House debates
Monday, 8 February 2016
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Tynan, Mr Michael (1 speech)
I thank the House for their support for this. This morning in my community, in Miranda at Our Lady Star of the Sea, in about half an hour, the shire will gather together to commemorate and...
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Social Policy and Legal Affairs Committee (2 speeches)
On behalf of the Standing Committee on Social Policy and Legal Affairs, I wish to make a statement concerning the progress of the committee's inquiry into surrogacy. The desire to have a child is...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Renewable Fuel Bill 2016; Second Reading (5 speeches)
I move: That this bill be now read a second time. I think the opening statement should lie with Mr Iemma, the then Premier of New South Wales. He said, 'I cannot go another day with people's...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Legal System and the Environment (12 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the importance of a robust and clear legal system that allows for timely judicial review and certainty for investors and the community alike; (b) the...
- Temporary Work Visas (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the ongoing media reports and Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO) findings into the exploitation of Working Holiday visa (subclass 417) holders, Temporary Work...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (1 speech)
I have received two messages from the Senate informing the House of the appointment of senators to certain joint committees. As the list of appointments is a lengthy one, I do not propose to read...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Marriage (1 speech)
I am very pleased rise to congratulate Elleanor Hoffman from Montmorency in my electorate of Jagajaga. Last year, as part of a grade 6 project at Watsonia Heights Primary School, Elleanor set...
- West, Mr Roderick (1 speech)
It was with deep sorrow I heard of the passing of Roderick West, one of Australia's finest headmasters, who served for a memorable 21 years at Trinity Grammar School. He was not only a teacher...
- Greyhound Racing (1 speech)
This weekend rallies were held across the country calling for an end to greyhound racing. Fremantle's Kings Square alone saw more than 300 people come together. The rallies come ahead of the New...
- Television Classification (1 speech)
Late last year the Australian Communications and Media Authority ruled free-to-air television stations be permitted to screen MA15+ programs half an hour earlier at 8:30 pm instead of 9 pm and M...
- Lunar New Year (1 speech)
It is Lunar New Year again and people all over the world and all through communities in Australia are celebrating this extraordinary event. Traditionally in the Northern Hemisphere Lunar New Year...
- Employment (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House that more jobs are starting to be created on the Central Coast as part of the Turnbull government's major commitment to deliver 600 new jobs into Gosford CBD. With a...
- Infrastructure (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about infrastructure. On Friday, I was pleased to attend the National Growth Areas Alliance Victorian launch of their Fund our Future campaign. I was proud to be there with...
- Lunar New Year (1 speech)
Gong xi fa cai! Welcome to the year of the monkey. Today, we celebrate the longest and most important celebration in the Chinese calendar, Chinese or Lunar New Year. The celebration farewells...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
Last week's decision by the High Court about offshore detention of refugees, in a clear 6-1 decision, highlights that the role of courts is to interpret law and that it is up to governments and...
- Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
I rise today to commend all the citizens of my electorate who received Australia Day awards this year. While many people across the electorate were honoured, I am going to concentrate on one...
- Victoria: Bushfires (1 speech)
Yesterday marked the 7th anniversary of the February 2009 bushfires. These fires claimed 170 lives and across the state 450,000 hectares were burned. More than 7½ thousand people were...
- La Trobe Electorate: Crossway Baptist Church (1 speech)
It was a great pleasure that I had the opportunity to attend the launch of the South East Campus at the Crossway Baptist Church. I congratulate Senior Pastor Dale Stephenson and Campus Pastor...
- Hunter Electorate: Flying Foxes (1 speech, 1 comment)
Today I would like to speak about an issue which, for many, will in the first instance appear like an 11th order issue; but for many residents in rural and regional communities it is a very, very...
- Dunkley Electorate: Frankston (1 speech)
It is a rare thrill to have my three favourite Dunkley residents with me here today: my bodacious wife, Mrs Billson, Bella and Maddie. It is great that they give me the love and encouragement to...
