House debates

Thursday, 30 March 2017

  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Committees (0 speeches)
    • Public Works Committee; Approval of Work (1 speech)
      On behalf of the Minister for Small Business, I move: That, in accordance with the provisions of the Public Works Committee Act 1969, it is expedient to carry out the following proposed work...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      I move: That notice Nos 17 and 18 government business, be postponed until a later hour this day. Question agreed to.
  • Committees (0 speeches)
  • Bills (0 speeches)
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • Burt Electorate: Harmony Week (1 speech)
      Last weekend, I attended the first Harmony Week celebration hosted by the Australian Arab Association in my electorate of Burt. This was a lovely, relaxed family event with food stalls, clothes...
    • Chisholm Electorate: Box Hill RSL (1 speech)
      I rise today to acknowledge the invaluable contributions and integral role the Box Hill RSL makes to Chisholm and to the broader community. A beacon of mateship, community support, companionship...
    • Blaxland Electorate: Stacey Street (1 speech)
      Stacey Street in my electorate is the fourth slowest road in all of Sydney. In fact, it is the slowest road in Sydney outside the CBD. It is the seventh slowest road in all of Australia. In fact,...
    • Kookaburra Kids (1 speech)
      Last week, I joined my colleagues Treasurer Scott Morrison and Minister for Veterans' Affairs Dan Tehan at the launch of the Kookaburra Kids program for Defence Force families, both current and...
    • New South Wales: Gosford By-Election (1 speech)
      The Gosford by-election is just over a week away. Labor candidate Liesl Tesch knows that more needs to be done to boost infrastructure on the coast. Labor has a plan to do it. The Liberal...
    • Pollie Pedal (1 speech)
      Next Monday a group of 50 to 60 cyclists will set off on a 1,000-kilometre ride from Albury to Sydney via Wagga, Talbingo, Cooma, Canberra, Goulburn, Mittagong and Camden. This year's annual...
    • Water (1 speech)
      I would like to take the opportunity to correct the record as put by the member for Kennedy on 1 March in this place, when he asserted I supported giving water resources to a foreign corporation....
    • In One Voice Festival (1 speech)
      On 19 March I had the pleasure of attending In One Voice, a Jewish cultural street festival in the wonderful part of my electorate called Elsternwick—but I will concede that it was slightly...
    • Legal Aid (1 speech)
      The campaign against the government's cruel cuts to community legal centres is gathering steam. Domestic violence campaigner and former Australian of the Year Rosie Batty, who knows firsthand how...
    • Anzac Day, International Development Assistance (1 speech)
      Before parliament comes back again many of us will attend Anzac Day ceremonies. Last year I was fortunate to visit Tyne Cot Cemetery, the largest Commonwealth cemetery in the world. Over 10,000...
    • Macarthur Electorate: Shine Community Choir (1 speech)
      I want to talk about arts funding. The 2016-17 budget was both a slight relief and a disappointment for arts groups—relief that there were not more of the savage cuts from previous budgets...
    • McMillan Electorate: Woorayl Lodge (1 speech)
      Woorayl Lodge in Leongatha is a not-for-profit community based residential aged-care service. My aged-care heroes today are Keith Marshman, Graeme Evans, Robert Bruce, Judith Bright, Chris...
    • Western Sydney (1 speech)
      I rise to thank the 300 members in the communities of Western Sydney who have contributed submissions against the proposed incinerator at Eastern Creek. This is another fine example of the good...
    • Turnbull Government (1 speech)
      It is a pleasure to be able to stand and record on the Hansard the Turnbull government's commitment to jobs and growth. We are supporting families and communities, and we are supporting that...
    • Cyclone Debbie (1 speech)
      While I am down here in Canberra, back home in my electorate of Moreton things are getting very, very damp. My kids are home from school. Their spirits are pretty high, but a lot of other people...
    • Emerald Medical Centre (1 speech)
      I rise today to speak about a person who is incredibly important to the community of Emerald in my electorate of La Trobe. Dr George Somers took over the Emerald Medical Centre in 1981 after the...
    • Epilepsy (1 speech)
      I want to speak briefly about epilepsy. The Sunday just gone was Purple Day, epilepsy awareness day. Epilepsy is a devastating medical condition that causes seizures and can impact on an...
    • Banks Electorate: Beverly Hills Parking (1 speech)
      It is time to build a car park in Beverly Hills. The federal government has put $2.5 million on the table to build this much-needed piece of infrastructure, and it is time for the Georges River...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Rearrangement (1 speech)
      by leave—I move: That so much of the standing orders be suspended as would prevent: (1) Members' statements being interrupted at 2 pm for government business; (2) questions without notice...
    • Suspension of Standing and Sessional Orders (1 speech)
      I move: That standing order 31 (automatic adjournment of the House) and standing order 33 (limit on business) be suspended for the sitting on Thursday, 30 March, 2017. Question agreed to. On...
    • Leave of Absence (8 speeches, 2 comments)
      I move: That leave of absence be given to every Member of the House of Representatives from the determination of this sitting of the House to the date of its next sitting.
  • Condolences (0 speeches)
