House debates
Monday, 12 September 2016
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Selection Committee; Report (1 speech)
I present the report of the determinations made pursuant to a resolution of the House on 31 August 2016 relating to private members' business today, Monday, 12 September. Copies of the report...
- Treaties Committee; Membership (1 speech)
I have received a message from the Senate informing the House that Senators Back, Farrell, Fawcett, Hanson-Young, Macdonald, Singh and Sterle have been appointed members of the Joint Standing...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
At the request of the member for Kennedy, I fix the next sitting Monday as the day for presenting the Dairy Produce Amendment (Milk Marketing Board) Bill 2016.
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
At the request of the member for Kennedy, I fix the next sitting Monday as the day for presenting the Banking Commission of Inquiry Bill 2016. At the request of the member for Kennedy, I fix the...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Telecommunications (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) acknowledges that: (a) improving mobile communications is of critical importance for people living in regional and remote parts of Australia; and (b) the Government...
- National Servicemen (8 speeches, 1 comment)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises the important role that national servicemen played in the defence of Australia; (2) acknowledges that Australia owes a great debt to these men who...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Economy and National Security (2 speeches)
by leave—Today, I will update the House on important global economic and security developmentsaffecting directly and immediately the national interests of all Australians. Last week I...
- Business (0 speeches)
- Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (1 speech)
I ask leave of the House to move a motion to suspend standing order 43 until the conclusion of the speech on the address-in-reply by the member for Wills. Leave granted. I move: That standing...
- Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
- Address-in-Reply (2 speeches)
Before I call the honourable member for Wills, I remind the House that this is the honourable member's first speech. I ask the House to extend to him the usual courtesies.
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Lalor Electorate: Thomas Chirnside Primary School (1 speech)
I rise today to share with the House a visit I made recently to Thomas Chirnside Primary School in my electorate. Principal Bev Thompson invited me to come and see their professional learning...
- Hughes Electorate: Kirrawee High School (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate Kirrawee High School on their 50 anniversary, which will be celebrated on Saturday, 17 September between 10 am and 3 pm. Since opening its...
- Eid al-Adha (1 speech)
Today the Australian Muslim community is celebrating Eid al-Adha with Muslims around the world. Eid al-Adha describes events which are found in almost identical terms in the Quran, the Torah and...
- Bowman Electorate: North Stradbroke Island (1 speech)
Very important in my electorate of Bowman is the fate of North Stradbroke Island and mining. I want to make it very clear that I am utterly committed to continuing economically sensible and...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
While changing the recipe for a well-known product is not something you do lightly, Arnott's learnt this the hard way when they misjudged the palates of the nation and changed the recipe for...
- Vietnam Veterans Day, Battle of Long Tan: 50th Anniversary (1 speech)
Recently it was my privilege to attend the Cockscomb veterans' retreat at Cawarral near Yeppoon to mark two equally important occasions: Vietnam Veterans Day and the 50th anniversary since the...
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (1 speech)
Most of the time in this House we present arguments both in favour of a proposal and in opposition to it. We review our proposal shaped by extensive consultation and collaboration between...
- Flynn Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
Central Queensland is arguably the strongest sporting region in Australia—and before I get all the boos and heckles from over there, I meant on a per capita basis—and home to great...
- Richmond Electorate: Rio de Janeiro Paralympic Games (1 speech)
I would like to wish all our Paralympians the very best of luck in Rio and acknowledge those who have already competed and those competing in the coming days. In particular, I would like to...
- Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about those amazing athletes who represented Barker at the Rio 2016 Olympics. To represent Australia at the Olympic Games is an honour not many young people will have the...
- Broadband (1 speech)
I rise today to express my concern about the poor coordination of the NBN long-term satellite rollout in my electorate of Indi. A significant number of constituents have contacted my office to...
- Dowerin Field Day (1 speech)
I am very pleased to speak about the fabulous 52nd annual Dowerin GWN7 Machinery Field Day, which I recently attended. Over 160 kilometres north-east of Perth, Dowerin is a magnificent and...
- Marriage (1 speech)
Why should gay and lesbian Australians have to have their right to love expressed through marriage subject to a divisive and vitriolic campaign and national vote? Clearly the majority of...
- Royal Flying Doctor Service (1 speech)
Mr Deputy Speaker, this is the first time I have spoken since you have been in the chair. Congratulations on your elevation to that position. I stand before you today as living proof that the...
