House debates
Thursday, 16 August 2007
- Health Insurance Amendment (Medicare Dental Services) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Abbott. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill introduces amendments which will increase access to dental treatment under Medicare for people with chronic conditions and complex care...
- Families, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Legislation Amendment (Child Disability Assistance) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Brough. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The measure in this bill is a further demonstration of the government’s commitment to people with disability and their carers. These...
- Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment (Cape York Measures) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Ms Julie Bishop. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The primary purpose of this bill is to amend the Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Act 2000 by appropriating additional funding of $2...
- Higher Education Endowment Fund Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Ms Julie Bishop. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This government has now eliminated previous government debt, has delivered successive budget surpluses and, through its strong economic...
- Higher Education Endowment Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Ms Julie Bishop. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Higher Education Endowment Fund (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2007 amends the Future Fund Act 2006 and the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997...
- Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Turnbull. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The purpose of the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Amendment Bill 2007 is to make amendments to the Sydney Harbour Federation Trust Act 2001 (the...
- Tax Laws Amendment (2007 Measures No. 5) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Dutton. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill makes numerous improvements to Australia’s tax laws. Schedule 1 modifies the tax treatment of leasing and similar...
- Social Security Amendment (2007 Measures No. 2) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Dr Stone. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill contains amendments to the Social Security Act 1991 and the Social Security (Administration) Act 1999 to give effect to policy...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Approval of Work (1 speech)
I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, and by reason of the urgent nature of the works, it is expedient that the following proposed work be...
- Public Works Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for...
- Special Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the House, at its rising, adjourn until Tuesday, 11 September, at a time to be advised by the Speaker, unless the Speaker or, in the event of the Speaker being unavailable, the...
- Product Stewardship (Oil) Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 24 May, on motion by Mr John Cobb: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Social Security Amendment (2007 Measures No. 1) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (8 speeches)
Debate resumed from 20 June, on motion by Dr Stone:
- Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Commonwealth Electoral Amendment (Democratic Plebiscites) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the introduction of a Bill for an Act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and for...
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The bill gives effect to the Prime Minister’s announcement on 7 August 2007 to allow the Australian Electoral Commission to undertake any...
- Communications Legislation Amendment (Information Sharing and Datacasting) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (7 speeches)
Debate resumed from 20 June, on motion by Mr Billson: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- International Trade Integrity Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (9 speeches)
Debate resumed from 14 June, on motion by Mr Ruddock: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Mortgages (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister inform the parliament what advice the government has received from the Reserve Bank and the financial market regulatory authority,...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Hon. Gareth Evans, a former member, senator and minister. On behalf of the House, I extend to him a very warm welcome.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Uranium Exports (5 speeches)
It is good to have Gareth back in the chamber—a foreign minister with experience.
- Local Government (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister inform the House of developments in the Commonwealth’s response to the Queensland government’s proposal for forced local...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon members of a delegation from the Philippines who are visiting under the auspices of the Australian Political Exchange...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Nuclear Energy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his announcement this morning on Commonwealth funded local government plebiscites administered by the Australian Electoral...
- Local Government (2 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport and Regional Services. Would the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on projects the government is undertaking...
- Nuclear Power (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister and I refer to his earlier answer that ‘nuclear power has to be part of the solution’. I refer the Prime Minister to the official website of the...
- Workplace Relations (10 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Would the minister update the House on how the government’s workplace reforms are encouraging job creation...
- Future Fund (4 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline to the House how the government is adding to savings through the establishment of the Future Fund? What is the risk of...
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is again to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Minister, how many of the approximately 200 temps who are not employed by the Workplace Authority but who are applying...
- Illicit Drugs (9 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Prime Minister. Would the Prime Minister advise the House of government measures to address the problem of illicit drugs in our community and, in particular, how...
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is again to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Will the minister rule out the following: that the misnamed fairness test is being dealt with by temps who are not...
