MARK DREYFUS MP

This bill will establish Safe Work Australia as a new and independent statutory body to improve occupational health and safety outcomes for working Australians.

Far from it being the theft of water, this is about increasing available water. It is about using that increased available water to send water to stressed river systems, to irrigators and also to the people of Melbourne.

We need to live in the land in a way that will leave it improved on our passing and not depleted. It can only sustain us short term if we sustain it long term, for our children and our children's children.

Nations which compete with Australia are well aware of the need to invest in human capital. Those countries have been acting on that awareness. In stark contrast, Australia has not been acting on that awareness.

Given the historical links between the United Kingdom and Australia, and the ongoing close ties between our two nations, it is vital that a new agreement be negotiated.

The amendment makes clear what could only have been parliament's original intention that the holders of permanent and temporary transitional visas would be subject to the same character cancellation provisions as any other visa holder.

There is nothing constitutionally impossible, and certainly no loss of parliamentary sovereignty, with a legislated charter of rights.

Australia welcomes India's rise and its greater interest in East Asia.

To my mind, this bill certainly reflects the values of a modern, confident Australia: equality before the law, the protection of children, access to justice, fairness and the inclusion of all Australian citizens.

This bill will help the Office of Police Integrity continue with the great work that it has done.