House debates

Wednesday, 22 June 2011

• Privilege (0 speeches)
  • (3 speeches)
    On 16 June the Leader of the House raised as a matter of privilege the unauthorised disclosure of proceedings of the Joint Committee on Law Enforcement. In accordance with the practice of the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Schools Assistance Amendment Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr Garrett. Bill read a first time.
  • Schools Assistance Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. In December 2010, the Ministerial Council for Education, Early Childhood Devel­opment and Youth Affairs (MCEECDYA) endorsed the Foundation...
  • Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; First Reading (0 speeches)
    Bill and explanatory memorandum presented by Mr McClelland. Bill read a first time.
  • Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011 makes amendments to facilitate Australia’s accession to the Council of Europe Convention on...
  • Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 6) 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. 6) 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 exempts the outer regional...
  • Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • Family Assistance and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Consideration in Detail (327 speeches)
    Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
  • Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present the revised explanatory memorandum for this bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Bill 2011 lays the framework...
  • Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I present a revised explanatory memorandum and move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional...
  • Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency Bill 2011; Second Reading (10 speeches)
    I understand that it is the wish of the House to debate this order of the day concurrently with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Conse­quential Amendments and...
  • Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency 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.
  • Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011; Second Reading (0 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time. Question agreed to. Bill read a second time.
  • Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011; Third Reading (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That this be now read a third time. Question agreed to. Bill read a third time.
  • National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Home Loans and Credit Cards) Bill 2011; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
  • National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Home Loans and Credit Cards) Bill 2011; Consideration in Detail (15 speeches)
    Bill—by leave—taken as a whole.
  • National Consumer Credit Protection Amendment (Home Loans and Credit Cards) 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.
  • Military Justice (Interim Measures) Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
• Statements by Members (0 speeches)
  • Boyd-Turner, Ms Jan (1 speech)
    I rise in the House this afternoon to pay tribute to a very great lady of the eastern suburbs of Adelaide, Jan Boyd-Turner, who passed away about 2½ weeks ago. Jan Boyd-Turner was a...
  • Tasmanian Football (1 speech)
    I rise to speak about football in Tasmania. Northern Tasmanians should acknowledge that the AFL are trying to kick North Melbourne out of Victoria. But I firmly support Hawthorn playing five...
  • Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme (1 speech)
    I would like to commend to the House the Pacific Seasonal Worker Pilot Scheme, which allows approved employers in the horticultural industry to recruit Pacific islanders. The Australian...
  • Syria (1 speech)
    A few months ago it would have been unthinkable for Syrian people to raise their voices against the Al-Assad regime, which has ruled their lives for so long. But the Arab Spring, which has seen...
  • Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
    Australian farmers take great pride in breeding and raising healthy, quality, well-cared-for animals. They were appalled by the footage of the mistreatment of animals in some Indonesian...
  • Military Working Dogs (1 speech)
    On Tuesday, 7 June I attended a service at the Salisbury War Memorial to recognise military working dogs. On the day, a belgian shepherd named Ankcon and his handler, Paul Keily, laid a wreath at...
  • Barker, Mr Michael (1 speech)
    On Friday, 9 June I was delighted to present Michael Barker with an Australian flag. Michael is a wonderful young man who has been selected to represent Australia at the Special Olympics. In June...
  • Road Transport Industry (1 speech)
    I rise to support the Transport Workers Union's Safe and Fair Rates campaign to address the dire situation faced by the road transport industry, which has seen a tragic and totally unacceptable...
  • Kerr, Mr Graham (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak about heroes—not typical heroes like sporting identities or celebrities, but everyday heroes we can all learn so much from. Graham Kerr is the hero I speak of today....
  • St George Illawarra Dragons (1 speech)
    No doubt there are many things that divide us on both sides of the House, but one thing that all fair-minded representatives in this place would agree on is that the mighty St George Illawarra...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Jones, Lance Corporal Andrew Gordon, Case, Lieutenant Marcus Sean; Report from Main Committee (1 speech)
    Order of the day returned from Main Committee for further consideration; certified copy of the motion presented. Debate resumed on the motion: That the House record its deep regret at the deaths...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Occupational Health and Safety (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to her claim last year in answer to a question about her achievements that she had delivered national occupational health and...
