House debates
Monday, 19 October 2015
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Responses (1 speech)
The following ministerial responses to petitions have been received:
- Statements (1 speech)
Today I will outline some important aspects of the committee's role and limitations. I have outlined the committee's role in previous statements to the House, so today I will focus only on a...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Iraq and Syria (10 speeches)
I move: That this House calls on the Minister for Foreign Affairs to support a parliamentary debate during the current sitting on the Australian Government’s strategy in response to the...
- Industry Innovation and Competitiveness Agenda (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that the jobs of the future will require science, technology, engineering and mathematics skills; (2) welcomes the Government's ongoing investment of $9.7...
- Payday Lending and Consumer Leases (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) there is considerable evidence that payday lending and consumer leases are not properly regulated and that both financial practices are causing...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
David Weisbrot, former chair of Australian Law Reform Commission, said he thought animal welfare would be the next great social justice movement. That was well and truly demonstrated over the...
- Western Australia: Local Government Elections (1 speech)
On Saturday, local government elections were held across Western Australia, and I want to thank everyone who voted and participated in this important democratic process. The Towns Improvement Act...
- Indi Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
I rise today to say a huge thank you. Thank you to the former Minister for Communications and current Prime Minister. Thank you to the senator for Victoria, Mitch Fifield, the current Minister...
- Tangney Electorate: McHappy Day 2015 (1 speech)
I wish to update the House on the annual McHappy Day that I participated in over the weekend in my electorate of Tangney. McHappy Day is about raising money and awareness for the Ronald McDonald...
- Lalor Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
I rise today to report to the House the disappointment in the electorate of Lalor with the NBN announcement last week. There was a lot of anticipation about the new rollout plan to be announced...
- Moorebank Intermodal (1 speech)
I have long warned that the proposed intermodal at Moorebank is destined to be a complete white elephant. If that was not obvious in the past, then, with the latest developments, it certainly...
- Great Australian Bight: Oil Drilling (1 speech)
Last week I attended a briefing provided by the Wilderness Society about BP's plans to carry out oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight in 2016. The Great Australian Bight is described as one...
- Broadband (1 speech)
There is no doubt that, all around the gallery, all around Australia, people want faster internet connection, and it is fascinating that Geoff Horth, the chief executive of the M2...
- Telstra Women in Business Awards (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate 19 inspiring, accomplished and all-round fabulous Canberra women who have been named as the finalists for the 2015 Telstra ACT Business Women's Awards. These awards...
- Capricornia Electorate: Exercise Wallaby (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, the Singapore military have converged on Central Queensland armed with big weapons and big wallets. Up to 4,200 Singapore defence troops are expected to inject at least $35 million to...
- Parliamentary Friends of Aussie Fashion (1 speech)
It is time again to issue the ParlyFOF challenge—back, again, for the second year in a row and bigger than ever. November is Shop Small month, a month when we celebrate small business all...
- Reid Electorate: Adult Migrant English Program (1 speech)
I can assure the member for Parramatta that this is Anthony Squires, so I am with her 100 per cent! One thing I love about representing my wonderful electorate of Reid is the opportunity it...
- FOLVIG, Mrs Wendy OAM (1 speech)
Last month Wendy Folvig OAM, a West Australian pioneer and volunteer extraordinaire, passed away after a life led with great grace, humour and compassion. Wendy Folvig moved from Perth to...
- Mental Health (1 speech)
It is with great pleasure that I attended Camden Community Connection's Mental Health Awareness Breakfast two weeks ago. Mental Health Week is a time for us all to raise awareness about issues...
- Broadband (1 speech)
I rise to add my support the iLoddon Mallee group and their call for this government to speed up the rollout of the NBN. NBN in my electorate is yet to be a reality for so many households and...
- Vitale Barberis Canonico Wool Excellence Award (1 speech)
I take this opportunity to congratulate the Manning family from Lemont, in the Southern Midlands of Tasmania, which is in my electorate of Lyons. In particular, I would like to congratulate my...
