House debates
Monday, 22 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 June 2014 I made a statement as Chair of the Petitions Committee updating the House on the petitions received in the 44th Parliament up to that point. Today I will provide the House with...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Taxation (5 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that 1 July 2015 marks the 28th anniversary of the introduction of dividend imputation in Australia; (2) recognises that: (a) the system of dividend imputation...
- Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (12 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges the 40th anniversary of the Racial Discrimination Act 1975 which was passed in implementation of our international obligations under the International...
- Small Business (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Coalition Government has: (i) started to arrest the decline in the small business environment overseen by the previous Labor Government; and (ii)...
- United Nations Charter: 70th Anniversary (3 speeches)
I move: That this House: (l) recognises 26 June 2015 as the 70th anniversary of the signing of the United Nations Charter (Charter) at San Francisco; (2) notes that: (a) Australia was one of the...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (5 speeches)
I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Australian Vietnamese Community (1 speech)
I recognise Isobella Castella and the students from Padstow Heights Public School who are in the gallery today. Tonight in Parliament House there will be a special event to celebrate 40 years of...
- Ridge, Mr Drew (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House of the achievements of Drew Ridge, a Formula race car driver from Matcham, within the electorate of Dobell. Drew has recently taken the first major step towards...
- Defence Procurement (1 speech)
Last week the Abbott government's hand-picked audit commissioner, Tony Shepherd, argued that the replacement submarines should be built in Australia. Australian shipbuilder Andrew Bellamy, now...
- Flynn Electorate: Purcell's Engineering (1 speech)
I would like to praise a small business in my electorate that has taken the initiative to use the Industry Skills Fund growth stream set up by the Assistant Minister for Education and Training,...
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
There are nearly 250,000 wind turbines throughout the world and 25 reviews conducted by leading health and research organisations have found no direct link between wind farms and health effects....
- Hinkler Electorate: Hervey Bay Hockey Association (1 speech)
I recently attended the official opening of Hervey Bay Hockey's new $805,000 playing facilities. It was only in September last year that I had the absolute pleasure of turning the first sod on...
- Scullin Electorate: Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Australia (1 speech)
On Saturday it was my privilege to represent the Leader of the Opposition at the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry dinner in Melbourne. This was a wonderful event and a great opportunity...
- Page Electorate: Alstonville's 150th Anniversary (1 speech)
In 1885, 150 years ago, Andrew Freeborn and his brother Thomas selected land at Duck Creek Mountain which later came to be known as Alstonville. The Alstonville community this year is celebrating...
- Throsby Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
Today I call on the Prime Minister and the coalition government to take the situation of unemployment in my electorate of Throsby seriously. We have 9.4 per cent unemployment, nearly double that...
- Durack Electorate: Geraldton Hospital (1 speech)
I want to talk about a serious public health matter in Geraldton. The Geraldton regional hospital is the only public hospital in Geraldton and serves as the nearest hospital for many regional...
- Reclink Australia (1 speech)
I rise today to commend the work of Reclink Australia, a fabulous not-for-profit organisation that works tirelessly to ensure that our young people from disadvantage, homeless people and people...
- Renewable Energy (1 speech)
Two weeks ago we had the very regrettable if not totally surprising news from Alinta that they were closing the Port Augusta Flinders power stations. While I will not go into the whys and...
- Indi Electorate: Lake Eildon GeoTour (1 speech)
Colleagues, do you remember a time when pirates would hide their treasure and mark the spot so no-one could find it? Well, geocaching works in a similar way. It is a recreational outdoor sport...
- Canning Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
I bring to the attention of the House today the progress of the NBN in Canning. I do this because I feel it is of vital importance to correct some of the untruths members opposite have been...
- Perth Electorate: Morley Senior High School (1 speech)
For 10 years, students and staff at Morley Senior High School have sponsored a sister school in Cambodia, raising $30,000 for infrastructure and educational tools. On Friday, I joined a...
