House debates
Monday, 15 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 a previous statement, I spoke about the importance of the committee's engagement with the community and shared some of the highlights of a recent school visit. Today, I will cover public...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Small Business (15 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 96 per cent of all of Australian businesses are small businesses, employing more than 4.5 million people and producing more than $330 billion of...
- Employment (20 speeches)
I move: That the House: (1) recognises that alongside national defence, there is no higher obligation on a Commonwealth government than to support and promote the employment prospects of its...
- Trade (11 speeches, 2 comments)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises: (a) the importance of Australia's Free Trade Agreements (FTAs), which now include nations in three continents—North America, South America and Asia;...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- International Cleaners Day (1 speech)
This morning, cleaners gathered on the lawns of Parliament House to mark International Cleaners Day and the 25th anniversary of the first such event, held in Los Angeles. The rally was also a...
- Duffy, Mr Don, OAM (1 speech)
Don Duffy OAM rolls off the tongue fairly easily after this Queen's Birthday honours. I cannot believe he has been chairman of the Pakenham Racing Club for the last 12 years. I think back on the...
- Newcastle Electorate: Obesity (1 speech)
The National Heart Foundation recently listed the Newcastle region as the fourth-worst performing area in the state when it comes to obesity and exercise, with 31.5 per cent obese and 63.2 per...
- Henzells Agency, Bankfoot House (1 speech)
2015 marks the 80th anniversary of Henzells Agency operating in Caloundra. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the partnership between Garry Waters and Roy Henzell. On Friday night we joined...
- Chenoweth, Professor Lesley, AO (1 speech)
Lesley Chenoweth is a professor of social work, she is the head of the Logan campus of Griffith University and she is an extraordinary contributor to our local community. And now Lesley Chenoweth...
- Northern Australia (1 speech)
It is an exciting time to be a member of parliament in north Australia. Since Federation, Australians have been talking about unlocking the economic potential of north Australia. There has been a...
- Rail Infrastructure (1 speech)
On the weekend, I was very pleased to attend the opening of the congestion-busting Regional Rail Link in Melbourne's west. A joint project of state and federal Labor governments, the Regional...
- Child Care (1 speech)
On Wednesday 10 June, I joined Marcelle Van Gasselt, manager of Bega Valley's child support and early intervention service, Playability, to announce the government's decision to extend their...
- Indi Electorate: Mansfield Secondary College (1 speech)
It gives me great pleasure to welcome to parliament today Principal Timothy Hall and the leadership team from Mansfield Secondary College. I would like to acknowledge the fantastic role of...
- Horticulture Code of Conduct Review (1 speech)
I risk to speak to support the independent review into the Horticulture Code of Conduct. I welcome the review, which I hope will give growers a full description of the terms and conditions they...
- Parliament House: Cleaning Staff (1 speech)
I come from three generations of cleaners. My great-grandmother was a domestic in the Western District of Victoria, my grandmother cleaned three places in Melbourne, bringing up seven kids on her...
- Banks Electorate: Local Government (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about a very important issue in my local electorate of Banks, and that is Bankstown City Council's inappropriate plans for the suburb of Padstow. The Padstow plan would see...
- Social Cohesion (1 speech)
At every citizenship ceremony, we proudly tell our new Australians that they are fully-fledged citizens and that there is no difference between their rights and those of any other Australian. We...
- World Heritage Areas (1 speech)
The care being taken to develop the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area Management Plan by the state government of Tasmania with the possible inclusion of some low-impact selective special...
- Petrou, Mr Alex (1 speech)
I rise to commend to the House today some work going on in the electorate of Lalor by a young man named Alex Petrou. Alex works tirelessly in our local community. He works with the Youth...
- Moore Electorate: Surf Lifesaving (1 speech)
Surf lifesaving is an integral part of the coastal lifestyle in my electorate of Moore, with three surf lifesaving clubs along the pristine beaches of Perth's northern suburbs. The outer...
- International Cleaners Day (1 speech)
Today is International Cleaners Day. It is a day that we usually mark. We acknowledge, respect and celebrate the hard work of our cleaners. They are quite often a hidden workforce. They are still...
- Bennelong Electorate: Milne Family (1 speech)
Earlier this year tragedy struck Bennelong with a horrific car accident claiming the lives of three constituents. Seven-year-old Ben Milne was the sole survivor, losing both his parents and his...
- Broadband (3 speeches)
I rise to ask—rhetorically, of course, because we know the answer—what is the Abbott government doing about good broadband in this country? And the answer, unfortunately, is nothing....
