House debates
Monday, 1 September 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, today, on behalf of the Petitions Committee I presented 13 petitions and five responses from ministers to petitions that had already been presented. I do not intend to canvass the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Report (5 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on the National Disability Insurance Scheme, I present the committee's progress report on the implementation and administration of the National...
- Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Australian Red Cross Centenary (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Australian Red Cross (ARC) was founded in 1914 following the outbreak of World War I; and (b) hundreds of thousands of volunteers signed up during...
- Human Rights: Iraq (25 speeches)
by leave—I move: That the motion be amended to read—that this House: (1) condemns the actions of the Islamic State in Iraq which amounts to attempted genocide of minorities including...
- Standing Orders (3 speeches)
Mr Deputy Speaker, I seek leave to move: That so much of the standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the House: (1) debating immediately whether Australian...
- Vietnam Veterans (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Vietnam Veterans Day is held on 18 August each year to commemorate the iconic Battle of Long Tan in 1966; (b) on that day, 108 Australian and New...
- Boer War (5 speeches)
I move: That this House acknowledges: (1) that as we approach the Centenary of ANZAC we also reflect on the forgotten war in which Australians first participated—the Boer War; (2) that as a...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program (1 speech)
For the information of members, I present the report of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program. I ask leave of the House to make a short statement in connection with the report....
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That business intervening before order of the day No. 20, Government Business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Consideration of Legislation (6 speeches)
I ask leave of the House to move a motion to facilitate the introduction and passage of a bill for an act to amend the law relating to taxation, superannuation, social security and family...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Minister for Foreign Affairs will be absent from question time today, as she is in Samoa attending the Third International Conference on Small Island Developing...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Budget (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. One year ago today, the Prime Minister promised a government of no surprises and no excuses. This morning, as part of Dementia Awareness Month, I visited the...
- Ukraine (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister please update the House on the most recent developments in Ukraine and the response of the Australian government?
- Budget (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Before the election, in a press release dated 26 August 2013, the Prime Minister said: Over 320,000 Australians are afflicted by dementia … These...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Justice. Will the minister inform the House how the recently announced national disruption group will work to keep Australians safe from the threat of...
- Budget (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. One year ago today the Prime Minister promised a government of no surprises, no excuses. Dr Julie McClellan, a GP in Melbourne, in the Australian Doctor...
- Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister brief the House on the latest monthly update on Operation Sovereign Borders?
- Budget (6 speeches)
My question is tho the Prime Minister. One year ago today the Prime Minister promised a government of no surprises and no excuses. Dr Tony Bongiorno, a GP in my electorate of Ballarat, wrote to...
- Small Business (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister inform the House what the government is doing to energise the small business sector. How will this help the economy?
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I announce to the House that we have with us in the chamber Her Excellency Ms Uni Klovstad, the Ambassador of Norway, and we make her most welcome. We also have with us a ministerial delegation...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Budget (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. One year ago today the Prime Minister promised a government of no surprises and no excuses. Sue Drury, of Ballan in Victoria, is on a disability support...
- Home Insulation Program (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment. Will the minister inform the House of the key findings of the Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program?
- Budget (11 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. One year ago today the Prime Minister promised a government of no surprises and no excuses. I refer to an email from Toby Green, a single person on a low...
- Higher Education (19 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education and it regards the vital work the minister is doing in higher education. Will the minister outline to the House how the government's reforms to higher...
- Budget (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. One year ago today, the Prime Minister promised to be a government of no excuses and no surprises. Despite being asked on four separate occasions today to...
- Manufacturing (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry. Will the minister inform the House how the government is working with Australian industry to identify and access new markets and create jobs and...
- Crime (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Justice. Can the minister advise what the selection criteria were for the Safer Streets Program?
- Child Care (3 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Education. Will the minister inform the House of the recent Department of Education data on childcare usage in Australia? What action is the...
