House debates
Monday, 2 June 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, In my previous statements to the House as Chair of the Petitions Committee, I spoke about the requirements for petitions, the role of the Committee and members, the practicalities...
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Landcare 25th Anniversary (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Landcare is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year; (b) the keystones of Landcare are that it is community owned and driven and bi-partisan in...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Northern Australia (12 speeches)
I move: That this House notes that: (1) there is a serious need for infrastructure and economic development in Australia’s north; (2) the Government wants to maximise Northern...
- India (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the decisive victory in India’s recent national election of the Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Shri Narendra Modi; (b) India’s achievement in...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Racial Discrimination Act (1 speech)
In 1994, when introducing section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, the then Attorney-General Michael Lavarch said: The Racial Discrimination Act does not eliminate racist attitudes. It does...
- Eagleby Learning College (1 speech)
The Eagleby Learning College is an alternative Education Queensland site that provides quality state secondary education and certificate courses to students who do not fit into the mainstream...
- Parliamentary Friends of the ABC (1 speech)
Last Wednesday the member for Reid and I, along with your good self, Mr Deputy Speaker Scott, Senator Scott Ludlam and Senator Nick Xenophon, launched the Parliamentary Friends of the ABC group....
- Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program (1 speech)
I rise today to thank a special group of people who have given their time to assist me in selecting the Anzac Centenary grants in my electorate of Solomon. I have had the assistance of local...
- March for Medicare (1 speech)
Last Friday evening, the March for Medicare took place at the State Library of Victoria. Thousands of Melbournians, including professionals, labourers, students, doctors and nurses took part to...
- Reid Electorate: Disability Services (1 speech)
I mentioned in this place in my maiden speech my passion for disability services and that my family has been touched by it and is far stronger for it. In the last eight months as the member for...
- WA Day (1 speech)
Today is WA Day, a day on which we celebrate the great land of opportunity that our state has been for so many for generations. We acknowledge that this opportunity came at a huge cost for the...
- Lindsay Electorate: Great Walk (1 speech)
In the name of charity 10 local businessmen set out on Tuesday, 20 May for a mammoth 170 kilometre walk from Bathurst to Blaxland. Now in its sixth year, the Great Walk was founded by local men...
- Throsby Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
On Saturday I met with a group of concerned residents from Tullimbar in my electorate. The purpose of the meeting was to talk about the absence of reliable broadband services in their area. The...
- Lyons Electorate: New Norfolk Morning Tea (1 speech)
Recently I had the pleasure of attending New Norfolk's version of Australia's Biggest Morning Tea. Located in the beautiful Derwent Valley, New Norfolk at the southern end of my electorate has a...
- Windgap Foundation (1 speech)
I wish to congratulate the staff, volunteers and generous donors to the Windgap Foundation for their gala ball on 12 May, which raised $125,000 for this wonderful association. Windgap was formed...
- Encore Theatre Company (1 speech)
Recently, my electorate of Bass had the opportunity to be dazzled and enchanted by one of our local arts groups, the Encore Theatre Company, perform its rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Phantom...
- Apprenticeships (1 speech)
Last week my office was inundated with phone calls and letters from apprentices in the electorate who had just received the following letter from the CVGT AusNAC Australian Apprenticeships...
- Queensland: Premier's Sustainability Awards 2014 (1 speech)
The Queensland Premier's Sustainability Awards 2014 were presented over the weekend. I am honoured to take this opportunity to highlight some great and innovative technology within my electorate...
- Parramatta Electorate: Health (1 speech)
In the Holroyd local council area—a council area which I share with the member for Greenway—19 per cent of residents are obese, 52 per cent are overweight or obese and 10 per cent...
- Pension Assistance (3 speeches)
The last two Labor speakers continue this deceit and the misleading of the Australian public. I want to speak this afternoon on the pensioners in Braddon, who are the victims of a campaign of...