- Lyne Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
I rise to bring to the attention of the House the good news that two new bridges and road approaches are now open to the public in the Lyne electorate: Dickinson bridge at Moto and Dyers Crossing...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- 800-Year Anniversary of Magna Carta (10 speeches)
On indulgence, I do rise to note that today marks the 800th anniversary of Magna Carta, the greatest constitutional document of all time that has shaped our democracy as it has shaped all...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Prior to question time, I should inform the House that the Minister for Trade and Investment is unwell and he will be absent from question time. The Minister for Foreign Affairs will answer...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- National Security (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday the Minister for Education admitted that he did not trust other ministers to keep cabinet discussions confidential, saying of cabinet meetings:...
- Economy (4 speeches)
Will the Prime Minister update the House on this month's job figures and how this government's long-term economic plan is strengthening the Australian economy?
- Asylum Seekers (11 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Last week the minister was asked whether the government had paid criminal people smugglers to transport asylum seekers on leaky boats. The...
- Small Business (6 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on how the government's $20,000 small business tax incentive will immediately increase local employment opportunities and...
- Asylum Seekers (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Last Tuesday, the minister was asked whether the government had paid criminal people smugglers to transport asylum seekers on...
- Aged-Care Funding (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services as representative minister for aged care. Minister, there are seven multipurpose health services in Victoria, with two based in my electorate of...
- Small Business (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister outline to the House how the budget will support small businesses to grow and create jobs, particularly in my electorate of...
- Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
Given the foreign minister's previous answer, why did the foreign minister comment on operational matters on 10 June?
- Infrastructure (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the Deputy Prime Minister inform the House how building the infrastructure of the...
- Asylum Seekers (11 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Attorney-General's statement today about whether cash payments have been made to people smugglers. The Attorney-General said 'well, I do not...
- National Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the important role women can play in combating terrorism and preventing the radicalisation of vulnerable...
- Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. By failing to deny reports that criminal people smugglers could be paid US$30,000 if they make it to an Australian vessel, isn't the government providing a...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Prime Minister; Attempted Censure (14 speeches)
I seek leave to move the following motion: That the House censures the Prime Minister for leading a chaotic Government in which the: (1) Minister for Foreign Affairs having flatly denied that the...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's Audit reports Nos 43 to 50 for 2014-15 entitled Audit report No. 43—Performance audit: Managing Australian aid to Vanuatu: Department of Foreign Affairs and...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (2 speeches)
I move: That order of the day No. 9, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Employment (1 speech)
It is always such a pleasure to see you in the chair, Mr Deputy Speaker! Last week's unemployment figures showed a very modest drop in the unemployment rate. Of course Labor welcomes that, but we...
- Moorebank Intermodal Terminal (1 speech)
I would like to continue from where I was speaking this morning on a few mistaken concepts surrounding the Moorebank Intermodal Terminal. The first is that it takes trucks off the road, the...
- Magna Carta, Australian Human Rights Commission (1 speech)
Today, of course, we mark the 800th anniversary of the foundation stone of our democracy in the Magna Carta. This document established the rule of law against the logic of ends always justifying...
- Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
Across Australia we are witnessing the devastating impact of methamphetamine or ice. Ice usage can cause psychosis, out-of-control aggression, and lead to long-term psychological issues. It has...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
The Abbott government likes the mantra they have stopped the boats. They may have stopped the boats but they have not stopped asylum seekers. They have not dealt with the issue of refugees....
- Budget (2 speeches)
This year's budget was a cracker for Australia and for North Queensland. When Treasurer Joe Hockey delivered his speech, I knew instantly what he was trying to achieve; jobs, opportunity and...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Greenway Electorate: Community Aid (1 speech)
I rise this morning to express my deep disappointment and to condemn the Abbott government on its decision not to reverse its funding cuts to Blacktown Community Aid and Holroyd Community Aid....
- Bradfield Electorate: Palliative Care (1 speech)
Palliative care and dying at home are issues that can be confronting to talk about, but with our ageing population and more people living longer with cancer and other terminal diseases, these are...
- Hekmat, Ms Latifa (1 speech)
Recently I had the honour of meeting Latifa Hekmat, her brother Abdul, and local community activists in my electorate office. Latifa asked me to share with you her story, which is as follows:...
- Small Business (1 speech)
I want to speak today about small businesses and to put on the record how very well received the small business reforms that the government announced in the recent budget have been, particularly...
- Lilley Electorate: Hummingbird House (1 speech)
Yesterday I was lucky enough to attend the first ever Rotary duck race and water festival at Shorncliffe on the banks of Cabbage Tree Creek. With the rainy weather it was a very good day for...
- Green Army Program (1 speech)
It is wonderful to be here in the chamber with you this morning to talk about the Green Army and what a wonderful project the Green Army is. It is a federal government commitment of $525 million...
- Isaacs Electorate: Mentone Community Assistance and Information Bureau (1 speech)
Just over two weeks ago, I was in the beautiful suburb of Mentone in my electorate to meet with representatives of the Mentone Community Assistance and Information Bureau. The Mentone Community...
