House debates
Thursday, 26 February 2015
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Middle East (2 speeches)
by leave—Irise today to update the parliament and the Australian people about Australia's missions in Iraq and Afghanistan. Iraq — overview Last month , the Prime Minister and I...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Jagajaga Electorate: Budget (1 speech)
Today we condemn the Abbott government's heartless cuts to vital community organisations. The ones that I want to highlight are in my electorate: Diamond Valley Community Support, Banyule...
- Page Electorate: Green Army (1 speech, 1 comment)
Today I would like to announce that there are 13 new Green Army projects that are going to be rolled out across the Northern Rivers and the Clarence Valley. This is in line the four that we...
- Rankin Electorate: Budget (1 speech)
It is my honour to follow the member for Jagajaga, who is an absolute champion for community groups right around the country. The $270 million in cuts to the DSS discretionary grants program will...
- Barker Electorate: Green Army (1 speech)
. I was delighted to host the graduation for the first round participants in the coalition's Green Army Program for the Murraylands Green Army projects by hosting an afternoon...
- Budget (1 speech)
On Christmas Eve last year, an organisation in my electorate of Canberra was informed that it would have its funding cut. What a cruel Christmas present for my local community from this heartless...
- Chinese New Year (1 speech)
Last weekend I was fortunate to attend the inaugural Sydney Chinese Lantern Carnival on the foreshore at Darling Harbour. The event was a huge success. Sydneysiders were given a spectacular...
- Budget (1 speech)
Lalor has wonderful community agencies delivering smart, efficient, strategic programs that support the most vulnerable in my community. They work together creatively to ensure maximum bang for...
- Dobell Electorate: Anzac Centenary (1 speech)
Last week, I was privileged to attend the official opening of the Anzac Centenary display at the Entrance Long Jetty RSL Sub Branch Military Museum, where I met descendants of locals who served...
- Budget (5 speeches)
I too want to talk about cuts to community organisations. It is good to see the member for Lyons in the chamber because one of the community organisations that is very concerned about the cuts...
- Findlay, Ms Leah (1 speech)
I rise to recognise Leah Findlay, a local resident in my electorate of Robertson, whose inspiring commitment and community service has led to her being nominated as a finalist in the 2015...
- East West Link (1 speech)
I call on the Prime Minister to wean himself off his unhealthy addiction to toll roads. On 6 February, the Prime Minister appeared in Melbourne, saying that he and his government would do...
- Lyons Electorate: Woodsdale Memorial Wall and Garden (1 speech)
Recently I attended the official opening of the memorial wall and garden at Woodsdale, in Tasmania's southern Midlands, in my electorate of Lyons. The Levendale and Woodsdale History Rooms...
- Richmond Electorate: Budget (1 speech)
On Christmas Eve last year, many community organisations in my electorate of Richmond were told that they would have their funding cut. This was a bad decision from a bad government. In regions...
- Bennelong Electorate: Ermington Scout Hall (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a Bennelong institution that finds itself under threat. The 1st Ermington Scout Group hall has been located on Kissing Point Road for over 50 years. Thousands of sausage...
- Fowler Electorate: Community Services (1 speech)
Community organisations in my electorate are being treated woefully by this government, which has slashed $270 million from the community grants program. Organisations that provide emergency...
- Capricornia Electorate: Tropical Cyclone Marcia (1 speech)
Work continues on the recovery phase of ex-Tropical Cyclone Marcia in my electorate of Capricornia. This was the biggest storm in a generation to strike the Capricorn Coast. Rockhampton, Yeppoon...
- Blaxland Electorate: Community Services (1 speech)
We already know how unfair and out of touch this government is. We saw it in the budget; we saw it in the tax to go to the doctor or the cuts to the pension. I thought that was as bad as it could...
- Ryan Electorate: Defence Community Organisation (1 speech)
One of the special things about the electorate of Ryan is that we host the second-largest population of military personnel in Australia. We are always welcoming new members and their families as...
- Bendigo Electorate: Community Services (1 speech)
Words used to describe this government to keep coming up over and over again are: cruel and incompetent. There can be no greater example of how cruel and incompetent this government is than how...
- Riverside Lions Club (2 speeches)
If there is one place I would rather be this evening it is Aurora Stadium in Launceston where Hawthorn is taking on Collingwood. That is not because I am a Hawthorn or Collingwood...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection will be absent from question time today as he travels to Malaysia to discuss initiatives to counter people-smuggling and...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Australian Human Rights Commission (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. On Tuesday the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department said that the Attorney-General had wanted him to point out that the government was prepared to...
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. What action is the government taking to strengthen the Australian economy and create more jobs, including in my electorate of Solomon?
