House debates
Monday, 27 March 2017
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Petitions (0 speeches)
- Statements (1 speech)
It is encouraging to see so many petitions being responded to, which helps to foster citizen engagement in the petitioning system and in parliament more broadly. I will continue to update the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Delegation Reports (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Tuberculosis (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) 24 March is World Tuberculosis Day, and marks the anniversary of German Nobel Laureate Dr Robert Koch's 1882 discovery of the bacterium that causes...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- New South Wales: Gosford By-Election (1 speech)
There are only two weeks until the Gosford by-election on 8 April. The prepoll is open, and residents on the Woy Woy peninsula have a clear choice when they vote. Locals have not forgotten that...
- Bennelong Innovation Fair (2 speeches)
The day I know you have all been waiting for is finally here, the day of the Bennelong Innovation Fair. There are no more sleepless nights sick with anticipation. We have virtual reality, we have...
- AFL Women's League (1 speech)
After the weekend, some may remark that footy is back. Whilst we enjoyed a great game, seeing the Crows beat GWS yesterday, of course footy has been back since February this year, when...
- Boothby Electorate: St Vincent De Paul Society (1 speech)
On 15 March, I attended the opening and rededication of the St Vincent De Paul Society's shopping outlet store at Brighton. Parish priest the Reverend Dr Anthony Kain and I had the great honour...
- Asylum Seekers (1 speech)
Saeed—not his real name—is currently in Villawood detention centre, threatened with deportation. He is a stateless man from a religious minority who faced persecution in Iraq, where...
- Gold Crown Carnival (1 speech)
I wish to draw the attention of the House to the fact that over 5,000 people flocked to the Bathurst paceway for the Gold Crown Carnival last week, one of Australia's premier harness-racing...
- Pensions and Benefits (1 speech)
Tasmanians awoke yesterday to a special feature in the Sunday Tasmanian: 'Thousands endure a life of struggle.' It tells the story of life for age pensioners in Tasmania, and it is heartbreaking....
- Schools (1 speech)
I strongly support the current budget submission by the National School Chaplaincy Association, the peak body for school chaplaincy, for expanded funding for the next five years to 2023. In...
- West Footscray Festival of Colours (3 speeches)
Yesterday people from across Melbourne's west came together to celebrate the West Footscray Festival of Colours in Barkly Village in my electorate. It was a fantastic success. Barkly Street was...
- Canning Electorate: Australian Football League (1 speech)
As the footy season starts I rise to acknowledge the men and women of Canning who put Peel footy on the map in 2016. I would like to start with the Peel Thunder league team, who last year...
- Brand Electorate: Comet Bay College (1 speech)
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit Comet Bay College and the south of my electorate of Brand, located between the equally beautiful Secret Harbour and Golden Bay. Comet Bay...
- Corangamite Electorate: Bluewater Leisure Centre (1 speech)
I was delighted to join hundreds of basketballers in Colac yesterday to celebrate the very first games to be held at the new basketball stadium at Bluewater Leisure Centre. Colac Basketball...
- Macquarie Electorate: Huntingdon's Disease (1 speech)
At the weekend, I had the pleasure of joining around 100 women and a few men at Windsor bowling club to raise funds for research into Huntington's Disease at a High Tea for HD. Amidst champagne,...
- Cayzer, Dr Bill (1 speech)
Today, I would like to acknowledge and thank Dr Bill Cayzer. Dr Cayzer moved to Grafton for what was to be a five-year stint after he graduated from the University of Sydney 37 years ago. This...
- Lalor Electorate: Featherbrook College (1 speech)
I recently had the pleasure of visiting Featherbrook prep to 9 college in my electorate. This is a brand-new school in the electorate. I was invited to discuss democracy and Australia's political...
- Petrie Electorate: Bounty Boulevard State School (1 speech)
I have great news on an outstanding example of putting politics aside and pulling together for the common good. The House may recall my calls in February for Queensland's education minister Kate...
- Jagajaga Electorate: Eltham High School (1 speech)
Congratulations to everyone at Eltham High School for your participation in the 'Do it in a Dress' campaign. Over 40 students at the uniform-free Eltham High in my electorate of Jagajaga have...
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
It is a pleasure to follow the member for Jagajaga. I hope to hear some positive news back from her with her contact with the new Western Australian government regarding redress for forgotten...
- Northern Territory (1 speech)
The people of the Northern Territory are reeling from the news that $2 billion of GST revenue will be ripped from us in the next few years. I cannot overstate the devastating impact this has...