- Medical Workforce (1 speech)
In Western Australia there is currently a medical workforce shortage and, in particular, we are short 950 doctors. WA's medical workforce has not kept pace with the rapid population growth and...
- Housing Affordability (1 speech)
Last week when the Treasurer stated in respect to housing affordability that people should just, 'get a good job that pays good money' he was demonstrating just how out of touch he and this...
- Moorebank Intermodal Terminal (2 speeches)
Last week, there was a great deal of fanfare and hoopla about the announcement between the Moorebank Intermodal Company and the SIMTA Consortium on a financial deal for the proposed Moorebank...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Bowel Cancer (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Bowel Cancer Australia ran an initiative throughout the month of February titled 'Prevent Bowel Cancer' to raise awareness of bowel cancer and...
- Live Animal Exports (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) that Australia has the most stringent and effective live animal welfare regulatory system in the world that is underpinned by the Exporter Supply Chain...
- Small Business (8 speeches)
I rise to strongly support this motion by the member for Mallee, particularly in relation to acknowledging small business as such a major contributor to the national economy and one that should...
- Homelessness (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that: (a) over 105,000 Australians are currently defined as homeless throughout the nation; (b) on any given night this translates to 1 in 200 Australians...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Commonwealth Cleaning Services Guidelines (1 speech)
Fanny Andriolo and Cveta Krsteska are two Commonwealth cleaners who have worked hard in the industry for nearly 40 years. They came to see me recently because they were worried about their wages...
- Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
Aside from those constituents who write to me passionately about the government's performance in bringing the budget back under control and creating new opportunities for young Australians, I get...
- Richmond Electorate: Queen's Birthday Honours (1 speech)
I congratulate all of the Queen's birthday awards recipients and acknowledge all of those on the New South Wales North Coast who were recognised for their great work. In particular, I note health...
- Lindgren, Senator Joanna, Kelly, Mrs Clem (1 speech)
I would like to be the first in the lower house to congratulate the newest Queensland and Australian senator. Today, Senator Joanna Lindgren was sworn in, in the other place. She follows in the...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
On a day when we celebrate the 800th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta, there is an issue of fundamental democratic accountability before the Australian parliament. A government that...
- Richo Cup (1 speech)
On 8 June I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Richo Cup, which was held at Gannons Park in Peakhurst in my electorate. The Richo Cup was organised by the Forest Rangers Football Club...
- Macedonia (1 speech)
It is a great privilege to join my colleagues the member for Throsby and the member for Perth today in our call for the government to take action to recognise the Republic of Macedonia by its...
- Moore Electorate: Northern Compassion Incorporated (1 speech)
I wish to recognise the valuable work of a not-for-profit organisation in my electorate, Northern Compassion Incorporated, which runs a life skills mentoring and accommodation support program for...
- Macedonia (1 speech)
I am pleased to be here in the chamber today with the member for Gellibrand, the member for Cunningham, the member for Perth and many others across the political divide who support a rethink on...
- Corangamite Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the hundreds and hundreds of new jobs which have been created across the Corangamite region because of our government's policies and investments. We have finalised...
- Macedonia (1 speech)
There are strong links between the Macedonian community of Perth and that of Wollongong. It was with great pleasure that I had the opportunity a couple of weeks ago to meet with the community in...
- Blue Mountains Historical Society (1 speech)
Recently I met with the President of the Blue Mountains historical Society, Wayne Hanley, and society member John Lowe, about a project that was made possible under the coalition government's...
- Shortland Electorate: Disney, Mr Bill, OAM (1 speech)
Today I would like to bring to the attention of House the awarding of the Order of Australia to Bill Disney. Bill Disney is a remarkable man. He received his OAM in the Queen's Birthday list for...
- Asylum Seekers (3 speeches)
In the parliament today, we are seeing something rather bizarre—the Labor Party wanting to set the agenda. They want to talk about border security! I would be very happy if the Labor Party...
- Brown, Mr Frank (1 speech)
I rise today to remember and pay tribute to a great Canberran. Frank Brown was born in Northern Ireland in 1940 and immigrated to South Australia in 1968. Five years later, Frank moved to...
- Budget (1 speech)
A good education is crucial to the personal development of Australian children and it is crucial to our progress as a country. Today I had 75 children from my electorate of Petrie from a local...
- Housing Affordability (1 speech)
Many Australians are concerned about housing affordability in our nation. The government has suggested that the issue could be tackled by cracking down on foreign buyers of Australian homes. This...
- Sarina Art Extravaganza (1 speech)
Recently I had the honour of standing in for the federal Minister for the Arts to officially open the Sarina Art Extravaganza. The three-day extravaganza marks one of Sarina's biggest cultural...
