THE FAWCETT FLYER AUGUST 2019 - Senator David Fawcett
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THE FAWCETT FLYER
AUGUST 2019
APRIL 2018
Australia has a longstanding freedoms the people of Hong Kong
1
commitment to the stability of the have grown up enjoying under
global rules based order which British government.
has prevented major conflict and
underpinned prosperity through China is a valued trading partner for
trade and lifted millions out of Australia but I share the concerns of
poverty around the world. many regarding potential threats to
the basic freedoms of Hong Kong
This commitment includes security citizens that were intended to be
of global trade routes which has protected under the “one country -
led Prime Minister Scott Morrison two systems” framework.
to announce that we will contribute
to an International Maritime Force In this edition of the Fawcett Flyer,
providing security for merchant I will update you on developments
vessels in the Persian Gulf’s Strait from Committees (page 5), share
of Hormuz. how a new agreement between
the SA and Federal governments
Yet again, the men and women of will result in a boost to state
the Australian Defence Force are infrastructure (page 2), summarise
stepping up to serve our national our ongoing relationship with region
interests. They are well equipped partner the Solomon Islands (page
and highly trained and as they 6), and how our Government is
deploy I wish them success in their pushing to protect farmers from
mission in the Strait of Hormuz in criminal threats (page 4).
the Persian Gulf and a safe return
to family and friends. If you would like more information
on any of these or another issue of
In addition to the global rules a Federal nature, please contact
based order, Australia continues my office.
to support freedom. In this context
I continue to take considerable SENATOR
interest in developments in Hong DAVID
Kong. The circumstances in Hong
Kong began in opposition to
FAWCETT
proposed extradition legislation
but have developed into a broader
bid to preserve the democratic
AUGUST 2019
SA AND FED AGREEMENT 2
ENABLES INFRASTRUCTURE PROGRESS
Within the next two years, ten is the North-South Corridor,
significant transport infrastructure which will allow commuters to
projects will commence across travel 78km uninterrupted from
Adelaide as a result of a new Gawler to Old Noarlunga.
agreement between the Federal
and State Liberal governments The Federal Government is
creating jobs, improving freight providing $708 million to the
connections and safety, and Northern Connector and $534
helping South Australians get million to the Darlington Upgrade
where they need to go faster. sections of the Corridor, both
of which are expected to be
This agreement builds on completed in the next 12 months.
the strong record of our two The final Torrens to Darlington
governments working together to stage of the project will receive
deliver infrastructure investment $2.711 billion in Federal funding.
across Adelaide and the regions.
In addition to road infrastructure,
In the fifteen years between we are investing in Adelaide’s
2013 and 2028, South Australia railway system with $62.5
is benefitting from more than $8 million to the Flinders Rail Link,
billion in Federal infrastructure and $220 million for the Gawler
funding - $1.9 billion over the Rail Line Electrification project –
next four years alone. expected to be completed in late
2020.
$361 million of this federal
funding will be delivered through For more information on this
the Urban Congestion Fund. This agreement, click here or use the
program will fund upgrades to QR Code below.
rail crossing and intersections to
improve road safety and reduce
travel time for road users.
The most significant ongoing
infrastructure project in Adelaide
THE FAWCETT FLYER
3 IN THE
MEDIA
Adelaide manufacturer global supply chain for heavy
Supashock’s new headquarters transport vehicles and military
at Holden Hill were officially armoured vehicles as well as
opened this month. developing smart systems to
support operations and logistics.
I attended the official opening
alongside Premier Steven They’re an exemplar of the
Marshall, Senator the Hon Simon ongoing development of
Birmingham, and former Defence Australia’s sovereign defence
Minister Christopher Pyne industry, delivering world class
among many other distinguished capability for our Defence force
guests and defence personnel. as well as developing new and
innovative technology that is
Founded in 2005 creating high winning contracts in the US and
performance automotive racing Europe.
shock absorbers, Supashock
have since expanded into For more information on the
defence mobility and now are Holden Hill facility opening, click
developing parts specifically here or use the QR Code below.
produced for autonomous
vehicles.
In partnership with Rheinmetall,
Supashock is now part of the
AUGUST 2019
CHANGES NEEDED TO 4
PROTECT AUSTRALIAN FARMERS
Our Government is committed to unwarranted. The Bill also covers
tackling the problem of activists private agricultural businesses such
who illegally enter farms. as fishers and foresters- protecting
our $60 billion agriculture industry.
