House debates
Monday, 23 November 2015
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Statements (1 speech)
In this, my penultimate petitions statement this year, I will provide an overview of petitioning trends in 2015. In the 2015 calendar year, including petitions presented today, there have been 64...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Business (4 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises the importance of start-ups in driving innovation in the Australian economy; (2) notes the critical role that start-ups will play in creating the...
- White Ribbon Day (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that White Ribbon: (a) is a male led campaign to end male violence against women; (b) is now active in over 60 countries around the world; and (c)...
- Meals on Wheels (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that Meals on Wheels has a long and proud history of providing ready-made nutritious meals, as well as a friendly smile and a chat, through its dedicated...
- Iraq and Syria (5 speeches)
Yesterday I met with representatives of the Assyrian community in my local area and heard their tales of despair over what is occurring in their homeland of Iraq and the persecution that many of...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Assent (1 speech)
Messages from the Governor-General reported informing the House of assent to several bills. I do not propose to read the titles, which will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Standing Committee on Tax and Revenue; Report (2 speeches)
I present the committee's report entitled 2014 annual report of the Australian Taxation Office (Second report), together with the minutes of proceedings. In accordance with standing order 39(e)...
- Public Accounts and Audit Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit, I present the following report, Report 451: Community Pharmacy Agreements, Review of Auditor-General Report No. 25 (2014-15). In...
- Economics Committee; Report (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Economics I present the committee's report entitled Review of the Reserve Bank of Australia Annual Report 2014 (Second report), together with the minutes of...
- 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.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Special Olympics (1 speech)
The Special Olympics movement is a real force for good in our country. I am fortunate in my area to have Special Olympics Logan putting basketball, futsal, bowling and swimming within the reach...
- Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program (1 speech)
I wanted to speak about the Australian Defence Force Parliamentary Program. This program has been running since 2000 and is based on a similar British program. It originally came about from a...
- Chinese-Australian Community (1 speech)
Earlier this month I attended a celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Chinese-Australia History Museum. Thirty years is a long time in the context of the volunteers who have established and...
- Bonner Electorate: Red Frogs Australia (1 speech)
Today to speak about the fantastic Red Frogs Australia program, based in my electorate of Bonner. This is a vital initiative for young people right across the country, teaching them valuable life...
- Bendigo Electorate: Serco Call Centre (1 speech)
As we left parliament a few weeks ago, some people in my electorate received some pretty shocking news. The Department of Education and Training will cease using the Bendigo based Serco call...
- Gosford Imperial Centre (1 speech)
Last Thursday I held one of my regular listening posts, this time at the Imperial Centre in Gosford. I met with many local residents. They shared their concerns about the need for Gosford's...
- Shamaslipoor, Ms Mojgan (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a Yeronga State High School student who is not celebrating schoolies on the Gold Coast. Instead, she is in a detention facility in Darwin. I speak of Mojgan Shamaslipoor,...
- Education (1 speech)
From early childhood through to primary, secondary and higher education, education has always been a strong policy interest area of mine. My father is a teacher and being a father of young...
- Kingsford Smith Community Service and Vi Robbins Volunteer of the Year Awards (1 speech)
Last Thursday I was pleased to host the second annual Kingsford Smith Community Service and Vi Robbins Volunteer of the Year Awards. I established these awards last year to thank and pay tribute...
- O'Connor Electorate: Bushfires (1 speech)
I rise to update the House on the devastating fires ravaging Esperance. Most would be aware that four people perished last week, and my heartfelt condolences go to the families of: Esperance...
- Villanueva, Mr Cyrus (1 speech)
I can feel it in the air tonight! It is called Cyrus Villanueva. Cyrus is a young man who grew up in Dapto in my electorate surrounded by music and a loving family, and tonight Cyrus is going to...
- La Trobe Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I am proud to be standing here today to announce that, finally, after a six-month, strong, local La Trobe campaign to upgrade the Monash Freeway, including an electorate-wide survey, over the...
- Lalor Electorate: Werribee Football Club (1 speech)
I too rise to praise the Daniel Andrews Labor government in Victoria. I rise in support of a VFL club in my electorate of Lalor, the great Werribee Football Club. I welcome the Andrews Labor...
