House debates
Thursday, 3 November 2011
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- 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...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Orders of the Day (1 speech)
I move: That Main Committee, private Members’ business, orders of the day No. 4, the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Amendment (Fair Protection for Firefighters) Bill 2011, No. 8...
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the following orders of the day, private Members' business, being called on, and considered...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Tobacco Plain Packaging (0 speeches, 1 comment)
Debate resumed on the motion: That this House: (1) notes the devastating impact of tobacco products on the lives of Australians, with smoking causing numerous life threatening diseases including...
- Disability Services (0 speeches)
Debate resumed on the motion: That this House: (1) welcomes the Productivity Commission's final report into Disability Care and Support, released on 10 August 2011; (2) notes the assessment of...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics Committee; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics I present the committee's report entitled Advisory report on the Tax Laws Amendment (2011 Measures No. 8) Bill 2011 and the Pay As You Go...
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the report of the Publications Committee sitting in conference with the Senate Standing Committee on Publications. Copies of the report have been placed on the table. The Committee,...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Minerals Resource Rent Tax Bill 2011, Minerals Resource Rent Tax (Consequential Amendments and Transitional Provisions) Bill 2011, Minerals Resource Rent Tax (Imposition — General) Bill 2011, Minerals Resource Rent Tax (Imposition — Customs) Bill 2011, Minerals Resource Rent Tax (Imposition — Excise) Bill 2011, Petroleum Resource Rent Tax Assessment Amendment Bill 2011, Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (Imposition — General) Bill 2011, Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (Imposition — Customs) Bill 2011, Petroleum Resource Rent Tax (Imposition — Excise) Bill 2011, Tax Laws Amendment (Stronger, Fairer, Simpler and Other Measures) Bill 2011, Superannuation Guarantee (Administration) Amendment Bill 2011; Second Reading (33 speeches)
Cognate debate. Debate resumed on the motion: That this bill be now read a second time.
- Privilege (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I seek your indulgence and your guidance on what could be a matter of privilege. Yesterday in the House, the Assistant Treasurer stated that the age limit is to be abolished on...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Nestle Battle of the Top End Girls Academies (1 speech)
Last week I was fortunate enough to participate in the inaugural Nestle Battle of the Top End Girls Academies. The Palmerston Girls Academy, in conjunction with Nestle Australia and Role Models...
- Bass Electorate: Singfest (1 speech)
I notice that Larmenier school is in the audience today. For those in the House who are not aware, Larmenier school recently won the Australian grade 6 spellathon. But I rise today to talk about...
- Petition: Medicare Centre in Narellan (1 speech)
I rise to table a petition from concerned residents in Macarthur. This petition of 1,657 signatures draws to the attention of the House and the Minister for Health and Ageing the need for a...
- Heart and Stroke Parliamentary Friendship Group (1 speech)
This morning the member for Hasluck and I, along with the heart and stroke foundations, launched the Heart and Stroke Parliamentary Friendship Group. I thank the many members and senators who...
- Swan Electorate: Lynwood Village Shopping Centre (1 speech)
Last Thursday I held a community meeting at Lynwood Village Shopping Centre to discuss security concerns that have been raised with my office by businesses and residents. Over the last few weeks...
- Belconnen Arts Centre (1 speech)
There are many hidden and not so hidden gems in my electorate of Fraser. In partnership with the Belconnen Arts Centre, on 18 October I launched Mapping the Northside. Mapping the Northside is a...
- Australian Volunteers Overseas (1 speech)
I had the pleasure recently of formally thanking nine Australians for their work as volunteers abroad. I had the pleasure of being joined by the Deputy Leader of the Opposition at a ceremony in...
- Cardinia Primary School (1 speech)
Last Friday I was delighted to visit Cardinia Primary School to formally open their new facilities constructed under our Building the Education Revolution program. Having visited the school...
- Airlie Beach (1 speech)
Residents of the Whitsundays are fed up with not being listened to by their local council and the state government. This time we have had local Mayor Michael Brunker, his council and state Labor...
- Atherton, Gwenneth and George (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge and thank Gwenneth and George Atherton for their significant and enduring contribution to the Canberra community, particularly in the Tuggeranong Valley. A few months...
- Royal Life Saving National Drowning Report (2 speeches)
The Royal Life Saving National drowning report2011 has recently been released. Tragically, last year 315 deaths occurred in Australian waterways, and it is uncertain whether we will reach the...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Duffy, Captain Bryce Birt, Corporal Ashley Gavin, Lance Corporal Luke Order of the day returned from Main Committee for further consideration; certified copy of the motion presented. Debate...
