House debates
Monday, 22 February 2016
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Membership (2 speeches)
I have received advice from the chief government whip, nominating members to be members of certain committees.
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Refugees; Statements (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, today I will take the opportunity to give the House a refresher on its rules applying to petitioning—and the practical and quite logical reasons why these rules exist. During...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Penalty Rates (7 speeches)
I move: That this House acknowledges that penalty rates are relied upon by Australian workers and their families to cover everyday costs of living, no matter if they are full time, part time or...
- Broadband (6 speeches)
I rise to support the motion from the member for Robertson in relation to the NBN rollout. It asks the House to place on record that: (a) under the previous Government, at the time of the last...
- Save the Children Australia (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) calls on the Government to apologise to Save the Children Australia and its staff, after the Review of recommendation nine from the Moss Review confirmed findings...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (4 speeches)
I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent a bill for an act to amend the Commonwealth Electoral Act 1918, and for related purposes being presented immediately and...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Turnbull Government (6 speeches)
I seek leave to move: That the House: 1. Notes: a. That nearly six months ago, the Prime Minister promised new economic leadership; b. The Prime Minister, the Treasurer and this Liberal...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (1 speech)
I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the Leader of the House moving immediately a motion to amend the resolution of appointment of the Joint Standing...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Indigenous Languages (1 speech)
'Kaya' is the word for 'hello' in the Noongar language of south-western Western Australia. Nelson Mandela once said: Without language, one cannot talk to people and understand them; one cannot...
- Dawson Electorate (1 speech)
I would just like to thank all those who came along to my street stall last week in Deeragun. Many issues were raised by those who could not stop to chat, and a couple of suggestions were made...
- Indi Electorate: Alexandra (1 speech)
It gives me great pleasure to bring to the attention of the House some news from one of the jewels in the crown of my electorate of Indi, Alexandra in the Shire of Murrindindi, in the Goulburn...
- Simon, Professor Julian Lincoln (1 speech)
This month we are commemorating the 18th anniversary of the passing of Julian Simon, one of the greatest rational thinkers of the 20th century. In his honour, I would like to share a few...
- Kingsford Smith Electorate: Lunar New Year Festival (1 speech)
I wish to thank those members of our community who attended our recent second Kingsford Smith Lunar New Year Festival on 13 February at Dacey Gardens in our community. The festival was a great...
- Health Care, Fritschy, Mr Rennie, AM (1 speech)
I often talk up the important industries that drive the Capricornia economy in Central Queensland. Amongst these is our growing intellectual industry spearheaded by Central Queensland University....
- Family Court (1 speech)
I want to bring the attention of the House to the appalling situation facing Parramatta families seeking to access the court system to settle family law matters. The situation has now reached...
- Groom Electorate: Toowoomba Second Range Crossing, Truss, Mr Warren (1 speech)
I rise today to speak on my favourite topic—the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing—but also to pay tribute to one of the great proponents of that crossing: the member for Wide Bay. Last...
- Reserve Bank of Australia (1 speech)
The Reserve Bank of Australia is undertaking a process to introduce Australia's next generation of banknotes. The new banknotes will include improved security features and, thanks to the campaign...
- Forrest Electorate: Bushfires (1 speech)
I want to acknowledge all of those involved in the recent Uduc bushfires in my home area of Harvey in Western Australia. I want to thank all of the firefighters, whether they were career...
- Commonwealth Bank West Heidelberg (1 speech)
The Commonwealth Bank in the mall in West Heidelberg is due to close in March, in just a few weeks time. As this is the only bank in the area, this will be a huge loss for the entire local...
- Blue Mountains State Emergency Services Annual Awards Presentation (1 speech)
On Friday evening I had the pleasure of attending the Blue Mountains state emergency services annual presentation. It was an honour to spend the night in the company of these wonderful people,...
- Australian Jobs Embassy (1 speech)
I am not sure if government ministers and members have realised but there is an Australian jobs embassy that has been set up on the lawns out the front of Parliament House. These are workers who...
