House debates
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Newcastle Electorate: Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards (1 speech)
I rise to honour a team of Newcastle police officers who were recognised last week at the annual Australian Crime and Violence Prevention Awards here in Parliament House. I wish to congratulate...
- Economy (1 speech)
Today is a great day for Australian jobs, particularly in the construction sector. I rise to celebrate how our government is getting on with the job of implementing our national economic plan and...
- Sciacca, the Hon. Con, AO (1 speech)
I rise to speak about my friend the Hon. Con Sciacca AO—a great friend to many in this place and an amazing Australian. In my first speech in this place, I said there were people who had...
- Page Electorate: Anniversary of Scouts Drowning Tragedy (1 speech)
On 12 December 73 years ago, Grafton experienced one of the worst tragedies it has ever had. It started as the annual Christmas picnic to Susan Island for 31 scouts and cubs. When they were...
- McEwen Electorate: Breast Cancer Awareness (1 speech)
Today I want to congratulate two young women in my electorate who are working hard to raise awareness of breast cancer and to get funds for this important cause. Kiara lost her mother, Michaela,...
- New Colombo Plan (1 speech)
I rise today to congratulate Eloise Adsett from Scarborough, who was this week officially awarded a New Colombo Plan scholarship. The New Colombo Plan has been overseen by the Minister for...
- Turnbull Government (1 speech)
Another parliamentary sitting day and another pratfall for the Prime Minister. Earlier today the Senate supported Labor's move to reduce the Turnbull-Joyce government's 32 per cent backpacker tax...
- Kale, Ms Rebecca (1 speech)
On this momentous day, when the ABCC has been brought back to the Australian construction industry, I rise today to speak about one of my younger constituents, Rebecca Kale of South Perth....
- Broadband (1 speech)
I have spoken many, many times in this House about how my community has been totally neglected by the Turnbull government's NBN rollout map. This is despite some areas of Canberra having the...
- Hughes Electorate: Community Awards (1 speech)
Volunteers are the glue that hold our community together. They are the ones we can count on in times of need to lend a helping hand and they ask nothing in return. And since 1997 the Hughes...
- Law Enforcement (1 speech)
It is becoming an all-too-familiar story: like many of my Labor colleagues, my electorate was visited during the recent election by the Minister for Justice, who came promising federal funding...
- Schools (1 speech)
The whole of Australia is grieving today with the results of an education study showing that we have fallen to 28th in the world—behind Kazakhstan, Slovenia and every other nation you have...
- Health Care (1 speech)
It is with some sadness that I rise to inform the House about the loss of funding for the Kentish health service in my electorate, with four weeks' notice. They are now scrambling to tell staff...
- Parliamentary Friendship Group for Armenia (1 speech)
Australia is home to one of the largest diasporas of people with an Armenian background. Some 50,000 Australians trace their heritage to this part of the world. Armenians have long been part of...
- Work for the Dole (1 speech)
This lead paragraph in a Tory Shepherd piece featured in the Adelaide Advertiser is absolutely staggering: A SEMAPHORE man dug through a pile containing asbestos while part of a Work for the Dole...
- Movember (1 speech)
I rise today on the very serious issue of men's health and also to explain the hairy abomination that has manifested itself on my top lip this month of 'Movember'. The idea of Movember was...
- Townsville Hospital (1 speech)
I rise in this place today to give a huge vote of thanks to the amazing and dedicated doctors, nurses and all staff at the Townsville Hospital. Whilst I have been here in Canberra for these two...
- Working Holiday Maker Program (5 speeches)
Yesterday, I rose in this place to speak about how relieved I was that I had finally been able to report back to my electorate of Murray that we had found a resolution on the backpacker tax...
- Pest Control (1 speech)
Carenda Jenkins, in the Herbert River Express, says it all: 'The bats are smelling out the place in hot, steamy weather. Pigs and rats are chewing through millions of dollars of cane, whilst...
