House debates

Monday, 19 March 2012

• Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
  • Private Members' Motions; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    In accordance with standing order 41(g), and the determinations of the Selection Committee, I present copies of the terms of motions for which notice has been given by the honourable members for...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011 [2012], Migration Legislation Amendment (The Bali Process) Bill 2012; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the following bills be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration: Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) 2011; and Migration...
• Petitions (0 speeches)
  • Responses (1 speech)
    The following ministerial responses to petitions have been received:
  • Statements (1 speech)
    Today I will discuss some aspects of the most recent public hearings held by the Standing Committee on Petitions in December last year. The committee’s public hearing activities take the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Standing Committee on Agriculture, Resources, Fisheries and Forestry, I present the committee's report entitled Advisory report on the Constitutional Corporations (Farm Gate to...
  • Health and Ageing Committee; Report (5 speeches)
    On behalf of the Standing Committee on Health and Ageing, I present the committee's report entitled Lost in the labyrinth: report on the inquiry into registration processes and support for...
  • Health and Ageing Committee; Report and Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
  • Law Enforcement Committee; Report (5 speeches)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, I present the committee's report of the inquiry into Commonwealth unexplained wealth legislation and arrangements. Unexplained...
  • Law Enforcement Committee; Report and Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Health Insurance (Dental Services) Bill 2012; First Reading (2 speeches)
    I introduce this bill, the Health Insurance (Dental Services) Bill 2012, today to redress an injustice that the government appears determined to inflict upon the nation's dental health...
  • Solar Hot Water Rebate Bill 2012; First Reading (2 speeches)
    On 28 February this year the government terminated the Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme, or solar hot water rebate. It did so at one minute to five. For most retailers this represented one minute's...
• Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
  • Minerals Resource Rent Tax (8 speeches)
    I move: That this House acknowledges the importance of the Minerals Resource Rent Tax for the funding of important physical infrastructure in capacity constrained mining regions. The minerals...
  • Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011 (7 speeches)
    I move: That this House: (1) notes that since the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill was first introduced on 8 February 2010, it has been referred to the following committees: (a) the...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Membership (1 speech)
    Mr Speaker has received two messages from the Senate informing the House of the appointment of Senators to certain joint committees. As the list of appointments is a lengthy one, I do not propose...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Road Safety Remuneration Bill 2011; Consideration in Detail (1 speech)
    The question is that the amendments be agreed to.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Customs (5 speeches)
    I move: That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Cook from moving the following motion forthwith—That the Prime Minister immediately...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Road Safety Remuneration Bill 2012; Consideration in Detail (6 speeches)
    The question is that the amendments be agreed to. I call the member for Bradfield.
  • Road Safety Remuneration Bill 2012; 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.
  • Road Safety Remuneration (Consequential Amendments and Related Provisions) Bill 2011; Second Reading (2 speeches)
    I refer members to the speech I gave on the second reading of the legislation just passed, in which remarks were also addressed to this bill, the Road Safety Remuneration (Consequential...
  • Road Safety Remuneration (Consequential Amendments and Related Provisions) Bill 2011; Consideration in Detail (4 speeches)
    I present a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill. I move government amendment (1): (1) Schedule 2, page 4 (before line 3), before item 1, insert: 1A Application of Part 4 of the Road...
  • Road Safety Remuneration (Consequential Amendments and Related Provisions) 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.
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Customs (9 speeches)
    I move: That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the member for Cook from moving the following motion forthwith—That the Prime Minister immediately...
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    ( ): I move: That so much of the standing and session al orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Lyne’s private Members’ business notice relating to the disallowance of...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Renewable Energy Amendment Regulations; Disallowance (4 speeches)
    I move: That the Renewable Energy (Electric ity) Amendment Regulations 2011 (No. 5), as contained in the Select Legislative Instrument 2011 No. 222, and made under the Renewable Energy...
• Statements by Members (0 speeches)
  • Boothby Electorate: Olympic Swimming Trials (1 speech)
    Since 1900 swimming has been Australia's most successful sport at the Olympic Games. Few countries around the world would stop for a swimming race the way Australia stopped to watch Kieren...
  • Lebanese Cedar Planting (1 speech)
    I was delighted today to join His Excellency Dr Jean Daniel, the Lebanese Ambassador to Australia, along with my parliamentary colleague Daryl Melham, the Chair of the Australia-Lebanon...