- Bennelong Electorate: Motor Neurone Disease (1 speech)
On 21 October I announced that I was going to undertake the Bennelong 100 kilometre walk to raise money and awareness for motor neurone disease. I, in fact, walked 204.6 kilometres—although...
- Cohen, Mrs Shirley (1 speech)
I rise to speak today on the passing of Shirley Cohen, Labor Party member, activist for social justice and advocate for education for all Australians. Shirley passed away on 27 October, aged 89....
- Environment: RAAF Base Williamtown (1 speech)
I raise the issue of firefighting foam contamination of perfluorooctane sulphonate originating from RAAF Base Williamtown, which has severely impacted on my community. There are PFOS levels...
- Newcastle Electorate: Sport Achievement Awards (1 speech)
I certainly endorse the comments of the member for Paterson. I hope that he joins me in my concerted efforts to get relevant government ministers to respond to those serious questions that have...
- Hmas Ae1 (1 speech)
You would know that in my time as Minister for Veterans' Affairs and Minister Assisting the Minister for Defence I thought that a grateful nation needed to do all it could to help the families...
- Hotham Electorate: Hotham Writing Prize (2 speeches)
Although the children and teenagers in our electorates are not yet old enough to vote, we still provide a voice for them in the federal parliament. Earlier this year, I launched the Hotham...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- France: Terrorist Attacks; Reference to Federation Chamber (2 speeches)
I move: That further statements by indulgence in relation to the Paris terrorist attacks be permitted in the Federation Chamber. In so doing, I acknowledge the presence of his Excellency...
- Western Australia: Bushfires (2 speeches)
I rise on indulgence to express our deep sympathy and condolences for the four victims of the recent Western Australian bushfires and their families. The tragedy of people going about their daily...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that the Minister for International Development and the Pacific will be absent from question time from 23 November to 26 November while he is representing Australia at the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Goods and Services Tax (2 speeches)
The Housing Industry Association has warned that increasing the GST to 15 per cent could price many Australians out of home ownership. Does the Prime Minister agree with the Housing Industry...
- Global Terrorism (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House the collective response of global leaders to the recent terror attacks around the world?
- Goods and Services Tax (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has just told the parliament that he wants to have a conversation with Australians about tax. So when will the Prime Minister tell a young...
- Trade (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House how open markets and free trade agreements will generate exciting opportunities in Australia for growth and...
- Goods and Services Tax (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister rule out increasing the cost of renting for Australians by applying a 15 per cent GST to rent? How would a 15 per cent GST on rent...
- Climate Change (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. A month ago, I asked you how much greenhouse gas pollution would come from burning the coal in the Carmichael mine that your government approved. You said:...
- Economy (7 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on global growth targets and the need for strong economic growth strategies? How is the government building a strong national...
- Goods and Services Tax (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minster has asked for a serious conversation about tax in Australia, but is the Prime Minister seriously asking Australians to have a conversation...
- Syria (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on Australia's response to the Syrian humanitarian crisis? What security and other...
- Goods and Services Tax (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In his last answer the Prime Minister said that some of the propositions on the GST which had been asked by the opposition were purely fanciful. Prime...
- Bushfires (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Justice. Will the minister update the House on the bushfire situation in Esperance following the devastating bushfires over the past week?
- Family Payments (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Around 19,000 Western Sydney families in the electorate of Chifley will lose up to $4,700 a year because of the Prime Minister's unfair cuts to family...
- Steel Industry (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Minister, I know you are aware that last week Arrium OneSteel announced the loss of a further 250 jobs at the Whyalla...
- Parliament: Integrity (10 speeches)
My question is to the Special Minister of State, who has responsibility for government integrity. Is it appropriate for a person to ask a Commonwealth officer to procure copies of the official...
- Environment: Government Initiatives (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment. I recently had the pleasure of attending the Len Howard Conservation Park and Peel Inlet Reserve Green Army graduations. It was great to see...
- Parliament: Integrity (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the member for Fisher had admitted on national television that he had asked a Commonwealth officer to procure copies of the official diary of his...
- Hindmarsh Electorate: Manufacturing (2 speeches)
My constituency question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. The Manufacturing Transition Grants Programme has provided $2.6 million of funding to Philmac in my electorate....