- Hunter Manufacturing Awards (1 speech)
On Friday, I attended the 2015 Hunter Manufacturing Awards in Newcastle. I would just like to take the opportunity today to recognise a number of the award winners. The awards are in their 11th...
- Women in Sport (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate the Berkeley Vale Panthers women's rugby league team, who recently became the 2015 Sydney Metropolitan Women's Rugby League tier B minor and major champions. The Berkeley...
- Domestic and Family Violence (2 speeches)
I rise to highlight to the House an issue that is occurring in my electorate of Lalor and across the western suburbs of Melbourne, and to highlight some action on the ground that is coming from...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Can the minister please provide the House with information on government decisions taken in relation to the pregnant Somali...
- New Zealand (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on what measures are being taken to build on Australia's relationship with New Zealand to make sure we are best...
- Taxation (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today the Liberal government has legislation before the parliament which implements its inadequate multinational taxation policy. However, the government's...
- Innovation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the outcomes of her recent visit to the United States and the importance of global cooperation in...
- Higher Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that he has only temporarily shelved his plans for university funding for a year? And is it still the Liberal government's...
- Business (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is the Commonwealth the No. 1 petitioner of bankruptcies and liquidations in Australia, closing businesses down and moving people from productive...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the recent meeting with state and territory Treasurers. How is the Turnbull coalition government working cooperatively with...
- Higher Education (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answer on funding higher education. Will the government support Labor's policy on high income superannuation tax...
- Economy (7 speeches)
My question, an important question for the people in my electorate of Lyons, is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Will the minister update the House on the importance and...
- Budget (18 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that it is still his government's policy to cut $80 billion over the next decade from Australian schools and hospitals?
- Trade (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the minister inform the House on the vital role Australian aviation will play in taking full advantage of our historic free export...
- Health (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that it is still the Liberal government's policy to continue its GP tax by cutting $2 billion in Medicare rebates?
- Infrastructure (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development. Will the minister update the House on the delivery of the government's key infrastructure...
- Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that it is still the Abbott-Turnbull government's policy to increase the cost of medicine by up to $50 for pensioners this year?
- Trade (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the minister update the House on how the coalition's three free-trade agreements with Korea, Japan and China, combined...
- Budget (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Just to be clear, in light of the Prime Minister's earlier answers this question time, can the Prime Minister name one policy from the Liberal government's...
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia. Will the minister update the House on the investment that is taking place in the Australian energy sector and how this...
- Climate Change (19 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that not one company will be forced to reduce its carbon emissions under the government's new Direct Action regulations according...
- Medicinal Cannabis (3 speeches)
A question for the Minister for Health: will the minister update the House on the government's plans to ensure controlled cultivation of cannabis for medical and scientific purposes? Mr Perrett...
- Economy (14 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. In question time last week, the Treasurer said: When we think about revenue, we think about how we are going to grow the economy ... Was growth for this financial...
- Higher Education (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Vocational Education and Skills. Will the minister please update the House on the government's reforms to improve the integrity of the VET FEE-HELP program?
- Infrastructure (35 speeches)
My question is to the
- Illicit Drugs (3 speeches)
My question is to the
- 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.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Treaties Committee; Report (3 speeches)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the following reports: Report 154, incorporating dissenting report: treaty tabled on 17 June 2015; and Report 155: treaties tabled...
- Treaties 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.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
I have received advice from the Chief Government Whip and the Chief Opposition Whip that they have nominated members to be members of certain committees.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Mobile Black Spot Program (1 speech)
I rise to once again discuss an important issue affecting a large number of people in the electorate of McEwen. This is the issue of mobile black spots. This is not the first time I have talked...
- Israel: Terrorist Attacks (1 speech)
I rise this evening with the grim duty of drawing the attention of this House to a disturbing speech recently delivered in the Gaza Strip at the Al-Abrar Mosque. On 9 October, a Palestinian...
