House debates
Thursday, 6 March 2014
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Scullin Electorate: Shire of Nillumbik (1 speech)
I rise in support of the proposal by Nillumbik Shire Council to extend the Diamond Creek regional trail. The existing trail is 12 kilometres long and links Diamond Creek with the main Yarra...
- Dobell Electorate: Kulnura (1 speech)
Last Saturday, I joined with the residents of Kulnura to celebrate the township's 100th birthday. The name Kulnura is of Aboriginal origin and it means 'in sight of the sea'. Situated in the...
- International Women's Day (1 speech)
The issue of women's equality has made positive gains, however we live in a world that is still far from equal. This coming Saturday is International Women's Day and tomorrow morning I will once...
- Tasmanian Election (1 speech)
The election in Tasmania on 15 March revolves around some big issues, the most important of which is who has the best long-term plan for Tasmania. Given the depth of our economic and social...
- Taxation (1 speech)
I draw to the House's attention today's Financial Review and an exceptionally insightful piece by Neil Chenoweth talking about the amount of money that Apple has paid in tax in this country....
- Flynn Electorate: Proston Show (1 speech)
This Saturday, 8 March, the Proston Royal Show Society hold their show. As you know, Deputy Speaker Scott, this borders on your territory. I will be attending this on Saturday and it will be a...
- Newcastle Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge and celebrate all schools in my electorate which are currently inducting their school leaders for 2014. To be elected as school captain, vice-captain or prefect is a...
- Deakin Electorate: Clean Up Australia Day, Deakin Electorate: Heatherdale Creek Rejuvenation Project (1 speech, 1 comment)
I rise today to thank and recognise the many people in my electorate of Deakin who contributed to the Clean Up Australia Day efforts on Sunday. In particular I would like to thank, on behalf of...
- Rare Diseases (1 speech)
Today, along with many parliamentary colleagues, I attended the Rare Voices Australia barbecue and, notwithstanding the promises earlier this week by the member for Swan regarding plentiful...
- Western Sydney (1 speech)
On Monday evening I was privileged to attend the first meeting of the Prime Minister's committee for Western Sydney. I would like to take this opportunity to commend our Prime Minister for his...
- Qantas (1 speech)
The Abbott government is a disgrace. One of the nation's biggest reforms in Qantas's 93-year history, and what do they do? They gag debate, they refuse consideration of the bill in detail, and...
- Nuffield Australia Farming Scholars (1 speech)
Today I rise to draw to the Australian parliament's attention the Nuffield Australia Farming Scholars program. This evening, in the dining room, the Australian parliament will host 62 scholars...
- Environment (1 speech)
Last Friday I attended the official opening by the South Australian state minister for the environment, the Hon. Ian Hunter, of the newly constructed bicycle and trail bike paths at the Cobbler...
- Reid Electorate (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to members of the Chinese and Korean communities within my electorate. Members of these communities have, over many years, made a magnificent contribution to our local...
- Mallee Emu-Wren (1 speech)
The Mallee emu-wren is a tiny and delicate bird; it would easily fit into the palm of my hand. It has a feathery tail and is a thing of beauty. I was therefore very distressed to hear that the...
- Asia Pacific: Harmony (1 speech)
I am rising to speak on a matter of significant importance in my electorate. The people of Banks seek harmony both within our local community and more broadly. Harmony within the Asia-Pacific...
- Neighbourhood Watch (1 speech)
I would like to pay credit to the wonderful, dedicated group of people in Belmont Neighbourhood Watch who are led by Deadre Ham, OAM, a dedicated person, who has served her community for many...
- Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
I rise today to thank the Prime Minister for visiting my electorate of Solomon last weekend and for attending the welcome home parade for more than 250 Darwin based soldiers marking the end of...
- General Practice (1 speech)
There can be no more important a responsibility for government than the provision of quality, affordable health care for its community. Over the course of the Howard years, the GP situation in...
- South Australian Election (2 speeches)
I am concerned for the future job opportunities of my children Sasha and Joshua in South Australia as a result of the last 12 years of a Labor government. So are state Liberal leader Steven...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Qantas (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister acknowledge that the future of Qantas is a matter of national importance and, if so, why did the Prime Minister refuse to speak in...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on progress in delivering the government's plan for a stronger and more prosperous economy?
- Qantas (16 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister of Australia, who I am sure is proud of the enviable safety record of Qantas, the world's safest airline. Does the Prime Minister accept that the enviable...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before I call the honourable member for Grayndler, I would like to advise the House that we have in the gallery today Mr John Anderson, the former Deputy Prime Minister and member for Gwydir. We...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Qantas (52 speeches)
My question is also addressed to the Deputy Prime Minister. I refer to his comments in 2009, when he was opposing the white paper proposals to relax some foreign equity restrictions while keeping...
