House debates

Thursday, 12 May 2011

• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Budget (16 speeches)
    I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for North Sydney from moving the following motion forthwith: That this House calls on the...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan (2 speeches)
    by leave—The government and I are committed to providing regular reports and updates on Afghanistan, including to the parliament. I last reported to the parliament on 23 March, which...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Military Justice (Interim Measures) Amendment Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Stephen Smith Bill read a first time.
  • Military Justice (Interim Measures) Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Australian Military Court was established in 2007 by legislation supported by both sides of the parliament. The court's establishment...
  • Acts Interpretation Amendment Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr McClelland. Bill read a first time.
  • Acts Interpretation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill amends the Acts Interpretation Act 1901 to improve its structure, language and application to modern technology. The Acts...
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr O'Connor. Bill read a first time.
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Gillard government recognise that organised crime is a significant national security threat, and a growing challenge, that costs the...
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Collection) Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr O'Connor. Bill read a first time.
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Collection) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This is the second of three bills that will give effect to the 2010-11 budget announcement that from the 2011-12 financial year, the Australian...
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill presented by Mr Brendan O'Connor. Bill read a first time.
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This is the last of three bills that will give effect to the 2010-11 budget announcement that from the 2011-12 financial year, the Australian...
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 3) Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Shorten. Bill read a first time.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 3) Bill 2011; 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 to this bill provides a 12-month...
  • Taxation of Alternative Fuels Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Shorten. Bill read a first time.
  • Taxation of Alternative Fuels Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is one of a number of bills that together introduce fuel tax reforms first announced by the former Howard government in its 2003-04...
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Shorten. Bill read a first time.
  • Excise Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is part of a package of bills concerning the taxation of alternative fuels. The bill provides for excise to be applied to certain fuels...
  • Customs Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Shorten. Bill read a first time.
  • Customs Tariff Amendment (Taxation of Alternative Fuels) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill forms part of a package of bills concerning the taxation of alternative fuels. The bill amends the law to introduce excise-equivalent...
  • Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Amendment Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Shorten. Bill read a first time.
  • Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill is part of a package of bills concerning the taxation of alternative fuels. The bill amends the Energy Grants (Cleaner Fuels) Scheme...
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Shorten. Bill read a first time.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (Medicare Levy and Medicare Levy Surcharge) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill increases the Medicare levy and Medicare levy surcharge low-income thresholds for individuals and families in line with increases in...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • 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...
  • Publications Committee (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...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Corporations Amendment (Improving Accountability on Director and Executive Remuneration) Bill 2011; Second Reading (6 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Corporations Amendment (Improving Accountability on Director and Executive Remuneration) Bill 2011; Consideration in Detail (14 speeches)
    Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
  • Corporations Amendment (Improving Accountability on Director and Executive Remuneration) Bill 2011; 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.
  • Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2011; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
• Statements by Members (0 speeches)
  • Gladysdale Apple and Wine Festival (1 speech)
    It was my pleasure to attend on Sunday, 1 May the annual Gladysdale Apple and Wine Festival at Gladysdale Primary School. I want to pay tribute to the Gladysdale Primary School principal, Garry...
  • RSPCA Million Paws Walk (1 speech)
    This morning I attended the national launch of the RSPCA Million Paws Walk for 2011 at the Hounds on the Hill event together with many parliamentary colleagues, including my fellow co-chair of...
  • Cyclone Yasi (1 speech)
    How can the Gillard Labor government publicly boast about helping Cyclone Yasi victims recover when it is hindering the recovery efforts and holding back money from so many businesses in...
  • Easter Sunday Trading (1 speech)
    Today I wish to present a petition, which has been through the Petitions Committee and is in order, signed by over 180 people in Victoria objecting to Easter Sunday becoming another day for the...
  • New South Wales Floods (1 speech)
    I rise today to raise the plight of the residents of western and central New South Wales in my electorate who have been severely discriminated against by the Gillard Labor government. Despite the...
  • Quakers Hill: Mobile Phone Tower (1 speech)
    I rise on behalf of residents in my electorate of Greenway who strongly oppose Telstra's proposal to build a 28.5 metre mobile phone tower in Quakers Hill. On Monday evening, a group of...