- Hospitals (5 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Would the minister update the House on developments regarding the federal government’s proposal for a Commonwealth funded,...
- Workplace Relations (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister and follows the inability of the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations to answer my earlier questions. I refer to the Prime Minister’s...
- Foreign Policy (6 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Would the minister advise the House of any links between Australia’s foreign policy and Australia’s prosperity? Is he...
- Iraq (10 speeches)
My question is also to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In terms of the minister’s stated goal, earlier this week, of establishing peace and prosperity in Iraq, how does he rate his...
- Fuel Options (3 speeches)
My question today is addressed to the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources. In thanking him and the Prime Minister for their support for Scottsdale, I ask if the minister would update the...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (8 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer.
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Environment and Heritage Committee Report (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I have a question to you. I refer to the Sustainable cities report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Environment and Heritage, dated August 2005, which was tabled...
- Parliament House: Child Care (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I have a question to you. Can you please advise whether or not a timetable has been developed to transform the staff bar into a childcare facility? Will you advise honourable members...
- Breastfeeding (7 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I am sure you are aware that the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Health and Ageing tabled a report last week entitled The best start, following an inquiry into the...
- Questions in Writing (9 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek your assistance under standing order 105(b) to attain answers to the following questions. Firstly, there is question No. 2332, which was asked of the Treasurer on 8 September...
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 5 of 2007-08 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General’s Audit report No. 5 of 2007-08 entitled National cervical screening program—Follow-up audit: Department of Health and Ageing. Ordered that the report be...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Documents are tabled as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings and I move: That the House take note of the...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Local Government (25 speeches)
I have received letters from the honourable member for Hinkler and the honourable member for Barton proposing that definite matters of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (4 speeches)
Order! It being almost 4.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
- International Trade Integrity Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (2 speeches)
Debate resumed.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That this bill be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Treaties Committee; Reports (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the following reports: Report 86: Treaties tabled on 27 March and 9 May 2007; Report 87: Treaties tabled on 13 June 2007; and...
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the report from the Publications Committee sitting in conference with the Publications Committee of the Senate. Copies of the report are being placed on the table. Report—by...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the House do now adjourn.
- Iraq (1 speech)
I want to say something about the government’s insincerity with respect to its policies on the Iraq conflict. First of all there is its failure to acknowledge its responsibility with...
- Tasmanian Pulp Mill (1 speech)
When I was 16 I rafted down the Franklin River, the year after it had been saved. The experience was inspiring to say the least; it gave me an appreciation of Australia’s amazing natural...
- Howard Government (1 speech)
On 18 November 1996, the Prime Minister delivered the Sir Robert Menzies Lecture. The Prime Minister’s lecture was entitled ‘The Liberal tradition: the beliefs and values which guide...
- Hanson Swan Business Awards (3 speeches)
I rise this afternoon to speak about the Hanson Swan Business Awards that were held on Saturday night in my electorate of Hasluck. These awards recognise business excellence and are conducted by...
- Home Ownership (2 speeches)
I am glad to see that the member for Hasluck is proud of his electorate. Indeed, I noticed that he made reference to some companies, and it is a great thing to see good Australian products being...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The following notice was given:
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Paige Robertson (1 speech)
I want to speak today about a special Australian, Logan City student Paige Robertson. At the tender age of 14, Paige has a greater appreciation of life than most people in our generation. Paige...
- Recreational Fishing Community Grants Program (1 speech)
I am particularly pleased today to talk about Australian government funding of close to $100,000—in fact, $97,500—which will be put towards a state-of-the-art fish cleaning station at...
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (1 speech)
A few weeks ago I met with Bernie Banton, from the Asbestos Diseases Foundation of Australia, about the government’s failure to list Alimta on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme for people...
- Gold Coast Hospital (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about the crisis that is currently engulfing the Gold Coast Hospital. It is a crisis because the simple facts are that the Beattie Labor government has underfunded,...