- Family Court (1 speech)
It is a sad fact that 41 per cent of contested family law matters involve domestic violence. Over 80 per cent of Federal Circuit Court matters involve family law matters. Against this background,...
- Bonner Electorate: Yulu-Burri-Ba Health Service (1 speech)
Today I want to talk about a very special addition to the Bayside community in my electorate of Bonner. Just recently Yulu-Burri-Ba Aboriginal Corporation for Community Health opened a new clinic...
- Migration (1 speech)
Last Thursday, a draft document prepared for the Turnbull government's National Security Committee was leaked to ABC's Lateline program. This latest leaked document verges on bigotry and racism,...
- Anniversary of Black Saturday Bushfires (2 speeches)
One hundred and 73 people killed, 410 people injured on one day—all on Black Saturday. Hundreds and hundreds of lives were saved by the work of our CFA that day. It was a shocking, horrific...
- Payroll Tax (1 speech)
The unemployed in Australia are distinctly unexcited by the PM's suggestion that the states should be raising payroll tax—a tax on jobs. More than $22 billion is collected across Australia...
- Pholeros, Prof. Paul (2 speeches)
Last week our nation lost one of our brightest stars. History will list Paul Pholeros as an adjunct professor of architecture at the University of Sydney, recognised with an order of Australia in...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. We all agree that Australia cannot let people languish on Nauru and Manus indefinitely. Can the Prime Minister update the House on efforts to secure a...
- Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the implementation of the historic Trans-Pacific Partnership trade agreement? Why is this trade agreement vital...
- Goods and Services Tax (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. The government has previously said that everything was on the table in relation to changing the tax system. Treasurer, is that still the case?
- Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Trade and Investment. Will the minister advise the House of the importance of the newly signed Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement to the Australian economy,...
- Goods and Services Tax (6 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Treasurer. Last week, when talking up an increase in the GST, the Treasurer said, 'We've got to do what's right.' Does the Treasurer still think that increasing the GST is...
- Superannuation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. The government claims the recent change to the income test for defined pension recipients will principally affect superannuants on big incomes, but the truth is...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the former member for New England, Mr Tony Windsor. On behalf of the House I extend a warm welcome to him. Honourable...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (4 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer advise the House of the importance of sound fiscal policy to our transitioning economy. How important is it that any new spending be...
- Goods and Services Tax (7 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. What is the impact of the rate of GST on economic growth? What would be the impact on economic growth of increasing the GST?
- North Korea (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the government's response to yesterday's missile test by the Democratic People's Republic of Korea? What...
- Goods and Services Tax (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Reports suggest that government ministers are backing away from plans to increase the price of everything with a 15 per cent GST. Prime Minister, today is...
- National Innovation and Science Agenda (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Will the minister update the House on some of the science, technology, engineering and maths initiatives being delivered by...
- Prime Minister (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. When the Prime Minister rolled the member for Warringah, he said that it was because the former Prime Minister had failed—
- Agriculture (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the minister update the House on how the coalition government's support for agriculture is boosting growth and jobs in my...
- Turnbull Government (3 speeches)
My question is again to the Prime Minister. On the weekend, Peter Hartcher asked in The Sydney Morning Herald: is the Turnbull government 'shaping up as the Abbott government with a more...
- National Heritage Strategy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment. As the minister is aware, my electorate of Lyons contains a number of significant properties on the National Heritage List. Can the minister...
- Turnbull Government (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given that the Prime Minister has already expressed confidence in the former Prime Minister, the former Treasurer, the former Minister for Cities and the...
- Papua New Guinea (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for International Development and the Pacific. Minister, what is the government doing to help build links between the people of Townsville and our sister city Port...
- Ministerial Conduct (20 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Veterans' Affairs and goes to whether he has complied with the Prime Minister's Statement of ministerial standards. On the official Chinese visa application...