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Questions in Writing (3 speeches)
Madam Speaker, in accordance with standing order 105(b) I ask that you write to the Treasurer seeking reasons for the delay in answering a question in writing. The relevant question appears as...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (12 speeches)
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
A document is presented as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members. Details of the document will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Report (2 speeches)
Earlier in the day, because of the suspension of standing orders and other activities, we were unable to hear from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, so we will now hear from...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I ask leave of the House to move a motion to enable notice No. 5, private members' business, to have priority over other business in the Federation Chamber for 20 minutes from 4.45 pm. Leave...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Cities Policy (1 speech)
A couple of weeks ago the Economist Intelligence Unit announced that Melbourne had retained the ranking of word's most liveable city. I think all Melbournians welcomed this international...
- Dawson Electorate: Mining (1 speech)
My constituents in the Mackay region are feeling the pain of a downturn in the mining industry and the extent of that pain can be clearly outlined with a few cold hard facts. Mackay is the...
- Corio Electorate: AFL Geelong Cats (1 speech)
It is September. The AFL finals are here. Geelong is playing in them and we have secured the double chance. I can report to you, Madam Speaker, that the earth is rotating on its correct axis and...
- Trade Training Centres (1 speech)
Given that the Brisbane Lions and the Suns are not in the finals, in the absence of any other representatives here I wish Geelong all the best for the final season. AFL is Australia's game, but...
- Legal Assistance Services (1 speech)
Over the last year, I have spoken often about the importance of legal assistance services in ensuring access to justice. It is well recognised that the Attorney-General has a special...
- Medicinal Cannabis (2 speeches)
Imagine that your son or daughter, or your brother or sister, is dying from an incurable terminal cancer and the only treatment offering pain relief and nausea control is medicinal cannabis. This...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- National Disability Insurance Scheme (1 speech)
I rise this morning to congratulate Mambourin Enterprises. Mambourin Enterprises was awarded the Australian Disability Enterprises Excellence Award last week by the Department of Social Services....
- Goldstein Electorate: Multiculturalism, Middle East (1 speech)
While the recent conflict between Israelis and Palestinians can be expected to prompt emotive responses, there is no place for anti-Semitism. Yet there is a palpable level of concern regarding...
- Steel, Mr Kurt (1 speech)
It is fair to say that political staffers do not get a lot of love in the Australian public debate. But we who have the chance to serve in this place know how invaluable staffers are. It is not...
- Swan Electorate: Como Hotel (1 speech)
I rise to update the House about the Como Hotel in my electorate. First, I would like to acknowledge the contributions that the member for Goldstein and the member for Fraser just made. Kurt...
- Souths Cares (1 speech)
I wish to congratulate Souths Cares, the charity arm of the mighty South Sydney Rabbitohs, on the recent launch of their Indigenous Employment Program, Ngalya Banga. The South Sydney Rabbitohs...
- Parkes Electorate: Drought (1 speech)
I would like to rise here this morning to speak about the drought that currently has in its grips north-western New South Wales and western Queensland. I would particularly like to talk about the...
- Isaacs Electorate: Transport (1 speech)
I recently conducted a public transport survey in my electorate focusing on the needs of residents in Keysborough and Dandenong South. I am often told about the need for new bus services linking...
- Herbert Electorate: 3rd Brigade (1 speech)
Residents of Townsville lined The Strand and Jezzine Barracks on Saturday afternoon as the community marked the centenary of the 3rd Brigade with a freedom of entry march. Fifteen hundred...
- Memorial Oak Tree Ceremony (1 speech)
Hundreds of thousands of Australians would have wandered past the beautiful old oak tree out the front of Adelaide Oval but few would have recognised its significance. On Friday I had the...
- Industrial Hemp (2 speeches)
On behalf of the many agricultural producers in my electorate, I raise the subject of industrial hemp and the unacceptably long delay nationally in deciding whether to legalise its cultivation...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Australian Red Cross (7 speeches)
I move: That the House: (1) notes that: (a) 2014 is the Centenary year of Red Cross in Australia, a significant milestone in the social history of the nation and commemorating 100 years of...