- Newcastle (1 speech)
Yesterday the developer General Property Trust released a $500 million redevelopment plan for the Newcastle CBD, which it is hoped will lead to a significant revitalisation of the city centre and...
- Rural Health Services (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about health care in regional Australia, and particularly in regional Wakefield, South Australia. Stephen Holmes, who has been very actively involved in the RDAA and is a GP...
- Education Funding (1 speech)
Again in the local papers the New South Wales Teachers Federation are attacking me. They have announced that a group of teachers and parents are in Parliament House—this, of course, is...
- Royal Australian Air Force Base Richmond (1 speech)
I wish to congratulate the government on announcing last Saturday that the Royal Australian Air Force base at Richmond will remain open permanently. There will be no more uncertainty for those...
- League of Historical Cities: City of Norwood, Payneham and St Peters (1 speech)
We spend a lot of time in this parliament talking about problems, and it is my great pleasure today to instead be able to share yet another success story from the electorate of Adelaide. In 1994...
- South-East Queensland: Water; Southern Brisbane Bypass (2 speeches)
The member for Adelaide talked about the birthplace of democracy and local government. Let me tell you that the death of democracy is taking place in Queensland right now because of the arrogance...
- Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 9 August:
- Second Reading (4 speeches)
I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to introduce the Therapeutic Goods Amendment Bill 2007. The amendments provided...
- International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 2) 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (13 speeches)
Debate resumed from 21 June, on motion by Mr Pearce: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Building and Construction Industry Improvement Amendment (Ohs) Bill 2007 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (9 speeches)
Debate resumed from 15 August, on motion by Dr Stone: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Main Committee do now adjourn.
- Economy (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to examine the Prime Minister’s assertion that Australians have never been better off. I am constantly contacted by constituents within the Shortland...
- Adelaide: Roads (1 speech)
Adelaide used to pride itself on being the 20-minute city—it was possible to travel anywhere within Adelaide in 20 minutes. One of the issues that constituents in the electorate of Boothby...
- Box Hill North Primary School; Kerrimuir Primary School (3 speeches)
The other day I had the absolute delight and pleasure to visit the students in grades 5 and 6 at Box Hill North Primary School to talk about my role as a member of parliament. The students in...
- Dobell Electorate: Services; Crime and Vandalism (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about a couple of important issues in my electorate of Dobell. Local residents have already won a concession from Energy Australia for powerlines to be placed underground...
- Telecommunications: Online Services (1 speech)
I note the member for Chisholm’s earlier comments about the role of members of parliament. I suppose the case that I wish to talk about today illustrates what individual members of...
- Greenway Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a matter of great importance in my electorate: Richmond Road. Richmond Road has been the scene of many accidents, including fatalities, and it has been a source of...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
The journal New Scientist published on 28 July this year has an article by Professor Lawrence Krauss of Case Western Reserve University that warns voters to swiftly reject any candidates that...
- Hospitals; Tasmanian Government (1 speech)
I rise, having risen on Monday of this week in the House, to raise the dastardly situation where the Tasmanian government have prevented the Launceston General Hospital from purchasing a flow...
- Queensland Roads (1 speech)
I want to speak today about my concerns over the false claims made by the Deputy Prime Minister yesterday when he insinuated that enough is being done to fix Queensland’s road network. The...
- Moreton Electorate; Member for Fadden (1 speech)
I have lived in the electorate that I represent since late 1970, moving in as a young lad back in the days when there was not even a stop sign at the corner of Mains Road and McCullough Street at...
- Member for Fadden; Local Government (1 speech)
I endorse the comments of the member for Moreton. David Jull has been a friend of mine for many years, and he has certainly given distinguished service, first to the electronic media, at Channel...
- Herbert Electorate (3 speeches)
I thought it might be instructive to let the parliament know today of my fortnight on foot. During the July break of the parliament I walked around the electorate for a fortnight. I walked right...