- Small Business (2 speeches)
I would like to send a thank you to the small businesses in my electorate of Hughes, especially those in the retail, hospitality and fast-food sectors. As Sir Robert Menzies said in his...
- Condolences (0 speeches)
- Statements on Indulgence (0 speeches)
- Cyclone Debbie (4 speeches)
I rise to speak to the people of Far North Queensland, who are facing some very challenging and dangerous days ahead. Tropical Cyclone Debbie is likely to particularly affect the people of the...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is the Prime Minister looking after big business with a nearly $50 billion tax handout while doing nothing to stop nearly 700,000 workers having their...
- Energy (7 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the action the government is taking, including ordering the ACCC to review electricity prices, to ensure that...
- Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. In question time last Thursday, the Prime Minister refused to say whether his submission would ask the Fair Work Commission not to implement the penalty...
- Energy (4 speeches, 1 comment)
My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on the government's efforts to drive down energy costs for hardworking Australians and their families? How is the government...
- Workplace Relations (4 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. On Friday, Labor made a submission to the Fair Work Commission, including opposing any move to review and cut the penalty rates of 84,000 workers in the...
- Distinguished Visitors (0 speeches)
- (1 speech)
I inform the House that we have present on the floor of the chamber this afternoon His Excellency Mr Woo, the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea. On behalf of the House, I extend a very warm...
- Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
- Workplace Relations (7 speeches)
My question is to the Minister representing the Minister for Employment. The LNP issued 35,000 457 visas. The ALP made it 165,000. Meat processing giant AMH protested that their competitors are...
- Forestry Industry (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 what action the government has taken to secure the...
- Workplace Relations (9 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. The Australia Institute found the decision to cut penalty rates could blow a $650 million hole in the budget over the forward estimates. Has the government...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. I refer him to the case of O'Leary Walker Wines in the Clare Valley—incidentally, just outside my electorate but in the member...
- Taxation (9 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Can the Prime Minister confirm that scrapping the deficit levy in the budget will deliver a tax cut of more than $16,000 a year for millionaires? Why does...
- Energy (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Small Business. Will the minister update the House on action the government is taking to protect small businesses from the impact of a costly and unreliable...
- Taxation (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. Is the Treasurer aware that last week he failed on no fewer than 12 occasions to confirm that the entire $50 billion handout to big business would be in his...
- Global Security (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Foreign Affairs. Will the minister advise the House of the importance to our region of the fight against ISIS in Iraq in Syria?
- Budget (2 speeches)
My question is to the Treasurer. I refer to reports that the Treasurer's colleagues are saying that his job could be on the line if he does not succeed with this year's budget—with one...
- Asylum Seekers (2 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on the government's efforts to assist persecuted minorities seeking refuge from terrorism...
- Workplace Relations (18 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is giving a $50 billion handout to big business and a tax cut for millionaires on 1 July, while supporting pay cuts for nearly 700,000...
- Taxation (3 speeches)
My question is to the Prime Minister. Why is it that under this Prime Minister companies like James Hardie pay no tax, but workers on award wages end up with a pay cut?
- Roads (3 speeches)
My question is to the Minister for Urban Infrastructure. Will the minister update the House on the Turnbull government's significant infrastructure investment in South-East Queensland, including...
- Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
- Report No. 44 of 2016-2017 (1 speech)
(): I present the Auditor-General's performance audit report No. 44 of 2016-17 entitled Army’s workforce management: Department of Defence. Ordered that the report be made a parliamentary paper.
- 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.
- Business (0 speeches)
- Rearrangement (1 speech)
By leave—I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the following from occurring: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent the...
- Committees (0 speeches)
- Public Works Committee; Report (1 speech)
On behalf of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Public Works, I present the following reports—Referrals made November and December 2016 (2nd report of 2017)and the Eightieth annual...
- Bills (0 speeches)
- Adjournment (0 speeches)
- Shortland Electorate: National Youth Week (1 speech)
National Youth Week begins this Friday, and I am pleased to report to the House on events that are taking place in Shortland as well as speak about a very special festival I will be attending on...
- Marine Reserves (1 speech)
The Northern Beaches is my home—always has been, always will be. I grew up watching the yachts on Pittwater, the rock fisherman at Long Reef, surfers and swimmers braving the elements for...
- Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (1 speech)
Tonight I rise to speak about the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, or NAIF. I have always strongly supported the concept of an Australian government investment corporation to fund...
- Arts (1 speech)
Tonight I want to mention two definitive life experiences that are the reasons why I am so passionate about promoting and defending Australian musicians and why in future you will see me doing...
- Parramatta Electorate: Community Events (1 speech)
There are three local events I would like to refer to tonight. On 17 March, I was pleased to attend the 75th anniversary service of one of our fine schools: Delany College, Granville. Delany...
- Calare Electorate: Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience (1 speech)
The extraordinary Spirit of Anzac Centenary Experience exhibition recently visited the Calare electorate. It is presented during the Anzac Centenary, spanning 2014 to 2018—the...
- Constituency Statements (0 speeches)
- Legal Aid: Southern Community Justice Centre (1 speech)
I rise today to express the outrage that many in my electorate are feeling over the Attorney-General's reckless cuts to our community legal centres. As a result of a very poor decision by the...
- Bonner Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of hosting the student leaders afternoon tea for new school leaders around the Bonner electorate. Joining me on the day was my good friend Andy Gourley, the...
- Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
The Commonwealth Grants Commission announced last week that WA's return from GST, collected in that state, will be 34c in the dollar and that is up from 30c. There is understandable outrage...
- Deakin Electorate: Deakin Twilight Cup (1 speech)
A couple of weeks ago the Melbourne East Netball Association held the annual Deakin Twilight Cup, an event that I have been thrilled to jointly host over the past four years. The tournament sees...
- Centrelink (1 speech)
Every week my office takes on new cases that emerge from the torrent of issues generated by the Centrelink system, which is in crisis. The cases are new; the issues are well worn. They typically...
- Hume Electorate: Volunteers (1 speech)
Today I want to salute just some of the many thousands of highly-valued volunteers in my electorate. The tireless community work of these quiet achievers has in many cases, quite literally, been...
- Hume Electorate: Men's Shed (1 speech)
This morning I have come to talk about the men's shed in my electorate. I was very pleased to be at the opening of the shed on March 4, alongside the shed boss man and president, Michael Siegle,...
- Forde Electorate: Building Stronger Communities Grants Program (1 speech)
It is always good to see my neighbour, the member for Wright, in the chair. The coalition government's Stronger Communities program is a tremendous success. I would like to take this opportunity...
- Broadband (1 speech, 1 comment)
What has happened to broadband in this country is nothing short of a travesty. Labor's full fibre NBN had indeed the potential to be the single greatest economic enabler for our country in...
- Bowman Electorate: Survey (2 speeches)
In the coming weeks, we will again be conducting Redland's biggest survey, which has been held four years in a row now and probably has the largest collation of electorate-wide data in the...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Multiculturalism (17 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) Australia has had a policy on multiculturalism since 1973; and (b) Australia's multicultural policy demonstrates our shared values and cultural...
- Water Infrastructure (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Australian Government is committed to providing water infrastructure to increase agricultural production and irrigation potential across...
- Workplace Relations (11 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) there are over 90,000 people employed in the accommodation sector of the hospitality industry and many of these are women; (b) full time workers will...
- Business (12 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) recognises that the last two budgets demonstrate the Government's achievements in supporting small businesses; (2) notes that the Government has delivered: (a) a Ten...
- Statements by Members (0 speeches)
- Maher, Mr Terry (1 speech)
It gives me great pleasure today to introduce members of the Wodonga & District Turf Club and friends to the House, because we want to pay tribute to the Victorian turf club volunteer of the...
- Cook Colliery (1 speech)
Cook Mine is an underground coal colliery located approximately 30 kilometres south of the town of Blackwater in Central Queensland. It is owned by Caledon Coal. Early in March, a significant...
- Marine Rescue NSW Cape Byron Unit (1 speech)
Recently I was proud to present national medals to Pam Ditton, Joy Taylor, Rodney Syl Reid and Len Hughes in recognition of their long service to Marine Rescue Cape Byron. The presentation took...
- North Shore Prostate Cancer Support Group (1 speech)
Each year in Australia, 20,000 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer, making it our most common cancer. Like many families, my own has experienced the effects of this cancer. For those who are...
- City of Casey Australia Day Study Tour (1 speech)
Last week I was pleased to meet with a group of very bright and capable year 11 students who were participating in the 2017 City of Casey Australia Day Study Tour. Each year, the City of Casey...