  • Economy (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the government acting to keep the economy strong, undertake reforms in the national interest and ensure we extend the benefits of opportunity to all...
  • Foreign Affairs (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer him to the tensions that have been created in our relationship with Indonesia over the live cattle export ban, with East Timor over the...
  • Budget (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline for the House the importance of returning the budget to surplus and supporting a stable and competitive banking system? How has this...
  • Carbon Pricing (6 speeches)
    My question is to the member for Makin in his capacity as Chair of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Climate Change, Environment and the Arts. Has the committee he chairs been...
  • Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. How is the government delivering on its plan for a regional cooperation framework on people smuggling and irregular migration? What...
  • Carbon Pricing (4 speeches)
    My question today is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the comments of the Mackay Canegrowers chairman, Paul Schembri, that a carbon tax would be 'a lead weight around the neck of the...
  • Workplace Relations (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government and Minister for the Arts, representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and...
  • Carbon Pricing (2 speeches)
    I refer the Treasurer to a fact sheet from a group including the Australian Conservation Foundation, the Australian Youth Climate Coalition, Environment Victoria and Greenpeace, which claims:...
  • Native Title (6 speeches)
    Mr Speaker—
  • Paid Parental Leave (5 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. Minister, how has the Gillard government delivered Australia's first national paid parental leave...
  • Carbon Pricing (12 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the report of the Australian Energy Market Commission that warns a carbon dioxide tax will reduce the value of electricity generators'...
  • Health (16 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Health and Ageing. How is the Gillard government delivering to improve care for patients and create a more sustainable health system? What reaction has there...
  • Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to her 7 May announcement that a memorandum of understanding with Malaysia would be concluded in the near future. Given that it is...
  • Australian Natural Disasters (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Attorney-General. How is the Gillard government delivering for those communities that are rebuilding following natural disasters over the summer?
  • Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that immigration laws are enforced in Malaysia by a 500,000-strong volunteer police force and that the US State Department has...
  • Education (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. How is the Gillard government delivering to ensure every child has access to a great education?
  • Border Protection (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the member for Griffith's promise in 2009 to provide $2.8 million to 'establish a dedicated border protection committee of...
  • Australia New Zealand Closer Economic Relations Trade Agreement (3 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Trade. Will the minister advise the House of the benefits of and future prospects for the closer economic relations agreement with New Zealand? What is the...
• Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
  • Occupational Health and Safety (1 speech)
    I seek leave to add to an answer. Leave granted. At the commencement of question time today the Leader of the Opposition asked me about occupational health and safety laws. For the further...
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (13 speeches)
    I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • National Rugby League (8 speeches)
    I move: That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Kennedy from moving the following motion: That this House: (1) notes that the Cowboys Queensland...
• Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
  • Reports Nos 52 and 53 of 2010-11 (1 speech)
    I present the following Auditor-General's reports for 2010-11: No. 52 Performance audit: Administration of Deductible Gift Recipients (Non-profit Sector); and No. 53 Performance audit: Drought...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present the Selection Committee report No. 25 relating to the consideration of committee and delegation business and private members' business on Monday, 4 July 2011. The report will be printed...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    A document is tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today from the Department of Health and Ageing. I move: That the House take note of the following...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Asylum Seekers (24 speeches)
    I have received a letter from the honourable member for Cook proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The unfolding failure of the...
• Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation (2 speeches)
    by leave—The Gillard government believes Australians should achieve a more comfortable and secure life when they retire. There is little benefit in working hard, but retiring poor. In mid...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment Determination 2011, Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net — Telehealth) Amendment Determination 2011, Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment Determination 2011 (No. 2) (1 speech)
    I move: That, in accordance with section 10B of the Health Insurance Act 1973, the House approve the: (1) Health Insurance (Extended Medicare Safety Net) Amendment Determination 2011 made on 23...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security Amendment Bill 2011; Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of bill presented. Bill agreed to.
  • Inspector-General of Intelligence and Security 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.
  • Product Stewardship Bill 2011; Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of bill presented. Bill agreed to.
  • Product Stewardship 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.
