industry sectors, demonstrated the national interest
and establish positive security in exploring and developing the
obligations for critical infrastructure natural resources in the Beetaloo
assets, enhanced cyber security Basin to provide cheap, reliable
obligations, risk management baseload power, while reducing
programs and mandatory cyber emissions.
incident reporting, among other
priorities. In May, the References Committee
released its report for an inquiry into
In early August, PJCIS supported the Impact of feral deer, pigs and
the listing of two terrorist goats in Australia. Following on from
organisations under the Criminal the report, Minister for Agriculture,
Code – the re-listing of Jama’at the Hon David Littleproud MP
Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and announced $740,000 in funding in
listing of Neo-Jama’at Mujahideen late July for two projects in SA to
Bangladesh (Neo-JMB), following improve the management of priority
the committee’s review. Currently, pest species for local farmers, land
26 organisations are listed as managers and the environment –
terrorist organisations under the part of the Government’s $30.3
Criminal Code, 10 of which were million Established Pest Animals
either listed or re-listed in 2021. and Weeds Management Pipeline
Program.
As the former Chair of the
Environment and Communication For more information on current
(E&C) Legislation Committee, I filled and past Parliamentary Committee
the Deputy Chair role in the Labor/ Inquiries, click here or scan the QR
Greens dominated E&C References Code below.
Committee. The References
Committee’s Interim Report
regarding the Oil and gas exploration
and production in the Beetaloo
JULY/AUGUST 2021
ADVOCATING FOR INITIATIVES 4
TO REDUCE RURAL GP SHORTAGE
Meeting with Professors Worley and Walters, and former Rural Health Minister Coulton in February
As there’s still more to be done to President of the Australian College
tackle Australia’s rural GP shortage, or Rural and Remote Medicine
the Morrison Government is working (ACRRM), is currently seeking
to support creative solutions to get support for the Australian Remote
GPs into our regions. This includes Medicine Academy (ARMA).
various employment models, Professor Paul Worley, Australia’s
the Remote Vocational Training inaugural National Rural Health
Scheme, as well the National Rural Commissioner, has developed
Generalist Pathway program to the Riverland Academy of Clinical
better equip locally trained doctors Excellence (RACE).
to work in rural communities.
Both nationally renowned experts in
In late June, I met with Ministers Hunt, medical education, these programs
Tudge, Coulson and Wyatt along draw upon Professors Walters’
with Rowan Ramsey MP and Tony and Worley’s decades of practical
Pasin MP on rural and remote health experience in the field, in addition to
training initiatives. We continued to their experience as rural GPs.
advocate for Government support
for these programs developed ARMA
and championed by two South With the aim of developing a national
Australian GPs who are experts in approach to distributed remote and
their field. rural medical education, ARMA is
designed to be an Australia-wide
Professor Lucie Walters, Director remote medical training partnership
of Adelaide University’s Adelaide between the Royal Flying Doctor
Rural Clinical School and former Service (RFDS), the Australian
THE FAWCETT FLYER
Indigenous Doctors Association, regional and remote areas from
5 the University of Adelaide and the the beginning of medical school
Australian College of Rural and through to Fellowship based in the
Remote Medicine. region. A key success factor will be
an employment model whereby the
If funding is approved, ARMA is trainee is employed by the LHN for
expected to include a network the entire 6 years post university
of eight locations serviced by the gaining employment stability and
Royal Flying Doctor Service, with coordination of work and training to
four initial sites confirmed each minimise times in a city environment
offering a highly targeted end-to- and optimise training for rural
end program focused on supporting practice.
better management of graduate
supply in remote communities. SA’s To be led by the Riverland Mallee
Spencer Gulf has been identified as Coorong Local Health Network in
one of four potential trial sites, ready partnership with Flinders University,
to commence once the program this Academy is expected to
receives Government support. improve clinical training, the
In Port Augusta and surrounding medical workforce, and economic
remote areas, ARMA would train development across the Riverland
30 medical students (five in each Mallee Coorong Region. Should it
year of the medical degree) and 30 receive Government support, RACE
rural generalist doctors-in-training is expected to enable ten students
through the ACRRM. Funding to live in the small rural towns in the
would be provided to the University region and progress through from
of Adelaide to commence training the beginning of medical school to
initially in the four sites. a rural generalist Fellowship, with
either or both the Royal Australian
RACE College of General Practitioners and
RACE differs from the current model ACRRM pathways.
which has students who are based
in cities to sporadically relocate For more information on the Federal
to the regions for some training Government’s continued support of
components before returning rural health, click here or scan the
to metro areas. It builds on the QR Code below.
success of Flinders University
Rural Clinical School curriculum.
RACE would provide positions for
a cohort of medical students and
junior doctors to train and work in
JULY/AUGUST 2021
AUSTRALIA TO ADOPT 6
MAGNITSKY-STYLE REFORMS
In August, Minister for Foreign sub-committee considered more
Affairs Senator the Hon Marise than 160 submissions from
Payne announced that the organisations and individuals from
Australian Government is reforming around the world, including pre-
and modernising Australia’s eminent human rights experts, and
autonomous sanctions laws to held 8 days of hearings – ultimately
apply targeted sanctions and endorsing Magnitsky-style reforms
travel bans to perpetrators of to prevent Australia from becoming
serious human rights abuse and a destination of choice for the funds
corruption. These reforms are in and activities of corrupt individuals.
