House debates
Monday, 15 March 2010
- Main Committee (0 speeches)
- Private Members’ Motions (1 speech)
In accordance with standing order 41(h), and the recommendations of the whips adopted by the House on 10 March 2010, I present copies of the terms of motions for which notice has been given by...
- Australian Astronomical Observatory Bill 2010; Australian Astronomical Observatory (Transitional Provisions) Bill 2010; International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2010; Aviation Transport Security Amendment (2009 Measures No. 2) Bill 2010; National Health Security Amendment (Background Checking) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the House of assent to the bills.
- Corporations Amendment (Financial Market Supervision) Bill 2010; Corporations (Fees) Amendment Bill 2010; Corporations (Fees) Amendment Bill 2010; Tax Laws Amendment (2009 Measures No. 6) Bill 2009; Tax Laws Amendment (2009 GST Administration Measures) Bill 2009; Tax Laws Amendment (2010 GST Administration Measures No. 1) Bill 2010; Crimes Legislation Amendment (Torture Prohibition and Death Penalty Abolition) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Returned from the Senate (0 speeches)
Message received from the Senate returning the bills without amendment or request.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Access All Areas Report (2 speeches)
by leave—On 2 December 2008 the Attorney-General, the Hon. Robert McClelland MP, on behalf of himself and the Minister for Innovation, Industry, Science and Research, Senator the Hon. Kim...
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Recreational Fishing for Mako and Porbeagle Sharks) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (13 speeches)
Debate resumed from 11 March, on motion by Mr Garrett: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Minister for Competition Policy and Consumer Affairs, and Small Business, Independent Contractors and the Service Economy will regrettably be absent from question time...
- World Cup (0 speeches)
- Kookaburras (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence, we have had a great win by the Australian men’s hockey team, the Kookaburras. The Kookaburras won the World Cup in New Delhi on Saturday. Australia beat Germany...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Paid Parental Leave (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the acknowledged need for a paid parental leave scheme in Australia, how can the Prime Minister accuse the opposition of obstructing the introduction...
- Hospitals (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the urgent need for more doctors in Australia’s health system and the government’s plan to deliver...
- Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
This question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to confirmation from his department late on Friday that it had provided four briefings to him between August last year and March...
- Medical Workforce (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. Minister, what are the government’s plans to boost the health workforce and tackle the doctor shortage, and how does this differ from...
- Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister release the letters provided to him on 14 August, 27 August, 28 October and 30 October last year from the Minister for the...
- Medicare (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Human Services and Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law. What action is the government taking to try and ensure the integrity of...
- Home Insulation Program (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to his previous answer about cabinet documents and cabinet related correspondence. Will the Prime Minister, given his answer, now...
- Hospitals (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Why are health and hospital reform so critical for the budget and what are the consequences of continued opposition to the government’s saving measures?
- Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. It follows his previous answer telling the opposition to seek information through FOI. I remind the Prime Minister that late on Friday afternoon his...
- Hospitals (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. What are the obstacles being presented to the government’s health reform legislative agenda and to the government’s plan to...
- Building the Education Revolution Program (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 Deputy Prime Minister inform the House of...
- Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister guarantee that all installations under his home insulation scheme have been compliant with the National Code of Practice for the Safe...
- Grocery Prices (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. What impact will increased grocery prices have on Australia’s pensioners? What assistance...
- Building the Education Revolution Program (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. I refer the minister to the case of the Pleasant Hills Public School in my electorate of Farrer, where $93,537 is being spent on design, management...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Finance and Deregulation. Does the government support proposals to finance increased government spending by introducing new distortions in the tax system?
- Building the Education Revolution Program (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. I refer the minister to the case of Eungai Public School, which was promised like-for-like replacement of two existing demountable classrooms at a...
- Climate Change (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science and Minister Assisting the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Will the minister update the House on...
- Building the Education Revolution Program (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the case of the Henty Public School in New South Wales, which is being charged $238,000 for consultancy fees and plans for an...
- Disability Services (3 speeches)
My question is to the Attorney-General. What action is the government taking to ensure that Australians with a disability are able to access buildings and services on an equal basis with other...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (33 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek leave 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 and I move: That the House take note of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Proposed Cyber-Safety Committee; Appointment (2 speeches)
I have received a message from the Senate informing the House of Representatives that it has considered message No. 523 of the House and concurs with the resolution of appointment of the Joint...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Recreational Fishing for Mako and Porbeagle Sharks) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (1 speech)
Debate resumed from 11 March, on motion by Mr Garrett: 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.
- Higher Education Support Amendment (Fee-Help Loan Fee) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (11 speeches)
Debate resumed from 10 February, on motion by Mr Clare: 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.
- Family Assistance Legislation Amendment (Child Care) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (14 speeches)
Debate resumed from 24 February, on motion by Ms Kate Ellis: 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.
- Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of the bill presented. Ordered that this bill be considered immediately. Bill agreed to.
- 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.
- Trans-Tasman Proceedings (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of the bill presented. Ordered that this bill be considered immediately. Bill agreed to.