- Carbon Pricing (2 speeches)
Thank you, Madam Speaker. My question is to the Minister for Industry. I refer the minister to AGL's submission to the New South Wales Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal that shows that...
- Qantas (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, a large number of Qantas workers in my electorate are now losing their jobs. Many of them have contacted me over the past couple of days in a...
- Carbon Pricing (7 speeches)
My question is to the most productive Minister for the Environment that we have had for a while. I refer the minister to the list of entities liable for the carbon tax, published by the Clean...
- Qantas (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. Can the minister outline which current provisions of part 3 of the Qantas Sale Act he proposes to retain in the Air Navigation Act?
- Workplace Relations (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education, representing the Minister for Employment. I remind the minister that the government has proposed a registered organisations commission to provide...
- Qantas (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Last night, the Treasurer said, in relation to the government's policy on Qantas: … our Plan B is our Plan A … Why is the government's only plan...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before I call the honourable member for O'Connor, I would like to advise the House that we have with us in the gallery the Hon. Abraham Sumanthiran MP, a member of the Sri Lankan parliament. We...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Health (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. I refer the minister to the Karratha GP superclinic in Western Australia that was promised more than three years ago, is still not open, and is yet to...
- Rail Infrastructure (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. What discussions has the minister had with the Western Australian government about federal funding for passenger rail...
- Telecommunications (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Will the minister tell the House what the government is doing to consult with business in the communications sector and lower the burden by...
- Commission of Audit Report (6 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Given the Treasurer has had the Commission of Audit's interim report for weeks, when will the Treasurer release the report to the public? Will the Treasurer...
- Immigration Programs (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. What action is the government taking to ensure that those waiting offshore to apply legitimately for a place in our refugee...
- Vocational Education and Training (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Assistant Minister for Education recently told ABC radio Perth that there is not enough Try-A-Trade for those kids in school. Why then is the Prime...
- Trade: China (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the minister provide an update on the progress being made toward a free trade agreement with China, and what benefits would such an...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (13 speeches)
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation on two matters.
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (6 speeches)
I wish to add to an answer I gave in question time with respect to the Leader of the Opposition's website—billshorten.com.au. I table the certificate from the registry portal of Whois...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (17 speeches)
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
A document is tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the document will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings and the Hansard.
- Access to Committee Documents (1 speech)
Pursuant to the resolution of the Senate of 6 September 1984 and the House of Representatives of 11 October 1984, I present reports on the access to committee documents.
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 22 of 2013-14 (3 speeches)
I present the Auditor-General's Performance Audit No. 22 of 2013-14 entitled Air warfare destroyer program: Department of Defence; Defence Materiel Organisation. Ordered that the report be made a...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Western Australia: Infrastructure (44 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Perth proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The effect of the...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014; Second Reading (1 speech)
I just want to resume where I left off before question time on this very important bill, the Fair Work Amendment Bill 2014, and why the opposition has grave reservations about some of the...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- International Women's Day (1 speech)
This Saturday, we will celebrate International Women's Day. On 8 March every year for over 100 years in countries all over the world, we have marked International Women's Day. It began as a day...
- South Australian Election (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about something that is extremely important to me as a very proud South Australian, that is, the decision that will be made by the electors of my home state on 15 March. It...
- Child Mental Health (1 speech)
No member will disagree with me when I say that the core mission of our education system is ensuring that our children can achieve their full potential and overcome any barriers to that...
- Tasmanian Election (1 speech)
I attended a dinner in the Great Hall last Wednesday night, and I acknowledge that you, Madam Speaker, graced us with your presence at that dinner, which was about showing support for the...
- National Urban Policy Forum (1 speech)
I rise to speak this evening on the role of the Commonwealth in urban policy, and I do so in the context of revelations at Senate estimates last week that the Urban Policy Forum's future is under...
- South Australian Election (1 speech)
I want to pay tribute to the community groups that helped out on Clean Up Australia Day last Sunday. I know that many members from around our great nation participated. Last year I was down at...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Fokianos, Mr Dimitrios (Jim) (1 speech)
An inevitable part of life, especially in an ageing population, is coming to terms with the passing of many loved people, especially community stalwarts and personalities in our electorates. My...
- Calare Electorate: Lithgow Small Arms Factory (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a good news manufacturing story in Calare. Last Friday I was absolutely delighted to take part in the inaugural firing of the first new civilian rifle to be designed and...
- Ha, Mr Thanh (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute and bid farewell to one of my constituents and a prominent member of the Chinese community in Sydney, Mr Thanh Ha. Mr Ha, best known in my local community as the...
