House debates

Wednesday, 22 August 2012

• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    On behalf of the Attorney-General I table a report by the Australian Human Rights Commission prepared by the Sex Discrimination Commissioner entitled Review into the treatment of women in the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Crimes Legislation Amendment (Slavery, Slavery-like Conditions and People Trafficking) 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.
  • Aviation Legislation Amendment (Liability and Insurance) Bill 2012; Second Reading (1 speech)
    I move: That this bill be now read a second time. This bill will modernise Australia’s arrangements for air carriers’ liability under the Civil Aviation (Carriers’ Liability)...
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
    Madam Deputy Speaker, in the spirit of the member for Braddon, I wish you a good morning, and may you have a top day in the carrying out of your duties today. On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (29 speeches, 5 comments)
    Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I take pleasure in joining in the debate on the Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment Bill 2012. As other speakers from this side of the chamber have indicated,...
  • Veterans' Affairs Legislation Amendment 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.
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2011; Second Reading (11 speeches)
    Superannuation has changed the way many people save for their retirement. It is easy in our younger years not to think far into the future and make decisions that will have an impact when our...
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core Provisions) Bill 2011; Consideration in Detail (7 speeches)
    by leave—I move amendments (1) to (10) as circulated in my name: (1) Schedule 1, item 6, page 4 (line 4), after "29T", insert "or satisfies the provisions of section 29TB". (2) Schedule 1,...
  • Superannuation Legislation Amendment (MySuper Core 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.
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Bill 2012, Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees) Bill 2012; Second Reading (8 speeches)
    It is a great pleasure to speak on behalf of the coalition on the Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Bill 2012 and to offer our support for it. Our points in relation to this bill are very...
• Statements by Members (0 speeches)
  • McCaffery, Mayor Genia (1 speech)
    I want to pay tribute to Genia McCaffery, who is retiring as the Mayor of North Sydney after having served four terms and also having served as President of the Local Government Association of...
  • Bass Electorate: Department of Human Services (1 speech)
    I recently hosted Senator the Hon. Kim Carr, the Minister for Human Services, in my electorate of Bass. We spent a very productive day visiting key department sites in Launceston. A visit to the...
  • Harvey, Mr David (1 speech)
    I stand to record my regret for the passing of David Harvey at 5.50 pm on Monday night, after a long and painful battle with a form of carcinoma. David, a resident at Bentley Park in my...
  • Trans-Tasman Travel Arrangement (1 speech)
    This past 12 months, the parliament has been in uproar over the arrival of 9½ thousand asylum seekers by boat, but there has not been a word said about the 54,000 New Zealanders who moved to...
  • Iran (1 speech)
    In the Western world, we know the dangers and the imminent threat that a nuclear armed Iran represents. Iran is not a real democracy, and its ruling elite, with a nuclear missile, poses a severe...
  • Women (1 speech)
    I wish to pay tribute to the Women in Global Business Speaker Series recently held here in my electorate of Canberra. Only 10 per cent of women in business actually export, and the speaker series...
  • Forde Electorate: Boral Ormeau Quarry (1 speech)
    I rise today to speak in support of the efforts by the community in Ormeau to have Boral, the operator of a quarry in that area, comply with the approval requirements that have been imposed on...
  • Canberra Electorate: Homelessness (1 speech)
    On 9 August it was my pleasure to attend Homeless Connect Day at Pilgrim House on Northbourne Avenue. Homeless Connect Day is a one-day event for homeless people, or those at risk of...
  • Electorate of Ryan: Community Service (1 speech)
    Volunteers are the backbone of our communities, and I was delighted to present a Ryan Community Service Award to Grace Walker, a student at The Gap State High School, and Jean Clarke of Kenmore....
  • National Disability Insurance Scheme (2 speeches)
    I wish to speak about an event I held in my electorate during the winter break. It was an NDIS event. The invitation went out to not just those people who have disabilities, and their carers, but...
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (6 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer her to the fact that on the first stage of the Olympic Dam expansion the carbon tax will cost BHP Billiton tens of millions of dollars and to the...
  • Economy (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. How is the government getting on with the job of implementing policies to support everyday Australians, and why is it important that we make the right...
• Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
  • (1 speech)
    I inform the House we have present in the gallery this afternoon a former Speaker of the House, the honourable Neil Andrews, and Mrs Andrews. On behalf of the House, I extend a very warm welcome....
• Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
  • Economy (14 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his statement on ABC Radio National that the government will need to make very substantial savings to fund programs like the National...
  • Australian Defence Force (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Defence. Will the minister please update the House on the findings contained in the Sex Discrimination Commissioner's report into the treatment of women in the...
  • Electricity Prices (5 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to this electricity bill from Dunlop Park Memorial Pool in the electorate of Moreton which shows that their power costs have...
  • Renewable Energy (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency. Is the minister aware of the exciting work being done by MBD Energy and others at James Cook University and the Tarong...