- Cowan Electorate: Kingsway Football and Sporting Club (1 speech)
On Saturday I was at the Kingsway Football and Sporting Club in Madeley watching the Thirds game and saw the recently completed upgrade to the facilities, named Dave's Deck. Kingsway is a strong...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
Australia has one of the highest emissions of carbon dioxide per capita, yet the Abbott government is not only not taking action but repealing action taken by previous governments. They are...
- Australian Security Medals Foundation (1 speech)
I rise to speak about an organisation of which I have the honour of being patron, the Australian Security Medals Foundation. Last Friday night, the organisation held its annual gala charity...
- Canberra Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
Last Thursday night, shadow communications minister Jason Clare and I met with around 100 Canberrans who are still waiting for the NBN. We listened to their stories, we heard their frustrations...
- Australian Labor Party (2 speeches)
I note with interest that the ALP are holding their national conference soon and, among other things, will be discussing a new draft national platform, which includes the words: 'We are a...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 (2 speeches)
On indulgence, I wish to advise the House that the government will host a national memorial service in Canberra on 17 July for the first anniversary of the downing of flight MH17. This service...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I wish to inform the House that the Minister for Trade and Investment will be absent from question time this week. He is currently in India for trade talks and for meetings of the Australia-India...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Education Funding (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Did the Prime Minister's own department circulate the Federation green paper that provides an option that would see the Australian government walk away from...
- Trade (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on how the government is opening up new markets for exporters across our country, and especially in my electorate of...
- Education Funding (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer on this issue. Given the Prime Minister has said that if the states impose a schools tax that is a matter for...
- Northern Australia (4 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 how the government's northern Australia...
- Education Funding (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. As a result of the $30 billion of cuts to schools locked in by this year's budget, the Catholic Education Commission has said: …fees will increase,...
- National Security: Citizenship (2 speeches)
I would like to congratulate the member for Melbourne for his wife giving birth to a baby a few minutes ago. My question is to the Prime Minister. In 2009 the member for Wentworth lost the...
- Budget (8 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, will you update the House on how the government's small business measures will help rural businesses, particularly in my electorate of Calare?
- Education Funding (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. A paper circulated by the Prime Minister's own department suggests a schools tax could be imposed on parents with children at public schools. Is this new...
- Budget (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister update the House on the reaction to the government's budget from small business? How is the budget helping small business to...
- Education Funding (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The New South Wales Treasurer has today described the Prime Minister's $30 billion worth of cuts to schools as 'not sustainable'. Why does the Prime Minister...
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health. Will the minister inform the House what steps the government is taking to make medicines more affordable not only to the people of Reid but throughout...
- Education Funding (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports today about the government's proposal to have parents pay a school tax. If the states take up this government proposal, which the Prime...
- Asylum Seekers (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister advise the House of the importance of strong border protection policies in stemming the flow of boat arrivals from Iran? Why...
- Education Funding (7 speeches)
My question, again, is to the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister's department worked up options to cut Australian government funding to public schools, did the department model how much more...
- Trade Unions (31 speeches)
I have a much more serious question to the Minister for Education and Training. Will the minister update the House on the importance of maintaining—
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I advise that we have a parliamentary delegation from Timor-Leste led by the Hon. David Dias Ximenes. We make the entire delegation most welcome Honourable members: Hear, hear!
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Education Funding (5 speeches)
I join you in welcoming the delegation. My question is to the Prime Minister. The federation green paper states, 'The Commonwealth would no longer provide a funding contribution to government...
- Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on the success of the government's turn-back policy in halting the people smuggling trade...
- Education Funding (11 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister's department worked up options to cut Australian government funding to public schools, was there any consultation with the cabinet?
- Pensions and Benefits (3 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister please inform the House of steps the government is making to make pensions fairer and more sustainable for all Australians...
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Questions in Writing (2 speeches)
Madam Speaker, in accordance with standing order 105(b), I ask that you write to the Minister for Defence seeking reasons for the delay in answering a question in writing. The relevant question...
