House debates
Monday, 1 June 2015
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
Ministerial responses to petitions previously presented to the House have been received as follows:
- Statements (1 speech)
In recent statements that I have made as chair of the Petitions Committee, I have discussed the benefits of petitioners receiving ministerial responses to their petitions. Today, I would like to...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Law Enforcement Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Law Enforcement, I present the committee's report entitled Examination of the annual report of the Australian Crime Commission 2013-14, together...
- Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity Committee; Report (3 speeches)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Joint Committee on the Australian Commission for Law Enforcement Integrity, I present the committee's report entitled Examination of the annual report of the...
- Economics Committee; Report (5 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics, I present the committee's report, entitled Review of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority annual report 2014 (second report), together...
- Economics Committee; 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.
- Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue, I present the committee's report entitled 2014 Annual report of the Australian Taxation Office: First report, together with minutes of...
- Infrastructure and Communications Committee; Report (5 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications, I present the committee's report entitled Balancing freedom and protection: Inquiry into the use of subsection 313(3) of...
- Infrastructure and Communications Committee; 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.
- Agricultural and Related Industries Committee; Report (4 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Agriculture and Industry, I present the committee's report entitled Circumvention: Closing the loopholes: Inquiry into Australia's anti-circumvention...
- Agricultural and Related Industries Committee; Reference to Federation Chamber (1 speech)
Other members of the committee have expressed a desire to contribute to the debate, so I move: That the order of the day be referred to the Federation Chamber for debate. Question agreed to.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Small Business (8 speeches)
I move: That this House notes: (1) that Australian small business is a major contributor to the national economy and should be acknowledged for its innovation, entrepreneurship and endeavour, as...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Same-Sex Relationships (1 speech)
I am speaking today to express my support for marriage equality. In 2012 I voted for marriage equality, and I will vote for marriage equality at every given opportunity again, because this reform...
- Garvan Institute of Medical Research: Connie Johnson Fellowship (1 speech)
Last week I had the pleasure of co-hosting a function here at Parliament House with the Garvan Research Foundation, in my capacity as Chair of the Standing Committee on Health. This was a...
- Richmond Electorate: Murwillumbah District Hospital (1 speech)
I rise to condemn North Coast National Party MPs for closing the maternity birthing service at the Murwillumbah District Hospital. Our community will hold these National Party MPs...
- Tangney Electorate: Pets of Older Persons WA (1 speech)
Today I highlight the good work being done in my community by a small, grassroots-led organisation within the electorate of Tangney. Pets of Older Persons WA is a not-for-profit organisation with...
- Rankin Electorate: Struggle Street (1 speech)
I want to briefly report to the parliament, and especially to my own community, about rumours that were circulating last week that suggested that a new episode of the SBS program Struggle Street...
- Queensland Government (1 speech)
There seems to be a disconnect when it comes to fairness in Queensland. There seems to be no issue of fairness in the south-east corner, where the Labor state government spent $160 million...
- McNamara, Air Vice Marshal Francis Hubert (Frank), VC (1 speech)
Frank Hubert McNamara VC was born in 1894 at Rushworth, a great little goldmining town in my electorate of Murray. Frank was the eldest of his parents' eight surviving children. He went to school...
- Lalor Electorate: Regional Rail Link (1 speech)
I rise to share with the House today some very exciting news in the electorate of Lalor: the opening on 21 June of the Regional Rail Link. This has been a much awaited opening. I have caught...
- Secondary Education (1 speech)
Every now and again, you come across a compelling case for abolishing state governments, and, last week, Labor states' achievement—knocking off Christopher Pyne's proposal for maths as a...
- Indi Electorate: Manufacturing Forum (1 speech)
I am very happy to support my colleague on this issue. Last Friday in Wodonga, 150 people and 40-plus exhibitors made the Albury-Wodonga Australian Manufacturing Farming Program Position Perfect...
- Hinkler Electorate: Wide Bay Whirly Birds (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House of the great work of Wide Bay Whirly Birds, whose fundraiser I attended on Saturday, 23 May. It was a back to the 50s night, Deputy Speaker, which I am sure you would...
- University of Newcastle: 50th Anniversary (1 speech)
This year the University of Newcastle is celebrating its 50th year of autonomy and last Thursday evening I had the pleasure of opening 'Our Community, Your University', an exhibition at the...
- Foreign Investment (1 speech)
Often we as members use these valuable speaking opportunities to highlight the good work of many people within our community. Sadly, today, I rise to condemn the actions of a few. Newspaper...
- Budget (1 speech)
The second Abbott budget is just as unfair as the first, when it comes to families in Parramatta. Tony Abbott said that this budget would not come at the expense of the family budget, but once...