- Macarthur Electorate: Australia Day Citizenship Awards (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate those in my electorate of Macarthur who received Australia Day citizenship awards for their outstanding contribution to our community. I would like to give special...
- Lalor Electorate: Cities Forum (1 speech)
I rise to tell the House about an event that was held last Thursday in my electorate. I was pleased to welcome the member for Scullin, Andrew Giles to Hoppers Crossing to a forum about cities and...
- Dobell Electorate: Club Toukley RSL (1 speech)
I rise to congratulate Toukley RSL on their 60th anniversary of providing outstanding service to my local community. Toukley RSL has a rich history on the Central Coast. While it was officially...
- Moreton Electorate: Lunar New Year (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the many community groups in my electorate, including Vietnamese, Chinese, Taiwanese and others, who have welcomed the Lunar New Year, the Chinese New Year. Obviously, part...
- Siejka, Mr Jan OAM (1 speech)
Last Friday I attended a Mass of Christian Burial for one of my constituents, Jan Siejka, at the Church of Apostles in Launceston. Jan was born in Poland and his formative years were challenging,...
- Wyatt, Mr Steve (1 speech)
It is with great sadness that I inform the parliament of yet another tragic workplace death, in Adelaide, over the weekend when Steve Wyatt was killed in an accident at the Royal Adelaide...
- North Queensland Cowboys (2 speeches)
So it came to be that the world championship of Rugby League was played this morning and the North Queensland Cowboys added to their list of titles when they toyed with the Brisbane Broncos last...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
In presenting a revised ministry list, I congratulate all the new ministers and parliamentary secretaries and, in particular, our new Deputy Prime Minister. The document read as follows—...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (11 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. When he rolled the member for Warringah almost six months ago, the now Prime Minister said: Every month lost is a month of lost opportunities. So, after...
- Employment, Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the government's plans to drive jobs and growth? Are there any alternative policy approaches?
- Taxation (12 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister and refers to his previous answer. Does the Prime Minister rule out announcing any changes to capital gains tax?
- Asylum Seekers (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Doctors have said that returning Baby Asha to detention would harm her. Your immigration minister has decided not to send her to Nauru for the time being but...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister outline to the House what the government has done and is doing to support investment and help grow the economy?
- Taxation (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Does the Prime Minister think it is fair that, under his government's policy, an investor buying their seventh home will receive more taxpayer subsidies from...
- Agriculture (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the Deputy Prime Minister update the House on his vision for rural and regional Australia. What...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. On Friday the Treasurer said, in relation to the government's changes to tax, 'Those issues were not under consideration before September last year.' But the...
- Trade (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister explain how this government's free trade agreement is creating opportunities for Australian businesses overseas and leading...
- Taxation (5 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Prime Minister's answer a few moments ago, in which he claimed that reducing the capital gains tax discount would punish foreign investors and...
- Research and Development (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science—and I hear the opposition cheering! Will the minister advise the House how the government is supporting critical national...
- Taxation (12 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. The former Treasurer, Mr Hockey, said, 'Negative gearing should be skewed towards new housing so there is an incentive to add to the housing stock rather than an...
- Infrastructure (18 speeches)
My constituency question is to the Minister for Major Projects, Territories and Local Government. In the Corangamite electorate, there are deep concerns about the lack of infrastructure...
- Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
- Speaker's Panel (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing order 17(a), I lay on the table my warrant revoking the nomination of the honourable member for Ryan to be a member of the Speaker’s panel.
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 22 of 2015-16 (1 speech)
I present the Auditor-General's performance audit report No. 22 of 2015-16, entitledSupporting the Australian Antarctic Program: Department of the Environment. Ordered that the report be made a...