  • Higgins Electorate: Simpson Prize (1 speech)
    The Simpson Prize is one of the most prestigious essay contests awarded to students in this country. Students in years 9 and 10 vie for a once-in-a-lifetime experience, with one from each state...
  • SBS Codes of Practice (1 speech)
    I want to congratulate my friend in the other place Senator Glenn Sterle on a private senator's motion he is moving in the Senate, which I am sure will get Senate support. He is calling on the...
  • Blood, Mrs Audrey, OAM (1 speech)
    () (): I rise today to honour a truly remarkable Australian woman. Mrs Audrey Blood OAM is the National President of the War Widows' Guild of Australia and has rightly been appointed to the Anzac...
  • McElhinny, Dr Chris (1 speech)
    Dr Chris McElhinny, Senior Lecturer in Silviculture at the ANU Fenner School of Environment and Society, died on 18 February 2012. Chris's first career was as a craftsman and teacher in wood. He...
  • Myrtle Rust (1 speech)
    Mr Speaker, if you have never heard of myrtle rust, you soon will. Myrtle rust attacks plant species including eucalyptus, paperbarks, bottlebrushes, tea trees and lilly pillies. It causes...
  • Tibet (1 speech)
    I acknowledge the presence of 12 Tibetan representatives from across Australia in parliament today. They are here seeking strong cross-party support for the Tibet issue. On behalf of the...
  • Regional Aviation Association of Australia Conference (1 speech)
    As member for Paterson and shadow minister for tourism and regional development, today's Regional Aviation Association of Australia conference in Parliament House brings mixed emotions. It is an...
  • Men's Sheds (2 speeches)
    I recently attended the Bonnyrigg Men's Shed monthly barbecue. The Men's Shed is an excellent place for men of all ages to come together and work on various community projects. It reduces social...
• Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Whitlam, Mrs Margaret Elaine, AO; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the Order of the day be referred to the Federatiion Chamber for debate. Mr Speaker, I associate myself with the remarkable contributions we have just heard on the life...
  • His Holiness Pope Shenouda III; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    ( by leave—I move: That the Order of the day be referred to the Federatiion Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (17 speeches)
    ( My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister that the chairman of the world's largest aluminium producer has stated that, 'Queensland Alumina will be the highest taxed...
  • Economy (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, how is the government managing the economy in the interests of working people? How are we making sure that working people have the skills our...
  • Carbon Pricing (7 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to the plight of the Wilston Grange Gorillas football club in my electorate, whose current electricity bill to light their playing...
  • Vocational Education and Training (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, representing the Minister for Tertiary Education, Skills, Science and Research....
  • Member for Dobell (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. I refer to the Fair Work Australia report into the activities of Victoria No.1 branch of the Health Services Union. With the...
  • Leukemia (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister, but the Leader of the Opposition may also care to contribute on indulgence. Prime Minister, 31 Australians are diagnosed daily with blood cancer and the...
  • Mining (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Why is it critical for the parliament to support policies that spread the benefits and opportunities of the Asian century to all corners of our economy?
  • Member for Dobell (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. I refer to his answer to the previous question from the member for Farrer where he said that the government was referring...
  • Customs (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Home Affairs, Minister for Justice and Minister for Defence Materiel. Will the minister inform the House of action being taken by the Australian Crime...
  • Member for Dobell (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I direct the Prime Minister to the BDO Kendalls report into the activities of the member for Dobell while an official of the Health Services Union that found...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Prime Minister (56 speeches)
    I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Member for Sturt moving immediately: That the Prime Minister be called on to explain: (1) why the...
• Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
  • Standing Orders (5 speeches)
    Mr Speaker, I have a question for you. You said earlier today that certain statements about the member for Dobell could only be made by substantive motion. My question, Mr Speaker is this: if...
• 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...
• Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
  • Standing Orders (6 speeches)
    Mr Speaker, I refer to House of Representatives Standing and Sessional Orders and in particular to standing order 47, which is about the suspension of standing orders. I refer to actions taken...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • National Broadband Network Committee; Membership (2 speeches)
    I have received advice from the Chief Government Whip nominating a member to be a participating member of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Broadband Network.
  • Public Works Committee; Report (3 speeches)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works I present the committee's 75th annual report incorporating a supplementary statement and I ask leave of the House to make a short...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2011, Superannuation Legislation Amendment (Trustee Obligations and Prudential Standards) Bill 2012; Report from Committee (5 speeches)
    On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Corporations and Financial Services I present the committee's report into the Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill...
