A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry has found evidence of loopholes in migration law which enable Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) visa holders to exploit Australia’s immigration system and unscrupulous individuals providing unregistered immigration advice, unlawful registered migration agents and education agents are exploiting visa applicants.

Joint Standing Committee on Migration chair, Jason Wood MP said the committee has heard that a percentage of Malaysian nationals are using travel visas as a gateway to circumvent Australia’s immigration system and enter and stay in Australia and obtain work by applying for a protection visa.

"This represents an orchestrated scam that provides protection visa applicants the right to work in Australia until their claims are finalised," Mr Wood said.

"This process has taken up to eight years in some cases and has cost the Australian taxpayer over $46 million in the last three years."

The report recommends fast-tracking the process for Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) (subclass 601) visa holders who have lodged a protection visa application.

Mr Wood said evidence from the inquiry also found that some individuals have been left substantially out of pocket after being exploited by either unregistered or registered migration agents or education agents.

"While the majority of registered migration agents and education agents are diligent, knowledgeable, hardworking and competent and provide outstanding service, there are individuals in these industries that take advantage of vulnerable consumers," Mr Wood said.

"Victims of unscrupulous and unlawful migration or education agents are left with very few options for taking action and are unable to seek recompense. The relevant authorities face multiple challenges in detecting, deterring, disrupting, investigating and prosecuting cases."

The final report of the inquiry into the regulation of migration agents, tabled in the House of Representatives today recommends establishing an Immigration Assistance Complaints Commissioner with broad regulatory powers over the migration and education agent industry.

The full report can be found on the Committee’s website: www.aph.gov.au/mig

ends

THE House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics will hold a public hearing with the Governor of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), Dr Philip Lowe, in Sydney from 9.30am to 12:30pm on Friday, February 22, 2019.

Since the previous hearing with the RBA in August 2018, monetary policy has remained accommodative with a cash rate of 1.50 percent, following the RBA’s recent decision to leave interest rates unchanged.

Commenting on the decision to keep rates on hold, the RBA Governor noted that "the central scenario is for the Australian economy to grow by around 3 per cent this year and by a little less in 2020 due to slower growth in exports of resources".

"The housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne are going through a period of adjustment, after an earlier large run-up in prices. Conditions have weakened further in both markets and rent inflation remains low."

In relation to the inflation outlook, the Governor said, "Underlying inflation is expected to pick up over the next couple of years, with the pick-up likely to be gradual and to take a little longer than earlier expected. The central scenario is for underlying inflation to be 2 percent this year and 2¼ percent in 2020."

The Governor concluded that "the low level of interest rates is continuing to support the Australian economy. Further progress in reducing unemployment and having inflation return to target is expected, although this progress is likely to be gradual".

The Governor, at a speech on February 6, said, "Today, the probabilities appear to be more evenly balanced’ between an increase or decrease in rates".

It is also notable that in December, the Deputy‑Governor commented, "Quantitative easing is a policy option in Australia, should it be required."

The Chair of the House Economics Committee, Tim Wilson MP, said, "The committee will examine these issues in more detail and will ask the RBA if it remains confident that current monetary policy settings will encourage growth and inflation consistent with the target for coming years."

Public hearing details: 9.30am to 12.30pm, Friday, February 22, 2019, NSW Parliament, Macquarie Room, Macquarie Street.

The hearing will be webcast: http://www.aph.gov.au/Watch_Read_Listen

ends

THE House Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue today tabled its performance review of the ATO’s Annual Report 2016–2017.

The Committee’s review continues in the tradition of past assessments, which since 2015 have monitored the progress of the ATO’s ‘Reinvention’ of its services model in support of voluntary compliance. According to the ATO’s 2017 annual report, the Reinvention Program has delivered against this goal over the tax year. Tax lodgements were up again strongly –a positive outcome for the ATO.

But the 2016-17 reporting period was also a challenging one for the ATO, and one marked by controversy. In May 2017 the revelations of Operation Elbrus followed the prolonged system outages of late 2016 and early 2017 that left tax professionals without service access for lengthy periods.