  • Combating the Financing of People Smuggling and Other Measures Bill 2011; Consideration of Senate Message (2 speeches)
    Bill returned from the Senate with an amendment. Ordered that the amendment be considered immediately. Senate’s amendment—issuerrecipient
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Collection) Bill 2011; Consideration of Senate Message (2 speeches)
    Bill returned from the Senate with an amendment. Ordered that the amendment be considered immediately. Senate’s amendment—
  • Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre Supervisory Cost Recovery Levy (Consequential Amendments) Bill 2011; Consideration of Senate Message (1 speech)
    Bill returned from the Senate with an amendment. Ordered that the amendment be considered immediately. Senate’s amendment—Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre...
  • Therapeutic Goods Amendment (2011 Measures No. 1) Bill 2011, Aged Care Amendment Bill 2011, Customs Amendment (Export Controls and Other Measures) Bill 2011, Customs Tariff Amendment (2012 Harmonized System Changes) Bill 2011, Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (MRCA Supplement) Bill 2011; Returned from Senate (0 speeches)
    Message received from the Senate returning the bills without amendment or request.
  • Customs Amendment (Serious Drugs Detection) Bill 2011; Consideration of Senate Message (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from the Senate with an amendment. Ordered that the amendment be consid­ered at the next sitting.
  • Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and Other Legislation Amendment (Further Election Commitments and Other Measures) Bill 2011; Consideration of Senate Message (3 speeches)
    Bill returned from the Senate with amendments. Ordered that the amendments be consid­ered immediately. Senate’s amendments—
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2011; Report from Main Committee (0 speeches)
    Bill returned from Main Committee without amendment; certified copy of bill presented. Ordered that this bill be considered immediately. Bill agreed to.
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (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.
  • Indigenous Education (Targeted Assistance) Amendment Bill 2011, Protection of the Sea (Prevention of Pollution from Ships) Amendment (Oil Transfers) Bill 2011; Reference to Main Committee (1 speech)
    by leave—At the request of the Chief Government Whip, I move: That the bills be referred to the Main Committee for further consideration. Question agreed to.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Economics Committee; Report (2 speeches)
    On behalf of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Economics, I present the committee's report entitled Advisory report on the Competition and Consumer (Price Signalling) Amendment...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Military Justice (Interim Measures) Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time. (Quorum formed)
  • Military Justice (Interim Measures) 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.
  • Mutual Assistance in Criminal Matters Amendment (Registration of Foreign Proceeds of Crime Orders) Bill 2011; Second Reading (3 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Investment (1 speech)
    I am a proud rural Australian. I am proud that the majority of mainstream Australians still hold dear all that previous generations have fought and died to protect; such as our national...
  • Mining (1 speech)
    Last week we saw the extraordinary event of Andrew 'Twiggy' Forrest flying from Perth to Canberra using a private jet registered to Fortescue Metals Group, somehow avoiding the chaos caused by...
  • Valedictories (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to acknowledge the service of six retiring coalition senators who in the last week have given their valedictory speeches and will finish their terms on 30 June this year. In...
  • Disability (1 speech)
    I rise today to talk about disability, both around the world and closer to home, and to highlight the importance of social inclusion for people with a disability. Recent developments in my...
  • Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation (1 speech)
    Today it is my pleasure to speak about a local charity doing extraordinary things in my electorate. The Kids of Macarthur Health Foundation is dedicated to improving health care for every child...
  • Macartney, Ms Tess, Atkin, Ms Anne (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to pay tribute to two very special constituents and their extraordinary efforts in raising public awareness for their respective causes. One of the most rewarding things about...
  • National Broadband Network (1 speech)
    This government would have you believe that the National Broadband Network represents a holistic solution to competition in telecommunications. In fact it is increasingly clear that...
  • International Development Assistance (1 speech)
    Last week an editorial in Rockhampton's newspaper, the Morning Bulletin, took aim at the flood levy introduced temporarily by the government to help meet the cost of rebuilding Queensland's...
  • Minister for Foreign Affairs (1 speech)
    It was Winston Churchill, one of the greatest statesmen of the 20th century, who said: Their insatiable lust for power is only equalled by their incurable incompetence in exercising it. Wind the...