- 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. I move: That the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Approval of Work (1 speech)
I move: That in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work which was referred to the Parliamentary Standing...
- Public Works Committee; Reference (1 speech)
I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, the following proposed work be referred to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works for...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That order of the day No. 5, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Centenary of Anzac (3 speeches)
I cannot think of a date in our calendar year that unites us as a nation more than that of Anzac Day. Each year on 25 April schools and RSL clubs around Australia commemorate our fallen soldiers....
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Disability Services (1 speech)
I was very lucky recently at one of our Hotham seniors morning teas to meet a women by the name of Derryn. She introduced herself to me very briefly and handed me a note about her daughter Robyn,...
- Aged Care (1 speech)
Aged care is a vital issue in regional Australia and probably in the metropolitan towns of Australia but particularly in rural areas. I know because I recently experienced the problem once again...
- Parkes, Sir Henry (1 speech)
Americans revere founding fathers. Yet in Australia, as a younger and possibly more modest nation, we often seem less likely to trumpet their achievements or even to know their names. Sir Henry...
- Reverend William David Crews AM (3 speeches)
The best thing about growing up as a publican was the fact that every day you got to meet some amazing people. In a lot of ways that is my favourite part of being a federal MP. You can give or...
- Middle East (1 speech)
Last year I travelled to the United Nations in New York to serve on a bipartisan team, alongside DFAT officials, to represent Australia at the United Nations General Assembly. There were 288...
- Northern Australia (2 speeches)
I am very pleased to speak tonight on the northern Australia white paper, Our North, our future. The white paper is one of the Abbott-led coalition's 2013 election promises. The paper will be...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Apprenticeships (1 speech)
I want to report to the House on a very important matter that has been raised in the media over the weekend. It is something I think is an issue that at a national level we need to engage with...
- Monash Freeway (1 speech)
There are two key arterials which residents from my electorate use: the eastern and the Monash. Everybody knows our commitment to building the East West Link to take pressure off the Eastern...
- Bunting, Mrs Margaret (1 speech)
The area I represent has a wealth of spirit, generosity and character—wealth valued beyond the material and evidenced in the many you are blessed to meet and work with daily. Margaret...
- Superannuation (1 speech)
( I rise today to speak about an issue that is causing great concern and financial uncertainty among older residents in the electorate of Ryan. There are more than 25,000 residents in my...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
In so many ways the debate on refugees in this country has been very politicised, very confrontational and born of conflict, and I think that is a great pity. On Saturday, I went down to the John...
- Hughes Electorate: Macedonian Community (1 speech)
I rise to support the many hardworking constituents of my community from the Macedonian community in south-west Sydney. Some would know them as having migrated from what was regrettably named the...
- Shortland Electorate: Dental Services (1 speech)
I received a letter from Dianne, who lives in the Shortland electorate on the Central Coast. She raised an issue of great concern. She drew my attention to the Central Coast's six-month waiting...
- Forde Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
It is with great pleasure I rise today to speak about the Fix the M1 task force. This task force is a joined imitative between the Beenleigh-Yatala and Logan chambers of commerce, community...
- Age Pension (1 speech)
The Prime Minister and the Greens political party have made an agreement on age pensioner couples who own their own home and have less than $45,000 in their annual super losing their entire part...
- Domestic Violence (2 speeches)
There is a sign on the Central Coast Highway at Erina that sends a very clear message to drivers heading towards Gosford every morning. It says, 'Police say no to domestic violence and so should...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Standing Committee on Procedure; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Procedure, I present the committee's report entitled Role of the Federation Chamber: Celebrating 20 years of operation, together with the minutes of...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Regional Businesses and Industries (7 speeches)
I move: That the House: (1) notes that: (a)by the Department of Infrastructure and Regional Development's own statistics, two thirds of Australia's export earnings come from regional industries...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Pizarro, Ms Lorena (1 speech)
Last week I joined the member for Lalor, Joanne Ryan; the member for Isaacs, Mark Dreyfus; and Senator Conroy from the other place to welcome Lorena Pizarro, a human rights activist from Chile,...
