House debates
Monday, 3 June 2013
- Privilege (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
On 30 May 2013, the Leader of the Nationals raised as a matter of privilege whether the member for New England had abused the privileges of the House in making remarks on 28 May concerning...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers; Responses (1 speech)
Ministerial responses to petitions previously presented to the House have been received as follows:
- Age Pension; Statements (1 speech)
Further to last week’s statement, today I will discuss the two public hearings the committee conducted in Sydney and Brisbane with selected principal petitioners and/or their...
- Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade Joint Committee; Report (5 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade I present the trade subcommittee's report, entitled Australia's trade and investment relationship with Japan and...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Penalty Rates (12 speeches)
I am pleased to rise to stand on this important motion. I know that everyone on this side of the chamber believes that Australian workers should be able to lead a decent life, sustained by a fair...
- Department of the Treasury and Department of Finance and Deregulation (12 speeches)
I move: That this House expresses full confidence in the: (1) Department of the Treasury and Department of Finance and Deregulation; (2) Treasury Secretary, Dr Martin Parkinson and Finance...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics Committee; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics, I present the committee's advisory report, incorporating a dissenting report, on the Tax Laws Amendment (2013 Measures No. 2) Bill 2013, together...
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Delegation to Lebanon (3 speeches)
by leave—On 25 May a delegation of myself and the member for Cook was sent to Lebanon for the ordination of the new Maronite bishop. The ordination of the new Maronite bishop, Bishop...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Yunupingu, Dr M (1 speech)
Our nation pauses, as does this parliament, with the loss earlier today of Mr Yunupingu—a very unexpected loss to the Northern Territory and to his Yolngu people. Mr Yunupingu was a leader,...
- Greenway Electorate: Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea (1 speech)
I rise to commend the fantastic fundraising efforts of the Greenway community in supporting the Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea this year and to acknowledge the 20th anniversary of such a...
- Economy (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the motion that was previously brought before this place by the member for Lyne. It was not Dr Parkinson or Mr Tune who promised a surplus over 500 times; it was Treasurer...
- Regional Development Australia Fund (1 speech)
I rise today to place on record my strong support for the Tasmanian North Eastern Mountain Bike Development Project, which is currently being considered under the Regional Development Australia...
- Australian Bat Lyssavirus (1 speech)
Last night, the 60 Minutesprogram on the Nine Network put to air an important story about the dangers of the bat lyssavirus, a form of rabies. It told the heartbreaking story of the death of a...
- Parramatta Electorate: Sunday School Anniversary (1 speech)
Sunday was a very wet day in Parramatta, but a large number of people on Sunday morning braved the weather and arrived at St John's Anglican Cathedral in Parramatta—largely wet from at...
- Education (1 speech)
The attacks on public servants continue today with new attacks on state and federal education departments. In my local Port Macquarie News today we read the headline: 'Don't trust Gonski...
- Canberra Electorate: Small Business (1 speech)
Members will be aware of my passion for small and micro business. Before entering parliament, I ran my own microbusiness for 10 years, and I loved it. Since entering parliament, I have spent a...
- Australian Bat Lyssavirus (1 speech)
Following on from the story on 60 Minutes last night about the serious issue of bat lyssavirus: we have many areas in Sydney that have these problems with bats, especially the area of Kareela....
- United Nations Youth Parliament (2 speeches)
Just recently I had the pleasure of speaking to the UN Youth Parliament. They were here in Canberra for a range of sessions and attended a number of the sessions at Parliament House. It is...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Yunupingu, Dr M; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That further statements on indulgence on the former Yothu Yindi lead singer and former Australian of the Year from 1992 be permitted in the Federation Chamber. Question...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Leader of the House, the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport and the Minister for Regional Development and Local Government will be absent from question time today due to personal...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- National Broadband Network (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind her that her government has committed some $50 million to advertising the National Broadband Network. Does the Prime Minister agree that this $50...
- Geelong Region (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on how the government is working to make the Geelong and Barwon regional communities stronger in light of recent...
- National Broadband Network (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. I remind him that since the NBN Co. agreed to use Telstra's ducts and pits in June 2011 the two companies have known...
- Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How is the government implementing its plans to invest in our schools and our young people? Why is investing in a smarter Australia critical to us...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Speaker of the Parliament of Papua and New Guinea, the Hon. Theo Zurenuoc. On behalf of the House I extend to him a very...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Education (11 speeches)
Speaker, I ask a supplementary question. The Treasurer has spoken about increased school funding. How would schools in my electorate of Moreton and in other parts of my state be affected if the...
- National Broadband Network (16 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. I refer to his previous answer in which he referred to a letter he wrote to Telstra about its pits in 2009, two years before...
