House debates
Wednesday, 11 February 2015
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Closing the Gap (3 speeches)
This annual Closing the Gap statement is an important occasion for our parliament. Improving the lives of Australia's first people is a challenge beyond partisan politics. Two centuries of...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Human Rights Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Human Rights, I present the committee's 18th report of the 44th Parliament, incorporating the dissenting report, entitled Human rights scrutiny...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Petition: Australian Broadcasting Corporation (1 speech)
Today I rise to present to the House a petition that has been certified by the House Standing Committee on Petitions. The petition read as follows— To the honourable the Speaker and...
- Reynolds, Lieutenant Commander Steven, CSM (1 speech)
This year's Wyong Shire Council Citizen of the Year is Lieutenant Commander Steven Reynolds CSM RANR. Lieutenant Commander Reynolds joined the Royal Australian Navy at the age of 15 and has just...
- Rankin Electorate: Local Legends Awards (1 speech)
A few weeks ago, 50 of our most outstanding local people and groups were honoured at the first ever Local Legends Awards. The Local Legends Awards are a way of recognising those who make an...
- Lindsay Electorate: St Nicholas of Myra Church (1 speech)
Long has St Nicholas of Myra church stood as a beacon of faith and hope for many who have made the Penrith region their home. For more than 175 years, the church has stood by our community...
- Kosky, Hon. Lynne (1 speech)
On 12 December last year, Williamstown Town Hall was full, filled with nearly a thousand people for the state funeral that honoured Lynne Kosky. All the Victorian Labor family came to pay...
- Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
I had the great pleasure to go to many Australia Day celebrations on Australia Day a few weeks ago. I would just like to mention some of the recipients from my community. OAM recipients included...
- Lalor Electorate: Thomas Carr College Trade Training Centre (1 speech)
Last Thursday I had the privilege of opening the Thomas Carr College Trade Training Centre. The $3.2 million facility is part of the Wyndham cluster. This cluster received funds of $9.42 million,...
- Solomon Electorate: Citizenship Ceremony (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a citizenship ceremony I recently conducted in my electorate in conjunction with Australia Day events. Solomon continues to be a place of choice for new Australians with...
- Amber Lawrence (1 speech)
On behalf of our community, I congratulate Amber Lawrence, who recently won her first Golden Guitar award for female artist of the year at the Country Music Awards in Tamworth. The ironic fact...
- Moore Electorate: Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group (1 speech)
I formally recognise the valuable, tradition to public safety made by the volunteers of the Whitfords Volunteer Sea Rescue Group Incorporated based in my electorate. They provide a range of...
- Closing the Gap (1 speech)
It is very fitting that we begin each parliamentary year with the annual Prime Minister's report on Closing the Gap. It is a unique chance for this parliament to reflect on the challenges ahead...
- Hasluck Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
Every day I drove through my electorate of Hasluck, I drive through the Gateway WA Perth airport and freight access project. This impressive infrastructure project will improve roads in the...
- Hetherington, Mr Robert 'Bob' (1 speech)
Today I acknowledge the passing of a Labor doyenne in Western Australia, Bob Hetherington, who died in peace 10 days ago at the grand old age of 92. Bob represented Labor in the legislative...
- Employment (1 speech)
I want to talk to the 130,000 young Australians that leave school and cannot get a job, the 157,000 Australians who transition from Youth Allowance onto Newstart every year. For them, it does not...
- Community Legal Centres (3 speeches)
I would respond to that but I have got something far more important to talk about. I rise to condemn the government cuts to community legal centres.
- Reid Electorate: Chinese New Year (1 speech)
Next week across the electorate of Reid we will be celebrating Chinese New Year at numerous festivals, parades and celebrations. This year we celebrate the Year of the Sheep—or of the goat,...
- Hotham electorate: Oakleigh Amateur Football Team (1 speech)
In Hotham we have some great community and sporting groups. One of these is the Oakleigh Amateur Football Club, better known locally as the Oakleigh Krushers. The Krushers were created by two...
- Banks Electorate: Hurstville Seniors Computer Club (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon to thank the Hurstville Seniors Computer Club for hosting me at their recent meeting. The Hurstville Seniors Computer Club has been around since 1998—nearly 20 years....
- Baker, Mrs Maisie, AO (1 speech)
Today I rise to speak in recognition of the outstanding achievements of one of my electorate's most active and dedicated community members, Mrs Maisie Baker. On Australia Day this year, Maisie...