- Gavin, Lance Corporal Luke; 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 death...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. At a time when the Australian government has net debt of $107 billion and a deficit approaching $50 billion, why is the government planning to provide...
- Mining (2 speeches)
My question is to the acting Prime Minister. Will the acting Prime Minister update the House on the importance of spreading the opportunities of the mining boom to all corners of our economy?
- International Monetary Fund (2 speeches)
My question is to the acting Prime Minister. I refer him to the words of George Osborne, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, in the House of Commons last week, when he said: I confirm today that...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Order! I inform the House that we have in the gallery this afternoon Don Cameron, a member of this place for more than 33 years as the former member for Griffith, a former member for Fadden and a...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Qantas (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Would the minister update the House on the current state of the Qantas industrial dispute? How is the government helping...
- Interest Rates (7 speeches)
My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. I refer to the fact the banks have now ignored the Treasurer's warnings on interest rate movements on 51 occasions. I refer the Acting Prime Minister...
- Mining (5 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. I refer to the government's mining tax which was negotiated in secret with the three biggest mining companies—BHP, Rio Tinto and Xstrata—to the...
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and Local Government, representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs and Workplace Relations. How does...
- Broadband (7 speeches)
My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. I refer to the Economist Intelligence Unit's recent broadband report which confirmed that the NBN project is the most expensive, most anti-competitive...
- Mining (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Resources and Energy and Minister for Tourism. Minister, how is the government ensuring the benefits of the mining boom are spread throughout the Australian economy?
- Carbon Pricing (2 speeches)
My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. I refer the Acting Prime Minister to the Canadian Foreign Minister's categorical statement last week that Canada and the United States will not...
- Mining (10 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Financial Services and Superannuation. How does the minerals resource rent tax help small businesses in my community and communities all...
- Australian Labor Party: Leadership (2 speeches)
My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. I refer the Acting Prime Minister to reports in today's Daily Telegraph that the foreign minister is about to challenge for the leadership of the...
- Infrastructure (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. How will the government secure future infrastructure investment in regional Australia? What would be the impact of not proceeding...
- Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. In light of the fact that over 250 boats, carrying 13,000 people, have arrived illegally in Australia since August 2008, will the Acting Prime...
- Older Australians (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing. How is the government spreading the benefits of the mining boom to assist and reward older Australians who stay in the workforce, and...
- Gambling (2 speeches)
My question is to the Acting Prime Minister. I refer to the concerns expressed about the government's mandatory precommitment policy by the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Secretary for...
- Mining (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade. Will the minister advise the House of the significance of the minerals resource rent tax for Australian exports? What are the benefits of applying a...
- Gambling (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. In his travels as foreign minister, has he become aware of any country that has adopted a mandatory precommitment regime in relation to...
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question is to the acting Prime Minister. Will the acting Prime Minister outline for the House the role of economic policy in standing up for working Australians?
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Daniel Morecombe Foundation (1 speech)
On behalf of Bruce and Denise Morecombe and the Daniel Morecombe Foundation I would like to express thanks that so many members wore an item of red today to signify the importance of child safety...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (17 speeches)
Mr Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation to clarify a matter.
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
Mr Speaker, having been here for 18½ years, I believe—but I could be wrong—that the second reading speeches of ministers are relied upon by the courts in order to determine what...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the Selection Committee’s report No. 38 relating to the consideration of bills. The report will be printed in today’s Hansard. Copies of the report will eventually get to...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's reports for 2011-12 entitled Audit report No. 10, Administration of the National Partnership on Early Childhood Education, and Audit report No.11, Implementation...
- 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)
- Economy (24 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 Government’s...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Casey Electorate: Mental Health Fun Run, Casey Electorate: Relay for Life (1 speech)
I would like to talk about two events in my electorate that exemplify the best of the Australian spirit. On a cold and rainy Sunday morning a couple of weekends ago, 245 people of all ages braved...
- Canberra Electorate: Order of Australia Recipients (1 speech)
I recently attended an investiture at Government House in Canberra where 33 proud Australians received their Order of Australia and other awards from Her Excellency the Governor-General, Quentin...
- Small Business (1 speech)
Small business is doing it tough in many areas right around Australia and the south-west is suffering its fair share. A number of small business people have come to me recently looking for help....