- Education (1 speech)
This weekend I held a mobile office in Calwell in the south of my electorate, and constituents spoke to me about the very many concerns they have following the Abbott government's budget of...
- Brisbane Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech, 1 comment)
I rise to announce the Abbott government will invest $1 million to address troublesome black spots in the Brisbane electorate. This funding will help the Brisbane City Council carry out upgrades...
- Immigration and Citizenship (1 speech)
At 20 past three on Friday afternoon my office received email notification that the non-contributory parent visa category and other family visa categories, including aged dependant relative,...
- Electorate of Lyne: State Emergency Service (2 speeches)
On Saturday I had the honour of attending the Taree City and Port Macquarie SES unit awards, and I want to congratulate all 362 SES volunteers on the mid North Coast. For over 59 years State...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Budget (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Earlier today the Minister for Communications said about the budget and the government: 'I don't want to comment on my colleagues in that manner, but some of...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister inform the House of what steps the government is taking to strengthen the Australian economy? How will all Australians benefit from a...
- Veteran Support (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Before the last election the Prime Minister said that it was unfair to apply the CPI only to the pensions of those who had risked their lives for our...
- Budget: Infrastructure (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister update the House on what new projects, not funded by the previous...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I would like to advise the House that we have in my gallery Mrs Mas Ermieyati, who is a member of the Malaysian parliament for Malacca. We bid you most welcome. Honourable members: Hear, hear!
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Veterans (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In 2012 the Prime Minister told the national RSL conference: If it’s inadequate just to lift Centrelink pensions by the Consumer Price Index,...
- Budget (4 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline the importance of fixing the budget and repairing the debt? How will the government's economic action strategy reduce debt over the...
- Military Superannuation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's pre-election policy on the indexation of military superannuation, which says: It is scandalous that military retirees do not...
- Coal Industry (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Scientists tell us that to protect our future we need to keep most of our coal in the ground, but last week you told big miners that you could think of few...
- Budget: Public Policy (7 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline the importance of stability and consistency in public policy. What other approaches are there to management of the budget?
- Budget: Pensions (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Before the election the Prime Minister said it was not fair to apply the CPI to the pensions of those who had risked their lives for our country. The Prime...
- Budget: Higher Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education. Will the minister explain how the government's higher education reforms recognise both the private and public benefit of university education and how...
- Budget: Pensions (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister said before the election: If it is inadequate to increase Centrelink pensions by just the consumer price index, it is even less fair to...
- Asylum Seekers (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister advise the House how many successful people-smuggling ventures have arrived in Australia this year and what...
- Budget (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that the policy work on the $20 billion medical research fund did not begin until April this year, just weeks before the...
- Carbon Pricing (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment. I remind the minister of the Queensland Competition Authority's report published last Friday that the state's power prices will be around eight...
- Budget: Health (14 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's comment yesterday that 70 per cent of GP visits at the moment are bulk-billed. Is the Prime Minister aware that the latest...
- Medicare (12 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister outline to the House how the government is moving to protect the universality of Medicare and strengthen our health system?
- Higher Education Contribution Scheme (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister: yesterday the education minister said that higher interest rates on student loans would not apply to current students. Prime Minister, is this correct?
- National Broadband Network (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications: will the minister update the House on NBN Co's performance connecting premises to its fibre network, particularly in my electorate of Swan; how...
- Budget (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister— Government members interjecting— earlier today the Minister for Communications labelled remarks from conservative commentator Andrew Bolt as...
- Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education. Will the assistant minister outline what measures the government has taken in the budget to improve children's literacy skills and...
- Budget: Trade Support Loans (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer the Prime Minister to page 172 of Budget Paper No. 2 that states the government's trade support loans will attract interest. I also refer to the...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister explain how the government's economic action strategy will assist the 12,200 small businesses in my electorate of La Trobe?
- Budget (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's comments on the $80 billion cuts to hospitals and schools: 'We are not talking about next week or next month or even next...
