House debates
Thursday, 20 March 2008
- Tax Laws Amendment (2008 Measures No. 2) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Swan. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill makes a number of improvements to Australia’s tax and superannuation laws. Schedule 1 addresses a technical inconsistency in the...
- Reserve Bank Amendment (Enhanced Independence) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Swan. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Today I present the Reserve Bank Amendment (Enhanced Independence) Bill 2008. The Rudd government is committed to relieving the financial...
- Export Market Development Grants Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Crean. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Rudd government went to the last election with one of its major commitments to improve Australia’s trade performance. The introduction...
- Civil Aviation Legislation Amendment (1999 Montreal Convention and Other Measures) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Albanese. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill will modernise Australia’s arrangements for air carriers’ liability. It does this by implementing the Convention for the...
- Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Albanese. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) Bill 2008 will give effect to Australia’s commitment to ratify...
- Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution Damage) (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill presented by Mr Albanese. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The purpose of this bill is to amend three existing acts consequential upon the Protection of the Sea (Civil Liability for Bunker Oil Pollution...
- Sydney Airport Demand Management Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Albanese. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Background Sydney airport is Australia’s major international and domestic airport, and its operational efficiency is critical to...
- Fisheries Legislation Amendment (New Governance Arrangements for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Other Matters) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Burke. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Fisheries Legislation Amendment (New Governance Arrangements for the Australian Fisheries Management Authority and Other Matters) Bill 2008...
- Australian Energy Market Amendment (Minor Amendments) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Martin Ferguson. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Under the oversight of the Ministerial Council on Energy, Australia has made substantial progress towards an efficient and effective national...
- Customs Amendment (Strengthening Border Controls) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Debus. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to introduce the Customs Amendment (Strengthening Border Controls) Bill 2008. It contains amendments to the Customs Act 1901 that...
- Customs Legislation Amendment (Modernising) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Debus. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I am pleased to introduce the Customs Legislation Amendment (Modernising) Bill 2008. This bill contains amendments to the Customs Act 1901 and...
- 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, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing...
- Privileges and Members’ Interests Committee; Report (1 speech)
In accordance with standing order 216, on behalf of the Committee of Privileges and Members’ Interests, I present the report on the operations of the Committee of Members’ Interests...
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum in Auckland (1 speech)
I present the report of the Australian Parliamentary Delegation to the 16th annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, in Auckland, from 20 to 25 January 2008.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- 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...
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Committee; Membership (1 speech)
The Speaker has received a message from the Senate informing the House that Senator Eggleston has been discharged from the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and that...
- Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Emergency Response Consolidation) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (34 speeches)
Debate resumed from 19 March, on motion by Ms Plibersek: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House of the absence today of the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs. The Treasurer will take questions in his absence. I might add that the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fuel Prices (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the fact that, since the day of his election until today, the price of petrol has increased six per cent in Perth, seven per...
- Indigenous Communities (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister inform the House what steps the government is taking to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery a former member for Kennedy, the Hon. Rob Hulls, who is more likely to be in attendance today as the Deputy Premier of Victoria. On behalf...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Fuel Prices (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister’s comments that the newly appointed cop on the beat, the petrol commissioner, Pat Walker, would be watching pump prices...
- Indigenous Health (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. What is the minister doing to close the gap in life expectancy between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians?
- Beijing AustChina Technology (24 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his previous statement regarding Mr Ian Tang of Beijing AustChina Technology that ‘I am not really across what he...
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline some of the causes behind the cost of living pressures many Australian working families face at present and the...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Hon. Geoff Wilson, Queensland Minister for Mines and Energy. On behalf of the House I extend to him a very warm welcome.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Beijing AustChina Technology (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, I refer you to a meeting you had with Mr Tang just after the election. I ask again: what is your understanding of what Mr Tang does?
- Iraq (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister advise the House of the Australian government’s approach to Iraq? Is consistency of public policy important in this...
- Beijing AustChina Technology (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the failure of the Prime Minister and his ministers to provide any comprehensive explanation for their numerous free trips to China at the expense...
- Petrol Prices (8 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware of reports of anticompetitive behaviour by some petrol stations in recent days? What is the government doing to ensure consumers are not...
- Beijing AustChina Technology (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that the chief executives of many major Australian companies and the CEOs of representative organisations based here in Australia are complaining that...
- Economy (19 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation. Will the minister advise the House of recent outcomes of government economic and financial management in Australia? Do these outcomes...
- Council of Australian Governments (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education, the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and the Minister for Social Inclusion. Will the minister update the House on the progress of the...
- Workplace Relations (32 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy. I refer the minister to his government’s guarantee yesterday that no worker will be worse...
- Water (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and the Arts representing the Minister for Climate Change and Water. Will the minister inform the House of the dangers of reckless...
- Fuel Prices (3 speeches)
My question is addressed to the Minister for Resources and Energy. The minister would be aware that oil majors do not buy petrol at the spot market quoted world price. They own the oilwells or...
- Wheat Legislation (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry. What is the government doing to consult fully on its draft wheat legislation? Why is such consultation required?
- Small Business (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Now that the Deputy Prime Minister has given Australians a guarantee that no worker will be worse off under Labor’s workplace relations laws, will the...
- Australia 2020 Summit (16 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the Australia 2020 Summit?
- Valedictories (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence, could I take this opportunity to extend to all members a wish for a happy and, for those of the Christian faith, a holy Easter, and a good time with their families, one...
