House debates
Thursday, 4 February 2016
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
I move: That the order of the day No. 2, government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Publications Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the report from the Publications Committee sitting in conference with the Publications Committee of the Senate. Copies of the report are being placed on the table. Report—by...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Special Broadcasting Service: The Family Law (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate SBS on commissioning the recent television series The Family Law, written and developed by Benjamin Law. It is a cracker of a show—a laugh a minute—though you...
- Economy (1 speech)
The Turnbull government is committed to boosting economic growth and lowering the unemployment rate. The outer Western Sydney and Blue Mountains regions are no exception in this regard. ABS data...
- Shakespeare, Mr Graeme (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to the life of a remarkable champion of the Greenway community, Graeme Shakespeare, who lost his battle with incurable cancer on Tuesday. He was a long-time resident of the...
- Cowan Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I would like to talk about the major arterial route in the electorate of Cowan, that being Wanneroo Road. Wanneroo Road is a major artery in the northern suburbs of Perth, and there are a lot of...
- Indi Electorate: Cafe Connect (1 speech)
It is with great delight that I tell colleagues about Cafe Connect in the beautiful town of Mansfield. I begin by congratulating the youth leadership team—Ariena, Shana, Taylah, Bradley,...
- Defence Training (1 speech)
I have spoken previously about the federal government's continuous-build strategy for naval vessels and the need for my home state of South Australia to make sure our students are well positioned...
- Shipping (1 speech)
There are some countries in the world where the citizens are not surprised to hear that in the middle of the night 30 security guards rush on board a ship, withdraw the workers who work on board...
- Carruthers, Mr Peter (1 speech)
I was saddened recently at the death of a fine Australian in my electorate of McMillan. Peter Carruthers has been an active advocate for the Leongatha RSL and veteran community, not to mention a...
- Indigenous Affairs (1 speech)
I wish to condemn NIL Entertainment, the creators of an app game called Survival Island 3 in which players are warned to beware of Aborigines and are encouraged to shoot and kill Aboriginal...
- Sport: Surfing (1 speech)
One thing surfers have in common in Gilmore is their love of the sea and their community. This was plain to us all in the national Australian Boardriders Battle held in Cronulla on the weekend of...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
I rise today to note that the chaos under the waterline of this government has come to the surface today. We woke this morning to find that there is a secret plan to take over VET—so...
- Hume Electorate: Fires (1 speech)
I would like to echo the Prime Minister's comments in the House this week, extending sympathy to those impacted by natural disasters this summer and thanking volunteers who have helped. In Hume,...
- Workplace Relations: MV Portland (1 speech)
I join the member for Throsby in raising the MV Portland matter. This week Australian seafarers stood on the lawns of Parliament House drawing attention to the disgraceful act by Alcoa whereby...
- Infrastructure: Bridges Renewal Program (1 speech)
This month, my electorate of Wannon had delivered much-needed funding to rebuild and repair vital bridges and road infrastructure. Roads and bridges, as many rural members are aware, are...
- Ethiopia (1 speech)
I wish to speak again of the serious human rights situation facing communities in Ethiopia. Since November last year it is believed that more than 140 people have been killed by security forces...
- Deakin Electorate: Community Awards (1 speech)
Each year on Australia Day the Maroondah and Whitehorse City Councils in the Deakin electorate take the opportunity, at their Australia Day citizenship ceremonies, to recognise the efforts of so...
- Science (1 speech)
The Prime Minister picks up his pom-poms, puts on his white boots and takes up the role as the cheerleader for Australia's exciting, innovative, science-based future. 'We have to be—and we...
- Forde Electorate: Beenleigh and Districts Senior Citizens Centre; Rowan, Ms Linda (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Beenleigh and Districts Senior Citizens Centre long-time servant Linda Rowan. I thank her for the many years she has contributed to the...
- Science (2 speeches)
In 2010 the Prime Minister said: All of us are here accountable not just to our constituents but to the generations that will come after them and after us. In 2011 the Prime Minister said: We...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Education (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is the Prime Minister planning a TAFE-destroying takeover of vocational education? Why is the Prime Minister still committed to $100,000 university...
- Women in the Workforce (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the number of women in full-time work in Australia? How will the government's childcare policies encourage...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
It is my great pleasure to inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon former Speaker and former member for Wakefield, the Hon. Neil Andrew. Honourable members: Hear, hear!
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Goods and Services Tax (5 speeches, 2 comments)
My question is to the Treasurer. On Neil Mitchell's program last year, the Treasurer described leadership rumblings as, 'a bit of political bed-wetting by some'. A source in today's Financial...
- Economy (5 speeches)
My question is also to the Treasurer and it is actually about the economy. Will the Treasurer advise the House of the importance of microeconomic reform to our transitioning economy? How...
- Goods and Services Tax (7 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. On 2 March last year, the Treasurer dismissed political dissenters in his own ranks by describing those who disagreed with him as 'a few political bed-wetters...
- Asylum Seekers: Children (8 speeches)
My question is to Prime Minister about yesterday's High Court decision. The government wants to send children to Nauru, Labor wants to send them to a third country, the Greens want to let them...
