Legislation Introduction Thread

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Anyone in the Federal government supports the secessionists, be prepared for the executive smack down... or need I say, commander-in-chief smackdown?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Support for LGBTI Athletes Bill

In the light of passage of legislation in Russia. leading to imprisonment or deportation for people engaging in 'homosexual propaganda', and commentary from organisers of the 2014 Sochi Olympic Winter Games about the place of lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans-gender and intersex athletes, the Atlasian Senate should ensure that Atlasian athletes of all sexualities, should be able to participate free of the risk or persecution and prosecution.

1. The Atlasian Government will ensure that any Atlasian LGBTI athlete who does not feel comfortable in participating in the Sochi games, will not be financially disadvantaged.

2. The Atlasian Government will endorse and support athletes who wish to make known their support for LGBTI causes in public fora during the games.

3. The Atlasian Government will formally advise the Russian Government of its expectations that no foreign athlete attending the Sochi games will be detained or prosecuted under these laws.

While Atlasia respects the right of sovereign nations to make their own laws, Atlasia feels the application of these laws at an international event, awarded well before the passage of these laws, would damage the international cohesion events such as the Olympic Games is meant to foster.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Veterans Support Modernization Bill

This Bill will provide additional resources to fast-track the digitisation of existing veteran's affairs records and to create a mostly-electronic network for the processing of veteran's support claims, along the lines of electronic personal income taxation processing.

1. $25 million will be provided to employ additional staff to increase the rate of record digitisation, these jobs should be based in the Pacific Region. Record digitisation should be completed by 1 April 2014. 

2. $150 million will be provided to the department to support the development and application of a new software package to enable all veteran's support claims to be lodged online and unless irregularities are noticed, processed within thirty days of application.

3. All existing claims, and claims lodged until 31 March 2014 will continue to be processed in the current manner.

4. $25 million will be provided for additional contract employees to increase the rate of existing paper application processing times. These positions will be spread across national veteran's affairs processing centres and will be specifically targeted at those centres with average processing times exceeding 200 days. The exact breakdown of funding and staff allocations will be directed by departmental officials.

5. A progress report is to be provided to the Senate on all timelines this Bill established by 1 October 2013 and 1 February 2014.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Comprehensive Sex Education Bill 2013

Recognising that the best way to reduce sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancies is to provide comprehensive and progressive sex education as part of curricula.

1. $45 million will be made available to the regions to support the development, production and support of sex education programs across the nation
2. Funding will be able to be adjusted to suit regional needs, but they must address in an impartial and technical fashion the following elements
2a. Contraception use and availability
2b. Sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy
2c. Sexuality and gender

3. Programs must be endorsed by the Department of Internal Affairs,  prior to commencement and will be reviewed annually to ensure best information is transmitted.

4. Any program which refuses to cover elements 2a-2c will not be funded, as well, any program which permits the teaching of abstinence-only, will also not be funded, or will have funding instantly withdrawn for the whole region. 


Education for the Future Bill 2013

Investing in the educational opportunities of our children should be a priority for any government. In order to guarantee basic education standards so all children can compete in the modern economy, these steps are necessary.

1. $450 million will be made available to each region from 1 October 2014 to support their educational efforts.

2. That funding will be conditional on the provisions of a 'National Framework for Educational Advancement' ('the Framework').
2a. That determination will be made by the Department of Internal Affairs, after their Framework compliance report is provided by the regional educational authorities by 1 July 2014. There will be no penalty for non-compliance, however, no additional funding will be made available for regions who do not provide this report by this date.

3. The Framework outlines the expectations of the Federal Government when it comes to basic educational standards. This will take the form of a set of courses that all students will have to achieve, which is defined as completed and passed. These include:
3a. Mathematics
3b. English and literacy
3c. Any of the sciences (biology/physics/chemistry as a minimum)
3d. Civics
3e. Atlasian and world history

4. An additional $35 million per region will be made available for those regions who implement broader information technology education in their regions.

5. Any student who chooses to leave school voluntarily under between the ages of 16 and 18 will be required to complete an 'Atlasian Educational Clearance Report' or AECR.

5a. This will be a set qualification, however, it will not be an equivalent of a High School Diploma or GED. That includes the successful passing of items 3a-3e, as well as passing a national literacy and numeracy test. Public Universities will be encouraged to consider AECR for non-conventional entry consideration.

5b. Any student applying for an AECR will be required to attend 5 hours of career counselling and the counselor and at least one parent must consent to their application. 