- Macquarie Electorate: Light Years Ahead Project (1 speech)
I recently attended the launch of the Light Years Ahead street lighting project, together with the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry and Science, Karen Andrews. Also in...
- Canberra Electorate: Economy (1 speech)
On the eve of the ACT budget, I rise again to highlight the devastation that has been wrought by the Abbott government on the Canberra community—on my community. Almost every facet of the...
- Budget (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to the government's $5.5 billion Growing Jobs And Small Business package, which has already had a significant impact on my electorate of Macarthur. Following the...
- Kingsford Smith Electorate: Aboriginal Health College (1 speech)
Ten years ago, Kevin Cobban was battling alcoholism. On Friday, he graduated from the Aboriginal Health College with a Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and a Certificate IV in Mental...
- Western Australian Bushfires (2 speeches)
I acknowledge and thank the thousands of volunteer firefighters who faced some of Western Australia's biggest challenges fighting the enormous and complex fires that threatened Northcliffe and...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
The Minister for Foreign Affairs is in Paris to attend a meeting of the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Combat Da'esh and will be absent from question time for the remainder of the week....
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- National Security (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the unprecedented cabinet leak of national security. Has the Prime Minister asked the Federal Police to investigate the source of this cabinet leak?
- Budget (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister inform the House—
- National Security (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer once again to the cabinet leak on national security. Can the Prime Minister confirm the 10-day cabinet rule was not followed and does the Prime...
- Infrastructure (8 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on new infrastructure projects being funded...
- Superannuation (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Last week the Minister for Social Services told retirees they must 'run down their superannuation savings to maintain their incomes.' But,...
- Food Labelling (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry and Science. Minister, the government recently announced its intention to change food labelling laws. On Friday in Wodonga there was a gathering of...
- Small Business (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the minister inform the House on how the government is promoting business start-ups? How will the budget encourage small businesses to grow and create jobs?
- Housing Affordability (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister agree with his Treasury Secretary, who said today, 'There is unequivocally a housing bubble in Sydney and in higher priced areas of...
- Budget (4 speeches)
My question is to Minister for Social Services. Will the minister update the House on what steps the government is taking to help families through more affordable access to child care without...
- Small Business (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Since budget night, Labor has supported the government's small business measures; in fact, a number of these measures were formerly Labor measures. Why are...
- Border Protection (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. I remind the minister that the government, through Operation Sovereign Borders, has stopped the boats, ended the deaths at...
- Economy (9 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. I refer to last week's disastrous capital expenditure results for Australian businesses—down 11 per cent since the election. When will the Treasurer accept...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter-Terrorism. Will the minister advise the House of what steps the government is taking to improve...
- Budget (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. I refer to the 17 new taxes and charges in his budget. Isn't it the case that these tax hikes will help push up tax as a percentage of the economy, higher each...
- Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Education and Training. Will the minister inform the House of the importance of ensuring our students have a solid grounding in maths and science? What support...
- Budget (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The government's own budget papers show that the Prime Minister has doubled the budget since his last budget. So why won't the government accept Labor's...
- Environment (6 speeches)
My question is to the outstanding Minister for the Environment. Will the minister update the House on the World Heritage listing—
- Budget (6 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. The government's own budget papers show that the Treasurer has doubled the deficit since his last budget. Isn't it the case that spending as a percentage of the...
- Home Insulation Program (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry and Science. What steps is the minister taking to address the legacy of the previous government's approach to encouraging home insulation? How will the...
- Minister for Agriculture (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer him to Friday's revelation that the Minister for Agriculture previously sought to influence the conduct of litigation involving his benefactor, Gina...
- Victoria: Infrastructure (44 speeches)
My question is to the Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- 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.
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (10 speeches)
Madam Speaker, I wish to make a personal explanation
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Powerhouse Museum (1 speech)
It is urban legend that Neville Wran said to his wife, Jill, after a visit to the Pompidou centre in Paris, 'I want one of those'. He got one—it is called the Powerhouse Museum. The Museum...
- Mining (1 speech)
It brings in billions of dollars of export income, provides work for more than 750,000 Australians and supports communities right across Australia. I am talking about our mining industry, which...
- Social Cohesion (1 speech)
The vibrant multiculturalism of Melbourne's north is something of which I am very proud, but I do not take it for granted either in the electorate that I am privileged to represent in this place...
- Australian Defence Force (1 speech)
Recently I had the privilege of participating in the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program. Spending a week based in Darwin on Operation Resolute, I lived at Larrakeyah Barracks and...
- South China Sea (1 speech)
Tonight I would like to address the worsening situation in the South China Sea, an issue that I have been interested in for many months, if not a couple of years. I particularly want to look at...
