House debates
Thursday, 25 November 2010
- National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 (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 National Broadband Network Companies Bill 2010 and the other bill that I am introducing today, the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment...
- Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (National Broadband Network Measures — Access Arrangements) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (1 speech)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Albanese. Bill read a first time.
- Tax Laws Amendment (2010 Measures No. 5) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Shorten. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill amends various taxation laws to implement a range of improvements to Australia’s tax laws. Schedule 1 amends the eligibility...
- Human Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- First Reading (0 speeches)
Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Ms Collins. Bill read a first time.
- Second Reading (1 speech)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I have great pleasure in introducing the Human Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2010, which integrates Medicare Australia and Centrelink into...
- Parliamentary Zone (0 speeches)
- Approval of Proposal (1 speech)
I move: That, in accordance with section 5 of the Parliament Act 1974, the House approves the following proposal for work in the Parliamentary Zone which was presented to the House on 22 November...
- 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...
- Private Members’ Business (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (13 speeches)
by leave—I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following items of private members’ business being reported from the Main...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Special Disability Trusts (0 speeches)
- Report from Main Committee (4 speeches)
Order of the day reported from Main Committee; certified copy of the report presented. Ordered that the order of the day be considered immediately.
- Climate Change (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 22 November, on motion by Mr Murphy: That the House take note of the document. Question agreed to.
- Mental Health (0 speeches)
- Report from Main Committee (4 speeches)
Order of the day reported from Main Committee; certified copy of the report presented. Ordered that the order of the day be considered immediately.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (1 speech)
I move: That standing order 31 (automatic adjournment of the House) and standing order 33 (limit on business after normal time of adjournment) be suspended for this sitting. Question agreed to.
- Leave of Absence (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That leave of absence be given to every Member of the House of Representatives from the determination of this sitting of the House to the date of its next sitting. Debate (on motion by Dr...
- New Zealand: Mine Explosion (0 speeches)
- (4 speeches)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence: the House expresses its deepest sympathy to the victims and families of the New Zealand mining disaster and to all New Zealanders. Today the Leader of the Opposition...
- Cambodia: Festival Disaster (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
As members of the parliament know, it has been a tough few days in our region, so at this opportunity I wish to extend the House’s condolences to the government and people of Cambodia for...
- Leave of Absence (0 speeches)
- (20 speeches)
Debate resumed.
- Mental Health (0 speeches)
- Recommital of Vote (1 speech)
In the consideration of private members’ business and on the motion moved by the member for Dickson on mental health, I have contributed to some confusion. I apologise, especially to the...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Days and Hours of Meeting (1 speech)
On indulgence, I update the House with the state of play. For the benefit of members, the Senate has resolved to sit until 10 pm this evening and tomorrow from 9 am to 3.30 pm. This is to deal...
- Leave of Absence (0 speeches)
- (7 speeches)
Debate resumed.
- Native Title Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2010 (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Consideration resumed from 15 November.
- Second Reading (3 speeches)
I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Native Title Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2010 contains an important measure to complement...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
It could be anywhere in Australia: a young, vulnerable apprentice hairdresser nervously signs her first full-time apprenticeship contract with a hair salon. Yet after six months her boss turns to...
- Scottsdale Defence Science and Technology Facility (1 speech)
I express my disappointment with Senator Guy Barnett, who has been spreading messages of doom and gloom to the people of north-eastern Tasmania, in my electorate of Bass. Without any...
- Mr Azem Elmaz (1 speech)
I want to put on the record the great work and generosity of Mr Azem Elmaz. Azem was born in Macedonia. He and his wife, Jehain, own and operate Lutfiye’s Shish Kebabs in Shepparton, but...
- Ms Krystle Brown (1 speech)
Krystle Brown is a young woman with a disability which has resulted in her having significant mobility problems that have led to her being confined to an electronic wheelchair. Krystle is a very...
- Wright Electorate: Girl and Woman of the Year Dance (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House that the spirit of regional Queensland is alive and well. And there is no better place to witness an event of country hospitality than the Girl and Woman of the Year...
- Newcastle (1 speech)
The Lonely Planet recently named Newcastle the ninth best city in the world to visit in their Best in Travel 2011 edition. Lonely Planet wrote that: Today’s ‘new’ Newcastle is a...
- Herbert Electorate: North Queensland Community Transport (1 speech)
I rise to speak on behalf of the Townsville community, the people of Herbert and North Queensland Community Transport. North Queensland Community Transport provides assistance to get to and from...