- Bennelong Electorate: North Epping Bowling and Community Club (2 speeches)
I rise to inform the House that North Epping Bowling and Community Club in my electorate of Bennelong has recently been awarded $50,000 from the Abbott government to build new multipurpose sports...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Uren, Hon. Thomas, AC (1 speech)
The question is that the motion moved by the honourable Prime Minister be agreed to. I ask all honourable members to signify their approval by rising in their places. Question agreed to,...
- Enderby, Hon. Keppel Earl, QC; Report from Federation Chamber (1 speech)
The question is that the motion moved by the honourable Prime Minister be agreed to. As a mark of respect I ask all present to signify their approval by rising in their places. Question agreed...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Indigenous Affairs (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The rate of incarceration of Indigenous Australians has almost doubled in the last decade. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people make up just over...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the counter-terrorism operation in Sydney yesterday and the government's efforts to keep the community safe in my...
- Defence Procurement (5 speeches)
Did the Prime Minister promise Senator Edwards on the weekend that there would be 'a full and open tender' to build Australia's future submarines? And if the Prime Minister did not promise...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the work the government is doing with our friends and allies to combat the terrorist threat?
- Defence Procurement (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to comments made by Senator Edwards about Australian workers building our future submarines. He said, '5 o'clock Friday they were precluded; 9...
- Health Care (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, the government claims the GP co-payment is necessary to rein in Medicare. However, GP services are a small fraction of Medicare costs and...
- Foreign Investment (8 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on how we are ensuring foreign investment in agriculture is in Australia's national interest, and how does responsible foreign...
- Defence Procurement (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, didn't the government promise before the election to build Australia's future submarines in Adelaide? Will they be built there?
- Infrastructure (11 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is directed to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister update the House on the infrastructure projects that this...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I wish to advise that we have with us in the gallery today the Heywire Regional Youth Summit. These are 40 young leaders from regional Australia, and we make them most welcome. Honourable...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Defence Procurement (14 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Liberal senator Sean Edwards said, in relation to the Future Submarine project: I'm very pleased with the decision of the Prime Minister … it now...
- Agriculture: Foreign Investment (11 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. Will the minister update the House on how the government is better monitoring foreign investment in Australian agriculture?
- Defence Procurement (8 speeches)
Can the Prime Minister please advise the House as to whether he, or anyone acting on his behalf, has entered into an agreement with Prime Minister Abe and/or the government of Japan concerning...
- Education: Remote Schools (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Will the minister update the House on the government's program to expand direct and explicit instruction in 34 remote schools in Western...
- Budget (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. This morning the Treasurer said that the independent pre-election economic forecast was wrong. But in June, the Minister for Social Services—a person...
- Indigenous Employment (4 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Employment. Will the minister update the House on how the government's new employment services system will improve employment outcomes for Indigenous...
- Treasurer (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Last night the Treasurer referred to the 'Labor controlled Senate' and said of the Labor Party, 'They have the biggest block of votes in the Senate.' Prime...
- Health (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. Would the minister please explain what the government is doing to improve cancer services in my electorate of Wannon?
- Budget (10 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to an interview that the Treasurer conducted on radio this morning. When he was asked why he has gone from a rooster to a feather duster in a very...
- Free Trade Agreements (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment.
- United Nations Climate Change Conference (15 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer to reports last year that the minister went bananas because the Prime Minister's office insisted she be accompanied by the trade...
- 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.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Abbott Government (20 speeches)
Last Monday just passed, we saw the Liberal caucus engage in an experiment of hope over experience. I think we understand and Australia understands and at least 39 and perhaps even more of the...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That business intervening before order of the day No. 7, Government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Martin Place: Siege (13 speeches)
I rise to express, as have my colleagues on both sides of this House, the horror and sadness that we felt, and still feel, over the attack in the Lindt Cafe in Martin Place in December. It is...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- McMahon, Mr Les, Enderby, Hon. Keppel Earl, QC (1 speech)
I want to talk about two great Australians, two long-term residents of my electorate. We mentioned Les McMahon today at question time. As the current Member for Sydney, I want to pay my respects...
- North Queensland (1 speech)
I hear many voices in this job, often spin doctors and mostly media commentators and agitators, relentlessly pursuing their own agendas. But in the real world, real people are trying to earn a...
- Defence Procurement (1 speech)
I once again express my outrage at the betrayal of Australia's submarine workers and at the absolute chaos that has been created by those opposite who have gone against every explicit promise...
- Closing the Gap, Fisher Electorate: Digital Economy (1 speech)
I want to address two subjects tonight. The first one is the very disappointing report that was spoken to today by the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition, on Closing the Gap. I think...
- Violence against Women (1 speech)
It is very welcome that over the past 12 months, the problem of men's violence against women in our community has become an issue of national conversation in Australia. The naming of campaigner...