- Work for the Dole Program (11 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Employment. Will the minister update the House—
- Budget (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to mistakes explaining the budget made by the Treasurer, by the Minister for Education, by the Minister for Industry, by the Minister for Social...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (3 speeches)
I seek leave to make a personal explanation.
- 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.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Climate Change (1 speech)
I am pleased to lead off on the adjournment debate. I want to take the time allotted to me to talk about the visit by the Pacific Calling Partnership last week, a program of the Edmund Rice...
- Barton Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
I rise to commend recent federal government commitments to economic growth, investment in infrastructure and community consultation, which have all been evident in my electorate of Barton over...
- Budget (1 speech)
The Treasurer has meticulously created a falsehood about our debt levels, used it to savage the budgets of families and pensioners on the basis that he needed to reduce the debt, but at the end...
- Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (1 speech)
Since 2002, there have been 40 operational deaths of Australians in Afghanistan and 261 wounded. The first death was Sergeant Andrew Russell, SAS Regiment, who died on 16 February 2002. The 40th...
- Melbourne Ports Electorate: Budget (1 speech)
The opposition have said again and again in this House that this budget is based on a concocted budget emergency, and this was very ably set out by the member for Parramatta in her adjournment...
- Parkes Electorate: Moree Reconciliation Awards (2 speeches)
Contrary to the negative bleatings that we have just been listening to, I would like to speak about something positive that is happening in my electorate. On Friday night, I attended the Moree...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Makin Electorate: Pooraka Primary School (1 speech)
On Saturday, 6 April, Pooraka Primary School celebrated its centenary with an open day at the school and many activities including memorabilia displays and a re-creation of the first flag-raising...
- Mallee Electorate: Higher Education (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about something that is very important for the people in my electorate and more important for the long-term future of my electorate. In the electorate of Mallee we have...
- Budget (1 speech)
In almost 10 years in this place I have never seen the level of community sentiment and outrage that I have seen in response to this year's federal budget. Having the chance to be back in the...
- Swan Electorate: Baseball (1 speech)
Mr Deputy Speaker, as a Western Australian you would know there are many exciting developments in the construction of sporting infrastructure in my electorate of Swan. We have a new stadium in...
- Corio Electorate: Vietnam Veterans Memorial (1 speech)
I first acknowledge the presence in the chamber of the member for Herbert and hope that he behaves himself in such a way that he will not have himself removed from this chamber. An honourable...
- Chicks in Pink Fun Run (1 speech)
Thirteen thousand Australian women are diagnosed with breast cancer every year. On average, seven women die from breast cancer every single day in Australia. If these statistics do not change,...
- Roberts, Mr Ken, Sewell, Ms Marlene (1 speech)
I rise to the pay tribute to two Western Sydney community stalwarts who recently and sadly left us. Firstly, there was Ken Roberts. Ken would be proudly described as a staunch Labor man, an...
- Environment (1 speech)
Like any member in this House, our electorates are a hive of activity and good citizenship. Over the last four years as the member for Kooyong, I have had the opportunity to meet passionate and...
- Hunter Electorate: City of Maitland (1 speech)
It is becoming a bit exhausting, but I rise to highlight yet another broken promise by the Abbott government. I have just come from the chamber, where I spoke to a very good motion submitted by...
- Rural and Regional Health Services (2 speeches)
I would like to congratulate the government on some great budget initiatives on GP training and incentives in my electorate of Hume. The then shadow minister for health, Peter Dutton, was in Hume...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
At the request of the member for Grayndler, I move: That order of the day No. 1, Private Members' Business, be postponed to the next sitting day. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Broadband (9 speeches)
I move: (1) notes that the National Broadband Network project was badly mismanaged by the previous government, and has: (a) caused a...
- Palliative Care (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that National Palliative Care Week is being held between 25 May and 31 May, with this year’s theme being Palliative care everyone’s...