Then, as the Committee commenced its annual report review in March 2018, there was an acceleration of bad press as the ATO fought off allegations of systemic unfairness to small business, and performance driven debt action, which were televised in an ABC/Fairfax media expose in April 2018.

These developments strengthened the Committee’s resolve to conduct a more rigorous performance review of the ATO’s progress against Reinvention values and objectives; in effect to test the ATO’s annual reportage against the experience of the taxpayer, and tax agents, in the community.

Committee Chair Jason Falinski MP said, “The Committee found that the ATO’s digital reinvention of its services has changed every aspect of our tax administration framework for taxpayers and tax professionals alike. Taxpayers now have greater responsibilities to meet their obligations, and the work of tax professionals has increased rather than declined.

“Given this,” Mr Falinski said, “it has never been more important that the ATO retain community confidence—that it meets its core obligations to procedural fairness, and that it is seen to do so, while also ensuring its online platforms are as efficient and as easy to use as promised.”

The Committee’s inquiry attracted 30 submissions, 18 of these from taxpayers in dispute with the ATO, as well as from tax professionals assisting them. The Committee has made 37 recommendations to ensure that there is consistent agency-wide benchmarking and reporting against core Reinvention commitments on fairness to taxpayers and on digital functionality.

The report also recommends for improved data disaggregation on small business debt, including on garnishees, the restructuring of the ATO’s appeals, dispute resolution and compensation processes, refinement of key aspects of tax law, and improvements to the ATO’s communications and information strategies.

The Committee’s report, entitled 2017 Annual Report of the Australian Taxation Office: Fairness, Functions and Frameworks—Performance Review, is available on the Committee’s website here.

The 2017 Annual Report of the Australian Taxation Office is available at: www.ato.gov.au/About-ATO/Annual-report-2016-17/

ends

THE House Infrastructure, Transport and Cities Committee inquiry into automated mass transit is shifting into turbo, with a hearing next week to investigate the potential convergence of new energy sources and automation.

Committee chair John Alexander said the Committee has seen at first hand the possibilities for the automation of public transport and the use of hydrogen fuel cells to power vehicles.

"The potential for cleaner, greener, more efficient transport systems is immense," Mr Alexander said.

"Automated high speed rail has the potential to revolutionise inter-city transport, creating a new pattern of settlement around Australia."

The committee will hear evidence from Hydrogen Mobility Australia, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries and the Australasian Railway Association at a public hearing on Tuesday.

In a submission to the inquiry, Hydrogen Mobility Australia noted that automation, connectivity and electric drivetrains are "inextricably linked in that they are complementary technologies". The Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries have added that hydrogen fuel cell development is taking place globally for a range of vehicle types including buses, trains, heavy trucks, material handling vehicles, as well as conventional motor vehicles.

In its submission to the inquiry, the Australasian Railway Association noted that greater use of automation will assist passenger and freight rail operators to increase their capacity.

Public hearing details: 5pm – 6.30pm, Tuesday, 19 February 2019 Committee Room 1R2, Parliament House, Canberra.

5pm: Hydrogen Mobility Australia and Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries

5.40pm: Australasian Railway Association

6.30pm: Close

The hearing will be broadcast live at aph.gov.au/live

RESOURCE companies TerraCom and South32 Cannington have increased donations from the sector to $3.75 million for the flood recovery efforts in North Queensland.
 
Queensland Resources Council (QRC) chief executive Ian Macfarlane said TerraCom donated $250,000 to GIVIT, while South32’s Cannington mine added another $250,000 to the company’s original $1 million.
 
“Thank-you to TerraCom and South32 Cannington for generously supporting communities affected by this significant weather event. The contributions from the resource sector will go a long way to helping Queenslanders get back on their feet,” Mr Macfarlane said. 
 
“I would also like to thank all of the resource employees who have been walking up and down streets to help remove flood damaged property from people’s homes and to our member companies who have provided equipment to assist in the recovery. 

“The cooperation between the mine sites and the sharing of local knowledge with the Disaster Relief Task Force is ensuring resources are getting on the ground as quickly as they can. 

“Glencore has supported hay drops by providing access to its Ernest Henry site for the RAAF to conduct their operations.  It has also provided heavy equipment (loaders & forklifts) and people power to assist in the hay drops for stranded cattle and for the removal of dead cattle.
 