  • Questions without Notice (0 speeches)
    • Tropical Cyclone Debbie (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Today, the Prime Minister and I toured regions in Queensland affected by Cyclone Debbie. I thank the Prime Minister for dealing with these events in...
    • Economy (2 speeches, 1 comment)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Will the Prime Minister update the House on the government's approach to generating jobs and growing the economy? How does this compare with other approaches?
    • Workplace Relations (4 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Yesterday, the Prime Minister was asked about the government's submission to the review of the minimum wage. Was the reason the Prime Minister failed to...
    • Budget (2 speeches, 1 comment)
      My question is for the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer update the House on how the budget has ensured that the government is living within its means and can the Treasurer explain how this compares...
    • Workplace Relations (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. It is a serious question. The government's submission to the minimum wage review states: … low-paid workers are more likely to be young, female, single...
    • Tasmania: Fuel Prices (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister.
    • Child Care (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Social Services. Will the minister update the House on the government's success in providing greater childcare support for Australian families, especially in...
    • Workplace Relations (13 speeches)
      I call the member for Gorton. Mr Pasin interjecting — The member for Gorton will pause for a second. The member for Barker will cease interjecting. Mr Pyne interjecting— The Leader of...
    • Budget (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer. Will the Treasurer outline to the House the priorities driving the government's upcoming budget? How will the 2017 budget build on the government's national...
    • Workplace Relations (6 speeches)
      My question is to the Treasurer and it refers to his previous answer. In quoting the 2013 submission, why did the Treasurer not refer to the following quotation: 'Low-paid employees are also...
    • Queensland: Sugar Industry (4 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 steps taken by the government to secure...
    • Workplace Relations (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister, and I refer to the Prime Minister's previous answers. Does the Prime Minister agree that there is no precedent for a formal government submission which tries...
    • Defence Industry (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Defence Industry representing the Minister for Employment. Will the minister update the House on the government's national defence industry project that...
    • Workplace Relations (5 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Margarita is a 58-year-old widow and grandmother who works as a housekeeper in a hotel. She is sitting in the gallery today. Because the Prime Minister...
    • Migration (7 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection. Will the minister update the House on actions the government is taking to ensure our skilled migration program serves the...
    • Workplace Relations (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Prime Minister. Is the Prime Minister really telling Margarita that when penalty rates fall her wages will not, because she is actually employed on award terms? What is...
    • Energy (2 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for the Environment and Energy. Will the minister update the House on what the government is doing to help businesses and families by making energy affordable and...
    • Centrelink (16 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Human Services. Can the minister confirm that his office sent separate emails to TheCanberra Times and The Guardian, to which were attached two documents marked...
    • Trade (3 speeches)
      My question is to the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Investment. Will the minister update the House on how the government's trade policies are supporting jobs of hardworking Australians. How...
  • Personal Explanations (0 speeches)
    • (11 speeches)
      I wish to make a personal explanation.
  • Statement by the Speaker (0 speeches)
    • Matter of Privilege (1 speech)
      Yesterday the Manager of Opposition Business asked me a question in relation to a Senate committee of privileges report presented in the Senate on Tuesday. The Senate dealt with the privilege...
  • 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.
  • Auditor-General's Reports (0 speeches)
    • Report No. 45 of 2016-17 (1 speech)
      (): I present the Auditor-General's Audit report No. 45 of 2016-17 entitled, Replacement Antarctic vessel: Department of Environment and Energy. Ordered that the report be made a parliamentary paper.
  • Matters of Public Importance (0 speeches)
    • Turnbull Government (44 speeches)
      I have received a letter from the honourable Leader of the Opposition proposing that a definite matter of public importance be submitted to the House for discussion, namely: The Government...
  • Motions (0 speeches)
    • Productivity Commission (18 speeches)
      I seek leave to move the following motion: That this house move that a Parliamentary Inquiry be immediately undertaken into the Productivity Commission and its reports, questioning its wider...
  • Business (0 speeches)
    • Days and Hours of Meeting (2 speeches)
      Given we are now past the time that we would normally adjourn on a Thursday night and given that the Senate is not making any progress that would cause us to need to stay here, I suggest that the...