- Great Western Highway (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Territories, Local Government and Major Projects. Minister, the community of the Blue Mountains were recently invited to have their say on four possible options...
- Ministerial Conduct (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. It goes to whether the Minister for Veterans' Affairs has complied with the minister's statement on ministerial standards. Specifically, will the Prime...
- Petrie Electorate: Energy (3 speeches, 2 comments)
My question is to the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia. Minister, as you are aware, the cost of energy is a significant issue for people in my electorate of Petrie. Whether...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Documents are presented as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Questions to the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Management of the House (4 speeches)
During question time today that there was an issue raised on the management of the House with the resetting of the clock. I ask that you review the tapes between today and tomorrow, when you get...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- 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)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
I rise today to draw to the attention of the House the Turnbull government's radical right-wing workplace relations agenda. Let us be clear: this agenda is fundamentally un-Australian. Whether it...
- Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
It is a pleasure tonight to report to the House the recipients of the Australia Day awards in Braddon. Bruce Reginald French AO received an Officer of the Order of Australia in the 2016 Australia...
- Human Rights: Vietnam (1 speech)
As the House is aware, my electorate has the highest proportion of Vietnamese Australians, enabling me to not only enjoy the colour and vibrancy of this wonderful community but acquire an acute...
- National Broadband Network (1 speech)
2016 will be a tremendous year for telecommunications in Hume, and I am urging residents to keep up the pressure so that we can use programs already in train to improve internet and mobile...
- Calwell Electorate: Australia Day Citizenship Ceremonies (1 speech)
It was a great pleasure for me to congratulate two of my constituents who both recently received awards for their contribution to their local communities during our local council's Australia Day...
- Wannon Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
The government is delivering on its commitment to provide jobs for Australians. Since we were elected, the economy has seen 427,000 jobs created. Under Labor jobs only grew at 1.6 per cent, but...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Csiro (1 speech)
Last week the CSIRO's chief executive, Larry Marshall, announced that the organisation would shed 110 positions from the ocean and atmosphere staff and a similar number from its land and water...
- Higgins Electorate: Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
I would like to take the opportunity here in the chamber to congratulate all of the good-hearted and kind people who volunteer in my electorate of Higgins. Last year I was able to celebrate with...
- Homelessness (1 speech)
Last Friday morning I spent some time with Drew, who is a Big Issue vendor, at Central Station. TheBig Issue, as members will know, is a magazine that is sold by people who are homeless to...
- Leichhardt Electorate: Cairns Airport (1 speech)
As someone who spends a considerable amount of time flying and at airports, I can tell you that a poor experience can send the best-laid plans well and truly out the window, whereas a good one...
- Kingsford Smith Electorate: Blak Markets, Kingsford Smith Electorate: Lunar New Year Festival (1 speech)
Yesterday I was fortunate to attend the first Blak Markets for 2016 at the historic Bare Island in La Perouse. An initiative of First Hand Solutions Aboriginal corporation, Blak Markets are aimed...
- National Servicemen's Day (1 speech)
This Valentine's Day is also National Servicemen's Day, a day which marks the date when the last national servicemen, or 'nashos', completed their Army obligations. That was in 1972. For the 20...
- Chifley Electorate: Men's Sheds (1 speech)
Following up on that 'lest we forget', I indicate my concern and well wishes on that important day. I rise to raise my anger and dismay at the prospect that a community group that provides vital...
- Lyons Electorate: Bridges Renewal Program (1 speech)
I had great pleasure a couple of weeks ago to announce that five bridges in the electorate of Lyons had been funded under the Australian government's Bridges Renewal Program.. Nearly $3 million...
- Indigenous Communities (1 speech)
Recently I was approached by a senior person in the Pilbara, concerned, as many are, that Aboriginal communities are being ripped off by unscrupulous outsiders who manage the organisations,...
