House debates
Monday, 24 March 2014
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
Ministerial responses to petitions previously presented to the House have been received as follows:
- Statements (1 speech)
Madam Speaker, last week, as Chair of the Standing Committee on Petitions, my statement covered the origins of Australia’s petitioning system, and I stressed the importance of petitions...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- M1-M2 Link (3 speeches)
This is one of the most pleasurable opportunities for me as a member of the House of Representatives, to move a motion commending the government for fulfilling a promise it took to the people at...
- ABC and SBS (13 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) since 1 July 1932 when ABC Radio first came on air, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), created by the Australian Parliament, has played an...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Deregulation (12 speeches)
I move the motion relating to deregulation in the terms in which it appears in the Notice Paper: That this House: (1) notes: (a) that in April 2007, the previous government promised to lift...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the committee's second report of 2014 Referrals made December 2013. Report made a parliamentary paper in accordance...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (9 speeches)
Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to give a personal explanation.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Cohen, Mr John, OAM (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House of the passing of a much loved member of my local community Mr John Cohen OAM on 18 March 2014. John was born in Cologne, Germany, in 1919. After being thrown out of...
- Melba College (1 speech)
I recently had the great pleasure of visiting the junior and senior campuses of Melba College in Croydon to present badges and certificates to this year's cohort of student leaders. Since the...
- Broadband (1 speech)
Last week in the parliament the Minister for Communications crowed that, since he had taken charge, since we had entered the brave new land of 'Turnbullistan', 28,000 new brownfield premises had...
- Road Safety (1 speech)
The A Metre Matters Campaign calls for a minimum one-metre rule for motorists overtaking cyclists. There is a simple logic to this issue. The motorist in a car, travelling up to 120 kilometres an...
- Petition: Medicare (1 speech)
I rise today to present a petition to the House, in accordance with standing order 207(b), that has been found in order by the Petitions Committee. The petition read as follows— To the...
- Brisbane Electorate: School Bullying (1 speech)
Last Friday, schools and communities around the country, and in my electorate of Brisbane, took a strong stand together against bullying and violence in our schools. A snapshot of the school...
- Bendigo Electorate: National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
In my electorate, it is vital that the government does not delay the rollout of the National Disability Insurance Scheme. I am concerned by recent media reports that, again, this issue is on the...
- Braddon Electorate: Mobile Phone Coverage (1 speech)
Recently, I have been in contact with the Sisters Beach progress association which have indicated to me their intention to apply for funding under the coalition government's Mobile Black Spots...
- Canberra Electorate: National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
It is a well-documented fact that participating in the community and connecting with others is essential for good health and wellbeing. This Saturday, 29 March, the inaugural Connect and...
- Hume Electorate: Economy (1 speech)
As we approach national 'repeal day' this Wednesday, I applaud the government's moves in reducing red tape for small business. In my electorate of Hume, red tape is stifling business growth. York...
- Throsby Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
Anybody who has spent any time in the Illawarra knows there is a fantastic sense of community spirit and a community willingness to pitch in and help those who are in need. That spirit—that...
- Free Meat Week (1 speech)
This week there has been a campaign running called Meat Free Week, but, to counter that, the National Party and many in the coalition are going to take part in Free Meat Week. In my electorate of...
- Parramatta Electorate: Pakistan Association of Australia (1 speech)
Last night the Pakistan Association of Australia held its annual dinner in Granville. The dinner clashed with my flights to Canberra, unfortunately, so I was on a flight instead of being with...
- Barker Electorate: Trade and Agriculture (1 speech)
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with the Cattle Council of Australia's president, Andrew Ogilvie, in Mt Gambier. I was very pleased to be joined at that meeting by my friend and colleague...
- Fremantle Electorate: Health (1 speech)
A couple of weeks ago I visited the Freo Street Doctor service with the Deputy Leader of the Opposition. I cannot stress enough the importance of this kind of service, which is administered by...