  • Economy (2 speeches)
    My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline for the House Australia's strong jobs record? Why is it important that we invest in education and training to keep this record strong?
  • Electricity Prices (7 speeches, 3 comments)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to this electricity bill from FoodWorks Burpengary in my electorate that shows their off-peak power has increased by 80 per cent...
  • Health (13 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister update the House on the federal government's partnerships with the states and territories to deliver health and hospital services for...
  • Carbon Pricing (11 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to this power bill from Michael and Melissa Farrant, dairy farmers in Murray, that shows an increase of 15 per cent in their power...
  • Families (9 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Families, Community Services, Indigenous Affairs and Disability Reform. Will the minister update the House on how the government is supporting families around...
  • Carbon Pricing (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. The electricity bill of a cold store owner in Blayney in my electorate has increased by over $5,000 as a direct result of the carbon tax. As most of the...
  • Schools (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. Will the minister inform the House on the government's plans to make every school a great school?
  • Union Funds (15 speeches)
    My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to her statement to the House with respect to the contact between her chief of staff and the former Industrial Registrar Doug...
  • National Broadband Network (7 speeches)
    My question is—
  • Union Funds (5 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. I refer the minister to the body of evidence that has emerged in recent years of the gross misuse of union members' funds at...
  • Mental Health (4 speeches)
    My question is to the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, Minister for Social Inclusion and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Mental Health Reform. I have just had a headspace centre...
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (41 speeches)
    Madam Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
• Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
  • Smith, Mr Greg (1 speech)
    On indulgence, if I may, I just want to give my congratulations to Greg Smith, who is from Buninyong, in my electorate of Ballarat, who has been nominated as the Australian flag-bearer for the...
• Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
  • (19 speeches)
    Madam Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
• Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
  • Disruptive Conduct (4 speeches)
    Madam Deputy Speaker, I have a question to you. With regard to those who engaged in disruptive conduct in the gallery today, can you please ascertain whether they were signed into the gallery or...
• Documents (0 speeches)
  • Presentation (1 speech)
    Documents are presented in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
• Committees (0 speeches)
  • Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
    I present report No. 62 of the Selection Committee, relating to the consideration of committee and delegation reports and private members’ business on Monday, 10 September 2012. The report...
• Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
  • Cost of Living (56 speeches)
    Mr Speaker has received a letter from the honourable the Leader of the Opposition proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Marriage Amendment Bill 2012; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
    By leave—I move: That the bill be referred to the Federation Chamber for further consideration. Question agreed to.
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Bill 2012, Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees) Bill 2012; Second Reading (1 speech)
    Australia has an opportunity to move to a clean energy future and cut pollution before the task becomes more difficult and costly. The purpose of the carbon price is to make the economy grow...
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Bill 2012, Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees) Bill 2012; Consideration in Detail (1 speech)
    I present a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill. I move: The government amendments as circulated.   (1)   Clause 9, page 4 (line 30) to page 5 (line 11),...
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards Bill 2012, Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees) 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.
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees) Bill 2012; Explanatory Memorandum (1 speech)
    I present a supplementary explanatory memorandum to the bill.
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees) Bill 2012; Consideration in Detail (1 speech)
    by leave—I move: (1)   Clause 9, page 4 (line 30) to page 5 (line 11), omit subclauses (2) to (4), substitute:   (2)   In specifying the amount of a...
  • Greenhouse and Energy Minimum Standards (Registration Fees) 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.
  • Customs Amendment (Smuggled Tobacco) 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.
• Business (0 speeches)
  • Rearrangement (1 speech)
    I move: That the order of the day No. 5, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statute Law Revision Bill 2012; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    I rise to talk briefly on the Statute Law Revision Bill. This bill is to correct technical errors caused by drafting and clerical mistakes, to repeal obsolete provisions in acts, to modernise...
  • Statute Law Revision 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.
  • Cybercrime Legislation Amendment Bill 2011; Consideration of Senate Message (1 speech)
    I move: That the amendments be agreed to. The government amended the bill in the Senate to address concerns of the Joint Select Committee on Cyber-Safety. Key amendments delay certain parts of...
  • International Monetary Agreements Amendment (Loans) Bill 2012; Second Reading (5 speeches)
    I rise to speak on behalf of the coalition and the shadow Treasurer, the member for North Sydney, in support of the government's International Monetary Agreements Amendment (Loans) Bill 2012....
  • International Monetary Agreements Amendment (Loans) 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.
  • Electoral and Referendum Amendment (Improving Electoral Procedure) Bill 2012; Second Reading (4 speeches)
    This bill, euphemistically called 'improving electoral procedure', is a bill where there was an agreement between both the government and opposition parties in the Joint Standing Committee on...
• Adjournment (0 speeches)
  • Local Government Super (1 speech)
    I am pleased to rise to discuss the question of governance standards in the superannuation sector with particular reference to Local Government Super, the fund with responsibility for over $5...