- Parliament: Integrity (2 speeches)
My question is to the Special Minister of State, who has responsibility for the integrity and specific responsibility for oversight of parliamentary officers. Is it appropriate for a person to...
- Refugees: Employment (3 speeches)
My constituency question is to the Minister for Industry representing the Minister for Employment. My constituent Rashidi Sumaili, a refugee from the Congo, is looking for work. He consistently...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's performance audit report No. 8 of 2015-16 entitled Administration of the National Rental Affordability Scheme, Department of Social Services. Ordered that the...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Documents are presented as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (1 speech)
I have received messages from the Senate informing the House that Senator Moore has been appointed a member of the Joint Committee on the Broadcasting of Parliamentary Proceedings, and that...
- Joint Standing Committee on Treaties; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties I present the committee's report 156: Treaties tabled on 8 September 2015 and I seek leave of the House to make a short statement in...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- McEwen Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
Employment—how to get work, how to train for work, and your rights at work—these are important issues right across McEwen. Whether I am in Sunbury, Seymour, Mernda, Doreen,...
- Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
I do not often say good things about the former Labor government. However, one of the few positive legacies I could cite from this era is the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to...
- Scullin Electorate: Whittlesea Community Connections (1 speech)
This evening I rise to speak about the important work being done by an organisation in my electorate that is also active in the electorate of my great friend the member for McEwen. That is...
- Health Care (1 speech)
I rise to talk about private health insurance, tax and federation. As our nation participates in a lively discussion about how to improve our tax system and federation through wide-ranging...
- Hotham Electorate: Writing Prize (1 speech)
The young people who live in our electorates are often too young to vote, but we should not forget that we are still their representatives in the federal parliament. When I go to primary and...
- Wannon Electorate: RACV Energy Breakthrough (2 speeches)
I rise tonight to talk about a wonderful event that I attended on the weekend in Maryborough. It is called the RACV Energy Breakthrough. It is a terrific event where we see thousands of students...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Budget (1 speech)
So many of this government's policies are hurting families, especially in regional and rural areas such as my electorate of Richmond on the North Coast of New South Wales. As I have said many...
- McPherson Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
A couple of weeks ago I again met with many of my constituents at my regular listening posts, which I hold at least every month. They create an opportunity for people in my electorate to come and...
- Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
It is interesting hearing the government talk on and off about the GST. We saw reports in the last sitting of parliament out of the Liberal Party party room about some nervousness about the GST...
- Trade (1 speech)
It has been a pretty busy week in the electorate of Lyons. Last Monday we had a free trade agreement seminar at the Brighton Civic Centre. I was very pleased to welcome representatives from...
- Kingston Electorate (1 speech)
The Christmas spirit is alive and well in the electorate of Kingston, with many different fairs happening in my local community that are not only helping to raise money for local organisations...
- Petrie Electorate: Tangalooma Wrecks (1 speech)
Earlier this month, an iconic silhouette in Queensland was destroyed. Queensland state government authorities cut down the Tangalooma Wrecks just above the waterline. While I realise this was...
- Adelaide Electorate: Education (1 speech)
Deputy Speaker Sukkar, as you would know all too well, often this is a place where we focus on conflict and our differences on a range of issues, but of course it is important that we also note...
- Forde Electorate: Telstra (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to share the frustrations that many of the residents in my electorate currently face with Telstra refusing to update any of the infrastructure in suburbs...
- Shortland Electorate: Eastlakes U3A (1 speech)
Last Thursday I attended the annual general meeting of the Eastlakes U3A in my electorate. I was overwhelmed by the number of people that were present—they actually had 301 people present...
- Guide Dogs SA/NT (1 speech)
Often in politics you hear former President of the United States Harry Truman's famous quote: If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog. Truman, who experienced some bruising political...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Royal Queensland Bush Children's Health Scheme (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that BUSHkids is a non government, not for profit community organisation which offers a range of free allied health services to children and families...
- Asbestos Awareness Month (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that November is Asbestos Awareness Month; (2) acknowledges that tens of thousands of Australian's have ongoing asbestos related illnesses as a result of...