Under the proposed Criminal Code
(Agricultural Protection) Bill 2019, Exemptions have been included
activists who publish material via in the proposed legislation for
a carriage service encouraging whistle-blowers and journalists who
others to trespass or damage expose instances of animal cruelty. I
property will be subject to heavier support the protection of Australian
fines, and face up to 5 years’ farmers and agricultural workers,
imprisonment. The toughening of and hope this amendment will draw
laws will protect Australian farming a line in the sand to deter the illegal
families and agricultural businesses behaviour of vigilante-activists.
from intimidation and harassment,
serious commercial damage and Groups who incite vigilante
other intrusions which inhibit behaviour inviting their supporters
their ability to maintain an honest to steal livestock from hardworking
livelihood. farmers, will now be liable for up to
$2.1 million for breaches of privacy,
Farming and agriculture have long should this legislation pass into law.
been an integral part of Australia’s
social, economic and environmental This Bill is currently before the House
sustainability. Most farmers and of Representatives and an inquiry
agricultural businesses are run by on the impact of this legislation is
families, not giant multinationals, being conducted by the Senate’s
and they simply aren’t able to Legal and Constitutional Affairs
protect themselves adequately Legislation Committee. To follow
against this threat to their livelihood. the passage of this Bill, click here or
use the QR code below.
Farmers are frontline contributors
to Australia’s food supply, and
trespassing on farming property
regardless of the motivation is
THE FAWCETT FLYER
5
COMMITTEE
UPDATE
In the August Parliamentary winter national security bills which aim
break, the work continues as there is to strengthen Australia’s counter-
more time to coordinate Committee terrorism legislative framework, and
hearings with the Members and facilitate the secure, automated
Senators. and accountable exchange of
identity information between
This month, the Parliamentary Joint Commonwealth and state and
Committee on Intelligence and territory governments.
Security (PJCIS) held its second
public hearing for the inquiry into The Senate Standing Committee on
the Citizenship Revocation powers. Environment and Communications
This legislation is used to prevent held two public hearings regarding
terrorists who hold dual nationality concerns over declining populations
from returning to or remaining in of threatened native animal species.
Australia. The committee is required This inquiry continues following
by law to review the need for, use of a reference initiated by Labor,
and effectiveness of this legislation the Greens and crossbench. The
on a periodic basis. Federal Liberal Government has
substantial conservation initiatives
PJCIS also held a public hearing such as Threatened Species
for the inquiry into the impact of the Strategy, Environment Restoration
exercise of law enforcement and Fund, Landcare, and Communities
intelligence powers on the freedom Environment Program investing
of the press. Future inquiries for many millions of dollars into proactive
PJCIS include two reviews into three environmental management.
AUGUST 2019
SUPPORTING THE SOLOMON 6
ISLANDS FOR LIFE AFTER RAMSI
Australia has a deep and long treaty signed in 2017, we have
standing relationship with Solomon committed to deeper cooperation
Islands. The Solomon Islands (SI) on defence and security with SI.
have only recently emerged from
a decade and a half of political Australia is providing technical
and social turmoil. Australia was assistance to SI to help develop a
a partner in the 14 year Regional border security strategy. Defence
Assistance Mission to Solomon Minister, Senator the Hon Linda
Islands (RAMSI), and following its Reynolds will visit SI to discuss
conclusion in June 17, SI have since security cooperation later this
celebrated the success of their first month.
democratic election since RAMSI.
To support greater security and
Prime Minister Scott Morrison stability in the region, $37.9 million
recently met with Prime Minister in funding has been delivered
Manasseh Sogavare in the capital to establish the Australia Pacific
city of Honoaria to discuss our Security College, providing local
shared historical and geographical senior executive and middle
ties (pictured, above). management security and law
enforcement training to Pacific Island
In line with our bilateral security nations so they are better equipped
THE FAWCETT FLYER
to face security challenges. the region is another priority for the
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Government and DFAT. The “PACER
The Seasonal Workers Program Plus” agreement is a comprehensive
is a mutually beneficial initiative free trade agreement covering
which helps fill labour shortages in goods, services, and investment
rural and regional Australia while throughout the Pacific. The
helping Pacific workers develop agreement is an important part
valuable skills and take up work of Australia’s commitment to
opportunities. help foster continued security
and stability in the region and is
Since 2012, the program has seen expected to be ratified this year.
over 18,000 pacific islanders travel
to Australia for seasonal labour, and As part of our ongoing commitment
we’re providing $2.7 million over to a sustainable climate, Prime
three years to deliver additional Minister Scott Morrison recently
support for recruitment and announced a $500 million dollar
mobilisation of temporary workers. renewable energy infrastructure
and climate and disaster resilience
As part of the new Australian package at the Pacific Islands forum
Infrastructure Financing Facility in Tuvalu. This builds on the $300
for the Pacific, announced by million already given by the Federal
Minister Payne in July, Australia Liberal Government from 2016 to
will provide up to $250 million 2020, highlighting our commitment
to SI in grant financing over 10 to not just meet our emissions
years to support key national and reduction obligations at home, but
economic infrastructure such to support our neighbours in the
as telecommunications, energy, Pacific too.
transport, water amongst others.