- McMillan Electorate: Coal Creek Community Park and Museum (2 speeches)
Recently I was privileged to be at the opening of the refurbished Anzac room at the Coal Creek Community Park and Museum in the beautiful South Gippsland township of Korumburra. Much work has...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Domestic and Family Violence (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises the importance of changing the national culture to make disrespecting women un Australian; (2) welcomes the Government's $100 million Women's Safety...
- Dyslexia (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) people with dyslexia have difficulty in learning to read or interpret words, letters and other symbols; (b) dyslexia does not affect general...
- Vietnam Veterans Day (10 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that Vietnam Veterans Day: (a) is held on 18 August every year; (b) commemorates the service and sacrifice of the almost 60,000 Australians who served in the...
- China: Organ Harvesting (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes continuing concerns in relation to the practice of harvesting organs from prisoners in the People's Republic of China, in addition to allegations of an illegal...
- Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2015; Second Reading (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the Marriage Legislation Amendment Bill 2015. More than 20 countries have now legislated for marriage equality. These are countries that are a lot like Australia—New...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Burkina Faso: Kidnappings (1 speech)
It has been a relief to hear the news this weekend that Jocelyn Elliott, who was kidnapped in Burkina Faso and taken to Mali by an Al-Qaeda-linked group three weeks ago alongside her husband, Dr...
- Gilmore Electorate: Agricultural Shows (1 speech)
There is nothing quite like a regional country show. I love helping to sell tickets on the gate, or working in the kitchen or sponsoring the youth talent quests. I take this opportunity to thank...
- Violence in Hospitals (1 speech)
I rise to raise my concerns about the increases in violence in our hospitals. I know in my area of the North Coast of New South Wales there is a desperate need for increased security because of...
- Hindmarsh Electorate: Australia Day Awards (1 speech)
Whether you joined friends and fired up the barbecue on Australia Day listening to Triple J's Hottest 100, took the family to the beach or went to the T20 cricket match at Adelaide Oval, South...
- Mental Health (1 speech)
Today I want to pay tribute to the Victorian Minister for Police and Corrections and the member for Williamstown in my electorate, Wade Noonan. I know Wade to be one of the most decent human...
- Swan Electorate: Environmental Initiatives (1 speech)
It may be only the start of the new parliamentary year, but there are already some great things happening in the electorate of Swan that need to be brought to the attention of the House. The...
- National Broadband Network (1 speech)
The Turnbull government has been boasting about the rollout of its NBN. I am here today to report to it the abject failure of the NBN in the Shortland electorate. Since December last year we have...
- Grey Electorate: Australia Day Honours (1 speech)
We have just celebrated Australia Day, and its significance to the nation continues to evolve and grow. This year, apart from the many towns and communities across Grey that recognised their...
- Indi Electorate: Veterans (1 speech)
On 18 December 2015, the Department of Veterans' Affairs commenced a community consultation about the delivery of in-person services at the Veterans Affairs Network office in Wodonga. Kevin...
- Lyne Electorate: Citizen of the Year Awards (1 speech)
I rise to alert the House to all the wonderful nominees and recipients of citizen of the year awards that I attended in Port Macquarie on 26 January. We had many nominees and a very outstanding...
- Lunar New Year (1 speech)
To all Melburnians and Australians who today are celebrating the arrival of the Year of the Monkey, I say: happy lunar new year. Chuc mung nam moi. Kung hei fat choy. Xin nian kuai le. I extend...
- Wandering Trad (1 speech)
I recently had the great pleasure to make an announcement with the Hon. Greg Hunt of a further $200,000 for extended research into biological controls for wandering trad. For those who do not...
- Newcastle East Public School (1 speech)
In 1816, 17 children gathered in a small slab building located on a hill in Newcastle. Children of convicts, settlers, government officials and soldiers, all under the tutelage of convict Henry...
- Macarthur Electorate: Lynwood Park Opening (1 speech)
I am pleased to announce that, with the help of the Turnbull federal government, Lynwood Park in my electorate of Macarthur now has a $1.4 million synthetic turf field, which will be used by many...