- Green Army Program (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that many young Australians are environmentally conscious and interested in protecting our precious natural environment;...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Wodonga TAFE (1 speech)
On Tuesday, 17 November, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Wodonga College of TAFE awards night with over 150 people, including the Minister for Training and Skills from Victoria,...
- Electorate of Durack (1 speech)
As 2015 draws to a close, I would like to speak about some of the things I have achieved in Durack this year. It would be remiss of me not to firstly speak about the government's Northern...
- Diamond Creek East Primary School (1 speech)
On Monday I had the very great pleasure of attending Diamond Creek East Primary School in the Scullin electorate for their regular assembly. It is always a pleasure to be with Diamond Creek...
- Hume Electorate: Relay for Life (1 speech)
Together we can beat cancer. That is the principle that defines the Relay for Life. Recently I walked a few laps of the Camden event. More than a thousand people in 130 teams took part, raising...
- Shortland Electorate: Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie (1 speech)
On 18 October I attended the Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie Open Day on the shores of Lake Macquarie. Marine Rescue Lake Macquarie do a fine job in the area. They keep both the lake and the...
- Royal Australian Army Chaplains Department (1 speech)
I wish to express my extreme disappointment with the recent reported decision of the Army to remove the motto 'In this sign conquer' from the 102-year-old hat badges of Army chaplains because it...
- Credit and Debit Cards (1 speech)
I rise today to raise some concerns around the contactless technology of some credit cards, also known as payWave and PayPass. PayWave and PayPass enable transactions to be made by holding a...
- Lyne Electorate: Landcare (1 speech)
It was my pleasure on Sunday to attend the Hastings Landcare Plowman's Picnic. We were hosted by John and Grace Eggert at their beautiful farm at Beechwood. The 2015 local landcare champions were...
- Perth Freight Link (1 speech)
Yesterday more than 1,500 people gathered at Bibra Lake to protest against the WA government's proposal to build Roe Highway Stage 8 through the Beeliar wetlands as the first part of the...
- Braddon Electorate: Innovation (1 speech)
Once again the north-west coast of Tasmania has shown its strength in the sector of advanced manufacturing and innovation. Last Friday I was very proud to officially launch the SFM Environmental...
- Bendigo Electorate: StandBy Response Service (1 speech)
Last week I had the great privilege to meet our local StandBy Response unit. The StandBy Response Service is a suicide prevention service. They support people who have lost a loved one to...
- Williams, Ms Sian (1 speech)
Sian Williams is a very determined eight-year-old young lady in my electorate who has overcome personal adversity and is an inspiration to other young people. As a six-year-old, Sian was the...
- Melbourne Electorate: Fitzroy High School Feminist Collective (1 speech)
I rise to bring to the attention of the House the outstanding work of the feminist collective of Fitzroy High School, located in my electorate of Melbourne. The Fitzroy High Feminist Collective...
- O'Connor Electorate: Indigenous Ranger Program (1 speech)
Today I want to update the House on a very successful visit to my electorate by the Assistant Minister to the Prime Minister and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Alan Tudge. Minister Tudge...
- North East Multicultural Association (1 speech)
I would like to tell the House about the North East Multicultural Association and the wonderful event they organised to celebrate Deepavali in Wangaratta on 15 November. The North East...
- Dobell Electorate: 1st Noraville Scout Group (1 speech)
Recently I had the pleasure of attending the launch of the Central Coast Lakes Scouting District's newest scout group, the 1st Noraville Scout Group. Adam Crowther and the parent committee...
- Shortland Electorate: Reclaim the Night (1 speech)
On Friday, 30 October I joined with my colleagues at Lake Macquarie in the Reclaim the Night rally. I was there with the member for Charlton, the member for Swansea and the member for...
- Strickland, Ms Lucy (1 speech)
I rise today to pay tribute to an extraordinary young woman from my electorate of Ryan: Lucy Strickland. Lucy received the inspiration medal in this year's Pride of Australia awards for her work...
- Canberra Electorate: Radio 1RPH (1 speech)
Earlier this year I had the great pleasure of attending a lunch to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Radio 1RPH—radio for the print handicapped. Radio 1PRH provides an incredible service to...
- White Ribbon Day (1 speech)
Friday is White Ribbon Day, Australia's only national male-led campaign to end men's violence against women. White Ribbon Day was prompted by a massacre of 14 female students at a school in...