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Protecting Elector Participation) Bill 2012; Report from Committee (3 speeches)
    On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, I present the committee's report entitled Advisory report on the Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Protecting Elector...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Renewable Energy Amendment Regulations; Disallowance (12 speeches)
    If ever there was a time and a reason to have a disallowance motion, this is it. It defies belief for a government to turn its back on its own policy—its own mantra for dealing with...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Insurance Contracts 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.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Report (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade, I present the committee's report entitled Defence Sub-Committee visit to the Middle East Area of Operations:...
  • Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Report and Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012; 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.
  • Corporations Amendment (Future of Financial Advice) Bill 2011, Corporations Amendment (Further Future of Financial Advice Measures) Bill 2011; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    For many Australians, financial advice is an essential service. As Australians increase their savings and accrue large amounts of superannuation it should be no surprise that the provision of...
• Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
  • Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011 (14 speeches)
    I very strongly support the motion put forward by the Leader of the Opposition earlier today in relation to the Wild Rivers (Environmental Management) Bill 2011. The wild rivers bill was first...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Afghanistan (8 speeches)
    I move: That this House calls on the Government to set a date for the safe return of Australian troops from Afghanistan. There is no greater responsibility for any country's politicians than to...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Defence Procurement (1 speech)
    Slated as Australia's new air combat capability, the troubled Joint Strike Fighter program is beyond overdue. Service entry is expected, at the very minimum, to be more than six years later than...
  • National Servicemen's Day (1 speech)
    I rise in the House this evening to pay tribute to our national servicemen. On Sunday, 18 March I had the honour of attending the Tasmanian National Servicemen's Association of Australia annual...
  • Member for Lyne (6 speeches)
    I rise before the House to speak about trust. But I am not talking about how the Labor, Green and Independent government has betrayed the trust of the Australian people. I am speaking about a...
  • Scullin Electorate: Higher Education (1 speech)
    I wrote these words before I heard from the member for Cowper. I was going to open by saying that, in a world mired in negativity, it is proper to celebrate the achievements of government, so...
  • Traralgon CBD Safety Committee, Latrobe Regional Hospital (1 speech)
    I rise to highlight and commend the proactive approach of my community in addressing the issue of street violence and antisocial behaviour, and also to call on the federal government to adopt a...
  • Throsby Electorate: OneSteel (1 speech)
    I regret to inform the House that last week a gas and oil pipe production plant in my electorate of Throsby announced that it would close. The plant has been operated for many decades by the...
  • Sydney Light Rail Network (1 speech)
    Last year was 50 years from the day that the trams that ran out along Anzac Parade to the eastern suburbs—out to La Perouse, out past the showground, out past the cricket ground and the...
  • Whitlam, Mrs Margaret Elaine, AO, Special Olympics Asia Pacific Regional Games (1 speech)
    Along with other members of the House, I wish to express briefly here tonight my condolences on the passing of Margaret Whitlam, particularly to former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and the...
  • Forgotten Australians (2 speeches)
    Members in this place would be aware of the work I have done for the forgotten Australians. Following my recent newsletter to my electorate, I would like to update the House on the forgotten...
  • Manufacturing (1 speech)
    Thank you, Mr Speaker, and I am really pleased to have been able to listen to the member for Swan's contribution, as his personal story and that of his family is quite inspiring. I have mentioned...
  • Wannon Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
    I also join in the congratulations due to the member for Swan for a most moving speech that he gave—the speech before last. I rise tonight to congratulate the Hawkesdale P12 College, and in...
  • World Tuberculosis Day (2 speeches)
    Just last month, volunteers from grassroots global poverty organisation RESULTS visited me in my office here in Parliament House in the lead-up to World Tuberculosis Day. Members of RESULTS spoke...
• Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
  • Joyce, Ms Brittany (1 speech)
    Last week, in Parliament House Sydney, I was a very proud pollie as my constituent Brittany Joyce, from Nowra, was awarded the prestigious Tom Harvey Award together with a cheque for $2,000 from...
  • Kinnane, Mr Les (1 speech)
    On 13 February, Ipswich lost one of its most extraordinary citizens. Les Kinnane was a dedicated teacher, sports administrator, groundsman and loving family man. Les is survived by his wife,...
  • Queensland State Election (1 speech)
    I lend my voice to that of the member for Blair. People like Les are the heart and soul of this country. You find people like that in every community. But I stand today to say that Townsville can...
  • Ross, Mr Peter (1 speech)
    Today we pay tribute to Peter 'Mangkurla' Ross. Peter was born on 26 February 1927 in Bebington, near Liverpool in the United Kingdom. He died on 27 August 2011. Leaving behind his loved ones...