- Canberra Electorate: Curtin Primary School Age Care Program (1 speech)
I would like to congratulate the Curtin Primary School age care program for winning this year’s 2010 ACT Super Site Award. The award is presented each year to schools that take part in the...
- Cook Electorate: Mr Joshua Gibson (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to a delightful and special young boy from the Sutherland Shire, Joshua Gibson, who died on Tuesday, 2 November, at just eight years of age. Joshua was born with...
- Robertson Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
I rise to draw the attention of the House to an event in the seat of Robertson next week which is of direct relevance to the debates going on in parliament this week. Next Tuesday a group of...
- Business (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence: for the benefit of the House and as an update, I have had a discussion with the Leader of the Government in the Senate and it would appear that it is unlikely that the...
- Soccer World Cup (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence: I am sure you are wondering why everybody in the chamber is so resplendent in their ‘Come Play’ scarves. We are doing that because decision time in Zurich...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Broadband (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that the government could not deliver on Fuelwatch and GroceryWatch, cannot build GP clinics on schedule, cancelled 220 of the childcare centres it had...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Before calling the member for Wentworth, I inform the House that we have in the gallery today Jeffrey Bleich, the US Ambassador to Australia. As he celebrates his first anniversary of the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Broadband (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer her to the fact that the original cost of the National Broadband Network was $4.7 billion. Then it became a $43 billion project written on the back...
- Economy (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House the government’s priorities for reform? How have these been received, and what is the government’s...
- Broadband (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister confirm that local government planning powers will be overridden so that households will have no right to be consulted on the...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I indicate to the House that we have in the gallery today Graham Edwards, a former member of this place and now a member of the board of the Australian War Memorial. He gets a very warm welcome....
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Disability Services (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In Australia 1,145,000 people live with a profound or serious disability. They are likely to be unemployed, marginalised and significantly poorer than the...
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. What are the economic achievements of the government and what do they mean for future reform? How has this reform program been received and what is the...
- Broadband (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the comments of Natalie Osborne of Kiama in my electorate following the destruction of her nature strip by the National...
- Building the Education Revolution Program (21 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts and Minister representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills,...
- Australian Labor Party (11 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister and refers to reports of her crisis caucus meeting last night and her PowerPoint presentation of five policy priorities. Will the Prime Minister confirm that...
- Climate Change (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. How is the Gillard government delivering on its commitment to tackle climate change so that Australia can cut pollution...
- Australian Labor Party (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to reports of her crisis caucus meeting last night where 21 Labor backbenchers outlined their concerns that this government has no...
- Health Services (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Gillard Labor government delivering a better health system with sustainable funding for hospitals and more access to GP services?
- Cost of Living (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to reports from water authorities that electricity costs are driving up water costs. The number of customers seeking assistance...
- Gillard Government (17 speeches)
My question is to the Leader of the House. Minister, how is the Gillard government delivering its legislative agenda? How has this been received and what is the government’s response?
- Asylum Seekers (17 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the fact that since Labor was elected in November 2007 they have committed more than $350 million to open more than 6,000 new beds in our...
- Violence Against Women (3 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs and the Minister for Justice. How is the government encouraging men and boys to take positive action to prevent violence against women?
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Member for Gippsland (6 speeches)
In an action which reminded me of a boxer’s trainer throwing the white towel into the ring, during question time the member for Gippsland left the chamber in much of a hurry and hurled a...
- Parliament House: Water Features (2 speeches)
I preface my question to you, Mr Speaker, by noting that in 1988 when this building was created and developed the water features were a major part of its beauty. My point is that since 2006-07...
- Broadband (6 speeches)
Mr Speaker, the business case document for the National Broadband Network says that the NBN anticipates being able to reduce nominal prices for all products except basic services—in other...
- Honourable Member for Moore (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence, I wish to make a short statement. I spoke earlier in acknowledging the contribution of a whole range of people in this House. There is one that I held off recognising...
- New Zealand: Mine Explosion (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence, I would like to associate myself with the comments this morning of the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition regarding the mine disaster in New Zealand. As...
- Auditor-General’S Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 16 of 2010-11 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General’s Audit report No. 16 of 2010-11 entitled Centrelink’s Role in the Process of Appeal to the Social Security Appeals Tribunal and to the Administrative...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection Committee; Report No. 9 (1 speech)
I present the Selection Committee’s report No. 9 relating to the consideration of bills. The report will be printed in today’s Hansard. Copies of the report have been placed on the...