- Western Australia: Manufacturing (3 speeches)
I want to take this opportunity to speak about the understandable concern among Australian manufacturers and workers, and in the wider community, about the poor and declining local content...
- Murray Darling Basin (1 speech)
Reports yesterday suggested irrigators—they are the people who grow the food and fibre to feed and clothe this nation, in case those on that side are not aware—will be forced to...
- Qantas (2 speeches)
At the end of a week when the parliament, like the nation, has been gripped by the extraordinary actions of Qantas in grounding its fleet and locking out its workforce, there are still many...
- Notices (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The following notice was given:
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Apple Imports (1 speech)
Recently I had the opportunity to participate in a coalition delegation to New Zealand to view firsthand the horticultural practices of apple orchards and packing houses. Members who took part...
- Shalit, Gilad (2 speeches)
I rise to speak about the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit on 18 October. The news of Gilad Shalit's release brought joy and relief to all those who had hoped and prayed for his safe...
- ACRES (Asia-Pacific) (1 speech)
In the last parliamentary sitting week I had the great privilege of hosting the launch of ACRES (Asia-Pacific). ACRES, the Animal Concerns Research and Education Society, is a pioneering...
- Holt Electorate: Serious Tennis, Holt Electorate: Doveton Show (1 speech)
I rise today to update the House on some further recent achievements by my constituents, namely those from the Doveton community, of which I am very proud. One is the local youth tennis club,...
- Bennelong Electorate: Trilevel Government Meeting (1 speech)
Tomorrow I will be hosting another trilevel government meeting in my Bennelong office. The trilevel government meeting is an initiative that I introduced on my entry into parliament last August....
- Bass Electorate: Defence Science and Technology Organisation Facilities (1 speech)
I rise today to welcome the parliamentary approval of the $18.7 million upgrade of the Defence Science and Technology Organisation facilities in Scottsdale, in my electorate of Bass. This project...
- Child Protection (2 speeches)
I start these remarks by looking closely at the standing orders and reflecting upon the outfit that Deputy Speaker Slipper has on today. I thought there may be a red jacket, but he is resplendent...
- Tibet (1 speech)
Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker, in your extraordinary red outfit with red pinstripes. Earlier this year I visited the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. In the foothills of the...
- Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre (2 speeches)
I rise today to thank the Penshurst Volcanoes Discovery Centre for the very kind hospitality they showed me and my family during the school holidays. They hosted us at the discovery centre for an...
- Fusion Western Sydney (2 speeches)
Last week I was privileged to attend the official opening of Fusion Western Sydney's new centre in St Mary's. I have had a long association with Fusion, officially opening their previous Western...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Cowan Electorate: Elections (1 speech)
In Western Australia we recently had local government elections, and I thought I would take this opportunity today to speak about what happened within and around the area of the federal...
- Carers Week (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the twin issues of caring and disability. It was my pleasure on 14 October to attend the launch of Carers Week, which was officially launched by the Minister for Mental...
- Child Care (1 speech)
I rise today to again express my concern in relation to the federal government's decision to cut $12.6 million from the Take a Break program, which funds occasional care. In Victoria some 220...
- Bass Electorate: Sustainable Tourism and Hospitality Training Centre (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about an exciting new facility that I recently had the pleasure of opening in Launceston in my electorate of Bass—the the Tasmanian Polytechnic's Sustainable Tourism...
- School Chaplains (1 speech)
The National School Chaplaincy Program is an important part of our school education system, providing vital support in an environment that places ever-increasing pressure on both students and...
- Qantas (1 speech)
I want to associate myself with the comments of the member for Ryan. I too am a very great supporter of school chaplaincy and I am very familiar with the very good work that they do in my...
- Woodlawn Bioreactor (1 speech)
Last week I had the pleasure of touring the Woodlawn Bioreactor facility at Tarago, just a 1½-hour drive from Nowra or three-quarters of an hour from Canberra. It is operated by Veolia...
- Coal Seam Gas (3 speeches)
This week the parliament is seized of a package of bills which gives us the opportunity to revisit the way we are managing our natural resource bounty. The Minerals Resource Rent Tax Bill and...
- Rowe, Mr Louis (1 speech)
Today I rise to talk about Louis Rowe, a young Australian who I met recently. I feel his story must be told. I will continue to update parliament on his story while I am still in this place. The...
- Learn Earn Legend! Program (1 speech)
I am very grateful to have a chance to speak on a special program that I participated in recently. A few weeks ago, under the Learn Earn Legend! program, about 100 Indigenous students from all...