  • Employment, Queensland Economy (1 speech)
    Skills Week 2012 runs from 27 August to 2 September. This government has a proud record of investing in jobs, training, skills and education. We have invested $15.6 billion in skills and training...
  • Afghanistan (1 speech)
    I have spoken on many occasions in this place about the enormous contribution our service men and women make, from my maiden speech, to the many condolence motions—sadly, too many—to...
  • Telstra (1 speech)
    Tonight I had planned to highlight a range of wonderful events taking place across my electorate of Page. Instead, I have to come here to speak about the cruelty of Telstra yet again. I cannot...
  • Biosecurity (1 speech)
    We are an island continent and that has been very much to our advantage when it comes to quarantine issues. We have managed to have an amazing run. Perhaps it is good luck, but I would like to...
  • United Nations Relief and Works Agency (1 speech)
    In May the Australian government announced funding over five years to support the work of UNRWA, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency, in serving the health, education and social welfare...
  • Treloar, Mr John, AM (1 speech)
    It is a great privilege to rise in this place this evening to pay tribute to the remarkable life of John Francis Treloar, AM, who sadly passed away on the eve of the London Games, where he had in...
  • National Broadband Network (1 speech)
    I rise this evening to mention some of the fantastic developments that have been occurring over the past few months in my electorate of Greenway thanks to this government's investment in the...
  • Bruce Highway (5 speeches)
    Shane Summers, his wife, Leanne, their 17-year-old son, Brendan, and their four-year-old daughter, Mia—four lives cut tragically short 13 days ago in another crash on Queensland's Bruce...
  • Film Screening (1 speech)
    Last week I had the honour of hosting the premier screening of a documentary, Defying Deletion, sponsored by the Assyrian Universal Alliance. The film, produced by a young American filmmaker,...
  • Solomon Electorate: Northern Territory Election (1 speech)
    There are now just three days until Territorians go to the polls. There is a clear choice for Territorians—a tired and deceptive Henderson Labor government that support Prime Minister Julia...
  • Kite, Mrs Delcia (1 speech)
    This evening I want to bear testimony to the life of Delcia Kite, a member of the Legislative Council of New South Wales from 1976 to 1995, and to convey my condolences to her husband, Fred, and...
• Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
  • Carbon Pricing (1 speech)
    I rise today to discuss how much this Labor government's toxic carbon tax is hurting local business and, in particular, local business in the Calare electorate. The shadow Treasurer and I...
  • Bielski, Ms Joan Margaret, AO (1 speech)
    I rise on a very sad note this morning to talk about the death of Joan Margaret Bielski, nee Ward, who passed away at the age of 88 on Friday, 17 August 2012. She was a feminist and activist to...
  • Lifeline Australia (1 speech)
    I rise to promote the great community work done by Lifeline and to act as ambassador for this noble cause. For the past 49 years, Lifeline has been at the forefront of suicide prevention, now...
  • Deakin Electorate: Taralye (1 speech)
    As many constituents in my electorate of Deakin would know, Taralye is a centre for deaf children. It provides oral language training, especially for young children. It also provides services to...
  • Battle of Long Tan (1 speech)
    18 August 2012 marked the 46th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan and, as many of us would know, 50 years since the first Australian troops arrived on Vietnam's soil in 1962. Commemorative...
  • Indigenous Employment: Australian Public Service (1 speech)
    As a member representing an electorate with a large number of public servants, I rise to speak about the employment of Indigenous Australians in the Australian Public Service. The government has...
  • Road Infrastructure: Roe Highway (1 speech)
    I would like to update the House on an issue of major and immediate importance to my electorate of Tangney. Section 8 of Roe Highway is a much-needed extension to an arterial road link in the WA...
  • Corio Electorate: Railway Station (1 speech)
    When we think about what makes a city liveable, safe and reliable, public transport services are among the top of the list. But among Geelong's six train stations, we have what I would say has to...
  • Swan Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
    I rise to update the chamber on my ongoing campaign for a Manning Road on-ramp to be built in my electorate of Swan. It was interesting listening to the parliamentary secretary talk about his...
  • China (2 speeches)
    I am indebted to the Chinese writer Ma Jian, whose novel Beijing Coma was recently published, for his commentary in today's Australian on the trial and conviction of Gu Kailai, the wife of the...
• Bills (0 speeches)
  • Customs Amendment (Smuggled Tobacco) Bill 2012; Second Reading (15 speeches)
    The coalition welcome the opportunity to support the Customs Amendment (Smuggled Tobacco) Bill 2012 but it is important to note that the bill has been debated in the wake of the Labor...
• Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
  • Operations of Bomber Command: 70th Anniversary (1 speech)
    I am honoured to rise today to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Bomber Command. Between 1940 and 1944, the Royal Air Force's Bomber Command provided the only Allied strategic attack capability...
  • Montevideo Maru (6 speeches)
    On indulgence, I rise to speak on Australia's greatest maritime tragedy, an event that is still not widely recognised in our nation. But, following the commemoration of its 70th anniversary at...