- Groom Electorate: Pittsworth District Alliance (1 speech)
I have shared with the House the successes and the challenges in the electorate of Groom, particularly in Toowoomba and certainly around Oakey. The other important rural township of Pittsworth I...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- National Security (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. I refer to a leaked cabinet document from within the Turnbull government marked 'sensitive' and 'protected'. Given the document refers to details of past and...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the government's achievements, including how our economic reform— An incident having occurred in the...
- Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
- Public Gallery: Incident (10 speeches)
I thank the House. Obviously, the action I took in suspending the sitting was a last resort, as members would know and have witnessed. I wondered whether we could plough on in the extraordinary...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- National Security (8 speeches)
I wish to add to an answer. I am advised that, in fact, shortly before question time the Secretary of the Department of Social Services, Mr Finn Pratt, did refer the matter that the member for...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Building and Construction Industry (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the government's achievements, including how our economic reforms are driving jobs and growth? How will the...
- Working Holiday Maker Program (5 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Ever since the government announced the 32½ per cent backpacker tax in the 2015 budget, it has been mired in complete and utter chaos. Given that the...
- Economy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the government's efforts to arrest the debt, increase wages for hardworking Australians and protect our AAA credit rating?...
- Attorney-General (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister rule out appointing Senator Brandis to a diplomatic or judicial post before the next election?
- Tasmania: Soccer (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Prime Minister, thank you for your time last week and for allowing me to brief you on the proposal for a Tasmanian A-League football team. Obviously, a...
- Building and Construction Industry (2 speeches)
My question is for the Minister for Defence Industry representing the Minister for Employment. Will the minister outline how the Australian Building and Construction Commission will help restore...
- Schools (7 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. During the 2013 election, the Liberals promised they were on a unity ticket with Labor on school funding. After that election, the Liberals cut $30 billion...
- Building and Construction Industry (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science. Will the minister update the House on how the Australian Building and Construction Commission will assist Australian industry,...
- Prime Minister (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday in question time the Prime Minister said the reason he sold out of a Cayman Islands 'vulture fund' was that his investment adviser told him to. Can...
- Skilled Migration Program (13 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on the importance of ensuring the 457 visas program acts as a supplement to and not a...
- Minister for Social Services (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister confirm that yesterday he wrote to me in his capacity as Minister for Social Services stating that he would refuse to table...
- Foreign Policy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister advise the House on the importance of strong leadership in dealing with international security issues? Is the minister aware...
- Minister for Social Services (4 speeches)
My question is again to the Minister for Social Services. I refer to the minister's previous answer. The WA Treasurer told his parliament: We contacted the then Assistant Minister to the Prime...
- Agriculture Industry (2 speeches)
My question is to the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources. Will the Deputy Prime Minister outline to the House what measures the government has taken to support...
- Asbestos (18 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. I refer to ongoing concerns about asbestos entering the Australian construction industry through illegal imports. Has the minister had any...
- Australian Defence Force (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Veterans’ Affairs. Will the minister update the House on the measures the government is implementing to improve the mental health of our Australian...
- Questions without Notice: Additional Answers (0 speeches)
- Minister for Social Services (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to correct a small matter in the first answer that I gave to the Leader of Opposition Business. I did say that when I spoke to the minister for...
- Minister for Revenue and Financial Services (1 speech)
Mr Speaker, I seek the indulgence of the chair to add to an answer from question time yesterday. In addition to my answer to the question from the member for Sydney yesterday, I can advise the...
- Documents (0 speeches)
- Presentation (1 speech)
Documents are tabled in accordance with the list circulated to honourable members earlier today. Full details of the documents will be recorded in the Votes and Proceedings.
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Schools (18 speeches)
I have received a letter from the honourable the Deputy Leader of the Opposition proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
- Schools (24 speeches)
In terms of where we are up to in the—
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Western Australian State Election (1 speech)
If I may, I would like to start my adjournment speech by quickly wishing my sister, Rebecca Morris, a very happy birthday. Rebecca and I were born in the same hospital—the Kwinana Maternity...
