House debates
Thursday, 5 March 2015
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (1 speech)
I ask leave of the House to move a motion to enable the honourable Leader of the Opposition to speak for a period equal to the Prime Minister when speaking in reply to the Prime Minister's motion...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the report from the Publications Committee sitting in conference with the Publications Committee of the Senate. Copies of the report are being placed on the table. I ask leave of the...
- Public Works Committee; Membership (1 speech)
I have received a message from the Senate informing the House that Senator the Hon. Bill Heffernan has been discharged from the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works and that Senator...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That government business notice No. 3, Anniversary of the loss of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (3 speeches)
I seek leave of the House to amend the motion relating to the first anniversary of the loss of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370. Leave granted. I move the motion as amended: That this House: (1)...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Appropriation Bill (No. 3) 2014-2015; Second Reading (26 speeches)
I rise to continue the discussion which I had begun to outline before we had two very moving speeches from the Prime Minister and the opposition leader to mark the tragedy which occurred a year...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Intergenerational Report: 2015 (6 speeches)
by leave—Today, the government has released the 2015 Intergenerational report. The Intergenerational report is the social compact between the generations—children, grandchildren,...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Higgins Medal 2014 (1 speech)
To recognise and celebrate young and emerging leaders, I introduced the Higgins Medal award in 2011. The award is given to students who demonstrate leadership amongst their peers, exhibit a...
- Family Violence (1 speech)
The statistics on family violence are heartbreaking. One in three women will experience family violence at some time in their lives. No-one can argue that family violence does not have a profound...
- Clean Up Australia Day (1 speech)
I am delighted to update the House on the success of Clean Up Australia Day in the electorate of Brisbane. On 1 March 2015, I visited one of the many Clean Up Australia Day sites. The sponsors...
- Indi Electorate: Mental Health (1 speech)
A significant event occurred recently in Indi at Barnawartha, near Wodonga. This event has advanced the cause of improving youth mental health services in the Albury-Wodonga region. It was the...
- Lyne Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
The federal coalition is getting on with the job of rolling out our $50 billion infrastructure package. In my electorate of Lyne, the people of the mid-North Coast of New South Wales are now...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
Yesterday afternoon I was very proud to be in this place as the Leader of the Opposition led a debate on a genuine matter of public importance—that is, the epidemic that is family violence....
- Moore Electorate: Quinns Rocks Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade (1 speech)
I place on record great appreciation for the service of the dedicated members of the Quinns Rocks Volunteer Bush Fire Brigade, who have endured a very busy fire season this year, extinguishing...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
The horrific death of Tara Costigan last weekend has sent shockwaves through the Canberra community. So many people have been affected by this tragedy, and I am proud of the way Canberrans have...
- Centenary of Anzac (1 speech)
I rise today to update the House on some grants that have been awarded under the Centenary of Anzac Local Grants Program. The Moil Primary School will receive a grant of $5,000 so that they can...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
Yesterday, members from all sides of the House joined together in this place for a debate about making the prevention of family violence a national priority. It was parliament at its best. We...
- Mitchell Electorate: Clean Up Australia Day (1 speech)
I congratulate all of the volunteers and hardworking people who engaged in Clean up Australia Day 2015 in the electorate of Mitchell and indeed in Western Sydney. I was pleased to host my own...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
Yesterday in this parliament, we talked about the scourge of family and domestic violence, and the commitment that everyone in this place is making to tackling family and domestic violence. We...
- Victorian Government (1 speech)
The Andrews government in Victoria has already destroyed 7,000 jobs because of its reckless decision to cancel the East West Link project. These are jobs that must be saved, this is a road that...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
Like most members in this place, I meet regularly with community and police representatives in my electorate. Recently, I was horrified but not surprised to learn from the Lake Illawarra Local...
- Moruya District Hospital (1 speech)
On Monday, 16 February, together with the New South Wales Treasurer and member for Bega, Andrew Constance, I opened the new $11.8 million Eurobodalla subacute rehabilitation unit at the Moruya...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
This week Labor called for a national crisis summit on family violence. Of course, along with a national summit, help at the grassroots always matters to keeping women safe at home and supported...
- Abrahams, Mr David (1 speech)
I offer my heartiest congratulations to David Abrahams on being named the 2014 Volunteer of the Year at the recent New South Wales awards presentation held at the Kirribilli Club in Sydney in...
- Domestic Violence (1 speech)
The issue of domestic violence sparks in me a deep anger, an anger that people who are vulnerable are forced to witness or endure the impact of domestic violence. I think of the statistics that...
- Pitt, Ms Turia (2 speeches)
Last Friday, I had the chance to attend a lunch at the Belvedere Hotel put on by the Our Village Foundation. It was an Inspiring Women event. There were a few hundred people there to hear Turia...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Death Penalty (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today the parliament meets in the shadow of the possible execution of two young Australian men. This is an unimaginably difficult time for these two men and...
- Intergenerational Report: 2015 (31 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House what the 2015 Intergenerational report says about Australia's future?
- Economic Diplomacy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. How will this government's policy of economic diplomacy boost Australia's prosperity and create jobs for this generation and those to come? Mr...