- Taxation (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer. Will the minister update the House on what the government is doing to crack down on those who are not paying their fair...
- Goods and Services Tax (7 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. A coalition MP is reported in The Sydney Morning Herald as saying about an increased GST, 'now is the time to do this'. At a time of global uncertainty, sluggish...
- Immigration and Border Protection (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister inform the House why a strong and consistent approach to immigration and border protection is necessary?
- Goods and Services Tax (14 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Kay Ross is a disability pensioner from California Gully in my electorate. Kay buys her groceries from lots of different stores and she checks the prices by...
- Welfare Reform (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister update the House on reforms recently announced to achieve fairness and sustainability in Australia's welfare system? Is the...
- Goods and Services Tax (6 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. I refer to reports today that there is 'a tidal wave of concern' amongst his own MPs about his plan to increase the GST.
- Agriculture (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the minister update the House on how strong agricultural export figures are contributing to growth and jobs, not just in...
- Marriage (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given it is clear that members of the Prime Minister's own party will not respect the $160 million plebiscite on marriage equality, will the Prime Minister...
- Electorate of Bass: Trade (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. During the Prime Minister's recent visit to Launceston we discussed the importance of free trade agreements and the government's $203 million investment in...
- Broadband (25 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Two weeks ago a taped conversation between a journalist and management at the ABC surfaced. It revealed that an ABC article critical of the Prime Minister's...
- Veterans (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Veterans Affairs. Minister, as you know, Ryan is home to many service men and women. What is the government doing to support ADF members and help veterans and...
- Broadband (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his previous answer. Given his admission that he complained privately to the ABC, given evidence that the story was dropped because of concerns by...
- Small Business (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer. The President of the Gosford, Erina and coastal chamber of commerce, Ali Vidler, has contacted me about the various...
- 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.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Vocational Education and Training (29 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Cunningham proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government failing...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Pentridge Jail: Development (1 speech)
The former Her Majesty's Prison at Pentridge, with its grim and imposing bluestone walls, is the best known landmark in Coburg and one of the best known landmarks in Melbourne. It is heritage...
- Boothby Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
The story of the South Road upgrades at Darlington in my electorate has been long and convoluted. In August 2007 I stood with John Howard in Bedford Park when he announced a $1 billion upgrade of...
- Corbett, Dr Patricia (1 speech)
I rise this afternoon to pay tribute to Patricia Lukin Corbett, a branch member of mine and a terrific supporter of progressive politics in Australia. Pat passed away on 3 January this year aged...
- Water (1 speech)
Last Wednesday night, the Kyabram Club saw a packed house of hundreds of farmers and business people who had gathered to express their deep concern about their loss of access to affordable...
- Shortland Electorate: Belmont Medicare Office (1 speech)
I am both sad and angry that I need to make this speech today. The Minister for Human Services confirmed to me this afternoon that he was closing the Belmont Medicare office. In the lead-up to...
- Innovation (1 speech)
Following the government's launch of the National Innovation and Science Agenda, which is a blueprint for a more entrepreneurial Australia, I held an innovators forum. At that forum, our first...
- Water (1 speech)
Continuing on from my earlier comments, the federally funded Goulburn-Murray Water Connections Project must be reset, making irrigators and the system's viability the key objective. Nothing else...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Tran, Mr Tan (1 speech)
In December, Northbridge lost a much loved patriarch, Tan Tran, and Tan Tran truly was a patriarch—a dispenser of kindness and wisdom to his enormous family that includes 28 grandchildren...
- Wounded Heroes (1 speech)
I rise to speak about Wounded Heroes—a not-for-profit charity organisation in our community which is providing invaluable support for our Defence Force personnel—and I wish to thank...
- Broadband (1 speech)
This week last year the VCAT in Victoria rejected the planning application to build an NBN tower in Mount Camel. VCAT overturned a planning approval to build this tower, which would have seen the...
- Lyons Electorate: Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate and thank those people that were recognised this year with Australia Day awards in my electorate for their contributions to their communities. Firstly, Dr Myrle Gray AM has...
- Isaacs Electorate: Sport (2 speeches)
I stand today to speak of some of the sporting activities that are being held in my electorate in coming weeks. Isaacs is an electorate that is blessed with just about everything. We have the...
- Lindsay Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Today I stand to talk about the growth and development happening in Western Sydney. So many of us every single day sit in peak-hour traffic, and the traffic going through Penrith is just getting...
- Williams, Ms Suzanne Rose (1 speech)
On Monday, Suzanne Rose Williams died. She lost her battle with cancer. I first met Suzanne Rose Williams 20 years ago, when I was the state member for Swansea. Sue came to see me and to share...
- Murray-Darling Basin (2 speeches)
As most people know in this part of our national debate, we have lost over half the irrigation water supporting food and fibre growing in northern Victoria and in southern New South Wales. That...
- Japaljarri, Mr Andrew Spencer (1 speech)
It is with much sadness today that I speak about the passing of Andrew Spencer Japaljarri, who was born in 1954 at 4 Mile Outstation near Yuendumu. He passed away from kidney and heart failure in...