  • Statements by Members (0 speeches)
    • McGuinness, Mr Martin (1 speech)
      Before I go to the matter I want to speak on, I just want to reinforce our condolences and concerns for the people of Queensland. As I understand it, the cyclone is heading south and there are...
    • Banks Electorate: Netball Facilities, Banks Electorate: Girl Guides (1 speech)
      I want to speak this morning on the important issue of access to netball facilities in the southern Bankstown region in my electorate. We have a lot of great netball clubs in the Bankstown...
    • Cyclone Debbie (1 speech)
      Sadly, the people of Queensland are too used to floods, cyclones and all manner of natural occurrences tragically impacting their country towns, rural communities and cities. Today the people of...
    • Crawley, Ms Kara (1 speech)
      Five years ago I spoke in this place to bring awareness to the plight of those suffering from mitochondrial disease. This is a disease which affects one in 200 Australians. It is commonly...
    • Road Safety: Cycling (1 speech)
      On the 13 March I rode with my family and the cycling community of Melbourne's west in the ride for Arzu to demand that all levels of government deliver save cycling infrastructure for our...
    • Farm World (1 speech)
      One of the most strategic and important events across Gippsland and Australia will happen this weekend with the 50th staging of the Lardner Park field days. This will be the 50th year that...
    • Chifley Electorate: Waste Incinerator (1 speech)
      Having grown up in Western Sydney, we have learned the hard way that it often takes ages to get the things we need, but super lightning-fast speed to get the things we do not want. It is...
    • Hazelwood Power Station (1 speech)
      Tomorrow many workers will leave the Hazelwood Power Station for the last time. It is in, any sense of the word, the end of an era after 52 years for the people of Gippsland and the Latrobe...
    • Devil Facial Tumour Disease (1 speech)
      Only two years ago the Tasmanian devil was chosen as the state's official animal emblem. I was going to bring a Tassie devil in—not a real one, of course; maybe a toy one. For those who may...
    • Cyclone Debbie (2 speeches)
      Currently in Queensland we are experiencing some abnormal weather conditions from Cyclone Debbie. My home town of Rockhampton, in central Queensland, has been inundated with higher than average...
  • Governor General's Speech (0 speeches)
    • Address-in-Reply (6 speeches)
      I want to use this opportunity in our nation's parliament to not only give an understanding of what it is like to live in the electorate that I am proud to represent, Chifley, but to also extend...
  • Adjournment (0 speeches)
    • Keep Me Posted Campaign (1 speech)
      On Friday, 24 March, I held a community forum in Belconnen Library on the Keep Me Posted campaign. I told my own story of travails with paper bills. I signed up for a credit card offered by a...
    • Victorian Opera, Goldstein Electorate (1 speech)
      In agreeing to the motion that the Federation Chamber adjourn, I want to reflect on some of the wonderful work that is being done in Victoria, and particularly within the Goldstein community....
    • Turnbull Government (2 speeches)
      Today is the last sitting day of parliament before the budget—the fourth budget of this Abbott-Turnbull government. The people of Australia have every reason to be worried. The people in my...
    • Macquarie Electorate: Indigenous Health (1 speech)
      The Blue Mountains, in my electorate of Macquarie, is a place where the community identifies issues and then gets on with finding a solution. Seven years ago, that is exactly what local groups...
    • Robertson Electorate: Toast the Coast (1 speech)
      I rise today to pay tribute to an outstanding local event that celebrates the best of the Central Coast lifestyle with fresh produce, innovative gourmet foods, local and craft wineries,...
    • Workplace Relations (3 speeches)
      I rise today to invite the Prime Minister to come and visit the electorate of Lalor, and to suggest that he bring the Minister for Women, Senator Cash, with him, so that the next time he is on a...
    • Fadden Electorate: Schools (1 speech)
      I rise to acknowledge the 756 student leaders at schools across the northern Gold Coast, and to commend them for stepping up to their leadership journey and seeking to play a leadership role in...
    • Racial Discrimination Act 1975 (1 speech)
      On Wednesday of this week, the Senate wasted a day debating a bill to make it easier to racially offend, insult and humiliate our fellow Australians, at the direction of the Turnbull government....
    • Gilmore Electorate: Shoalhaven Nowra Relay for Life (1 speech)
      On a more positive note, because I am definitely a glass-half-full person rather than a glass-half-empty person—in fact completely empty!—on Saturday, 25 March 2017, I officially cut...
    • Northern Territory (1 speech)
      I want to provide an update on the continuing work of the Northern Territory government with the Prime Minister, the federal Treasurer and the senator for the Northern Territory, Senator...
    • Murray-Darling Basin Plan (1 speech)
      As members and senators know, now more than ever, my electorate of Farrer is the home of irrigated agriculture. Murray Irrigation, Murrumbidgee Irrigation, Coleambally Irrigation and Western...

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What are Debates?

Debates in the House of Representatives are an opportunity for members from all parties to scrutinise government legislation and raise important local, national or topical issues.

And sometimes to shout at each other.