- 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)
- Sanctions against Disorderly Conduct (2 speeches)
My apologies for not indicating earlier that I was going to ask an administrative question of you. I was caught by surprise by the Prime Minister calling the end of question time, but I do want...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Treaties Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Treaties, I present the committee’s report entitled Report 158—treaty tabled 10 November 2015. I ask leave of the House to make a short...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Infrastructure (3 speeches)
I seek indulgence to add to an answer I gave in question time earlier today.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Assyrian Community (1 speech)
Since the 1980s, Australia has seen a growing number of Assyrian migrants enter its shores under various humanitarian, refugee and family reunion visas. A high population of the Assyrian...
- Dunkley Electorate (1 speech)
I begin by congratulating Chris Crewther, his partner, Grace, and their daughter, Yasmin. Chris has been selected as the Liberal candidate to contest the seat of Dunkley at the next federal...
- Blair Electorate: Telecommunications (3 speeches)
Given the social, economic and geographic diversity of the Blair electorate, it is no surprise that the concerns of residents often vary according to local circumstances. The challenges facing a...
- Local Government (2 speeches)
Tonight I rise to raise the issue of council mergers—in particular, the proposed merger of Port Stephens and Newcastle councils. On this issue I speak with more understanding than most, as...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- McEwen Electorate: Centrelink (1 speech)
I rise today to discuss the concerns of a number of people in my community about Centrelink's lengthy customer service process. Centrelink's frontline customer service staff have a pretty...
- Robertson Electorate: Brisbane Water Local Area Command Awards (1 speech)
With my good friend and colleague, the member for Dobell, we attended the Brisbane Water Local Area Command medals and award ceremony at Laycock Street Theatre in Gosford to honour some of the...
- Tax Evasion (1 speech)
In parliament two weeks ago I spoke about the stench of tax evasion through the use of tax havens and tax shields such as those used in Singapore. The use of these tax shields by so-called...
- Local Government: Tri-Cities Alliance (1 speech)
The local government authorities in my region have united to engage with the federal government to advance key infrastructure projects, economic development initiatives and strategic cooperation...
- Parramatta Electorate: International Mother Language Day, Parramatta Electorate: Pongal (1 speech)
On Sunday 21 February the Bangla-speaking people of Western Sydney joined people of all languages and cultures in celebrating International Mother Language Day. 21 February was chosen as...
- Alstonville Community Preschool, Generation Ag (1 speech)
Five years ago the Alstonville Community Preschool were told that they had to move; the hall they were operating out of was going to be used for another purpose by its owner. It was with great...
- South Australia: Car Industry (7 speeches)
South Australia's economy has had a very tough time since the election of this government. We have seen the car industry basically being shipped out; we have seen enormous consternation over...
- Birks, Mr Kieren (1 speech)
There was a collective heaviness in the hearts of people right across Western Sydney, and in particular in my electorate of Lindsay, when the news filtered through that a young man had been...
- CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research (1 speech)
I stand today to speak about the recent cuts to the CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research centre in Aspendale, in the great electorate of Isaacs. A category five catastrophe—'Cyclone...
- Probus (2 speeches)
I welcome the opportunity to talk today about an outstanding organisation, Probus. In 1976 the first Probus club in Australia was established—the Probus club of Hunters Hill. This year...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Football (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) football (soccer) is: (i) played by more than 1.18 million people in Australia in some capacity; and...
- Ovarian Cancer (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) February is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, which aims to raise awareness about ovarian cancer and help women recognise the signs and symptoms of the...
- Education in Regional, Rural and Remote Australia (10 speeches)
I move: That this House places on record that: (1) the Government is committed to improving education in regional, rural and remote Australia; (2) this commitment stretches across all levels of...
- Bushfires: Australian Defence Force (4 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) expresses deep condolences for the suffering and loss of life, homes and businesses in the recent Yarloop fires, and expresses our gratitude to career and volunteer...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Jones, Mr Steve (1 speech)
I wish to pay tribute to the life of Lockyer Valley mayor Steve Jones, who sadly passed away at 7 pm last Friday. Steve suffered a very severe brain bleed and, regrettably, passed into glory...
- Wright Electorate: National Broadband Network (1 speech)
I appreciate the comments from the member for Blair. I will make my contribution to the good mayor in another part of the proceedings so that I am afforded more time to give him the honour he...