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the Presiding Officers’ response to the report of the Joint Committee on Publications entitled Inquiry into the development of a digital repository and electronic distribution of...
- Reports: Government Responses (1 speech)
For the information of honourable members, I present a schedule of outstanding government responses to reports of House of Representatives and joint committees, incorporating reports tabled and...
- 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)
- Business (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I wish to update members on proposed sittings. We will shortly move to the matter of public importance. There are then two pieces of legislation to be dealt with, the Native Title Amendment (No....
- National Party Whips: Staff (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
This morning, during the course of the debate on leave of absence for members, the Leader of the Nationals and member for Wide Bay claimed that the National Party whips in this place had no staff...
- Question Time (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I wish to ask a question of you. I want to return to an explanation that you gave to the Manager of Opposition Business on a point of order regarding standing order 90. I listened...
- Weather Conditions (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
On indulgence: I will begin this short statement by thanking the member for Stirling. This concerns a question not reached in question time, but I think it is for the benefit of members if I do...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Economy (21 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for North Sydney proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The failure of the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- National Security Legislation Amendment Bill 2010; Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement Bill 2010; Higher Education Support Amendment (2010 Budget Measures) Bill 2010; Social Security Legislation Amendment (Connecting People with Jobs) Bill 2010; Corporations Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2010; Higher Education Support Amendment (Fee-Help Loan Fee) Bill 2010; International Financial Institutions Legislation Amendment Bill 2010; Australian National Preventive Health Agency Bill 2010; 1998 Budget Measures Legislation Amendment (Social Security and Veterans' Entitlements) Bill 1998 (0 speeches)
- Assent (0 speeches)
Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the House of assent to the bills.
- Native Title Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2010 (0 speeches)
- (21 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.
- Financial Framework Legislation Amendment Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- Second Reading (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 30 September, on motion by Mr Gray: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Consideration in Detail (1 speech)
Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
- Third Reading (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the bill will be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
- Service and Execution of Process Amendment (Interstate Fine Enforcement) Bill 2010 (0 speeches)
- (0 speeches)
Debate resumed from 26 October.
- Second Reading (4 speeches)
I present the explanatory memorandum to the bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Introduction The Service and Execution of Process Amendment (Interstate Fine Enforcement)...
- 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.
- Business (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
On indulgence, I inform members that progress in the Senate on the Telecommunications Legislation Amendment (Competition and Consumer Safeguards) Bill 2010 is extremely slow. Some might argue it...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Murray-Darling River System (1 speech)
After seven years of the worst drought on record, northern Victorians have finally seen some abundant rains. However, one season of average rainfall does not undo the damage to the local economy...
- Deakin University Pedestrian Bridge (1 speech)
I rise today to voice my outrage, along with that of my community and that of Whitehorse City Council, at the VCAT’s decision to agree to the Deakin bridge, which is going to put a blot on...
- Petition: Mentelle Basin (2 speeches)
I table the following petition from concerned constituents in my electorate of Forrest who oppose the Labor government’s decision to allow exploration for oil and gas in the Mentelle Basin....
- Adelaide Electorate: City of Prospect (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate the City of Prospect, which is within the good electorate of Adelaide, on winning the Economic Development Strategic Planning Award. This national award was presented...
- Armenian Community (1 speech)
I am pleased to rise to talk about issues of concern to the Armenian community in Australia. Australia has greatly benefited from having many Armenians come here, but this has been driven by much...
- Earnshaw State College: Global Enterprise Challenge (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate the students and staff of Earnshaw State College on becoming the first Australian school to ever win the international Global Enterprise Challenge. The challenge is a...
- Petition: Myozyme (2 speeches)
I present two petitions on behalf of my constituent Bradley Gibson, who suffers from Pompe’s disease and is requesting that the life-saving drug Myozyme be made available under government...
- Emeritus Professor Frank Fenner (1 speech)
It gives me great pleasure to speak today in honour of the legendary contribution made by my constituent the revered and humble Professor Frank Fenner, who died on Monday at 95. Professor Fenner...
- Pompe’s Disease (1 speech)
I rise today to bring to the Main Committee’s attention a rare and debilitating autosomal recessive metabolic disorder that affects many Australians, including constituents of mine in the...
- Parramatta Electorate: Switch Digital Arts Centre (1 speech)
I was delighted in the last two-week break of the parliament to be able to attend the launch of the Switch Digital Arts Centre, which is powered by the Information and Cultural Exchange, known as...