  • Faust, Mr Sam (1 speech)
    Sam Faust is a North Queensland man and Proserpine junior. He is married and has three beautiful little girls. He was a full-time professional Rugby League player with the mighty North Queensland...
  • Geale, Mr Daniel (1 speech)
    I rise to acknowledge a Tasmanian who has reached the pinnacle of his profession. Daniel Geale won the IBF world middleweight title in a split decision over Germany's Sebastian Sylvester on 8...
  • Solomon Electorate (1 speech)
    We are now two weeks into the official dry season, which means the weather is perfect and there is a lot of activity in my electorate of Solomon, including the Mindil and Palmerston markets now...
  • Loneliness (1 speech)
    A recent article in the Australian noted that one in four Australians suffer from loneliness as a serious problem. In fact, loneliness is one of the fastest-growing contemporary issues in modern...
  • Government Regulation (2 speeches)
    The Rudd-Gillard government seems to think there is no problem that cannot be fixed by more regulation. Despite a promise of one in, one out the Rudd-Gillard government is damned by its own...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister of her statement before the election, 'There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead.' Why should the people believe...
  • Employment (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the employment numbers released this morning?
  • Budget (20 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the proposal by the government to increase its borrowing limit from $200 billion to $250 billion. Why is the government increasing the...
  • Transport Infrastructure (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Is the minister aware that an RACQ bulletin on 9 May 2011 shows that the Mackay-Cairns highway was closed 334 times in 2010? As a...
  • Fiscal Policy (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline to the House the importance of responsible fiscal policy. How has this approach been received and what are the consequences of not...
  • Budget (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Now that the government has revealed details of its spending on the National Broadband Network totalling $18.2 billion over the forward estimates, including $4.4...
  • Family Payments (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Minister, how is the government improving support for Australian families?
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the case of a typical tradesman who lives in Windsor in my electorate and earns $78,000 a year. His wife works part-time as a nurse. They...
  • Infrastructure (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. What are the government's initiatives to reform infrastructure planning and financing in Australia? How have these reforms been...
  • Budget (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the budget fringe benefits tax increase on working vehicles. Has the Treasurer seen the analysis by Deloittes which shows that a typical...
  • Asylum Seekers (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to her stated concerns to get tough on people smugglers. Can the Prime Minister confirm that the government has ceased specific...
  • Skilled Migration (3 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. Minister, will you outline to the House how the skilled migration program announced in the budget is helping address Australia's...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Appropriations and Administration Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I am pleased to present to the House the first report of the Standing Committee on Appropriations and Administration, entitled budget estimates 2011-12 for the department of the House of...
  • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the Selection Committee Report No. 20 relating to the consideration of bills.
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (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...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Regional Australia (23 speeches)
    I have received letters from the honourable member for Lyne and the honourable member for Goldstein proposing that definite matters of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Rose, Mr Lionel Edward, MBE; Report from Main Committee (1 speech)
    Order of the day returned from Main Committee for further consideration; certified copy of the motion presented. Ordered that the order of the day be considered immediately.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 2) Bill 2011; Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment, appropriation message having been reported; certified copy of bill presented. Bill agreed to.
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 2) Bill 2011; 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 Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2011; Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of bill presented. Bill agreed to.
  • International Tax Agreements Amendment Bill (No. 1) 2011; 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.
  • Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of bill presented. Bill agreed to.
  • Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; 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.
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2011 Measures No. 1) Bill 2011; Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment, appropriation message having been reported; certified copy of bill presented. Bill agreed to.
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2011 Measures No. 1) Bill 2011; 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)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    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 Committee, or...
• Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
  • Milk Pricing (0 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this House: (1) notes with concern the impact on the Dairy Industry of the Coles milk pricing strategy and that: (a) dairy farmers around the country are today...
  • World Veterinary Year; Report from Main Committee (1 speech)
    Order of the day returned from the Main Committee for further consideration; certified copy presented.
  • Carbon Pricing (4 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this House: (1) agrees that putting a price on carbon is an essential step in reducing carbon pollution and transforming our economy to achieve a clean energy...
• Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    Mr Speaker, on a brief matter of indulgence I seek 30 seconds of your time. I think when I explain you will understand. In question time today the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing indicated...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Electoral Matters Committee; Appointment (1 speech)
    I have received a message from the Senate informing the House that the Senate concurs with the House amendment to the variation to the resolution of appointment of the Joint Standing Committee on...
  • Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, I present the committee's report entitled, Advisory report of the inquiry into the Family Law Legislation Amendment (Family...
  • Economics Committee; Report (23 speeches)
    On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics I present the committee's report on the inquiry into Indigenous economic development in Queensland and the advisory report on the Wild Rivers...
  • Economics Committee; Report and Reference to Main Committee (1 speech)
    ():—by leave—I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Main Committee for debate. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Migration Amendment (Complementary Protection) Bill 2011; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That business intervening before order of the day No.6, government business, be postponed until the next sitting. Question agreed to. Pr oceedings suspended from 18:04 to 19:30
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Appropriation Bill (No. 1) 2011-2012; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    Before the debate is resumed on this bill, I remind the House that it has been agreed that a general debate be allowed covering this bill, the Appropriation Bill (No. 2) 2011-2012 and the...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • (0 speeches)
    The following notices were given: Mr Bandt to move: That this House: (1) condemns the Gillard Government’s deal with Malaysia that would see 800 asylum seekers intercepted in Australian...
• Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
  • Petition: Postal Services (5 speeches)
    I rise today to present this petition for an Australia Post street posting box at the Miami Village Shopping Centre in Falcon in my electorate of Canning. An Australia Post retail outlet was...
  • Celebrate Henley Community and Family Fun Day (1 speech)
    Recently I had the pleasure of attending the third annual Celebrate Henley Community and Family Fun Day, which was held in my electorate of Hindmarsh at the Henley and Grange Memorial Oval,...
  • Rotary Adventure in Citizenship Program, Regional Development Australia (2 speeches)
    I take the opportunity to welcome the Rotary Adventure in Citizenship students in the gallery here today. I am sure both sides of the House are very pleased to see them here. I understand there...
  • Corio Electorate: Surf Coast Knockout (1 speech)
    Some months ago I spoke in this House about a fantastic sporting event which occurred in the Geelong region earlier this year. As I said at the time, the Surf Coast Knockout was a major sporting...
  • Bradley, Mr John 'Jack' Charles (1 speech)
    I rise today to pay tribute to John 'Jack' Charles Bradley who sadly passed away on 9 April 2011. Jack contributed a great deal both to my electorate of Paterson and to our nation through his...
  • Mother's Day Classic (4 speeches)
    On Sunday I was privileged to participate in the Women in Super Mother's Day Classic in Parramatta Park. On that day, around 120,000 people around the country stepped out for breast cancer...
  • National Volunteer Week (1 speech)
    I am sure that many of us will rise this week to speak on the value of volunteers. It is quite appropriate therefore that we have representatives of Rotary students here with us in the chamber....
  • Holt Electorate: Volunteers, Cairns Road Reserve Master Plan (1 speech)
    I also rise today to acknowledge volunteers that have made a significant difference in our community and, in particular, acknowledge two Hampton Park residents, who we recently recognised in a...
  • Longman Electorate: Small Business (1 speech)
    On 27 April this year, Senator Eric Abetz, shadow minister for employment and workplace relations, and I, together with Commerce Caboolture and the CBD Traders of Caboolture, hosted a local small...
  • Battle of Crete (2 speeches)
    Last Friday I attended an important function in Melbourne at the home of the Consul-General for Greece, Mrs Eleni Lianidou. The function was held in honour of Australian veterans who fought in...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Intelligence Services Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (35 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2011 Measures No. 1) Bill 2011; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    ():I move: That further proceedings on order of the day No.5, Private Members' Business, be conducted in the House. Question agreed to.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Small Business (1 speech)
    Small business is the backbone of Australia and the engine room of our economy; indeed, small business is the employer of more than 3.6 million Australians. The small-business sector generates...
  • Malta ANZAC War Memorial Committee of South Australia (1 speech)
    On 2 April 2011 the member for Hindmarsh, Mr Georganas, and I attended the Malta ANZAC War Memorial Committee of South Australia's special fundraising evening. A number of dignitaries, including...