- Leaders Debate Commission (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister, with the standing opportunity for indulgence from others.
- National Broadband Network (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations and
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Just before I call the member for Wentworth, I have been informed that in the House today we have present the Hon. Ian Viner, former member for Stirling. I welcome him to the chamber. Honourable...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- National Broadband Network (5 speeches)
I have a supplementary question to the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. Will the minister confirm to the House that between March 2009 and last week, notwithstanding his knowledge...
- Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for School Education, Early Childhood and Youth. How will schools in Queensland benefit from the National Plan for School Improvement? Why is the plan so important...
- National Broadband Network (7 speeches)
My question is the Minister for Employment and Workplace Relations. In September 2012 NBN Co. issued a request for capability statements for contractors that included 'toxic waste and asbestos...
- Automotive Industry (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Climate Change, Industry and Innovation. How is the government working with Australia's automotive manufacturing industry to support jobs, health and safety and...
- Asylum Seekers (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I remind the Prime Minister that the first public commitment she made as Prime Minister was, 'I understand the Australian people want strong management of...
- Asian Century (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Asian Century Policy. Minister, how is the government's AsiaBound program contributing to stronger relations with countries in the...
- National Security (14 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Citizenship. I remind the minister of evidence given in Senate estimates by the Director-General of ASIO that ASIO informed his department on 30...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- National Security (18 speeches)
I move: That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as to allow the member for Cook to move the following motion: That given the Government’s refusal to answer questions in...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (10 speeches)
Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Days and Hours of Meeting (3 speeches)
by leave—I move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent: (1) the time and order of business for Tuesday, 4 June 2013 being as follows: (a) the House...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Audit Report No. 41 of 2012-13 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's Audit report No 41 of 2012-13 entitled Performance audit: the award of grants under the Supported Accommodation Innovation Fund: Department of Families, Housing,...
- 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...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Cybersafety (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) cyber-bullying and inadequate cyber-safety poses a significant threat to the welfare and security of all Australians, especially young people;...
- Assyrian Population of Iraq (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Assyrian population of Iraq continues to suffer persecution 10 years after the fall of Saddam Hussein; and (b) since 2003, 600,000 Christian...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Banking (1 speech)
In November last year, this Labor government passed the Treasury Legislation Amendment (Unclaimed Money and Other Measures Bill) 2012. That bill shortened from seven to three years the length of...
- Regional Development Australia Fund (1 speech)
It is a pleasure this evening to be able to speak about some good news for one of the towns in my electorate which is to be the beneficiary of funds from the Regional Development Australia Fund....
- Education (1 speech)
To the vast majority of the people and the 41 schools in my electorate the word 'Gonski' is little more than a political slogan. The Australian Education Bill 2012—the government's hollow...
- United Kingdom Economy (1 speech)
In late April the sister party of the opposition, Britain's Conservative government, faced some significant reverses with regard to financial commentary. Fitch became the latest credit rating...
- Swan Electorate (1 speech)
I rise to update the House on some local issues in my electorate of Swan. In 2010 I started a campaign to attract the AFL West Coast Eagles to relocate their training and administration base to...
- Roberston Electorate (1 speech)
I rise with considerable pride to speak on another wonderful community initiative that I was able to celebrate on Sunday, 26 May—just a little over a week ago—with the local community...
- Petition: Barnabas Fund Proclaim Freedom (1 speech)
This is the second time I have presented a petition from the Barnabas Fund to the House of Representatives; however, in the cause of freedom of religion and the persecution of Christians around...
- Gillard Government (1 speech)
The Gillard Labor government believes in supporting families and in giving every child the best possible start in life. We understand the cost-of-living pressures on working families. We have...
- Education Funding (1 speech)
School funding and getting the best possible educational outcomes for our students are important issues—important for my 39 schools in Higgins, and for their students, parents and teachers....
- Department of Health and Ageing (1 speech)
I have spoken in this House on the important work done by the Department of Health and Ageing, particularly in the areas of immunisation, diabetes prevention and health promotion. Tonight I would...
- Road Safety (1 speech)
I rise to discuss the important issue of road safety and to highlight my concerns that more needs to be done to help reduce the enormous impact of road trauma on our nation. I believe there is a...
- DisabilityCare Australia (1 speech)
The implementation of DisabilityCare Australia will be a revolution for people with a disability and their carers in this country. Much has been said about the significance of it and tribute has...
- Petition: Youth Mental Health (1 speech)
I table a youth mental health petition calling on this parliament to provide a facility for a headspace unit in Griffith, in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. This petition is of the concerned...