- Mr Bob Brooks; Blood Donation (2 speeches)
On 14 October Bob Brooks, a constituent of mine who lives at Doyalson North, gave his 150th whole blood donation, which is a fantastic achievement. To put this in perspective, this equals a blood...
- Governor-General’S Speech (0 speeches)
- Address-in-Reply (5 speeches)
Debate resumed from 24 November, on the proposed address-in-reply to the speech of Her Excellency the Governor-General— May it please Your Excellency: We, the House of Representatives of...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! It being 11.19 am, I propose the question: That the Main Committee do now adjourn.
- Bennelong Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Several weeks ago, I hosted the inaugural Bennelong trilevel government meeting, bringing together federal, state and council leaders on a quarterly basis. These meetings will address...
- Chifley Electorate: Plumpton High School (1 speech)
Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to speak without closing the debate. Leave granted. I rise to celebrate a terrific example of collaboration which demonstrates what good can be achieved by...
- Dunkley Electorate (1 speech)
May I extend my best wishes for the festive season to all members and senators, all of the staff and the committed parliamentary team that make this parliament function—and, of course, to...
- New Zealand: Mine Explosion; Newcastle Electorate (1 speech)
Firstly, I would like to express my condolences to the families of the victims at the Pike River coalmine disaster in New Zealand and to the New Zealand people, from one mining community to...
- Petition: Step to the Future Program (1 speech)
I join other members in extending my condolences to the New Zealand mineworkers, their families and friends. This enormous tragedy has touched people right throughout New Zealand and Australia. I...
- Professor Frank Fenner (1 speech)
I wish to speak today on the loss of Emeritus Professor Frank Fenner, the audacity he demonstrated throughout his life and the monumental contributions he made to Australia and the world. A...
- Wild Rivers (1 speech)
On Saturday I was taking some time to read the national papers, and I almost choked on my Weeties when I saw this full-page ad about wild rivers, taken out by the Queensland government in all of...
- Rail Infrastructure (1 speech)
I too extend my sympathy to the families of the victims of the terrible human tragedy in New Zealand. I also extend my Christmas and New Year greetings to you, Madam Deputy Speaker Livermore, and...
- Western Australia (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the continued tax levied by the Gillard government on the state of Western Australia, its economy, its lifestyle and its people. There are many ways that WA is being...
- Iraq (1 speech)
I rise today merely three weeks after the worst attack on Christians in Iraq since the invasion of 2003. While 100 people gathered to celebrate Sunday mass on 31 October, armed Islamic militants...
- Petition: Menindee Lakes (2 speeches)
I rise today in the Main Committee to present a petition addressed to the Speaker and members of the House of Representatives involving a critical proposal which could have long-term detrimental...
- La Trobe Electorate: Education and Health (1 speech)
The credentials and the commitment of this government in the areas of education and health reform and in education and health policy are well known. It pleases me very much to be able to update...
- Calare Electorate: White Ribbon Day; Pensions and Benefits; Flying Foxes (5 speeches)
I rise in parliament today to tell all Australians, particularly the men who live in my electorate of Calare, that this is White Ribbon Day. This is the day when men around Australia should, by...
- PBS Homes ACT; New Zealand: Mine Explosion; Cambodia: Festival Disaster (1 speech)
I recently attended the Master Builders Association of the ACT celebration of its 75th anniversary in Canberra. The evening honoured the significant contribution of the building and construction...
- Bowel Cancer (1 speech)
Bowel cancer is the most frequently occurring cancer in Australia and the second biggest cancer killer after lung cancer. Based on current trends, one in 12 Australians will develop bowel cancer...
- Pork Industry: Sow Stalls (2 speeches)
As we head into the festive season, I wish to speak today about a decision made last week by Australian Pork Ltd, APL, the industry’s peak research and marketing body, to ban the use of sow...
- Disability Services (1 speech)
Thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker. I rise today to speak on behalf of people in my electorate of Bonner who provide unwavering support and/or care for people with disabilities. I am speaking today on...
- Pike River Mine Disaster (1 speech)
I really thank you, Mr Deputy Speaker Slipper, for your cooperation and indulgence in keeping the adjournment debate going following that division. I want to use my time in this speech to join...
- Riverina Electorate: Citrus Industry (2 speeches)
I rise today to alert the parliament to a serious disease threat to one of the most important agricultural industries in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area, in my electorate of Riverina. The citrus...
- Election Material (2 speeches)
In a little noticed event in Britain on 5 November, a court effectively involved itself in the political process and overturned the election of Mr Phil Woolas, a former minister for immigration,...