- Building Community Resilience (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the importance of effective Building Community Resilience programs to keeping Australians safe and secure from the threat of terrorism. It is the first duty of the Commonwealth...
- Broadband (1 speech)
In regional communities, there has been healthy scepticism about the National Broadband Network. Will it ever arrive? Is it any good? What about the small centres and more remote properties? With...
- Australian Public Service (1 speech)
I have found it a real privilege, in the two years I have been doing it, engaging with members of the Australian Public Service, encountering them in their workplaces and through the work of my...
- Broadband (2 speeches)
As you know, Mr Speaker, this government is delivering different types of infrastructure right across Australia. I have spoken about what we are doing when it comes to road funding, which is a...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Petition: Medicare Benefits Schedule (2 speeches)
I am extremely pleased to be here today with members of the optometry community to present this very large petition, with 18,000 signatures in all. I have had experience firsthand with optometry,...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I would also just like to acknowledge one of my constituents, Helen Summers, who is in the gallery there. Welcome, Helen.
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Gilmore Electorate: Cancer (1 speech)
Code C for cancer is such a significant term. Last week was Carers Week, and the weekend was a great follow-up. On 10 October, one of our most well-known breakfasts, Party in Pink, was once again...
- Deafblindness (1 speech)
I rise to recognise the dignity and resolve of all people living with deafblindness in Australia and to renew our nation's promise of equality and opportunity for all our citizens. According to...
- Dunkley Electorate: Mornington Peninsula Youth Hub (1 speech)
I rise to share my optimism, hope and aspirations for the young people of the Dunkley community. As I move around the electorate, I cannot help but be inspired by young people. There is this...
- Federal Circuit Court of Australia (1 speech)
The Federal Circuit Court is under considerable stress across Australia. There are 65 Federal Circuit Court judges, but currently there are only 61. As judges retire, they are not being replaced....
- Housing Affordability (1 speech)
Housing its people is a fundamental responsibility for government. The current instability in Australia's housing market is disturbing, and the time has come for change. It is our duty as...
- Family Court (1 speech)
Last month I spoke about domestic violence. Today, I refer to a matter which I believe is often linked to domestic violence. I refer to relationship breakdowns and divorces, the often-messy...
- Petrie Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
It is in frustration that I rise to draw attention to the crippling impact of traffic congestion in my electorate of Petrie—specifically, the traffic that banks up every morning and...
- Childhood Cancer, Griffin, Miss Erin (1 speech)
Last month was Childhood Cancer Awareness Month, and I know that many on both sides of the House wore yellow pins to recognise what I think is an incredibly important month. Many of us here have...
- Carmichael Mine (2 speeches)
I want to thank Minister for the Environment Greg Hunt for by re-approving the Carmichael mine. Rarely has anyone ever faced such ill-informed, vitriolic and personal attacks as this man and his...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- National Week of Deaf People (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1)notes that: (a)National Week of Deaf People runs from 17 to 24 October 2015; (b)one in six Australians are affected by hearing loss; (c)there are approximately 30,000...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Breast Cancer (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and that Monday, 26 October 2015 is Pink Ribbon Day; and (b) breast cancer remains the most common cancer in...
- Australian Defence Force (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1)recognises that: (a)the Government is investing in significant new capabilities for the Australian Defence Force (ADF); (b)these capabilities include but are not...
- Domestic and Family Violence (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) inconsistencies exist between federal and state court procedures in relation to the direct cross examination of a victim by an accused person; (b)...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Live Animal Exports (1 speech)
On Saturday I attended a rally on the steps of Parliament House, Adelaide, aimed at drawing public attention to animal cruelty and in particular to the ongoing cruelty which Australian sheep and...
- Hindmarsh Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
Over the weekend it was a pleasure to attend the Edwardstown junior football club and the Flinders Park football and netball club end-of-season events with my wife, Leanne. On Friday the Flinders...