- Competition Policy (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that the first major root and branch review of competition policy in more than 20 years, as promised by the Coalition, is being delivered, and: (a) is being...
- Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) was established in 2012 after external inquiries in 1995, 2001, 2010, Parliamentary...
- Australian Flag (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that on 3 September 2014 ('Australian National Flag Day') we celebrate the (2) 113th birthday of the Australian flag; and (3) notes that: (a) Australia's...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Coal Seam Gas (1 speech)
I am pleased to report to the House that at the recent New South Wales state Labor conference an urgency motion was unanimously passed supporting a coal seam gas mining free North Coast. This is...
- Flynn Electorate: Mayne, Mr Bryson (1 speech)
Bryson Mayne, a young well-loved member of the local community of Rolleston, was only 29 years of age when he was tragically killed while cross-loading cattle from a road train at Gracemere...
- Gellibrand Electorate: Uruguayan Community (1 speech)
Recently I had the pleasure of attending and addressing the Uruguayan-Australian cultural community during their celebrations of Uruguay's independence day. I was particularly pleased on this day...
- Higgins Electorate: Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program (1 speech)
During the winter recess, on 4 August, I, like many members in this place, paused to remember the centenary of the beginning of World War I. There is no doubt that the next four years, as we...
- Shortland Electorate: Australian Red Cross (1 speech)
On Saturday night I attended the 100th anniversary celebration of the Red Cross in Belmont, in my electorate. Belmont Red Cross has a proud history of working within the community and has worked...
- Matterson, Mrs Norma (1 speech)
I want to talk about a woman who retired from the Lismore Base Hospital last Friday. Her name is Norma Matterson. She began work there on 5 July 1964—I am sure you were not born at that...
- Firefoxes (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge, thank and congratulate the Firefoxes group. I am so proud to be your representative in parliament and I am grateful to you for the work you do to make your...
- Townsville Football Cup (1 speech)
The Townsville Football Cup was held in Townsville over the last nine days. We had four teams. Three teams from the A-League—Brisbane Roar, Sydney FC and the Newcastle Jets—joined the...
- Blashki, Ms Patricia OAM (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge the passing of a wonderful Australian. Patricia Blashki, or Pat as she was to her friends, was an absolute stalwart of the Springvale community for more than half a...
- Green Army Program (1 speech)
I wish to refer the House to the government's Green Army program and its potential to bring large benefits to rural and regional areas. It is what I call practical environmentalism. In addition,...
- Australian Red Cross (1 speech)
Earlier today the House debated a motion celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Red Cross in Australia. I was not able to speak in that debate, but I associate myself with the comments of those...
- Wright Electorate: Bryce Lee-Bennett, Australian Student Prize (1 speech)
Recently, my office was advised by none other than the Hon. Christopher Pyne MP, Minister for Education, that Bryce Lee-Bennett, a school lad from my electorate, is a more recent recipient of the...
- Lalor Electorate (1 speech)
After what can only be described as a horror budget, which has dominated the talk in my electorate for months, it is nice to speak today about some positives, about some wins in my local...
- Leichhardt Electorate (1 speech)
Last Saturday, 30 August, I had the honour and the privilege of opening the redeveloped Jones Park. The redevelopment was achieved through a $3.5 million federal government grant and that was out...
- Asbestos (1 speech)
Around 700 deaths a year occur as a result of exposure to asbestos, a number which is increasing and projected to peak in the next decade. Asbestos is a class 1 carcinogen and there is no safe...
- Swan Electorate (1 speech)
On 19 August I had the pleasure of presenting at the Juniper Outreach and Wellness Program at the Rowethorpe aged-care complex in Bentley within my electorate of Swan. The Outreach and Wellness...
- Steel, Mr Kurt (1 speech)
It is with the heaviest of hearts today that I rise to pay tribute to a wonderful young Canberran, Labor Party member, political staffer and friend—Kurt Steel. Kurt was tragically killed in...