- Thornett, Mr Ken (1 speech)
On 17 August, Parramatta lost one of its own. Ken Thornett was an international, national and local sporting legend. In a sporting career spanning two codes and two continents, his skills were...
- Australia (1 speech)
Congratulations, Deputy Speaker Coulton. Sometimes we receive letters that are just so special they deserve a wider audience. Julie is a local surf club volunteer, and the following are words...
- Bendigo Electorate: Defence Procurement (1 speech)
Overnight it was revealed that new service uniforms to be worn by Australian soldiers are being manufactured in China, because that represents best value for money, according to the Department of...
- Deakin Electorate: Road Infrastructure (3 speeches)
This morning the results for this year's RACV Leader News Redspot Traffic Congestion Survey were revealed, and the findings will not come as a surprise to those on this side of the House and...
- Kilgour Prize, Gardiner, Mr Peter (2 speeches)
I rise today to acknowledge the outstanding achievement of Peter Gardiner, a resident artist in my electorate of Newcastle. Peter has just won the 2016 Kilgour Prize, Newcastle Art Gallery's...
- Ministerial Arrangements (0 speeches)
- (4 speeches)
The Minister for Social Services will be absent from question time today as he is attending to a personal matter. The Minister for Human Services will answer questions on his behalf. Mr Burke...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Marriage (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney has said that the Prime Minister gave an unambiguous commitment to provide taxpayer funding for a no campaign against...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister advise the House on developments in the economy over the last year and why strong economic leadership is vital to securing...
- Marriage (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister, and it refers to his previous answer. If public funding is a matter for cabinet, why then did the Prime Minister secretly promise marriage equality opponents...
- National Security (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the alleged terrorism incident that occurred in Sydney on Saturday afternoon, and what steps the government has...
- Marriage (8 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to his previous answers to the opposition today. Just to be clear: before the election, did the Prime Minister tell the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney...
- Roads (9 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. The people of Indi were made a series of funding commitments by the government during the campaign. On 23 June, $10 million was...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I would like to inform the house that we have present in the gallery this afternoon the Hon. Ross Free, the former member for Lindsay and former minister in the Hawke and Keating governments, and...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question goes to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the recent positive economic results and how this government has strengthened our economy over the last 12 months?
- Employment (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Unemployment in Australia is higher than in the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan and Germany. Is this what the Prime Minister means when he says 'so...
- Agriculture Industry (5 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the minister update the house on what measures the government has taken in the last year that has supported the...
- Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Treasurer, yesterday the Deputy Prime Minister refused to release the cost-benefit analysis for the relocation of the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary...
- Defence Procurement (6 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry. Will the minister inform the House why a sovereign defence industry capability is vital to Australia's national security and international...
- Donations to Political Parties (4 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the foreign minister. I refer to the receipt of $500,000 in donations by the Western Australian division of the Liberal Party by companies with links to the Chinese government...
- Taxation (7 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the progress of the Australian Taxation Office in relation to the recovery of debt? What advice does he have for businesses...
- Donations to Political Parties (12 speeches)
My question is again to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer to the foreign minister's acceptance of a media tablet, airfares and accommodation from Huawei. Has the foreign minister ever...
- Medicare (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Health and Aged Care. Will the minister update the House on how the government has strengthened our health system to ensure Medicare is well placed to support...
- Marriage (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to reports that the Catholic Archbishop of Sydney, Anthony Fisher, and the Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, have written to the...
- National Security (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on how the government's actions have kept our borders safe since 2013 and emptied the...
- Turnbull Government (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister has listed the following as achievements of the Turnbull government's: the Defence white paper, the China-Australia free trade agreement...
- Innovation and Science (4 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Will the minister update the House on the progress of the government's National Innovation and Science Agenda, announced in...
- Turnbull Government (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister aware that the Liberal Party's list of achievements for the Turnbull government is twice as long as the achievements for the entire...
- Broadband (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Urban Infrastructure representing the Minister for Communications. Will the minister further update the House on the strong progress of the NBN rollout under...
- Turnbull Government (6 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister lost 14 MPs in the election, and last time the parliament sat the Prime Minister lost another eight MPs, including three ministers. Is...
- Cashless Debit Card Trials (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Will the minister inform the House of the progress of the cashless debit card trials? How is the trial reducing the harm caused by alcohol, drug...