- Lyne Electorate: Surf Lifesaving (2 speeches)
I had the pleasure of attending the Port Macquarie surf club last Friday to join with Bill Amy and Rick Rolf, the president, to deliver a $110,000 cheque for the surf club as part of our...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Charlton Electorate: Centenary of Anzac (1 speech)
I am pleased to update the House on Centenary of Anzac commemorations in Charlton. Before speaking on the various ways this special centenary was commemorated, I would like to acknowledge those...
- Hasluck Electorate: Women's Powder Room (1 speech)
I have the incredible privilege of being actively involved with men's sheds, firstly in NSW, and in my role with men's sheds in my electorate of Hasluck. Men's sheds are accessible to all men and...
- Chisholm Electorate: Budget (1 speech)
Before the last election the Prime Minister announced no cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS. For every clause in that...
- Economy (1 speech)
During the past century, history has thrown up three great unplanned economic experiments where a group of people of similar cultural backgrounds, similar education, similar resources, similar...
- Lilley Electorate: Centenary of Anzac (1 speech)
This year we commemorate the centenary of the Anzac landings and honour the service of those who fought in the Great War and subsequent wars. After that war and many others, our troops returned...
- Crime (1 speech)
When it comes to matters of law and order, I know there are different areas of responsibility between state and federal governments. However, every now and then someone will bring something to...
- Griffith Electorate: Bulimba Barracks (1 speech)
Councillor Shayne Sutton, Di Farmer MP and I have recently called on the federal government to contribute 10 percent of the proceeds of the sale of Defence land in my electorate to funding local...
- Barker Electorate: River Communities (1 speech)
I rise to bring the attention of members to the scandalous series of events surrounding the non-dispersal of $25 million of federal government money. For the benefit of members I will go through...
- Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
The recent photo depicting the sledgehammer killing of cattle in Vietnam has precipitated another wave of community outrage about the merits of live exports. The incident has been attributed to...
- Gilmore Electorate (2 speeches)
The days between sitting weeks are extraordinary. There is a complete whirlwind of events to attend, to catch up on community connections, and last weekend the youth of Gilmore showed their true...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- National Security (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises the: (a)need to destroy, degrade or contain terrorism in all its forms in source or origin countries; (b)clear and present threat posed by transnational...
- Inborn Error of Metabolism Program (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) condemns the Government's decision to cut, without any warning and consultation, all funding from the Inborn Error of Metabolism (IEM) Programme that provides for...
- Tasmania: Fruit and Vegetable Industries (29 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that: (a) the Coalition's Economic Growth Plan for Tasmania dated 15 August 2013, committed the Government to creating a Tasmanian Fruit and Vegetable...
- Shipping (30 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Australia, as an island nation, has a national interest in fostering an Australian coastal shipping industry for economic, environmental and national...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I would need to be Tim Winton, my famous though humble constituent, to put the feeling properly into words—the dismay I felt when I heard our Prime Minister say, 'Nope, nope, nope,' to the...
- Solomon Electorate: The Safety House Program (1 speech)
I would like to let you know that my office is now an official designated safety house. A couple of weeks ago, the official yellow triangle sign was put in the front window of my electorate...
- Rankin Electorate: Daisy Hill Koala Centre (1 speech)
Yesterday was a really important day in our community. It was the 20th anniversary of the Daisy Hill Koala Centre. Anyone who has interacted with the koala centre at Daisy Hill would know that it...
- South Australian Government (1 speech)
I return, bunker fuel free, to acknowledge that, just every now and then, you see this incontrovertible evidence that you need to get rid of state governments. This time it is the South...
- Brisbane Valley Highway (1 speech)
I commend the state Labor member for Ipswich West, Jim Madden, and thank him and the Palaszczuk Labor government for their commitment to the Brisbane Valley Highway. Last Friday I attended the...
- Wigg, Mr Athol, JP (1 speech)
Madam Deputy Speaker, as I am sure you are aware, we in the House recently acknowledged National Volunteer Week, which ran from 11 May to 17 May. It is a privilege to rise today to once again...
- Hunt, Mr Ian (1 speech)
It is with great sadness that I report to the House that a fortnight ago I attended the funeral of a wonderful local gentleman called Ian Hunt. Ian was a really important person in our community,...
- Robertson Electorate: Erina Community Men's Shed (1 speech)
I am pleased to be able to rise to speak this afternoon about the importance of men's sheds in my electorate of Robertson. They are very important community hubs for those people who seek...
- Health Care (1 speech)
I implore the Abbott government to reverse their cruel and callous budget decision to cut the IEM grant, the Inborn Error of Metabolism Program grant. This funding provides financial support for...
- Migration (1 speech)
One of the great things we do as members of parliament is attend citizenship ceremonies. There, you will see the freshly minted smiles of freshly minted Australian citizens. It is one of the...
- Budget (1 speech)
Low-income families in the northern suburbs of Brisbane, as well as low-income pensioners, part pensioners and low-income retirees, are extremely fearful about the impact of the Abbott...