- 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.
- Food Importation (Bovine Meat Standards) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill received from the Senate and read a first time. Ordered that the second reading be made an order of the day for the next sitting.
- Anti-People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (7 speeches)
Debate resumed from 24 February, on motion by Mr McClelland: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Petitions, and in accordance with standing order 207, I present the following petitions:
- Responses (1 speech)
Ministerial responses to petitions previously presented to the House have been received as follows:
- Responses; National School Chaplaincy (0 speeches)
Dear Mrs Irwin Thank you for your letter of 14 December 2009, concerning a recently submitted petition on ongoing funding for the National School Chaplaincy Program. I regularly receive positive...
- Responses; Traveston Crossing Dam (0 speeches)
Dear Ms Irwin Thank you for your letter of 29 October 2009 concerning the submission of a petition regarding the Traveston Crossing Dam. As outlined in my letter of 18 December 2009, the...
- Responses; Australian Defence Force Cadets (0 speeches)
Dear Mrs Irwin Thank you for your letter of 26 November 2009 concerning a petition requesting the creation of a medal recognising the work of Australian Defence Force Cadets. Please find below...
- Responses; Digital Television (0 speeches)
Dear Mrs Irwin Petitions about digital television services in regional South Australia Thank you for your letter dated 26 November 2009 in your capacity as Chair of the Standing Committee on...
- Responses; Medicare (0 speeches)
Dear Mrs Irwin Thank you for your letter of 14 December 2009 on behalf of the Standing Committee on Petitions, regarding the Australian Government’s changes to the Medicare Benefits...
- Statements (1 speech)
Tonight, I am pleased to take the opportunity to report to the House about several aspects of the work of the Petitions Committee. Today has been an interesting one for the committee. It held a...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Amendment (Public Health and Safety) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Hartsuyker.
- Airport Development Ombudsman Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (2 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Ms Jackson.
- Imported Food Control Amendment (Bovine Meat) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (2 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Oakeshott.
- Private Members’ Business (0 speeches)
- Reserve Bank of Australia (5 speeches)
I move: That the House:(1)takes note of the 50th anniversary of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA);(2)recognises the important role of the RBA in Australia’s economic policy direction;...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 9.30 pm, I propose the question: That the House do now adjourn.
- Indi Electorate: Fair Work Australia (1 speech)
I rise to speak on an issue of great concern to several constituents from my electorate. I received a call last week from an extremely concerned person who lives in my electorate and operates a...
- Dobell Electorate: Pensioners (1 speech)
I rise to speak about pensioners and the issues that pensioners are facing in my electorate of Dobell. In the electorate of Dobell we have over 25,000 pensioners. It is a very high proportion...
- Higgins Electorate: Home Insulation Program (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak about the government’s failed Home Insulation Program. It is a program that will go down in Australian history as one of the worst examples of systemic policy...
- Australian War Memorial (1 speech)
Tonight my glass is half-full and half-empty. It is half-full because on Saturday of this week, the 20th, there are two elections taking place, in Tasmania and South Australia, and I am hopeful...
- Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Hospital (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the topic of Hornsby hospital, which is the major public hospital in the electorate of Bradfield. It is a hospital in which fine medical staff work in very difficult...
- National Broadband Network (2 speeches)
The government’s decision to build the new superfast National Broadband Network was well received by the community. On several occasions in this House I have raised the frustration of my...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Higgins Electorate: Crime and Antisocial Behaviour (1 speech)
I rise to talk about the serious issue of crime and antisocial behaviour in part of my electorate of Higgins and to propose a simple solution. My electorate is home to Chapel Street, an iconic...
- Blaxland Electorate: Bankstown Airport (1 speech)
I rise to raise an issue of concern to the residents of my electorate, particularly those who live in the suburbs surrounding Bankstown Airport. Bankstown Airport is the busiest airport in...
- Dunkley Electorate: Small Business (1 speech)
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd’s ignorance about and lack of interest in the challenges faced by small business trying to access affordable finance was glaringly obvious under the bright lights...
- Macquarie Electorate: Macquarie 2010 Bicentenary Commemorations (1 speech)
I rise to give support to the Macquarie 2010 Bicentenary Commemorations, an exercise which was launched by Her Excellency Marie Bashir, Governor of New South Wales, on 31 January and is supported...
- Home Insulation Program (4 speeches)
I rise to speak about the Rudd government’s failed insulation scheme. Before I proceed, I will admit that, yes, I did have a haircut on the weekend. It is probably better described as a...
- Wakefield Electorate: The Plains Producer (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate the Plains Producer, which is a newspaper in my electorate which serves the country community of Balaklava, on their success in the recent Country Press SA newspaper...
- Maranoa Electorate: Home Insulation Program and Green Loans Program (1 speech)
I rise to put on the record just some of the many complaints I have had from constituents in my electorate of Maranoa about both the disaster that was the insulation rebate scheme and the Labor...