There is more that we are doing to
Current trade ties with SI are strengthen and engage with our
fruitful with almost 900 Australian neighbours in SI. Click here or use
businesses benefiting from the the QR code below to view.
export of goods for a total of $317
million worth of bilateral trade in
2017.
Further economic development in
AUGUST 2019
US AND NATO DELEGATIONS 8
ARRIVE ON OUR SHORES
This month, I met with the defence training and air patrols
Northern Atlantic Treaty across the globe.
Organisation (NATO) Secretary-
General, Jens Stolenberg, to Australia is one of five countries
discuss Australia’s ongoing which have enhanced
commitment to NATO’s opportunities for dialogue and
objectives as one of its largest cooperation with the NATO
non-member contributors to the Allies, and diplomatic relations
International Security Assistance with member states have
Force and related operations. been positive for Australian
representation in the Assembly’s
We shared a productive biannual summit-level meetings.
discussion regarding Australia’s
role in global security and As part of my role as Chair of
stability. I look forward to the Joint Standing Committee
representing the Government at for Foreign Affairs, Defence and
the 65th Annual Session of the Trade (JSCFADT), I met with a
NATO Parliamentary Assembly in US Congressional Delegation
London, in October this year. to discuss regional security
and trade and to explore new
NATO is currently leading measures we could back to
missions in Afghanistan with further enhance the ongoing
Australian support and engages close relationship between the
in air defence support activities, US and Australia.
disaster relief operations,
THE FAWCETT FLYER
9 AUSTRALIA’S JOBS
AND TRADE GROWTH
Despite the global economic on improving the strength of
caution and fear, Australians our export sector by promoting
were given a number of reasons growth of Australian industries
this month to be optimistic into overseas markets.
about the economic future of our
nation. We have signed Free Trade
Agreements with Hong Kong,
In July, more than 41,000 new Indonesia, Peru, and Pacific
jobs were created throughout Island nations, and are in the
Australia, of which 34,500 were process of negotiating an
full time. More than 1.4 million agreement with the EU. An FTA
new jobs have been created with the EU has the potential
across our economy since a to open up a market of 500
Federal Liberal Government was million people and a GDP of
elected in 2013. The percentage $25.1 trillion, underpinning the
of working age Australians on Government’s commitment to
welfare has fallen to 14.3% ensuring open trade, a key part
– the lowest rate of welfare of the plan to keep our economy
dependency in over 30 years – strong. It will advance our
and our labour force participation election commitment to ensure
rate is now 66.1% - a record high. around 90% of Australia’s trade
Australia’s employment growth is covered by FTAs by 2022.
rate hit 2.6% for the year, above
the 1.8% long term average. In addition to FTA’s, the 2019/20
Federal Budget included $61
Domestic job creation is million over the next three
positively influenced by healthy years to support Australian
international trade and Australia businesses looking to break into
is reaping the reward of a record new international markets and
trade surplus of $49.89 billion for sell their products overseas,
the 2018/19 financial year. An as part of the Export Market
increase of more than $66 billion Development Grants (EMDG)
on 2017/18, we’re focussed scheme.
AUGUST 2019OUT 10
AND ABOUT
On the anniversary of the Battle Parliamentary Joint Committee on
of Long Tan, I joined with others
Intelligence and Security public
to remember the service and
hearings allow Senators and
sacrifice of South Australians in a
Members to question witnesses in
commemorative service for Vietnam
Veterans. relation to the continued efficacy of
Of the 521 Australian servicemen a Bill passed by Parliament.
killed in the Vietnam War, 58 of them This month, we held a further
were from South Australia. hearing to inquire of the Citizenship
Revocation powers.
For more, like
@senatorfawcett on
Facebook.
At the official opening of
Supashock’s new Holden Hill facility,
I took the opportunity to speak with
many of the distinguished guests,
including former Defence Minister
the Hon Christopher Pyne, and ADF
personnel.
THE FAWCETT FLYER11
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 DAVID FAWCETT, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA,
APRIL
SUITE 4, LEVEL 13, 100 KING 2018
WILLIAM STREET ADELAIDE SA 5000You can also read