“Adani Australia has had employees helping to clean out affected homes which were inundated from the floodwaters. 
 
“South32 Cannington has also provided heavy equipment for near neighbours in the disposal of dead cattle and has been on standby to help with refuelling at its airport if needed as part of the hay drops," Mr Macfarlane said.

“Queenslanders are renowned for being tough.  These are resilient communities and they know how to dig in and work together after a disaster. It’s great to see our members getting stuck in and helping their neighbours and regional communities.”

In total, South32 has donated $1,250,000, Glencore contributed $1,000,000, the BHP Foundation, MMG Dugald River and Aurizon provided $250,000 each, Anglo American tipped in $200,000 while QCoal Foundation, Adani Australia and Incitec Pivot donated $100,000 each.
 
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk started the appeal with a $200,000 donation and her Government listed The Australian Red Cross, UnitingCare, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland as the non-government partners and said people can also donate to GIVIT.

www.qrc.org.au

ends

THE Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit has commenced a new inquiry into cyber resilience, based on Auditor-General’s Report No. 53 (2017-18), Cyber Resilience.

Committee chair Senator Dean Smith said the cyber resilience of Commonwealth agencies continues to be a key focus of the Joint Committee for Public Accounts and Audit.

“Effective implementation of a comprehensive cyber security framework across Commonwealth agencies is critical to protect Australians’ privacy and Australia’s social, economic and national security interests from emerging cyber threats,” Senator Smith said.

The Committee invites submissions to the inquiry by March 4, 2019, addressing the terms of reference. A public hearing will be held in mid March.

Further information about the inquiry can be accessed via the Committee’s website.

The JCPAA is Parliament’s joint public administration committee. It scrutinises the governance, performance and accountability of Commonwealth agencies, and has the power to inquire into all expenditure of Commonwealth money.

The Committee examines all reports of the Auditor-General tabled in the Parliament and can inquire into any items, matters or circumstances connected with these reports.

ends

THE House Standing Committee on the Environment and Energy will hold a second public hearing tomorrow for its inquiry into controlling the spread of cane toads.

The Department of the Environment and Energy, the Department of Agriculture and Water Resources and the CSIRO will give evidence at the hearing.

The inquiry is focused on how cane toads can be controlled and additional support that could be provided.

Public hearing programs, submissions received and further information can be found on the inquiry website at www.aph.gov.au/canetoad.

Last week, the Committee heard evidence from scientists, researchers and non-government organisations involved in controlling cane toads.  A proof transcript and other details are available on the inquiry website.

Public hearing details: 10am–11am (Canberra time), Wednesday 20 February 2019, Committee Room 1R5, Parliament House, Canberra

An audio broadcast of the public hearing can be accessed at https://www.aph.gov.au/News_and_Events/Watch_Parliament.

ends

IN A HUGE BOOST to regional employment, Glencore has increased its apprenticeship intake by 74 in Queensland and 112 across its Australian mining operations, according to the Queensland Resources Council (QRC).

QRC chief executive Ian Macfarlane said this cohort of young women and men were embarking on a long and rewarding career in the resources sector.

“I congratulate Glencore for this significant increase in apprenticeship numbers which will bring life changing opportunities to these young apprentices,” Mr Macfarlane said.

“For example, Casten Lemson, who grew up in Charters Towers and moved to Mount Isa to complete Mount Isa Mines’ Indigenous Employment Program is now an apprentice diesel fitter with the company.

"Over 12 months the resources sector has created a job every 40 minutes which is helping drive down the state’s stubbornly high unemployment rate which is above 6 percent.

“When resources are doing well Queensland is doing well and this announcement is further proof of the sector creating more jobs," Mr Macfarlane said.

“These apprentices will also contribute to the billions of dollars paid in royalty taxes by the resources sector to the State Government to help pay for new schools, hospitals and roads. This year the State Budget is expected to receive $5.2 billion in royalty taxes from the resources sector."

In total, Glencore has 362 young men and women as apprentices based in regional communities throughout Australia.

www.qrc.org.au

ends