- Boothby Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I was very pleased to be up at the Flagstaff Hill roundabout recently with Minister Jamie Briggs to announce Black Spot funding, which will make important safety upgrades to roads in my...
- Canberra Electorate: Cercol Construction Services (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to a local Canberra company, a company that is doing fantastic work across the capital region. All of you here have probably seen their work, with a number of their...
- Eden-Monaro Electorate: Fling Physical Theatre (1 speech)
On Friday 15 May, I had the great pleasure of attending the Fling Physical Theatre season opening night performance of Rule of Three at Bega's indoor sports stadium. I was honoured to attend as...
- Makin Electorate: Armenian Community (1 speech)
In April I attended the stage performance entitled Journey of Faith. The play was produced to coincide with the 100th anniversary of what is referred to by many historians as the Armenian...
- Banks Electorate: Beverly Hills Parking (1 speech)
Local infrastructure is one of the most important issues in my electorate of Banks, and nowhere more so than in the suburb of Beverly Hills. Beverly Hills is a key part of the local economy in...
- Parramatta Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
So much for building the future! The Abbott government brazenly talks about building the future from time to time but by every measure it is a big fail. You simply cannot build a future without...
- Dual Citizenship (1 speech)
Dual citizenship strengthens the social and economic fabric of our nation. The ability of Australian citizens to also be citizens of other countries gives people more freedom to move...
- Dearing, Mr Paul (1 speech)
On 6 April Paul Dearing—a three-time Olympian, a member of the Hockey Australia Hall of Fame and an icon of Newcastle sport—died. He was also a constituent who lived in Eleebana. He...
- Nobbs, Mr Eric (1 speech)
I regret to inform the House of the passing last fortnight of Eric Nobbs, a well-known pastoralist, who was born in Jandowae but lived most of his life in my electorate. Eric was regarded by all...
- Sheikh-Eldin, Dr Melika (1 speech)
Today I rise to speak about my constituent Dr Melika Sheikh-Eldin. I met Melika yesterday at the annual conference of the Refugee Communities Advocacy Network. The conference provided former...
- Tourism (1 speech)
· Last weekend a silk road started operating between Cairns, Australia's Gateway to the Reef, and the lion city of Asia. SilkAir is the regional wing of...
- Indi Electorate: Australian Manufacturing and Farming Program (1 speech)
It is not enough for us simply to put young people in schools and hope their education will land them a job when they finish. Providing leadership and direction for young people and being...
- Calare Electorate: National Stronger Regions Fund (1 speech)
I congratulate Parkes and Orange councils on having successful projects named in the recent round of the Stronger Regions Fund. We are very grateful for that. I would also like to point out to...
- Inborn Errors of Metabolism (1 speech)
'Federal government cuts essential funding for children with genetic disorders' was the headline of an MDDA press release on 25 May this year. The federal government sneakily cut essential...
- Dawson Electorate: Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
Last Tuesday I received a disturbing letter from the Mayor of Whitsunday Regional Council. She told me the Bowen State High School had raised some concerns with her about what they described as...
- Western Australia Day (1 speech)
Today is WA Day, marking the establishment of the Swan River Colony, the forerunner of the great state of Western Australia, in 1829. This commemoration must always be tempered by an...
- Forde Electorate: Beenleigh Police-Citizens Youth Club (2 speeches)
I am sure, Mr Deputy Speaker, you would be pleased to know that on Saturday I took part in the Beenleigh PCYC Time for Kids event. In taking part in that, I was locked up for an hour, and I am...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That consideration of government business orders of the day Nos 2 to 5 be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Budget (1 speech)
I was sorry the member for Petrie was interrupted! He was indulging in this government's favourite pastime of Orwellian bravado and spin about this budget. We have heard the Prime Minister engage...
- Western Australia: Property Rights (1 speech)
I wish to again bring to the attention of the House the unjust and unfair situation of a constituent in Canning, Mr Peter Swift of Waroona, who was accused by the Department of Environment and...
- Lingiari Electorate: Budget (1 speech)
I want to grieve about a number of issues this evening, the first of which is the 2014-15 budget decision to freeze financial assistance grants to local government councils at 2013-14 levels....
- Grains Research and Development Corporation, Goods and Services Tax, Youth Allowance (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on a number of issues that are very important to my electorate of O'Connor, my state of Western Australia and also regional Australia. The first issue I would like to raise...
- Indigenous Affairs (1 speech)
From 27 May until 3 June is National Reconciliation Week. We are in the midst of this important recognition of the contribution of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to Australian...
- City of South Perth (1 speech)
I rise to speak in this grievance debate about the City of South Perth planning process and the fact that it has been hijacked by the CEO and the planning officers who work in the City of South...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 20:59