- National Day of Action against Bullying and Violence (1 speech)
Last Friday appropriately was not only Harmony Day but also national 'Bully Zero' day, so as the member for Brisbane said: we should take the time to consider that bullying comes in all shapes...
- World Tuberculosis Day (1 speech)
Today is World TB Day where we raise awareness of tuberculosis and its incidence throughout the world. Last year 8.6 million cases of tuberculosis were diagnosed throughout the world—1.3...
- Banned Drinker Register (1 speech)
I rise today to try to slash some of the myths being spread by the Labor Party about the impact of the Banned Drinker Register on hospitalisation rates in the Northern Territory. Members will...
- Hunter Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Traffic congestion on the New England Highway through my electorate is a nightmare mainly driven by the mining industry. I am very pleased to be able to report that part of that problem,...
- Early Education (2 speeches)
I recently visited Stepping Stone childcare centre at Kidman Park in my electorate which educates around 150 children. I want to congratulate the 40 loyal and hardworking staff on the positive...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be absent from question time this week as she represents the government at the Nuclear Security Summit in the Hague. The Treasurer...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- National Commission of Audit (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that Tony Shepherd, the chairman of the government's Commission of Audit, believes it is a good idea to publish its report, will the Prime Minister now...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, how will scrapping the carbon and mining taxes benefit my state of Western Australia?
- National Commission of Audit (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that the government has had the Commission of Audit report for over a month, will the Prime Minister now release the secret report to the people of...
- Mining (6 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline the importance of repealing the mining tax? What is the benefit to the people of Western Australia and elsewhere—in particular,...
- Employment (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to reports that Senator Abetz sought to 'massage' jobs data to help the government meet the Prime Minister's one million jobs...
- Economy (12 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline the trends in spending and debt inherited by the coalition government? How will fixing the budget help the people of Western Australia...
- Employment (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to reported attempts by the employment minister to manipulate departmental publications to fit the government's 'one million jobs'...
- Goods and Services Tax (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. The GST reimburses states for losses of revenue through the abolition of state taxes. Why do the Australian and Western Australian governments allow GST raised in...
- Carbon Pricing (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment. I refer to figures released by the Clean Energy Regulator that show that the carbon tax has hit BHP Billiton Worsley Alumina with at least $56...
- Budget (13 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to his answer in the House last week that it is not possible to say how much the budget deficit had been blown out as a result of the...
- Mining (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry. Will the minister outline to the House how much the mining tax has cost to administer since its inception? How will the repeal of the mining tax help...
- Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. I refer the Treasurer to the most recent national accounts, which show corporate profits are growing at an annual rate of around nine per cent. Does the Treasurer...
- Infrastructure (8 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister update the House on infrastructure projects the coalition government is...
- Racial Discrimination (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. For almost 20 years, Section 18(c) of the Racial Discrimination Act has protected the Australian community from the divisive and destructive effects of...
- Education Funding (35 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. I remind the minister of the $1.2 billion in school funding earmarked for Queensland, the Northern Territory and my state of Western Australia that...
- Sinodinos, Senator Arthur (13 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to concerns raised by Senator Heffernan, the Prime Minister's representative on the Liberal Party's nomination review committee, about the activities...
- Asylum Seekers (14 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on the government's progress in keeping its promise to stop the boats? Are there any...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I advise the House that we have with us Her Excellency Mrs Marie Chauvin, High Commissioner for Mauritius, and we also have with us Mr Joe Skrzynski, the chairman of SBS. We make them both very...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Sinodinos, Senator Arthur (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports in The Sunday Telegraphthat a Liberal frontbencher has said, 'It's very difficult to imagine Heffernan didn't offer these views to Credlin...
- Education (5 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education. I remind the minister that last year I wrote to the Auditor-General requesting an audit of the former government's $300 million Early Years...
- Sinodinos, Senator Arthur (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's decision to give Senator Sinodinos portfolio responsibility for corporate governance. Was the Prime Minister aware of...