  • Hasluck Electorate: Community Awards (1 speech)
    I rise today to commend and congratulate some residents of Hasluck who have been recognised recently for their achievements and benevolence in their local community. I feel that this is an...
  • Ballarat Electorate: Headspace (1 speech)
    I rise to update the House on the important progress being made to establish a headspace facility in my electorate of Ballarat. The Gillard government is delivering the largest ever mental health...
  • Queensland State Election (1 speech)
    I rise to inform the House of the good work being undertaken by local candidates in my electorate of Wright in the upcoming state election assisting 'Can-Do' Campbell Newman to restore some type...
  • Lindsay Electorate: Penrith Relay for Life (1 speech)
    Over the weekend I had the privilege of attending the Penrith Relay for Life inaugural gala ball. The Cancer Council's Relay for Life has been running in Penrith for the past 12 years. Each year...
  • Coastguard Brisbane (1 speech)
    It is with great pleasure that I rise this morning to give my full support to the recommendation that 45 volunteers from the Australian Volunteer Coastguard Flotilla, known as Coastguard...
  • Corio Electorate: Encompass@Leopold (2 speeches)
    With Easter around the corner and my thoughts, rather involuntarily, turning to chocolate, I am reminded of a visit I made earlier this year to Encompass@Leopold, a very special place on the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Migration Legislation Amendment (The Bali Process) Bill 2012; Second Reading (19 speeches)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. Let us cut to the chase in what has been the worst policy debate for Australian public policy in at least the past 20 years. The truth is that...
• Motions (0 speeches)
  • Careers in Agriculture (12 speeches)
    This is a very important motion which I am bringing to the House today, supported by a number of my colleagues from the coalition, because we do have a crisis right now—a crisis in the...
  • Albany: ANZAC Centenary (3 speeches)
    I am pleased to speak on this motion before the House. It is a very important motion for my electorate. In particular, this motion is important not only for the city of Albany, in the Great...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    I rise this afternoon to speak on the Classification (Publications, Films and Computer Games) Amendment (R 18+ Computer Games) Bill 2012. I would like to say at the outset that this is a bill...
  • Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011 [2012]; Second Reading (7 speeches)
    I present the explanatory to the Intellectual Property Laws Amendment (Raising the Bar) Bill 2011 [2012] and move: That this bill be now read a second time. The Intellectual Property Laws...
• Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
  • World War II (6 speeches)
    I rise this evening to acknowledge the thousands of Australians who were detained in internment camps during World War II or were subject to other forms of discrimination and deprivation on the...
  • Wind Turbines (12 speeches)
    Because I am the first speaker to this motion tonight, I take the opportunity to thank my colleagues from both sides of the chamber for making a contribution to this debate. I notice that there...
  • World Tuberculosis Day (7 speeches)
    As stated in the motion, tuberculosis is a disease that is treatable and preventable yet it still claims 1.5 million lives a year. It is unacceptable, I believe, that in the 21st century so many...
  • World Plumbing Day (5 speeches)
    There is a certain synergy which sees this motion, which covers sanitation and water quality, amongst other things, following the speech of my good friend the member for Leichhardt, the Chief...
• Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
  • Gilmore Electorate (1 speech)
    I well remember several elections ago when my Labor opponent was lambasting me about Gilmore's dubious honour of having the highest unemployment rate in the country. Since then we have since...
  • Kirkpatrick, Private John Simpson (1 speech)
    I rise tonight to further the campaign that I commenced in 2000 for Private John Simpson to be awarded the Victoria Cross. This campaign was initiated by a constituent who came into my office, in...
  • Economy (11 speeches)
    Well done, and I wish the previous speaker very well in her future endeavours for what sounds like a very worthy cause, as is my delivery here tonight. I feel it is my duty to bring attention to...
  • Population Growth (1 speech)
    I want to draw to the attention of the parliament what I believe is a really important piece of economic analysis by the University of Queensland academic Jane O'Sullivan titled 'The burden of...
  • Dawson Electorate: Roads, Dawson Electorate: Local Government (5 speeches)
    You would think the importance of the Bruce Highway to North Queenslanders could not be underestimated. It is vital for supplies coming in, for goods going out and for getting from point A to...
  • Human Rights: Vietnam (2 speeches)
    I have on various occasions spoken out against human rights abuses in Vietnam. I have made no secret of my stance on the issue and my respect and admiration for human rights defenders both in the...