- Same-Sex Relationships (1 speech)
On Saturday, 6 June, in my local paper the Bendigo Advertiser, 21 small businesses had got together and jointly funded an ad. Now, it was after the sitting week, so some here might have assumed...
- Lyons Electorate: Willow Court (1 speech)
I had the pleasure last week of announcing a significant step for Tasmania's historical Willow Court, at New Norfolk, towards achieving the national recognition it deserves. I met with Derwent...
- Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Australia (1 speech)
Tomorrow I will be hosting a group of around 40 young delegates from the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association of Australia. They are coming to Parliament House to participate in a non-partisan roundtable...
- Reid Electorate: Maronite Catholic Society (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the Maronite Catholic Society and congratulate the new executive committee members recently elected at their annual general meeting. The Maronite Catholic Society is...
- Spencer, Mrs Thelma (1 speech)
Yesterday I was privileged to attend the birthday party of Thelma Spencer. It wasn't just an ordinary birthday party. Thelma Spencer turned 108. The party was held at the 16 Foot Sailing Club and...
- Hinkler Electorate: Elliot Heads Surf Life Saving Club (1 speech)
It is with great pleasure I advise the chamber of the 50th anniversary dinner for the Elliot Heads Surf Life Saving Club, which I attended on Saturday night. There were over 300 attendees for...
- Canberra Electorate: Tara Costigan Foundation (1 speech)
Yesterday I joined with the Leader of the Opposition and the ACT Attorney-General for the launch of the Tara Costigan Foundation. Members may recall that Tara Costigan was killed by her partner...
- Bass Electorate: Queen's Birthday Honours List (1 speech)
Sixteen Tasmanians were recognised in this year's Queen's Birthday honours list for outstanding service. I would like to mention two people from my electorate of Bass who received awards. Mrs...
- Lions Club of Brisbane Chinese (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge and praise the great contribution by the Lions Club of Brisbane Chinese. I went to their changeover dinner on Saturday night at the Landmark Restaurant in Sunnybank, which...
- Northern Territory Police Force: Mobile CCTV Units (1 speech)
I went to the last election promising to fund some mobile CCTVs in my electorate and I am pleased to say that two of these units were delivered to the Northern Territory Police Force and are now...
- Victoria: Regional Rail Link (1 speech)
Yesterday I was quite proud to join a number of parliamentary colleagues, both state and federal, at the opening of the Victorian regional rail link, the first new rail project—90...
- Forde Electorate: Beenleigh Quilters (2 speeches)
It gives me great pleasure to speak about a wonderful group in the local Beenleigh community, the Beenleigh Quilters, and their annual show. The timing was perfect for the Beenleigh Quilters...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Johnson, Hon. Leslie Royston, AM (3 speeches)
It is a great honour to be able to contribute to this parliamentary recognition of the life of Les Johnson, a former member of this place and a very well-loved local in our region. I acknowledge...
- Statements (0 speeches)
- Kirner, Ms Joan Elizabeth, AC (3 speeches)
Joan Kirner was passionate, tireless, generous and warm. And we all know that she loved rock and roll. She was Premier of Victoria for two years—the first female Premier of Victoria. Every...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That business intervening before order of the day No. 3, committee and delegation business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Standing Committee on Economics; Report (1 speech)
I rise to continue some comments in relation to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority annual report that covered a number of significant public-policy areas, not the least being the rate...
- Infrastructure and Communications Committee; Report (2 speeches)
I am pleased to have the opportunity to make some brief comments in relation to the most recent report of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Infrastructure and Communications,...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- International Cleaners Day (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about the response by cleaners to the actions of this government. This morning I had the privilege to speak to cleaners, and indeed to others, about the outrageous actions by...
- Page Electorate: Infrastructure Funding (1 speech)
I want to update the chamber on a number of things. One, the Casino Drill Hall is a very important historical and cultural building in the town of Casino. It was formerly used by the 3rd Platoon...
- Marine Conservation (1 speech)
Australia's coastal lifestyle and the connections of Australians with the oceans around our island nation is perhaps unparalleled in the developed world. Whether it be in our experience of summer...
- Productivity (1 speech)
I appreciate the opportunity to speak in this grievance debate this evening. I want to speak about an issue of great importance to our national economy and indeed to the local economy in my...
- Arts Funding (1 speech)
In this week, in which the screen producers have their annual pilgrimage to the parliament, conducting a number of events, it is perhaps appropriate to make some comments in regard to arts...
- McMillan Electorate: Infrastructure, Early Childhood Education (1 speech)
The Liberal-National coalition government has carefully crafted a budget that is putting money back into real communities, as exampled in my own electorate of McMillan. This is a budget that is...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 20:50