response to recommendations
made to Government as part of By expanding upon Australia’s
the Joint Standing Committee current country-based autonomous
on Foreign Affairs, Defence and sanctions framework in the
Trade (JSCFADT) report which, Autonomous Sanctions Act 2011,
as JSCFADT Chair, I tabled in Magnitsky-style law reforms will
December last year. introduce financial sanctions such as
asset-freezes, as well as travel bans
I welcomed this announcement for serious human -rights offenders,
as it sees Australia strengthen without having to establish specific
its commitment to protecting the country-based regimes. Our
human rights of people around the Government’s commitment to
world – holding the perpetrators of implement such reforms follows
human rights abuses to account. the example of like-minded nations
Expanding upon Australia’s current such as the US, UK, and the EU,
country-based autonomous meaning Australia can legislate
sanctions framework, the proposed a modern regime that draws on
reforms provide the Government the expertise and experience of
with the flexibility to deploy international legislative bodies.
sanctions in response to situations
of international concern, as For more information, click here or
appropriate and when in Australia’s scan the QR Code below.
national interest. I particularly
recognise Kevin Andrews MP, Chair
of the JSCFADT Human Rights
sub-committee who conducted
this inquiry. The Human Rights
THE FAWCETT FLYER
7 MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO GROW
AUSTRALIA’S CRITICAL MINERALS SECTOR
Lynas Rare Earth’s Mt Weld concentration plant
The Morrison Government in 2019, within the department
continues to explore ways to grow of Prime Minister and Cabinet, to
Australia critical mineral sector assist Australian industry to create
through partnerships with like- and develop these partnerships.
minded nations seeking to bring Some key tasks include partnering
greater security and stability to their with other countries to build global
resource supply chains. supply chains, and ensuring
Australia’s policy and regulatory
Critical minerals – including rare settings support investment and
earth elements and minerals such unlock downstream processing
as lithium – are essential to produce opportunities.
high-tech, aerospace, defence,
agricultural and telecommunications International partnerships are
technologies. Global demand for important to lock in offtake
critical minerals is high, and is only agreements that allow Australian
likely to grow into the future. companies such as Lynas and
Covalent Lithium to make investment
Our Government opened the decisions to establish processing
Critical Minerals Facilitation Office plants onshore. While Australia’s
JULY/AUGUST 2021
resources of critical minerals rank AUSTRADE released a report –
in the top 5 globally and Australia “Unlocking Australia-India Critical 8
is the second largest producer of Minerals Partnership Potential” – in
rare earths, minimal refinement or July which identifies opportunities
production of active materials is to supply India with critical minerals,
performed in Australia. However, export services and technology,
as a result of the confidence with and more.
the Australian sector, that is set to
change. Another such example of Australian
businesses taking advantage of
the opportunities for export growth
in this sector, an agreement was
reached between SA-based
Renascor Resources and South
Korean company POSCO for the
supply of critical mineral resources,
announced in August.
Resources Technology and Critical
Minerals Processing is one of
six priority sectors listed as part
of the Government’s $1.5 billion
Critical minerals project agreement signed in 2019 Modern Manufacturing Strategy.
between Geoscience Australia and US Geological
Survey
The Strategy is configured to help
Australian manufacturing scale-
Lynas has plans to construct a up, become more competitive and
Rare Earths Processing plant resilient, which will create more local
in Kalgoorlie. Early works have jobs.
commenced, and the first local
employees hired. For more information on
AUSTRADE’s July report, click here
Covalent Lithium is seeking to build or scan the QR Code below.
a new lithium refinery also in WA, as
well as a new spodumene mine and
concentrator near Mount Holland to
supply the refinery.
While much of the export focus to
this point has been on the US as
they conduct supply chain reviews,
THE FAWCETT FLYER
9 OUT AND
ABOUT
I joined Premier Marshall and His In late June, I met with Niki, Melinda,
Excellency the Honourable Hieu Lois and Deidre from the Micah
Van Le AC, in July, to address Women’s Delegation, an initiative
the 103rd Annual RSL South of Micah Australia, in Parliament to
Australia and Northern Territory discuss the impact of COVID-19
State Congress, representing the on the world’s most vulnerable
Australian Government. communities and how support from
nations such as Australia is so vital
to help reduce the impact of COVID
-19 for all.
18th August is Vietnam Veterans
Day – commemorated on the
anniversary of the Battle of Long
As JSCFADT Chair, I represented Tan. I attended the City of Salisbury’s
the Australian Parliament and service at Montague Farm Estate,
addressed the 42nd ASEAN Inter- alongside His Excellency Hieu
Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Van Le AC, Paula Luethen MP,
General Assembly, which was held and Liberal Candidate for Wright
remotely from Brunei. Graham Reynolds.
JULY/AUGUST 202110
In July, I visited the Supashock In late June, I addressed the
facility at Holden Hill in Adelaide’s participants of The University
northeast for an update from of Adelaide’s 3rd Professional
Managing Director Oscar Fiorinotto Certificate in Defence Industry
and team. Supashock recently Leadership Program. I have been
announced they are delivering pleased to address each of the three
running gear and suspension courses to highlight the importance
systems, installed on Rheinmetall of industry in developing sovereign
military vehicles, as part of a major capability.
European defence contract –
exporting Australia-developed and
manufactured components, and
sustaining local defence industry
jobs.
Keep up to date on
announcements, via
Facebook:
@senatorfawcett
In late August, I met with Baptist
Care SA to discuss the Australian
Baptist movement’s work to
support vulnerable Australians.
THE FAWCETT FLYER11
Liberal Senator for South Australia
Chair of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade
Suite 4, 13/100 King William Street, Adelaide SA 5000
8205 1040
senator.fawcett@aph.gov.au
senatorfawcett.com.au
AUTHORISED AND PRINTED BY SENATOR THE HON DAVID FAWCETT, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA,
APRIL
SUITE 4, LEVEL 13, 100 KING 2018
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