- Maranoa Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Today marks a very important day for the people of Maranoa, and particularly those who have been impacted by the inland rail and the corridor from Goondiwindi to Toowoomba. I was proud today to...
- Community Legal Centres (1 speech)
On Friday, we, as a nation, stood together united as we said 'Not Now, Not Ever' to domestic violence. On Monday the Prime Minister stood in this place and talked about the importance of...
- Kilmore East-Kinglake Class Action (1 speech)
Almost 12 months ago, a dreadful bushfire swept through the Great Ocean Road townships of Wye River and Separation Creek, destroying 116 homes. On that fateful Christmas Day, it was a miracle...
- Dental Health (1 speech)
My father was a dentist and a very good dentist and my brother, Andrew Freelander, is also a very good dentist and is highly respected in his community. So this speech is partly for them. I might...
- Murray Electorate: Free Trade Agreement Seminar (1 speech)
I take this opportunity in the adjournment debate to inform the electorate of Murray that next Wednesday we are going to be holding a free trade agreement seminar. It will be held in Shepparton...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Richmond Electorate: Feros Care (1 speech)
In my electorate of Richmond, Feros Care, a not-for-profit aged and community care organisation, has launched a 12-week trial program called the virtual seniors centre. This innovative program...
- Flynn Electorate: Backpackers (1 speech)
Today I would like to talk about backpackers but, more importantly, the workforce in rural areas of the country such as in my electorate of Flynn. This comes under quite a few headings. We need a...
- Lalor Electorate: Multiculturalism (1 speech)
I rise this morning to talk about harmony and the threats to harmony in the community of Lalor. I attended a citizenship ceremony last weekend. One of the absolute pleasures of being a member of...
- Fairfax Electorate (1 speech)
I am a big believer in the old style of politics—the town hall, the street corner, the doorknocks; I also believe in using new technology. Of course, being in Canberra you cannot doorknock...
- Denison Electorate: Light Rail (1 speech)
Building light rail in Hobart would link communities, reduce road traffic congestion, ease the cost of living and help clean up the environment. And it could be easily achieved because the land...
- Barker Electorate: Almondco Australia (1 speech)
I rise to speak on the success of a great Riverland business in my electorate of Barker. Founded as a growers' cooperative in 1944, Almondco Australia processes and markets almonds for more than...
- Robertson Electorate: Charities (1 speech)
The festive spirit shines through on the coast at Christmas. Coast Shelter is a not-for-profit charity which has been working to make a difference for the most vulnerable people in our community...
- Durack Electorate: Sport (1 speech)
I am very pleased to speak about the glue which plays a vital role in keeping regional and rural communities together, and what I am referring to is sport. 2016 will be looked upon as the year...
- Asbestos Related Diseases (1 speech)
Tomorrow the Parliamentary Group on Asbestos Related Disease will hold an informal reception here at Parliament House to remember those we have lost to asbestos related disease, those who still...
- Working Holiday Maker Program (2 speeches)
I thought I would take the opportunity today to make a contribution to the working holiday-maker reform package, which has its roots in the lifting of the tax-free threshold in 2012 from $6,000...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Death of Mrs Jo Cox (11 speeches)
On 17 October, I moved a motion paying tribute to Mrs Jo Cox, the former member of the House of Commons in the UK, which was seconded by my good friend the member for Griffith. Having spoken on...
- Ministerial Statements (0 speeches)
- Infrastructure (6 speeches)
This week we learned that the member for Warringah, the former Prime Minister, perhaps the shadow Prime Minister in many respects, intends to spend his summer writing a follow-up to his book...
- Motions (0 speeches)
- Domestic and Family Violence (8 speeches)
The issue of violence against women has garnered quite a lot a attention recently. While the immediate context may be the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, I would...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Economics Committee; Report (4 speeches)
It is a pleasure to appear before you member for Canning, presiding over this chamber for the first time when I am in it.