- Australian Human Rights Commission (17 speeches)
My question—
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Member for Rankin (3 speeches)
I move: That the member for Rankin be suspended from the service of the House.
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Australian Human Rights Commission (1 speech)
I welcome questions from the Leader of the Opposition on this subject, because every time the Leader of the Opposition questions me or other ministers on this subject it gives us the chance to...
- Infrastructure and Regional Development (8 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister inform the House how the government is working with the states...
- Australian Human Rights Commission (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to evidence at Senate estimates that the secretary of the Attorney-General's Department took notes of his phone call with the Attorney-General where...
- Economy (8 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, will you outline how the government is building jobs, growth and opportunity and how will this assist all Australians?
- Broadband (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Minister, problems with the NBN rollout remain one of the most prevalent issues raised with me by constituents in the greater...
- Australian Human Rights Commission (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, representing the Attorney-General. Yesterday the minister said in relation to the role the government offered the president of the Human Rights...
- Fuel Prices (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister update the House on the steps the government has taken to ensure Australians pay fair prices for their goods and services,...
- Australian Human Rights Commission (8 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs, representing the Attorney-General. On Tuesday, the Secretary of the Attorney-General's Department said a 'specific role' was considered for the...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs: will the minister advise the House on steps the government is taking to engage with the community to build resistance to the radicalisation of...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before I call the Honourable Leader of the Opposition, I wish to advise the House that we have us in the gallery today Kirsten Livermore, former member for Capricornia. We also have with us the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Australian Human Rights Commission (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs representing the Attorney-General, and I refer to her earlier answer: what is the difference between a specific role and a job offer?
- Crime (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Justice: will the minister inform the House what action the government has taken to protect people in my electorate of Swan and elsewhere from the illegal...
- Australian Human Rights Commission (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. At Senate estimates, the Attorney-General said As I am at pains to point out to you, I have a high regard for Professor Triggs. It was an awkward situation....
- Broadband (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Will the minister update the House on the progress of the National Broadband Network? Has the company responsible for rolling out the network...
- Australian Human Rights Commission (22 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his foreign minister's previous answer—that a role was raised with Professor Triggs that related to international affairs. Now that the...
- Food Labelling (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. Will the minister update the House on steps the government is taking to improve country-of-origin labelling so that Australians can better identify...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Abbott Government; Attempted Censure (11 speeches)
I seek leave to move a motion of censure against the Abbott government: Leave not granted. I move: That so much of standing and sessional orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the...
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Behaviour (2 speeches)
Madam Speaker, I have a question for you. During question time today the member for Rankin was named and suspended from the House for using an unparliamentary term and then repeating it when he...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (5 speeches)
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Hansard (8 speeches)
Madam Speaker, I have a question to you. I remind you of the agriculture minister's admission that the Hansard record of an answer he gave last year had been substantially amended. Given the...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- 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.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Child Care (11 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Adelaide proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The importance of...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Fowler Electorate: Festivals (3 speeches)
Last Wednesday week, I had the opportunity to attend the auspicious Lunar New Year celebrations at the Vietnamese Buddhist Phuoc Hue Temple. In fact, this is fifth occasion that I have had the...
- Child Marriage (1 speech)
Unfortunately I rise to speak on a subject that is not as happy as that of the member for Fowler. What I would like to raise this evening is the issue of child marriage. Child marriage is a...
- Bendigo Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
Today I rise to speak to the House about the growing problem with temporary work visas in this country, specifically in relation to the 417 visa, also known as the backpacker visa. In my...
- Economy (1 speech)
We are an optimistic nation and, frankly, I think you could say we rate ourselves, whether it is in a sporting contest, economically or in tourism. At any level, we are a country that is...
- Television Sports Broadcasts (1 speech)
Madam Speaker, you know winter is coming, and you also know what comes around the corner with winter. On 5 March the NRL season begins again, and I think I have spotted you once or twice wearing...
- Life Sciences Queensland (2 speeches)
I rise today to continue the theme of innovation and speak about an organisation in my electorate which does incredible work bringing industry and research together to create better outcomes for...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Intergenerational Report (1 speech)
Members of parliament have many different roles, and one of them is to plan for the future. That requires us to understand the trends and the developments on the horizon in order to ensure that...
- Barton Electorate: Housing Affordability (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on the issue of housing affordability. It gives me great pleasure to speak on this because this has been a topic of concern for many constituents in Barton and no doubt in...
- Anzac Centenary: The Digger's View (1 speech)
With events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the First World War and the Anzac landing taking place across the nation, I take this opportunity to inform the House of a particularly...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before calling the member for Parkes, I welcome the Deputy Speaker and members of the Papua New Guinea parliament, our great friends and neighbours. Honourable members: Hear, hear!