- Calwell Electorate: Stepping Stones Program (1 speech)
I am very pleased today to speak about a Brotherhood of St Laurence initiative, the Stepping Stones program, which has worked to empower refugee and migrant women towards entrepreneurship since...
- Marine Pollution: Tangaroa Blue Foundation (1 speech)
Around eight million tonnes of plastic rubbish, the equivalent of 16 full plastic shopping bags per metre on the world's coastline, finds its way into the world's oceans each year. It is an issue...
- Petition: Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I rise to present a petition from Dr Penny Vine. Dr Vine is petitioning the government to legislate time limits in detention for asylum seekers, with a maximum of 30 days for adults and five days...
- Petition: Infrastructure (1 speech)
I present a petition from Mr David Wortmann, from Granya. It contains 324 signatures. Mr Wortmann is petitioning the government to contribute $2.6 million for infrastructure improvements, as...
- Solomon Electorate: National Carers Week (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about National Carers Week, which actually ran last week from 11 to 17 October. National Carers Week is about recognising and celebrating the outstanding contribution that...
- Richmond Electorate: Ballina (1 speech)
We have just had draft changes announced to the boundaries of federal electorates in New South Wales. In Richmond, this is really exciting as Ballina will now be included in the electorate....
- Hughes Electorate: Diwali (1 speech)
After last year's successful Diwali event, I will again be hosting the Hughes Diwali celebrations on Sunday 1 November between 1 pm and 4 pm at Moorebank High School. Diwali is a festival of...
- Environment: Tibet (1 speech)
Last Tuesday the Australia-Tibet Council released their report, Tibet—an environmental challenge, at Parliament House. The report highlights the cultural, environmental and geostrategic...
- Bushfire Action Week (1 speech)
Next week is Bushfire Action Week in South Australia. I would like to remind the thousands of my constituents who live in areas of bushfire danger that they should know their risk, prepare their...
- Shortland Electorate: Nords Wharf Public School (1 speech)
The week before last I attended Nords Wharf Public School. When I visited that school, I presented them with two new flags—an Australian flag and an Aboriginal flag. They had just had two...
- Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
Sexual and domestic violence is a heartbreaking reality in the lives of many people on a daily basis. With one in three women targeted for sexual violence, the odds are high that we all know...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
Over the last couple of weeks we have heard about the horrifying experience of 23-year old-Abyan, a Somali refugee being held on Nauru. She says that, while on Nauru, she was raped and, as a...
- Eye Health (1 speech)
In Australia's world-class eye health and vision care system, ophthalmologists and optometrists have not always had that love affair that the Prime Minister spoke about on the weekend, but...
- ACT Australian of the Year Awards (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate the17 Canberrans who have been named as finalists in the 2016 ACT Australian of the Year awards. These awards highlight the breadth of talent we have in Canberra, with the...
- Herbert Electorate (1 speech)
What a weekend it was for Townsville and North Queensland. If you were not at the launch of the Adani India Fest on this weekend in Townsville, you would have been sitting on The Strand having...
- Micah Challenge (1 speech)
Last week, I was visited in my office in Parliament House by representatives of Micah Challenge, a global movement of Christians committed to speaking out against poverty and injustice around the...
- Calare Electorate: Orange Wine Festival (1 speech)
I rise to speak to about the Orange Wine Festival that is happening in my electorate over the next fortnight. This was formerly known as wine week but it has become so successful it had to be...
- Noble Park Community Art Show (1 speech)
I draw the attention of the House to the recent Noble Park art show, which had its 10th birthday celebration at the Noble Park Community Centre. The opening was on Friday, 9 October, but it was...
- Lindsay Electorate: Breast Cancer (1 speech)
On Saturday I had a fabulous day with the Penrith Pendragons. These spectacular ladies are breast cancer survivors. They have taken to their dragon boat, and up the Nepean River they go. This...
- Fraser Electorate: Innovation (1 speech)
It was my great pleasure last Thursday night to attend not one but two innovation events in the ACT. In Braddon, just across the road from my electorate office, The Studio Braddon is...