- O'Sullivan, Mr Edward (1 speech)
Today I would like to pay tribute to a man of great integrity who was a World War II veteran and a pillar of the Stirling community. Edward O'Sullivan, known fondly as Ted, was born in March 1926...
- Employment (1 speech)
It is now almost a month since Toyota announced that they would be closing their manufacturing plant in Altona, a month since the 2½ thousand workers at Toyota went home and told their...
- Petrie Electorate: Select Lifestyle Services (1 speech)
A few weeks ago I visited Select Lifestyle Services, an organisation within my electorate that is providing unique quality support for people with disabilities. With 12 years experience in the...
- Indi Electorate: Women (1 speech)
To the unsung heroes of rural and regional Australia, Saturday, 8 March, International Women's Day, is our day. To the 50,000 women and 13,000 girls who live in my electorate of Indi, this day...
- Robertson Electorate: Woy Woy Oval (1 speech)
Sport is a big part of everyday life in my electorate of Robertson. Right around the Central Coast every week you will see people of all ages, skills and abilities participate in or watch sport...
- Northern Territory: Roads (1 speech)
I had cause yesterday to look at a press release which went out on 3 August 2012 headed: 'Encouraging productivity by investing in Territory bush roads'. This press release announced that the...
- Pearce Electorate: Communications (1 speech)
The issue of communications is a very live issue throughout the 14,000 square kilometres of the Pearce electorate. Many constituents face difficulties with respect to mobile phone reception,...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Rare Disease Day (1 speech)
International Rare Disease Day was on 28 February. The day gives us an opportunity to support those whose lives have been impacted by a rare genetic disorder. It is also an opportunity to raise...
- Lachman Family (1 speech)
Today I am going to tell the chamber about an amazing family that lives in my electorate of La Trobe—the Lachman family. In 2007, Alan Lachman, his wife, Maria-Franca, and their three...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
Today I rise to talk about the treatment of asylum seekers in Australia's detention centres here and overseas. Many of my constituents are concerned about the current treatment of refugees who...
- Flynn Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
Today I want to talk about roads in Flynn. Flynn is 130,000 square kilometres and has many roads. Some are federally funded, some are state funded and some are local government funded. There is...
- Australian Symbols (1 speech)
I rise today, conscious of the symbolic importance of speaking in this chamber. We have heard contributions this week on issues large and small, from the future of Australia's biggest airline to...
- Swan Electorate: Albany Highway (1 speech)
First built in the 1850s, the Albany Highway has always been a famous and strategically important road for Western Australia. It is the key connection for residents in my electorate of Swan,...
- Human Rights: Vietnam (1 speech)
As the House is aware, I have spoken on many occasions in respect of human rights. It is a matter that is very close to my heart. For me, human rights equate with the right to be treated with...
- Canning Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
I am pleased this morning to give the chamber an update on the NBN rollout in the electorate of Canning, which I represent. The area of Mandurah was earmarked to be one of the first in Western...
- Richmond Electorate: Health Services (1 speech, 1 comment)
I rise to talk about my community's great distress at hearing yesterday that the National Party plan to close the children's ward at Murwillumbah hospital. I join them in their condemnation of...
- Petition: Climate Change (1 speech)
It is my pleasure to present a petition. Normally, we do not necessarily associate ourselves with petitions but I certainly associate myself with this. The petition read as follows— To the...
- Education Funding (4 speeches)
I rise today to remind the House that Australians were told before the last election that the Abbott government was on a unity ticket with Labor when it came to education and school funding...
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
Today in the House debate on the Abbott government Fair Work Amendment Bill will resume—a bill that, in my opinion, will radically change workplace relations in this country again. I rise...
- Moore Electorate: Education (1 speech)
A strong university, vocational education and training sector is vital to develop the skilled workforce necessary to drive local economic development in the electorate of Moore. Located within...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
I rise today to explain why I am very pessimistic about my children's future. This week we saw the release of the CSIRO's third State of the climate report, but did not see the Prime Minister or...
- O'Connor Electorate: Grain Harvest (1 speech)
I take this opportunity to report to the parliament the record-breaking 2013 harvest across my electorate of O'Connor. As a farmer myself, I experienced the swings in growing conditions...
- Infrastructure (1 speech)
A key feature of the electorate of Scullin, much like the electorate of my friend and colleague the member for Calwell, is suburban growth. Communities in suburbs such as South Morang and Epping...
- Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative (1 speech)
I would like to speak this morning about the Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative, otherwise known as GABSI. The Great Artesian Basin Sustainability Initiative was a commitment over 15...