- Prime Ministerial Visit to Papua New Guinea New Guinea (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Prime Minister visited Papua New Guinea (PNG) from 21 to 23 March 2014; (b) this trip was the...
- Landcare 25th Anniversary (5 speeches)
Australia is blessed with a beautiful and unique environment, but it is also a fragile one and we have not looked after it as well as we could have and we have had to learn some painful lessons....
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Tweed Shire Council: Gasfield Free Campaign (1 speech)
I would like to commend the Tweed Shire Council and Mayor Barry Longland for their plan to install 'Gasfield Free' signs at various locations throughout the Tweed Shire. They are encouraging...
- Wainwrights Coast2Coast MS Walk (1 speech)
I am pleased to see you here in the chair, Mr Deputy Speaker Porter, and so many colleagues to hear the observations I am about to make. I have had friends of the family I have known over a long...
- Williamstown Literature Festival (1 speech)
I rise to celebrate the Williamstown Literature Festival that was held in my electorate at the weekend. Melbourne's west is lucky to be blessed by many vibrant cultural events throughout the year...
- Lloyd's of London (1 speech)
I rise on behalf of Caroline Thompson, who is part of a family business in the construction industry, who has found herself in all sorts of trouble and is seeking that Lloyd's of London do the...
- Mental Health (1 speech)
On Friday, 16 May, I went to GOTAFE in Wangaratta to attend a forum on rural mental health. The forum was organised by a hardworking group of students currently studying for the certificate IV in...
- Vietnamese Community Australia (1 speech)
The Vietnamese community plays a big part in making my electorate of Banks the richly diverse and vibrant place that is. At the forefront of this is a great organisation, Vietnamese Community...
- Closing the Gap (1 speech)
The Liberal-National Party made a commitment as follows before the election: The coalition will continue the current level of funding expended on Closing the Gap activities. That commitment did...
- McGlashan, Mr Rosco (1 speech)
In a nondescript shed in the suburb of Mullaloo within my electorate, world-class Australian innovation and technical expertise is proudly at work. Rosco McGlashan OAM is building Aussie Invader...
- Gruen, Professor Fred (1 speech)
Fred Henry George Gruen was born in 1921 in Vienna, Austria. He came to Australia after the outbreak of World War II on the Dunera and was then classified as an enemy alien. But he went on to be...
- Seemanpillai, Mr Leo (1 speech)
I rise to express my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of the Sri Lankan national Leo Seemanpillai following his tragic death on Sunday morning. The grief experienced from the death of...
- Anzac Centenary (1 speech)
As members will be aware, the end of May marked the end of the application period for the Centenary of Anzac Local Grants Program. I wanted to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful...
- Eden-Monaro Electorate (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about two matters. The first is the Queanbeyan Children's Special Needs Group, which I visited in May this year. Ken Roberts, as CEO, has ably led a truly dedicated team...
- Italian Republic Day (1 speech)
Today Italians around the world celebrate the Festa della Repubblica, with 2 June 1946 being the day Italians voted in a referendum to become a republic. It marked the end of 85 years of Italy...
- Doyle, Ms Kae (1 speech)
A few days ago a constituent in my electorate of Petrie, Mr Chris Doyle, shared with me a story of local heroism. On the morning of 23 April, Mr Doyle's wife Kae was playing her weekly game of...
- Budget (1 speech)
In today's Midland Express there is an article titled 'Co-payment concern'. The Rural Doctors Association of Australia say the new Medicare $7 co-payment will turn doctors into tax collectors,...
- Lyons Electorate: Campbell Town Show (1 speech)
Tasmania's annual Campbell Town Show last week celebrated its 176th anniversary with another outstanding event. The first Campbell Town Show was held in 1838, making it the oldest agricultural...
- Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club (1 speech)
On Saturday night I attended the presentation of the Caves Beach Surf Life Saving Club. Caves Beach is one of the outstanding surf lifesaving clubs in the Shortland electorate. I am pleased to...