- Banks Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I was pleased to meet with residents of Connells Point and Kyle Bay in my electorate over the weekend. We met at Donnelly Park in Connells Point to launch a petition in order to address the issue...
- Griffith Electorate: Seton College (1 speech)
Like a former contributor, I am pleased that, in amongst all of the talk about the rotten budget and the changes to the pensions and the GP tax, we can at least talk about some good news in this...
- Petrie Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
Last month a petition was handed to the Brisbane City Council calling for improvements to the corner of the Lacey Road and Beams Road intersection in Carseldine. The peak hour traffic heading in...
- Hallett Cove Meals on Wheels (1 speech)
I rise today to recognise the work done by the Hallett Cove Meals on Wheels branch who recently celebrated their 22nd year of delivering meals to those in our community who cannot easily shop or...
- Edith Cowan University: Professor Kerry Cox (1 speech)
May I take this opportunity to place on record that Professor Kerry O. Cox, the Vice-Chancellor of Edith Cowan University within my electorate, will retire from his position on Saturday, 6...
- Scullin Electorate: University of the Third Age (1 speech)
On Friday, 21 August, I was thrilled to be able to attend the annual general meeting of the Whittlesea University of the Third Age at Epping Memorial Hall. I was even more thrilled to see such a...
- Iraq (1 speech)
I applaud the Prime Minister for his statement to the House today on the developments in Iraq. In doing so I put on the public record my full support for us to do whatever is required to assist...
- Parramatta Electorate: Fashion Designers (1 speech)
You could not help noticing, if you lived in Parramatta and you walked down the streets or attended the local markets, the growing number of fashion designers that are springing up in our...
- Corangamite Electorate: Olive Oil Industry (1 speech)
I rise to address an important issue in the Australian olive oil industry. Last week I visited Boundary Bend olives with the Treasurer. This business is one of the Geelong region's great success...
- Adams, Mrs Marie (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to long-time Red Cross volunteer Marie Adams, who devoted her life to charitable causes. Marie, who was 81 years of age, died very recently. She gave most of her spare time...
- Sheepvention (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon to congratulate all those who are involved with Sheepvention this year at Hamilton. Sheepvention is the largest agricultural fair for sheep and the wool industry in...
- Let's Go Greek Parramatta (1 speech)
On Saturday I attended an extraordinary event in Parramatta—extraordinary for two reasons. The Let's Go Greek festival was extraordinary because of the amazing number of people who turned...
- Gold Industry (1 speech)
On 6 August I was honoured to represent the Prime Minister at the 2014 Diggers & Dealers conference in Kalgoorlie—the unofficial gold capital of Australia. This conference is a renowned...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- South Sea Islanders (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the 20th anniversary of the Australian Government's recognition of Australian-born South Sea Islanders as a distinct ethnic group in Australia; (2)...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- School Attendance (1 speech)
Firstly I want to thank the parliamentary secretary for his contribution. It is a bit of a pity he could not read out the second reading speech in his hand today; nevertheless, that is a past...
- Food and Fibre Production in Australia (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak about an issue which, in my view and that of many others, threatens to suffocate the resilience of our food and fibre producers in this country. This section of the...
- Education (3 speeches)
I rise to condemn the Abbott government for their approach and the damage they are proposing to do to our nation's education system. From the cradle to emeritus professor level, this government...
- Shipping (1 speech)
A little over two years ago in this place we were debating changes put forward by the previous Labor government to the coastal shipping act. I gave a speech at the time in which I raised a number...
- Budget (1 speech)
The () (): I rise tonight to speak about the impact of the budget on rural, regional and remote Australia—or rather the lack of information to understand what that impact will be. In the...
- Women (2 speeches)
The Commission on the Status of Women reaffirms: … that the promotion and protection of, and respect for, the human rights and fundamental freedoms of women, including the right to...