- Intergenerational Report: 2015 (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to page 69 of the Intergenerational report which assumes pension indexation will switch from CPI to the higher average weekly earnings in 2028-29....
- Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Will the minister inform the House what progress has been made to ensure the national curriculum is robust and useful? How will an...
- Intergenerational Report: 2015 (15 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Treasurer's claim on 17 February that the Intergenerational report is independent analysis. Why is the government claiming that the...
- Superannuation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the Prime Minister's new-found passion for sensible conversations about facts and Australians living longer, why did the government freeze...
- Employment (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will you inform the House of the steps the government is taking to increase workforce participation in the future for all Australians?
- Health Care (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. Yesterday in question time the minister said: …those who can make a modest contribution to the cost of their care should be encouraged to do so....
- Technology (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Communications. Will the minister update the House on the steps the government is taking to ensure Australia has the strong and viable communications it needs...
- Health Care (10 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. Can the minister please explain to the House how direct billing would work?
- Agriculture (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture. Will the minister update the House on how the government is supporting growth for the future through its plans for a profitable and strong...
- Community Services (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday in question time the Prime Minister stated that all community organisations 'have had their funding confirmed for the rest of this financial year'....
- Northern Australia (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the government's plans to develop northern Australia? How will the government deliver more investment, more...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 25 of 2014-15 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's Audit report No. 25, 2014-15, entitled Performance audit—administration of the Fifth Community Pharmacy Agreement: Department of Health; Department of Human...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships; Presentation (1 speech)
For the information of honourable members, I present the annual statement by the Presiding Officers on the Pacific Parliamentary Partnerships.
- 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.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Leave of Absence (2 speeches)
It is with great pleasure that I move: That leave of absence from the determination of this sitting until the end of the winter period of sittings be given to the honourable Member for Adelaide,...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Intergenerational Report: 2015 (24 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for McMahon proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government politicising...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Australian Human Rights Commission (1 speech)
It is appalling that the gravity of the Australian Human Rights Commission report into children in immigration detention has been obscured by the government's bizarre and ugly attack on the...
- Education (1 speech)
Rural and regional families want the best for their children. They are no different to their city cousins in that way. But government policies, state and federal, often lead to unexpected or...
- Libya: Terrorist Attack (1 speech)
On Saturday, 21 February 2015, I was honoured to attend a requiem mass conducted by His Grace Bishop Suriel and Father Abanoub Attalla at the beautiful St Mina and St Marina Coptic Church in...
- Indigenous Affairs: Care Arrangements for Indigenous Children (1 speech)
I spend much of my time as the member for Grey being concerned about and involved in trying to improve the lot of our Indigenous community, spread throughout both urban and remote parts of the...
- Bendigo Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
Today I wish to share with the House some of the experiences of young people in my electorate who are unemployed and seeking work. From the beginning I would like to acknowledge Senator Ricky...
- Bedford, Ms Maddison, Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School (1 speech)
The Bunbury Cathedral Grammar School is a highly respected educational facility in my electorate, and I bring to the attention of the House its Indigenous Scholarship Program, now in its second...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Holt Electorate: Day of Nations (1 speech)
I want to talk about a group of exceptional people I honoured on Australia Day. Thirty outstanding individuals and eight local organisations were commended for their contribution to our community...
- Page Electorate: Clarence Valley Triathlon Club (1 speech)
As we all know, different communities have different strengths and have sports and other activities that they are very good at. The Clarence Valley Triathlon Club is one that excels at an...
- Education Funding (1 speech)
Brisbane Christian College is an independent school in my electorate of Moreton. I have been contacted by this school. It is very concerned about the lack of adequate funding for children at...
- Forde Electorate: Community Achievements (1 speech)
It is always wonderful to stand in this place and recognise some of the wonderful efforts of those in our community. I think we would all recognise that 70 years is a long time. It is a lifetime...
- Hawkins, Ms Rhonda (1 speech)
Last week I wanted to call the University of Western Sydney—my great local university. I was looking for a person who might help me in a particular area and I wanted to know who the best...
- Australian Defence Force: Pay and Conditions (1 speech)
I was very pleased to welcome the Prime Minister and the Defence minister to Headquarters Joint Operations Command in my electorate of Eden-Monaro yesterday. The Prime Minister and the Defence...
- Metcalf, Professor Donald, AC (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to recognise the life of Professor Donald Metcalf AC, who passed away on 15 December 2014 in Melbourne, Victoria. Don was a colossus of science and a...
- Death Penalty (1 speech)
In this House of Representatives of 150 elected members and across the way in the Senate with 75 senators, on any given day, all of us can be simultaneously concerned about a range of issues. But...
- Death Penalty, Budget (1 speech)
I would like to associate myself with the words of the member on the opposite side and say that I would like to plead for a last minute reprieve for our two Australians on death row in Indonesia....
- Hume Electorate: Infrastructure (6 speeches)
It is a great feeling to speak on a funding windfall for Hume following announcements of successful projects under a range of federal infrastructure programs. Eight councils in Hume are receiving...