- International Yoga Day (1 speech)
In December 2014 the United Nations General Assembly declared 21 June as International Yoga Day. The first International Yoga Day was celebrated on Sunday, 21 June 2015. It was a great privilege...
- Calwell Electorate: Assyrian Community (1 speech)
Yesterday I had the privilege of attending a very important event in my electorate. The Victorian Assyrian community yesterday opened their new premises on Sharps Road, Tullamarine, in my...
- Morocco (1 speech)
About 10 days ago I had the privilege of travelling to the Kingdom of Morocco with three of my colleagues as a guest of the Moroccan government—one of the most stable, multicultural and...
- Health (1 speech)
I rise to speak about the impact of the Abbott government's changes to the rural and remote area health classifications under the new modified Monash model. Under the changes, the town of...
- Defence Force (1 speech)
Last Friday, fellow members of the Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade and I had the incredible privilege of flying up to Brisbane from Canberra—but this time on...
- Thompson, Mr Harry (1 speech)
I would like to share with the House a story about Harry Thompson. Harry Thompson is 91 years old, still has a drivers licence, lives at Lake Munmorah in Shortland electorate and is totally...
- Sporting Schools (1 speech)
It was absolutely fantastic to attend, representing the Minister for Sport, the Hon. Sussan Ley, the launch of Sporting Schools at Ferncourt Public School on Friday. Sporting Schools is a...
- Broadband (1 speech)
Last week I met with around 100 Canberrans who are extremely frustrated by the delay in the National Broadband Network. I want to thank the shadow minister for communications for attending this...
- Wynyard Community Men's Shed (1 speech)
Men's Sheds, as we all know, were created as places of support and fellowship for men of all ages and to create an area where men could learn about important health issues. Men's Sheds, however,...
- WB Yeats Poetry Prize for Australia (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate one of my constituents, Mr Robert Shanahan, who recently was given a 'highly commended' award in the annual WB Yeats Poetry Prize for Australia. The WB Yeats Poetry Prize...
- Sporting Schools (1 speech)
The government's Sporting Schools initiative is a great new program encouraging primary school children to be more active. I try to fit a lot of sport into my week—usually a daily bike...
- Lipoedema Month (1 speech)
June is Lipoedema month. Lipoedema, many in this place may not know, is a condition which causes fats to be distributed irregularly in parts of the body, particularly around the legs. I recently...
- Bonner Electorate: Minnippi Parklands (1 speech)
I rise today to update the House on plans to install closed-circuit TV cameras at Minnippi Parklands in my electorate of Bonner. Minnippi Parklands form an iconic green space in the centre of...
- Shortland Electorate: Grandparents (1 speech)
Today I would like to raise in the House an issue that was put to me very forcefully by a group in my electorate: grandparents raising their grandchildren. These grandparents meet at the Anglican...
- O'Connor Electorate: Albany Community Care Centre (1 speech)
I rise today to announce a milestone one-off funding agreement reached between the federal government and the Albany Community Care Centre. The centre was initially built by the community for the...
- Autism Advisory and Support Service (1 speech)
On Saturday night, with colleagues Craig Kelly and Chris Hayes, I attended the annual fundraising event of the Autism Advisory and Support Service based in Liverpool. I have to say that both of...
- Tasmania: Innovation (1 speech)
In March this year I joined the Minister for Industry and Science in announcing grants worth $13 million for Tasmanian projects under the Australian government's Innovation Investment Fund. These...
- Canberra Electorate: Radio 1RPH (1 speech)
On lunchtime on Saturday I had the great pleasure of celebrating the 30th birthday of 1RPH Radio here in Canberra. 1RPH is radio for the print handicapped and it broadcasts not just to Canberra...
- Forrest: Busselton Regional Airport (1 speech)
I wanted to acknowledge the commitment of the WA state government through their investment in the upgrading and expansion of the Busselton Regional Airport to the tune of $59.7 million. This has...