- Tweed Palliative Support, Wedgetail Retreat (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a very important morning tea that will be held on Wednesday in my electorate. It is being held to celebrate one year since the Wedgetail Retreat at Dulguigan was opened. The...
- Cowan Electorate: Crime (1 speech)
Late on Saturday afternoon I was driving in Girrahween, a suburb of Cowan, on Hainsworth Avenue, when I was turned around by the police. The raid had been blocked following the assault and...
- Gellibrand Electorate: Footscray West Primary School (1 speech)
As parliament drew to a close last year, Footscray West Primary School celebrated its centenary. For months the staff planned a range of events to celebrate its long history. The events included...
- Cowper Electorate: Coffs Harbour Bypass (1 speech)
Last week Infrastructure Australia released the Australian infrastructure plan and priority list. The priority list ranked the Coffs Harbour Bypass as a national priority. The proposed $1 billion...
- Shortland Electorate: National Servicemen's Association (1 speech)
Yesterday I attended the 20th anniversary celebration of the Toukley branch of the National Servicemen's Association. It was the first branch formed on the Central Coast, and I was privileged to...
- Liquor Licensing (1 speech)
I am fundamentally opposed to the lockout laws just introduced in Queensland. The principal argument I propose is that 99.99 per cent of people who go out want to have a few drinks, have a great...
- Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria (1 speech)
The Global Fund, a partnership between government, civil society and the private sector, works to accelerate the end of AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria as epidemics. It raises and invests nearly...
- O'Connor Electorate: Tourism (1 speech)
Last Wednesday the Minister for Tourism and International Education, Senator Richard Colbeck, paid a flying visit to the Great Southern area of my electorate of O'Connor. We covered some serious...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
Australia has voluntarily assumed humanitarian obligations to those fleeing persecution. Labor's policy aims to help more people and to get them here safely to settle in Australia. Indefinite...
- Road Safety: Black Spot Program (1 speech)
Today I would like to talk about one of the most important issues in my electorate: black spots on our roads. Last year the coalition government delivered $1.7 million to upgrade two notorious...
- Melbourne Electorate: Muslim Australians (1 speech)
It was a privilege for me last week to host a forum attended by a diverse community of Melburnians to talk about the issues facing Muslim Australians. I never feel more welcomed than I do when...
- Bonner Electorate: Employment (1 speech)
Following the downsizing of Caterpillar in Burnie beginning last year, the Turnbull Liberal government has responded with a $2.3 million structural adjustment package. A key aspect of that...
- Indi Electorate: Beechworth Men's Shed (1 speech)
Today I would like to acknowledge the work of the Beechworth Men's Shed and the fantastic gathering they organised on 4 February, with over 134 attendees. The Beechworth Men's Shed is a member of...
- Barton Electorate: Jubilee Oval Defibrillator (1 speech)
I am glad to announce that last week I met with Andy Paschalidis, a tireless advocate for the Heartbeat of Football campaign, and Reno Aprile from the Cardiac Arrest Survival Foundation, to...
- Richmond Electorate: Ballina Byron Gateway Airport (1 speech)
As I have mentioned in the House before, with the redistribution we have had occurring in New South Wales, I am very pleased that the coastal town of Ballina will be moving into the Richmond...
- Durack Electorate: West Kimberley Clontarf Academy (1 speech)
I am very pleased to speak about one of the many fabulous educational organisations in my electorate of Durack, the West Kimberley Clontarf Academy. Established in 2006, the West Kimberley...
- Shortland Electorate: Belmont Medicare Office (1 speech)
I rise to put on record yet again my absolute disgust and disappointment with this government's decision to close the Belmont Medicare office. This is a Medicare office that the Howard government...
- Lane, Mr Barry and Mrs Jenny (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate two of Forde's biggest small business identities, Barry and Jenny Lane, for their hard work and commitment to providing training and...