- Learning for Life (1 speech)
I am very pleased to rise today to speak about a wonderful event I attended on 16 February: the Smith Family graduation of the Learning for Life scholarship recipients. This event was to...
- Uranium Mining (1 speech)
I rise today to throw some light on the public debate about uranium and the mining of uranium in Australia today. Slowly but surely the Australian public are emerging from the darkness in...
- Page Electorate: Campaigns (2 speeches)
I represent the electorate of Page, and the active communities across my electorate regularly raise a number of issues and priorities with me. Today I take the opportunity to put on the record...
- Trans-Tasman Proceedings Bill 2009; Trans-Tasman Proceedings (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (6 speeches)
Debate resumed from 25 November 2009, on motion by Mr McClelland: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Trans-Tasman Proceedings (Transitional and Consequential Provisions) Bill 2009 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 25 November 2009, on motion by Mr McClelland: That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time. Ordered that the bill be reported to the...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Maranoa Electorate: Silver Memories (1 speech)
I rise tonight to put forward a wonderful, funding proposal for this federal government—and I will also be putting it to the federal coalition for the next election—which has been...
- Dawson Electorate: Economy (1 speech)
The only way is up for the economy of Dawson. As member for Dawson I warmly welcome the latest Regional Economic Development Corporation or REDEC report into the economy of the Mackay,...
- Battle of Long Tan (1 speech)
I want to signal tonight that I will keep up the fight to have the gallantry of 12 soldiers who fought in the Battle of Long Tan recognised. I have worked with Lieutenant Colonel Harry Smith on...
- Golden Grove Central Districts Baseball Club (1 speech)
Two weeks ago I attended the sponsors day at the Golden Grove Central Districts Dodgers Baseball Club in my electorate of Makin. The Dodgers baseball club, with 150 players, fields more teams...
- Armenian-Australian Community: Mr Arshag Badelian (1 speech)
I rise today to mark the passing of Mr Arshag Badelian, who was one of the Armenian-Australian community’s last living survivors of the Armenian genocide. Having arrived in Australia in...
- Dr Paul Collier (1 speech)
I rise to talk about a very sad and tragic event that took place last week, and that is the passing of Dr Paul Collier, at the age of 46. Those of us from South Australia knew Dr Collier as a...
- Caloundra Regional Art Gallery (1 speech)
I wish to congratulate the Caloundra Regional Art Gallery, which is celebrating 10 years this year. I have been associated with the gallery since its inception. I recognise Ken Hinds, the patron....
- World Vision (1 speech)
I was deeply saddened last week to learn of the murders of six World Vision staff in their offices in Mansehra in Pakistan. I understand that the staff were gathered together by militants and...
- Cowan Electorate: Alexander Heights (1 speech)
For many years there have been problems in Alexander Heights with the bushland adjacent to Highview Park. It is an open space that is thick with trees and shrubs and is interspersed with tracks...
- Mr Stephen ‘Alf’ Randell OAM (2 speeches)
I rise to note the passing of Stephen ‘Alf’ Randell OAM and pay tribute to his extraordinary work in the St Marys community. Alf was born in 1923 and spent his first years in the...
- Private Members’ Business (0 speeches)
- Queensland Teachers (21 speeches)
Debate resumed, on motion by Mr Lindsay: That the House:(1)recognises that Queensland teachers are dedicated educators who do their very best with limited resources and facilities provided by...
- Maternal and Child Health in PNG (7 speeches)
Debate resumed, on motion by Ms Parke: That the House:(1)recognises that International Women’s Day was celebrated on 8 March 2010;(2)notes that:(a)the Australian Government is committed to...
- Ageing Parents and Carers of Disabled Children (8 speeches)
Debate resumed, on motion by Mrs Hull: That the House(1)notes that:(a)many ageing parents and carers of disabled children are in:(i)crisis, or face crisis due to the lack of accommodation for...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Debate resumed from 22 February.
- Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant (1 speech)
I rise in this parliament today to use the time allotted to me to speak about the myth, the legend and the grievance of Harry ‘Breaker’ Morant and his compatriots who were executed...
- Diabetes (1 speech)
I have the great privilege to speak tonight on an issue which is close to my heart. It is a critical issue for society and one that we can do something about. I want to talk about type 2 diabetes...
- Queensland Government: Economy (1 speech)
Something affecting the lives, the lifestyle and the quality of life of Queenslanders is the Labor state government’s intention to privatise state-owned assets and government-owned...
- Health (4 speeches)
I am standing tonight because I am actually aggrieved by the opposition’s lack of interest in health reform and in health care in this country. What we have seen over the last few weeks...
- Media (1 speech)
Member for Franklin, I am sorry I intervened on you as a first-time member; however, unfortunately, you blotted your copy book and said, ‘The opposition will not ask questions about...
- Mr Mahmoud al-Mabhouh (2 speeches)
I rise tonight to comment on an article in the Sunday Telegraph on 7 March 2010. The article, by the National Secretary of the Australian Workers Union, Mr Paul Howse, highlights three things:...