- Privilege (0 speeches)
- (2 speeches)
I wish to raise a matter of privilege. In doing so, I refer to page 753 of Practice that deals with improper interference with the free performance of a member and, on the following page,...
- Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
- (6 speeches)
I wish to make a personal explanation.
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Report Nos 14 and 15 of 2016-17 (1 speech)
I present the following Auditor-General's Audit reports for 2016-17: report No. 14 Performance Audit Report: abatement crediting and purchasing under the Emissions Reduction Fund: Clean Energy...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Documents are presented as listed in the schedule circulated to honourable members earlier today. Details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Parliamentary Office Holders (0 speeches)
- Speaker's Panel (1 speech)
Pursuant to standing order 17(a), I lay on the table my warrant nominating the honourable member for Wright to be a member of the Speaker’s panel to assist the chair when requested to do so...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Nye, Mr Bryan OAM (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, on indulgence, this morning Mr Bryan Nye, the former chief executive of the Australasian Railway Association, who will be known to many members of this House and indeed the Senate,...
- Governor-General's Speech (0 speeches)
- Address-in-Reply (13 speeches)
I am privileged and humbled to stand here today as the new member for Dunkley. My role is to serve the people of Dunkley, and I thank them for placing their trust in me. I have a great example of...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Anniversaries of the Battles of Long Tan, Fromelles and Pozieres (1 speech)
Since this parliament last met, there have been a number of significant anniversaries on which Australia has paused to remember our fallen men. I would like to speak about a number of...
- North Sydney Electorate: Bushcare Volunteers (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge in this parliament the hundreds of Bushcare volunteers who work across my electorate to protect our stunning local environment and care for our remnant urban bushland. The...
- Environmental Conservation (1 speech)
The two largest conservation decisions which have ever been made in the history of our planet both had their origins in this parliament. The largest conservation decision in history was when Bob...
- Western Australia: Mining Industry (1 speech)
I rise tonight to express grave concerns about a misguided tax policy in my home state that would damage the resources sector, particularly the iron ore industry. Last month the WA Nationals...
- Rio de Janeiro Olympic and Paralympic Games (1 speech)
Every four years the world comes together in the greatest show of humanity and athleticism to marvel at the sporting feats of the world's greatest athletes at the Olympic Games....
- Bennelong Electorate: Olympic and Paralympic Games (2 speeches)
Along with my colleague the member for Kingsford Smith and many other Australians, I was an avid watcher of the recent Rio Olympics. Our athletes gave their all and came away with incredible...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Scullin Electorate: Bubup Wilam (1 speech)
Thank you, Deputy Speaker Coulton, and I take this opportunity to congratulate you on your elevation to the high office you now occupy. I wish you all the best in it. I rise to inform this place...
- Hughes Electorate: Moorebank Intermodal Terminal (1 speech)
I have long argued in this place that the Moorebank intermodal terminal is destined to become a white elephant, an example of a planning fallacy. It will not work as a major distribution centre...
- Australian Public Service: Workplace Relations (1 speech)
In recent weeks, I have spoken to dozens of public servants across the northern suburbs of Brisbane. They are absolutely dismayed by the attacks on their living standards and rights at work by...
- Moreton Electorate: Mid-Autumn Festival (1 speech)
As a member representing a strong multicultural community, I wish everyone here Zhongqiujie kuaile, which is Mandarin for 'happy Mid-Autumn Festival'. I know we are actually kicking off spring...
- Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (1 speech)
National redress is what I rise to speak about today. But, firstly, I take this opportunity to congratulate you, Mr Deputy Speaker, on your elevation to the Deputy Speaker's chair. I know the...
- Wakefield Electorate: Stronger Communities Program (1 speech)
I rise to inform the House about the Stronger Communities Program round 2 in my electorate and some of the important projects within it. The Elizabeth RSL received around $19,700 for a car park...
- Marriage (1 speech)
I want to spend a couple of minutes, if I could, on the importance of a plebiscite on same-sex marriage. My electorate has had this question asked three times in the last three years in a...
- Hindmarsh Electorate: William Kibby VC Veterans Shed (1 speech)
On Thursday, 8 September 2016, I had the great pleasure of visiting a magnificent group within the electorate of Hindmarsh in Glenelg, and that was the members of the William Kibby VC Veterans...
- Goldstein Electorate: Clubs (2 speeches)
I am privileged to be able to conduct my first statement to the Federation Chamber as the new member for Goldstein. Goldstein is an electorate that embodies community spirit. To that end, over...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Penalty Rates (11 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...