- Health (1 speech)
Australia's healthcare system is at a cross road. The system we set up in July 1975 when Medibank officially commenced, almost 40 years ago, no longer meets our needs. When we consider that...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Foreign Aid (1 speech)
Last year I was fortunate to visit Laos as a guest of Gavi, the global Vaccine Alliance. In a rural village on the outskirts of Vientiane, I was fortunate to witness Australian aid dollars in...
- Emergency Service Volunteers (1 speech)
I would like to bring to the attention of the House and the Australian people the great work done by volunteers of St John Ambulance services in the south-west of Western Australia and the...
- Great Barrier Reef Marine Park (1 speech)
What we have not seen this week from the government is a reboot; what we have seen this week is a re-run. It is like watching an old sitcom when you know all the punchlines—but the jokes...
- Fadden Electorate: Youth Leadership (1 speech)
I rise today during this first week of parliament in 2015 to acknowledge some of the most important leaders in our community: our emerging junior leaders in our great schools, especially my...
- Tasmania: Local Government Elections (1 speech)
Local government elections were held in Tasmania last October. In the city of Glenorchy, which covers about half of the Denison electorate, Kristie Johnston was re-elected alderman with a...
- Gippsland Electorate: Bushfires (1 speech, 1 comment)
I appreciate the opportunity to reflect today on the anniversaries of major fire events that have occurred in my electorate of Gippsland during my time as a member of parliament. Last Saturday...
- Indigenous Affairs: Closing the Gap (1 speech)
The good news is that life expectancy for all Australians is increasing. Between 2005 and 2012, the life expectancy for Australian men increased by 1.6 years. The bad news is that these...
- Sikh Genocide (1 speech)
In February 2012, this parliament recognised a terrible act of genocide. Seven thousand men and boys were massacred in Bosnia in 1995 because of their Muslim faith. What if I told you that in...
- Donaldson, Mrs Shirley (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a constituent, Shirley Donaldson. Shirley died on 13 November. She was 86 years old. Shirley Donaldson was a stalwart of the Australian Labor Party. Shirley was an elder of...
- Lyons Electorate: Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
I take this opportunity to acknowledge the recipients at the recent Australia Day awards in my electorate of Lyons. The list is as follows. Mr Geoffrey Butler from St Helens, in the north-east of...
- Richmond Electorate: Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
On Australia Day this year I had the privilege of attending the Byron Shire's Citizenship and Awards Ceremony at the Brunswick Bowls Club. It was a great day. The ceremony started with the...
- Papua New Guinea: Domestic Violence (1 speech)
Prime Minister Tony Abbott often says that to be born in Australia is to win the lottery of life. Sadly, some of our newest neighbours in Papua New Guinea are not so lucky. They often lack access...
- Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup (1 speech)
Throughout January, my electorate of Newcastle hosted the greatest celebration of the world game that Australia has ever seen. We played host to four matches of the AFC Asian Cup, a tournament...
- Roberts, Mr George (1 speech)
Last month was going to be a fantastic month. We were all going to gather together to celebrate George Roberts' 100th birthday. Sadly, one week short of his 100th birthday, George Roberts passed...
- Infrastructure (1 speech)
The government admitted that they have been a bad government since their election in 2013 when the Prime Minister made the extraordinary comment, 'Good government begins today'. It is as if they...
- Calare Electorate: Green Army (1 speech)
Today I would like to bring some sanity back into the chamber and talk about the Green Army projects in my electorate of Calare, and how they have already begun to deliver positive results. Green...
- South Australian Bushfires (1 speech)
Early in the new year, the state of South Australia—and in particular my electorate—was faced with a major emergency in the emergence of the Sampson Flat bushfire. Nothing, I think,...
- Lindsay Electorate: Honours Recipients (1 speech)
It is with much pride that I rise today to acknowledge the work, passion and dedication of some of our most remarkable local citizens, acknowledged on both the Penrith City Council's honours list...
- Family Violence (1 speech)
I rise to speak against the Abbott government's funding cuts to the Whittlesea Community Legal Service in Epping, and to highlight to this chamber the significance of this to the rapidly growing...
- Health Care (1 speech)
I rise to speak about an issue very important to my constituents, to local veterans groups and to anyone interested in making sure that South Australians have widespread access to quality...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Enderby, Hon. Keppel Earl (4 speeches)
Jonathan Swift once said that vision is the art of seeing the invisible. The ability to see through the fog of the present to the clarity of tomorrow exemplifies the great progressives of our...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn. Federat ion Chamber adjourned at 11:25 .