- Lyons Electorate: Ouse and Highlands Festival (1 speech)
I have pleasure in talking about what a privilege it was on the weekend to open the Ouse and Highlands Festival. I acknowledge in particular the work done by Fran Macdonald in organising a...
- Indi Electorate: Friends of Lacluta (1 speech)
Recently, I had the real privilege of celebrating 10 years of friendship between communities in Indi and East Timor. Today, in this place, I would like to particularly acknowledge the work of...
- Robertson Electorate: Higher Education (1 speech)
I was privileged to be able to address the Central Coast education summit at the Impact Centre in Erina this morning. Organised by the University of Newcastle, the summit was a great opportunity...
- Richmond Electorate: Stone & Wood Brewing Company (1 speech)
I am always thrilled to see businesses in my electorate thrive and today I am so excited to talk about the Stone & Wood Brewing Company, a fantastic local business making fantastic local beer...
- Energy (1 speech)
When the Indian Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, visited this place a year ago, he spoke about the growing energy demands of his country. In particular, he spoke about the need for clean energy and...
- Shortland Electorate: Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools (1 speech)
():Yesterday, I attended the 50th anniversary, or birthday party, of the Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools and swimming centre. The Valentine Hydrotherapy Pools and swimming centre is built on council...
- Dobell Electorate: Koala Publishing (1 speech)
Earlier this month, I visited Koala Publishing—successful producers of quality greeting cards in my electorate of Dobell. I would like to thank Reuben Machin and Julie-Anne Goodman for...
- Middle East (2 speeches)
Last week I joined with others to welcome to Parliament House John Salisbury. John is a Melbourne man who walked all the way from Sydney to Canberra over 10 days to deliver a petition calling on...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Child Labour (1 speech)
I stand today to grieve on the issue of child labour, an issue that affects many nations in the world, including our own. It affects millions of children and leads to great suffering. I do this...
- Moore Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
In contributing to the grievance debate I take this opportunity to advocate for further federal government assistance in four key areas within my electorate. Firstly, there exists an urgent and...
- Environment (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the state of national debate at the moment in my portfolio areas, the areas for which I have responsibility in the opposition—namely climate change, the environment and...
- Page Electorate: Community Activities (1 speech)
You may not be aware, but Lismore is the home of the oldest Lions services club in Australia. It was founded on 29 September 1947. To mark the club's 20th anniversary on 29 September 1967, the...
- Arts (1 speech)
I rise to talk about the importance of being able to tell Australian stories, and I do so, unfortunately, in the context of the funding cuts which have occurred both to the Australia Council and...
- Forde Electorate (1 speech)
It is always a pleasure to rise in this place and speak about the great things that are going on in our various communities. I would like to take this opportunity tonight to mention some of the...
- Education Funding (1 speech)
I rise today to outline to the House the situation facing each and every Australian school and to call on both the Prime Minister and indeed the new Minister for Education and Training to abandon...
- China-Australia Free Trade Agreement, Palmerston Regional Hospital (1 speech)
Anyone who has been following my speeches in this place over the last few months will have probably heard that I have been speaking about some of the same topics over and over again. I do not do...
- Tasmania: Economy (1 speech)
There has been the Deloitte Access Economics business outlook for the September quarter out recently, and it is finally pointing to some good news for Tasmania. Indeed, some of those sectors...
- Banks Electorate (1 speech)
I am pleased this evening to have the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the work of a number of important local organisations in my electorate. Just yesterday afternoon, I was fortunate to...
- Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption (1 speech)
I rise to talk about the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption, which perhaps we should now call the Prime Minister's Royal Commission into the Labor Party. After all,...
- National Broadband Network (1 speech)
Tonight I wish to take the opportunity to talk about broadband connectivity within Cowan and Friday's win for Cowan. Over the next three years 97 per cent of Cowan is going to be covered by the...