- Lyne Electorate: Local Government (1 speech)
I would like to highlight the concerns expressed to me by a number of my constituents about the possible merger of the Gloucester and Dungog councils under the New South Wales Fit for the Future...
- Franklin Electorate: Centrelink and Medicare (1 speech)
Back in 2011 I had a lot of people in my electorate contact me about a lack of Centrelink and Medicare offices down in the Kingborough region of my electorate. So we organised a petition and...
- Flinders Electorate: Phillip Island Medical Hub, Flinders Electorate: Awards (1 speech)
I am delighted to update the House on the progress of the Phillip Island medical hub and to acknowledge the work of some of our citizens within Flinders. The update on the hub is good. This has...
- Deakin University Bridge Plan (1 speech)
I rise to express my outrage and that of my local community at the decision of the state planning minister, Richard Wynne, to call in and approve the Deakin University bridge plan without going...
- Citizenship (1 speech)
Last week I joined with people around the country to celebrate Australia Day, a day to celebrate our great country. In recent years, a campaign has been run by the National Museum of Australia...
- Marriage (3 speeches)
This morning we have seen the kind of 'respectful' debate that Malcolm Turnbull's completely unnecessary $160 million marriage equality plebiscite will bring to Australia. This image, which is a...
- Bennelong Electorate: Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
I rise to advise the House about three remarkable members of the Bennelong community who received awards in this year's Australia Day Honours. All are committed members of our local community and...
- Moreton Electorate: Community Awards (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge some of the recipients of the 2016 Moreton Australia Day awards. Up front, I thank the Moorooka Lions—Col Diachkoff, Ian Towers, Peter Coom, Erin Towers and all of the...
- McMillan Electorate: Leongatha Anzac Memorial (1 speech)
Last Sunday, I was honoured to be present at the opening of a place of reflection, an Anzac memorial put together by the people of Leongatha. Particularly involved in this exercise were Lyn...
- Nevin, Mr Raymond, Mahoney, Ms Desiree (1 speech)
Today I rise to speak on the recent passing of two English-born Australians who touched the lives of many in the electorate of Blair. Raymond Nevin was born in London in 1945, a month after the...
- Robertson Electorate: Australia Day Honours (2 speeches)
I rise to congratulate and to commend three outstanding citizens from my electorate of Robertson who were awarded Medals of the Order of Australia. The Order of Australia is the pre-eminent way...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Natural Disasters (3 speeches)
Today I rise to extend my thanks to the hundreds of professional emergency personnel and countless volunteers who have come to the aid of communities across the south and south-west of Western...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Joint Committee of Public Accounts and Audit; Report (1 speech)
It gives me great pleasure to speak on the tabling of the JCPAA report Development of the Commonwealth performance framework. Those who have followed the issues in this report will know it has...
- Standing Committee on Economics; Report (2 speeches)
I rise to speak on the review of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority annual report. I draw attention initially to the letter from APRA to the banks. It says: There are a number of...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Barry, Mr William 'Liam' (1 speech)
'If you're not making someone else's life better, then you're wasting your time.' This was the lifelong philosophy of Mr William 'Liam' Barry, a human rights and social justice campaigner of...
- Banks Electorate (1 speech)
I am pleased to have the opportunity this morning to note a number of achievements and events in my local community of Banks in recent weeks. I would like to acknowledge the winners of the Banks...
- Multinational Tax Avoidance (1 speech)
Last year the Australian Commissioner of Taxation published the tax details of 1,500 large corporate taxpayers which showed a staggering one-third of these companies paid no tax in 2014. This...
- Constitutional Monarchy (1 speech)
Every Australia Day we are assailed by a predictable chorus of voices reigniting the monarchy-versus-republic debate. The shiny bauble attracting media attention this year was a freshly signed...
- Throsby Electorate: National Broadband Network (2 speeches)
When you live in regional Australia, you understand the critical importance of the three things that make a difference between a good life—a life of happiness; and the alternative—a...
- Shipping (3 speeches)
I rise to talk about maritime security. There is no more important issue in this place than the security of our nation, and maritime security must be at the heart of it. Our sovereignty depends...
- Hinkler Electorate: Broadband (1 speech)
It is no secret that I have been a strong advocate for the NBN and the benefits it will bring to people living in regional Australia. I wore a track to Malcolm Turnbull's door when he was...
- Shipping (1 speech)
Yesterday I attended a rally outside of Parliament House with the crew of the MV Portland. Last month, these five workers—Warren Hopkins, Liam Conaghan, Brett Kolpin, Zac Kinzett and...
- Citizenship (1 speech)
I take this opportunity to reflect on Australia Day and citizenship. Australia Day is a day when we reflect on the values that make our country great and acknowledge the citizens that contribute...
- Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
I rise today to discuss the extremely damaging impact that an increase in the GST would have on small businesses around the country. As the Turnbull government continues to soften the ground for...
- Migration (1 speech)
Business migration is a vital part of our economy and society. I wish to highlight the effects of recent changes to the complying investment framework for the Significant Investor Visa Program,...