- Men's Sheds (1 speech)
This week I had the pleasure of attending the Parliamentary Friends of Men's Sheds Group function, where we took the opportunity to meet with delegates from all around Australia who had come to...
- Werriwa Electorate: Glenquarie Anglican Church, Werriwa Electorate: Liverpool Neighbourhood Connections, Lawn Bowls (1 speech)
I associate myself with the comments of the member for Wright, who spoke previously. I was also present at that launch earlier this week. Coincidentally, last week I was at the Glenquarie...
- Gippsland Electorate: Wetland Rehabilitation Project (2 speeches)
I rise to commend a wetland rehabilitation project that is underway in my community at the Heart Morass near Sale. I recently had the opportunity to inspect the Heart Morass project at the...
- Australian Industry (1 speech)
Governments and public servants in this country must give Australian industry a fair go. A recent disturbing example is that of Victoria Police's recent decision to lock out Australian...
- Glendi Greek Festival (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge and talk about a particular event that has been taking place in South Australia now since 1977—originally it started in my electorate at the Thebarton...
- Poker Machines (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on an issue which is causing great concern in my electorate of Cowper and in the neighbouring federal seats of Lyne, Page, New England and Richmond. I am talking about the...
- Financial Services (1 speech)
I welcome the Reserve Bank of Australia's decision to cut interest rates by a quarter of a per cent on Cup day. This is good news for homebuyers and for all those who have a mortgage on a...
- Carbon Pricing (1 speech)
I want to address the latest independent modelling on the impacts of the carbon tax, which was released today by the Master Builders Association. It is about the effects of a carbon price on the...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I take this opportunity in the House to point out the opposition's humbug on the proposed asylum seeker agreement with Malaysia. Let us remember that the shadow minister for immigration told 2SM...
- Qantas, Workplace Relations (3 speeches)
It was very interesting to watch that confected outrage. No doubt there will be some more—
- Shortland Electorate: Swansea Police Station (1 speech)
I was interested to hear the contribution by the member for Higgins. She was obviously advocating for Work Choices, but it was also obvious that she did not check her facts before standing up to...
- Bonner Electorate: Military Awards (1 speech)
It is with pleasure I rise this afternoon to acknowledge a most humble man who has accomplished many great things, both for his country and abroad. Allen Warren is a constituent in my electorate...
- Braddon Electorate (1 speech)
I would like to talk about some happenings in my electorate. I have just left the hospitality area after meeting with children from the Strahan Primary School, which is on the west coast of...
- Petition: Childcare Funding (2 speeches)
I rise to table a petition on funding for occasional childcare. I am therefore pleased to present this petition. The petition read as follows— To the Honourable The Speaker and Members of...
- Operation Open Heart (1 speech)
I recently had the privilege of being part of a parliamentary delegation to Indonesia and Tonga as part of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters. When in Tonga we had the privilege of...
- White Ribbon Day (1 speech)
Mr Deputy Speaker, as White Ribbon Day approaches, on 25 November, I am sure that you and everyone in this chamber will agree with me when I say that all forms of violence are unacceptable. The...
- Rhiannon, Senator Lee (3 speeches)
As you would be aware, much has been said about the systematic campaign by comrade Lee Rhiannon in the other place to sanitise her Marxist revolutionary past. Many questions have been asked on...
- Qantas (1 speech)
There has been a lot said this week about the Qantas dispute but, beyond the tactical question of which industrial relations processes should have been used, there is a broader question: why has...
- Minerals Resource Rent Tax (1 speech)
Today I bring the House's attention to the pivotal point we are at in Australia. Well known across Australia and understood by the population is the fact that we are a resource rich country and...
- Australia-India Relationship (1 speech)
On Sunday I had the great pleasure of going to a Deepavali celebration here in Canberra in Glebe Park, where I joined with hundreds of members of the Indian community to celebrate what is one of...
- Questions in Writing (0 speeches)
- Broadband (Question No. 587) (2 speeches)
asked the Minister representing the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, in writing, on 12 September 2011: In respect of a number of public statements made by the...
- Asia-Pacific: Cataract Surgery (Question No. 632) (2 speeches)
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in writing, on 22 September 2011: Since 24 November 2007, how many cataract surgeries have been performed in the Asia-Pacific region.
- Asia-Pacific: Eye Screening (Question No. 635) (2 speeches)
asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs, in writing, on 22 September 2011: Since 24 November 2007, what sum of funding has been spent on eye screening of primary school children (ages 5 to12...