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Support for Carers Bill 2013

1. This Bill will amend the Comprehensive Social Security Act (FL 45-10), creating a new Section 6. Therefore the existing section 6 will become section 7 and so forth.

2. This Bill will create section 6 to protect the interests of carers, including the creation of a new income support payment for those who devote their time and energy to care for family and friends who are not able to fully care for themselves.

3. In order to qualify a person must be the primary carer of an individual either under the age of eighteen or covered by a payment under the existing Comprehensive Social Security Act (FL 45-10),. This will ensure income support for those caring for people with medically diagnosed physical or mental disabilities, who has withdrawn themselves from the full-time workforce.

4. A graduated payments system will be dependent on their previous income with a cap of $60,000 per year.
a) less than $18,000 per year - 100% of previous income
b) $18,001 - $30,000 per year - 60% of previous income
c) $30,001 - $45,000 per year - 35% of previous income
d) $45,001 - $60,000 per year - 20% of previous income
e) more $60,001 - qualifies for base carers payment of $750 per month.

5. This will be funded by increasing the existing Social Security Insurance premium to from 6.50% to 6.75% from 1 January 2014.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Do you want to get anything passed?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Aye

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Support for Carers Bill 2014

1. This Bill will amend the Comprehensive Social Security Act (FL 45-10), creating a new Section 6. Therefore the existing section 6 will become section 7 and so forth.

2. This Bill will create section 6 to protect the interests of carers, including the creation of a new income support payment for those who devote their time and energy to care for family and friends who are not able to fully care for themselves.

3. In order to qualify a person must be the primary carer of an individual either under the age of eighteen or covered by a payment under the existing Comprehensive Social Security Act (FL 45-10),. This will ensure income support for those caring for people with medically diagnosed physical or mental disabilities, who has withdrawn themselves from the full-time workforce.

4. A graduated payments system will be dependent on their previous income with a cap of $60,000 per year.
a) less than $18,000 per year - 75% of previous income
b) $18,001 - $30,000 per year - 50% of previous income
c) $30,001 - $45,000 per year - 35% of previous income
d) $45,001 - $60,000 per year - 20% of previous income
e) more $60,001 - qualifies for base carers payment of $550 per month.

5. This will be funded by increasing the existing Social Security Insurance premium to from 6.50% to 6.75% from 1 January 2015.

6. Recipients of a payment under s4 of this Bill are entitled to work for up to 20 hours per week without their payment being affected.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Energy for the Future Bill 2014

1. The Senate to create the National Energy Fund (NEF)

2.  All energy producers/fuel suppliers must provide a minimum of 20% of all pre-tax profits towards research and development, including renewable technology and innovations in energy-efficiency. This can be a verified in-house program or funding to a recognised and accredited third-party. Failure to do so, will permit the Federal Government to impose a tax penalty of 20% above their existing Federal corporate tax liabilities. Any funds collected through these tax measures will be put towards the NEF.
 
3. 30% of funds collected through the national carbon tax, to be placed directly into the NEF.

4. The NEF will fund
4a. Increases to the value and expansions of eligibility of low-income energy supplements.
4b. The provision of 'Household Energy Credits', to enable households to undertake energy-efficiency activities, including installation of solar panels, double-glazing or improved insulation.

5. A full independent inquiry into the energy sector be undertaken. With recommendations to form a longer-term plan for Atlasia's energy sector. The terms of reference are to include the option for partial or full nationalisation as well as options to expand nuclear, natural gas and renewable power.   

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Ending Financial Havens for Islamic State

Noting the aggressive and abhorrent behaviour of those fighting under the banner of 'Islamic State' (also known as IS, ISIS and ISIL) - Altasia should do everything possible to ensure that this organisation of terror is not able to generate revenues in Atlasia.

1. Any bank account, held in the name of known IS actors, in Atlasia is to be frozen immediately. This includes people who are fighting for them, whom are not currently in the Atlasia and people who are supporting them in Atlasia.

2. Any organisation who is known to do business with IS support organs or have knowingly generated revenues for IS or those support organs are to have bank accounts frozen and any contracts between those bodies and any Federal Atlasian body will be ended immediately.

3. The Senate will urge the Secretary of External Affairs to work with friends and allies around the world to make the same undertakings.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Protecting Biodiversity for the Future Bill 2014

Noting with deep concern, the report recently released that outlined that more than half of the Earth's animals have been lost, in a period of only 40 years. The impacts of this are systemic and while we cannot reverse this trend, we can do what we can to deal with the future.

Therefore this Bill outlines the following measures.

