Page 2751 - Week 13 - Tuesday, 21 November 1989
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I would just like to comment on a couple of the actions that the Federal Government has taken in an effort to ease the situation of Chinese students, in particular, in Australia because I think it is a pity that a lot of the comment tonight has been purely critical when, in fact, some action has been taken. For example, the Federal Government did decide to extend all temporary entry permits for a further 12 months until 31 July 1990 on application from all People's Republic of China nationals who were legally in Australia on 4 June this year. That extension, Mr Speaker, was added to a further provision for those students to allow them to work for up to 20 hours a week so that they would actually have some financial support during that period.
The Federal Government has also expressed some concern with Chinese nationals in Australia who do not have access to social security or to Medicare, and has been looking at ways in which those people's needs might be assisted by access to the special benefit provisions which are administered by the Minister for Social Security.
Added to that should be the fact that the Federal Government has actually made some cash available for relief in China. It has given $100,000 for a grant for humanitarian assistance. That is added, I think, to the $200,000 to the Red Cross appeal.
So, Mr Speaker, just to reiterate, the Chinese people have our very greatest sympathy. If there is anything whatsoever that we can do as a local Assembly to assist them in this very, very difficult time - I am sure I speak for everybody here - we would be only too delighted to do so. But I think we should, in the interests of balance in the debate this evening, just draw to attention those things that the Federal Government, whose responsibility this whole matter is, has actually done.
MR SPEAKER: Members, with the balance of the PA system and the air-conditioning, it is very difficult for members to be heard in the gallery. So I ask people just to bear with it and speak up until we can rectify the fault tomorrow.
BUSINESS FRANCHISE ("X" VIDEOS) BILL 1989
[COGNATE BILL:
TAXATION (ADMINISTRATION) (AMENDMENT) BILL 1989]
Debate resumed.
DR KINLOCH (8.23): Mr Speaker, I rise to comment as a professional reviewer of films over two decades, both for the print and electronic media, TV and radio. I have also made many documentary video films over 30 years. In the
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