- Defence Industry Future Frigates and Offshore Patrol Vessels Roadshow (1 speech)
I am very pleased today to speak about the most exciting news for regional WA. What I speak of is new defence jobs. On 11 April, together with the Department of Defence, I will host the Defence...
- Hogan, Ms Dorothy (Dot) (1 speech)
I rise to speak about a local Labor stalwart and community champion, Dorothy Hogan, commonly known as Dot. Dot went to primary school with my mother, Joy, and they have been lifelong friends. Dot...
- Grey Electorate: Infrastructure (1 speech)
Port Augusta is the crossroads of Australia. All east-west and north-south traffic passes through Port Augusta over the single-lane Joy Baluch Bridge. The Baluch Bridge was opened in 1972,...
- Workplace Relations (1 speech)
I rise today to speak about the plight of workers who are caught in between two legislative schemes. These workers have not received their fair and just entitlements, as their co-workers have,...
- Roads, Australian Football Women's League (1 speech)
Over the weekend, we had two momentous events on the Gold Coast. Firstly, the government very proudly announced an agreement with the state government for funding of Queensland roads, worth half...
- Macarthur Electorate: Campbelltown and Airds Historical Society (1 speech)
History provides the greatest lessons, and all too often we are too busy to reflect and learn from our history. Today I rise to speak in recognition of a local group in Macarthur that has been...
- Gilmore Electorate: Regional Motorsports Complex (1 speech)
Our dream of a regional motorsports complex to be built in Gilmore is buried in the roots of a not-so-rare plant. That is over 300 or so construction and ongoing jobs lost. That is almost $11...
- Parramatta Electorate: Australian Blind Cricket (1 speech)
Last year I made contact with local Goalball legend Troy King at an international tournament at old Kings School. Goalball is a game for vision-impaired people that involves throwing a ball,...
- Farrer Electorate: Child Care (1 speech)
I would like to congratulate all involved in the extensions to the Culcairn Early Childhood Centre, which I attended yesterday. It is a great example of all levels of government working together...
- Moreton Electorate: Legal Aid (1 speech)
The Women's Legal Service Queensland is located in Annerley, in my electorate of Moreton, but they assist women throughout Queensland—from Cape York down to Coolangatta and from Cunnamulla...
- Bonner Electorate: Small Business (1 speech)
Last Saturday, I attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of Pet City in Mount Gravatt. This is an amazing feat for an independent family owned store. I would like to speak today about the...
- Muir, Mr Alan 'Ali' (1 speech)
I rise in blue today to recognise the great Territorian, Ali Muir, who passed recently, so I wanted to reflect on our Ali's life. As I said, he was a great man. In the eulogies—and there...
- Forde Electorate: Pink Stumps Day (1 speech)
I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Bethania Cricket Club for their fantastic fundraising efforts during the 2017 Pink Stumps Day. No stranger to the cricket field, I was very...
- Goods and Services Tax (1 speech)
There is a problem with the distribution of GST proceeds and it needs to be fixed. Everyone accepts that there are swings and roundabouts in the system, and since Federation there have been...
- Fisher Electorate: Fisher Seniors Council (2 speeches)
I strive to be a member of parliament that listens to my community. That is why I formed three advisory groups: the Fisher Youth Council; the Fisher Seniors Council and the Fisher Business...
- Private Members' Business (0 speeches)
- Family Planning Services (6 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Global Gag Rule (GGR), as implemented by the United States, will prove detrimental to millions of women and girls around the world; (b) the GGR...
- Victoria: Law and Order (14 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the Victorian Labor Government was elected on 29 November 2014 and the Premier was sworn in on 4 December 2014; (b) the Premier: (i) in...
- Minister for Young People (9 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that: (a) the first Minister for Employment and Youth Affairs was appointed by the Fraser Government in 1978; (b) subsequent Labor and Coalition Australian...
- United States-Australia Alliance Relationship (8 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that a simple resolution is currently before the United States Senate in the name of Senator Benjamin Cardin of Maryland and 13 other United States Senators...
- Hazelwood Power Station (14 speeches, 1 comment)
I move: That this House: (1) notes: (a) the Hazelwood power station is scheduled to close on 26 March 2017; (b) its closure will affect 750 direct jobs in Gippsland; (c) unemployment is already...
- Firearms Trafficking (2 speeches)
I move: That this House: (1) notes that while Australia has some of the strongest firearm controls in the world, illicit firearms continue to remain a threat to community safety; (2) acknowledges...