- Adelaide: Traffic Congestion (2 speeches)
In the remaining time, I would like to speak on one of my favourite topics, which is traffic congestion on South Road. Three weeks ago residents of Adelaide woke up to the announcement splashed...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme, Automotive Industry, SPC Ardmona (1 speech)
We woke up this morning to the news that Geelong is to be the site of the new administration headquarters of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I applaud this decision. A regional centre...
- Pastorelli, Mr Rocco (1 speech)
I would like to pay tribute to the life and the community contribution of Rocco Pastorelli, a proud and parochial Western Australian who died prematurely in Perth on Sunday, 17 March 2013. Rocco...
- Election Funding (1 speech)
What a great story the member for Brand just gave to the parliament. Every morning in this place the Speaker of the House of Representatives walks into the House, acknowledges the government then...
- Kingston Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about an issue that is regularly raised with me in my local electorate, and that is the condition of local roads. The seat of Kingston is in an outer metropolitan area, and...
- Veterans (1 speech)
This morning I would like to speak about the veterans community on the southern Gold Coast. I am very proud to say that we have a very large veterans community. We have four RSLs: the Tweed...
- Food Education (1 speech)
On Friday I had the great privilege of launching the government's policy Food in the Australian Curriculum, which is part and parcel of the National Food Plan. I was at Queanbeyan High School's...
- Economy (1 speech)
I wish to take this opportunity to speak about opportunity and hope and reward. The coalition stakes its reputation and raises its plan for a return to national prosperity on these three...
- Ahmadiyya Muslim Association (1 speech)
I was very pleased to have been invited by Manzoor Qadir Khan, the President of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of South Australia, to attend their exhibition of the Koran on Saturday, 27...
- Flynn Electorate: Medical Workforce (1 speech)
Today I rise to talk about the eligibility of doctors in Flynn to be registered for Medicare provider numbers, and specifically a situation that has arisen in the historic town of Mt Morgan,...
- Barton Highway (1 speech)
Last week there was a head-on crash on the Barton Highway, between Yass and Murrumbateman. The drivers of both cars were hospitalised with critical injuries, and the single-carriageway highway...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Christian Assyrians in Iraq (8 speeches)
This is not the first occasion on which I have spoken in this chamber on the plight of Christians in the Middle East. I said on the last occasion, in May 2011, that for my own purposes I have...
- Polio Eradication (11 speeches)
It gives me great pleasure to rise to support this motion, which was brought into the House back in September last year by the member for Fremantle. I would like to put on record her commitment...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (53 speeches)
The Assistant Treasurer will be aware that I have long taken a strong interest in the Reserve Bank Reserve Fund, so it will not be a surprise to him that today I wish to draw the attention of the...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That orders of the day Nos 2 and 3, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Hawke, Mrs Hazel, AO (3 speeches)
It is a great pleasure to speak tonight on the great Hazel Hawke. When we heard of her passing just recently, my mother got on the phone to me and said to me: 'You have to get on the record about...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Bahrain: Human Rights (4 speeches)
The main ingredient of this resolution seeks that the Bahraini regime follows the full implementation of recommendations in its own November 2011 report of the Bahrain Independent Commission of...
- Sugar Industry (6 speeches)
Sugar is one of the backbone agricultural industries of Queensland and the nation. The Australian sugar industry is one of the world's most efficient producers and exporters of sugar and is the...
- Reform Agenda for Older Australians (8 speeches)
I rise to speak on the motion of put forward by the member for Shortland for aged-care reform for older Australians. The motion asks of the House that it acknowledges that the Gillard government:...
- Marriage Equality Amendment Bill 2012; Second Reading (4 speeches)
I rise tonight to reiterate my position on marriage equality, which I have spoken about before in this parliament. After much thought over many years, I am convinced the debate around marriage...
- Marine Engineers Qualifications Bill 2013; Second Reading (2 speeches)
The Marine Engineers Qualifications Bill put forward by the member for Denison is about skills and training. How appropriate it is that we are debating it tonight, because today is National TAFE...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Papua New Guinea (1 speech)
Papua New Guinea is a good friend of Australia's. They always have been, particularly from World War II to today. When we have asked for support and help, Papua New Guinea has been there. From...
- Newcastle: Economy (3 speeches)
It is an interesting time in my city, the city of Newcastle, a time of ongoing economic diversification and transition. With another regional city, Geelong, facing a significant threat to their...
- Gas Reserves (1 speech)
Tonight I want to talk about Australia's natural gas reserves and how they can be best used to generate Australian jobs and provide energy to Australian homes. In a few short weeks, parliament...
- Electorate of Hasluck: Aircraft Noise (1 speech)
My electorate is located in the eastern suburbs of Perth, an area that is in close proximity to the Perth airport. Whilst my community has been fortunate to benefit from both tourism and the...