  • Moreton Electorate: Muslim Community (1 speech)
    That is five minutes of my life I will never get back. In recent days there has been a bit of media about a Muslim woman and the need for her to remove her burqa. I refer to an article from...
  • High-Speed Rail (1 speech)
    Right now, airports across the country are dealing with enormous backlogs of passengers from hundreds of domestic and international flights cancelled because of the volcanic ash cloud. Qantas,...
  • Lyne Electorate: Floods (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to report to the House on some of the worst flooding on the mid-North Coast in over 30 years, which occurred last week. The community rallied on many fronts but was exposed in...
• Notices (0 speeches)
  • (2 speeches)
    The following notice(s) were given:
• Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
  • Cowper Electorate: Floods (1 speech)
    I rise to draw the attention of the House to the impact of the recent floods on the North Coast of New South Wales. The floods have impacted communities in the local government areas of Kempsey,...
  • Rotary Club of West Torrens (1 speech)
    I rise to pay tribute to the Rotary Club of West Torrens. It is a club consisting of ordinary members of the Hindmarsh community who do extraordinary work in support of very good causes. The type...
  • Latrobe Valley Airport (1 speech)
    I join with the member for Hindmarsh in sending a big bouquet to Rotarians everywhere. I would like to speak today in relation to an exciting project with the potential to create up to 200 jobs...
  • Primary Industry Centre for Science Education (1 speech)
    Good morning, colleagues. This morning I want to talk about PICSE, that is, the Primary Industry Centre for Science Education. This is a fantastic program that actually started in my electorate....
  • Taylor, Mr John (3 speeches)
    I rise today in this House to record the passing of John Taylor a few weeks ago, in May. I read of John Taylor's passing in the Canberra Times last week. John Taylor was Auditor-General for the...
  • Robertson Electorate: Five Lands Walk (4 speeches)
    I rise to speak on the amazing Five Lands Walk that was held on the Central Coast on Saturday. It traversed five of our fantastic beaches, hence the name 'The Five Lands Walk'. After having had a...
  • Egypt (1 speech)
    I rise today to raise an issue relating to quite a disturbing event that has taken place in recent weeks in Egypt. Earlier this year, the world watched on as the Egyptian people stood up for...
  • Shortland Electorate: Youth at Risk Program (1 speech)
    As members of parliament, from time to time we see fantastic programs operating within our local communities. One such program in the Shortland electorate is operating out of the career skills...
  • Longman Electorate: Shekinah Centre (1 speech)
    A couple of weeks ago I had the privilege of visiting the Shekinah centre in my electorate and meeting with the development officer, Mr Bill Fowles, the girls who participate in the program and...
  • Lindsay Electorate: St Mary's Public School (2 speeches)
    I rise to acknowledge the 150th anniversary of St Mary's Public School. I had the great honour and pleasure of joining several hundred people at the school's recent anniversary celebrations, when...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Product Stewardship Bill 2011; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Product Stewardship Bill 2011 implements a cornerstone commitment of the National Waste...
  • Higher Education Support Amendment (No. 1) Bill 2011; Second Reading (28 speeches)
    I present the explanatory memorandum to this bill and I move: That this bill be now read a second time. The bill will introduce a number of streamlining measures to the Higher Education Support...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Robinson, Sapper Rowan Jaie (15 speeches)
    Debate resumed on the motion: That the House record its deep regret at the death of Sapper Rowan Jaie Robinson on 6 June 2011, while on combat operations in Afghanistan, and place on record its...
• Questions in Writing (0 speeches)
  • After-Hours Medical Services (Question No. 120) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, in writing, on 25 November 2010: (1) By program, what sum of funding will the Government provide for the provision of after hours care in (a) 2010-11,...
  • Ministers: Staff, Capital Works and Acquisitions (Question Nos 241 and 255) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and the Minister for Trade, 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)...
  • Computers in Schools (Question No. 320) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth, in writing, on 24 March 2011: Since the inception of the Digital Education Revolution program, by school in the Canning...
  • Imports: Narcotic, Psychotropic and Precursor Substances (Question No. 323) (2 speeches)
    asked the Minister for Health and Ageing, in writing, on 24 March 2011: In respect of applications to the Office of Chemical Safety & Environmental Health for the importation of narcotic,...