House debates
Monday, 21 May 2007
- Parliamentary Behaviour (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence, I refer to my letter to you of 14 May, your correspondence back to me of 18 May and your advice that, on 11 May, you had written to the Chair of the Procedure Committee...
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Trade Practices Amendment (Horticultural Code of Conduct) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Private Members’ Business (0 speeches)
- Exports (19 speeches)
I move: That the House:(1)notes that:(a)strong and sustained export growth is essential for long-term economic prosperity and for providing more rewarding, well-paid jobs;(b)despite the resources...
- Green Roofs (9 speeches)
I move: That the House:(1)acknowledges that for the first time, Green Roofs for Healthy Australian Cities has been discussed at a conference held in Brisbane;(2)notes that there are 15 green roof...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Darebin City Brass (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon to congratulate Northern Brass on its recent win of the intermediate section of the 2007 National Band Championships. This pre-eminent achievement adds to Northern...
- Education Week (1 speech)
Last week was Public Education Week—a week of opportunity for the community to celebrate the work of students, teachers and parents in our public schools. I was privileged to join in some...
- Volunteers (1 speech)
Volunteers play a very important role in our community by making sure that events run smoothly and that individuals and groups are supported and protected from harm. In recognition of the hard...
- Education (1 speech)
I rise today to bring to the attention of the House the plight of children from the bush in attending tertiary institutions. Mr Speaker, as you would know, people in pastoral...
- Fair Trade Fortnight (1 speech)
The period 28 April to 13 May marked Fair Trade Fortnight, which was organised largely by two associations who have been at the forefront of fair trade awareness in our region: the Fair Trade...
- Industry (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the Australian government’s support to Australian industry. Australian industry received budgetary and taxation assistance totalling some $4.6 billion, of which $1.8...
- Vietnam: Human Rights (1 speech)
As I have done previously, I rise today to speak about human rights in Vietnam, a matter I know is also particularly important to the honourable member for Oxley and the honourable member for...
- Palliative Care (1 speech)
I stand to speak about an inspiring group that is working to save a palliative care hospice in Launceston. Friends of Philip Oakden House is receiving the community support that it deserves. Just...
- Lao Language Radio Program; Sydney Peace Prize (1 speech)
The Lao community in Sydney is a relatively small but tight-knit group, many of whom arrived in Australia as refugees 30 years ago. For the past 25 years the community has had access to a Sydney...
- Queensland: Local Government (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the Beattie government’s decision to examine the amalgamation of councils in south-east Queensland. The process closes on 1 August with no provision—I repeat: no...
- Vietnam: Human Rights (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I appreciate the few seconds I have to say a couple of words. Can I say thank you very much and congratulate Viet Tan for coming to parliament today and speaking to both sides, to the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Advertising Campaigns (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister’s comments this morning when asked about the amount of money being spent on his taxpayer funded industrial relations PR...
- Budget 2007-08 (2 speeches)
My question is also addressed to the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister advise the House how working mothers benefit from the tax cuts contained in the budget?
- Advertising Campaigns (2 speeches)
My question is to the Special Minister of State. Will the minister inform the House of the date when the Ministerial Committee on Government Communications, which he chairs, met to approve the...
- Budget 2007-08 (7 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Treasurer. Would the Treasurer inform the House how changes to Australia’s tax system in this year’s budget are likely to affect workforce...
- Advertising Campaigns (2 speeches)
My question is to the Special Minister of State. Will the minister confirm the taxpayer funded industrial relations ads now on television were written and produced and the advertising space...
- Transport Infrastructure (4 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister, the Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Would the Deputy Prime Minister outline to the House how the government’s strong...
- Advertising Campaigns (12 speeches)
My question is again to the Special Minister of State. Did the Ministerial Committee on Government Communications approve the current industrial relations PR campaign last Thursday or before last...
- Economy (21 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Treasurer. Would the Treasurer outline to the House how economically conservative policies have impacted on the Australian economy? Have there been any notable...
- Advertising Campaigns (13 speeches)
My question is again to the Special Minister of State. I refer to the minister’s previous answer to the question from the Deputy Leader of the Opposition, when he was asked about the budget...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Iraq, His Excellency Mr Hoshyar Zebari. On behalf of the House I extend...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Iraq (2 speeches)
My question is directed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I would like the foreign minister to brief the House on his discussions today with the visiting foreign minister of Iraq. What...
- Advertising Campaigns (22 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to this sign which is displayed in government call centres, directing staff not to use the term ‘Work Choices’. Given that the government...
- Illicit Drugs (2 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. What is the government’s response to the ANCD report on illicit drug use? How is the government helping families affected by illicit drugs?
- Budget 2007-08 (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is it that according to the budget papers the government could find only $53 million to spend on the national water plan in the coming financial year but...
- Medicare: Bulk-Billing (2 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Would the minister update the House on how the government’s commitment to improving Medicare is delivering more bulk-billing...
- Water (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that the government is refusing access under freedom of information to the same one-page costings table from the Department of...