1. The Federal Department of Internal Affairs will coordinate with regional governments to provide $45 million - to support measures designed to directly improve the biodiversity of their region. Projects eligible to be funded under this Bill include:
1a. improving land-use management;
1b. re-introduction of native species;
1c. management of invader/pest species; and
1d. increasing the amount of land given to natural reserves.

2. The importation into Atlasia and/or sale of products derived from any endangered or vulnerable species in Atlasia, will be a Federally mandated crime.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Improving Support for Carers Bill 2014

1. The Federal Government will create a new support supplement for those who are guardians or other-wise full-time carers for those who qualify for support under the Atlasian Social Security Act.

2. An individual will be eligible to receive a support supplement of $250 per month.

3. To be considered a full-time carer they must satisfy the following criteria;
3a. The individual must be recognised by regional and Federal authorities as a carer.
3b. The individual cannot work more than 15 hours per week

4. The supplement will be provided for by an increase in the social security levy of 0.25%

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

ARTICLES OF IMPEACHMENT AGAINST ASSOCIATE JUSTICE TORIE

It is with a very heavy heart that I place this before the Senate for consideration. Justice Torie is a friend and has been for a very long time. It is clear, that at a time of considerable work for the Court, Justice Torie has not been able to be communicated with by fellow Justices. This includes him being called to preside in the trial of a sitting regional governor. The Supreme Court is a team, and I believe Justice Torie has let his active and engaged colleagues down.

https://uselectionatlas.org/FORUM/index.php?action=post;quote=4416897;topic=203653.0;num_replies=7;sesc=f19be817dbe10411498af49fd042d300

I am not basing this call based purely on not making two rulings (therefore an automatic set of proceedings), but due to his long-term issue of not being publicly active in relation to issues of the Court, despite having a presence in other forums. As well as his inability to respond to request to undertake his responsibilities both as a presiding justice as well as not being a participant in regular Court work.

In accordance with Article I, Section 2, Clause 3 of the Constitution, I submit this for the attention of the Chief Justice and for the endorsement of fellow Senators.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Reforming our prisons Bill 2014/5

Upon passage of this Bill, the Senate will create a panel of no more than 3 Senators to deliver a report, including a set of recommendations, to reform the Atlasian prison system.

A final report must be provided to the Senate by no later than 1 March 2015.

The report must discuss issues related but not limited to;
a) the administration of justice in relation to victimless or petty crimes;
b) the for-profit prison network
c) the fiscal impacts of current systems
d) greater national harmonization

Full membership of this panel must be constituted with 48 hours of this Bill being signed.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I am happy for you to do so Senator

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Public Consultation Bill 2015

1. In order to increase the public's connection to the legislation debated and passed in it's name, a specific thread should be opened to be called "Public submissions". This will enable members of the public to provide specific submissions on legislation before the Senate.

2. This thread will be opened and stickied in the main Atlas Fantasy Government thread.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Combating Boko Haram

In order to respond to the heinous activities of the terror group 'Boko Haram' that has undertaken atrocities across Western Africa, this Bill recommends the following steps be taken.

1. All military aid to Nigeria to be halted from 1 April 2015, until an agreement is reached with the Nigerian Government, to undertake strategically significant actions against Boko Haram.

1a. Atlasia will support Nigeria with the provision of intelligence and other relevant resources if they agree to a robust set of actions against Boko Haram within its borders.

1b. Atlasia will also support Nigeria to create partnerships with bordering countries to manage the threat of extremism within their borders.

1c. Under no circumstances will Atlasian forces be deployed in any capacity outside protecting any vulnerable Atlasian infrastructure.

2. Atlasia to increase the provision of direct humanitarian aid to areas where people have fled the presence of Boko Haram.

2a. Atlasia will also provide additional humanitarian aid to neighboring countries.

3. That the Atlasian Senate urges the Secretary of External Affairs to undertake high-level talks with all affected nations, and request high-level engagement from other African nations, as well as other interested parties, to develop an international consensus on this issue.

4. Any agreement between Nigeria and Atlasia must be in place by 31 March 2015, otherwise, section 1 will be brought into effect.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Considering the circumstances of the amendment, particularly, the one submitted by Senator Windjammer, I would urge consideration for a rapid uptake.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Constitutional Amendment

[quote]

7. The President shall have the power to grant reprieves and pardons to any individual other than him for offenses against Atlasia, except in cases of impeachment.

Sponsored on behalf of private citizen.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

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[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

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[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

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[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

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Um... what happened to this?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

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Um... what happened to this?

No idea, must have got through the rug. God it's back from April, want me to introduce it now?

Mr Speaker, can you please introduce this?