- Sesquicentenary of the Sisters of St Joseph (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) celebrates the sesquicentenary of the Sisters of St Joseph and acknowledges the inspiration of St Mary of the Cross Mackillop; (2) acknowledges the great works that...
- Asbestos (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Government's Asbestos Safety and Eradication Agency's (ASEA's) Chief Executive Officer, Mr Peter Tighe, describes the emerging problem of asbestos...
- Infrastructure (7 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises the importance of well-developed transport links in regional Australia and the role they play in linking rural and regional communities; (2)...
- National Stroke Week (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that: (a) National Stroke Week: (i) will take place from 12 to 18 September 2016; and (ii) seeks to raise awareness about the need...
- Domestic and Family Violence (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that Women's Legal Services Australia and 90 other organisations concerned with family violence wrote to all political leaders in May 2016 calling on them to...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Canning Electorate: Battle of Long Tan: 50th Anniversary (1 speech)
On 18 August I had the privilege of attending the Vietnam War commemorative service held at the Mandurah War Memorial in my electorate of Canning. Of course, 18 August marks the anniversary of...
- Moreton Electorate: Tarragindi Bowls Club (1 speech)
Yesterday I attended a community barbecue organised by the Annerley branch of the Australian Labor Party with the member for Griffith, Terri Butler, the Minister for Energy, the Hon. Mark Bailey,...
- Bonner Electorate: Dementia Awareness Month (1 speech)
Today I rise to speak about fantastic initiatives in my Bonner electorate to increase support in the community for people living with dementia and for their carers. As you are aware, this month...
- Moreton Electorate: CresWalk2016 (1 speech)
On Sunday 4 December, Father's Day, I went along with my son, Stanley, and a couple of his friends to participate in the Crescents of Brisbane walk on the banks of the Brisbane River. CresWalk,...
- Page Electorate: Woodenbong Central School (1 speech)
Today I would like to take the opportunity to highlight some of the outstanding achievements of students who attend, or have attended, Woodenbong Central School. Woodenbong Central School has...
- Canberra Electorate: Australia Day Celebrations (1 speech)
Canberra's Australia Day celebrations have attracted tens of thousands of attendees and millions of viewers in every year since 2004. So I was shocked when the National Australia Day Council...
- Swan Electorate: Roads (1 speech)
I would like to speak about one of the infrastructure achievements in my electorate of Swan, which is the Gateway WA project. This year, in April, the Prime Minister came to Perth and announced...
- Moreton Electorate (1 speech)
In my role as federal member, occasionally I get some curly phone calls coming through to my office. I received one the other day. Obviously, being in a marginal seat, I always do what I can to...
- Corangamite Electorate: Avalon Airport (1 speech)
It is my great pleasure to rise today to celebrate a wonderful announcement for our region. Cotton On, an incredible company employing in excess of 20,000 people around the world and some 1,500...
- Canberra Electorate: Tuggeranong United Football Club (1 speech)
On Saturday night I had the great honour and privilege of attending the Tuggeranong United Football Club presentation night, which was also a celebration of its 40th anniversary. The Tuggeranong...
- Internet Content (1 speech)
Last week, I met a very passionate woman named Liz Walker. Liz is helping families locally and around Australia start a conversation with their children in schools about pornography and the...
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
On Friday 9 September I was joined by eight other Queensland MPs and senators in hearing from the CPSU members who are taking part in industrial action where they are trying to strike a deal with...
- Macedonia (1 speech)
Last week, it was a real pleasure to be invited to the Macedonian embassy in Canberra to celebrate the 25th anniversary of that nation's independence. It was known previously as 'the Socialist...
- Melbourne Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
Schools in my electorate are bursting at the seams. At North Melbourne Primary School, classes are being taught in the corridors because the classrooms are too full. Teachers are sharing...
- Hewitt, Sir Neville (1 speech)
I rise to pay tribute to respected Queensland National Country Party stalwart Mr Neville Hewitt. Mr Hewitt passed away in Rockhampton, aged 96, on 19 July. With his passing, Central Queensland...
- Canberra Electorate: Wanniassa Preschool (1 speech)
Yesterday afternoon, I had the great pleasure of attending the Wanniassa Preschool Family Fun Day, another 40th birthday celebration. The Valley is turning 40! The preschool is part of the...