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Disability Employment (1 speech)
I would like to speak about Employ-Ability Week. Next week in Dubbo a local organisation is promoting Employ-Ability Week. For over 20 years Break Thru People Solutions has been helping job...
- Defence Procurement (1 speech)
I too would like to welcome our friends visiting from the parliament of Papua New Guinea. Welcome to this place. The week before last, the Australian Manufacturing Workers' Union organised an...
- Dobell Electorate: Australia Day Awards (1 speech)
Too often, the discussion regarding youth on the Central Coast is focused on challenges such as unemployment and mental health—and I have raised these important issues many times in this...
- Royal Australian Mint (1 speech)
Over the last few weeks I have been raising my concerns about the Abbott government's plans to privatise the Royal Australian Mint. The Royal Australian Mint, located just down the road from...
- Queensland: Cyclone Marcia (1 speech)
Work continues in the recovery phase of ex-tropical cyclone Marcia in my electorate of Capricornia. This was the biggest storm in a generation to strike the Capricorn Coast. Destructive winds of...
- Veterans Access Network (1 speech)
I rise this morning to speak about the Veterans Access Network. This network was introduced under the former Labor government to meet the unique needs of our veterans communities. However, the...
- Wannon Electorate: Road Infrastructure (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about a very successful event I was able to participate in on behalf of the community last week, and that was the opening of a brand-new section of duplicated road on the...
- Bandler, Mrs Faith (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to Faith Bandler, who passed away on 13 February at age 96. Faith was a woman of great courage, who was a fierce campaigner for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights...
- Tasmania: Infrastructure (1 speech)
A week ago my colleagues the member for Lyons and the member for Braddon welcomed the Prime Minister to Northern Tasmania where he announced a major government investment in Tasmania's irrigation...
- Burwell, Mr Leon (1 speech)
Every member of parliament has members of the community who are very special. Today I would like to talk about one of the very special people in the Shortland electorate. This person has made an...
- Papua New Guinea (1 speech)
I have spoken before about the challenges faced by our neighbours in Papua New Guinea. They have some of the biggest health problems in the Pacific region, often lacking the most basic health...
- Vietnamese Australians (1 speech)
Last week I joined the Vietnamese community in my electorate to welcome in the lunar new year. At the 'East Meets West' festival in Footscray, at Quang Minh Temple in Braybrook and at the Tet...
- Hawkesbury Agricultural College Cairo Centenary Memorial Dinner (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the Hawkesbury Agricultural College Cairo Centenary Memorial Dinner held last Friday evening in the Soldiers Memorial Hall, at the University of Western Sydney in Richmond....
- International Mother Language Day (1 speech)
On Sunday, I was delighted to join the Ekushe Academy to celebrate International Mother Language Day. It is a day celebrated on 21 February all around the world, and it is a day that commemorates...
- Durack Electorate: Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
Last week I had the pleasure of opening the Newman Trade Training Centre, which is located in Newman Senior High School, allowing the young people of Newman to embark on a new lifelong journey....
- Throsby Electorate: National Broadband Network (1 speech)
I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the residents of Tullimbar near Albion Park in my electorate of Throsby. I attended a meeting with them on Sunday last to further their campaign to...
- Barker Electorate: Mr Giovanni 'John' Bueti OAM (2 speeches)
Yesterday I was given the opportunity to attend the funeral of John Bueti, a Mount Gambier icon who, sadly, passed away on 20 February after a long and courageous battle with cancer....
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Community Legal Centres, Domestic Violence (1 speech)
I rise to air my disgust at the Liberal government for turning its back on vulnerable people in the electorate of McEwen, especially those who are suffering from domestic violence, who are...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
I also rise to raise the issue of domestic violence, ironically enough. I want to say to the member for McEwen: it is beneath him to politicise this issue of domestic violence. While those cuts...
- Melbourne Electorate: Urban Planning (1 speech)
We need a new discussion about the future of our cities because at the moment there is no planning in planning. There is a proposed development and proposed changes in my electorate of Melbourne...
- Gilmore Electorate: Paper Mill (1 speech)
This week was a very sad time for Gilmore. Whilst in many parts of Australia the increase in employment is beginning to really make a difference for families and prosperity generally, we have...
- Religious Tolerance (1 speech)
History has some very powerful lessons for us. It helps us to get a better perspective on the issues of the day. Today, one of the big issues is the pressure that the Muslim community in...
- Solomon Electorate: Hospitals (1 speech)
Long before I was selected to represent the people of Solomon, I was lobbying for a new hospital in Palmerston. I attended the first ever community meeting on this topic, which was held at the...
- Toowoomba Range Crossing (Question No. 472) (2 speeches)
asked the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, in writing, on 22 September 2014: In respect of his announcement of 10 September 2014 on the shortlisting of three consortia to...