- Workplace Relations (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education, representing the Minister for Employment. I remind the minister that I have met with small business operators from the Indooroopilly Shopping Centre...
- Sinodinos, Senator Arthur (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports from Kate McClymont of the Sydney Morning Herald on testimony at the Independent Commission Against Corruption today that the former head...
- Veterans (3 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Defence. Will the minister update the House on how the government's fair indexation of military superannuation will assist retired ADF personnel and...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (1 speech)
I move: That leave of absence for the remainder of the current period of sittings be given to Mr Ramsey on the ground of ill health. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (7 speeches)
I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Flight MH370 (2 speeches)
I wish to update the House with the latest developments in the search for ill-fated flight MH370. The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has advised that objects have been located by a Royal...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Petition: Middle East (1 speech)
Today my fellow co-convenor of the parliamentary friends of Palestine, the member for Reid; the convenor of the UN parliamentary group, the member for Fremantle; and I had the pleasure of hosting...
- Cattle Industry (1 speech)
Tonight I would like to speak about the dilemma facing the cattle industry in not only Queensland but also New South Wales. Over the past two years the cattle growers have suffered a lot. It...
- McEwen Electorate: Wallan GP Super Clinic (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to speak on a project which holds great importance in my electorate of McEwen, but also one that I take great personal pride in seeing delivered. I am...
- Great Escape (1 speech)
Tonight marks the 70th anniversary of the great escape of 76 air force officers from Stalag Luft III at Sagan in Silesia, Germany—now in Poland—approximately 120 kilometres east of...
- Deregulation, Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (1 speech)
Last week, the government announced that there would be a bonfire of legislation. What was in this great vanity of a bonfire? There were three things. There was the repeal of what Fred Hilmer,...
- Pacific Highway (2 speeches)
On Friday, I had the pleasure of opening a new section of dual carriageway on the Pacific Highway known as Devils Pulpit. The upgrade involved the construction of seven kilometres of dual...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Bendigo Electorate: Woodend Winter Arts Festival (1 speech)
Yesterday I had the privilege of attending the program launch for the Woodend Winter Arts Festival, something I know the Deputy Speaker would be fond of. The Woodend Winter Arts Festival started...
- Hume Electorate: Green Army (1 speech)
I would like to report on a growing excitement in my electorate about an idea to encourage youth participation and training in the community. Mr Deputy Speaker, you might have heard it mentioned...
- Newcastle Electorate: Steel Magnolia Awards (1 speech)
Last Friday night I had the pleasure of attending the annual Steel Magnolia Awards night in my electorate of Newcastle. This important event recognises steel magnolias—that is, women of...
- Casey Electorate: Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival, Carlton in Canberra (2 speeches)
Last Saturday the Mooroolbark community again hosted the Celebrate Mooroolbark Festival at the Red Earth Park and Mooroolbark Community Centre. It is a wonderful annual event that brings together...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Reports of abuse of Palestinian people, including the elderly, women and children by Israeli soldiers should be of concern to all fair-minded people. I accept that there are always two sides to...
- Science (1 speech)
I want to take a few moments today to thank the many people who took part in the Science Meets Parliament program last week, and to congratulate and thank Science and Technology Australia on...
- Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (1 speech)
It is widely understood that changes to the Racial Discrimination Act proposed by this government follow the introduction of section 18C by the Keating government in 1995 and 11 years of...
- Capricornia Electorate: Pineapples (1 speech)
The Capricorn Coast's booming pineapple industry is set to become the talk of Parliament House this week. Tomorrow, I will distribute 300 Capricorn Coast pineapples—one to every MP and...
- Lalor Electorate: Western Chances (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about an organisation in Melbourne's west called Western Chances. Western Chances is a not-for-profit that seeks to help young people from disadvantaged backgrounds achieve...