- Fisher Electorate: Small Business (1 speech)
As a parochial adopted Queenslander, I am proud to say that my electorate of Fisher on Queensland's beautiful Sunshine Coast is home to some very innovative and forward-thinking small businesses....
- Moreton Electorate: Yeronga Meals on Wheels (1 speech)
On Thursday, 8 September, something momentous happened in my electorate: we said goodbye to a legend. At the AGM for the Yeronga Meals on Wheels, the president of nine years, Audrey Wise, stepped...
- HMAS Tobruk (1 speech)
I want to recognise all of the Australians who have served on the HMAS Tobruk, which was commissioned back in 1981. Obviously based on the Round Table class of the Royal Navy, it was purchased at...
- Melbourne Electorate: Spirit of Moonee Valley Awards (1 speech)
Today I want to tell parliament about the recipients of the Spirit of Moonee Valley award for their work in the community—particularly Farah Warsame, Adrian Salvatore and Ruth Cook for...
- Flynn Electorate (1 speech)
I wish to speak today on the privilege of being elected for a third term representing Flynn. I would like to thank my family, friends and supporters for their steadfast assistance through the...
- Canberra Electorate: Mawson Hindu Temple (1 speech)
Yesterday I had the honour of attending the Mawson Hindu temple. It was a first for me in terms of going into the temple. I have been to events there, but it was my first experience of the...
- Exercise Northern Shield (1 speech)
I am very pleased to speak about the Exercise Northern Shield 2016 which occurred in Broome and Derby in my electorate over the past fortnight, finishing up last Friday. The Exercise Northern...
- World Arts and Multi-Culture Incorporated (1 speech)
I recognise that one of the best parts of this job is being involved in a citizenship ceremony. On Saturday, 27 August, at 10 am—not at 9.59 at night at 10.01—the World Arts and...
- Netball (1 speech)
Netball is a rapidly growing sport in Australia where we continue to produce some of the world's best players. In the eastern region of Melbourne alone, there are around 20,000 registered...
- Melbourne Electorate: Moon Festival, Melbourne Electorate: Bilingual Education (1 speech)
My electorate is home to large Chinese and Vietnamese communities, who have made a massive contribution to Melbourne. Many members of the community are this week celebrating the Moon Festival,...
- Rural Newspapers (1 speech)
I rise to acknowledge the important role that rural press has for rural communities. My electorate of Barker is over 60,000 square kilometres and encompasses a large variety of regions, people...
- National Rugby League (1 speech)
As we come into the National Rugby League finals time, I want to particularly pass my best wishes to the Queensland teams that are left in that competition and pass on my condolences to the...
- Gilmore Electorate: Rural Fire Service, Gilmore Electorate: Batemans Bay Indoor Aquatic Centre Committee, Battle of Long Tan: 50th Anniversary (2 speeches)
Last election, Gilmore changed and now includes Batemans Bay. Recently, I had the opportunity to take part in a number of local events. Firstly, the opening of the Runnyford Rural Fire Service...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Cameron, Mr Eoin Harrap (5 speeches)
I am very pleased to stand on the motion of condolence in relation to Eoin Harrap Cameron, who was the member for Stirling from 1993 to 1998—a short career of about 5½ years. But he...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- National Security (2 speeches)
Australia faces a series of strategic challenges over the next couple of decades. These include the interactions of the great powers—namely the United States, Russia and China in...
- Grievance Debate (0 speeches)
- Veterans (1 speech)
I rise tonight to address an issue which has increasingly concerned me and many within my community and was exemplified by an excellent investigation by Ruth Lamperd in the Herald Sun on 14...
- Telecommunications (1 speech)
I rise today to talk about mobile phone blackspots in my electorate of Barker. As you know well, Deputy Speaker Hogan, good mobile phone coverage is essential for economic productivity, not to...
- Parramatta Electorate: Parramatta War Memorial Swimming Centre (1 speech)
In the local council elections on Saturday, it is probably fair to say that candidates of the Liberal persuasion came in for a bit of a drubbing. I have noted Barnaby Joyce, the Deputy Prime...
- Durack Electorate (2 speeches)
I am pleased to rise today to outline some of what I want to achieve for my electorate of Durack this term and what I have achieved since I was elected as the member for Durack three years...
- Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (2 speeches)
I, like many others, when first coming to this House was completely bemused by the acronyms of the vast array of medical, educational and social issues that had not yet become part of my everyday...