- Hmas Sydney (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
On indulgence, I just want to inform the House of arrangements which have been made in relation to HMAS Sydney II. Since the announcement of the discovery of HMAS Sydney II, many relatives of...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (26 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek to make a personal explanation.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Documents are presented as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Regional Development Australia (6 speeches)
by leave—This government is committed to supporting regional Australia. Today I am announcing one of the Australian government’s initiatives to help drive economic prosperity in...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Rural and Regional Australia (21 speeches)
The Speaker has received a letter from the honourable member for Wide Bay proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The adverse...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 4.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
- Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
I rise to express my bitter disappointment at what the government has done today in increasing both the lower and higher deeming rates without any adjustments to the thresholds. This will hurt...
- Housing Affordability (1 speech)
Today I wish to raise an issue which concerned me greatly in the last days of the Howard government and which is worthy of the urgent attention of this government. That issue is housing...
- Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (1 speech)
Today I rise in the House to correct something that was said by the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in this House that was completely untrue. He made a sensationalist claim in...
- Blair Electorate: RAAF Base Amberley (1 speech)
Ipswich, in my electorate of Blair, has a long history of embracing the military. In fact, as I was growing up, I always had friends in my classrooms who were the sons of those in the military....
- Parkes Electorate: Westhaven Association (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak on an issue that affects the disabled community across Australia and which, up until now, has been largely unaddressed. The issue of aged care for people with disabilities...
- Charlton Electorate (1 speech)
I wish to update the House on some of the issues relevant to my electorate of Charlton in New South Wales. The electorate takes in the western area of Newcastle and Lake Macquarie. It is an area...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- La Trobe Electorate (1 speech)
I rise this morning to discuss three very important funding applications in my electorate of La Trobe. In August last year I announced that the Australian government was to contribute around $2...
- Ms Cherie Adams; Forde Electorate (1 speech)
I want to talk today a little bit about the campaign for the election of 24 November. During my first speech I paid tribute to a number of people who supported me over a number of years. I would...
- Ms Cherie Adams; Australian Pork Industry (1 speech)
I would like to endorse the comments of the member for Forde about Richard and Cherie Adams. Indeed, they were long-term residents of my home town for many, many years, and the Adams family are...
- Homelessness (1 speech)
At the end of February, I had the privilege of visiting the Burnie Youth Accommodation Service in Cooee. Many members in this parliament show a keen appreciation of and concern for homelessness....
- Moncrieff Electorate: Road Closure (1 speech)
I rise to talk about an important local issue for my constituents on the Gold Coast, and that is the Queensland Labor government’s decision to close the Worongary North-Elysium Road...
- Blair Electorate: Ipswich Central Business District (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on the future of the Ipswich CBD. Sadly, while the city of Ipswich has thrived, the Ipswich CBD has suffered. With major population and industry growth in the Ipswich...
- Forrest Electorate: Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association (1 speech)
I rise to support the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association in my electorate of Forrest, which is in the final process of completing concept design and working plans for a $3.2 million...
- Fuel Prices (1 speech)
I rise to mention an email that I received from constituents Tim and Renae Smith at about 11 pm on 18 March. They sought to draw to my attention the practice of the Lawnton Shell fuel outlet just...
- Telecommunications (1 speech)
I rise to bring to the House’s attention concerns I have about the way the Rudd government rammed through a bill and guillotined debate on telecommunications. Last night a bill called the...
- Lindsay Electorate: Muru Mittigar (2 speeches)
I rise to recognise the achievements of one of my electorate’s great success stories: local tourism provider and Indigenous employer Muru Mittigar. Muru Mittigar was the winner for the...
- Lands Acquisition Legislation Amendment Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (27 speeches)
Debate resumed from 13 February, on motion by Mr Tanner: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (Assessments and Advertising) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 14 February, on motion by Mr Debus: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Cross-Border Insolvency Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 11 March.
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
I present the explanatory memorandum to the bill and move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill adopts the model law on cross-border insolvency developed by the United Nations...
- Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Review of Prudential Decisions) Bill 2008 (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 11 March.
- Second Reading (3 speeches)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Financial Sector Legislation Amendment (Review of Prudential Decisions) Bill 2008 introduces measures to improve the accountability,...
- Governor-General’S Speech (0 speeches)
- Address-in-Reply (3 speeches)
Debate resumed from 19 March, on motion by Mr Hale: That the Address be agreed to.
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Main Committee do now adjourn.
- Chaldean Catholic Church (1 speech)
It is with great sadness that I rise today to speak about the tragic death of Archbishop Paulos Faraj Rahho. Late last week Archbishop Rahho’s body was found buried in a shallow grave in...
- University Students: Cost of Living (3 speeches)
We all know about the increasing cost of living pressures. I would like to address this particular issue in relation to university students. More and more, university students are finding it...
- Postal Sevices: Jewellstown Plaza (2 speeches)
I would like to raise the issue of the need for a post office at the Jewellstown Plaza. Jewellstown Plaza is one of the main shopping centres within the electorate of Shortland and it does not...
- Fadden Electorate: Youth Point Connect (1 speech)
Madam Deputy Speaker, how pleasant it is to remain in the chamber with you in the chair. I rise to commend the vision for the Gold Coast North youth centre, the Youth Point Connect, and to stand...
- Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association (1 speech)
I rise to speak in relation to the Augusta Margaret River Tourism Association, which has designed a concept and working plans for the $3.2 million redevelopment of Jewel Cave, near Augusta. This...
- Anzac Memorial Tour (1 speech)
I rise today to recognise the efforts of my local community to help keep the Anzac spirit alive. Next month 15 students from 13 different high schools in the Bankstown area will travel to...
- Koo Wee Rup Bypass (2 speeches)
I rise to seek matched federal and state government support for the Koo Wee Rup bypass. Prior to the election, the then Prime Minister, Mr Howard, made a clear and absolute commitment of $5...