- Indi Electorate: Mitta to Murray Blackberry Action Group (1 speech)
Last week I had the pleasure of meeting members of the Cathedral Landcare Group who work in the Upper Goulburn, and I had the joy of talking to them about a very successful Landcare control...
- Truss, Mr Warren MP: Retirement (1 speech)
On the last sitting day I announced that I would not be contesting the next federal election and stood down as Deputy Prime Minister and as Leader of the Nationals. I want to take my 90 seconds...
- Melbourne Electorate: Toolangi Forest (1 speech, 1 comment)
I would like to read a letter: Dear Prime Minister and Australian parliament We are the 160 children from a kindergarten called The University of Melbourne Early Learning Centre in Abbottsford,...
- Surf Life Saving (1 speech)
Last Saturday I attended the Henley Surf Life Saving Club junior presentation. It was great to see so many young children receive acknowledgement and so I want to congratulate all the juniors on...
- National Broadband Network (1 speech)
I rise to share with the House the experience of the NBN rollout in the Shortland electorate. I was very interested to hear the comments of the member for Wright stating how excited he is about...
- Solomon Electorate (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about the significant milestone of two ministers in the local Anglican community in my electorate. On 28 January, Reverend Barry Butler AM and his wife Margaret, along with...
- Ovarian Cancer (1 speech)
Ovarian cancer is a major issue. I was delighted to attend the Border Ovarian Cancer Awareness Group's very successful luncheon and fundraiser on Saturday, 6 February at the Albury Commercial...
- Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra (1 speech)
Last Saturday evening I had the pleasure of attending Symphony under the Stars in Launceston's beautiful City Park. The Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Northey and headlined...
- Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity (1 speech)
I want to tell parliament about the great work at the Australian African Foundation for Retention and Opportunity, which last week launched the Somali community education and information week at...
- Liquor Licensing (2 speeches)
There is a fatwa at the moment against the state Labor government in Queensland—that is Urban Dictionary slang for 'frozen at the wheel'. This is a state government that clearly does not...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (1 speech)
This regional preferential trade deal has attracted significant criticism here in Australia and also internationally. It seems to a lot of Australians that in doing this deal the Liberals have...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before I call the member for Charlton, I inform members that we have present in the gallery participants in this year's Inter-Parliamentary Study Program. I wish our guests a very warm welcome....
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (1 speech)
I welcome our guests as well. I rise to take note of the motion by the then trade minister regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which is the largest preferential trade deal—I will not...
- Closing the Gap (18 speeches)
I rise in response to the 2016 Closing the gap statement delivered recently by the Prime Minister. In doing so, may I acknowledge the Ngunnawal and Ngambri peoples, who are the traditional...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
by leave—I move: That the orders of the day Nos. 1 and 2, Committee and Delegation Reports, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Legge, Professor John AO, Hirst, Dr John (1 speech)
John Legge passed away on 4 February 2016, aged 94. In the words of the former president of the Asian Studies Association of Australia, Elaine McKay, 'John Legge, more than any other, was the...
- Cox, Mr Lance, House, Mr Laurie (3 speeches)
Tonight it is my sad duty to inform the House of the passing of two exceptionally fine gentlemen in my electorate of Braddon in the last few weeks. There are those people in the community who...
- Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
Since the opening of the training provider market to the private sector and the extension of student loans to the vocational sector, we have seen a massive number of registered training...
- Tasmania (1 speech)
It is timely in an election year and nearly 2½ years since the 2013 election to reflect on the progress in my home state of Tasmania. I was pleased to once again hear the Prime Minister...
- Strata Title Units (1 speech)
The New South Wales Liberal government, the Baird government, is attacking the rights of apartment and unit owners in our area, and many members of our community are deeply concerned about these...
- Foreign Investment (2 speeches, 2 comments)
Foreign land ownership has long sparked debate in our country. Those in favour say foreign investment is needed to ensure established and emerging industries can meet their full potential. But...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I move: That the Federation Chamber do now adjourn. Question agreed to. Federation Chamber adjourned at 20:53