- Lindsay Electorate: Bikers Against Child Abuse (1 speech)
I would like to bring the attention of the House to a community organisation I had the pleasure of meeting at the weekend—the Bikers Against Child Abuse, or BACA. This international...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Human Rights: Sri Lanka (7 speeches)
I move: In moving this motion I want to focus on Australia's strong record of supporting human rights and ensuring justice, equity, accountability and reconciliation. I would like to acknowledge...
- New South Wales: NorthConnex (17 speeches)
I move: I move this amendment to put some facts into the motion that was moved by the member for Berowra. He is of course the Father of the House, having been here longer than any other member of...
- Franchise Sector (7 speeches)
I move: This parliament for far too long has talked about the franchising sector and done a little but not quite enough. That is both sides of this parliament over a long period of time. The...
- G20 (9 speeches)
I move: The G20 forum is a unique opportunity in its economic influence. It brings together the leaders of 20 of the largest developed and emerging economies annually to make decisions on global...
- Australian Republic (7 speeches)
I move: 'Breathes there the man with soul so dead, 'Who never to himself hath said; 'This is my own, my native land!' Those fine words from Walter Scott have never been uttered by any Australian...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- McMillan Electorate: Dairy Industry (1 speech)
There were 16 million babies born in China last year. What has that got to do with my electorate of McMillan? A lot, because we provide a lot of the powdered milk for the baby formula. The demand...
- Meat Free Week, Free Meat Week (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the travesty that is Meat Free Week, a conspiracy by the Greens, a campaign that is trying to stop Australians from eating meat. They want us to become vegetarians and...
- McEwen Electorate: Cultural Diversity Week (1 speech)
I rise to talk about Mitchell shire's family fiesta celebrating Cultural Diversity Week, which happened on the weekend. This is something that is vitally important in a growing area like McEwen,...
- Barker Electorate: Mundulla Bowling Club (1 speech)
It was with great pleasure that I visited the historic town of Mundulla on 12 March to officially open the new synthetic green at the Mundulla Bowling Club. I was honoured to be there to...
- Scullin Electorate: International Women's Day (1 speech)
On Friday, 14 March I had the great pleasure of attending an International Women's Day award ceremony at Riverside Community Activity Centre in South Morang, together with your good self, Mr...
- Macarthur Electorate: Harmony Day (1 speech)
Last Friday was national Harmony Day, and I would like to take this opportunity to talk about the importance of diversity in Australia and in my local electorate of Macarthur. National Harmony...
- St Margaret's Uniting Church: 50th Anniversary (1 speech)
On 7 December 1963 there appeared in the Canberra Times a notice of a new Presbyterian church and Sunday school to be meeting in Watson, Hackett and Woden. The first meeting of St Margaret's...
- Pilbara Region (1 speech)
The Pilbara and Karratha region specifically is undoubtedly the engine room of the nation's economy with the Shire of Roebourne producing the sixth largest economic output of all Australian...
- Nowruz (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House that Nowruz is being celebrated all around the world at the moment and with great effect in my electorate of Parramatta. Nowruz is the celebration of New Year. It...
- Swan Electorate: Australian Asian Association (1 speech)
First, Mr Deputy Speaker, I would like to acknowledge the multiskilling abilities you displayed earlier to get this chamber underway. So congratulations to you for doing that. On Saturday I...
- Shortland Electorate: Lake Macquarie Swim (1 speech)
On Saturday I was very privileged to start the 54th annual across the lake swim at Lake Macquarie. For those members of the House who do not know Lake Macquarie, it is the biggest lake in the...
- Dobell Electorate: Green Army (1 speech)
The government's Green Army will commence in July 2014, providing young people aged 17 to 24 with valuable work skills and formal training qualifications in areas of environmental remediation....
- Abbott Government (1 speech)
In February we had the Griffith by-election, and at that by-election the Abbott government failed to reveal to voters the content of the Commission of Audit recommendations for cuts. And here we...
- Cowan Electorate: Kingsway City Shopping Centre (1 speech)
I would like to congratulate the Kingsway City Shopping Centre for its most excellent 18th birthday celebrations on Saturday. It certainly drew a big crowd. Matthew Pavlich, the star of the...