- Scullin Electorate: Australia Day (1 speech)
Is was my great privilege to spend Australia Day at citizenship ceremonies at the Shire of Nillumbik and the City of Whittlesea in the Scullin electorate. At the outset, I take this opportunity...
- Brisbane Electorate: Environmental Conservation (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the important initiatives in my electorate that are helping to reduce environmental damage and protect our green areas. Our commitment to the protection of the...
- Marie Lowndes Charitable Foundation (1 speech)
Last December I had the honour of joining Laurie Maher from Coast Shelter to launch the Marie Lowndes Charitable Foundation. The foundation has been established, following a generous anonymous...
- Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (1 speech)
Last Thursday, amid pomp and ceremony, trade ministers gathered in Auckland, New Zealand, to sign the Trans-Pacific Partnership deal. Despite the overgrown rhetoric about the TPP being wonderful...
- Deakin Electorate: Lunar New Year (2 speeches)
One of the best features of my electorate of Deakin, and one that makes it such a great place to live, is the presence of a wide variety of people from very different cultural backgrounds. One of...
- Smith, Mr Kevin, OAM (1 speech)
I would like to pay tribute to Kevin Smith, OAM, who was awarded his Order of Australia on Australia Day. Kevin Smith received his award for his services to netball, and I can say that it is a...
- Mallee Electorate: Stronger Communities Program (2 speeches, 1 comment)
When I first became a member and I was thinking about the strategic plan for Mallee, I put it under two phrases: 'building wealth by building opportunities and capacity' and 'building communities...
- Pizzini Wines, King Valley Mobile Phone Services (1 speech)
Colleagues, North East Victoria is famous around the world for its brilliant wines, and another top-class winery from the area has been recognised for its excellent work. Congratulations to...
- Riverland and Mallee Vocational Awards (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the Riverland and Mallee Vocational Awards hosted by the Rotary Club of Berri, which I was delighted to attend last Friday at Berri in my electorate of Barker. These awards are...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I rise in parliament to applaud the churches and people of Melbourne who are offering asylum and protection to the babies, children and their families who are here and are being threatened with...
- McMillan Electorate: Immunisation (2 speeches)
I have a dilemma. Many women—mostly women—in my electorate refuse to have their children immunised. They absolutely refuse. I said to them that I am prepared to represent their views...
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Natural Disasters (1 speech)
I want to deal briefly with two elements of the natural disasters over the summer, but I begin by acknowledging the extraordinary work of all of our emergency services workers, whether...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Bannon, Hon. John Charles, AO (1 speech)
I rise to speak in condolence for John Bannon and in doing so would like to place on the record my gratitude to John for the hard work that he put in for both the state that I love, South...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
I rise to express the grievance of my community of Chisholm against the Turnbull Liberal government's inhumane treatment of asylum seekers, and the continuation of offshore detention of people...
- Maranoa Electorate: Postcodes (2 speeches)
I am not a particularly superstitious man, but many who are superstitious believe that the number 13 is unlucky. I rise tonight to speak about a postcode the digits of which add to 13, a postcode...
- Employment (1 speech)
It was a great pleasure to be outside today at the jobs embassy with members of the MUA and from the MV Portland. I certainly sympathise with them in the struggle for their jobs because in my...
- Murray-Darling Basin Plan (1 speech)
I refer to a headline in the newspaper today—the Riverine Herald: 'Drowning in despair': Water-starved farmer weeks from disaster. It is a story from the Echuca area in the Victorian side...
- Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
Last week terror spread through a variety of Liberal Party state governments when they heard conjecture that the TAFE sector should be taken over by the Turnbull federal government. The relevant...
- Bushfires (2 speeches)
I rise to speak and reflect on some of the commentary that has been made, tragically, about the fires that have occurred in Tasmania over the last month—thankfully, we have had some rain...