- Bendigo Electorate: Women's Entrepreneurship Day (1 speech)
Many may not realise, but last Thursday, 19 November, was the first time that people around the world gathered to celebrate Women's Entrepreneurship Day. In Bendigo, the Bendigo Business Council...
- Barton Electorate: St Ursula's College (1 speech)
I was very honoured to attend, representing the Minister for Education and Training, Senator the Hon. Simon Birmingham, the opening of facilities funded by the Capital Grants Program for...
- Chow, Ms Susan (1 speech)
Today I stand in Australia's federal parliament to warmly congratulate Susan Chow on her richly deserved Victorian Senior of the Year award. Susan has been president of the Fitzroy Chinese...
- McMillan Electorate: Rose Lodge (1 speech)
Rose Lodge is an aged-care facility at Wonthaggi. I was grateful to be asked to visit the opening of their new $6.5 million aged-care facility. Rose Lodge was opened 65 years ago. The new wings...
- Indi Electorate: Targa High Country (1 speech)
Targa High Country has been run and won in what is its sixth year. This is tarmac rallying at its finest and it showcases some of the best touring routes in my wonderful electorate of Indi. It...
- Adams, Ms Louise (1 speech)
I rise today to highlight the continued success of Louise Adams in this year's X Factor competition. Louise is a versatile performer and new mum from my home town of Mt Gambier. Louise has made...
- Shortland Electorate: Community Groups (1 speech)
Last week, I attended two Christmas functions of very special groups. One was the Swansea Pensioners Association and the other was Eastlakes Legacy Widows. At the Swansea Pensioners group, I...
- Cowan Electorate: Creative Catering (1 speech)
I wish to congratulate Creative Catering, a small business in Cowan, for their victory in the Small Catering category at the National Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence. Creative...
- Canberra Electorate: University of the Third Age (1 speech)
It is a great pleasure to rise today to speak about the University of the Third Age, Canberra, a fantastic organisation that provides lifelong learning opportunities for its members, who are in...
- Lyons Electorate: University of the Third Age (2 speeches)
I join with the member for Canberra, because I am also going to talk about the U3A, but this one is the Port Sorell U3A in the north of my electorate. It is a wonderful organisation that has...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- National Broadband Network (1 speech)
There is no issue which gains more attention within my electorate of Corio than this government's failed efforts in rolling out the National Broadband Network. We are at a point within our...
- Sport (1 speech)
There is no better sign of a healthy and cohesive community than sporting fields filled with players, spectators and volunteers every weekend. Anybody visiting Dobell on any given weekend will...
- Climate Change (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the challenge that climate change presents for Australia and the government's lamentable lack of real action. Labor and I and my electorate understand that Australia...
- Solomon Electorate: Fuel Prices (1 speech)
In February this year, I spoke in this place regarding my community's anger and dismay about petrol prices in Darwin and Palmerston. I have been actively campaigning for a full investigation into...
- National Security (1 speech)
It was not long ago that Darwin was being bombed. Darwin has always been a critical component in the defence of Australia. Defence has a large presence in Darwin, as does our border force and...
- Lalor Electorate: Economy (1 speech)
I rise tonight to speak on behalf of the electorate of Lalor, my community. It could be said that, if lightning is going to strike, it will strike in Lalor. It is a microcosm of Australian...
- Page Electorate: Education, Page Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
I would like to acknowledge this afternoon that four senior Indigenous students from South Grafton High School, who have been selected to perform for the 2015 Aboriginal dance ensemble at the...
- Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
I am very glad to have this opportunity to talk about the importance of drug law reform in Australia and to make an argument for the future direction and shape of that reform. It is clear to me,...
- Banks Electorate: Local Organisations (7 speeches)
I am very pleased this evening to have the opportunity to draw to the attention of the House the important work of a number of organisations in my local electorate of Banks. Yesterday, I was very...
- SHEEAN, Ordinary Seaman Edward (Teddy) (2 speeches)
I have previously spoken in the Parliament about a Tasmanian legend: Ordinary Seaman Edward Sheean, commonly known as Teddy. It is fair to say that the fight to get Teddy Sheean the recognition...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 18 : 33