- Curran, Mr Wally (1 speech)
It is with great sadness that I mark the passing today of a much-loved member of my community, Wally Curran. Wally joined the Australasian Meat Industry Employees Union in 1954, and served as the...
- Palmer United Party (1 speech)
The Palmer United Party has been caught out in a cynical attempt to be all things to all people: promising to slash Tasmania's GST before the federal election, committing to maintain the state of...
- Public Service (1 speech)
The interim Commission of Audit report was due to be released in January. However, as we all know, January has come and gone and Canberrans, Western Australians—in fact all...
- Infrastructure (1 speech)
I would like to publicly commend the recent announcements by the Liberal infrastructure government of two new infrastructure projects in Western Australia. They are the Gateway WA project and the...
- Future of Financial Advice (1 speech)
I rise today to speak in defence of investors in my community currently protected by Labor's Future of Financial Advice, or FoFA, reforms. These reforms were brought in by Labor to protect...
- Farm World (1 speech)
This weekend Farm World will be the focus of attention for Gippsland, Victoria and the nation. Farm World is the premier agricultural event in Australia. It is held at Lardner Park at Warragul....
- National Rental Affordability Scheme (1 speech)
I rise to support the coalition's proposed shake-up of the National Rental Affordability Scheme and to flag my commitment to changing its structure so it works to better serve the needs of...
- Gladstone Harbour Festival (1 speech)
The Gladstone Harbour Festival is on again this Easter. It is one of the largest free community festivals in Australia, showcasing the beautiful surroundings and relaxed lifestyle of the...
- Kingsford Smith Electorate: Laperouse Museum (1 speech)
Last Friday, 21 March, I was fortunate to join other community members at the Laperouse Museum in my electorate to celebrate Laperouse Day and for the unveiling of a scale model of Laperouse's...
- Melanoma March, Hastings Relay for Life (1 speech)
Last weekend, two very successful important local community events happened in Port Macquarie. Firstly, the Melanoma March held at Rainbow Beach, Bonny Hills, witnessed nearly 500 keen walkers...
- Greek Independence Day (1 speech)
On Sunday I had the privilege of attending the Greek Independence Day march and wreath-laying ceremony in Martin Place. These celebrations were hosted by the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of...
- Good Sports, Alcohol Abuse (1 speech)
I recently attended the Good Sports breakfast hosted by the Australian Drug Foundation to help promote the success of the Good Sports program, which strives to create positive and healthy...
- Gellibrand Electorate: Shipbuilding Industry (1 speech)
Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to make a second statement. Leave granted. Toyota's announcement that it would cease manufacturing and put 2½ thousand employees out of work was devastating...
- Longman Electorate: Deregulation (2 speeches)
I rise to talk about the coalition's deregulation agenda. I am incredibly proud to be part of a government that recognises that the great creator of wealth, prosperity and employment in our...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Medicare (1 speech)
If Medicare was a Facebook page it would have around 23½ million 'likes'. It is every Australian's favourite brand. Peter Dutton and the coalition claim that they are Medicare's best...
- Carbon Tax (1 speech)
In the dying days of the 2010 federal election campaign a desperate Labor Party promised there would be no carbon tax under a Labor government. Then, after sneaking into office on the back of its...
- Sydney Electorate: Public Housing (1 speech)
I spoke last week in the House about the residents of Millers Point and The Rocks, who were dealt a terrible blow by the state government in New South Wales last week when they were told that 293...
- Hinkler Electorate: National Broadband Network (1 speech)
I rise to speak on a divisive issue of great concern and of need in my electorate of Hinkler. Since coming to government my office has been inundated with complaints and inquiries about Labor's...
- Centenary of Anzac (2 speeches)
Today in this grievance debate I want to talk about the importance of the centenary of Anzac, particularly for local communities. Quite rightly, over the coming months and indeed the coming four...