- Dover Cenotaph (1 speech)
It is a privilege to be able to stand up to talk about a recent visit to the south of my electorate, where I was fortunate to go and visit the cenotaph in Dover. The cenotaph has just had recent...
- Faith Lutheran College (2 speeches)
Recently in my electorate, I had the privilege of attending the grand opening of the new industrial design building at the Faith Lutheran College in the Lockyer Valley in the township of Laidley....
- Parkes Electorate: Maverick Biosciences (1 speech)
I would like to congratulate the Dubbo based company Maverick Biosciences on receipt of a grant from the Minister for Industry and Science under the Australian government's Accelerating...
- Bahtabah Local Aboriginal Land Council (1 speech)
On Friday, 12 June, Bahtabah local Aboriginal Land Council celebrated 30 years. Bahtabah is a role model for every land council. It is very active in the community and it owns quite a bit of land...
- Vogels, Ms Joan, OAM (1 speech)
Whilst I knew Joan Vogels in our community quite well, I had no idea when I joined the Carols by Candlelight choir with Joan some 15 years ago that she had such an involvement in the Guiding...
- Canberra Electorate: International Yoga Day (1 speech)
Yesterday, hundreds of Canberrans joined the Indian high commissioner and the Indian community on the lawns of Old Parliament House to salute the sun and to downward dog as part of the...
- Alcorn, Mr Kenneth John (1 speech)
I would like to pay tribute today to a very sick friend, Kenneth John Alcorn, known very widely around Ballajura and the north-eastern suburbs of Perth as Scottie Alcorn. As secretary of the RSL...
- Bendigo Electorate: Kyneton Primary School (1 speech)
Last Saturday, I had the great privilege of joining Mary-Anne Thomas, the Labor member for Macedon, at the Kyneton Primary School arts show. It was not just an open day for future students to...
- Hindmarsh Electorate: Greek Community (2 speeches)
On Wednesday, 22 June the Greek Orthodox community of South Australia held an event to celebrate the work of their care services and recognise the numerous Greek Orthodox volunteer and community...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Vietnamese-Australian Community (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that it has been 40 years since the Vietnamese began coming to Australia and their arrival has been defined by: (a) successful settlement; (b) positive...
- Imported Products (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes with concern the importation to Australia of goods that: (a) breach Australia's anti-dumping regime; and (b) do not comply with Australian standards; (2)...
- Australian Defence Force and Humanitarian Aid Missions (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) commends the role of the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in recent humanitarian aid missions; and (2) congratulates: (a) the Government on taking the decision to...
- Budget (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that in its 2015 budget, the Government has slashed investment in science, research and innovation agencies and programs, including cuts of: (a) $114...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Education Funding (1 speech)
I rise today to shine a light on the government's serial neglect of education in this country. I thought that, while the Minister for Education has been preoccupied with university deregulation,...
- Beenleigh PCYC Two Tribes Program (1 speech)
) ( ): Speaking positively in a grievance debate is always terrific. It is with great pleasure that speak today about a great program in our community run by the Beenleigh PCYC, which has been...
- People with Disability (1 speech)
My grievance tonight is that very few people with disability get to enjoy the things that those without disability can enjoy. To demonstrate this I will tell the story of two very special young...
- Wright Electorate (1 speech)
I acknowledge the member for Shortland's contribution to this House and the additional work she does in and around the whip's office. It is a privilege to be a federal member of parliament. The...
- Education Funding, Health Funding, Infrastructure (1 speech)
): It is an honour to have you here, Mr Deputy Speaker Scott, for my contribution in the grievance debate. I have a lot to be aggrieved about. I want to cover off on some of those issues tonight....
- Youth Employment (2 speeches)
It is my pleasure to speak in the grievance debate this evening. I want to talk about something that is very dear to my heart, which is youth affairs. The youth of Australia are in real need of a...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 20:45 .