- Workplace Relations (4 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Would the minister inform the House how a modern and flexible workplace relations system is contributing to a...
- Advertising Campaigns (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. How much taxpayers’ money will the government spend on its education advertising campaign between now and the election?
- Universities (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education, Science and Training. Will the minister update the House on recent capital investments the government has made in Australia’s universities?
- Advertising Campaigns (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Water Resources. How much taxpayers’ money will the government spend on a climate change and water advertising campaign between now...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Budget 2007-08 (3 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Behaviour (8 speeches)
Mr Speaker, in the light of the opposition’s concerns about what they claim was misbehaviour during the budget address-in-reply, could you please investigate the level of noise that...
- Budget 2007-08 (34 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I refer to your statement in the parliament on 8 May, which indicated the special circumstances arising from the budget speech and the budget reply. I refer also to your decision on...
- Parliamentary Behaviour (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, my question is to you. Are members of this House covered by occupational health and safety legislation? Does the volume of the microphones in the House conform to this legislation?...
- Questions in Writing (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek a modicum of assistance from you in relation to question No. 5545, question No. 5576 and question No. 5577, all addressed to the Minister for Education, Science and Training,...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Clerk: Petitions have been lodged for presentation as follows and copies will be referred to the appropriate ministers:
- Private Members’ Business (0 speeches)
- Microcredit (9 speeches)
I move: That the House:(1)notes that:(a)microcredit is a proven means of eradicating poverty and that research by the World Bank in 1998 found that 40 per cent of loan borrowers had moved...
- Surf-Lifesavers (9 speeches)
I move: That the House:(1)acknowledges that 2007 has been chosen by the Australian Government as the Year of the Surf Lifesaver to mark the 100th anniversary of Surf Life Saving in...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Question proposed: That grievances be noted.
- Geelong Region (1 speech)
I rise in this grievance debate on a matter of great concern and importance to the future governance of the Geelong region, and also its economic future. In February 2007 the Victorian Ombudsman...
- Water (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on this grievance debate about a subject that is dear to my heart and dear to my constituents—that is, water, particularly the Murray River and the lower lakes in...
- Citizenship (1 speech)
I rise this evening to grieve about the citizenship test that this government is about to introduce into this country. According to a press interview by the Minister for Immigration and...
- Queensland: Local Government (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon in the grievance debate to echo the cry of most of the people in my electorate—that there be no forced amalgamations of local government areas in Queensland. The Labor...
- Diabetes (1 speech)
On a number of occasions I have risen in this parliament to talk about the plight of the many thousands of sufferers of diabetes in this country, particularly type 1 diabetes, otherwise known as...
- Education (1 speech)
Before the honourable member for Brisbane politicised this debate, I have to say I had a lot of sympathy with the need to do more research into type 1 diabetes. I do support the principle that we...
- Reconciliation Walk and Gathering; Fincorp (3 speeches)
I am happy to put the honourable member for Fisher’s mind at rest. It is true that I have often read of my own political funeral; however, I will be continuing on as the endorsed Labor...
- Paterson Electorate: Road Funding (2 speeches)
The grievance I bring to this chamber today on behalf of my constituents is the matter of road funding or indeed the lack of interest by the New South Wales government in providing ample road...
- Social Security and Veterans’ Affairs Legislation Amendment (One-Off Payments and Other 2007 Budget Measures) Bill 2007; Superannuation Laws Amendment (2007 Budget Co-Contribution Measure) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the House of assent to the bills.
- Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008; Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2007-2008; Appropriation (Parliamentary Departments) Bill (No. 1) 2007-2008; Appropriation Bill (No. 5) 2006-2007; Appropriation Bill (No. 6) 2006-2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (38 speeches)
Debate resumed from 10 May, on motion by Mr Costello: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 9 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
- People with Disabilities (1 speech)
I rise to speak today on one of the many challenges facing hundreds of disabled Australians. Australians with severe and profound disabilities are being forced by this government to apply and...
- Freedom of Speech (1 speech)
Recently many in the media have been concerned yet again about the parliament, freedom of speech and the right to know. Tonight I would like to put on the record another aspect from a...
- Respite Care (1 speech)
The budget announced by the Treasurer included some financial relief for carers, but again we have seen the government turning a deaf ear to the most important need for carers—that is,...
- Mitchell Electorate: Castle Hill (1 speech)
I want to talk about things in Castle Hill in the centre of my electorate. The traffic problems in Castle Hill have been notorious for many years, and there have been many attempts to solve these...
- Education and Training (1 speech)
This evening I wish to raise a matter that should be of grave concern to any government that purports to have a genuine interest in education and wants to do something about Australia’s...
- Two Wells Melodrama Group (1 speech)
I rise tonight to draw the attention of the House to some of the positive things that are happening in our community. We are often regaled in the media by stories about communities that are...
- Maylands Railways RSL (1 speech)
Tonight I would like to take the opportunity to mark the contribution of, and pay tribute to, the Maylands Railways RSL Sub-branch in my electorate. For as long as I have been the federal member...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- (4 speeches)
The following notices were given:
