House debates
Thursday, 3 March 2016
- Bills (0 speeches)
- 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 have been placed on the table. Report—by...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 (2 speeches)
by leave—Tuesday, 8 March 2016 marks two years since the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370. Members will recall that the scheduled flight between Kuala Lumpur and Beijing...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
A well-known tale of a man who, consumed by ambition, murders his king to take the throne for himself infamously culminates with the protagonist lamenting: Life's but a walking shadow, a poor...
- Salty Lake Film Fest (1 speech)
I am very proud of an initiative I have launched to celebrate the innovation and creativity of young people in my electorate of Corangamite and across the broader region. The Salty Lake Film Fest...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
I rise today to ask one simple question: when does good government start? We asked this question 2½ years ago. We asked it a year ago. And we are still asking that question. Australians are...
- Bexley North Public School Student-Led Parliament (1 speech)
Recently I had the pleasure of attending Bexley North Public School's student-led parliament in my electorate of Barton. I was fortunate enough to open the student mock parliament, along with...
- Domestic and Family Violence (1 speech)
Today I focus my comments on women's safety, particularly the safety of women who live in rural and regional Australia. Women need to feel safe in their homes and communities, and, for many...
- Cowan Electorate: Clean Up Australia Day (1 speech)
Today I would like to talk about the arrangements for Clean Up Australia Day on 6 March. This year I am sponsoring a clean-up day in the vicinity of Highview Park in Alexander Heights. I...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
Australia's Prime Minister today resembles nothing quite so much as the dog who caught the car. The role that he coveted for so long he has now acquired but has nothing to do with it, or at least...
- Liberal Party (1 speech, 1 comment)
Twenty years ago yesterday I, along with 50 other members, was elected as part of the class of '96. On this side of the House there was a bumper crop of 39 Liberal and National Party MPs, some...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
For the last six months the Turnbull government has flagged tax changes to the GST, negative gearing and superannuation. But as the Liberal backbench and the member for Warringah pressure him to...
- Hindmarsh Electorate: Marine Discovery Centre (1 speech)
Recently I visited the Marine Discovery Centre in my electorate of Hindmarsh in South Australia with the education minister, Senator Simon Birmingham, and his young daughter Amelia. I have been...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
Regrettably, I must rise today and disagree with some of my colleagues. They say there is no difference between Tony Abbott and Malcolm Turnbull, but I think that is completely untrue because we,...
- Local Government (3 speeches)
Today I speak again on the topic of local government.
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
There is a good chance that we have no more than five sitting days before the Prime Minister pulls the pin and calls a double dissolution election. But Australians have still got no idea about...
- Stronger Communities Program (1 speech)
I did not practice in front of the mirror like the member for Throsby. Over the past few weeks it has been my absolute privilege to support a number of great local projects which have received...
- Prime Minister (1 speech)
This is going to sound a bit controversial. I slightly disagree with the member for Throsby, with all respect, because I believe there is a lot in common between the current Prime Minister and...
- Taxation (3 speeches)
I rise today to speak on the negative impact that we will see from Labor's proposed changes to negative gearing in my electorate of Forde. I had a meeting with several of my real estate agency...
- Prime Minister (1 speech)
Last September when the Prime Minister disposed of the former Prime Minister, the now member for Warringah, there was a collective sigh of relief across the nation. I admit that. I was part of...
- Lindsay Electorate: Llandilo Public School (1 speech)
Today, I rise to acknowledge an incredible local public school in the Lindsay electorate—that is, Llandilo Public School, which is turning 150 this year. The member for Macquarie tells me...
- Prime Minister (3 speeches)
Sadly, the only cut that is different between Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbott is the cut of their suits.
- Northern Tasmania: Federal Circuit Court Judge (2 speeches)
The ALP's scare campaign over the replacement of the Northern Tasmanian Federal Circuit Court judge is irresponsible and is needlessly concerning vulnerable families. The position is not vacant...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Australians have been shocked and angered by evidence revealed at the royal commission into child sexual abuse. In September last year the royal commission's...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister please outline to the House how rural and regional Australia is successfully transitioning to the new economy?
- Turnbull Government (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to the Australian Federal Police investigation into leaked national security documents. The Treasurer said this morning: … whoever the culprit...
- Economy (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 how the government's policies are helping to grow...
- Taxation (4 speeches, 1 comment)
I thank the member very much for his question. Let us look at what the report has modelled. It has modelled, for established dwellings, the removal of a tax deductibility of losses on established...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I would like to inform members we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Premier of Tasmania, Mr Will Hodgman. On behalf of the House, I give you a warm welcome. We also have present...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Far North Queensland—paradise—is Australia's No. 2 destination for tourists, a quarter of whom are backpackers. It is a tourism industry only...
- Economy (3 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on how Australia is successfully transitioning to a more diversified economy. Is the Treasurer aware of any risks to jobs and...
- Taxation (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Today the Treasurer has continually staked his credibility on the credibility of the BIS Shrapnel report. Is the Prime Minister aware that respected...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
We also have present in the gallery Tasmanian minister Matthew Groom. We welcome you. I also inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon a delegation from Papua New Guinea...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Housing Affordability (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister update the House on what the government is doing to help Australians with the important issues of housing and rental...
- Taxation (5 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. This morning, when speaking about Labor's negative gearing policy, the Treasurer said, 'That's three strikes and you're out.' Is the Treasurer aware that the BIS...
- Workplace Relations (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science representing the Minister for Employment. Will the minister outline to the House the government's commitment to ensure that...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Are the reports accurate that the Prime Minister is preparing to walk away from changes to negative gearing because he has been backed into a corner by a...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that we have present in the gallery this afternoon a delegation from Germany led by Mr Volkmar Klein and also accompanied by the German ambassador, Mr Christoph Muller. I...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Justice and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister on Counter-Terrorism. Will the minister update the House on the Joint Police Taskforce into Industrial...
- Taxation (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Isn't it the case that, by not addressing what the Treasurer calls 'excesses' in negative gearing, the Prime Minister is choosing to protect tax breaks for...
- Defence White Paper (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business and Assistant Treasurer. Will the minister outline how the defence white paper and defence industry policy statement are supporting Australian...
- Budget (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Given the Prime Minister has been backed into a corner by the former Prime Minister and the backbench on almost every other part of the budget, will the...
- Defence White Paper (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia. Will the minister please update the House on the government's commitment to strengthen Australia's defence presence in...
- Turnbull Government (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Since he took the top job, the Prime Minister has put on the table tax changes to the GST, negative gearing and superannuation. But, as the former Prime...
- Business Investment (4 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister. How is the government encouraging investment in our economy, and are there other, alternative approaches?
- Turnbull Government (8 speeches, 1 comment)
In the past two weeks alone, Australians have seen leaked national security documents, the Prime Minister contradicted twice by his own office, an Assistant Treasurer contradicting the Prime...
- 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)
- Questions in Writing (2 speeches)
Mr speaker, under standing order 105(b) where replies have not been received 60 days after a question as first appeared on the Notice Paper, could I ask you to write to the Minister representing...
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Education (16 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable member for Adelaide proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion namely: The government undermining...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters; Report (1 speech)
by leave—On behalf of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters, I present corrigenda to its advisory report on the Commonwealth Electoral Amendment Bill 2016.
- 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)
- Poliversity (3 speeches)
The 2016 Lunar New Year celebrations, acknowledging the Year of the Monkey, were recently hosted by the member for Berowra, the Father of the House, and me here in one of our courtyards. Members...
- Redcliffe Opportunities for People's Enhancement, Dolphins Stadium (1 speech)
As school leavers, I am sure that we all wanted to integrate into working society and feel that we were valued members of the community. But this integration is sometimes harder for some than for...
- Labor Party Representation (1 speech)
I rise to talk about my mate Pat Dodson, who as we now know has been nominated by the Labor Party to fill an occasional vacancy as a result of a resignation from the Senate. I want to talk about...
- Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (1 speech)
This evening I want to raise the issue of the outbreak of Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome—more commonly known as POMS—that has occurred in Tasmania in recent weeks. This is an...
- Turnbull Government (6 speeches)
The Abbott-Turnbull government is tearing itself apart. It is dedicating all of its time to arguing with itself and none of its time delivering for Australians. This government is focusing on...
- Swan Electorate: National Stronger Regions Fund (2 speeches)
For something a bit different from the constant negativity coming from that side of the House I am going to speak about something positive from this side of the House. I rise to inform the House...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Animal Welfare (1 speech)
It is very fortuitous that you are in the chair, Deputy Speaker O'Neil. We have been shocked at the too-frequent revelations of needless cruelty in foreign abattoirs to Australian processed...
- Foreign Investment (1 speech)
I rise today to address the concerns raised by an increasing number of constituents in Barker regarding foreign ownership of agricultural land. These concerns are being expressed to me via my...
- Illicit Drugs (1 speech)
At the outset, I want to make it very clear that I strongly support drug law reform—our prohibitionist policies have not worked. Indeed, one of my very real concerns, shared by many who...
- Medicinal Marijuana (1 speech)
Last year I was invited—and took pleasure in accepting the invitation—to attend a forum in St Marys on medicinal cannabis. Around 50 people attended to advocate for changes to...
- Blair Electorate: Ipswich Motorway (1 speech)
Over the last decade, 20 per cent of Australia's economic and employment growth has occurred in South-East Queensland. One in seven Australians now live in the region, and by 2031 it will be one...
- Durack Electorate: Port Hedland (1 speech)
I am very pleased today to speak about one of the fabulous towns in my electorate, Port Hedland. Later this year Port Hedland will celebrate its 120th birthday. In one of Australia's most...
- Holt Electorate: Community Organisations (1 speech)
In the outer suburbs of Melbourne in my electorate of Holt and in many other electorates, it is vital that we support and invest in community organisations. The Cranbourne Information and Support...
- Capricornia Electorate: Water Infrastructure (1 speech)
I am often talking up the need for this government to support water infrastructure in Capricornia. In the southern part of my electorate I have been pushing for Commonwealth and state funding for...
- Taxation (1 speech)
Today's BIS Shrapnel report is yet another attempt by the coalition's dirty tricks department to discredit the Labor Party's evidence based and very sound negative gearing policy. The Liberal...
- International Women's Day (2 speeches)
Today we are acknowledging the significance of women on International Women's Day, which is celebrated or acknowledged on 8 March annually. This morning with many of my colleagues I had the...
- Royal Canberra Show (1 speech)
Last year I had the pleasure of meeting with a number of bread bakers and bread-making judges at the Canberra Show. I was out there working on a Labor stand, and I gravitated, as I always do, to...
- Exports, Lismore Samson Fitness Challenge (1 speech)
The beef industry is very important to my region, not only to the producers but also to the over 1,000 people who work at the local meatworks in Casino. I say to the locals who work there, 'What...
- Canberra International Flights (1 speech)
Travel broadens the mind. One reason Canberra is such a cosmopolitan city is that it is a city of travellers. Canberrans have always traded confidently in the international marketplace of...
- The Essington School (1 speech)
I rise to advise the House of a visit I had last Friday to The Essington School in my electorate of Solomon. It was a great opportunity for me to meet with the new student leadership team. I was...
- Vocational Education and Training (1 speech)
An unemployed constituent in my electorate has contacted me and is greatly concerned about the practices of agencies that mark themselves as jobs boards and use job seeker contact details to push...
- Taxation (3 speeches)
Housing is central to the Australian economy for a whole range of historical reasons, so today's BIS Shrapnel report on Labor's negative gearing policy and economic data released today bring this...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
Before I call the next member, we have present in the gallery the former Speaker of the House of Representatives, David Hawker, and on behalf of the Federation Chamber I wish him a warm welcome....
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Hunter Electorate: Working Holiday Visas (1 speech)
More than two years ago now, I contacted the Department of Immigration and Border Protection to express concern about the conditions or legitimacy of foreign workers at a mushroom farm just...
- Building and Construction Industry (1 speech)
Bring back the ABCC! I rise today to speak of the union wrongdoing and thuggery in my electorate of Brisbane. The royal commission into union corruption was an explosive inquiry which, despite...
- Tarrant, Mr Dennis (1 speech)
As representatives in this place we can be defined by various aspects of our work—by the places and communities we represent or by the issues we care about. But we are also defined by the...
- Geelong Star (2 speeches)
I rise today to again put on the public record my disdain and absolute objection to the operations of the Geelong Star. I was opposed to the FV Margiris super trawler that was to be implemented...
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Drugs (1 speech)
Yesterday Senator Richard Di Natale, Dr Sharman Stone and I, as co-convenors of the Parliamentary Group on Drug Policy and Law Reform, co-hosted a drugs summit here in Parliament House with the...
- RAAF Base Williamtown Contamination (1 speech)
I awoke with shock on 3 September to the Newcastle Herald headline 'Williamtown contaminated water warning: avoid bore water, fish, eggs'. The revelation that the PFOS contamination emanating...
- Red Tape Reduction (1 speech)
We hear a lot in this House about red tape. We hear a lot about the need to reduce it. We remember the infamous red tape repeal days—some of the best hits repealing redundant amendment acts...
- Road Infrastructure (1 speech)
A huge issue in my electorate and in the outer eastern suburbs of Melbourne—I see the member for Bruce is in the chamber and I am sure he would agree—is that the Monash Freeway is in...
- Health: Stroke (1 speech)
Stroke is one of Australia's biggest killers and is the leading cause of disability. One in six people has a stroke in their lifetime. Everyone who has a stroke has someone else who's life has...
- Israel (1 speech)
It is with some dismay that I rise today to acknowledge that 2016 marks 15 years since the seeds of the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions campaign, also known as BDS, began against Israel at the...
- Men's Shed Week (1 speech)
Next week is Men's Shed Week, and what a great week that is. Men's sheds are uniquely Australian. A lot of us do not know that. They are everywhere now, by the way. I have two in my electorate,...
- World Plumbing Day (1 speech)
I rise today in support of World Plumbing Day, which is coming up next week on 11 March. Last year I spoke about World Plumbing Day in this place, and I am pleased to again raise the awareness of...
- Election of Senators (1 speech)
I would like to speak on the matter of elections and electoral reform. Following the 2013 federal election the government requested the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters report on...
- Defence white paper (1 speech)
It is my very great pleasure to talk about the 2016 Defence white paper, which will shape the national security landscape for the next two decades. There is no doubt that the 2016 Defence white...
- McEwen Electorate: Community Organisation Funding (1 speech)
The Stronger Communities Program has been underway for almost 12 months. It provides grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 to fund small capital projects in local communities. To receive a grant,...
- Competition Policy (1 speech)
I rise to stand arm in arm with 20 industry bodies which are calling on the Turnbull government to amend section 46 of the Competition and Consumer Act. The current provision, which is meant to...
- Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (1 speech)
I grew up in a Catholic family and in a Catholic community. I went to a Catholic school for 11 years, I did all my sacraments and I went to church with my mother every Sunday. It is from that...
- Page Electorate: Eat the Street Food Festival, International Women's Day, Electoral Redistribution (4 speeches)
On Saturday, 12 March the Lismore CBD is going to be transformed into a street themed strip with market stalls, a beer garden, music stages, cooking demonstrations with celebrity guest chefs and...
- Indi Electorate: Hospitals (1 speech)
I am very proud to stand in this place today to acknowledge and thank all of the staff, boards and volunteers who work in the hospitals and health services of Indi in North-East Victoria. Our...
- Bennelong Electorate: Chinese New Year, Health: Hepatitis C (1 speech)
I am delighted in this chamber to talk about Bennelong's wonderful local Asian community. 2016 is the Year of the Money and, like every year, it will be met with celebrations throughout our...
- Broadband (2 speeches)
One of the questions I am frequently asked in my community is: 'When is the NBN coming to my suburb?' It is a question that is asked with increasing frustration and urgency by many local...
- South Australia: Government (1 speech)
The South Australian state Labor government is at it again. First they announced cuts to services in health at emergency departments at major hospitals such as the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, and...