  • Gilmore Electorate: Medinis, Mrs Aina (1 speech)
    I rise to speak on the passing of a significant citizen of the Gerringong district who, although not born in Australia, contributed markedly to the betterment of the society that adopted her as...
  • Kingston Electorate: Southern Football League (1 speech)
    I rise today to congratulate the Southern Football League for celebrating their 125th birthday. I recently had the pleasure of attending the first celebration in the year-long celebrations, at...
  • Hasluck Electorate: Forrestfield Bendigo Bank (1 speech)
    I rise today to acknowledge the fantastic work done in the community of Hasluck by the Bendigo Bank in Forrestfield. From its base of nearly 600 local shareholders and a board consisting of well...
  • Tibet (1 speech)
    Set in the foothills of the Himalayas, Dharamsala is the seat of the Dalai Lama and the headquarters of the eight Tibetan exile communities in India. To establish their refugee status in India,...
  • Petition: Special Disability Trusts (1 speech)
    I take a few minutes today to present a petition found to be in order by the Standing Committee on Petitions. The petition was instigated by Lyla O'Hara, a Mornington resident, and supported by...
  • Indigenous Affairs (1 speech)
    Where kangaroos graze on an oval overlooking the Pacific Ocean lies the most picturesque school in my electorate. Founded in 1914, Jervis Bay Primary School serves children of Defence Force...
  • Wright Electorate (1 speech)
    I rise to inform the House today of the difficulty of a number of sectors within my seat of Wright, firstly, the mums and dads who are struggling to cope with the ever-increasing cost of living....
  • National Volunteer Week (1 speech)
    I rise, like many other members have this morning, to pay tribute to volunteers in the Shortland electorate and for that matter throughout Australia. This is National Volunteer Week and it is a...
  • Petition: Complementary Protection (1 speech)
    I commend the member for Shortland for her support of volunteers. I walked across here today with Rachel Franklin and Jessica Thompson—Rachel is from Leongatha Secondary College, and...
  • Murray-Darling Basin (1 speech)
    Today I rise to speak on the Murray-Darling Basin guide and the background paper. Everyone agrees that we want a healthy, working basin, a healthy river system underpinned by strong and viable...
  • Royal Australian Artillery (1 speech)
    I will take this opportunity today to speak of the Royal Australian Artillery and particularly the Army Reserve units of the artillery. This arms corps has a long and proud history stretching...
  • Blair Electorate: Ipswich Motorway and Blacksoil Interchange (1 speech)
    The federal Labor government is investing a record $8.5 billion in Queensland as part of our Nation Building Program to renew and expand the state's road, rail and public transport...
  • National Volunteer Week (1 speech)
    This week, from 9 to 15 May, is National Volunteer Week, when all Australians are called upon to recognise and show our appreciation to volunteers for their contribution. During National...
  • La Trobe Electorate: Community Forums (2 speeches)
    Last Saturday I held the first of what I hope will be many successful community forums at the Belgrave South Progress Hall in my electorate of La Trobe. There was a fantastic turnout at the...
• Questions in Writing (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (Question No. 95) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, in writing, on 22 November 2010: How many days above the Government's 90 day target have (a) Sri Lankan; and (b) Afghan asylum seekers been in...
  • Ministers: Staff, Capital Works and Acquisitions (Question Nos 239 and 240) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Arts and Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, in writing, on 3 March 2011: (1) How many personal staff are employed by the Minister....
  • Ministers: Staff, Capital Works and Acquisitions (Question No. 243) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, in writing, on 3 March 2011: (1) How many personal staff are employed by the Minister. (2) What is the (a) total cost, and (b) breakdown of...
  • Ministers: Staff, Capital Works and Acquisitions (Question Nos 253 and 254) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Resources and Energy, in writing, on 3 March 2011: (1) How many personal staff are employed by the Minister. (2) What is the (a) total cost, and (b) breakdown of costs, of...
  • Ministers: Staff, Capital Works and Acquisitions (Question No. 273) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, in writing, on 3 March 2011: (1)    How many personal staff are employed by the Minister. (2)    What is the (a)...
  • Immigration and Citizenship: Think Tank and Policy Institutes (Question No. 313) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship, in writing, on 23 February 2011: (1) How many think tanks or policy institutes are funded by the Minister's department, and (a) what are (i)...