- Cycling, Paulon, Mr Alberto (1 speech)
On Sunday, I held a very successful mobile office at the Sydney Road Brunswick Music Festival where I met with many residents to talk about a wide variety of national and local issues. However,...
- Solomon Electorate: Child Care, Nobel, Ms Rebecca (1 speech)
I rise today to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all the workers in the childcare centres across my electorate of Solomon and, in particular, Rebecca Nobel from the Parap Family...
- South Australian Liberal Party (3 speeches)
I was reading the Bunyip newspaper the other day and—
- Gippsland Electorate: Township of Churchill (2 speeches)
It is with great pleasure that I rise and speak today about the upcoming 50th anniversary of the township of Churchill, which is in my electorate of Gippsland. For those who have not been to...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Indi Electorate: Alternative Education Programs (1 speech)
I believe that young people are our future, and education, followed by meaningful work, is the key to ensuring that all Australians, and particularly young people who live in regional electorates...
- Robertson Electorate: St Philip's Christian College (1 speech)
Today I rise to honour the work of St Philip's Christian College in Narara. It is a fantastic school that also has great personal significance for me, having formerly been both a student and a...
- Rail Infrastructure (1 speech)
The 2008 Inner city rail capacity study found that the demand for train services during morning peak times in Brisbane will reach between 70,000 and 80,000 people by 2016. By 2026, modelling...
- Mining (1 speech)
Today, I would like to speak about one of the current threats to the Western Australian resources industry: the WA state government's current review of mining royalties. I am specifically...
- Perich, Mr Tony (1 speech)
Last weekend at the Indo-China Chinese Association, I briefly raised the very Australian story of Anoulack Chanthivong, the son of Laotian boat refugees. His family went on to establish a...
- Petition: Citizenship (1 speech)
Today I take the opportunity to present a petition, with the principal petitioner being my wife, and it relates to a national security and immigration related matter. Since November 2013, I have...
- Copenhagen: Terrorist Attacks, National Security (1 speech)
My comments deal with a different aspect of the national security debate, particularly as it affects volunteers in Australia who are protecting institutions in my electorate and others, and the...
- Defence Force Pay (1 speech)
When the then Minister for Defence David Johnston rang me, he did not sound happy. He went on to tell me that the ADF pay deal had been struck and there would be a 1.5 per cent per year pay rise...
- Newcastle Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
I rise today to share with the House the perilous state of employment in my electorate of Newcastle and to show how the actions of the Abbott Liberal government are making things worse. The...
- Defence Force (1 speech)
I rise today to put on record again the important contribution our Defence Force makes. I know, Madam Deputy Speaker Prentice, that this is something very dear to your heart as well. Yesterday we...
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
I rise today to put on the record my concern, and the concern of many residents of Adelaide, about the current state of the renewable energy sector in Australia. I raise this matter because it is...
- La Trobe Electorate: Community Awards (1 speech)
I have the great privilege of recognising those in my community who have received the La Trobe Community Awards. On Saturday 18 October, I had the privilege of hosting the inaugural La Trobe...
- Multiculturalism (2 speeches)
One of the most wonderful things about our multicultural society is that we have the opportunity to share in a number of cultural activities that are becoming fixtures on the broader Australian...
- Chifley Electorate: Mount Druitt and Area Community Legal Centre (3 speeches)
I rise to speak about the Mount Druitt and Area Community Legal Centre, which has operated successfully in our area out of a building in the shopping district of Rooty Hill since 1997. It handles...
- World Plumbing Day (1 speech)
Today I rise to talk about World Plumbing Day, which is on 11 March. As Australians, we are members of what is known as the consumer class. We are a nation that has the ability to mine raw...
- Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club (1 speech)
Next Wednesday I will have the honour of cutting the ribbon at the launch of a new trigeneration energy system at Canterbury Hurlstone Park RSL Club. This was funded with a grant of over $580,000...
- Trade Unions (1 speech)
I want to speak today about the union movement. I have been a member of a union in the past—the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. When I was 21, first job out of university, I worked...
- O'Neill, Ms Liz (1 speech)
This Saturday, 7 March, is the eighth anniversary of the death of a very dear friend of mine, Liz O'Neill. Liz was killed in the crash of Garuda Indonesia Flight 200 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. She...
- Licensed Post Offices (3 speeches)
There are 49 licensed post offices, or LPOs, in my electorate of Lyons, the largest electorate in the state of Tasmania. They are all country post offices and they have all struggled to survive...
- Privatisation, Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
This morning I rise to put on the record my strong opposition to privatisation—in particular, to the privatisation of our electricity network in New South Wales. The Baird government is...
- Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness Group (1 speech)
I am pleased to announce the formation of the Parliamentary Friends of Prostate Cancer Awareness Group. This bipartisan group is co-chaired by myself and the Hon. Jason Clare MP, federal member...
- Beryl Women's Refuge (1 speech)
This year marks the 40th anniversary of the founding of Beryl Women's Refuge in Canberra. It was founded in 1975 as only the second women's refuge to be opened in Australia; a safe place women...
- McMillan Electorate: Landcare (1 speech)
What a pleasure it has been today to hear members of this parliament speaking about the issues in their electorate, the things that concern them, the things that matter to the Australians they...