- Capricornia Electorate: Cultural Events (1 speech)
I am always excited to talk about the diversity of our great region of Capricornia. Recently I had the opportunity to attend the Taste of the World Festival in Rockhampton hosted by the Central...
- Relationships Australia (1 speech)
On Friday morning I had the great pleasure of having a tour and meeting with the team from Relationships Australia for Canberra and the region. I want to take this opportunity to commend that...
- National Servicemen's Day (1 speech)
At different times between 1911 and 1972 Australia has had national service. I know the member for Bass, who is me, had a distinguished career. In that time 238,000 people who have served. It was...
- Australian Renewable Energy Agency (1 speech)
Last August environment minister Greg Hunt said: We are keeping ARENA and ARENA is the body looking at specific support for development projects in the solar space. In its first budget the Abbott...
- Dobell Electorate: Rural Fire Service (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to the men and women of Dobell's volunteer Rural Fire Service. In October 2013 the Central Coast was ravaged by series of bushfires. Residents were cut off from their...
- Bendigo Electorate: Budget (1 speech)
I rise to share the words of Women's Health Loddon Mallee Executive Officer Linda Beilharz, who said that 'the federal budget has failed rural women'. She said that after hearing about the...
- Bilson, Mr Bob (1 speech)
The Launceston business community recently lost one of its stalwarts, Bob Bilson. Bob was the chairman of the Launceston printing company Foot and Playsted and will be remembered for his passion...
- Citizenship (1 speech)
On Saturday, 31 May, I held a citizenship ceremony in my office for Mrs Gunster and her son, Scott. They needed to have their citizenship ceremony outside the usual citizenship ceremonies that...
- Karoonda Farm Fair (1 speech)
During the autumn recess, I had the privilege of attending the Karoonda Farm Fair, not for the first time but certainly for the first time since my election as the federal member. This year saw...
- Boer War Day (1 speech)
On Saturday afternoon I had the great honour of delivering the commemorative address at the Boer War Day service at St John the Baptist Church in Reid, over on the other side of the lake. I was...
- Hinkler Electorate: Cancer Funds and Aged Care (1 speech)
I recently attended a Queensland Cancer Council fundraising event at RSL Fairways, on the north side of Bundaberg, with my wife, Alison. This event was organised by local resident Margaret Crabb,...
- Military Working Dogs Day (1 speech)
This Saturday, 7 June, when I will be attending a service to commemorate the role of military working dogs, is referred to as Military Working Dogs Day. The Salisbury RSL has been holding this...
- Forde Electorate: Ormeau Lions Club (2 speeches)
Many of us in our communities have a wonderful range of local community groups, and I would like to highlight the activities of the Ormeau Lions Club, a group of local men and women in Forde who...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That orders of the day Nos 2 to 5, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- University of Western Sydney, University Fees (1 speech)
I am going to speak tonight about a wonderful university in the electorate of Parramatta, the University of Western Sydney. At various times in my 10 years here it has straddled the border with...
- National Indigenous Youth Parliament (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a young Bathurst student from my electorate, who is participating in the 2014 National Indigenous Youth Parliament, which started last Wednesday and finishes tomorrow. As we...
- Budget (1 speech)
Budgets are about choices. They are about getting the policy settings right to ensure future prosperity, but they must also ensure that nobody is left behind in the process. This Liberal...
- National Archives of Australia (1 speech)
I wish to place on the record my appreciation to the coalition and the House of Representatives for giving me the privilege of serving as their representative on the National Archives of...
- National Security (1 speech)
On 24 May in Brussels a tourist couple and a French curator were brutally murdered when a man entered the Jewish museum in the centre of the city and opened fire with a Kalashnikov. Mehdi...
- Electorate of Cowan: Roads (1 speech)
The electorate of Cowan is just 180 square kilometres. It is north of the Perth CBD and consists of 25 outer metropolitan suburbs. It runs from Warwick in the south-west to Tapping and part of...
